Animal Ordinances in Midland, TX (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Midland, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Midland bans keeping livestock or poultry within city limits except on land zoned Agriculture-Estate or Country Estate with at least 20,000 square feet per animal unit, under City Code Sections 6-2-11(F) and 6-2-12.
Midland TX Livestock In City Limits
Significant RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-11(F)
It shall be unlawful, except as provided in Section 6-2-12 of this Chapter, for any person to keep, possess, or maintain any livestock or poultry within the city limits.(G)It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, association, partnership or business to keep, possess, or maintain any ferret within the city limits unless a written statement from a licensed veterinarian has been submitted...
Dog Leash Laws
Midland Code Section 6-2-2 bans letting a dog, cat, ferret or other animal run at large anywhere in the city, and makes it a strict-liability offense: prosecutors don't have to prove intent. A leash, chain or cord of six feet or less, strong enough to control the animal, is the standard affirmative defense; a staked dog must also stay at least eight feet from any street, alley, park or public property.
Midland Dog Leash & At-Large Rule
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-2(A)-(B)
(A)A person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or maintaining a dog, cat, ferret, livestock, poultry, other bird or other animal shall prevent said dog, cat, ferret, livestock, poultry, other bird or other animal from being at large. Evidence of a culpable mental state is not required to prove a criminal offense under this Section... (B)It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this...
Exotic Pets
Midland bans keeping any wild animal or poisonous snake within city limits under Code Section 6-2-6, with narrow carve-outs for a council-approved zoo or circus, schools, licensed rehabilitators, veterinary practices, and a temporary exhibition permit capped at 10 days for a $25 fee. "Wild animal" sweeps in wolves, coyotes, panthers, lions, bobcats, cougars, skunks, raccoons, armadillos and venomous reptiles, but exempts dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and poultry.
Midland Wild Animal Ownership Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-6(A)-(B)
(A)It shall be unlawful to harbor, have, keep, or possess any wild animal or poisonous snake, within the city limits, except in a zoo or circus approved by the City Council, a school or college for educational purposes, state and federally licensed rehabilitation agencies, facilities owned and used by a licensed veterinarian in connection with his practice of veterinary medicine, or by virtue o...
Pet Limits
Midland caps guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, chickens and ducks at four per premises, and bars keeping any animal in a way that creates a noise, odor or nuisance violation, under City Code Sections 6-2-11 and 6-2-12.
Midland TX Small Animal Hoarding Limit
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-11(B)
The maintaining or keeping of all animals within the City shall be allowed, as stated above, only if the presence of noise, flies, mosquitos, insects, vermin, rodent harborage, odors, dust, ponded water, accumulation of manure, garbage, refuse or other obnoxious or putrescible material or any other objectionable matter or effect does not cause, create, contribute to or become a health nuisance ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Midland doesn't require spay/neuter for all pets, but if animal control impounds your dog, cat, or ferret twice in three years, you must have it neutered before reclaiming it a second time.
Midland Mandatory Neuter After Repeat Impound
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-7(C)
If an owned animal is impounded twice within a three (3) year period, then prior to the release of said animal to the owner after the second such impoundment, the owner shall allow the animal to be neutered at the owner's expense, or show proof satisfactory to Animal Services personnel that said animal has been neutered previously. Any misrepresentation by the owner regarding the neutering of s...
Pet Store Rules
Midland requires a temporary land use permit -- not a retail ban -- before anyone can sell dogs outside a fixed store, with mandatory vaccinations, city licensing, and spay or neuter before sale.
Midland Outside Dog Sale Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 11-1-4.05(A)(9)
9.Outside sale of dogs. The following shall be submitted with all applications for temporary land use permits for the outside sale of dogs. (a)A letter from the property owner stating that the applicant is allowed to sell dogs between the times of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the said date(s) on the said property;(b)Veterinary records showing that each dog to be sold has its rabies vaccinatio...
Looking for Midland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Midland city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Midland County →