Animal Ordinances in Tomball, TX (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Tomball, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Tomball regulates keeping of chickens and small livestock on residential property. Fowl and small animals may be kept on lots meeting minimum size requirements with proper enclosures and setbacks from neighboring residences under the city's animal control ordinance.
Tomball Chickens and Small Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 161.041
Sec. 161.041. DISEASE CONTROL. (a) The commission shall protect all livestock, domestic animals, and domestic fowl from communicable diseases. The commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl, regardless of whether the disease is communicable, including the disposition of a...
Dog Leash Laws
Tomball requires all dogs to be on a leash or under the direct control of their owner when off the owner's property. Chapter 14 (Animals) prohibits dogs from running at large within city limits. Dogs must be securely confined on their owner's property by fence, kennel, or leash at all times.
Tomball Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.042
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 enclosure;...
Breed Restrictions
Tomball does not impose breed-specific legislation or ban any particular dog breeds. All dog breeds are permitted within city limits. However, dogs of any breed that are declared dangerous or aggressive under Chapter 14 are subject to additional requirements including secure confinement and liability insurance.
Tomball Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.047
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
Tomball does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Texas state law (Texas Agriculture Code) generally permits beekeeping and preempts overly restrictive local regulations. Beekeepers in Tomball should maintain hives responsibly to avoid nuisance complaints under Chapter 58.
Tomball Beekeeping Regulations
Few RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 (Bees and Honey)
CHAPTER 131. BEES AND HONEY. 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 pe...
Exotic Pets
Tomball regulates exotic and wild animals under its animal control ordinance and Texas state law. Dangerous wild animals require registration under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822. Many exotic species are prohibited in residential areas.
Tomball Exotic Pet Regulations
Some RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.101 (Dangerous Wild Animals - Definitions)
SUBCHAPTER E. DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS. 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. ... (4) 'Dangerous wild animal' means: (A) a lion; (B) a tiger; (C) an ocelot; (D) a...
Wildlife Feeding
Tomball does not have a specific ordinance banning wildlife feeding but discourages the practice through nuisance and sanitation standards. Feeding wildlife that creates unsanitary conditions or attracts pests may be treated as a nuisance violation.
Tomball Wildlife Feeding Rules
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Tomball restricts keeping of larger livestock animals in most residential zoning districts. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs are generally limited to properties with agricultural zoning or sufficient acreage as specified in the zoning ordinance.
Tomball Livestock Regulations
Some RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 142.001
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, ...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tomball city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Harris County →