Animal Ordinances in Mission, TX

If you live in Mission or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Mission has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Breed Restrictions

Mission has no breed ban: dogs are regulated by behavior. A dog with a bite or attack history is declared dangerous or vicious and must be muzzled or confined.

Key details: Basis for restriction: Behavior/bite history, not breed. Governing section: Sec. 14-76, Code of Ordinances. Public appearance: Muzzle required. If still dangerous muzzled: Confined to owner's premises. Unmuzzled dog found loose: Subject to impoundment.

Fine up to $500 under the Code's general penalty (Sec. 1-14); an unmuzzled dangerous dog found loose can also be impounded by the city.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Mission gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

Chickens & Livestock

Mission bans keeping cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats or other livestock within 300 feet of any home, church, school or store citywide.

Key details: Setback from occupied buildings: 300 feet. Covered animals: Cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, llamas. Exempt zoning: Agricultural open districts. Exempt use: Commercial slaughterhouses. Pen standard: Sanitary, no flies, no odor.

Violating the 300-foot livestock setback or the pen-maintenance standard is a Class C misdemeanor under the city's general penalty provision, enforced by animal control and code enforcement.

Pet Limits

Mission sets no numeric cap on cats, but any property keeping more than four adult dogs is legally a "dog kennel" under Sec. 14-77, and kennels can't sit within 200 feet of a residence: a de facto four-dog ceiling on most residential lots.

Key details: Dog kennel threshold: More than 4 adult dogs. Kennel setback: 200 feet from any residence. Cat limit: No numeric cap in Code. Governing section: Sec. 14-77, Chapter 14. Max fine: Up to $2,000 per day.

Exceeding four adult dogs without meeting the 200-foot kennel setback violates Sec. 14-77(a); code enforcement or animal control can cite the owner under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-14, fines up to $2,000 per day, each day a separate offense.

Dog Leash Laws

Mission Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 (Animals) governs animal control inside the city, requiring dogs to be restrained when off the owner's property. The Mission Animal Shelter (227 Abelino Farias St) impounds stray and at-large dogs. Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 layers state-level dangerous-dog restraint, insurance, and registration duties on top of the city ordinance.

Key details: City Authority: Mission Code Ch. 14 (Animals). Animal Shelter: 227 Abelino Farias St, Mission TX. Phone: 956-580-8741. State Dangerous Dog Law: TX HSC §§822.041-822.047. Liability Insurance: $100,000 for dangerous dogs (§822.042).

City leash and at-large violations under Mission Chapter 14 are typically Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500 per Texas Local Government Code §54.001, plus impound, boarding, and vaccination fees to reclaim a pet. State dangerous-dog violations under HSC §822.044/§822.045: Class C misdemeanor (up to $500) on first offense, Class B (up to $2,000 / 180 days jail) on subsequent offenses. Attacks causing serious injury or death by a known dangerous dog: third-degree felony (or second-degree if death results) under HSC §822.005. Tethering violations under HSC Ch. 821-F: Class C misdemeanor escalating with repeat offenses.

The rules around dog leash laws in Mission lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding wildlife is banned inside posted Designated Wildlife Habitat Areas in Mission. The city council creates these areas by ordinance, posts warning signage, and bans feeding once signs go up.

Key details: Applies: Only in posted habitat areas. Governing law: Ch. 14, Art. VIII, Sec. 14-255. Adopted: Ord. No. 5825, June 9, 2026. Penalty: Fine up to state-law maximum. Each violation: Separate offense.

Enforced by code enforcement, animal services, police, or other city departments through warnings, citations, or municipal court proceedings; fines are capped at the maximum amount state law or the City Code allows, and each day is a separate offense.

Backyard Chickens

Mission lets residents keep chickens, ducks, geese, quail and pigeons if the birds are penned and not raised commercially. But no domestic fowl may be kept within 100 feet of any residential building, church, school or store.

Key details: Backyard chickens: Allowed if penned, non-commercial. Fowl setback: 100 ft from inhabited buildings. Livestock setback: 300 ft from inhabited buildings. Hen limit: No cap; noise standard applies. Permit / registration: None required.

Keeping fowl within the 100-foot buffer of an inhabited building, running a commercial flock, or letting birds become a noise or sanitation nuisance violates Chapter 14; Mission code enforcement acts on neighbor complaints.

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

Exotic Pets

Exotic wildlife requires TPWD permits in Texas. Mission may have additional local restrictions on dangerous animals.

Key details: State Law: TX Parks & Wildlife Code. TPWD Permits: Required for raptors, fur-bearers, etc.. Local Code: Mission Animal Ordinance. Contact: Mission City Hall.

Possession of prohibited exotic animals: $500–$5,000 fine, animal seizure, and potential misdemeanor charges. Escaped exotic animals creating public danger may result in felony charges and full liability for damages.

The rules around exotic pets in Mission lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is regulated locally in Mission. TAIS governs commercial operations statewide. No state registration required for hobby beekeepers.

Key details: State Law: TX Agriculture Code. TAIS. Local Code: Mission Animal / Zoning Ordinance. Commercial: TAIS registration and inspection required. Contact: Mission City Hall.

Mission is more permissive than most cities when it comes to beekeeping. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Mission gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 4 of the 8 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.

Keep in mind that Mission 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.