16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Travis County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Travis County has no chicken or poultry limits. No zoning means no coop setbacks, flock caps, or rooster bans apply countywide. Austin ETJ and HOA rules may restrict in some subdivisions.
Tex. Agric. Code Sec. 161.002 (Caretaker of Animal)
Sec. 161.002. CARETAKER OF ANIMAL. (a) A person is subject to this chapter as the caretaker of an animal and is presumed to control the animal if the person:(1) is the owner or lessee of the pen, pasture, or other place in which the animal is located and has control of that place;(2) exercises care or control over the animal; or(3) has recorded a mark or brand for the animal under Chapter...
Travis County adopted a leash/restraint order under TX Health & Safety Code 822.042 effective in unincorporated areas. Dogs must be under physical restraint when off owner property. Austin Animal Services responds to at-large complaints.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.041 (Secure Enclosure for Dangerous Dog)
Sec. 822.041. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(4) "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or structure that is:(A) locked;(B) capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;(C) capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog;(D) clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and(E) in conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the loca...
Texas prohibits breed-specific legislation under TX H&SC 822.047. Travis County cannot ban specific breeds. Dangerous dog determinations are behavior-based under Lillian Law (TX H&SC 822.041-0425).
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.
Beekeeping is permitted in unincorporated Travis County with no specific county ordinance. Registration with Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) required for interstate movement. Agricultural valuation available for 5+ acres with 6+ hives under TX Tax Code 23.51.
Tex. Agric. Code Sec. 131.041 (Permit for Interstate Movement)
Sec. 131.041. PERMIT FOR INTERSTATE MOVEMENT. (a) A person may not ship or cause to be shipped bees or equipment into or out of this state unless the person has a permit issued by the chief apiary inspector authorizing the shipment.(b) A permit issued under this section applies to all shipments made by the beekeeper and expires on August 31 following the date the permit is issued. The term...
Travis County regulates dangerous wild animals under TX H&SC 822.101-.116. Lions, tigers, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles require registration with the county animal registration authority and $100,000 liability insurance.
Travis County follows Texas Parks & Wildlife rules on wildlife feeding. Deer feeding is legal on private property for hunting or observation with TPWD supplemental feeding regs. Feeding that creates public nuisance may be cited. Do not feed javelina, bears, or coyotes.
Travis County Animal Services investigates suspected hoarding under Chapter 30 cruelty provisions and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 821, working with TCSO when seizure of neglected animals becomes necessary.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 821.022
Sec. 821.022. SEIZURE OF CRUELLY TREATED ANIMAL. (a) If a peace officer or an officer who has responsibility for animal control in a county or municipality has reason to believe that an animal has been or is being cruelly treated, the officer may apply to a justice court or magistrate for a warrant to seize the animal. (b) On a showing of probable cause to believe that the animal has been or is...
Travis County sets no numerical pet limits in unincorporated areas. No kennel license threshold exists at the county level. Commercial breeders with 11+ adult intact females need TX Licensed Breeders license under Occupations Code 802.
Unincorporated Travis County does not require cat licenses, but rabies vaccination is mandatory under state law and TCAS Chapter 30 rules apply to cats causing nuisance or showing signs of disease.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.022
Sec. 826.022. VACCINATION; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to have each dog or cat owned by the person vaccinated against rabies and the animal is required to be vaccinated under: (1) Section 826.021 and department rules; or (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. (b...
Travis County does not impose general mandatory spay-neuter on owned pets, but Texas HSC 828 requires sterilization of dogs and cats released from TCAS adoption or shelter custody before transfer.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 828.002, 828.004
Sec. 828.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION. Except as provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal has been sterilized or the release is made to a new owner who signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized. Sec. 828.004. STERILIZATION REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by this section, a new owner who signs an agreement under Section...
Travis County does not mandate microchipping countywide, but TCAS implants chips in every adopted animal and uses chip scans as the primary lost-pet reunification tool for unincorporated residents.
Coyotes are abundant across Hill Country edges of Travis County. TCAS does not trap or relocate healthy coyotes, but assists residents with hazing guidance and refers depredation cases to Texas Wildlife Services.
Travis County does not regulate pet stores in unincorporated zones, but Texas HSC 802 licenses larger commercial breeders and the city of Austin within the county prohibits retail sale of dogs and cats from non-rescue sources.
Pet groomers in unincorporated Travis County face no specific county license, operating under general business rules, sales-tax registration, and Travis County Health & Human Services kennel sanitation when boarding accompanies grooming.
Travis County has limited zoning authority under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240, so veterinary clinics in unincorporated areas operate primarily under state licensing rules and city extraterritorial jurisdiction overlays.
Tex. Occ. Code Sec. 801.251 (License Required for Practice of Veterinary Medicine)
Sec. 801.251. LICENSE REQUIRED FOR PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Except as provided by Section 801.004, a person may not practice, or offer or attempt to practice, veterinary medicine unless the person holds a license to practice veterinary medicine issued under this chapter.
Travis County hosts protected species like the golden-cheeked warbler under the federal Endangered Species Act, plus migratory songbirds under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act enforced regardless of any county rule.
Tex. Parks & Wild. Code Sec. 64.002 (Protection of Nongame Birds)
Sec. 64.002. PROTECTION OF NONGAME BIRDS. (a) Except as provided by this code, no person may:(1) catch, kill, injure, pursue, or possess, dead or alive, or purchase, sell, expose for sale, transport, ship, or receive or deliver for transportation, a bird that is not a game bird;(2) possess any part of the plumage, skin, or body of a bird that is not a game bird; or(3) disturb or destroy ...
1 cities in Travis County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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