New Braunfels, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hens allowed
- Four per lot under 40,000 sq ft
- Process
- Registration, not a permit
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Enclosure setback
- 10 ft from property line
- From neighbor home
- 30 feet minimum
Summary
New Braunfels allows up to four chicken hens per lot under 40,000 square feet, with registration rather than a permit. Roosters are prohibited, and the covered enclosure must sit 10 feet from property lines and 30 feet from neighboring homes.
A person who wishes to keep or house chickens on his or her property, where that property encompasses an area of less than 40,000 square feet, shall register with the city's animal control services division and shall comply with all of the following requirements:
(1) Keep no more than four chicken hens per lot.
(2) The principal defined use of the person's property shall be single-family or two-family dwelling.
(3) No person shall keep any rooster.
(4) No person shall slaughter any hens on his or her property.
(5) The chicken hens shall be provided with and housed inside of a covered structured enclosure at all times, which is located within the rear yard inside of a fenced perimeter enclosure. The rear perimeter fence shall be securely constructed so to keep the chicken hens separated from other animals.
(6) A person shall not keep chicken hens in any location on the property other than in the rear yard. For purposes of this section, "rear yard" means that portion of a lot enclosed by the property's rear lot line and the side lot lines to the points where the side lot lines intersect with an imaginary line established by the rear of the single-family or two-family structure and extending to the side lot lines.
(7) No covered enclosure shall be located closer than ten feet to any property line of an adjacent property.
(8) All enclosures for the keeping of chicken hens shall be so constructed or repaired as to prevent rats, mice, or other rodents from being harbored underneath
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-77(d) of the New Braunfels Code applies to lots under 40,000 square feet. A keeper must register with the city’s animal control services division, keep no more than four chicken hens per lot, and use the property principally as a single-family or two-family dwelling. No roosters may be kept. The covered enclosure may not sit closer than ten feet to any adjacent property line, nor closer than 30 feet to any residential structure on adjacent property. On lots of 40,000 square feet or more, the code allows up to 50 fowl per 40,000 square feet, kept at least 100 feet from a residence on adjoining property and away from food establishments.
Violations & Fines
Keeping unregistered hens, exceeding four birds, keeping a rooster, or siting the enclosure too close to a property line or neighboring home is a code violation enforced by animal control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in New Braunfels?
Do I need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
How New Braunfels compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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