Animal Ordinances in Denton, TX (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Denton, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Denton Ch. 6 allows up to 12 hens on lots of 10,000+ sq ft. Roosters prohibited in residential. Coops must be 50 ft from neighboring dwellings.
Denton Chickens and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 161.041 (Disease Control)
Sec. 161.041. DISEASE CONTROL.(a) The commission shall protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the commission determines require control or eradication. The commission shall adopt and periodically update rules listing the diseases that require control or eradication by the commission. Section 2001.0045, Government Code, does not apply to rules adopt...
Dog Leash Laws
Denton Code Section 6-8 requires all dogs to be restrained by leash or confined when off the owner's property. Section 6-14, effective May 2024, replaced pet licensing with mandatory microchipping for all dogs over 4 months. Off-leash dogs permitted only in designated dog parks including South Lakes and North Lakes parks.
Denton Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.041 (Dangerous Dogs - Definitions)
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
Denton does not enforce breed-specific legislation. No breed is banned. TX H&S Code Ch. 822 governs dangerous dog declarations based on behavior.
Denton Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Denton Code Chapter 6 Article IV regulates residential beekeeping. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 requires all beekeepers to register apiaries annually with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. Hives must be in movable-frame equipment for state inspection access. HOAs cannot ban beekeeping on lots of 1/4 acre or larger under TX Property Code 202.007.
Denton Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 131.001 (Beekeeping - Definitions)
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Abandoned apiary, equipment, or bees" means an apiary, equipment, or a colony of bees that is not regularly maintained or attended in accordance with this chapter or rules or quarantines adopted under this chapter.(2) "Apiary" means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept.(3) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns, leases, possesses...
Exotic Pets
Denton Code Section 6-6 prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals within city limits. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E requires registration, liability insurance, and secure enclosures for listed dangerous wild animals statewide. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 63 requires permits for protected nongame wildlife.
Denton Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.101-822.116 (Dangerous Wild Animals)
Sec. 822.101. (4) "Dangerous wild animal" means: (A) a lion; (B) a tiger; (C) an ocelot; (D) a cougar; (E) a leopard; (F) a cheetah; (G) a jaguar; (H) a bobcat; (I) a lynx; (J) a serval; (K) a caracal; (L) a hyena; (M) a bear; (N) a coyote; (O) a jackal; (P) a baboon; (Q) a chimpanzee; (R) an orangutan; (S) a gorilla; or (T) any hybrid... Sec. 822.103(a). A person may not own, harbor, or have c...
Wildlife Feeding
Denton Code Section 17-40 property maintenance provisions address conditions that attract wildlife. Intentional feeding of coyotes, feral hogs, or deer can trigger nuisance enforcement. TPWD manages wildlife statewide, and feral hogs may be taken year-round without a hunting license on private property.
Denton Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Denton prohibits livestock including cattle, horses, goats, and sheep in residential zones unless the lot meets minimum acreage for agricultural zoning. Denton Development Code Table 5.2-A governs permitted uses by zoning district. Up to 8 hens allowed per residential parcel under Section 6-26, but roosters are restricted.
Denton 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 governmental age...
Looking for Denton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denton city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Denton County →