Hastings, Nebraska

Hasting's City website has the following warning about using their on-line information:
Downloaded versions are not official. It is possible that the City Council has approved amendments, additions or deletions to the City Code subsequent to the latest online version of the Code.

The printed version of the Hastings City Code is supplemented quarterly and the hard copy versions are available for viewing in the City Clerk's office at City Hall or at the Hastings Public Library.

So with that caveat, here are some portions of the Hastings City Code that appear to be relevant to our interests here:

Article I. Animals, Except for Dogs and Cats.
10-101. Applicability of article to dogs, cats or caged birds, etc.
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to dogs, cats or caged birds maintained within the dwelling house of a person owning or keeping the same. (Code 1973, 5-18; Ord. No. 1759)

10-102. Keeping of animals prohibited; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or maintain within the City of Hastings any wild or domesticated animal, reptile or fowl, except as follows:

  1. Dogs and cats may be kept, harbored and maintained within the City as provided in this Chapter.
  2. Horses, ponies, llamas, donkeys, mules, sheep, swine, goats, cattle, chickens and ducks may be kept, harbored and maintained within the City with a special use permit as provided in the chapter on zoning; horses and ponies may be ridden within the City subject to any limitations contained in this Chapter.
  3. Canaries, parakeets, parrots, fish, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, white mice or rabbits may be kept, harbored and maintained within the City so long as they are confined within a residence structure or other building.
  4. Live bait, such as earthworms, minnows and crayfish, may be kept within the City for sale or for use.
  5. Amphibians and non-venomous reptiles may be kept within the City as long as they are confined within an owner's dwelling unit or escape-proof enclosure compatible with the animals' welfare, and provided that all amphibians and non-venomous reptiles that are not native to Nebraska are registered with the Animal Control Officer on forms provided by the Animal Control Officer and a registration fee in the amount of five dollars ($5.00) per animal is paid.
  6. The prohibitions of this Section shall not operate to prevent the keeping of prohibited animals by primary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions for educational purposes.
  7. The prohibitions of this Section shall not operate to prevent the temporary storage or display of animals adjacent to and for use in connection with any veterinary clinic, packing plant, livestock sale yard, zoo, circus, rodeo, horse racing track, parade, county fair, or by a humane society or the City of Hastings Health Department.
  8. Upon the annexation of lands into the City where sheep, goats, cattle, horses, ponies, llamas, swine or fowl are kept, the person keeping said animals shall be allowed 30 months from the date of annexation to remove said animals, or to otherwise bring their property into compliance with this Section. During such time, the person granted said extension shall not:
    • Expand or enlarge the area within which the animals are kept; or
    • Increase the number or types of animals that are being kept there on the effective date of the annexation ordinance.

10-117. Wild animals and reptiles.
No wild animals or venomous reptiles may be kept within the City; except, that wild animals or reptiles of all types may be kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos and educational institutions. [1]

Reference:
[1] Hastings City Code See Chapter 10 (animals and fowl)

This page last modified: 09-24-2007

While effort is made to keep the information listed here about the existence of laws and ordinances updated, NebraskaServal is not responsible if the information here is incorrect. It is YOUR responsibility to check and be aware of all the laws and regulations governing you and the animal(s) you own at all levels of government--before you bring them home. And remember: even if local laws appear to allow the keeping of an exotic cat, Nebraska State law currently still prohibits it.