Denton County, TX Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Denton County is a closed-range county under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 143, meaning livestock owners are legally responsible for keeping cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and other livestock fenced and contained on their property. The Denton County Sheriff's Office maintains a livestock estray enforcement program to handle loose livestock on county roads. Horse and cattle operations are common throughout unincorporated Denton County, particularly in the northern and western portions around Ponder, Krum, Sanger, and Aubrey. No county permit is required to keep livestock. Agricultural use qualifies properties for agricultural tax exemptions (1-d-1 ag valuation) through the Denton County Appraisal District, which typically requires a minimum of 10 acres for cattle or 5 acres for horses with documented agricultural use. HOA deed restrictions in many newer Denton County subdivisions prohibit or severely restrict livestock. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251 (Right to Farm) provides some protection to existing agricultural operations from nuisance complaints filed by neighboring residential developments.