How Many Pets (Dogs/Cats) Can You Own in Texas?

Texas, like many other states, has no statewide law limiting the number of domestic pets that can be kept in one household. However, individual municipalities have their own local ordinances regulating pet ownership. These ordinances vary from one municipality to another, so the maximum number of cats or dogs you can have depends on where you reside within the Lone Star State. Some municipalities in Texas allow a total of 8 pets per residence. Others permit no more than 3 dogs and 3 cats per household. You should check with your local animal control to determine the allowable number of dogs and cats per residence in your area. Below, I've compiled a list of 10 Texas cities that have pet limit laws.

1. Houston, TX

In Houston, Texas, the law says you may not keep 4 or more adult dogs or 4 or more adult cats on residential property within 100 feet of any other building used for human habitation. A mix of dogs and cats should not exceed 3 adult dogs and 3 adult cats, as per Houston's Code of Ordinances. In Houston, every dog and cat four months of age or older must be microchipped. Furthermore, every dog and cat kept in the city of Houston must be registered with BARC Animal Services.

2. San Antonio, TX

A maximum of 5 dogs or 8 cats is permitted per residence in San Antonio, Texas. Per the city's municipal code, a mix of dogs and cats must not exceed a total of 8 per household. An excess animal permit is required to own more dogs and/or cats than the city code allows per residence. Once you're granted a permit, you must obey all rules on animal ownership in the city and the state. For example, you must not house your dogs and/or cats exclusively outside and no more than 5 dogs may be housed outside between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

3. Dallas, TX

In Dallas, Texas, a maximum of 4 cats or 4 dogs or any combination of both animals not exceeding 4 in total may be kept on the premises of a dwelling unit that shares a common wall with another dwelling unit. No more than 6 dogs or cats are allowed per single-family home on less than half an acre. The limit is 8 dogs or cats if you live in a single-family home located on more than one-half acre of land. As per Dallas' municipal code, dogs and cats under six months of age aren't subject to these regulations. Every dog and cat over four months of age kept in the city of Dallas must be vaccinated and microchipped.

4. Austin, TX

In Austin, Texas you may not own more than 5 dogs. The only exception to this rule is if you keep the dogs in an enclosure that meets certain requirements outlined in the city's municipal code. This restriction does not apply to cats, nor to puppies less than six months old. An outdoor enclosure used to keep 6 or more dogs is required to be situated at least 50 feet from neighboring residences. An outdoor enclosure used as the primary living area for a dog is required to provide at least 150 square feet of space for each dog.

5. Fort Worth, TX

You can have no more than 3 dogs and 3 cats in Fort Worth, Texas. This restriction applies only to dogs and cats over the age of eight weeks, according to Fort Worth's animal ordinances. Every Fort Worth dog and cat owner is required to have their pets microchipped before the animal attains four months of age. However, your dog or cat is exempt from this requirement if it has a pet license. If you wish to have more than 3 dogs or 3 cats, you must file an application for a multi-pet permit with the animal care and control authority.

6. Corpus Christi, TX

The city of Corpus Christi limits each household in any zoning district other than I-2 Light Industrial or I-3 Heavy Industrial District to 6 pets. For example, you may own 6 dogs or 6 cats, or 4 dogs and 2 cats, or any combination of dogs and cats not exceeding 6 in total. Per the city code, however, you may own a total of 14 pets if: 

• You own a property of one acre or more
• You're not keeping the animals within 500 feet of any existing food service or food processing establishment
• You don't do not allow the animals to come within 25 feet of any property line that abuts an existing residence

7. Plano, TX

In Plano, TX, no more than 10 adult animals may be kept on a single-family property. Of the 10 animals, no more than 4 may be intact dogs or cats. In any duplex or multi-family property, the limit is 5 adult animals. Of the 5 animals, no more than one may be an intact dog or cat. To exceed these limits, you must apply for and obtain a multiple-pet permit, as required by the city code.

8. Lubbock, TX

In Lubbock, TX, each residence is limited to 4 adult dogs and/or 4 adult cats. In addition, the of keeping one litter of puppies or kittens is allowed per residence. You may apply with the director of animal services for a multi-pet permit if you wish to keep more than 4 cats or 4 dogs in the city of Lubbock. Your premises must be inspected and approved before you're granted a permit, according to Lubbock's animal ordinances.

9. Irving, TX

A maximum of 8 adult companion animals may be kept on the premises of a single residence in the city of Irving, Texas. By "adult companion animals," the city's animal ordinance means dogs, cats, or other companion animals 4 months of age or older. No more than 2 litters of puppies, kittens, or litters of other companion animals may be kept on the premises of a single residence.

10. McKinney, TX

Each residence within the city of McKinney, TX, is limited to 4 dogs and 4 cats over the age of three months. Every dog, cat, and ferret over four months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, as required by the city code.