No, keeping goats in Chilean cities is generally prohibited under municipal ordinances and the Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (RSA), with exceptions rare and strictly conditional.
Key Regulations for Keeping Goats in the City in Chile
- Municipal Ordinances: Most municipalities (e.g., Santiago, Providencia, Ñuñoa) classify goats as “livestock” under Ordenanzas Municipales, banning their urban retention unless in designated agricultural zones. Violations trigger fines up to 50 UTM (~$4,200 USD) under Ley General de Urbanismo y Construcciones (LGUC).
- Sanitary and Zoning Laws: The RSA (Decreto Supremo N°977/1996) prohibits small-scale livestock in urban areas due to hygiene risks. The Plan Regulador Comunal (PRC) further restricts land use, often excluding goat-keeping from residential zones.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Pending amendments to the LGUC (projected 2026) may relax rules for “micro-ranching” in high-density areas, but only with municipal permits, veterinary certifications, and waste management plans. Current enforcement remains stringent.
Additional Considerations:
- Noise and Odor: Municipalities like Valparaíso enforce Ley N°21.075 on animal welfare, penalizing disturbances. Goats must not exceed 60 decibels or emit foul odors under Decreto N°10/2013 of the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG).
- Permit Exceptions: Rural-urban fringe areas (e.g., Colina, Buin) may permit goats with Permiso de Actividad Pecuaria from SAG, but urban cores rarely qualify. Always verify with the Dirección de Obras Municipales (DOM).