Animal Ordinances in Arlington, TX (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Arlington, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Arlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 permits backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) on lots at least 10,000 square feet, with coops set back from property lines. Traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) is prohibited on lots under 1 acre and requires Agricultural zoning or grandfathered rights.
Chickens and Livestock in Arlington
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 251.004 (Right to Farm - Limits on Nuisance Actions for Agricultural Operations)
Sec. 251.004. NUISANCE OR OTHER ACTIONS. (a) No nuisance action or other action to restrain an agricultural operation may be brought against an agricultural operation that has lawfully been in operation and substantially unchanged for one year or more prior to the date on which the action is brought. A person who brings a nuisance action or other action to restrain an agricultural operation tha...
Dog Leash Laws
Arlington requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.
Arlington Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.041 (Dangerous Dog - Definitions)
Sec. 822.041. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Animal control authority" means a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area where the dog is kept or a county sheriff in an area with no animal control office.(2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that:(A) makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in whi...
Breed Restrictions
Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047 prohibits cities from passing breed-specific legislation, and Arlington does not ban any dog breed. The city instead enforces dangerous-dog and aggressive-dog designations based on behavior. Owners of dogs declared dangerous face strict confinement, liability insurance, and registration requirements.
Dog Breed Rules in Arlington
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is permitted in Arlington subject to Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 and city nuisance standards. Beekeepers must register with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, maintain hives with flyway barriers near property lines, and provide water sources to prevent bees from congregating at neighbors' pools.
Beekeeping in Arlington
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E regulates dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles), requiring state registration, $100,000 insurance, and secure containment. Arlington Code of Ordinances further prohibits these dangerous wild animals in most residential zones regardless of state permit.
Exotic Animals in Arlington
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Arlington prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife that creates a nuisance, health risk, or attracts dangerous animals. Feeding songbirds and squirrels from properly maintained feeders is permitted, but leaving food for deer, feral hogs, raccoons, coyotes, or stray cats can result in citations under the city's nuisance and public health ordinances.
Wildlife Feeding Rules in Arlington
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Arlington prohibits traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine) on residential lots smaller than 1 acre. Keeping livestock requires Agricultural (A) zoning or legally grandfathered pre-annexation agricultural use. Violations result in fines and impoundment by Arlington Animal Services.
Livestock Rules in Arlington
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 142.001
Sec. 142.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Estray" means stray livestock, stray exotic livestock, stray bison, or stray exotic fowl. (2) "Perilous condition" means a circumstance or condition in which capture and impoundment of an estray presents an immediate threat to law enforcement personnel or to the health of the estray. ... (4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, ...
Animal Hoarding
Arlington Animal Services investigates suspected animal hoarding under Texas cruelty statutes when animals are kept in conditions causing harm. Cases are referred to Arlington Police and Tarrant County prosecutors when warranted, with civil seizure available.
Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Enforcement
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Sec. 821.021-821.023 (Disposition of Cruelly Treated Animals)
Sec. 821.022. SEIZURE OF CRUELLY TREATED ANIMAL. (a) If a peace officer or an officer who has responsibility for animal control in a county or municipality has reason to believe that an animal has been or is being cruelly treated, the officer may apply to a justice court or magistrate in the county or to a municipal court in the municipality in which the animal is located for a warrant to seize...
Pet Limits
Arlington restricts the number of dogs and cats per single-family residence under city code to avoid kennel-like conditions in residential neighborhoods. Households exceeding the threshold need a multi-pet permit and inspection by Animal Services.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Arlington requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and registered with Arlington Animal Services. Cats running at large may be impounded, and free-roaming community cats must be managed under approved trap-neuter-return programs.
Cat Licensing and Outdoor Roaming Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.021 (Rabies Vaccination Required for Dogs and Cats)
Sec. 826.021. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS REQUIRED. (a) Except as otherwise provided by department rule, the owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies by the time the animal is four months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by department rule.(b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue to the animal's owner a vacci...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Arlington Animal Services requires sterilization of all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter or reclaimed after a second impoundment. The policy aims to curb overpopulation in Tarrant County and reduce repeat intake at the East Division facility.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter for Released Pets
Some RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Chapter 828 (Dog and Cat Sterilization), Sec. 828.002, 828.003, 828.013
Sec. 828.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION. Except as provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal has been sterilized or the release is made to a new owner who signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized. Sec. 828.003. STERILIZATION AGREEMENT. ...The sterilization completion date contained in the sterilization agreement must be: ...
Microchipping
Arlington Animal Services microchips every dog and cat released from the shelter and strongly encourages residents to microchip pets so strays can be reunited quickly. Updated registration with a national chip database is required for owner contact information.
Microchip and Identification Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Tarrant County →