Tyler Texas Chicken Ordinance
| Are Chickens Allowed in this location | Yes |
| Max Chickens Allowed | 6, NO livestock allowed on City property at the lake, however |
| Roosters Allowed | Yes |
| Permit Required | No |
| Coop Restrictions | Must be located at least 50 feet from the property line, and must be sturdy enough to prevent escape |
| City/Organization Contact name | City of Tyler Code Enforcement, (903) 531-1312, Questions may be submitted here: http://cityoftyler.org/CodeEnforcement/tabid/86/Default.aspx Animal Control: 903-535-0045, speak with them directly for any chicken questions. |
| Additional Information | Sec. 14-13. Keeping of livestock, fowl, and swine prohibited, exceptions. a. Livestock. It is unlawful to own, keep, or harbor, any livestock within the City limits except as follows: 1. Numerical limitation: In an area zoned AG, no more than one livestock animal per fenced in acre may be kept; however, no hogs or swine may be kept. In all other zoning districts, no more than one livestock animal per fenced in acre may be kept up to a maximum of three animals, however no hogs or swine may be kept; 2. Restraint: The acreage on which such livestock are maintained must be enclosed by a fence of sufficient height, strength, and construction to keep such livestock from escaping from the premises; said fence shall be at least fifty (50) feet from any adjoining property line. 3. Pens and structures: All livestock kept under this section shall be provided a stable, shed, pen, or other structure of adequate size for the storage, shelter, and safekeeping of such animals; 4. Location of pens and structures: Every such stable, shed, pen, or other structure for the storage, shelter, and safekeeping of livestock shall be at least one hundred (100) feet from any property line. b. Fowl. It is unlawful to own, keep, or harbor any fowl within the City limits except as follows: 1. Numerical limitation: In an area zoned AG, no more than six (6) fowl may be kept per acre. In all other zoning districts, no more than six (6) fowl may be kept per household regardless of lot size; 2. Restraint: All fowl kept under this section shall be confined in a pen, coop, or other structure sufficient to prevent their escape; 3. Location of pens and structures: Every such pen, coop or other structure required for the confinement of fowl under this section shall be located at least fifty (50) feet distant from any property line. c. Hogs and Swine. No hogs nor swine may be kept within City limits. d. Sanitation requirements. Every such stable, shed, pen or other structure used for the storage or shelter of livestock or fowl under this section shall be cleaned and maintained so as to prevent the escape of noxious odors or substances to adjacent properties or the creation of any health hazard or nuisance to adjacent property owners, as required by Section 14-10. e. The prohibitions and restrictions set out in this section shall not apply to: 1. A zoo, zoological park or animal park; 2. An accredited research institution; 3. A qualified researcher utilizing such livestock or fowl in connection with defined research objectives; 4. An animal exhibition operating under a contract, lease, or special event permit, or otherwise duly approved by the City; 5. Someone lawfully engaged in the transport of livestock or fowl in an enclosed vehicle in accordance with state law; 6. Someone engaged in the transport or receipt of livestock or fowl for processing in connection with the operation of a cattle auction, slaughterhouse or like facility; 7. An animal shelter, veterinary clinic or similar facility for the treatment and temporary shelter of animals in connection therewith. f. Areas on which agricultural operations are conducted or livestock are kept that are annexed into the City shall remain as legal uses pursuant to state law. State law requires that regulations of agricultural operations or livestock in such newly-annexed areas can only be applied if the City Council, by resolution, makes findings that such regulations are necessary to protect the public health. (Ord. No. O-96-13, 2-21-96) Code specific to lake property owned by the City of Tyler: Sec. 19-144. Livestock and fowl prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any livestock or fowl on City property at the Lake. No livestock is allowed in or upon public parks, boatramps, beaches, designated picnic areas, the dams, or spillways. (Ord. 0-97-52, 10/22/97) 2. The keeping or harboring of any animal or fowl which emits or makes any noise which by its character, volume, or repetition is offensive to persons in the vicinity; a. All dogs, livestock, fowl, or dangerous wild animals running astray within the City limits or within five thousand (5,000) feet thereof are hereby declared a public nuisance. b. It is unlawful for any person, without regard to mental state, to suffer or permit any animal to run astray within the City limits or within five thousand (5,000) feet thereof. Each subsequent violation involving the same animal or owner shall result in a higher minimum fine. (Ord. No. O-96-13, 2-21-96) NOTE: While chickens may be kept in city limits, they also fall under noise codes, so please bear this is mind before adding a rooster to your flock! |
| Link for more Information | http://cityoftyler.org/CodeEnforcement/tabid/86/Default.aspx (question submitted via web form) |
| Information Last Updated | 2010-04-07 10:48:27 |
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.
