Humble, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential Zones
- Livestock generally prohibited
- Agricultural Zoning
- May permit livestock with conditions
- Harris County ETJ
- Less restrictive rules may apply
- Miniature Animals
- May be classified as livestock
- Max Fine
- Up to $500/day for violations
Summary
Humble restricts the keeping of livestock in residential areas through Chapter 14 (Animals) and zoning provisions. Farm animals including horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and swine are generally prohibited in standard residential zoning districts. Agricultural uses may be permitted on properties with agricultural zoning or in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction subject to Harris County regulations.
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 but not including a mammal defined by Section 63.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, as a game animal, or by Section 71.00
Full Breakdown
Humble's Code of Ordinances and zoning regulations restrict livestock in residential neighborhoods. Standard residential zoning districts do not permit the keeping of horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, or other large farm animals. The city's animal control division enforces these restrictions under Chapter 14. Properties with agricultural zoning or acreage tracts may be exempt depending on lot size and zoning designation. Humble's position in Harris County means that properties in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) may be subject to less restrictive county rules regarding livestock. Harris County generally allows livestock on properties of one acre or more outside incorporated city limits.
Within Humble city limits, miniature goats and potbelly pigs may face the same restrictions as full-size livestock depending on how the city classifies them. Chickens and poultry are addressed separately under the chickens-livestock subcategory. Keeping livestock in violation of zoning creates both an animal control issue and a zoning violation. Manure management, fly control, and odor mitigation are required under nuisance provisions regardless of zoning status.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock in a prohibited zoning district may result in a notice of violation and an order to remove the animals within a specified timeframe, typically 10 to 30 days. Continued violations carry fines up to $500 per day. Nuisance conditions from improper livestock keeping such as odor, flies, or unsanitary enclosures can result in additional citations. Repeat offenders may face escalating penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep goats in my Humble backyard?
Are miniature pigs allowed as pets in Humble?
What if my property is in Humble's ETJ?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Humble
How Humble compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Humble to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle chickens & livestock.