Animal Ordinances in Georgetown, TX (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Georgetown, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Georgetown allows backyard hens in residential zones but caps the flock at eight birds and bans roosters outright. Sec. 7.06.010 requires the coop sit at least 20 feet from a neighbor's residence, hens stay fenced in the owner's backyard, and the owner give the Chief of Police written notice of the coop's location.
Georgetown Backyard Hen Keeping Limits
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.06.010
A.It is unlawful and constitutes a nuisance to keep livestock, except as otherwise provided in this Section, in any house, structure, shed, pen, lot pasture, or other enclosure in the City limits within 200 feet of any private residence or dwelling place or within 500 feet of any building or establishment open to the public.B.Hens. No person may keep more than eight hens in residential zoning d...
Dog Leash Laws
Letting a dog, or any animal besides a cat, run loose off the owner's property is unlawful and a nuisance in Georgetown under Sec. 7.04.010. Cats are only restricted from running at large if they haven't been altered or vaccinated for rabies; when tethered instead, restraints must meet weight and attachment rules under Sec. 7.03.040.
Georgetown Dogs-at-Large and Tether Rules
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.04.010
A.It shall be unlawful and constitute a nuisance for the owner of any animal, other than a cat, to permit or allow such animal to run at large within the City limits.B.It shall be unlawful and constitute a nuisance for the owner of a cat that has not been altered or vaccinated for rabies to allow or permit such cat to run at large within the City limits.
Breed Restrictions
Georgetown doesn't ban dogs by breed. Instead, the Animal Control Unit investigates any documented bite or menacing incident under Sec. 7.05.020 and can formally declare an individual dog dangerous under Sec. 7.05.030. Once declared, the owner has 30 days to register the dog, carry $100,000 in liability coverage, build an inspected secure enclosure, and muzzle the dog on a six-foot leash whenever it leaves that enclosure.
Georgetown Dangerous Dog Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.05.060
A.Not later than the 30th day after a person learns of the final determination that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:1.Register the dangerous dog with the Animal Control Unit;2.Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in the amount of at least $100,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury ...
Beekeeping
Georgetown lets residents keep bees but sets hard placement and density limits. Chapter 7.08 bars hives within ten feet of a property line, requires a flyway barrier inside 25 feet, keeps hives 50 feet from a neighbor's home, and caps colonies at two per quarter acre of land.
Georgetown Backyard Beekeeping Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.08.020
A.A person may not locate a hive within ten feet of the property line of a tract, as measured from the nearest point of the hive to the property line.B.A person who keeps a bee colony within 25 feet of the property line of a tract, as measured from the nearest point of a hive to the property line, shall establish and maintain a flyway barrier parallel to the property line.C.A hive shall be at l...
Exotic Pets
Georgetown outright bans keeping dozens of named wild and exotic species within City limits, from lions and tigers to venomous reptiles, alligators, and raccoons. Sec. 7.06.020 exempts only accredited zoos, federally licensed research institutions, government education programs, and Texas Parks and Wildlife rehabilitators handling animals bound for release.
Georgetown's Ban on Wild, Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.06.020
A.It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor within the City limits individual species and/or subspecies of the following animals: lions, tigers, ocelots, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, hyenas, bears, lesser pandas, ferrets from natural habitats, binturong, ostriches, emus, miniature pigs, Vietnamese pot belly pigs, apes, venomous reptiles, nonvenomous reptiles over six feet in length, allig...
Wildlife Feeding
Georgetown makes it a Class C misdemeanor to intentionally feed deer or leave food where deer can eat it, anywhere in the city. Placing food outdoors, or on a platform under five feet high, creates a legal presumption of intentional feeding.
Feeding Deer Banned in Georgetown
Significant RestrictionsCity Code § 8.05.030
A. Except as provided in Subsection C., a person commits an offense if the person intentionally feeds deer or makes food available for consumption by deer on private or public property within the territorial limits of the City. B. A person shall be presumed to have intentionally fed deer, or made food available for consumption by deer, if the person places food, or causes food to be placed, on ...
Pet Limits
Keeping more than five cats or dogs at a Georgetown address requires a multi-pet ownership permit under Sec. 7.02.030. Puppies and kittens under four months don't count toward the limit, but every qualifying animal must be spayed or neutered, and the property must pass an Animal Control Unit inspection first.
Georgetown Multi-Pet Permit Limit
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.02.030(A)
A.A person owning, harboring, or keeping more than five cats or dogs or any combination of five cats or dogs shall obtain a multi-pet ownership permit. Puppies and kittens under four months of age shall not be counted for purposes of this Section.
Pet Store Rules
Georgetown does not ban retail pet sales outright, but any store selling dogs or cats needs a commercial sales permit under Sec. 7.02.040. Every animal sold must be at least eight weeks old, microchipped, sourced from a licensed breeder in Williamson County or a neighboring county, and accepted back at no cost within a year.
Georgetown Pet Store Sales Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown, TX Code of Ordinances § 7.02.040
A.All individuals engaged in the commercial sale of any dogs or cats, including, but not limited to, pet stores and stores in which pets and animals are not the central item of sale within the store, shall obtain a commercial sales permit. ... 8.Each animal transferred shall be accepted for return at no cost within one year of the date of the transfer. ... 9.All dogs and cats transferred must b...
Looking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Georgetown city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Williamson County →