Native birds are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64. Harris County has no separate bird ordinance. Removing nests, eggs, or birds without a permit is a federal offense with substantial fines.
The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects nearly all native bird species, prohibiting take, possession, or disturbance of birds, eggs, nests, or feathers without a US Fish and Wildlife Service permit. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64 layers state protection over additional species, including non-game birds. Harris County has no separate ordinance; enforcement falls to USFWS, TPWD, and city code-compliance officers when nests appear on residential or commercial buildings. Removal during active nesting requires a federal permit; tree-trimming contractors typically schedule work outside the spring nesting window. Common conflicts involve grackles, swallows, and chimney swifts on rooftops, plus migratory flocks staging in coastal Harris County wetlands.
MBTA violations are federal misdemeanors with fines up to fifteen thousand dollars and six months jail per offense; commercial violations can be felonies. Texas wildlife violations add state fines and license revocation; tree contractors face stop-work orders during nesting.
Baytown, TX
Baytown enforces noise regulations under its Code of Ordinances. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM in residential areas. Located near major ExxonMobil and Chevro...
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 34 (Nuisances) regulates construction noise in residential areas. Construction activities producing loud noise are restric...
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 34 (Nuisances) prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing sounds including amplified music. Sound from loudspeakers, PA sys...
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 (Animals) addresses barking dogs as a nuisance. A dog that barks, howls, or makes excessive noise continuously for an e...
Baytown, TX
Baytown does not have a specific ordinance restricting leaf blower use. Gas-powered and electric leaf blowers are permitted for residential and commercial la...
Baytown, TX
Baytown does not have a formal dibs or space-saving parking system. Residents may not reserve public street parking spaces with objects. Texas does not exper...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how Baytown's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
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