Does Texas Have a Statewide Backyard Chicken Law?
Texas has no statewide law governing backyard chickens. The Texas Right to Farm Act protects established agricultural operations but is designed for commercial farming, not urban backyard flocks. All chicken rules come from city and county ordinances.
HOA Authority in Texas
Texas HOA law on chickens is nuanced. The Texas Agriculture Code §251.007 protects residents from city bans on up to 6 hens — but this applies to government ordinances, not private HOA contracts. HOA CC&Rs are private agreements; §251.007 does not override them. A 2023 attempt to extend HOA protection (HB 1191, the "Chicken Freedom Act") died in the Senate without becoming law. As of 2025, Texas HOAs can still ban chickens through their CC&Rs. If your CC&Rs say no livestock or no poultry, the HOA can enforce it. The city cannot ban your 6 hens, but your HOA still can.
Cities in Texas
Select a city below for a detailed ordinance guide, or use the Ordinance Finder tool to look up your city's rules.
- Austin
- Houston
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Fort Worth
- El Paso
- Plano (restricted)
- Frisco (restricted)
Texas cities range from permissive (Austin allows 10 hens with no permit) to restrictive (Plano and Frisco prohibit chickens in standard residential zones). The wide variation reflects Texas's tradition of local control over land use.
General Advice for Texas Residents
Even if your city allows backyard chickens, there are always additional layers to check: your specific zoning classification, your HOA's CC&Rs, and whether a permit is required before you bring hens home. Use our free checklist to work through each step.