Backyard Chickens in Texas City, Texas

Can you keep chickens in Texas City?

Thinking about keeping a backyard flock in Texas City? The City's Code of Ordinances doesn't single out chickens for special permits or numeric limits — they're covered by the same general animal-confinement rule that applies to all pets. That gives Texas City chicken keepers a lot of flexibility, but it also means you'll want to be a thoughtful neighbor about coop placement, sanitation, and noise.

Yes – with conditions

Texas City, Texas does not have a dedicated backyard-chicken or poultry ordinance. Chapter 95 of the Texas City Code of Ordinances (Animals) contains a "Livestock" subchapter, but the LIVESTOCK definition in § 95.070 is limited to grazing animals — 'cattle, horses, mules, asses, burros, sheep and goats' — which does not include chickens or other domestic fowl. That means the livestock registration (§ 95.071) and running-at-large (§ 95.073) rules do not apply to backyard hens.

Instead, chickens fall under the City's general animal-confinement rule, § 95.001 (Confinement Required), which simply requires that all animals be kept confined so they cannot escape without human assistance. The Code does not set a maximum flock size, does not address roosters specifically, does not require a permit for keeping chickens, and does not impose a coop setback distance for fowl.

Because Texas law (Local Government Code/Agriculture Code protections created by HB 1750, 2023) also bars cities from banning six or fewer backyard chickens on a single-family lot, and Texas City's own code contains no prohibition or numeric cap, keeping a small backyard flock is permitted in Texas City subject only to the general confinement/nuisance rules.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: Not Specified
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: Not specified

Peggy knows Texas City

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Texas City's Code of Ordinances does not contain fowl-specific coop, sanitation, or setback requirements. The only applicable rule is the general confinement provision, § 95.001: "Animals shall be confined within a building or home, or within a fenced yard or premises, so that the animals cannot escape from the building, house or fenced yard or premises without human assistance." No minimum distance from property lines or neighboring homes is specified for chicken coops, and there is no numeric cap on flock size in the Code.

Because chickens are not defined as "livestock" under § 95.070, the City's livestock registration requirement (§ 95.071, which applies to cattle, horses, mules, asses, burros, sheep and goats) does not apply to backyard flocks.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Texas City

🌡️ Climate

USDA Zone 9a / Humid Subtropical (Gulf Coast)

Texas City sits directly on Galveston Bay, giving it a humid, subtropical Gulf Coast climate with mild, short winters and long, hot, humid summers. High humidity, salt air, and occasional tropical storms/hurricanes are the main challenges for coop design — ventilation, shade, and elevated, storm-secure housing are essential.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSnakeOpossum

Coastal Galveston County lots back up to bayous, drainage ditches, and green spaces that host raccoons, opossums, snakes, and birds of prey; coyotes and foxes are also reported in the wider Texas City/Galveston County area. Predator-proof, hardware-cloth-lined coops with secure overnight locking are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Easter Egger, Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Australorp, and other heat-tolerant breeds do well in the hot, humid Gulf Coast climate.

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

Questions people ask about Texas City

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Texas City?

No. Texas City's Code of Ordinances does not require a permit to keep backyard chickens. The City does require registration for true 'livestock' (cattle, horses, mules, asses, burros, sheep, and goats) under § 95.071, but chickens are not included in that definition.

▸Is there a maximum number of hens I can keep?

The Texas City Code does not set a specific numeric cap on the number of chickens you may keep. General confinement and nuisance rules (§ 95.001) still apply, and Texas state law separately protects the right to keep up to six chickens on a single-family lot.

▸Are roosters allowed in Texas City?

The Code of Ordinances does not specifically address roosters one way or the other, so there is no explicit ban. Keep in mind that crowing could still be addressed under general nuisance provisions if it disturbs neighbors.

▸How far from my property line does my coop need to be?

Texas City's ordinances do not specify a setback distance for chicken coops. The only requirement is the general confinement rule that animals be kept in a building, home, or fenced yard from which they cannot escape without human assistance.

▸Can I keep chickens as 'livestock' under city rules?

No — the City's LIVESTOCK definition (§ 95.070) is limited to grazing animals such as cattle, horses, mules, asses, burros, sheep, and goats. Chickens and other fowl fall outside this definition, so the livestock registration and running-at-large rules in Chapter 95 do not apply to them.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Texas City or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 29, 2026.