Animal Ordinances in Plano, TX (2026)
16 verified animal ordinances for Plano, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Plano allows backyard chickens with setbacks and secure coops. Larger livestock is prohibited on residential lots. TX HB 1750 (2023) classifies chickens as agricultural operations.
Plano Backyard Chickens and Livestock
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Plano requires dogs to be leashed off the owner's property. Off-leash is permitted only inside Jack Carter Park and Bob Woodruff Park dog parks. Running at large is a Class C offense.
Plano Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.042 (Requirements for Owner of Dangerous Dog - Leash Restraint)
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 animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept;(2) restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosu...
Breed Restrictions
Plano bans no dog breed. TX Health and Safety Code 822 (Lillian's Law) uses a behavior-based dangerous dog standard. HOAs may privately restrict breeds.
Plano Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.047 (Local Regulation of Dangerous Dogs)
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
Plano allows residential beekeeping with placement standards, consistent with TX Agriculture Code 131. Hobby beekeepers need no TAIS registration. Flyway barriers recommended near property lines.
Plano Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 131.001 (Beekeeping - Definitions)
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Abandoned apiary, equipment, or bees" means an apiary, equipment, or a colony of bees that is not regularly maintained or attended in accordance with this chapter or rules or quarantines adopted under this chapter.(2) "Apiary" means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept.(3) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns, leases, poss...
Exotic Pets
Plano follows TX H&S Code 822 subchapter E and TX Parks and Wildlife Code 63. Big cats, bears, non-human primates, and many venomous reptiles are effectively barred as pets.
Plano Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTex. 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, Sec. 3.1639(119), eff. April 2, 2015.(3) "Commercial activity" means...
Wildlife Feeding
Plano cites wildlife feeding that creates a public nuisance or attracts rabies-vector species. Deer, coyote, and raccoon feeding most commonly drives complaints. Bird feeders are allowed when maintained.
Plano Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Plano prohibits cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and swine on standard residential lots. Agricultural zoning and legal non-conforming tracts allow livestock with stocking and setback limits.
Plano Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 142.003
Sec. 142.003. DISCOVERY OF ESTRAY; NOTICE. (a) If an estray, without being herded with other livestock, roams about the property of a person without that person's permission or roams about public property, the owner of the private property or the custodian of the public property, as applicable, shall, as soon as reasonably possible, report the presence of the estray to the sheriff of the county...
Animal Hoarding
Plano caps the number of dogs and cats per household and treats hoarding-level conditions as cruelty under Chapter 4. Plano Animal Services investigates complaints and may seize animals when sanitation, health, or care standards fail.
Plano Animal Hoarding and Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Plano Code Chapter 4 caps the number of adult dogs and cats per residence to prevent nuisance kennels and animal hoarding. Households exceeding the cap need a kennel permit and zoning compliance under the Plano Zoning Ordinance.
Plano Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Plano requires cats to be vaccinated against rabies and registered, and discourages free-roaming cats under Chapter 4. Trapped nuisance cats may be impounded by Plano Animal Services and reclaimed only with proof of vaccination.
Plano Cat Licensing and Roaming Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.021
Sec. 826.021. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS REQUIRED. (a) Except as otherwise provided by department rule, the owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies by the time the animal is four months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by department rule. (b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue to the animal's owner a vacc...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Plano does not impose a citywide mandatory spay-neuter rule, but Chapter 4 charges higher reclaim fees for unaltered animals impounded from strays. Plano Animal Services partners with low-cost clinics to encourage altered pets.
Plano Spay-Neuter Reclaim Incentives
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 828.002, 828.004
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. Sec. 828.004. STERILIZATION REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by this section, a new owner who signs an agreement under Section...
Microchipping
Plano Animal Services microchips dogs and cats at the time of adoption or reclaim and strongly encourages owner microchipping. Microchips speed reunification and reduce reclaim fees under Chapter 4 of the Plano City Code.
Plano Microchipping for Impounded Pets
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Plano follows a hazing-first coyote management approach coordinated with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Residents are urged to secure trash, remove pet food, and report aggressive coyote behavior to Plano Animal Services rather than attempting private removal.
Plano Coyote Sightings and Management
Few RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Plano regulates retail pet stores and commercial breeders through Chapter 4 sanitation rules and Plano Zoning Ordinance use restrictions. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 802 licensed breeder rules apply on top of city standards.
Plano Pet Store and Breeder Rules
Some RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Plano allows veterinary clinics in commercial and select mixed-use districts under the Plano Zoning Ordinance, with overnight boarding tied to specific use permits. Chapter 4 and Texas Occupations Code Chapter 801 set animal care and licensing baselines.
Plano Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Occupations Code Sec. 801.251
Sec. 801.251. LICENSE REQUIRED FOR PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Except as provided by Section 801.004, a person may not practice, or offer or attempt to practice, veterinary medicine unless the person holds a license to practice veterinary medicine issued under this chapter.
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Wildlife rehabilitation in Plano requires a state permit from Texas Parks and Wildlife under the Texas Administrative Code, plus Chapter 4 Plano sanitation rules. Residents who find injured wildlife should contact licensed rehabilitators, not keep animals.
Plano Wildlife Rescue Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Parks & Wildlife 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. ... (e) The department may issue a permit to a qualified person to collect, hold, possess, display, transport, release, or propagate protected wildlife for scientific research, e...
Looking for Collin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Plano city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Collin County →