Backyard Chickens in Garland, Texas

Can you keep chickens in Garland?

Thinking about raising backyard hens in Garland, Texas? The City allows up to four female fowl per household with no permit required, though roosters are off-limits and coops must be kept a set distance from neighboring homes. Here's everything Peggy's Happy Chickens found in Garland's actual municipal code so you can keep your flock happy, legal, and safe from local predators.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard hens are legal in Garland, Texas. Under the City's Article I: Animal Services, § 22.14 Fowl, fowl (which includes chickens, ducks, geese, swans, guinea fowl, turkeys, and peafowl) may be kept, but it is unlawful to harbor more than four female fowl over the age of one month within the City limits, and roosters (and male peafowl) are prohibited.

Fowl enclosures must also comply with the general sanitary/setback rules in § 22.17, and fecal material must be removed from enclosures at least twice weekly.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 30 ft.

Peggy knows Garland

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under § 22.14 Fowl, fowl must be kept in an enclosure located at least thirty feet from any residential dwelling other than the owner's. Roosters or male peafowl (peacocks) are prohibited.

The general sanitary provisions of § 22.17 also apply: no pen, run, cage, or similar enclosure may be located less than five feet from any adjoining residentially zoned property, and no less than thirty feet from any adjoining dwelling other than that of the owner. Fecal material must be removed from enclosures at a frequency corresponding to the number, size, and breed of animal, but in no case less than twice weekly, and disposed of in a sanitary manner. Owners must also keep enclosures in a manner that does not give off offensive odors or attract flies, mosquitoes, or other noxious insects (§ 22.17(A)). Additionally, it is unlawful to color, dye, or stain baby chickens or other fowl, or to sell/give away chicks under three weeks old as novelties without approval from the City veterinarian or Supervisor of Animal Services (§ 22.18(K)-(L)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Garland

🌡️ Climate

Humid Subtropical (Köppen Cfa)

Garland, located in North Central Texas within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild, relatively short winters that occasionally dip below freezing. Chicken keepers should prioritize heat management (shade, ventilation, cool water) during the long summer season and provide basic wind protection in winter. Spring and fall bring occasional severe thunderstorms and even tornado risk, so secure, sturdy coop construction is important.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunkFox

Garland sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth urban wildlife corridor, where raccoons are especially common nocturnal visitors that test coop latches and doors. Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper's Hawks are frequently observed in North Texas neighborhoods and pose a daytime aerial threat to free-ranging birds, while coyotes, opossums, skunks, and occasionally gray foxes round out the list of predators known to roam DFW-area backyards and green spaces.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Heat-tolerant breeds such as Leghorns, Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and Australorps do well in Garland's hot summers and mild winters.

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

Questions people ask about Garland

▸How many chickens can I legally keep in Garland, TX?

Up to four female fowl (hens) over one month old are allowed per the City's Animal Services ordinance, § 22.14.

▸Are roosters allowed in Garland?

No. Garland's ordinance specifically prohibits roosters and male peafowl (peacocks) within the City limits.

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

The City's fowl ordinance (§ 22.14) does not require a specific permit for keeping up to four hens; permits under Article I are instead required for things like miniature livestock, breeders, and commercial animal businesses.

▸How far from my neighbor's house does my coop need to be?

Fowl enclosures must be located at least thirty feet from any residential dwelling other than the owner's, and general sanitary rules also require enclosures to be at least five feet from any adjoining residentially zoned property.

▸How often do I need to clean the coop?

Fecal material must be removed from enclosures no less than twice weekly and disposed of in a sanitary manner, per § 22.17(B)(1).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Garland or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 12, 2026.