Animal Ordinances in Lubbock, TX (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Lubbock, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lubbock allows up to six chicken hens as an accessory use on R-1, R-1A, or R-2 zoned residential lots under Code of Ordinances § 4.07.001, but bans roosters outright and requires the coop to sit in the rear yard with a five-foot setback. Anyone keeping livestock or more than six hens needs a multi-pet permit.
Lubbock Backyard Chicken Hens: Six-Bird Limit
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 4.07.001
(b) Except as provided by this section, six (6) chickens hens may be permitted in an R-1, R-1A, or R-2 zoned residence with the following requirements: (1) The keeping of any chicken hens(s) shall be considered an accessory use to the main building or structure of any property. … (3) Any such above-described enclosure shall be kept in the rear yard. (4) Any such above-described enclosure that i...
Dog Leash Laws
Lubbock requires all dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property. Dogs at large are subject to impoundment and citation under the city Animal Services code and TX HSC 822.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Secs. 822.007, 822.012
Sec. 822.007. LOCAL REGULATION OF DOGS. This subchapter does not prohibit a municipality or county from adopting leash or registration requirements applicable to dogs. 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 kil...
Breed Restrictions
Lubbock has no breed-specific legislation. Texas Health and Safety Code 822.047 prohibits Texas cities from adopting breed bans. All breeds including pit bulls are legal in Lubbock.
Animals: 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. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 916, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. SUBCHAPTER...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is allowed in Lubbock with hive setbacks from property lines and a flyway barrier where hives face a neighbor. Texas Agriculture Code Ch. 131 governs apiary registration with more than 6 hives.
Animals: Beekeeping
Light RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 131.045
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 i...
Exotic Pets
Lubbock makes it unlawful to keep a wild animal anywhere in the city under Code of Ordinances § 4.06.002, with narrow carve-outs for grandfathered permitted facilities, government agencies, zoos, licensed wildlife educational centers and permitted animal dealers. The definitions section lists dozens of prohibited species by name, from big cats to bears to venomous reptiles.
Lubbock Bans Keeping Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 4.06.002
(a) It shall be unlawful to keep any wild animal within the corporate city limits, with the following exceptions: (1) If a person and his or her facility housing such dangerous wild animal(s) has complied with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the acquisition and retention of all applicable permits, prior to final adoption of this chap...
Pet Limits
Lubbock prohibits keeping animals in numbers or conditions that endanger their welfare. Lubbock Animal Services and LPD investigate hoarding cases under LMC Chapter 4 and Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 821 cruelty provisions.
Lubbock Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. 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 uncaptured ...
Cat Rules
Lubbock requires cats over four months to be vaccinated against rabies and registered with the city. Owners must keep cats from running at large or causing nuisance, though feral colony management is allowed under approved trap-neuter-return programs.
Lubbock Cat Licensing and Containment Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.014 (Counties May Adopt Animal Control Ordinances)
Sec. 826.014. COUNTIES MAY ADOPT ORDINANCES AND RULES. (a) The commissioners court of a county may adopt ordinances or rules that establish a local rabies control program in the county and set local standards that are compatible with and equal to or more stringent than the program established by this chapter and the department rules adopted under this chapter.(b) County ordinances or rules adop...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lubbock requires spay or neuter for impounded dogs and cats released to owners after a second pickup, and charges higher annual fees for intact animals to encourage sterilization through Lubbock Animal Services programs.
Lubbock Spay-Neuter and Intact Pet Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 828.002 (Sterilization Requirement for Adoption)
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 Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 373, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992. Sec. 828.003. STERILIZATION AGREEMENT. (a) The sterilizati...
Microchipping
Lubbock requires every dog and cat over four months old to carry traceable identification, either a city registration tag or an implanted microchip, under Code of Ordinances § 4.03.004. Animal Services charges $5 to microchip a pet through the city, and skipping registration entirely is a misdemeanor enforced by the director of animal services.
Lubbock Dog and Cat Registration and ID Rules
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 4.03.004
(a) It is a violation of this chapter if any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months within the city does not register such animal as provided herein. Police dogs or assistance animals shall be exempt from the registration and identification tag fee; however, they must be in compliance with all other provisions of this chapter. This se...
Pet Store Rules
Lubbock pet shops must hold a city animal-establishment permit and meet caging, sanitation, and health-record standards under LMC Chapter 4. Texas large-breeder licensing also applies through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Lubbock Pet Shop Licensing and Standards
Light RestrictionsTex. Occ. Code Ch. 802 (Dog or Cat Breeders Act)
Sec. 802.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the Dog or Cat Breeders Act. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1284 (H.B. 1451), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011. Sec. 802.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Adult animal" means an animal six months of age or older.(2) "Animal" means a dog or a cat.(3) "Cat" means a mammal that is wholly or partly of the species Felis domesticus.(4)...
Pet Groomer Rules
Lubbock treats a pet grooming facility as an animal establishment under Code of Ordinances § 4.01.001, meaning it must hold an annual animal establishment permit from the director of animal services before operating. The permit costs $35.00 and the business must display it prominently and submit to inspection at any reasonable hour.
Lubbock Pet Grooming Facility Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 4.05.004
(a) All animal establishments and animal dealers, as defined herein, shall, in addition to the other requirements of this chapter, comply with the minimum standards of this section. Persons wishing to operate an animal establishment or to become an animal dealer within the city must apply in writing to the director of animal services who will issue a permit if all of the state and federal requi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Lubbock are typically allowed in commercial and certain mixed-use zoning districts, with overnight boarding requiring additional review. Outdoor runs and incinerators face setback and noise rules under the Lubbock Zoning Ordinance.
Lubbock Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Occ. Code Sec. 801.002 (Veterinary Medicine - Definitions and Practice Scope)
Sec. 801.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.(1-a) "Certified veterinary assistant" means a person who has been certified as a certified veterinary assistant by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and is employed by a licensed veterinarian.(2) "Compensation" includes a fee, monetary reward, discount, or emolument, whether rece...
Bird Protection
Migratory birds, eggs, and active nests are federally protected from disturbance under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lubbock builders, tree trimmers, and homeowners must avoid destroying active nests and may need timing restrictions on work.
Lubbock Migratory Bird and Nest Protection
Light RestrictionsTex. Parks & Wild. Code Sec. 64.002
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 ...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Rehabilitating injured native wildlife in Lubbock requires a Texas Parks and Wildlife rehabilitator permit and a federal migratory bird permit when birds are involved. Lubbock allows licensed rehabilitators to operate in residential zones with limits.
Lubbock Wildlife Rehabilitator Permit Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Parks & Wild. Code Sec. 43.022
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...
Looking for Lubbock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lubbock city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Lubbock County →