Garland, TX Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Pigeon coop setback
- 30 feet from any neighboring dwelling (§22.16(A))
- Exempt keepers
- Vet clinics, zoos, shelters, pet stores, schools (§22.16(B))
- Wild waterfowl capture
- Banned without Animal Services permission (§22.18(H))
- Private pond exception
- Owners may collect their own fowl (§22.18(H))
- Sanitary setback
- 5 feet from an adjoining residentially zoned lot (§22.17(B)(6))
Summary
Garland protects birds two ways: a captive-keeping setback and a wild-catching ban. Pigeon coops must sit at least 30 feet from any neighbor's dwelling under Section 22.16, while Section 22.18(H) bars catching wild fowl off any City lake or pond without written Animal Services permission, unless the water is your own.
§ 22.16. Pigeons. (A) Pigeons and similar birds (nonfowl) shall be kept in an enclosure that is located at least thirty (30) feet from any residential dwelling, other than that of the owner. (B) It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section if the birds are kept in a veterinary clinic, zoo, shelter, pet store, or educational institution. ... § 22.18(H) Capturing waterfowl. No person shall apprehend or collect fowl from any body of water in the City limits without written permission from the Supervisor of Animal Services provided that the owner of a private body of water may collect his own fowl without permission of Animal Services.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
15 set for fowl and rabbits. Subsection (B) carves out an affirmative defense for birds "kept in a veterinary clinic, zoo, shelter, pet store, or educational institution," so those institutions are not held to the residential setback. 17 layer on top for any bird enclosure: fecal material must be removed at least twice weekly, no pen may sit closer than five feet to an adjoining residentially zoned lot, and tethered birds cannot reach within five feet of a property line. " Together the two sections mean a Garland resident can legally keep captive pigeons or doves close to a lot line if institutionally exempt, but cannot legally net wild ducks or geese off a City-owned pond without a permit first.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a pigeon or similar bird enclosure inside the 30-foot residential setback is a citable Animal Services offense under Section 22.16(A) unless the Section 22.16(B) institutional defense applies. Catching wild fowl from a public body of water without the Supervisor of Animal Services' written permission is a separate offense under Section 22.18(H), enforced through the same Animal Service Officer citation authority in Section 22.02(A).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a pigeon coop sit from a neighbor's house in Garland?
Can a pet store or school keep pigeons closer than 30 feet?
Can I catch wild ducks from a City lake in Garland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle bird protection.