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Animal Ordinances in Mcallen, TX (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

McAllen caps poultry and fowl at six birds per acre on any lot, with no permit required. Enclosures must stay sanitary, and any bird whose loud, habitual crowing disturbs neighbors can be declared a nuisance and ordered removed from the city.

McAllen Backyard Chickens: Six Birds Per Acre, No Crowing

Some Restrictions

McAllen Code of Ordinances § 14-5 (Poultry and fowl prohibited; exception; violation)

(a) Prohibition; exception. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, maintain or permit the presence on any lot or parcel of land within the city of any poultry or fowl, except that no more than six such birds per acre are allowed on any lot or parcel of land, provided the requirements and conditions of this section and section 14-8 are complied with. ... (c) ... It shall be unlawfu...

Dog Leash Laws

Mcallen 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.

Mcallen Dog Leash Laws

Light Restrictions

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.007 (Local Leash Authority) and Sec. 822.042 (Dangerous Dog Owner Requirements)

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. 822.042. REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNER OF DANGEROUS DOG. (a) Not later than the 30th day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall: (1) register the dangerous dog with the anima...

Exotic Pets

Mcallen restricts ownership of exotic and wild animals. Many species require special permits or are prohibited entirely for public safety.

Mcallen Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations

Light Restrictions

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.101 (Dangerous Wild Animals - Definitions and Local Registration)

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. ... (3) "Commercial activity" means: (A) an activity involving a dangerous wild animal conducted for profit that is not ...

Looking for Hidalgo County county-wide rules?

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

Animal Ordinances in Hidalgo County