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Animal Ordinances in Katy, TX (2026)

4 verified animal ordinances for Katy, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

Katy forbids keeping chickens or any fowl on a tract smaller than one acre. On an acre or more, you may keep up to 25 fowl, all confined to closed pens and sited at least 100 feet from any neighboring home or business.

Katy, Texas Backyard Chickens: One-Acre Minimum, 100-Foot Setback

Significant Restrictions

Code of Ordinances, Article 2.02 (Livestock and Fowl)

No stable, barn, pen, or other area or shelter where livestock or fowl are kept shall be closer than one hundred feet (100') to any residence or commercial business establishment unless such residence or commercial business establishment is located on the real estate where such stable, barn, [or] pen, is located or the area where livestock or fowl are kept.

Dog Leash Laws

Katy requires dogs to be on a leash or securely confined within a fence at all times, prohibits dogs from running at large, and authorizes animal control to impound any unrestrained dog found in the city.

Katy Dog Leash and At-Large Restrictions

Light Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.012 (Dogs Prohibited from Running at Large)

Sec. 822.012. CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or coyote that the owner, keeper, or person knows is accustomed to run, worry, or kill livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may not permit the dog or coyote to run at large.(b) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense und...

Exotic Pets

Katy classifies exotic animals as livestock subject to the one-acre rule and regulates dangerous wild animals under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter E, with the city as the local enforcement authority.

Katy Exotic and Dangerous Wild Animal Limits

Light Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.101 (Dangerous Wild Animals - Definitions)

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where a dangerous wild animal is kept or a county sheriff in an area that does not have an animal control office.(2) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1,

Pet Limits

Katy declares any livestock, fowl, or animal kept in conditions that disturb neighbors or create unsanitary conditions a public nuisance, allowing animal control to investigate and abate hoarding-type situations.

Katy Animal Nuisance and Welfare Provisions

Light Restrictions

Tex. Penal Code Sec. 42.092 (Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals)

Sec. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS. (a) In this section:(1) "Abandon" includes abandoning an animal in the person's custody without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person.(2) "Animal" means a domesticated living creature, including any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously captured. The term does not include an uncap...

Looking for Fort Bend County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Katy city rules.

Animal Ordinances in Fort Bend County