Pharr, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Retail sale of dogs/cats
- Allowed with permit
- Permit required
- Yes, pet shop permit
- Pet shop application fee
- $150.00
- Commercial establishment fee
- $75.00/year
- Outdoor/flea market sales
- Prohibited
Summary
Pharr allows pet shops to sell dogs, cats, and other animals, but only under an annual city permit: no adoption-only or retail sale ban exists here.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or operate a pet shop without a permit. Application for a pet shop permit shall be on a form prescribed by the animal control officer or designee, provide such information as the animal control officer or designee shall require, and specify the number and type of animals to be maintained. It shall be unlawful to maintain more animals or types of animals than allowed by such permit.
(b) It shall be unlawful to sell or to allow the sale of pets in flea markets, or on a roadside or any other outdoor or unenclosed location. No pet shop permit shall be issued for the sale of pets in flea markets, or on a roadside or any other outdoor or unenclosed location.
(c) It shall be a condition of the issuance of pet shop permits that the permittee agrees to the inspections provided for in this section. The application fee shall be $150.00. Pet shop permits shall be annually renewable.
(d) Pet shop premises shall be inspected by an animal control officer or designee prior to the issuance of any permit, and the same shall be subject to random inspections as well as to inspections based on complaints.
(e) Pet shops shall be kept and maintained in a clean manner, free from odors detectable at or near neighboring property.
(f) Pet shops shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with this article and all applicable state law regulating pet shops and/or the sale of pets, as the same may hereafter be amended from time to time.
(g)
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 does not ban retail pet sales. Sec. 18-36 requires anyone operating a pet shop to hold a permit from the animal control officer, bars selling pets at flea markets, roadsides, or other outdoor/unenclosed locations, and requires the shop premises to be inspected before the permit issues and periodically afterward. Sec. 18-141 (Article IV, Commercial Animal Establishments and Shelters) additionally requires a permit for the pet shop as a commercial animal establishment, with a $75.00 annual fee under Sec. 18-148.
Violations & Fines
Operating a pet shop without a permit, or selling pets at a flea market, roadside, or other outdoor/unenclosed location, is unlawful under Sec. 18-36; permits are also subject to revocation for noncompliance under Sec. 18-141 et seq.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store in Pharr sell dogs and cats?
Can pet sales happen at a flea market in Pharr?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pharr
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Pet Store Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hidalgo County handle pet store rules.