Pharr, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- 10+ dogs/cats needs a kennel permit
- Under-10 exception
- Can license animals individually instead
- Fee, under 10
- $25.00 per year
- Fee, 10-49
- $50.00 per year
- Fee, 50+
- $100.00 per year
Summary
Anyone keeping dogs or cats for boarding, breeding, sale, or training in Pharr needs a commercial animal establishment permit once the operation handles ten or more animals; smaller kennels under ten can license each animal individually instead.
Persons operating kennels for the breeding of dogs or cats which handle fewer than ten animals may elect to license such animals on an individual basis.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Pharr's Code of Ordinances treats large-scale dog and cat keeping as a commercial animal establishment. Sec. 18-141 requires anyone operating a kennel, pet shop, grooming shop, riding stable, or animal auction in the city to get a permit before opening. Sec. 18-143 draws the line at ten animals: kennels that handle fewer than ten dogs or cats can skip the full permit and license each animal individually instead. Sec. 18-148 sets a rising fee schedule once you cross that line -- $25.00 for under ten, $50.00 for ten to 49, and $100.00 for 50 or more dogs or cats housed.
Violations & Fines
Opening a kennel or commercial animal establishment without a permit is a violation under Sec. 18-144; the city can revoke the permit for noncompliance, forcing humane disposal of all animals within ten days under Sec. 18-155.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pharr cap how many dogs or cats a household can own?
What if my Pharr kennel has fewer than ten animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pharr
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Pharr to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hidalgo County handle pet limits.