Animal Ordinances in Lewisville, TX

If you live in Lewisville or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lewisville has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Chickens & Livestock

Lewisville zoning ordinance prohibits keeping livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens) on residentially zoned property unless on agricultural tracts meeting minimum acreage. Chapter 6 regulates animal keeping; Chapter 14 (Zoning) sets land use restrictions.

Key details: Zoning Code: Ch. 14 Zoning. Animal Code: Ch. 6 Animals. Residential Zones: Livestock prohibited. Chickens: Not allowed on residential lots. Fine: Up to $500/day.

Keeping livestock in prohibited zones: fine up to $500 per offense. Each day constitutes a separate violation. Animals may be removed by Animal Services.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Lewisville gives residents more flexibility on chickens & livestock.

Dog Leash Laws

Lewisville Code Ch. 6, Art. II requires dogs to be restrained by leash, chain, or other tether when off the owner's premises. Running at large is prohibited citywide. Animal Services enforces with impoundment and escalating fines up to $500 per offense.

Key details: Code: Ch. 6, Art. II. Requirement: Leash required off owner premises. State Rabies Law: TX HSC Ch. 826. Animal Services: (972) 219-3474. Fine: Up to $500 per offense.

Fine up to $500 per offense. Impoundment fees and daily boarding charges apply. Repeated offenses may trigger nuisance animal declaration with mandatory secure containment.

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

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

City animal services won't release a dog, cat, or ferret for adoption unless it's already sterilized or the new owner signs a sterilization agreement. Owners who sign the agreement must get the animal fixed by an age-based completion date, typically 30 days after adoption, and confirm it in writing to the shelter afterward.

Key details: Applies to: Dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs adopted from the city shelter. Standard deadline: 30 days after adoption, age-adjusted. Confirmation letter due: Within 7 days of the surgery (§ 3-27). Extension available: 30 more days with a vet's written report. Non-compliance consequence: City may reclaim the animal (§ 3-31).

Failing or refusing to deliver the required sterilization, death, or lost-and-stolen letter is itself a Chapter 3 violation under Section 3-30. Under Section 3-31, if animal services never receives the confirmation within seven days after the completion date, it may reclaim the animal from the new owner, order its return, or impose any other penalty allowed under the chapter, and the owner gets no refund of adoption fees.

Exotic Pets

Lewisville Code Ch. 6 prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals within city limits. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Ch. 63 regulates possession of non-game wildlife. Venomous snakes, large cats, bears, primates, and similar species require state permits and are generally banned in city limits.

Key details: Local Code: Ch. 6 Animals. State Wildlife Law: TX P&W Code Ch. 63. Dangerous Wild Animals: TX HSC Ch. 822 Subch. E. Banned Species: Large cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes. Fine: Up to $500/day.

Keeping a prohibited exotic animal: fine up to $500 per day. Dangerous wild animal violations under TX HSC Ch. 822: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500. Animal may be confiscated and relocated to an accredited facility.

Pet Limits

Residentially zoned properties in Lewisville may keep no more than six animals total per dwelling unit, mixing dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets three months or older however the household likes, plus up to one potbellied pig within that same six-animal cap.

Key details: Cap: Six animals total per dwelling unit. Species counted: Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets 3+ months old. Potbellied pigs: One allowed, within the six-animal cap. Age cutoff: Animals under 3 months don't count. Enforcement: Citation under § 3-45; fine up to $500/day.

Keeping more than six qualifying animals on a residential lot violates Section 3-62 and is enforceable the same way as other Chapter 3 offenses: an animal control officer, health and code enforcement officer, or police officer can issue a citation under Section 3-45, and because the section carries no standalone fine, punishment defaults to the Section 1-15 general penalty of up to $500 per offense, with each day the excess animals remain counted separately.

Breed Restrictions

Lewisville does not enforce breed-specific legislation (BSL). No dog breeds are banned within city limits. The city regulates dogs based on individual behavior through its dangerous dog ordinance, which aligns with TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 822 Subchapter D.

Key details: Breed Bans: None - no breed-specific legislation. Approach: Behavior-based dangerous dog rules. State Law: TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 822. Dangerous Dog Insurance: Minimum $100,000 liability. Private Restrictions: Apartments and HOAs may restrict breeds.

No breed-specific penalties. Dangerous dog violations carry fines up to $500. Failure to restrain a declared dangerous dog is a Class C misdemeanor. Serious attacks may result in criminal charges under TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 822.

The rules around breed restrictions in Lewisville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Lewisville gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 3 of the 6 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 Lewisville's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.