Rowlett, TX Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Texas state law does not directly regulate keeping livestock such as cattle, horses or goats on residential property inside a city; the Texas State Law Library notes that city ordinances determine whether livestock may be kept within municipal limits (only 'closed range' counties impose a general duty to fence livestock). The City of Rowlett addresses these animals in its Animal Code (Chapter 6), where the definition of domestic animals expressly includes livestock, and Article IV covers bees, fowl, rabbits, reptiles, farm animals and livestock. The same running-at-large prohibition in Sec. 6-4 applies, meaning livestock and farm animals must be securely confined and not allowed to roam. The ordinance exempts property or acreage annexed into the city after January 1, 1999, from certain fowl-and-livestock provisions for 12 months following adoption of the annexation ordinance, reflecting Rowlett's transition from rural to suburban land. Because the controlling rules are local and tied to zoning, anyone planning to keep horses, cattle, goats or similar animals in Rowlett should confirm the specific lot-size, setback and zoning requirements with the city before doing so; for verbatim section text, consult the Animal Code chapter directly.