Chickens & Livestock: Fort Worth vs North Richland Hills
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Fort Worth, TX and North Richland Hills, TX?
Fort Worth has fewer restrictions than North Richland Hills.
Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-22 allows fowl on residential property with caps tied to lot size: 12 fowl (max two roosters) on lots up to 1/2 acre, 25 fowl over 1/2 acre but under 1 acre, and 50 fowl on 1+ acre lots. Coops must be at least 50 feet from any neighbor's residence.
View full Fort Worth rules →North Richland Hills, TX
Tarrant County
North Richland Hills prohibits livestock and poultry in most residential zones. Fowl and hoofed animals are allowed only on Agricultural (AG) zoned lots of at least one acre with setbacks.
View full North Richland Hills rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Worth | North Richland Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-22 | - |
| Up to 1/2 acre | 12 fowl, max 2 roosters | - |
| 1/2 to 1 acre | 25 fowl | - |
| 1+ acre | 50 fowl, max 2 roosters | - |
| Coop Setback | 50 ft from neighbor structures | - |
| Residential zones | - | Chickens prohibited |
| AG zone minimum | - | 1 acre |
| Setback from dwellings | - | 100 ft |
| Roosters | - | Prohibited citywide |
| Contact | - | Animal Services (817) 427-6570 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Worth FAQ
Can I keep chickens in Fort Worth?
Yes. Under Sec. 11A-22, lots up to 1/2 acre may keep 12 fowl (including up to 2 roosters), and larger lots may keep more. Coops must be at least 50 feet from any neighbor's habitable structure.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens?
No city permit is required as long as you stay within the lot-size limits in Sec. 11A-22 and meet the 50-foot setback and daily waste management requirements.
North Richland Hills FAQ
Can I have backyard chickens in NRH?
Only on Agricultural zoned lots of at least 1 acre; chickens are not allowed in standard residential zones.
Are roosters ever allowed?
No, roosters are banned citywide due to noise nuisance even on agricultural lots.
What about ducks or other fowl?
Same rules apply; all fowl including ducks and peacocks are limited to AG zoned one-acre parcels.
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