Animal Ordinances in San Marcos, TX (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for San Marcos, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
San Marcos bars keeping livestock in city limits unless pens sit at least 100 feet from neighboring homes, 500 feet from food establishments, and comply with zoning: hens get a narrower 30-foot rule.
San Marcos Backyard Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code § 6.074
No person shall engage in keeping livestock within the corporate limits of the city, except in conformance with and only to the extent so permitted by the zoning ordinances of the city; and unless: (1) The pens, stalls, or other facilities for keeping the livestock or fowl, excepting hens, other than fenced open pastures that are at least one acre, are located so that the livestock or fowl cann...
Dog Leash Laws
San Marcos dogs must stay confined by a sound fence or enclosure on the owner's property, or be continually restrained on a leash or chain whenever they're off it.
San Marcos Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Light RestrictionsSan Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances, Sec. 6.001 ("At large")
At large means an animal (excluding sterilized cats) that meets one of the following criteria: (1) On premises of owner: Any animal not confined to the premises of the owner by some physical means of sufficient height, strength, length, or manner of construction to preclude the animal from leaving the premises of the owner... (2) Off premises of owner: Any animal which is not physically and con...
Breed Restrictions
San Marcos regulates dogs by behavior, not breed: an animal can be declared dangerous only after a municipal court hearing on a specific incident.
San Marcos dangerous animal declaration
Few RestrictionsSan Marcos Code of Ordinances, Sec. 6.070(a)
Upon receipt of a written complaint by any person, animal control officer, or other law enforcement officer charging that a particular animal is a dangerous animal, the public health director or his designee shall initiate proceedings with the municipal court of record to conduct a hearing to determine whether such animal is dangerous; unless the matter is resolved by agreement of all parties p...
Beekeeping
San Marcos allows backyard honey bee hives only under strict setback, count, and water-source conditions, with written notice to the city required.
Beekeeping Rules in San Marcos
Significant RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code § 6.073
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow bees, their hives, or any abandoned hives within the city limits, except honey bees may be kept if all of the following conditions are met: (1) All hives shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any property line and enclosed in a fenced area; (2) There shall be no more than four hives per city lot; (3) There is an adequate source of water ...
Exotic Pets
San Marcos outlaws keeping dangerous wild animals or exotic pets like big cats, primates, and venomous reptiles within city limits, with only narrow permitted exceptions.
San Marcos Bans Dangerous Wild Animals
Significant RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code Sec. 6.071
It shall be unlawful to keep any wild animal within the city limits of San Marcos, with the following exceptions... A governmental agency or entity acting in an official capacity; A government-operated zoological park; A permitted wildlife educational center, animal exhibitions with valid state or federal permits; or A holder of an animal dealer or animal establishment with a wild animal permit.
Pet Limits
San Marcos limits residences to four adult dogs and seven total animals; keeping more requires a multi-pet permit from animal services.
San Marcos caps pets, requires permit
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code § 6.016
no residence within the city shall harbor more than four adult dogs, and no more than seven total animals (the number of total animals does not include fish or birds other than fowl). A residence within the city shall harbor no more than one litter of puppies or one litter of kittens.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
San Marcos requires owners to sterilize a dog or cat within 30 days after it is impounded running at large for a second time, under Sec. 6.030(a)(6).
San Marcos Mandatory Spay/Neuter After Repeat Impoundment
Some RestrictionsSec. 6.030(a)(6)
If an animal is impounded for running at large, for a second time, and the animal has not already been sterilized, the owner must complete and sign a sterilization agreement to have the animal sterilized within 30 days as a further requirement for return. A person who signs a sterilization agreement commits an offense if he or she fails to have the animal sterilized on or before the date requir...
Pet Store Rules
San Marcos pet shops cannot sell or give away cats or dogs unless the animal came from a shelter, animal control agency, or licensed welfare organization.
San Marcos Pet Shops: Shelter Source Only
Significant RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code Sec. 6.065(c)
A pet shop shall not sell, lease, offer for sale, trade, give away or otherwise transfer a cat or dog, unless the cat or dog was obtained from a city or county animal shelter, an animal control agency, or an animal welfare organization licensed by the department.