Animal Ordinances in Wichita Falls, TX (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Wichita Falls, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Wichita Falls requires an Animal Services permit to keep any livestock in city limits, plus a 200-foot setback from neighboring homes.
Wichita Falls Livestock Permit & Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 14-198
No livestock shall be kept or maintained at a distance closer than 200 feet from any residence located on property owned by another person. All such livestock shall be maintained on a properly fenced parcel of land, providing a minimum of 600 square feet of area for each head of livestock.
Dog Leash Laws
Wichita Falls requires dogs to be restrained or under the control of their owner at all times when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by Animal Services.
Wichita Falls Dog Leash Laws & Off-Leash Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.007, 822.012 (Local Regulation of Dogs; Dogs at Large)
SUBCHAPTER B. DOGS AND COYOTES THAT ARE A DANGER TO ANIMALSSec. 822.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Dog or coyote" includes a crossbreed between a dog and a coyote.(2) "Livestock" includes exotic livestock as defined by Section 161.001, Agriculture Code. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1002, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Sec. 822.012. CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM RU...
Beekeeping
Wichita Falls allows beekeeping on residential properties with conditions. Hive placement, water sources, and flyway barriers help ensure bees do not become a nuisance to neighbors.
Wichita Falls Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Light RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 131.001 (Bees and Honey - 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...
Pet Limits
Wichita Falls requires a pet fancier permit for anyone owning or harboring five or more animals, with all animals spayed or neutered, vaccinated, licensed, and microchipped.
Wichita Falls Pet Fancier Permit for 5+ Animals
Significant RestrictionsWichita Falls Code of Ordinances § 14-201
A pet fancier permit shall be required for any person owning or harboring five or more animals unless the animals are covered by another permit under this chapter. All animals must be spayed/neutered, current on rabies vaccination, licensed, and microchipped. ... Sanitation for the number of animals permitted is not appropriately and safely addressed.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Wichita Falls bars selling, transferring, or advertising any dog, cat, or ferret over six months old unless it is sterilized, microchipped, and rabies-vaccinated.
Wichita Falls Mandatory Pet Sterilization Rule
Significant RestrictionsWichita Falls City Code § 14-275
No owner or person shall advertise, display, transfer ownership, or offer to transfer ownership of any dog, cat, or ferret over the age of six (6) months of age that is not sterilized, implanted with a microchip, and currently vaccinated against rabies.
Pet Store Rules
Wichita Falls requires a pet store permit for any business that buys or sells animals, and pet stores may only offer dogs or cats sourced from an approved rescue or shelter, not commercial breeders.
Wichita Falls Pet Store Dog & Cat Sale Rules
Significant RestrictionsWichita Falls City Code § 14-156
Any person, partnership, company, or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection with another business enterprise, that buys or sells any species of animal is required to have a pet store permit. (1) Dogs and/or cats offered for sale or adoption must be from an approved rescue or shelter and accompanied by a current rabies vaccination certificate. A pet store shall not be in posse...