Animal Ordinances in Dallas, TX (2026)
18 verified animal ordinances for Dallas, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Dallas allows chickens on residential property. Flocks of 5 or more require a $25 annual registration. Roosters are prohibited within city limits with limited exceptions. Enclosures must be at least 20 feet from adjacent property lines.
Dallas Chickens and Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Chapter 161 - Livestock
Sec. 161.002. CARETAKER OF ANIMAL. (a) A person is subject to this chapter as the caretaker of an animal and is presumed to control the animal if the person:(1) is the owner or lessee of the pen, pasture, or other place in which the animal is located and has control of that place;(2) exercises care or control over the animal; or(3) has recorded a mark or brand for the animal under Chapter 144.(...
Dog Leash Laws
Dallas 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.
Dallas Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 - Dangerous Dogs
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
Dallas does not have breed-specific legislation. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.047 prohibits cities from creating breed-specific restrictions. Dallas regulates dogs based on individual behavior under its dangerous dog provisions.
Dallas 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
Dallas does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Beekeeping is regulated primarily at the state level by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS). General nuisance provisions under Chapter 7 apply if bees create a hazard or nuisance.
Dallas Beekeeping Regulations
Few RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 - Bees and Honey
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 inspe...
Exotic Pets
Dallas City Code Chapter 7, Article VI, Sec. 7-6.1 prohibits the keeping of certain dangerous or exotic animals as pets. It is unlawful to sell, exchange, give away, or transfer a prohibited animal in the city for use as a pet. Defenses include being a licensed facility, veterinarian, humane society, or exhibitor at the State Fair with proper permits. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter E further regulates dangerous wild animals at the state level.
Dallas Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.101 - Dangerous Wild Animals
Sec. 822.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Animal registration agency" means the municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area where a dangerous wild animal is kept or a county sheriff in an area that does not have an animal control office.(2) Repealed by
Wildlife Feeding
Dallas does not have a specific citywide ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding. Dallas City Code Chapter 32 (Parks) restricts certain activities in parks, and Chapter 7 (Animals) addresses animal control. Feeding wildlife in parks may be restricted by posted rules under Sec. 32-1 (safety of patrons). The city discourages feeding coyotes and feral animals as a public safety measure but relies primarily on education rather than specific penalties.
Dallas Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Dallas defines livestock as fowl, horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, emus, ostriches, and other farm animals under Chapter 7. Livestock keeping is restricted to areas where animal production is permitted under Section 51A-4.201. Enclosures must be 20+ feet from property lines.
Dallas Livestock Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Chapter 142 - Estrays
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 governmental age...
Animal Hoarding
Dallas Animal Services investigates animal hoarding under Chapter 7 cruelty provisions and Texas Penal Code 42.092. Officers may seize neglected animals, file misdemeanor or felony charges, and require court-ordered relinquishment.
Animal Hoarding: Cruelty Investigation and Seizure
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Chapter 821 - Treatment and Disposition of Animals
Sec. 821.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Cruelly treated" includes tortured, seriously overworked, unreasonably abandoned, unreasonably deprived of necessary food, care, or shelter, cruelly confined, caused to fight with another animal, or subjected to conduct prohibited by Section 21.09, Penal Code.(2) "Nonprofit animal welfare organization" means a nonprofit organization that has as...
Pet Limits
Dallas City Code Chapter 7 caps the number of dogs and cats per household at six dogs and eight cats over four months old without a multiple animal permit. Larger households need an inspection and a multiple animal permit from Dallas Animal Services.
Household Pet Limits in Dallas
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Dallas Chapter 7 requires cats over four months old to be registered with Dallas Animal Services and vaccinated against rabies. Tags must be worn, and feral colony caretakers must comply with trap-neuter-return guidelines.
Cat Rules: Registration and Rabies Vaccination
Some RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Chapter 826 - Rabies
Sec. 826.022. VACCINATION; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to have each dog or cat owned by the person vaccinated against rabies and the animal is required to be vaccinated under:(1) Section 826.021 and department rules; or(2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs.(b) A...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Dallas City Code Section 7-4.4 requires all dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered. Owners wishing to keep intact animals must obtain an annual intact-animal permit from Dallas Animal Services.
Mandatory Spay-Neuter for Dogs and Cats
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Chapter 828 - Sterilization of Dogs and Cats by Releasing Agency
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. Added by
Microchipping
Dallas Chapter 7 requires all licensed dogs and cats to be implanted with a registered microchip. Owners must keep contact information current with the chip registry, and shelters scan every impounded animal.
Microchipping Required for Licensed Pets
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Dallas Animal Services follows a hazing-first coyote management policy. Texas Parks and Wildlife classifies coyotes as nongame; residents may legally haze coyotes to restore fear of humans, while lethal removal is reserved for confirmed aggressive animals.
Coyote Management and Hazing Rules in Dallas
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Dallas City Code Section 7-3.1 restricts retail pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats. Stores may only offer animals sourced from animal shelters or nonprofit rescue partners, supporting a humane sourcing model adopted in 2022.
Pet Store Retail Sales Rules in Dallas
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Occupations Code Chapter 802 - Dog or Cat Breeders
Sec. 802.101. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not act as, offer to act as, or represent that the person is a dog or cat breeder in this state unless the person holds a license under this chapter for each facility that the person owns or operates in this state. A license for a single facility may cover more than one building on the same premises.(b) The commission by rule may establish requir...
Pet Groomer Rules
Texas does not license pet groomers. Dallas requires groomers to obtain a city business registration through the Office of Special Collections and follow Dallas Code Chapter 7 humane handling rules, but no occupational state license or exam is required.
Pet Groomer Licensing Rules in Dallas
Few RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Dallas Development Code Chapter 51A allows veterinary clinics in most commercial zoning districts by right, with specific use permits required in mixed-use and residential-adjacent districts. Outdoor kennels and overnight boarding face stricter zoning controls than office-only practices.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Dallas
Some RestrictionsTexas Occupations Code Chapter 801 - Veterinarians
Sec. 801.004. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. This chapter does not apply to:(1) the treatment or care of an animal in any manner by the owner of the animal, an employee of the owner, or a designated caretaker of the animal, unless the ownership, employment, or designation is established with the intent to violate this chapter;(2) a person who performs an act prescribed by the board as an accepted live...
Bird Protection
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64 protect almost all wild birds in Dallas. Killing, capturing, possessing, or disturbing protected birds, nests, or eggs without a federal permit is a serious offense.
Migratory Bird Protection in Dallas
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 64 - Birds
Sec. 64.002. PROTECTION OF NONGAME BIRDS. (a) Except as provided by this code, no person may:(1) catch, kill, injure, pursue, or possess, dead or alive, or purchase, sell, expose for sale, transport, ship, or receive or deliver for transportation, a bird that is not a game bird;(2) possess any part of the plumage, skin, or body of a bird that is not a game bird; or(3) disturb or destroy the egg...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Texas Parks and Wildlife requires a Wildlife Rehabilitator Permit before anyone in Dallas may possess injured or orphaned wildlife. Residents finding wildlife should contact DFW Wildlife Coalition or a permitted rehabilitator rather than caring for animals themselves.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Permits Dallas
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 43 - Permits
Sec. 43.022. PERMIT REQUIREMENT. (a) No person may collect, hold, possess, display, transport, release, or propagate protected wildlife for the purposes of this subchapter without a permit issued under this subchapter.(b) A permit under this subchapter is not required for an activity that may be lawfully conducted under the authority of another license or permit issued under this code or in acc...
Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dallas city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dallas County →