Backyard Pig Laws in Colorado: What You Need to Know Before Getting One

Keeping a backyard pig in Colorado sounds appealing — these intelligent animals form strong bonds with their owners and have become increasingly popular as urban and suburban companions. But before you bring one home, you need to understand a patchwork of state classifications, county zoning codes, city ordinances, and HOA rules that can vary dramatically from one address to the next.

Colorado has no single statewide law that either permits or bans backyard pigs outright. Instead, the rules are set at the county and municipal level, which means your neighbor two towns over may face completely different restrictions than you do. This guide walks you through what Colorado law says at every level so you can make an informed decision — and avoid being forced to rehome a pig you’ve already fallen in love with.

Pro Tip: Always verify rules with your specific city or county zoning office before acquiring a pig. Ordinances change, and online resources — including this one — may not reflect the most recent amendments.

Are Backyard Pigs Legal in Colorado?

The short answer is: it depends entirely on where in Colorado you live. There are more than 60 counties in Colorado, each with their own regulations, rules, and zoning policies, and the laws differ significantly on keeping a pig as a pet. Some jurisdictions welcome potbellied pigs under specific conditions, others ban all swine from residential zones, and a few fall somewhere in between.

Whether you can keep a pig in a residential area depends almost entirely on your local zoning and animal control ordinances. Some cities and counties welcome pot-bellied pigs as household pets; others ban all swine from residential zones outright. A third group allows pigs under strict conditions involving permits, weight limits, and housing standards.

For example, although hogs and pigs are generally prohibited in Colorado Springs, up to two potbellied pigs may be kept in any household or dwelling. Meanwhile, Englewood bans pigs completely. In Aurora, potbellied pigs are banned in suburban areas, but if you reside in A or RA zoning, you may keep livestock, which includes potbellied pigs. The bottom line: your zip code determines your legal standing.

How Colorado Classifies Pigs — Livestock vs. Pet

One of the most important things to understand is how Colorado law categorizes pigs, because the classification directly controls what rules apply to you. Potbelly pigs fall into the livestock category as swine under Colorado’s general legal framework. This matters enormously, because livestock and pets are governed by separate sets of rules at both the state and local level.

Under Colorado’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA), “pet animal” means dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, ferrets, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates — or any other species sold or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet — except livestock. Pigs do not appear on that list, which means they are excluded from pet animal protections and fall under livestock regulations by default.

Unfortunately, many pigs are classified as livestock, and owners and potential owners of these wonderful creatures must be aware of laws in the counties in which they reside. This livestock classification is the root cause of most legal conflicts between pig owners and their municipalities. Even a 30-pound potbellied pig kept entirely indoors as a companion animal is legally treated as swine — the same category as a 500-pound commercial hog — in most Colorado jurisdictions.

Some cities have carved out a narrow exception by treating potbellied pigs as a distinct subcategory. In Colorado Springs, for instance, it is unlawful for any person to own or keep any hogs or pigs within the city, but potbellied pigs may be owned or kept under specific conditions. That distinction between “hogs and pigs” and “potbellied pigs” is the legal hook that allows miniature pig ownership in cities that would otherwise ban all swine.

Key Insight: Even if your city allows potbellied pigs, the pig is still classified as livestock for most regulatory purposes. This affects permitting, enclosure requirements, and where on your property the animal must be housed.

Zoning and Property Requirements for Keeping Pigs in Colorado

Zoning is the single most decisive factor in whether you can legally keep a pig at your address. Most Colorado municipalities allow livestock — including swine — only in agricultural (A), rural residential (RR), or large-lot residential zones. Standard suburban residential zones typically prohibit them.

Here is how several major Colorado jurisdictions handle pig zoning, according to information compiled by Hog Haven Farm, a Colorado-based pig rescue that tracks local ordinances:

• Denver: A Livestock or Fowl Permit allows an individual to keep livestock or fowl — including swine — on their property, and potbelly pigs fall into the livestock category. Denver requires residents to go through a hearing and permit process before bringing a pig onto their property.
• Aurora: Livestock is not permitted unless allowed by zoning provisions of the City Code, and livestock includes but is not limited to pigs.
• Lakewood (Jefferson County): Livestock are permitted on properties in zones R-1-43, R-1-18, R-1-12, and R-1-9 when certain criteria are met.
• Littleton: Potbelly pigs are classified as livestock; there are certain zones within the city that allow for livestock, including A, RE, RL, and RS — but they are not allowed in most zones.
• Boulder: You may keep pigs in Boulder, but the number of pet pigs varies by type of zoning and lot size.
• Loveland: Potbellied pigs are allowed within city limits, but must be licensed, neutered or spayed, and vaccinated.

In unincorporated county areas, the rules shift again. In unincorporated Jefferson County, livestock are permitted, but you must refer to specific zoning requirements for the exact number of animals per acre or square footage. Teller County’s residential zoning code defines domestic hoofed livestock as including swine, and domestic hoofed livestock are prohibited on residential properties of less than one acre.

If you are on a well-supplied property and want to keep large animals, there is an additional consideration: if a well supplies a property with water and the owner wishes to keep large animals, an appropriate well permit that allows for the watering of large animals is required. If the permit does not allow the watering of animals, water will need to be obtained through a different source.

For a comparison of how Colorado handles other backyard animals, see the backyard chicken laws in Colorado — the zoning framework for poultry often mirrors what applies to pigs in the same jurisdiction.

Size, Weight, and Breed Restrictions in Colorado

Even in cities that allow pigs, you will almost always face restrictions on size, weight, and breed. Standard commercial hogs — which can exceed 600 pounds — are universally prohibited in residential settings. The only pigs realistically permitted in Colorado backyards are miniature or potbellied breeds.

The Vietnamese potbellied pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is the breed most commonly addressed in Colorado municipal codes, and weight caps vary noticeably by city. Here is a breakdown of specific limits across the state:

City / Jurisdiction	Max Weight	Max Number	Additional Breed/Size Notes
Colorado Springs	100 lbs	2	Potbellied pigs only; all other pigs prohibited
Lakewood	70 lbs	3	Livestock zones only
Northglenn	95 lbs	1	One potbellied pig per household
Lafayette	150 lbs	2	Must not exceed 22 inches in height
Wheat Ridge	Permit-based	2	Permit required

In Colorado Springs, potbellied pigs cannot exceed 100 pounds, must be registered with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, and must be either spayed or neutered by four months of age. In Lakewood, the size limit is 70 pounds per pig, with a maximum of three pigs per household. In Northglenn, one potbellied pig per household is allowed with a 95-pound weight restriction.

In Lafayette, you may keep up to two potbellied pigs, but they may not exceed 22 inches in height or 150 pounds in weight. Many ordinances across the country allow only miniature or pot-bellied pigs below a specified weight, often in the 100- to 150-pound range — and Colorado cities largely follow that national pattern.

One important caution: the terms “micro pig,” “teacup pig,” and “miniature pig” are not standardized breed designations. Pigs marketed as staying under 30 pounds often grow to 100 pounds or more. Before purchasing a pig based on a size promise, ask for documented lineage and veterinary records. A pig that grows past your city’s weight limit is a pig you may be required to rehome.

Important Note: “Teacup” and “micro” pig claims are not regulated. Many pigs sold under these labels grow well beyond advertised sizes. Always verify weight limits in your jurisdiction and ask a vet to assess the pig’s likely adult size before purchasing.

Permits, Licenses, and Registration Requirements in Colorado

Across most Colorado cities that allow pigs, keeping one is not as simple as bringing the animal home. You will typically need to satisfy permit, registration, and veterinary requirements before — or immediately after — acquiring your pig.

In Denver, the process is among the most involved in the state. A Livestock or Fowl Permit allows an individual to keep livestock or fowl on their property, and potbelly pigs fall into the livestock category as swine. To obtain the permit, you must first send a pre-approval letter to the Director of the Division of Animal Care and Control at 1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO 80223, with specific information. Denver also requires a hearing as part of that process.

In Colorado Springs, the owner or keeper of a potbellied pig must register the pig with the city’s animal control services provider immediately after acquiring the animal. All potbellied pigs must be tattooed or implanted with a microchip containing identifying information by four months old. The city also charges a registration fee — pigs must be spayed or neutered at four months of age, must be on a leash and harness in public, and registration costs owners a $12 fee.

In Longmont, each pet pig must be licensed within 30 days of acquiring the animal, and the owner must have proof of neuter or spay and a veterinarian health check and proof of breed. Lafayette requires the pig to be neutered or spayed and vaccinated.

Public behavior rules also apply in some cities. Potbellied pigs must be microchipped and altered to reside within city limits, and in public areas, pigs must wear a harness and lead — with the lead not exceeding ten feet in length.

If you are also considering other animals for your property, Colorado’s dog leash laws follow a similarly localized structure, where city and county rules vary considerably from one another.

HOA and Neighborhood Restrictions on Backyard Pigs

Clearing the municipal zoning hurdle does not mean you are free to bring a pig home. If you live in a community governed by a homeowners association, the HOA’s rules operate as a separate and independent layer of restriction — and they can be stricter than city law.

If you live in a community with a homeowners association, the HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions can impose additional rules that go beyond local law. An HOA can ban pigs entirely, cap the number of pets you may keep, or restrict animals by species, breed, or weight, even if your city issues pig permits without hesitation.

HOA restrictions are contractual obligations you agreed to when you purchased the property, and they are enforceable in court. This means that even if the City of Loveland issues you a pig permit, your HOA can still require you to remove the animal from the property. The HOA’s governing documents — specifically the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) — are the controlling text, not the city ordinance.

The typical enforcement pattern starts with a written notice of the violation, followed by a hearing before the board or a designated committee, and escalates to daily or recurring fines if the violation continues. If fines go unpaid, many HOAs have the authority to place a lien on the property. That is a serious consequence worth understanding before you commit to a pig.

Renters face an additional layer: your lease agreement may prohibit livestock or exotic animals entirely, regardless of what the city allows. Always review your lease and get written landlord approval before acquiring a pig.

A few practical steps to take before bringing a pig home:

1. Pull your property’s zoning designation from your county or city assessor’s website.
2. Contact the city or county zoning office directly to confirm current pig ordinances.
3. Request a copy of your HOA’s CC&Rs and look for language covering livestock, farm animals, or exotic pets.
4. If your HOA is silent on pigs, submit a written inquiry to the board and get their response in writing.
5. Consult a local attorney if you receive a violation notice — some pig owners have successfully petitioned for ordinance changes or variances.

Colorado’s approach to backyard animals continues to evolve. In 2019, Arapahoe County made the move to allow residents in unincorporated residential regions of the county — HOAs willing — to raise certain farm animals, reflecting a broader trend toward urban agriculture across the Front Range. Pig regulations may follow a similar trajectory in more cities over time, but for now, the rules remain highly localized and require careful verification before you act.

If you are exploring backyard animal ownership more broadly, you may also find it useful to review the rules for other states — such as backyard chicken laws in Texas, backyard chicken laws in California, or backyard chicken laws in Florida — to see how differently municipalities across the country approach the same questions of zoning, permits, and neighborhood restrictions.

Pro Tip: Even if your HOA documents do not explicitly mention pigs, a general “no livestock” or “no farm animals” clause is almost always interpreted to include swine. Get a written clarification from your HOA board before assuming silence means approval.

The key takeaway is that backyard pig ownership in Colorado is possible in many jurisdictions, but it requires real homework. Your city, your zoning district, your HOA, and your lease all have a say — and the consequences of getting it wrong can mean losing an animal you have bonded with. Check every layer of the rulebook before you commit, and connect with resources like Hog Haven Farm’s Colorado pig guide and your local Colorado Department of Agriculture animal care resources to stay current on the rules that apply to your address.