Mia Patel
Texas has no state law regulating backyard animals, so it is up to city or town officials to decide whether to allow chickens in backyards. Some areas only allow chickens for personal use, meaning that selling their eggs is prohibited. Some counties impose additional requirements, such as the number of chickens, coop placement, and setbacks. Homeowner's associations (HOAs) can also prevent residents from keeping chickens, even if the city allows it. However, Senate Bill 86, which would allow Texans to raise six or fewer chickens in their backyard, is being proposed to amend current laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State law regulating chickens | There is no state law regulating chickens. |
| City ordinances | City ordinances determine whether chickens are allowed on your property. |
| County ordinances | Some counties impose additional requirements. |
| HOA rules | HOAs can prevent you from keeping chickens, even if your area allows it. |
| Permits | Some cities require a permit to keep chickens. |
| Number of chickens allowed | On average, most places allow between 2 and 12 chickens. |
| Enclosures | Chickens must be kept in a coop, pen, or other enclosure. |
| Setbacks | There are setback requirements for chicken coops. |
| Personal use only | In some areas, selling chicken eggs is prohibited. |
| Senate Bill 86 | A proposed bill that would allow Texans to raise up to six chickens. |
| Senate Bill 141 | A proposed bill that would allow Texans to raise up to six chickens and override city regulations. |
| Senate Bill 326 | A bill introduced in 2023 relating to the authority of municipalities and property owners' associations to regulate chicken-keeping. |
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What You'll Learn
Texas laws on bringing chickens to school
In Washington County, for example, the city of Brenham permits up to 10 chickens in a proper enclosure or coop located at least 50 feet from any neighbouring structure and 200 feet from any school, church, or public building. Similarly, the city of Laredo allows up to 5 fowl within 50 feet of a residence, provided they are enclosed to prevent them from roaming freely.
Some counties and cities impose additional requirements, such as prohibiting the keeping of roosters or setting minimum distance requirements between chicken coops and residential structures.
Homeowner's Associations (HOAs) in Texas can also impose their own rules regarding poultry keeping, even if local laws permit it. However, there have been attempts to pass laws that would prevent HOAs from prohibiting residents from keeping a limited number of chickens. For instance, Senate Bill 141, proposed by Senator Bob Hall, aims to allow residents across Texas to raise up to six chickens in their backyards, overriding city regulations that currently ban backyard chickens.
Therefore, when considering bringing chickens to school in Texas, it is essential to refer to the specific local ordinances, regulations, and HOA rules applicable to the particular county, city, or town where the school is located.
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Counties and cities with chicken-keeping restrictions
Texas has 254 counties and 1,225 municipalities, and with cities and towns being responsible for backyard chicken laws, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact regulations that apply. Generally, there is no state law regulating backyard animals, so it is left up to city or town officials to decide. Counties usually don't regulate whether you can have backyard chickens, and this decision is typically made by the city or town government. Those in unincorporated areas won't find clearly defined regulations, meaning there's likely plenty of flexibility in raising chickens.
Some counties impose additional requirements on top of city ordinances. For example, Brooks County permits domestic fowl as long as they are kept in a proper enclosure. Bailey County does not have specific regulations on keeping backyard chickens, but the county seat, Muleshoe, allows chickens as long as they are kept in a coop or enclosure at least 50 feet from any nearby structure and are not allowed to roam freely. Bandera County also does not have any county-level restrictions or requirements, but local cities or towns may have their own rules.
Bee County has no county-wide restrictions, but Beeville, the county seat, allows up to 10 chickens as long as they are kept in an enclosure at least 30 feet from the nearest street and 20 feet from the nearest property line. Brewster in Brazoria County permits up to four chickens per single-family home. Washington County leaves the decision to city and town officials within its jurisdiction. For instance, the city of Brenham allows up to 10 chickens in a proper enclosure or coop that's 50 feet from any neighboring structure and 200 feet from any school, church, or public building.
Some parts of Texas make it mandatory to obtain a permit to keep backyard chickens. These permits ensure compliance with local regulations regarding the number of chickens, coop placement, and setbacks. The number of chickens allowed varies by location, with some areas permitting only two and others allowing up to 30. However, homeowner's associations (HOAs) can prevent you from keeping chickens, even if your area allows it, and there are no state laws prohibiting them from doing so.
A proposed Senate bill, S.B. 86, aims to allow any Texan citizen to raise up to six chickens in their backyard, regardless of their location. This bill would still permit cities and counties to impose reasonable regulations that don't prevent having six or fewer chickens. Another proposed bill, Senate Bill 141, seeks to allow residents in all Texas cities to raise six chickens in their backyards.
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Bills supporting chicken-keeping in Texas
Texas is a state with a variety of regulations regarding chicken-keeping, which differ from county to county and city to city. While there is no state law regulating backyard animals, local ordinances often restrict or prohibit raising chickens within city limits. However, some bills have been proposed to support chicken-keeping in Texas.
One such bill is Senate Bill 141, proposed by Senator Bob Hall, which would allow residents in all Texas cities to raise up to six chickens in their backyards. This bill aims to address rising egg prices by giving homeowners the option to produce their own eggs. While it would override city regulations prohibiting backyard chickens, it would not impact Homeowners Association (HOA) rules, which can currently prevent chicken-keeping even if local regulations allow it.
Another bill, House Bill 2013, was introduced by Representative Bell of Montgomery in January 2025. This bill seeks to empower property owners to keep chickens, provided local ordinances permit it, by prohibiting property owners' associations from enforcing rules that restrict chicken-keeping. This proposal aligns with a growing trend towards urban farming and sustainable living practices, promoting self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.
A third bill, S.B. 86, would allow any citizen of Texas to raise six or fewer chickens in their backyard, regardless of where they live. This bill would still enable cities and counties to place reasonable regulations on chicken-keeping, as long as they don't prevent residents from keeping six or fewer poultry. The goal of this bill is to protect Texans' right to use and enjoy their property.
While the specifics of each bill vary, they all share the common goal of increasing Texans' ability to keep chickens, whether for personal use or egg production. These bills reflect a growing interest in urban farming and self-sufficiency, and if passed, they could significantly impact the landscape of chicken-keeping in Texas.
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Homeowner's Associations (HOAs) and chicken-keeping
In Texas, there is no state law regulating backyard chickens. As such, the decision to allow residents to keep chickens often falls to city or town officials. Some areas may allow only two, while others permit up to 30. For example, the city of Brenham has laws allowing up to 10 chickens in a proper enclosure or coop, while the city of Laredo permits up to five.
However, even if your city or town allows chickens, your Homeowners Association (HOA) may still prohibit you from keeping them. HOAs are governed by rules and regulations that homeowners must abide by and cannot legally decline. Unfortunately, there are no state laws prohibiting HOAs from blocking property owners from farming chickens in their backyards.
To circumvent certain restrictions, an HOA board is required to make amendments to a deed restriction and vote if a specific number of homeowners request it. The amendment becomes part of the HOA's rules if 67% of the community votes in favor of it, according to the State Bar of Texas.
That being said, some HOAs do allow chickens. For example, one HOA in Princeton, Texas, allows residents to have up to six hens, provided that the hen house is at least 50 feet away from any dwelling. Additionally, HB 1686, the Home Food Security Act, passed in the Texas House and moved to the Senate, would, if passed, prevent municipalities and HOAs from prohibiting residents from having up to six laying hens.
Therefore, if you are interested in keeping chickens, it is important to check the regulations of both your city or town and your HOA.
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Legal requirements for chicken coops
In Texas, there is no state law regulating fowl, which includes chickens. As such, local city ordinances usually determine whether or not residents are allowed to keep chickens and how many they can keep. Some cities and towns in Texas require a permit to keep backyard chickens, which ensures that the number of chickens, coop placement, and setbacks comply with local regulations.
For example, the city of Brenham has laws allowing up to 10 chickens in a proper enclosure or coop that's 50 feet from any neighbouring structure and 200 feet from any school, church, or public building. Meanwhile, the city of Laredo permits up to 5 fowl within 50 feet of any residence in a proper coop or enclosure to prevent them from running at large.
A proposed Senate bill, S.B. 86, aims to require cities to allow residents to keep up to six chickens, which, if passed, would establish that as the standard across Texas. This bill would still allow cities and counties to place reasonable regulations on those chickens, as long as they don't prevent residents from keeping six or fewer poultry. Reasonable regulations may include a limit on the number of chickens an individual may keep in excess of six, a prohibition on breeding poultry, a prohibition on raising or keeping roosters, or the minimum distance an individual must maintain between a chicken coop and a residential structure.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not explicitly stated that bringing a chicken to school in Texas is illegal. However, local ordinances and school rules may have specific regulations regarding animals on school premises. It is advisable to check with the relevant authorities before bringing any animals to school.
There is no statewide law in Texas regulating the ownership of chickens. Local ordinances and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) may have specific rules regarding the number and type (hens or roosters) of chickens allowed. Some areas may permit only a few chickens, while others may allow up to 30. It is essential to check with your local planning and zoning department or HOA to understand the specific regulations in your area.
Yes, there have been proposed laws and bills in Texas that aim to standardize chicken ownership across the state. Senate Bill 141, also known as SB 86, seeks to allow residents in all Texas cities to raise up to six chickens in their backyards. Another bill, HB 1686 or the Home Food Security Act, passed the Texas House and, if approved by the Senate, would prevent municipalities and HOAs from prohibiting residents from having up to six laying hens.
