Animal Ordinances in Brownsville, TX (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Brownsville, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Brownsville sets no limit on the number of hens and bans no roosters. The controlling rule is distance: a pen holding chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, peafowl, pigeons, rabbits, or guinea pigs must sit 50 feet from a neighbor's home.
Hens allowed with 50-foot coop setback; no bird cap
Some RestrictionsBrownsville, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 10-1063(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess or maintain within the city any rabbit, guinea pig, pigeon, chicken, turkey, goose, duck, peafowl, or any other fowl in any pen, enclosure, or other structure within 50 feet of any residence or building used for human habitation, other than that of the keeper or owner of such animal
Dog Leash Laws
Brownsville requires all dogs to be on a leash or under direct control when off the owner's property. The city enforces animal control regulations to protect public safety.
Brownsville Dog Leash Laws & Off-Leash Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 822.005
Sec. 822.005. ATTACK BY DOG. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the person:(1) with criminal negligence, as defined by Section 6.03, Penal Code, fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner's real property or in or on the owner's motor vehicle or boat and that causes serio...
Breed Restrictions
Brownsville does not impose breed-specific bans. Texas state law does not preempt local breed-specific legislation, but Brownsville focuses on dangerous dog determinations based on individual behavior.
Brownsville Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 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
Beekeeping is supported in Texas under the state's agriculture-friendly laws. Brownsville's warm climate in the Rio Grande Valley makes it well-suited for year-round beekeeping.
Brownsville Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Few RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code § 131.045
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) T...
Exotic Pets
Texas regulates exotic animal ownership under the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 (Dangerous Wild Animals). Many species require registration and secure enclosures.
Brownsville Exotic Pet & Wild Animal Regulations
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 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 i...
Wildlife Feeding
Brownsville has no ordinance against feeding birds, feral cats, or wild animals. Complaints are handled through the animal nuisance rule in § 10-1062, the rat-harborage prohibition in § 54-98, and the ban on keeping wild animals in § 10-1221.
No feeding ban; nuisance and rat rules control
Few RestrictionsBrownsville, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 54-98
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or maintain any business or residential building or premises in such manner that a rat harborage is brought into existence or maintained.
Looking for Cameron County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brownsville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Cameron County →