Richardson, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum hens
- Eight per property
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Coop roost space
- 1 sq ft per chicken
- Outdoor run
- 10 sq ft per chicken
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 5-18
Summary
Richardson caps backyard flocks at eight hens and bans roosters outright under City Code Sec. 5-18. Chickens must live in a covered, predator-proof coop giving at least one square foot of roosting area and ten square feet of outdoor run per bird.
(a) A person commits an offense if such person keeps or maintains: (1) More than eight hens; and (2) Roosters are prohibited. (b) A person commits an offense if such person keeps or maintains chickens in an enclosure that is not: ... (2) A three or more sided structure with a minimum of one square foot of roosting area per chicken with a roof or cover ... and has direct access from the roosting area to an outdoor enclosure that is a minimum of ten square feet per chicken;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 5-18, added by Ordinance No. 4507 in August 2024, makes it an offense to keep more than eight hens or to keep any rooster within Richardson. Hens must be housed in a three-or-more-sided coop with a roof, providing a minimum one square foot of roosting area per bird and direct access to an outdoor enclosure of at least ten square feet per bird. The coop must be predator-proof, ventilated, kept free of standing water, and cleaned of droppings, feed, and feathers weekly. Richardson Animal Services and the environmental health department enforce the rule; keeping conditions that create odor or a health hazard separately violate Sec. 5-9.
Violations & Fines
Each violation is a misdemeanor prosecuted in Richardson Municipal Court under the Sec. 1-8 general penalty. A ninth hen, any rooster, or a non-compliant coop is a separate offense; foul odors add nuisance charges under Sec. 5-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Richardson?
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Richardson?
Are roosters allowed in Richardson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
How Richardson compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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