Keller, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Keller, as a rapidly built-out suburban city in the northern DFW metroplex, treats most livestock as incompatible with standard residential neighborhoods. The Animals chapter and the Unified Development Code prohibit cattle, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, and similar large animals on lots zoned single-family residential unless the property qualifies under a legal non-conforming agricultural use (properties that kept livestock before Keller's annexation or rezoning and maintained the use without interruption). Properties zoned for agricultural use or specifically approved for equestrian use through a specific use permit may keep livestock with stocking-density caps (commonly one animal unit per acre or similar), minimum setbacks for stables, barns, and corrals from the nearest neighboring residence (typically 100 feet or more), and manure management rules to prevent fly and odor complaints.

Keller does retain scattered larger estate lots (1 to 5 acres) where horse keeping is a recognized accessory use, notably in older pre-annexation parcels. Swine are treated as particularly incompatible with residential areas and are typically prohibited outside of agricultural zoning. Micro pigs and pot-bellied pigs are often still classified as livestock under city code, despite owner arguments that they are companion animals. Backyard chickens are addressed in a separate rule. Violations can be cited as Class C misdemeanors with fines up to 500 dollars per day and abatement orders requiring removal of the animals.