Georgetown, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Compliance deadline
- 30 days after dangerous determination
- Liability insurance
- $100,000 minimum coverage
- Leash length outside enclosure
- Not more than 6 feet
- Appeal window
- 15 days to Municipal Court
- Maximum fine
- $2,000 per offense
Summary
Georgetown doesn't ban dogs by breed. Instead, the Animal Control Unit investigates any documented bite or menacing incident under Sec. 7.05.020 and can formally declare an individual dog dangerous under Sec. 7.05.030. Once declared, the owner has 30 days to register the dog, carry $100,000 in liability coverage, build an inspected secure enclosure, and muzzle the dog on a six-foot leash whenever it leaves that enclosure.
A.Not later than the 30th day after a person learns of the final determination that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:1.Register the dangerous dog with the Animal Control Unit;2.Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in the amount of at least $100,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the Animal Control Unit;3.Provide a secure enclosure that will prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and will reasonably prevent any persons except the owner of the dog from entering the enclosure. Such enclosure must be inspected and approved by the Animal Control Unit before the dog is registered with the Animal Control Unit;...8.When removed from its secure enclosure, muzzle the dog in a way to not cause injury to the dog, nor interfere with the dog's vision or breathing, but to prevent the dog from biting another animal or a person and restrain the dog at all times on a leash capable of restraining the dog without breaking and not more than six feet in length.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
05 of the Code of Ordinances splits dog regulation into two tracks: dangerous dogs (Article I) and aggressive dogs (Article II), and neither track singles out a breed. A dangerous dog incident under Sec. 020 is an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury, or unprovoked acts outside a secure enclosure that make a person reasonably believe the dog will attack. Anyone can file a sworn written complaint, and the Animal Control Unit investigates under Sec. 030, with authority to seize the dog immediately if it has already caused injury.
Once a dog is determined dangerous, Sec. 060 requires the owner, within 30 days, to register the dog with the Animal Control Unit, obtain at least $100,000 in liability insurance or equivalent financial responsibility, build a secure enclosure inspected and approved before registration, hold a current City pet license, post a visible warning sign, prove the dog has been surgically altered, affix an ID tag, and muzzle and leash the dog on a leash no longer than six feet whenever it is outside the enclosure.
Owners get 15 days to appeal a determination to Municipal Court under Sec. 040, which must hold a hearing within ten days and can order removal from City limits, compliance, or humane destruction. Separately, Article II classifies dogs that menace or injure other animals as Level 1 through 3 aggressive dogs under Sec. 100, with escalating confinement, insurance, training, and sterilization conditions in Sec. 140, and Level 3 dogs can be ordered destroyed by the Chief of Police or, on appeal, the Municipal Judge.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet any registration, insurance, enclosure, or leash requirement for a dangerous or aggressive dog is a criminal offense under Sec. 7.05.090 and Sec. 7.05.170, punishable by a fine up to $2,000, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense under Sec. 1.08.010(C). An owner who misses the 30-day compliance deadline must surrender the dog to the Animal Control Unit, and Municipal Court can order the dog seized and humanely destroyed if requirements remain unmet by the 11th day after seizure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgetown ban pit bulls or other specific breeds?
What does an owner have to do once a dog is declared dangerous?
Can a dangerous dog determination be appealed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Georgetown
How Georgetown compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Georgetown to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle breed restrictions.