McKinney, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

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.