1. Houston, TX
You can have as many as 30 backyard chickens in the city of Houston, provided you follow certain conditions. Houston's city ordinances require that you keep your chicken coop and run at least 100 feet from nearby residences. Aside from chickens, the keeping of turkeys, geese, ducks, and pea-fowls is also permitted in Houston. You may keep no more than 30 chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, or pea-fowls in your backyard.
Or, you may keep chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and pea-fowls in any combination not exceeding 40 in total on any lot or enclosure of the size of 65 by 125 feet or less. The keeping of roosters and guinea fowl or guinea hens is prohibited in Houston, TX. Hens and other legal fowl must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
2. San Antonio, TX
If you reside in San Antonio, TX, you're allowed by ordinance to keep up to 8 chickens in your backyard. Of the 8 chickens, no more than one may be a rooster. For example, you may have 7 hens and 1 rooster. If you wish to have more than 8 chickens, then you must apply for and obtain an excess animal permit. As an excess animal permit holder, your property is subject to inspection by an animal control officer at any reasonable time. The permit allows you to have up to 50 chickens, but you must keep them in a coop and run not less than 75 feet from any business or neighboring dwelling.
3. Dallas, TX
In Dallas, TX, the keeping of male chickens (roosters) is not allowed. According to the City Code, you commit an offense if you keep a live rooster on any premises within the city. However, the code is not against the keeping of female chickens (hens) as pets or for egg production. In Dallas, hens are considered regulated animals, the keeping of which requires an annual regulated animal permit. Upon issuance of a permit, the director may establish conditions for the keeping and confinement of hens to ensure the birds are kept in a sanitary manner. Dallas Moms recommends a chicken coop and an attachable chicken run for the keeping of hens in the city.
4. Fort Worth, TX
Backyard chickens are allowed in Fort Worth, TX. The number of chickens you can legally own in the city depends on the size of your property. On a property of one-half acre or less, you may keep no more than 12 chickens. A maximum of 25 chickens is allowed per property of more than one-half acre but less than one acre. On a property of one acre or greater, no more than 50 chickens may kept. Fort Worth City Code prohibits the keeping of more than 2 roosters on property that is zoned as residential or mixed-use commercial. Also, the code prohibits the keeping of chickens not contained within a pen or coop.
5. El Paso, TX
In El Paso, TX, you may keep up to 5 chickens in your backyard without a permit. According to the City Code, the keeping of 6 or more chickens requires an annual permit. These restrictions and requirements don't apply to farm-ranch districts or zoning districts in which a stockyard or stable is permitted. In zoning districts where chicken keeping is allowed, it's unlawful to keep more than 3 roosters. By ordinance, you're required to keep your chickens in a secure pen or enclosure located at least 30 feet from any private residence other than yours.
6. Arlington, TX
Arlington's animal ordinances allow properties of one-half acre or less to have up to 4 chickens. Up to 10 chickens are permitted on properties more than one-half acre but less than one acre. On a property of one acre or more, up to 24 chickens may be kept. The ordinance requires chicken enclosures to be kept at least 50 feet from any habitation located on another's property. The keeping of roosters is only permitted in areas zoned as agricultural.
7. Corpus Christi, TX
Under certain conditions, you may own a maximum of 7 chickens (hens only) in a residential zoning district within Corpus Christi. Per the Corpus Christi City Code, you may not sell chickens or eggs produced by your hens. In other words, you may not keep chickens for business or commercial purposes in the city. You're required to appropriately clip the wings of your chickens to prevent them from flying. Furthermore, you're required to provide your chickens with a chicken coop located in the backyard and at least 25 feet from any nearby residence.
8. Plano, TX
To keep backyard chickens in Plano, TX, you must first apply for and obtain a Backyard Chickens Permit. The permit allows you to keep a limited number of hens on an individual property with one legal dwelling unit. A site inspection may be conducted before the issuance of a backyard hen permit. Henhouses must have at least ten inches of roosting space for each hen kept therein. In addition, there must be at least one nesting box for every 4 hens kept, as required by city ordinances.
9. Lubbock, TX
In Lubbock, TX, you are permitted to keep up to 6 female chickens in the following residential zones: R-1, R-1A, or R-2. The keeping hens is deemed an "accessory use" to the main building or structure of any property. The City Code requires hens to be kept in an enclosure to prevent their running at large. Such enclosure must be kept in the rear yard and at least 5 feet from a side or rear property line. If you wish to keep more than 6 hens at one residence, you must obtain a multi-pet permit from the director of animal services.
10. Laredo, TX
In Laredo, TX, you may keep up to 4 chickens in your backyard, provided you keep your chicken coop at least 51 feet from any residence other than yours. If you wish to keep 5 or more chickens, your chicken coop must be located more than 100 feet from any residence other than yours. However, you may be exempted from the number and/or setback requirements upon inspection of your premises by the director of animal services. The City Code requires that you provide adequate and sanitary drainage for your chicken coop or fenced enclosure.
Other Texas municipalities that allow backyard chickens
- Irving, TX - Up to 25 chickens, including one rooster
- Garland, TX - No more than 4 female chickens
- Frisco, TX - No more than 12 chickens
- McKinney, TX - Up to 12 hens
- Amarillo, TX - 4 chickens per quarter-acre
- Grand Prairie, TX - Four hens per approved site
- Killeen, TX - 8 hens in residential zoning districts
- Denton, TX - 8 hens per residential parcel
- Pasadena, TX - Chickens are to be kept more than 50 feet from any residence
- McAllen, TX - 6 chickens per acre
- Lewisville, TX - Up to six chickens per lot under 1 acre
- Carrollton, TX - Up to 6 chickens with a permit
This list is not exhaustive, meaning many Texas cities allow backyard chickens.
Related: How many pets can you own in Texas?
