Animal Ordinances in Plano, TX (2026)
12 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 only hens, not roosters, and requires a Backyard Hen Permit with a site inspection, coop plans and a mandatory hen-care course. Coops need 10 inches of roosting space per hen, a secure 6-foot fence, and hens may not be sold for their byproducts.
Plano Backyard Hen Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPlano Code of Ordinances § 4-185(a)
An individual property with one (1) legal dwelling unit, not including dwelling units that are backyard cottages or accessory dwelling units, may keep backyard hens subject to the following requirements and all other applicable provisions of this chapter. The keeping of roosters or any other fowl is prohibited; only chicken hens shall be permitted.
Dog 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
Light 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
Few 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
Few 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
Light 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...
Pet Limits
Plano caps a single-family property at 10 adult animals, no more than 4 of which may be intact dogs or cats; multi-unit dwellings are capped at 5, with only 1 intact. Keeping more requires a Multiple Pet Permit with an in-home inspection.
Plano Household Pet Limit: 10 Animals
Some RestrictionsPlano Code of Ordinances § 4-81(a)
Except as provided by this section, an individual property with one (1) legal dwelling unit, not including dwelling units that are backyard cottages or accessory dwelling units, shall harbor no more than ten (10) adult animals, no more than four (4) of which may be intact dogs and cats. Any dwelling unit on a property that does not meet the above shall harbor no more than five (5) adult animals...
Cat 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...
Coyote Management
Plano bans steel-jawed, body-hold and snare traps commonly used on coyotes, along with any poison or toxic bait, citywide. Only humane, checked-daily traps are allowed, and trapping on public property or in freezing temperatures requires written Animal Services permission.
Plano Coyote Trap and Poison Rules
Significant RestrictionsPlano Code of Ordinances § 4-27(c)(1)
Places, or places and baits, or allows the placing or placing and baiting, of an steel-jawed trap (commonly known as a "bear trap", "wolf trap", "leg hold trap", or "coyote trap"), a body hold trap (commonly known as "connibear trap"), any snare trap, any noose-type trap, or any other trap designed, used, or adapted to be lethal or cause serious bodily injury or death of an animal.
Pet Groomer Rules
Plano requires anyone operating a pet grooming facility to hold a city permit and meet sanitation, temperature and cage standards. Housing temperatures must stay between 60 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and animals held overnight must be fed, watered and cleaned daily, including holidays.
Plano Pet Grooming Facility Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPlano Code of Ordinances § 4-123(a)
Persons wishing to operate a pet grooming facility within the City of Plano must apply for a pet grooming facility permit. A permit shall be issued if the requisite fee is paid, and the applicant complies with the following requirements: ... The ambient temperature in the animal housing areas is maintained between sixty (60) and seventy-nine (79) degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
Veterinary 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
Light 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 →