It is strictly regulated.
France permits urban goat-keeping only under stringent municipal and departmental ordinances, with no national-level authorization. Local plans locaux d’urbanisme (PLU) and règlements sanitaires départementaux (RSD) typically restrict livestock to agricultural zones, though some communes permit small-scale backyard goats under 2026-aligned sustainability exemptions. Violations risk fines up to €1,500 under Code rural Article L214-8.
Key Regulations for Keeping Goats in the City in France
- Zoning Compliance: Goats are prohibited in residential and mixed-use zones unless the PLU explicitly designates an “élevage familial” exception. Paris and Lyon’s 2024 updates to PLU 2030 further limit urban livestock to plots over 500m² with buffer zones.
- Animal Welfare & Sanitation: Mandatory adherence to RSD hygiene standards (e.g., waste containment via approved composting systems) and veterinary inspections every 12 months under Arrêté du 28 juin 2012. Noise ordinances (typically <50dB at night) apply to bleating under Code de la santé publique Article R1334-31.
- Permit Requirements: A déclaration de détention d’animaux must be filed with the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations (DDPP), with additional permits required for breeds exceeding 50kg or herds over three animals in urban areas.