Killeen, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Section 6-180 governs commerce in live animals citywide through Division 5's seller permit system rather than an outright retail ban. Anyone advertising, selling, trading, bartering, giving away, displaying, or transferring ownership of an animal for commercial purposes must hold a commercial vendor permit; a resident selling their own pet from home instead needs a noncommercial vendor permit, capped at two permits per household per year, though multiple animals can be listed on one permit. Before any exchange, the seller must implant an identification microchip in the dog or cat and hand the registration information to the new owner.

The ordinance separately bans selling, trading, or displaying any live animal on a roadside, public right-of-way, sidewalk, commercial or private parking lot, garage sale, flea market, swap meet, festival, or similar outdoor event, regardless of permit status. The permit system does not apply to the City of Killeen's own animal shelter or to a registered 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization operating under an active animal rescue permit, meaning nonprofit rescues can rehome animals without the seller permit that a commercial pet store or hobby breeder needs.

Sellers must apply in writing to animal services under Sec. 6-182, pass a premises inspection under Sec. 6-183, and pay the fee set in the city's adopted fee schedule; a permit issued under this division expires December 31 each year and is not transferable to a new owner if the business changes hands.