Animal Ordinances in Fort Bend County, TX (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Fort Bend County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Fort Bend County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dog Leash Laws

Fort Bend County requires dogs to be restrained by leash, fence, or enclosure when off the owner's property, with stricter rules for dogs running at large in unincorporated areas.

Fort Bend County Dog Leash and Restraint Rules

Light Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.005(i) & 822.007 (Leash Defense; Local Regulation of Dogs Authorizing Leash Requirements)

(i) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person's dog was on a leash and the person:(1) was in immediate control of the dog; or(2) if the person was not in control of the dog, the person was making immediate and reasonable attempts to regain control of the dog. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 669 (H.B. 1355), Sec. 6, e...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Breed Restrictions

Fort Bend County cannot ban or restrict any dog breed. Texas Health and Safety Code 822.047 forbids breed-specific local rules; a county may only add stricter requirements on individual dogs already declared dangerous through the state's behavior-based process.

Fort Bend County: No Dog Breed Bans Allowed

Few Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.047

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.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Beekeeping

Fort Bend County follows Texas state law allowing beekeeping as a qualifying agricultural use on tracts of 5 to 20 acres, granting agricultural valuation for property tax purposes when minimum colony counts are maintained.

Fort Bend County Beekeeping and Agricultural Use

Few Restrictions

Tex. Tax Code § 23.51 (Definitions - Agricultural Use, Open-Space Land Appraisal)

"Agricultural use" includes but is not limited to the following activities: cultivating the soil, producing crops for human food, animal feed, or planting seed or for the production of fibers; floriculture, viticulture, and horticulture; raising or keeping livestock; raising or keeping exotic animals for the production of human food or of fiber, leather, pelts, or other tangible products having...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗