Plano, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- State authority
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- State rule
- 31 TAC Chapter 69
- City overlay
- Plano Code Ch. 4
- Rabies vectors
- Texas HSC Ch. 826
Summary
Wildlife rehabilitation in Plano requires a state permit from Texas Parks and Wildlife under the Texas Administrative Code, plus Chapter 4 Plano sanitation rules. Residents who find injured wildlife should contact licensed rehabilitators, not keep animals.
Sec. 43.022. PERMIT REQUIREMENT. (a) No person may collect, hold, possess, display, transport, release, or propagate protected wildlife for the purposes of this subchapter without a permit issued under this subchapter. ... (e) The department may issue a permit to a qualified person to collect, hold, possess, display, transport, release, or propagate protected wildlife for scientific research, educational display, zoological collection, or rehabilitation. A permit may not be issued to propagate protected wildlife for rehabilitation or educational display. (f) The commission shall adopt rules to govern the collecting, holding, possession, propagation, release, display, or transport of protected wildlife for scientific research, educational display, zoological collection, or rehabilitation.
Full Breakdown
Texas law channels wildlife rehabilitation through a state permit issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife under 31 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 69. Rehabilitators must show training, suitable caging, and a sponsoring veterinarian. Plano layers Chapter 4 sanitation, noise, and zoning rules on top of the state permit. Possessing native Texas wildlife without a permit is a state offense, even with good intentions. Plano Animal Services responds to injured urban wildlife reports and routes animals to permitted rehabilitators in the DFW area such as Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Aggressive or rabies-vector species are handled separately under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826.
Violations & Fines
State Class C Parks and Wildlife violations from 25 to 500 dollars per animal, escalating for protected species. City Chapter 4 nuisance citations on top, plus seizure of unlawfully held wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a baby bird I found in Plano?
How do I become a Plano wildlife rehabber?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plano
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Plano to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.