Bexar County, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- County flock limit
- None in unincorporated Bexar
- San Antonio limit
- 8 hens, no roosters
- San Antonio coop setback
- 20 feet from neighbor dwelling
- Right to farm
- TX Ag Code 251 one-year rule
- Nuisance rule
- TX H&S Code Ch. 343
Summary
Unincorporated Bexar County allows backyard chickens and small livestock with no numeric limit; HOA covenants often restrict. San Antonio allows up to 8 hens, no roosters, with a 20-foot coop setback.
Sec. 161.041. DISEASE CONTROL.(a) The commission shall protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the commission determines require control or eradication. The commission shall adopt and periodically update rules listing the diseases that require control or eradication by the commission. Section 2001.0045, Government Code, does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection.(b) The commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl, regardless of whether the disease is communicable, even if the agent of transmission is an animal species that is not subject to the jurisdiction
Full Breakdown
Texas counties lack zoning authority under TX Local Government Code Ch. 240, so unincorporated Bexar County imposes no limit on the number of hens, ducks, goats, or small ruminants kept on a parcel, and does not require a permit. Rural-residential parcels in the western county (Helotes ETJ, Grey Forest area), southern county (near Somerset and Elmendorf), and the northeast (near Schertz and Selma) commonly keep flocks and small herds. The main constraints are TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 343 (nuisances) and Ch. 822 (dangerous dogs and livestock-dog conflicts), TX Agriculture Code Ch.
142 (estrays), and the Texas Right to Farm Act (Ag Code 251) which protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits once a one-year threshold has passed. Within the City of San Antonio, Section 5-102 of the city code allows up to 8 female fowl on a residential lot with a 20-foot coop setback from any dwelling not owned by the keeper, and no roosters. Converse, Live Oak, and Universal City each have their own chicken rules (Converse typically 6 hens, Live Oak 4 to 6, Universal City no roosters).
HOAs in Stone Oak, Cibolo Canyons, and The Dominion frequently prohibit any poultry or livestock. For goats, swine, and cattle inside San Antonio, AG zoning is required; unincorporated parcels have no such restriction.
Violations & Fines
TX Health and Safety Code 343 violations (accumulation of manure, unsanitary conditions) can lead to abatement orders and civil penalties up to $200 per day per violation. San Antonio 5-102 violations are municipal offenses up to $500 per day. Estrays are impounded under Agriculture Code 142 with owner liability for feed and board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a rooster in unincorporated Bexar County?
How many goats can I keep in the county?
Does the Right to Farm Act protect my new chicken coop from neighbor lawsuits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
How Bexar County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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