Animal Ordinances in College Station, TX: What Residents Actually Need to Know

College Station maintains 46 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where College Station falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

College Station 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.

Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.

College Station is more permissive than most cities when it comes to dog leash laws. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Keeping a dangerous wild animal in College Station requires a certificate of registration under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.103. The certificate comes from an animal registration agency, cannot be transferred, lasts one year, and costs at most $50 per animal, with total fees capped at $500 per person.

Key details: Registration: certificate of registration required for each dangerous wild animal. Certificate term: one year from issuance or renewal. Fee cap per animal: $50. Fee cap per person: $500. Transferable: No.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find College Station gives residents more flexibility on exotic pets.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, College Station gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on College Station's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.