Texas Backyard Chicken Laws
Texas has no statewide chicken law — every city sets its own rules. Find your city below.
10
Cities allow chickens
0
Cities ban chickens
10
Cities covered
Important: Texas delegates all backyard chicken rules to local municipalities. Your city's ordinance is what matters — not state law. HOA covenants can also override city rules on your specific property.
Easiest cities
Strictest cities
Austin
No fixed max. 50 ft from another residence or business for enclosures with two or more fowl
Converse
Up to 8 hens. At least 50 ft from buildings other than the owner's; 20 ft from the owner's sleeping, dining, or living structures
Dallas
No fixed max. Rooster enclosures historically referenced a 20 ft property-line setback; verify current state-law effect
El Paso
Up to 5 hens. Permit and zoning rules apply when keeping 6 or more rabbits or fowl
Fort Worth
Up to 12 hens. More than 50 ft from regulated structures
Grandview
Up to 7 hens. Coop must be in the backyard at least 10 ft from occupied structures and 10 ft from property lines
Houston
Up to 30 hens. 100 ft from neighboring residences, churches, schools, or hospitals
Olney
Up to 6 hens. Coop and exercise area must meet rear yard accessory building setback requirements
San Antonio
Up to 8 hens. No standard setback for 8 or fewer fowl; excess animal permits require distance rules
San Marcos
Up to 8 hens. Hen coop or cage must be at least 30 ft from neighboring residences
About Texas Chicken Laws
Like most US states, Texas does not have a single statewide law governing backyard chickens. Each city, village, and county sets its own rules about flock size, roosters, permits, coop setbacks, and sanitation.
Always verify rules directly with your city clerk or planning department before purchasing birds or building a coop. Laws change — our pages include a last-verified date and link directly to the municipal code for each city.
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