Native birds are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64. Dallas 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. Dallas 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 or HVAC equipment.
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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Garland, TX
Amplified sound in Garland is regulated under Chapter 32; sound 'plainly audible' more than 50 feet from the source after 10 PM is a violation.
Garland, TX
Garland restricts construction noise to daytime hours, with most loud work prohibited overnight and limited on Sundays under Chapter 32 of the Code of Ordina...
Garland, TX
Garland permits leaf blower use under its general noise ordinance, restricting operation to daytime hours with no specific gas-powered ban.
Garland, TX
Garland regulates noise from industrial uses along the I-30 and IH-635 corridors through zoning performance standards and the Code of Ordinances Chapter 32 n...
Garland, TX
Garland generally allows overnight on-street parking in residential areas, but restricts vehicles parked continuously in the same spot for more than 48-72 ho...
Garland, TX
Garland follows Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, defining vehicles as junked or abandoned if inoperable, unregistered, wrecked, or left on public prope...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how Garland's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.