Animal Ordinances in Austin, TX (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 allows up to 10 chickens on most residential lots with setbacks of 50 feet from neighboring dwellings for coops. Roosters are allowed but subject to noise enforcement. Livestock (goats, pigs, cattle) require minimum lot sizes.
Austin Chickens and Livestock Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 161.001
Sec. 161.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter: (1) "Animal" includes livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl. (2) "Commission" means the Texas Animal Health Commission. (4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known as ungulates, including animals from the swine, horse, ta...
Dog Leash Laws
Austin City Code Chapter 3-4 requires dogs in public to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash areas including Red Bud Isle, portions of Auditorium Shores, and parts of Zilker Park. Violations are Class C misdemeanors enforced by Austin Animal Services and APD.
Austin Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.006-822.007 (Defense; Local Regulation of Dogs)
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. 822.006. ... (i) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person's dog was on a leash and the person: (1) was in immediate control of the dog; or (2) if the person...
Breed Restrictions
Austin does not have breed-specific legislation and is legally prevented from enacting one by Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047. The city instead uses a dangerous-dog designation process under §822.0421 applied based on behavior, not breed.
Austin Dog Breed Rules
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Austin allows residential beekeeping under City Code Chapter 3-2 with no colony cap, provided hives are set back 10 feet from property lines and behind a 6-foot flyway barrier if within 25 feet of a neighbor. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 regulates registration and disease control.
Austin Beekeeping Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 131.045 (Beekeeper Registration)
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. (c) The i...
Wildlife Feeding
Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 prohibits intentional feeding of deer, coyotes, javelinas, and other wildlife where it attracts nuisance populations. Bird feeding is allowed. Texas Parks & Wildlife Code adds state-level rules on baiting and game species.
Austin Wildlife Feeding Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLivestock
Austin allows livestock with minimum lot size: 1 acre for goats/sheep, 2 acres for cattle/horses/hogs, all with a 100-ft setback from any dwelling (Austin City Code Ch. 3-2). Slaughter is banned in city limits except permitted poultry. Chickens have separate, looser rules.
Austin, TX Livestock & Backyard Animal Rules
Some RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Sec. 142.001 (Estrays - Definitions)
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
Austin Animal Services investigates hoarding under City Code Chapter 3-2 and Texas Penal Code 42.092. Officers may seize neglected animals with warrants under Health & Safety Code Chapter 821, file misdemeanor or felony charges, and seek court-ordered relinquishment.
Animal Hoarding: Cruelty Investigation and Seizure
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Austin City Code Section 3-2-7 limits households to three dogs and three cats over four months old without an animal-establishment permit. Larger numbers require a kennel, foster, or rescue authorization with inspection, zoning compliance, and welfare standards.
Austin Pet Limits: Three Dogs, Three Cats Without Permit
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 requires cats over four months old to be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 826. Austin Animal Services supports community cat trap-neuter-return programs alongside its No-Kill mission.
Cat Licensing and Texas Rabies Vaccination Requirement
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.021
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 vacc...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Austin City Code Section 3-4-29 requires all dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered. Owners wishing to keep intact animals must obtain an annual breeder or intact-animal permit. The ordinance is among the strongest in Texas.
Austin Mandatory Spay-Neuter: One of Strongest in Texas
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Secs. 828.002-828.003
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. (a) The sterilization agreement used by a releasing agency must contain: ... (5) a stat...
Microchipping
Austin Animal Center microchips every dog and cat before adoption transfer, and Austin City Code Title 3 requires licensed pets to maintain ISO-compliant microchip identification with current registry contact information for return to owner.
Microchipping Required at Adoption from Austin Animal Center
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Austin Animal Services follows a hazing-first coyote management plan emphasizing public education, deterrence, and habitat modification. Texas Parks & Wildlife treats coyotes as nongame furbearers; lethal removal is reserved for documented aggressive or sick animals threatening human safety.
Austin Coyote Management: Hazing First, Lethal as Last Resort
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Austin City Code Chapter 3-3 prohibits pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats; retail sales are limited to animals sourced from shelters or rescues. The rule complements Austin's No-Kill mission and aligns with statewide and national anti-puppy-mill efforts.
Austin Pet Store Rules: Rescue-Only Retail Sales
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Travis County →