Raising backyard chickens in Texas is a popular activity, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic that taught us the importance of being self-sufficient.
Chickens require little maintenance, and they are a great source of food and entertainment when stuck at home.
However, there are several restrictions on keeping backyard chickens in Texas, and they change from city to city. In some areas, laws prohibit people from owning more than a certain number of chickens, and in some areas, you cannot raise backyard chickens. Below is some helpful information about raising chicken in your backyard in Texas.
Backyard chickens in Texas
Raising backyard chickens in Texas is a great way to bring up a self-sufficient and interconnected community.
You can collect at least half a dozen eggs daily with six chickens.
As a result, families will have more eggs than they need resulting in sharing with neighbors. Chickens are a great way to bring people together as enthusiasts take notice flock together to talk about chicken.
Chicken also helps keep pests in check and naturally takes care of the earth. By having the birds around your yard, you can till and garden a small portion of your land effortlessly.
The chicken will also reduce wastage by eating leftovers. Chicken poop is also an excellent and effective natural fertilizer.
Backyard chicken keeping is also better and more sustainable than factory farming.
The reason is that it reduces the risk of spread of disease and bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant.
On another note, factory farming is one of the most significant contributors to water pollution, and backyard chicken farming can help manage waste outputs.
Laws about chickens in city limits in Texas
Most cities have rules concerning keeping chickens. The most common regulations are the prohibition of keeping chickens, and if chickens are kept, then there may be restrictions on the number of chickens per household at any one time. In other cases, you may be required to get a permit.
Arlington, TX. You will need land that’s more than half an acre to raise your hens. You are not allowed to keep roosters. Even with such land, you can only keep a maximum of four hens. You will also need to keep the chickens 50 ft. away from neighborhood houses and enclose them in a coop.
Austin, TX. A household can keep ten chickens penned 50ft. away from the houses. Other sources say that currently, there are no laws limiting the number of chickens you can keep in this city. Also, there are debates about the ban on raising roosters.
Baytown, TX. You can raise backyard chicken penned 100 ft. away from neighbors. Most households are not large enough for this requirement.
Dallas, TX. There are no laws addressing the issue of keeping backyard chickens in the city.
Fort Worth, TX. You can keep up to 12 chickens in the city as long as the resident is zoned out. You have to keep them in a chicken coop that is 50 ft. away from other houses. This not only includes the neighbor’s houses but yours as well.
Garland, TX. The limit is two hens per household.
Grand Prairie, TX. Requires you to keep chicken 150 feet away from people’s houses and neighboring structures, which is almost impossible in a city or suburb.
Houston, TX. You must keep your chicken penned in 63 feet*125 feet coop measurement. The limit is 30 chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, peafowl, and guinea pig.
Irving, TX. The Park & Rec department notes that because they recognize the changing demographics, they are not enforcing any restrictions regarding livestock keeping.
Laredo, TX. If you raise six or fewer chickens, there are no restriction set-backs. However, if you raise more than six chickens, pen them at least 100ft from the occupied building, including your own.
Lewisville, TX. You may keep five individual chickens per every-fourth acre of land within your premises penned in locations 150 feet away from residents, offices, schools, businesses, churches, and other structures according to laws on separate ownership for human inhabitation use. The coop should offer 100 square feet of run area for birds kept on the premises. To reduce potential noise disturbance to nearby premises, roosters that can crow should not be within 1500 feet of any residential dwelling.
Longview, TX. As long as the structure has secure tops, bottoms, and sides and offers shelter from the rain, you may keep an unlimited number of chickens. The area should be 100 feet away from any neighboring residents.
Mansfield, TX. You require 20,000 square feet of land to keep chicken.
Murphy, TX. Regulation limits raising chicken to two hens
Plano, TX. There are no prohibitions from keeping chicken
Richardson, TX. You can keep chicken as long as you can control the noise and smell.
Round Rock, TX. You are limited to 5 chickens. The coop must be at least 25 ft. away from neighbors. If you can build the chicken structure at least 50 ft. away, you can raise ten hens.
San Antonia, TX. You can have five chickens per household. However, the pen should be 20 feet away from other structures. In 2010 the laws were amended to 3 chickens as long as they are enclosed. If you wish to have more than chicken, you will need a permit.
Sachse, TX. The law limits you to 15 small livestock.
St. Paul, TX. The city does not cover the topic of raising backyard chickens.
Victoria, TX. No person can keep, raise, feed or maintain chicken within the city unless they meet the following conditions. The chicken should be enclosed a minimum of 100 feet away from residents exclusive of the owner’s building. The coop must be kept clean to avoid offensive smells and health hazards. The maximum number of chickens is 25 chickens per household.
Waco, TX. As long as the pen is 200 feet away from neighboring homes, you are allowed to keep your chicken.
Wylie, TX. Raising chicken is prohibited.
| City | Chicken Limitations |
|---|---|
| Arlington, TX | – Need land of more than half an acre. – No roosters. – Maximum of 4 hens. – Keep chickens 50 ft. away from neighborhood houses and enclose them in a coop. |
| Austin, TX | – Households can keep up to 10 chickens. – Chickens must be penned 50 ft. away from houses. – Currently, no laws limiting the number of chickens. – Debate about the ban on raising roosters. |
| Baytown, TX | – Chickens must be penned 100 ft. away from neighbors. |
| Dallas, TX | – No laws addressing keeping backyard chickens in the city. |
| Fort Worth, TX | – Can keep up to 12 chickens if the resident is zoned out. – Chickens must be kept in a coop that is 50 ft. away from other houses, including the neighbor’s houses and the resident’s house. |
| Garland, TX | – Limit of 2 hens per household. |
| Grand Prairie, TX | – Chickens must be kept 150 ft. away from people’s houses and neighboring structures, which is almost impossible in a city or suburb. |
| Houston, TX | – Chickens must be penned in a 63 ft. x 125 ft. coop. – Limit of 30 chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, peafowl, and guinea pigs. |
| Irving, TX | – No restrictions enforced regarding livestock keeping. |
| Laredo, TX | – If raising 6 or fewer chickens, there are no setback restrictions. – If raising more than 6 chickens, pen them at least 100 ft. from any occupied building, including the resident’s own building. |
| Lewisville, TX | – Can keep 5 individual chickens per every fourth acre of land within the premises. – Chickens must be penned in locations 150 ft. away from residents, offices, schools, businesses, churches, and other structures. – Coop should offer 100 square feet of run area for birds kept on the premises. – Roosters that can crow should not be within 1500 ft. of any residential dwelling to reduce potential noise disturbance. |
| Longview, TX | – Can keep an unlimited number of chickens as long as the structure has secure tops, bottoms, and sides and offers shelter from the rain. – Chickens must be kept 100 ft. away from any neighboring residents. |
| Mansfield, TX | – Need 20,000 square feet of land to keep chickens. |
| Murphy, TX | – Limit of 2 hens per household. |
| Plano, TX | – No prohibitions from keeping chickens. |
| Richardson, TX | – Can keep chickens as long as the noise and smell are controlled. |
| Round Rock, TX | – Limit of 5 chickens. – Coop must be at least 25 ft. away from neighbors. – Can raise 10 hens if the coop is built at least 50 ft. away. |
| San Antonio, TX | – Can have up to 5 chickens per household. – Chickens must be penned 20 ft. away from other structures. – Laws were amended in 2010 to allow up to 3 chickens as long as they are enclosed. – Need a permit to have more than 3 chickens. |
| Sachse, TX | – Limit of 15 small livestock. |
| St. Paul, TX | – No |
Can HOA ban chickens in Texas?
When it comes to raising backyard chickens in suburban and urban areas of Texas, there are several important factors to consider. One of the most crucial considerations is the rules and regulations set by the Home Owners Association (HOA) in the area.
Even in areas where there are no regulations from municipal authorities concerning backyard chickens, the HOA may have restrictions on raising chickens. It is important to understand the HOA rules and regulations before keeping chickens in your backyard in Texas, as failure to comply with these rules can result in fines or other penalties.
In Texas, HOAs are responsible for managing and maintaining shared spaces within a neighborhood, including setting rules and regulations that promote a cohesive and attractive community. Common regulations that may apply to backyard chicken raising include limitations on the number of chickens allowed, the size and type of coop that is permitted, and requirements for the upkeep and maintenance of the chickens and their living space.
Furthermore, the HOA may require that the chickens be kept in a specific area of the yard or that the coop be hidden from view from the street or neighboring properties to maintain the overall appearance and atmosphere of the community.
Texas Chicken Law 2022
Great news for homeowners who keep chickens or rabbits in their backyards! As of January 2022, the HB 2535 bill has officially come into force, providing protection from increased property taxes due to the value of coops or pens on the property.
Under this new law, tax assessors are no longer allowed to consider the value of coops or pens when assessing the overall value of the property. This means that homeowners who keep these animals can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they will not be subject to higher property taxes due to the presence of these structures.
But that’s not all – the HB 2535 bill also includes exemptions for larger coops that are constructed in repurposed sheds or garages. Previously, these structures may have been included in the property value, leading to increased property taxes for homeowners. However, under the new law, these larger coops may be exempt for the first time, providing even more relief for homeowners who keep chickens or rabbits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is backyard chicken keeping, and why is it popular in Texas?
A: Backyard chicken keeping involves raising chickens in a household’s backyard for their eggs, and entertainment, and to support self-sufficient living. It has become popular in Texas, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, as it teaches the importance of being self-sufficient, and chickens require little maintenance, provide a great source of food, and can be a source of entertainment when stuck at home.
Q: What are the benefits of raising backyard chickens in Texas?
A: There are several benefits to raising backyard chickens in Texas. Firstly, it provides a great source of food in the form of fresh eggs. Secondly, chickens are a great way to bring people together as enthusiasts take notice flock together to talk about chickens. Thirdly, they help keep pests in check, and their poop is an excellent natural fertilizer. Lastly, backyard chicken keeping is better and more sustainable than factory farming as it reduces the risk of the spread of disease and bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant and can help manage waste outputs.
Q: Are there any laws about keeping backyard chickens in Texas?
A: Yes, there are laws and regulations about keeping backyard chickens in Texas, and they vary from city to city. In some areas, laws prohibit people from owning more than a certain number of chickens, and in some areas, you cannot raise backyard chickens. In other cases, you may be required to get a permit.
Q: What are some examples of laws about keeping backyard chickens in Texas cities?
A: The laws about keeping backyard chickens vary from city to city in Texas. For example, in Arlington, TX, you need land that’s more than half an acre to raise hens. You can only keep a maximum of four hens, and you need to keep them 50 ft. away from neighborhood houses and enclose them in a coop. In Austin, TX, a household can keep ten chickens penned 50ft. away from the houses. There are no laws addressing the issue of keeping backyard chickens in the city of Dallas, TX. You can keep up to 12 chickens in the city of Fort Worth, TX, as long as the resident is zoned out. In Houston, TX, you must keep your chickens penned in a 63 feet*125 feet coop measurement, and the limit is 30 chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, peafowl, and guinea pig.
Conclusion
In raising backyard chickens in Texas, you need flexible expectations. You may want to have a flock of hens, but if your city or HOA determines your limit are two, you will need to adhere.
For cities that allow you to keep backyard chicken, enjoy fresh eggs.
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