Backyard Chickens in Arlington, Texas

Can you keep chickens in Arlington?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in Arlington, Texas? The city's fowl ordinance lets most residential lot owners keep a small flock of hens — no rooster crowing allowed — as long as the coop stays 50 feet from the neighbors. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found when we dug into Arlington's actual code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Backyard chickens (hens) are allowed in Arlington, Texas, under the city's "Keeping of Fowl" ordinance (Sec. 5.02). The number of birds you may keep is tied to your lot size, and every flock must be kept at least 50 feet from any neighboring habitation.

Up to 4 fowl on a lot of one-half (1/2) acre or less.
Up to 10 fowl on a lot larger than 1/2 acre but less than 1 acre.
Up to 25 fowl on a lot of 1 acre or more.

In every case, the birds must be kept at least fifty feet (50') from any habitation on another person's property.

Roosters are not allowed anywhere in the city except on property zoned agricultural.

No permit appears to be required for a standard residential flock that complies with these limits.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 50 ft.

Peggy knows Arlington

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Arlington's fowl ordinance ties flock size directly to lot size, and applies the same minimum distance requirement at every tier:

≤ 1/2 acre lot: keeps or maintains more than four (4) fowl on one-half (1/2) acre or less or at a distance closer than fifty feet (50') from any habitation located on another's property is an offense — i.e., max 4 birds, 50-ft setback.
1/2 – 1 acre lot: up to 10 fowl are allowed, but if you have a lot over 1/2 acre, you must still keep the chickens 50 ft. away from neighboring houses, and you must keep them penned.
1+ acre lot: up to 25 fowl are allowed, subject to the same 50-foot setback from neighboring habitations.

Roosters: roosters are prohibited in all areas except agricultural zoning.

Containment: chicken coops or pens are mandatory for keeping chickens contained on the property, and they must be well-maintained to avoid attracting pests.

Because rules are tied to exact lot size and can change, verify current lot-size calculations and any updates with Arlington's Code Compliance Department before building a coop.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Arlington

🌡️ Climate

Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) — USDA Hardiness Zone 8a

Arlington sits in North Texas's Cross Timbers region, with hot, humid summers (frequent 95–100°F days) and mild, generally short winters with occasional freezes. Flocks need heavy shade, ventilation, and constant cool water in July–August, and draft-free but not airtight coops in the brief winter cold snaps.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteOpossumSnake

Arlington's mix of suburban greenbelts, creeks, and undeveloped lots supports healthy populations of raccoons, opossums, and rat snakes, plus red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks overhead. Coyotes and foxes are also regularly reported in outlying and greenbelt-adjacent neighborhoods. A fully enclosed run with buried hardware-cloth skirting, secure raccoon-proof latches, and an overhead cover for hawks are all recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Heat-tolerant, easy-going layers do best in Arlington's climate: Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Barred Rocks, Leghorns, and Speckled Sussex.

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Arlington

▸How many chickens can I keep in Arlington, TX?

It depends on your lot size: up to 4 fowl on a lot of one-half acre or less; up to 10 fowl on a lot larger than 1/2 acre but less than 1 acre; and up to 25 fowl on a lot of 1 acre or more, per Arlington's fowl ordinance.

▸Are roosters allowed in Arlington?

No, in most residential areas. Roosters are prohibited in all areas except agricultural zoning.

▸How far must my coop be from my neighbor's house?

Arlington's ordinance requires chickens be kept at least fifty feet (50') from any habitation located on another's property, regardless of lot-size tier.

▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Arlington?

Based on available records of Arlington's fowl ordinance, no permit is indicated as being required for a standard residential flock, according to Arlington Texas Chicken Ordinance Permit Required No.

▸Do my chickens need to be penned?

Yes — chicken coops or pens are mandatory for keeping chickens contained, and they must be well-maintained to avoid attracting pests.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Arlington or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 7, 2026.