Animal Ordinances in Baytown, TX (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Baytown, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Baytown's lack of traditional zoning means keeping chickens and small livestock on residential property is generally permitted. The city does not impose lot size minimums, coop setback requirements, or bird count limits typical of zoned Texas cities. Animals must be kept in sanitary conditions and not create a nuisance. Roosters may be kept, though crowing complaints can be filed as nuisances.
Baytown Chickens & Livestock Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 161.0411 (Domestic and Exotic Fowl Registration)
Sec. 161.0411. DOMESTIC AND EXOTIC FOWL REGISTRATION. (a) A seller, distributor, or transporter of live domestic or exotic fowl in this state shall register with the commission under this section. The commission may exempt from registration a person participating in a disease surveillance program recognized by the commission.(b) A person may apply for a certificate of registration or a ren...
Dog Leash Laws
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 requires dogs to be restrained and not allowed to run at large. Dogs must be confined to the owner's property by fence, enclosure, or leash when off-property. Dogs in public areas must be on a leash under the handler's control. Baytown Animal Control enforces leash laws and impounds stray dogs.
Baytown Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.007 (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. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 669 (H.B. 1355), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2007. SUBCHAPTER B. DOGS AND COYOTES THAT ARE A DANGER TO ANIMALSSec. 822.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Dog or coyote" includes...
Breed Restrictions
Baytown does not have breed-specific legislation (BSL). No dog breeds are banned or subject to special restrictions within the city. Texas state law does not ban specific breeds and generally preempts local breed bans. Baytown enforces dangerous dog laws based on individual dog behavior rather than breed under Chapter 14 and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822.
Baytown Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.047
Sec. 822.047. LOCAL REGULATION OF DANGEROUS DOGS. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions: (1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs; and (2) are more stringent than restrictions provided by this subchapter.
Beekeeping
Baytown does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Keeping bees on residential property is not prohibited by city code. Texas is a bee-friendly state with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) overseeing bee colony registration. Baytown's lack of zoning means no zone-based beekeeping restrictions. Bee colonies causing a nuisance may be addressed under Chapter 34.
Baytown Beekeeping Regulations
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Baytown prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals within city limits under Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, consistent with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E. Lions, tigers, bears, primates, and other dangerous species require state registration and are restricted locally.
Baytown Exotic and Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.103
Sec. 822.103. CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION; FEES. (a) A person may not own, harbor, or have custody or control of a dangerous wild animal for any purpose unless the person holds a certificate of registration for that animal issued by an animal registration agency. (b) A certificate of registration issued under this subchapter is not transferrable and is valid for one year after its date of issua...
Wildlife Feeding
Baytown discourages feeding wildlife that creates nuisance conditions under the general nuisance provisions of the Code of Ordinances. Feeding feral cats, deer, coyotes, or alligators in ways that attract them to residential areas may result in code enforcement action.
Baytown Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Baytown restricts livestock in residential zoning districts under Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances and the zoning ordinance. Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs are generally prohibited in standard residential zones but may be permitted on agricultural or large-lot properties.
Baytown Livestock Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsTex. 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.(3) "Person" does not include the government or a governmenta...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Baytown city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Harris County →