Little Elm's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Little Elm, Texas, there are 7 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.

Dog Leash Laws

Little Elm Ch. 18 Animals requires dogs to be leashed or confined at all times. Running at large is prohibited. Denton County Animal Services handles strays. Fine up to $500.

Key details: Code: Ch. 18 Animals. Leash Required: Yes, at all times off owner property. Dangerous Dog Law: TX HSC Ch. 822. Shelter: Denton County Animal Services. Fine: Up to $500.

Running at large: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per occurrence. Each day constitutes a separate offense. Impound and boarding fees assessed for animals picked up by Animal Control. Dangerous dog violations under TX HSC Ch. 822 carry higher penalties up to Class A misdemeanor.

Beekeeping

No local beekeeping ordinance. TX Ag Code Ch. 131 requires free annual apiary registration with TAIS. Movable-frame hives required. HOA deed restrictions may apply.

Key details: Local Ordinance: None. State Law: TX Ag Code Ch. 131. Registration: Required with TAIS (free, annual). Hive Type: Movable-frame required. HOA: May restrict -- TX Prop Code 202.007 does not protect bees.

Failure to register apiary with TAIS: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500. Failure to comply with TAIS disease control order: Class B misdemeanor, fine up to $2,000. Diseased colonies may be destroyed by state inspectors.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Little Elm gives residents more flexibility on beekeeping.

Wildlife Feeding

No standalone wildlife feeding ban, but Ch. 18 nuisance rules apply when feeding attracts vermin or creates health hazards. Corps of Engineers may prohibit feeding near Lewisville Lake.

Key details: Specific Ban: No standalone ban, nuisance rules apply. Lake Areas: Corps of Engineers may prohibit feeding. Coyote Risk: High near lake and undeveloped areas. Fine: Up to $500 under nuisance provisions.

Creating a nuisance through wildlife feeding: warning, then fine up to $500. Feeding wildlife in Corps-managed areas may result in federal citation. Each day of continuing violation is a separate offense.

Breed Restrictions

Little Elm has no breed-specific bans. TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 822 governs dangerous dogs based on behavior, not breed. Dangerous dogs require registration and $100K insurance.

Key details: Breed Bans: None in Little Elm. State Law: TX H&S Code Ch. 822. Dangerous Dog: Behavior-based classification. Insurance: $100,000 liability required. Registration: Annual with local animal control.

Owning unregistered dangerous dog: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500. Attack causing serious injury: felony charges possible. Failure to restrain: animal seizure.

Livestock

Livestock prohibited on residential lots under Ch. 18 Animals and zoning ordinance. Only agricultural-zoned properties may keep farm animals. Backyard chickens generally not permitted.

Key details: Livestock in Residential: Prohibited. Agricultural Zones: Livestock permitted with conditions. Code: Ch. 18 Animals / Zoning Ordinance. State Protection: TX Ag Code Ch. 251 (Right to Farm). Fine: Up to $500/day, up to $2,000 repeat.

Keeping livestock in a prohibited zone: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per day. Animals may be impounded. Each day of violation is a separate offense. Repeat offenders subject to escalating fines up to $2,000.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Little Elm actively enforces its livestock requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Little Elm Ch. 18 and Ch. 106 Zoning govern chickens and livestock by zoning district. TX HB 1750 (2023) protects backyard poultry. Most newer HOAs prohibit livestock entirely.

Key details: Code: Ch. 18 Animals / Ch. 106 Zoning. Chickens: Permitted in some zoning districts. Roosters: Commonly restricted in residential. State Law: TX HB 1750 (2023) protects poultry. HOAs: Most prohibit livestock and poultry.

Livestock in prohibited zone: code enforcement notice and removal required. Unsanitary conditions: nuisance citation and fine up to $500.

Exotic Pets

Little Elm Ch. 18 prohibits wild, exotic, or dangerous animals in town limits. TX P&W Code Ch. 63 governs non-game wildlife. Venomous snakes require TPWD permits.

Key details: Code: Ch. 18 Animals. Exotic Pets: Prohibited in town limits. State Law: TX Parks and Wildlife Code Ch. 63. Venomous Snakes: TPWD permit required. Enforcement: Little Elm Code Enforcement.

Keeping a prohibited animal: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per day. Animal may be seized and relocated to an appropriate facility at the owner's expense. State TPWD violations carry separate penalties including fines up to $500 for Class C Parks and Wildlife violations.

This is one of the stricter rules in Little Elm's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Little Elm is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Little Elm, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Little Elm's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.