Montgomery County, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Livestock at large
- Livestock at large prohibited countywide
- No county permit
- No county permit required for chickens on private property
- HOA deed restrictions
- HOA deed restrictions often ban backyard chickens
- Agricultural properties may
- Agricultural properties may keep livestock freely
Summary
Montgomery County prohibits livestock at large. No zoning or lot-size requirements restrict chickens or small livestock in unincorporated areas at the county level. Subdivision deed restrictions often restrict or prohibit backyard chickens and farm animals. Livestock cannot roam onto neighboring land.
Sec. 161.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter:(1) "Animal" includes livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl.(2) "Commission" means the Texas Animal Health Commission.(3) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 604, Sec. 5.(4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not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.(5) "Exotic fowl" means any avian species that is not indigenous to this state. The term includes ratites.(b) References in Subchapter A, C, D, E, or H of this chapter to "livestock," "domestic animals," "domestic fowl," or other specifi
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County's animal ordinance prohibits livestock (bovine, swine, ratites, cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats) from running at large in streets or on privately owned land without permission. No county minimum lot size or permit requirement exists for keeping chickens or small livestock in unincorporated areas. Many residential subdivision HOA deed restrictions prohibit chickens and other farm animals. Agricultural properties outside subdivisions typically may keep livestock consistent with state ag code. MCAS handles livestock-at-large complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens?
What about goats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
How Montgomery County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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