North Richland Hills, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential zones
- Livestock prohibited
- AG zone minimum
- 1 acre
- Setback
- 100 ft from dwellings
- State law
- TX Agriculture Ch. 161
- Planning
- (817) 427-6300
Summary
Livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, and pigs are prohibited in North Richland Hills residential districts. Agricultural zones of one acre or more may keep limited livestock with setbacks.
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
Full Breakdown
North Richland Hills Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 and the Zoning Ordinance restrict livestock to Agricultural (AG) zoned parcels of at least one acre. Most of the city is built out at suburban densities, with the Smithfield area, Home Town, and Iron Horse neighborhoods all in R-1 through R-3 districts where horses, cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep are banned. On AG parcels, livestock structures must be set back at least 100 feet from the nearest residence, and stocking density is limited to prevent odor and drainage nuisances. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 161 governs livestock health and brand registration through the Texas Animal Health Commission. Animals on county roads must comply with TX Agriculture Code 143 stock laws. Legal nonconforming uses that predate incorporation may continue but cannot expand. Pet pigs (pot-bellied) remain prohibited regardless of weight in NRH. Call NRH Planning and Zoning at (817) 427-6300 to confirm your zoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse in NRH?
Are pot-bellied pigs allowed?
What if my property predates incorporation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Richland Hills
How North Richland Hills compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare North Richland Hills to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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