Midland's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Midland, Texas, there are 6 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.

Chickens & Livestock

Midland bans keeping livestock or poultry within city limits except on land zoned Agriculture-Estate or Country Estate with at least 20,000 square feet per animal unit, under City Code Sections 6-2-11(F) and 6-2-12.

Key details: Livestock: Barred outside AE/CE zoning. Min. lot size: 20,000 sq ft per animal unit. Swine: Banned citywide, no AE/CE exception. Bovine minimum: 40,000 sq ft for personal use.

Keeping livestock or poultry outside AE/CE-zoned land, below the 20,000-square-foot-per-animal-unit threshold, or any hog or pig within city limits violates Secs. 6-2-11(C), (F) and 6-2-12; the general penalty applies, up to $500 per day.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Midland actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

Pet Limits

Midland caps guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, chickens and ducks at four per premises, and bars keeping any animal in a way that creates a noise, odor or nuisance violation, under City Code Sections 6-2-11 and 6-2-12.

Key details: Small-animal cap: 4 per premises. Covers: Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, chickens, ducks. Nuisance grounds: Noise, odor, vermin, manure. Newborn exemption: Unweaned offspring excluded.

Keeping more than four qualifying small animals per premises, or keeping any animal so as to create a noise, odor, vermin or nuisance condition, violates Secs. 6-2-11(B) and 6-2-12(A)(7); enforceable by animal control and the health department.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Midland doesn't require spay/neuter for all pets, but if animal control impounds your dog, cat, or ferret twice in three years, you must have it neutered before reclaiming it a second time.

Key details: Trigger: 2nd impoundment within 3 years. Who pays: Owner, at their own expense. Vet distance limit: Within 15 miles of shelter. Proof deadline: 30 days after conditional release.

Misrepresenting an animal's neuter status, or failing to provide proof of surgery within 30 days of a conditional release, is itself a violation of § 6-2-7(C) enforceable by Animal Services.

Dog Leash Laws

Midland Code Section 6-2-2 bans letting a dog, cat, ferret or other animal run at large anywhere in the city, and makes it a strict-liability offense: prosecutors don't have to prove intent. A leash, chain or cord of six feet or less, strong enough to control the animal, is the standard affirmative defense; a staked dog must also stay at least eight feet from any street, alley, park or public property.

Key details: Leash length defense: 6 feet or less, sufficient strength. Staked-dog street setback: At least 8 feet from street/alley/park. Animals covered: Dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock, poultry, birds. Mental state required: None; strict liability offense. Other defenses: Approved obedience training, hunting, AKC shows.

Running an animal at large is a strict-liability misdemeanor: the City need not prove the owner meant for the animal to get loose. Chapter 6-2 carries no violation-specific fine schedule, so Midland's general penalty clause, Section 1-3-1, applies, up to $500 per offense, with each day a violation continues billed separately. An impounded animal is subject to Section 6-2-10's release fees, and one impounded twice within three years must be neutered, at the owner's expense, before release.

Pet Store Rules

Midland requires a temporary land use permit -- not a retail ban -- before anyone can sell dogs outside a fixed store, with mandatory vaccinations, city licensing, and spay or neuter before sale.

Key details: Sale hours allowed: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. only. Spay/neuter: Required before sale. Vaccinations required: Rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella. Inspection: By Director of Animal Services. City license: Required for each dog.

Selling dogs outside without an approved temporary land use permit, current vaccination and spay/neuter proof, or a prior Animal Services inspection violates Sec. 11-1-4.05(A)(9) and can void the permit or trigger fees under the adopted Fee Schedule.

Compared to other cities, Midland takes a harder line on pet store rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Exotic Pets

Midland bans keeping any wild animal or poisonous snake within city limits under Code Section 6-2-6, with narrow carve-outs for a council-approved zoo or circus, schools, licensed rehabilitators, veterinary practices, and a temporary exhibition permit capped at 10 days for a $25 fee. "Wild animal" sweeps in wolves, coyotes, panthers, lions, bobcats, cougars, skunks, raccoons, armadillos and venomous reptiles, but exempts dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and poultry.

Key details: Base rule: Wild animals/poisonous snakes banned citywide. Temp exhibition permit: $25 fee, max 10 days. Grandfather deadline: 90 days to file for nonconformance certificate. Required liability insurance: $300,000 bodily injury / $50,000 property. Bite reporting window: Report immediately; impound within 24 hours.

Keeping a wild animal or poisonous snake without a qualifying exemption or a valid temporary exhibition permit is a Code violation enforced under Midland's general penalty clause, Section 1-3-1, up to $500 per day. An owner who fails to surrender a biting wild animal or ferret within 24 hours can be summoned before municipal court, which may enforce the surrender order through contempt proceedings or a seizure order authorizing police and Animal Control to enter the property.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Midland actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

The Bottom Line

Midland is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Midland, 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 Midland'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.