San Angelo, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl Setback
- 100 ft from neighbors
- Roosters
- One per property
- Hen Number
- No numeric cap
- Swine
- Two max; 500-ft setback
- Livestock At-Large
- Prohibited
Summary
San Angelo caps roosters at one adult male per property and bars keeping chickens, fowl, or rabbits within 100 feet of any neighbor's home or business, a setback that rules out backyard hens on most city lots. Livestock may not run at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any small animal, including, but not limited to, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowls, chickens, guinea fowl and turkeys, in a pen or enclosure, or to keep or park a trailer or other vehicle which contains such animals, within 100 feet of any residence, business or institution other than the residence, business or institution of the owners of such animals. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, maintain or harbor more than one adult male chicken or rooster on any property or premises within the city limits.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Code section 3.06.004 makes it unlawful to keep chickens, fowl, guinea fowl, turkeys, rabbits, or guinea pigs in a pen within 100 feet of any residence, business, or institution other than the owner's, so on a typical residential lot the setback effectively prevents keeping hens. No numeric hen limit applies, but no more than one adult male chicken or rooster is allowed per property. Cattle, horses, and goats need a 100-foot setback (section 3.06.003); swine are capped at two and pushed 500 feet out (section 3.06.002). Carrier pigeons are allowed, up to 70, if banded. Letting livestock run at large is prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Keeping fowl or livestock inside the setback, or a second rooster, is a public-health misdemeanor under section 1.01.009, fined up to $2,000, each day a separate offense, plus removal of the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in San Angelo?
Are roosters allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Angelo
How San Angelo compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Angelo to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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