Animal Ordinances in Amarillo, TX (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Amarillo, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Amarillo allows residents to keep fowl and livestock, but imposes minimum setback distances from neighboring residences. Fowl must be kept at least 100 feet from the nearest neighboring residence; livestock requires 200 feet.
Chickens and Livestock Distance and Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 251.0055(a), (c)
Sec. 251.0055. LIMITATIONS ON CITY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE WITHIN CORPORATE BOUNDARIES. (a) A city may not impose a governmental requirement that applies to agricultural operations located in the corporate boundaries of the city unless: (1) there is clear and convincing evidence that the purposes of the requirement cannot be addressed through less restrictive means and that the ...
Dog Leash Laws
Amarillo requires all dogs to be restrained or confined when off the owner's property. Dogs at large are subject to impoundment by Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare. Owners must have current rabies vaccinations for their dogs.
Amarillo Dog Leash Laws & Off-Leash Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.007, 822.031
Sec. 822.007. LOCAL REGULATION OF DOGS. This subchapter does not prohibit a municipality or county from adopting leash or registration requirements applicable to dogs. ... Sec. 822.031. UNREGISTERED DOGS PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE. The owner or person having control of a dog at least six months of age in a county adopting this subchapter may not allow the dog to run at large unless th...
Breed Restrictions
Amarillo does not impose breed-specific bans. Texas state law (HB 292, 2023) prohibits municipalities from banning specific dog breeds. Amarillo enforces behavior-based dangerous dog provisions.
Amarillo Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Sec. 822.001
Sec. 822.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Animal control authority" means a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area in which the dog is kept or the county sheriff in an area that does not have an animal control office.(2) "Serious bodily injury" means an injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would caus...
Beekeeping
Amarillo allows beekeeping subject to zoning and nuisance regulations. Beekeepers should maintain hives with adequate setbacks and water sources. Texas is a bee-friendly state with an active apiary industry.
Amarillo Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Some RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 131.045(a)-(b), 131.061(a)-(b)
Sec. 131.045. BEEKEEPER REGISTRATION. (a) Each beekeeper in this state may register on an annual basis with the chief apiary inspector. A registration under this section expires August 31 following the date the registration is issued. (b) A registration must include: (1) information required by the chief apiary inspector; and (2) the county or counties in which the beekeeper operates. .....
Exotic Pets
Amarillo restricts the keeping of wild and dangerous animals within city limits. Venomous snakes, large predators, primates, and other dangerous wildlife are prohibited as pets under the animal ordinance.
Amarillo Exotic Pet & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Amarillo's Chapter 8-2 regulates domestic animals and fowl but contains no explicit prohibition on feeding feral or wild animals. Keeping wild animals inside city limits is prohibited, but intentional wildlife feeding is not codified as an offense.
Amarillo Has No Wildlife-Feeding Ban Ordinance
Few RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Amarillo caps combined dogs and cats per household at four, and prohibits keeping animals in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions under Chapter 8-2. Animal Management and Welfare officers enforce these rules.
Amarillo Limits Household Pets and Requires Adequate Animal Care
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 821.021(1), 821.022(a)-(b)
Sec. 821.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Cruelly treated" includes tortured, seriously overworked, unreasonably abandoned, unreasonably deprived of necessary food, care, or shelter, cruelly confined, caused to fight with another animal, or subjected to conduct prohibited by Section 21.09, Penal Code. Sec. 821.022. ... the officer may apply to a justice court or magistrate in the co...