Arlington's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Arlington, Texas, there are 12 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Wildlife Feeding
Arlington prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife that creates a nuisance, health risk, or attracts dangerous animals. Feeding songbirds and squirrels from properly maintained feeders is permitted, but leaving food for deer, feral hogs, raccoons, coyotes, or stray cats can result in citations under the city's nuisance and public health ordinances.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/animal_services) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Exotic Pets
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E regulates dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles), requiring state registration, $100,000 insurance, and secure containment. Arlington Code of Ordinances further prohibits these dangerous wild animals in most residential zones regardless of state permit.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.822.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Arlington actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.
Breed Restrictions
Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047 prohibits cities from passing breed-specific legislation, and Arlington does not ban any dog breed. The city instead enforces dangerous-dog and aggressive-dog designations based on behavior. Owners of dogs declared dangerous face strict confinement, liability insurance, and registration requirements.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.822.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
The rules around breed restrictions in Arlington lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Beekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is permitted in Arlington subject to Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 and city nuisance standards. Beekeepers must register with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, maintain hives with flyway barriers near property lines, and provide water sources to prevent bees from congregating at neighbors' pools.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/AG/htm/AG.131.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Arlington Animal Services requires sterilization of all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter or reclaimed after a second impoundment. The policy aims to curb overpopulation in Tarrant County and reduce repeat intake at the East Division facility.
Key details: Trigger: Shelter release or 2nd impound. Compliance window: Thirty days. Intact permit: Available with fee. State law: Texas HSC Chapter 828.
Failure to comply with a signed sterilization agreement is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to 500 dollars and possible loss of pet ownership privileges.
Animal Hoarding
Arlington Animal Services investigates suspected animal hoarding under Texas cruelty statutes when animals are kept in conditions causing harm. Cases are referred to Arlington Police and Tarrant County prosecutors when warranted, with civil seizure available.
Key details: Civil seizure law: Texas HSC Chapter 821. Cruelty statute: Texas Penal Code 42. Felony threshold: Torture or repeated harm. Investigating agency: Animal Services with APD.
Cruelty offenses range from Class A misdemeanors with fines up to 4,000 dollars and up to one year jail, to state jail felonies for torture or aggravated cases under Chapter 42.
Compared to other cities, Arlington takes a harder line on animal hoarding. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Microchipping
Arlington Animal Services microchips every dog and cat released from the shelter and strongly encourages residents to microchip pets so strays can be reunited quickly. Updated registration with a national chip database is required for owner contact information.
Key details: Required ID: Tag or microchip. Implant location: Animal Services shelter. Database: National chip registry. Common reason unreturned: Outdated owner info.
Failure to maintain identification carries a Class C municipal court fine up to 500 dollars; chip registration fees are billed at reclaim if implanted by shelter.
Pet Limits
Arlington restricts the number of dogs and cats per single-family residence under city code to avoid kennel-like conditions in residential neighborhoods. Households exceeding the threshold need a multi-pet permit and inspection by Animal Services.
Key details: Default dog limit: Four per home. Default cat limit: Four per home. Over-limit option: Multi-pet permit. Issuing department: Arlington Animal Services.
Operating without a multi-pet permit when over the limit is a Class C municipal violation with fines up to 500 dollars per day; repeat offenses may trigger animal removal orders.
Cat Rules
Arlington requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and registered with Arlington Animal Services. Cats running at large may be impounded, and free-roaming community cats must be managed under approved trap-neuter-return programs.
Key details: Rabies vaccine age: Four months. Shelter location: Brown Boulevard East Division. Max fine: 500 dollars Class C. ID required: Tag or microchip.
First impoundment fees plus boarding charges per day; uncited rabies vaccination citations carry fines up to 500 dollars per Class C municipal court violation.
Livestock
Arlington prohibits traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine) on residential lots smaller than 1 acre. Keeping livestock requires Agricultural (A) zoning or legally grandfathered pre-annexation agricultural use. Violations result in fines and impoundment by Arlington Animal Services.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/animal_services) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is one of the stricter rules in Arlington's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Chickens & Livestock
Arlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 permits backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) on lots at least 10,000 square feet, with coops set back from property lines. Traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) is prohibited on lots under 1 acre and requires Agricultural zoning or grandfathered rights.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/animal_services) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Compared to other cities, Arlington takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Dog Leash Laws
Arlington requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.
Key details: Leash: Required in public. Off-Leash: Designated parks only. License: Required + rabies. State Law: TX HSC §822.013.
Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.
The Bottom Line
Arlington is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 12 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Arlington, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
Keep in mind that Arlington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.