McKinney prohibits dangerous wild animals under City Code Chapter 14, aligned with Texas Health & Safety Code 822.101-116. Lions, tigers, bears, non-human primates, and venomous reptiles require state registration and are generally banned within city limits.
McKinney City Code Chapter 14 incorporates and supplements the Texas Dangerous Wild Animal Act (TX Health & Safety Code 822.101-116), which controls possession of lions, tigers, cougars, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, bears, coyotes, jackals, wolves, non-human primates (gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys), and certain hybrids. Owning these species without a state-issued Dangerous Wild Animal registration through the local animal control authority is prohibited, and McKinney functionally bans them by not accepting new registrations inside city limits. Venomous snakes (Texas is home to native copperheads, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and four rattlesnake species) and large constrictors over a specified length are also restricted as 'dangerous wild animals' in many Texas jurisdictions; McKinney treats them as prohibited under Chapter 14 nuisance/public-safety provisions. Common non-venomous reptiles (corn snakes, ball pythons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos), small caged mammals (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets), fish, and non-native but non-dangerous birds (parrots, cockatiels) are generally allowed. Texas Parks & Wildlife Code separately regulates native species (alligators, raptors, fur-bearing animals). Backyard chickens are governed by Chapter 14 and TX HB 1750 (2023), which requires cities to prove 'imminent health danger' to ban flocks.
Class C misdemeanor up to $500 per day; Class B misdemeanor if injury occurs. Animals may be seized by Animal Services and transferred to a licensed sanctuary; owner responsible for all costs.
McKinney, TX
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Collin County.
See how other cities in Collin County handle exotic pets.
See how McKinney's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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