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Harlingen, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Animal limit
5 dogs/cats combined per dwelling unit
Age threshold
Applies to animals over 8 weeks old
Zones covered
N, R-1, R-2, M-1, M-2, MH
Max fine
$500 per offense (§ 1-7)
Kennels
Dog kennels banned outright in same zones

Summary

Harlingen makes it a criminal offense to harbor more than five dogs or cats combined per dwelling unit in residential, multi-family, and mobile-home zones.

A person commits an offense if he harbors more than five dogs or cats, or any combination of dogs and cats, more than eight weeks old on the premises of a dwelling unit that shares a common wall with another dwelling unit or that shares no common wall with another dwelling unit in an area zoned as non-designated (N), residential (R-1 or R-2), multi-family (M-1 or M-2), and/or mobile-home (MH).

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4546847; v3 updated 2025-07-16).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 6-150 caps the number of dogs and cats, any combination, over eight weeks old, at five per dwelling unit in non-designated, residential (R-1/R-2), multi-family (M-1/M-2), and mobile-home zones, whether or not the unit shares a wall with a neighbor. Keeping a dog kennel in those same zones is separately banned outright under § 6-149. Violating the animal-count limit is a Code violation punishable under the general penalty section, § 1-7, which caps fines at $500 per offense; each day a violation continues can be charged separately.

Violations & Fines

Harboring more than five dogs/cats per dwelling unit is a criminal offense; conviction carries a fine up to $500 under the Code's general penalty section, § 1-7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep six dogs at my Harlingen home?
No. City Code § 6-150 makes it an offense to harbor more than five dogs or cats combined (over 8 weeks old) per dwelling unit in residential, multi-family, or mobile-home zones.
Does the five-animal cap apply everywhere in the city?
It applies in non-designated, residential (R-1/R-2), multi-family (M-1/M-2), and mobile-home zones, not in areas zoned for agricultural or other uses outside those classifications.
What happens if I'm caught with too many animals?
You can be cited and fined up to $500 per offense under the Code's general penalty, § 1-7, and each day the violation continues may be charged as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Harlingen

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsLight RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSignificant RestrictionsBeekeepingHeavy RestrictionsExotic PetsSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsFew RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Harlingen rules

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