Animal Ordinances in Tarrant County, TX (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Tarrant County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

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

Chickens & Livestock

Unincorporated Tarrant County allows chickens and livestock without permit or flock limit. The county is closed range, so owners must contain livestock. TX Right to Farm Act protects ag operations.

Tarrant County Chickens and Livestock

Few Restrictions

Tex. Agric. Code Sec. 161.001 (Animal Health Definitions - Livestock & Domestic Fowl)

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exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl.(2) "Commission" means the Texas Animal Health Commission.(3) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 604, Sec. 5.(4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Breed Restrictions

Tarrant County has no breed-specific ordinance. TX H&S Code 822 and Lillians Law govern dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed. Texas law preempts counties and cities from banning specific breeds.

Tarrant County Dog Breed Restrictions

Few Restrictions

Tex. 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.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗