Animal Ordinances in Mesquite, TX (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Mesquite, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Mesquite allows backyard chickens (typically 4-6 hens, no roosters) on residential lots with coop setbacks; large livestock require agricultural zoning.
Mesquite Chickens and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Sec. 161.001 (Animal Health Commission - Livestock/Fowl Definitions)
Sec. 161.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter: (1) 'Animal' includes livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl. (2) 'Commission' means the Texas Animal Health Commission. (4) 'Exotic livestock' means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known as ungulates, including animals from the swine, horse, ta...
Dog Leash Laws
Pets must be confined by a fence of sufficient strength to prevent escape. Max 3 adult dogs plus one litter (up to 10 total). Off-leash only at designated Leash Free Zones.
Mesquite Dog Leash & Confinement Laws
Some RestrictionsTexas Health and 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 under th...
Breed Restrictions
Mesquite does not enforce breed-specific bans (Texas Health & Safety Code 822.047 prohibits them) but regulates dangerous dogs based on individual behavior.
Mesquite Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.047 (Local Regulation of Dangerous Dogs — Breed-Neutral Requirement)
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.
Beekeeping
Mesquite does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Texas state law (Apiary Inspection Act, Agriculture Code Ch. 131) governs beekeeping statewide. Local zoning restrictions may apply.
Mesquite Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Sec. 131.045 and Sec. 131.061 (Beekeeper Registration; Apiary Identification)
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. Sec. 131....
Exotic Pets
Mesquite prohibits dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, and venomous reptiles, consistent with Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822.
Mesquite Exotic Pet Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Mesquite has no blanket ban on feeding songbirds or squirrels, but feeding that attracts rats, stray animals, or nuisance wildlife can be cited as a public nuisance.
Mesquite Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Mesquite restricts livestock in residential zones. Backyard chickens are generally limited by lot size and setbacks, and larger livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, and pigs are confined to agricultural zones.
Mesquite Livestock and Urban Farming Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Sec. 142.001-.002 (Estrays - Stray Livestock)
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. (4) 'Exotic livestock' means grass-eating or plant-eating, sing...
Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesquite city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dallas County →