7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Denton County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Denton County does not restrict chickens, livestock, or poultry on private property. As a closed-range county, livestock owners must fence in their animals. Horse and cattle operations are common throughout north Denton County.
Tex. Agriculture Code Sec. 161.001 (Livestock and Fowl - Definitions)
Sec. 161.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter:(1) "Animal" includes livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl.(2) "Commission" means the Texas Animal Health Commission.(3) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 604, Sec. 5.(4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known...
Denton County has no leash law for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot enact domestic animal ordinances. Only TX HSC Chapter 822 dangerous dog rules apply.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.042 (Requirements for Owner of Dangerous Dog)
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;...
Denton County has no breed-specific legislation. Texas state law under Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 uses a behavior-based dangerous dog approach rather than breed bans. No breed is prohibited in unincorporated Denton County.
Denton County does not regulate beekeeping. State law under TX Ag Code Chapter 131 requires free annual registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service.
Texas Agriculture Code, Sec. 131.045 (Beekeeper Registration)
Sec. 131.045. BEEKEEPER REGISTRATION. (a) Each beekeeper in this state may register on an annual basis with the chief apiary inspector. A registration under this section expires August 31 following the date the registration is issued. (b) A registration must include: (1) information required by the chief apiary inspector; and (2) the county or counties in which the beekeeper operates. (c) The i...
Denton County has no local exotic animal ordinance. TX HSC Chapter 822 Subchapter E and TX Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 63 regulate dangerous wild animals and wildlife possession statewide.
Denton County has no wildlife feeding ordinance. Deer feeding is legal on private land. TPWD manages wildlife statewide. Federal law restricts baited migratory bird hunting.
Denton County is a closed-range county under TX Ag Code Chapter 143. Livestock must be fenced. No permits needed to keep livestock on private property.
Texas Agriculture Code, Sec. 143.021 (Local Option Stock Law - Petition for Election)
Sec. 143.021. PETITION FOR ELECTION. (a) In accordance with this section, the freeholders of a county or an area within a county may petition the commissioners court to conduct an election for the purpose of determining if horses, mules, jacks, jennets, donkeys, hogs, sheep, or goats are to be permitted to run at large in the county or area. (b) A petition for a countywide election must be sign...
4 cities in Denton County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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