Animal Ordinances in Bryan, TX (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Bryan, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bryan confines livestock to properly zoned land, requires 6,000 square feet per animal, and bans staking or tethering.
Bryan Livestock Zoning and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsBryan City Code § 10-133
It is a violation to maintain livestock on properties other than those zoned for such use. It is an affirmative defense if the maintenance of livestock is a legal non-conforming use. (b) The owner of livestock, or the owner of real property on which livestock is being kept, may not allow the livestock to be a nuisance, or be the source of a nuisance, by virtue of (1) odor, excessive noise, or...
Breed Restrictions
Bryan regulates dogs by behavior, not breed. A dog declared dangerous after an unprovoked attack must be registered, insured, confined, and collared, or the city orders it euthanized.
Bryan Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 10-92
Within 30 days of the municipal court decision to declare a dog dangerous... the owner of the dangerous dog must comply with the following requirements for the dog to be released from impoundment: (1) registration, specifically as a dangerous dog...; (2) restrain the dog at all times on a leash... or in a secure enclosure...; (3) obtain liability insurance... with at least $100,000.00 in covera...
Beekeeping
Bryan lets residents keep backyard beehives without a permit, but hives must sit 50 feet from neighboring homes, or have a six-foot flyway barrier if closer to a property line, plus an on-site water source in view of the hive.
Bryan Beekeeping Setback and Nuisance Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 10-137(a)
It is unlawful to keep a hive within 50 feet of any structure used for human habitation, excluding the residence of the owner. If a hive is located within 25 feet of a property line, the owner must maintain a flyway barrier, such as a solid wall, fence, or dense vegetation, parallel to the property line, which must be at least six feet high and extend at least ten feet beyond each end of the hi...
Exotic Pets
Bryan prohibits keeping or harboring any wild animal within city limits, with narrow exceptions for licensed commercial dealers and zoos with proper restraint facilities.
Bryan Bans Keeping Wild Animals as Pets
Significant RestrictionsSec. 10-12(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any wild animal within the city, except commercial establishments dealing in the sale of these animals and zoos that have proper facilities for restraint and care of these animals. (b) The animal control authority or the local health authority under the Texas Health and Safety Code may set up conditions under which it would be permissible ...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding feral cats outside a registered community cat colony is unlawful in Bryan, with only trap-neuter-return caregivers exempt.
Bryan Bans Feeding Feral Cats
Significant RestrictionsBryan, TX Code of Ordinances § 10-53(d)
It is unlawful for a person to feed feral cats, or to provide food for feral cats. It is an affirmative defense if the person is a community cat caregiver maintaining a community cat colony. (e) If a community cat colony is the source for a substantial number of nuisance complaints from multiple sources, the affirmative defense under subsection (d) does not apply and the community cat colony ...
Pet Limits
Bryan households near the city limits may keep no more than four dogs, cats, or a combination of the two without an annual over-four permit.
Bryan Caps Dogs and Cats at Four
Some RestrictionsSec. 10-57(a)
It is unlawful to harbor, keep, or maintain more than four dogs, cats, or a combination thereof on any property within 5,000 feet of the city limits. This section does not apply to a property that is subject to inspection or regulation by a state or federal agency relating to health and safety of animals, including but not limited to properties operated by veterinarians or Texas A&M University....
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Bryan has no citywide spay/neuter mandate, but a dog formally declared dangerous by municipal court must be sterilized before release from impoundment.
Bryan Requires Sterilization for Declared Dangerous Dogs
Light RestrictionsBryan, TX Code of Ordinances § 10-92(a)(7)
Within 30 days of the municipal court decision to declare a dog dangerous, or within 30 days of such decision being upheld on appeal, the owner of the dangerous dog must comply with the following requirements for the dog to be released from impoundment: (1) registration, specifically as a dangerous dog, with the animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept, which registratio...
Pet Store Rules
Bryan pet shops and stores cannot sell dogs or cats sourced from breeders; every dog or cat offered must come from a city or county shelter or a registered nonprofit rescue.
Bryan Requires Pet Stores to Sell Rescue Animals
Heavy RestrictionsSec. 10-13
A pet shop or store shall not sell, lease, offer for sale, trade, give away, or otherwise transfer a dog or cat, unless the animal was obtained from a city or county shelter or registered 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization. The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the shelter or rescue shall be conspicuously displayed on or near the animal's enclosure. The pet shop or store m...