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Lubbock, TX Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Who must register: Dogs and cats over 4 months old
Microchipping fee: $5.00 through Animal Services
Annual registration fee: $15.00, waived for seniors/low-income
Duplicate tag fee: $2.00
Dangerous animals: Must be microchipped for life
Grace period: Exempt if in city 14 days or less
Enforcing agency: City of Lubbock Animal Services

Summary

Lubbock requires every dog and cat over four months old to carry traceable identification, either a city registration tag or an implanted microchip, under Code of Ordinances § 4.03.004. Animal Services charges $5 to microchip a pet through the city, and skipping registration entirely is a misdemeanor enforced by the director of animal services.

(a) It is a violation of this chapter if any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months within the city does not register such animal as provided herein. Police dogs or assistance animals shall be exempt from the registration and identification tag fee; however, they must be in compliance with all other provisions of this chapter. This section does not apply to animals temporarily within the city for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days. … (e) All dogs and cats four (4) months of age or older must wear traceable identification. (f) Any owner who fails to obtain a current city animal registration shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. … (h) Registration and identification tags must be renewed annually. No refunds shall be made on any city registration and identification tag fee.

Source: Lubbock Animal ServicesView official code

Full Breakdown

004(e), which requires all dogs and cats four months or older to wear it. Owners register through an issuing agent appointed by the director of animal services, and an issuing agent may not tag an animal that is not currently vaccinated against rabies. 00 duplicate-tag fee. Registration and ID tags must be renewed every year and no refunds are given. Police dogs and assistance animals are exempt from the registration and tag fee but must still meet every other requirement of the chapter, and animals in the city for 14 days or less are exempt from registering at all.

Rabies certificates run one or three years depending on the vaccine type used. 001(e)(3)(H) must additionally be implanted with a microchip and registered for life with both the city's animal services division and a recognized national registry before the dangerous-animal permit can be released.

Violations & Fines

Failing to register a dog or cat as required is a misdemeanor under § 4.03.004(f), and using a city tag or rabies certificate on an animal other than the one it was issued for is a separate violation under § 4.03.004(g). Citations are issued by animal services officers, police officers, or other city enforcement agents, and the director of animal services may seek a search-and-seizure warrant to enforce compliance where needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every pet in Lubbock need a microchip?

Not specifically. City Code § 4.03.004(e) requires traceable identification for every dog and cat over four months old, and either a registration tag or a microchip satisfies that requirement. Owners who want a microchip can get one through Animal Services for $5.00.

What happens if my dog or cat isn't registered?

Failing to obtain a current city registration is a misdemeanor under § 4.03.004(f). Enforcement falls to the director of animal services, police officers, and other city enforcement agents, who may cite the owner and, if needed, seek a search-and-seizure warrant to confirm compliance.

Are police dogs or service animals exempt from registration?

They are exempt from the registration and identification-tag fee, but § 4.03.004(a) still requires them to comply with every other provision of the chapter, including wearing traceable identification and staying current on rabies vaccination.

Is microchipping mandatory for any Lubbock pets?

Yes. Under § 4.06.001(e)(3)(H), an animal formally declared a dangerous animal must be implanted with a microchip and registered for life with the city's animal services division and a recognized national registry before it can be released from impoundment.

Sources & Official References

[1]Lubbock Code of Ordinances § 4.03.004

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