Travis County, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- County Limits
- None
- State Law
- TX HB 1750 (2023)
- Roosters
- Allowed unincorp.
- Setbacks
- None countywide
- HOA
- Often bans entirely
Summary
Unincorporated Travis County has no chicken or poultry limits. No zoning means no coop setbacks, flock caps, or rooster bans apply countywide. Austin ETJ and HOA rules may restrict in some subdivisions.
Sec. 161.002. CARETAKER OF ANIMAL. (a) A person is subject to this chapter as the caretaker of an animal and is presumed to control the animal if the person:(1) is the owner or lessee of the pen, pasture, or other place in which the animal is located and has control of that place;(2) exercises care or control over the animal; or(3) has recorded a mark or brand for the animal under Chapter 144.(b) This section does not limit the care and control of an animal to any person.
Full Breakdown
Texas counties cannot zone (TX Local Gov't Code §231), so Travis County has no authority to cap flock size, require coop setbacks, or ban roosters in unincorporated areas including Spicewood, Manor, Pflugerville ETJ, Garfield, and Webberville. TX HB 1750 (2023) further classifies backyard chickens as 'agricultural operations,' requiring cities to prove an 'imminent health danger' before restricting flocks. Keeping 50+ birds may trigger Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reporting for avian disease surveillance. Inside Austin city limits, City Code §3-2-2 allows chickens with a 50-foot setback from neighbor residences, no flock cap, roosters permitted; an Austin chicken-keeping permit is NOT required. HOA covenants throughout Circle C, Steiner Ranch, and Lakeway-area subdivisions commonly ban poultry entirely and are enforceable civilly.
Violations & Fines
No county penalty. TX Health & Safety Code §822 applies only to dangerous/cruel conditions. HOA enforcement through civil deed restriction lawsuits, typically $50–$500 per-day fines in covenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I have in unincorporated Travis County?
Are roosters legal in unincorporated Travis County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
How Travis County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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