Sherman, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 2.02.014 of the Sherman Code of Ordinances regulates chickens by lot size and flock composition. On land of one (1) acre or less, an offense occurs if a person keeps more than one (1) rooster without a minimum of six (6) hens, or more than ten (10) chickens total, including the rooster. On land greater than one (1) acre, the test is a ratio: more than one (1) rooster for every six (6) hens is an offense. The code defines a rooster as a male chicken and a hen as a female chicken, so roosters are allowed within those limits rather than banned outright.

Siting is measured from other people's buildings. A structure or enclosure for chickens cannot be within twenty-five (25) feet of any building or structure used or intended for human occupancy or habitation on another's property. The enclosure itself must be designed, erected, and maintained under the applicable building and zoning requirements of city code. It must be a structure with three (3) or more sides, a minimum of one (1) square foot of roosting area per chicken, a roof or cover that keeps the birds dry, and direct access from the roosting area to an outdoor enclosure with a minimum of ten (10) square feet of ground area per chicken. Subsections (c)(3) through (c)(7) add that the enclosure must be constructed to prevent standing water, easily accessed, cleaned of droppings, uneaten feed, feathers, and other waste weekly with extra cleaning as needed to prevent foul odor, predator proof, and thoroughly ventilated.

Care and slaughter are covered too. Chickens need fresh water at all times and food in sufficient quantity and with nutritive value to maintain their health, and slaughtering a chicken in public view is an offense. Section 2.02.016(b) makes slaughter out of public view an affirmative defense to the prohibition on inhumanely killing animals. The rooster limits carry affirmative defenses for a rooster exhibited during a special event approved by the city, or owned and kept by a governmental entity or by a medical, educational, or research institution for the stated programs. Separately, § 2.02.008(a) makes it unlawful to let barking, howling, crowing, or other animal noise disturb the peace and quiet of neighboring properties.