Converse, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning required
- AG or RR districts
- Minimum lot
- Typically 1 acre
- Horse/cattle
- 1 acre + 0.5 per additional
- Shelter setback
- 50 feet from dwellings
- Fencing
- Closed-range containment required
Summary
Livestock keeping in Converse (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine) is restricted to AG-zoned parcels typically 1 acre or larger with setbacks, fencing, and manure management requirements.
Sec. 142.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Estray" means stray livestock, stray exotic livestock, stray bison, or stray exotic fowl. (2) "Perilous condition" means a circumstance or condition in which capture and impoundment of an estray presents an immediate threat to law enforcement personnel or to the health of the estray. (3) "Person" does not include the government or a governmental agency or subdivision. (4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known as ungulates, including animals from the swine, horse, tapir, rhinoceros, elephant, deer, and antelope families.
Full Breakdown
Converse Municipal Code restricts traditional livestock to agricultural or rural residential zoning districts, typically on parcels of 1 acre or more. Minimum acreage per animal varies by species: horses and cattle generally require 1 acre for the first animal plus 0.5 acre per additional animal; goats and sheep about 0.25 acre each; swine are most restricted because of odor and water quality concerns. Shelters, barns, and paddocks must be set back 50 feet or more from neighboring dwellings. Fencing must meet Texas fence-out rules in open-range areas but Bexar County is largely closed-range, placing the containment burden on the livestock owner. Manure must be managed to prevent runoff to drainages and neighboring properties; large operations may require TCEQ concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) permits. 4-H and FFA project animals are commonly accommodated on residential-agricultural lots with temporary variances. The Converse extraterritorial jurisdiction extends city rules to adjacent unincorporated areas; confirm jurisdiction before establishing livestock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my kid raise a steer for 4-H?
What about mini horses or miniature cattle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Converse
How Converse compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Converse to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bexar County handle chickens & livestock.