Mission, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback from occupied buildings
- 300 feet
- Covered animals
- Cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, llamas
- Exempt zoning
- Agricultural open districts
- Exempt use
- Commercial slaughterhouses
- Pen standard
- Sanitary, no flies, no odor
Summary
Mission bans keeping cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats or other livestock within 300 feet of any home, church, school or store citywide.
Unless otherwise provided in the agricultural open zoning districts in the zoning ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to raise, keep, pen or harbor any livestock within 300 feet from any residential building, hotel, church, school or store, or any other building frequented or inhabited by human beings, within the corporate limits of the city. This section shall not apply to any person operating a commercial slaughterhouse.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it unlawful to raise, keep, pen or harbor livestock, cattle, horses, asses, mules, sheep, swine, llamas/camelids and goats, within 300 feet of any residential building, hotel, church, school or store within Mission's corporate limits, unless the property sits in an agricultural open zoning district. Commercial slaughterhouses are exempt from the setback. Any livestock lawfully kept must be maintained in a suitable pen that stays sanitary, doesn't breed flies, and doesn't create odors or conditions offensive to neighbors.
Violations & Fines
Violating the 300-foot livestock setback or the pen-maintenance standard is a Class C misdemeanor under the city's general penalty provision, enforced by animal control and code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or goat in my Mission backyard?
Does the setback apply to chickens too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mission
How Mission compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Mission to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hidalgo County handle chickens & livestock.