Universal City, TX Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential Zones
- Livestock prohibited
- Acreage Rule
- Typically one acre per large animal
- Setbacks
- 50 feet from dwellings
- County Stock Law
- Per Bexar County rules
- Max Fine
- 500 dollars per animal per day
Summary
Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and swine are not permitted in standard residential districts in Universal City. Livestock is limited to agricultural tracts or lots with specific zoning approval.
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. ... Sec. 142.003. DISCOVERY OF ESTRAY; NOTICE. (a) If an estray, without being herded with other livestock, roams about the property of a person without that person's permission or roams about public property, the owner of the private property or the custodian of the public property, as applicable, shall, as soon as reasonably possible, report the presence of the estray to the sheriff of the county in which the estray is discovered.
Full Breakdown
Universal City zoning prohibits the keeping of horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and swine on typical single-family residential lots. The city developed largely as a military bedroom community for Randolph AFB, and zoning reflects suburban density. Larger legacy lots or parcels zoned for agricultural use may allow livestock subject to setback and density limits, typically requiring at least one acre per large animal and 50-foot setbacks from dwellings on adjoining properties. TX Agriculture Code and TX Health and Safety Code govern statewide livestock disease and cruelty rules. Fence-out versus fence-in stock law status follows Bexar County determinations. Violations result in abatement orders and Class C citations up to 500 dollars per animal per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I board my horse in my Universal City backyard?
Where can I keep livestock near Universal City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Universal City
How Universal City compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Universal City to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
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