Sherman, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Article 2.04 of the Sherman Code of Ordinances starts with § 2.04.001(a): harboring any prohibited animal is unlawful within the city limits and the area contiguous to them for a total distance of 5,000 feet. Section 2.01.001 defines prohibited animals by six categories. Category I covers reptiles including the venomous lizards, vipers, coral snakes and cobras, rear-fanged colubrids, family Boidae (pythons, boas and anacondas) and the order Crocodilia. Category II is owls, falcons, hawks, eagles and vultures. Category III is ratites such as ostriches and emus. Category IV is felids, canids such as wolves and coyotes, bears, seals, primates, elephants, bats, ungulates such as deer and camels, and marsupials. Category V is mustelids, raccoons, civets, sloths and porcupines, but ferrets are not prohibited animals. Category VI is eels and piranha.

The affirmative defenses in § 2.04.001(b) are a current city permit, government entities that give notice, licensed veterinarians on veterinary premises, a circus or wild animal show that stays no longer than ten (10) consecutive days with written notice and health certificates, commercial film or television studios, medical or research facilities and zoological parks, and the listed small pets.

Permits come from the animal services supervisor under § 2.04.002. For Categories I, III, IV and VI the premises cannot be zoned or used for any residential purpose and must be at least two hundred fifty (250) feet from a residential lot, the application fee is $250.00 nonrefundable, the applicant files a veterinarian-signed care program and a hold harmless agreement, and carries liability insurance of not less than $250,000.00 for each injury. The permit lasts one year, covers one animal at one approved site, and renews for $10.00. For Categories II and V the fee is $100.00, the applicant files an affidavit of no more than four (4) prohibited animals, and renewal costs $100.00.

Dangerous, wild animals, defined in § 2.01.001 to include lions, tigers, bears, wolves, apes, monkeys, foxes, raccoons, squirrels and birds of prey, need a certificate of registration under § 2.04.005, at $100.00 per animal and no more than $1,000.00 per year. Owners carry liability insurance of not less than $100,000.00 per occurrence under § 2.04.009.