Corpus Christi Texas Chicken Ordinance


Are Chickens Allowed in Corpus Christi?Yes
Max Chickens Allowed7
Roosters AllowedNo
Permit RequiredNo
Coop RestrictionsSee Subsection C Items 5,6, and 7 below.
City/Organization Contact nameCustomer Call Center (361) 826-CITY (2489)
Additional InformationNOTE: SUBSECTION C PERTAINS TO "BACKYARD CHICKENS"


Sec. 6-154. - Keeping of any livestock or fowl.

(A) The keeping on any premises in the city, within any zoning district other than an IL Light Industrial or IH Heavy Industrial District (formerly, I-2 Light Industrial or 1-3 Heavy Industrial District), of any fowl or livestock not prohibited by section 6-153, is prohibited unless:

(1) The pens, stalls, or other facilities for keeping the livestock or fowl, other than fenced open pastures that are greater than one (1) acre, are located so that the livestock or fowl cannot come within one hundred (100) feet of any existing dwelling or business building owned, used, or maintained by any person other than the keeper.

(2) The pens, stalls, or other facilities for keeping the livestock or fowl, other than fenced open pastures that are greater than one (1) acre, are located so that the livestock or fowl cannot come within five hundred (500) feet of any existing food service establishment or food processing establishment, regardless of ownership or occupancy of the establishment.

(3) The fenced open pasture, which is greater than one (1) acre, has a means of preventing the livestock or fowl from coming within twenty-five (25) feet of any property line that abuts an existing residence.

(B) The provisions contained in subsection (a) do not apply to fowl which are kept in completely enclosed and solidly walled facilities, to urban domestic fowl (commonly known as chickens) kept in conformity with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, or to species of birds other than poultry.

(C) Urban domestic fowl. Domestic fowl may be kept in a residential zoning district so long as the owner, tenant, or person in control of the premises ("keeper") where the fowl are kept complies with the following conditions at all times:

(1) The number of fowl kept on the premises cannot exceed seven (7);

(2) The fowl are kept or used for egg production purposes only, with consumption of the eggs by the keeper or persons in the keeper's household;

(3) No profit or business may be derived from the keeping or use of the fowl or eggs by the keeper;

(4) The wings of the fowl must be kept clipped to prevent flight;

(5) The fowl must be provided with a hen house ("coop") located in the backyard area of the premises, and the dimensions of the coop must not exceed five-foot width by five-foot height by five-foot length;

(6) The coop must be completely surrounded by a six-foot high secure and substantial fenced enclosure ("chicken pen") that provides adequate space for the fowl to roam, does not exceed a maximum dimensional size of twenty (20) × twenty (20) linear feet, and in which the fowl are kept at all times. In the event the keeper's premises has an existing secure and substantial enclosure completely surrounding the portion of the keeper's backyard area where the fowl will be kept, such as a six-foot high property fence or wall, the requirement to have a chicken pen is waived so long as the size of the enclosure provides adequate space for the fowl to roam and the fowl are kept in the enclosure at all times;

(7) The chicken pen may not be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet to any existing dwelling or business building owned, used, or maintained by any person other than the keeper;

(8) The keeper must maintain the fowl, coop, chicken pen, and enclosed yard area, if any, in a manner that prevents odor, health, and sanitation problems;

(9) Any sudden affliction, illness, or death occurring to any of the fowl must be immediately reported by the keeper to the local health authority and to the animal control division; and

(10) Roosters may not be present or kept on the premises.

(D) The keeping of urban domestic fowl in conformity with this chapter may not be construed to constitute a violation of any zoning law or provision.

(E) Buildings and structures used to keep animals within an IL Light Industrial or IH Heavy Industrial District (formerly, I-2 Light Industrial or I-3 Heavy Industrial District of the zoning ordinances, respectively) must meet the setback requirements in the Unified Development Code, as applicable in the appropriate district and as each may be amended.

(Ord. No. 026046, § 1, 12-14-2004; Ord. No. 029297, § 1, 12-6-2011)
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Information Last Updated03-12-12


NOTE: This information was submitted by a member of our chicken forum. Please make sure to double check that this information is accurate before you proceed with raising chickens. Learn more about local chicken laws and ordinances.