Mansfield, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Mansfield follows Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E, the Dangerous Wild Animal statute, which defines certain species as dangerous wild animals and bars their keeping as pets within city limits unless the owner meets narrow USDA licensed exhibitor or educational exemptions. The state list includes non-human primates, lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, cougars, bears, hyenas, crocodiles and alligators over six feet, and all hybrids of the listed species. Mansfield Chapter 14 (Animals) adopts and enforces this framework locally, requires registration of any qualifying animal by an eligible exhibitor, and authorizes Mansfield Animal Care to seize and impound animals kept in violation. Other exotic species not on the dangerous wild animal list, such as common reptiles and amphibians, small rodents, ferrets (note ferrets are legal in Texas), and most parrots, are allowed as pets subject to general nuisance and rabies vaccination rules. Native Texas wildlife including raptors, alligators under six feet, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes require Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permits and cannot be kept as pets outside of rehabilitation licensed by TPWD. Venomous reptiles require TPWD non-game permits and cannot be kept in city limits without specific city approval. HOA covenants often restrict exotics further.