It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, own, maintain, use, or have in his possession or on his premises within the city, any wild animal, livestock, fowl or pet, except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Number of animals permitted.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than two cats or two dogs on any premises within the city which has no enclosed backyard fencing. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than three dogs and three cats on any premises within the city that has enclosed backyard fencing.
(2) 
Up to five dogs and five cats may be kept on premises containing one acre of land, where the animals are restrained by fencing located 200 feet from any dwelling or business, owned or occupied by any person other than the owner.
(3) 
In addition to subsections (A)(1) and (2) above, no more than five of any other type of animal, more than four months of age, excluding fowl and livestock, shall be kept in any residentially zoned area of the city.
Exemption: This limit does not apply to fish when kept within an aquarium intended for residential use; provided the fish are not obtained for commercial purposes.
(4) 
Up to six chickens may be kept on any residential or non-residential lot within the city in compliance with the following conditions:
(a) 
An annual permit to keep chickens has been approved by the DCO;
(b) 
No roosters are kept on the property;
(c) 
Chickens are provided a chicken coop and not allowed to fly or roam free on the property;
(d) 
A chicken coop may not exceed 80 square feet or be taller than eight feet, and must be located within its own fence not to include perimeter fencing;
(e) 
A chicken coop may not be located within 25 feet of any dwelling or business owned or occupied by any person other than the owner;
(f) 
A chicken coop may not be located within five feet of any property line;
(g) 
Accumulated chicken excrement is collected from the chicken coop at least once every 48 hours and disposed of in an approved waste container;
(h) 
Neither chickens nor eggs are sold from the property; and
(i) 
Processing of deceased chickens may not occur in any area visible from a public right-of-way.
(5) 
Except as provided in subsection (A)(4):
(a) 
No fowl shall be kept on any lot or tract of land of less than one acre located in a residentially zoned area of the city; and
(b) 
For each lot or tract in excess of one acre, an owner may keep up to six fowl per acre; provided no such fowl shall be allowed to roam, fly, or be housed within 200 feet of any dwelling or business owned or occupied by any person other than the owner.
(6) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow bees, their hives, or any abandoned hives within the city limits, except honeybees may be kept if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) 
An annual permit to keep honeybees has been approved by the DCO;
(b) 
All hives shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line;
(c) 
All hives shall be surrounded by barriers placed at least 10 feet from the hive and not less than eight feet in height that change the flight path of the bees as they leave the hives;
(d) 
There shall be no more than three hives per city lot;
(e) 
There is an adequate source of water within 20 feet of all hives;
(f) 
There may be maintained one nucleus for each two colonies. The nucleus shall not exceed one ten-frame hive body. Each nucleus shall be disposed of within 60 days after it is acquired;
(g) 
Each hive must be re-queened at least once every 24 months; and
(h) 
The owner notifies the DCO, in writing, of the location and number of hives in his possession. Additionally, the owner shall keep purchase receipts and written records of the exact dates he re-queens each hive for at least two years.
(7) 
A person holding a permit under subsections (A)(4) and (6) commits an offense if he owns, harbors, or possesses chickens or bees and refuses, upon request by the DCO, to make his chickens, bees, premises, facilities, or equipment available for inspection during reasonable hours.
(8) 
Revocation, denial, and appeal.
(a) 
A permit issued under subsections (A)(4) and (6) may be denied or revoked by the DCO if the permit holder is found guilty in Municipal Court for a violation of the provisions described in this section.
(b) 
A denial or revocation of a permit may be appealed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. The appeal must be made in writing to the DCO within 15 calendar days of receiving written notice of the permit denial or revocation from animal services. If no appeal request is received within the fifteen-day period, the denial or revocation of the permit becomes final.
(c) 
Upon receiving an appeal, the DCO or his designee shall place the appeal as an agenda item for the next scheduled meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. At the meeting, the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee shall hold a hearing to determine the outcome of the permit.
(d) 
The decision of the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee on the appeal for the denial or revocation of a chicken or beekeeping permit shall be final.
(e) 
The permittee or applicant may reapply for a new permit under this section at any time.
(9) 
This subsection (A) shall not apply to governmental or educational facilities, commercial kennels, veterinary hospitals, or animal establishments operated by a veterinarian, located on property zoned for such purpose. Such establishments, however, must meet sanitation requirements and keep animals securely contained.
(B) 
Fencing requirements.
(1) 
Where fencing is required by this section it shall be constructed in compliance with Title XV, Chapter 154 of the Carrollton Code of Ordinances, as amended, and of sufficient strength, height, construction, materials, and design as to prevent:
(a) 
Any animal confined within from escaping; or
(b) 
The head of a dog confined within from extending over, under, or through the fence.
(2) 
Escape of an animal or an animal running at-large shall be prima facie evidence that the owner's fence does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(3) 
Any animal found to be at-large and impounded at the animal shelter after the animal owner or property owner has received notice of a violation under subsection (B) during any 12 consecutive month period, shall remain at the shelter until the DCO has inspected the property and determined proper repairs have been completed or reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the animal's safe return to the owner. The owner reclaiming such animal shall be responsible for paying all applicable fees.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Food, water, proper shelter, and sanitary conditions.
(1) 
No person shall fail to provide an animal under their care, custody, or control with: sufficient good and wholesome food; potable, non-frozen water in a clean container suitable for the size, species, and number of animals being housed; proper shelter and protection from the weather, including heat, cold, and other environmental conditions or circumstances that may cause bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death of the animal.
(a) 
Proper shelter shall mean a housing enclosure designed for animals that is securely built, adequately sized for the kind, size, and number of animals housed, so they may be able to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position.
(b) 
Proper shelter shall be maintained in a sanitary condition so that flies or mosquitoes are not allowed to breed, and odors are not offensive to adjacent residences or businesses.
(c) 
Proper shelter shall reasonably protect the animal from inclement weather, harassment, stings and bites from insects, and attacks by other animals.
(d) 
Proper shelter shall comply with all other requirements of this chapter, the Code of Ordinances, and the CZO.
(2) 
No person shall cause, allow, or permit any animal to remain in its own filth. The owner of every animal shall be required to provide such animal with sanitary living conditions. Animal waste shall be removed from an interior or exterior pen, shelter, yard, structure, or other keeping area at least once every 48 hours. All animal waste shall be disposed of in an approved container. Discarding waste on any public or private property shall be considered a violation of this section.
(B) 
Animal unattended in vehicle.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave an animal unsupervised in any motor vehicle or trailer where the outside temperature is higher than 75 degrees.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave an animal unsupervised in any motor vehicle or trailer under any conditions, or for such a period of time, as it may cause distress or endanger the health of the animal due to cold, heat, lack of food, water, air, or sanitary conditions, or such other circumstances or environmental conditions as may cause injury or death of the animal.
(3) 
Any animal services, police department, or fire department personnel may make a reasonable attempt to locate the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, or animal and cite the owner for violating this section.
(4) 
If an animal left in a motor vehicle or trailer, in violation of this section, is found to be in distress or in danger of, or soon will be in danger of, injury or death, any animal services, police department, or fire department personnel may, without first notifying the owner, use reasonable force to remove each animal from the motor vehicle or trailer and immediately impound it.
(5) 
It shall be the responsibility of the motor vehicle, trailer, or animal owner to repair any damage caused by the removal of the animal from the dangerous situation by any animal services, police department, or fire department personnel.
(C) 
Collars.
(1) 
No person shall attach, or allow to be attached, a collar or harness that is not properly fitted at any time.
(2) 
No person shall leave a dog outside, unattended, and wearing a pinch collar, choke collar or improperly fitted collar or in a condition that is unsafe or has the potential to cause injury.
(3) 
No person shall attach, or allow to be attached, a collar or harness to an animal that is of an inadequate size so that it restricts the animal's growth or causes damage to the animal's skin.
(D) 
Tethering.
(1) 
No person shall leave an unattended animal outside and attached to a tether for any length of time.
(2) 
No person shall tether an attended animal to a stationary object for any length of time except as allowed by subsections (3) and (4) of this subsection.
(3) 
Restraint on the owner's property or for a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, law enforcement activity, or when needed to protect the safety or welfare of a person or animal, shall be allowed provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) 
The animal's owner maintains continuous, direct physical control of the animal throughout the period of restraint;
(b) 
The tether is attached to a properly fitting collar or harness and is not wrapped around the animal's neck. Choke or prong type collars are prohibited;
(c) 
The tether is designed and placed in a manner to prevent entanglement or injury; and
(d) 
The tether does not allow the animal to move outside the person's property or come within 10 feet of public property if tethered outside a fenced area.
(4) 
A "skyline" type aerial trolley consisting of a line that is strung between two fixed points that are at least 20 feet apart with a down line that is at least five feet in length is allowed as long as the requirements of this section are met and the animal is enclosed behind a fence of adequate size and strength capable of preventing the general public, including children, and other animals from entering the area.
(5) 
No person shall attach, or allow to be attached, a tether that is not appropriately sized for the animal or so heavy as to restrict or burden the animal's movements.
(E) 
Cruelty, fighting, and inhumane treatment.
(1) 
No person shall beat, cruelly treat, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal.
(2) 
No person shall cause, instigate, permit, or attend any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight, or other combat between animals or between animals and humans.
(3) 
No person shall cause, allow, or train any animal to fight another animal or human, or possess animal fighting paraphernalia or training equipment.
(4) 
No person shall tease, taunt, beat, or provoke an aggressive reaction from an animal.
(5) 
No person except a licensed veterinarian shall crop a dog's ears, dock a dog's tail or perform any surgical treatment that is routinely provided by a licensed veterinarian.
(6) 
No person shall euthanize, kill, or attempt to euthanize or kill an animal in a manner other than by humane euthanasia as defined in this chapter.
(7) 
No person shall mutilate or allow to be mutilated any dead animal for reasons other than food preparation or taxidermy. Dissection in compliance with medical or veterinary research, medical or veterinary necropsy, and bona fide educational use of dead animals shall not be considered mutilation.
(F) 
Leaving an animal unattended, animal abandonment.
(1) 
No owner of an animal, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, shall abandon said animal.
(2) 
No owner of an animal, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, shall abandon said animal with any person that has not consented or has revoked consent to be responsible for the care of the animal.
(3) 
No person shall fail to reclaim any animal that he owns from any person or business who had temporary possession of the animal.
(4) 
No owner of an animal, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, shall drop off, dump, leave, or attempt to drop off, dump, or leave said animal at the Carrollton Animal Services and adoption center without first signing a stray release or owner surrender form provided by the City.
(5) 
No owner of an animal, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, shall leave said animal unattended at a City dog park or other City facility, public property, or any place of business at any time.
(G) 
Veterinary care and grooming.
(1) 
No person shall keep, shelter, or harbor any animal with a potentially life-threatening infestation of ticks, fleas, or other parasites, any other obvious life-threatening illness or injury, or any other communicable illness transmissible to another animal or human without having sought and obtained proper treatment from a licensed veterinarian or followed a proper commercially available treatment regimen for such infestation, illness, or injury.
(2) 
No person shall fail to provide proper veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering.
(3) 
No person shall fail to provide basic grooming for an animal.
(H) 
No person shall transfer ownership or otherwise physically remove from their mother any dog or cat less than six weeks old, or any other animal that is not yet weaned, except under exigent circumstances or as advised by a licensed veterinarian.
(I) 
No person shall carry or transport an animal in any motor vehicle, conveyance, or trailer and fail to effectively restrain the animal so as to reasonably prevent the animal from leaving or being accidentally thrown from the vehicle, conveyance, or trailer.
(J) 
Any animal, which is not provided the basic levels of care and protection as outlined in this section, may be immediately removed and impounded at the animal shelter. The animal shall remain at the shelter until the conditions are improved and the DCO has determined that such animal can be safely returned to the owner. The owner reclaiming such animal shall be responsible for paying all applicable fees.
(K) 
Animals seized pursuant to this section may be impounded and the DCO may petition the Municipal Court for a hearing to determine whether the animal was inhumanely treated and to determine the disposition of the animal, in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, section 821.023, as amended. The petition shall be filed within 48 hours of the seizure. If the Municipal Court is not open during this hour period, the petition shall be filed the next day the Municipal Court is open for business. If a hearing is not requested, then the animal shall be returned to the owner upon request of the owner and pursuant to the requirements of subsection (J). Any animal not requested to be returned to its owner shall be subject to the time limits and dispositions provided in subchapter V of this chapter.
(L) 
This section shall not be interpreted to restrict the lawful activities and legitimate operations of rodeos, 4-H clubs, or Future Farmers of America clubs.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, to cause, suffer, permit, or allow such animal to be or remain a public nuisance.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner or tenant of any property, occupied or unoccupied, to cause, suffer, permit, or allow the property to contribute to a public nuisance.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer, or allow the breeding of flies, mosquitos, or other insects, or the growth of plant material in any water troughs, bowls, tanks, or other containers.
(D) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to cause an animal not owned by him to be at-large by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly releasing a confined animal.
(E) 
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsection (A) if the owner proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the animal was at-large due to forces of nature, fire, or the criminal act of a third party who was not residing at the animal owner's residence.
(F) 
After the third offense resulting in a conviction of any person with care, custody, or control of an animal, for violating subsection (A) in any 12 consecutive month period, the DCO may petition the Municipal Court for a hearing to determine if such animal is a continuing public nuisance. After the hearing, a Municipal Court judge may order the:
(1) 
Disposition of the animal as provided in subchapter V of this chapter, except that the animal may not be returned to the location where the animal resided at the time of the nuisance action;
(2) 
Exclusion from the city limits of Carrollton of the animal; or
(3) 
Return of the animal to the owner.
(G) 
After an order is issued pursuant to subsection (F) by the Municipal Court, the owner shall comply with the order within the time specified in the court order, or if no time for compliance is specified in the order, within 48 hours after the order is signed by the Municipal Court judge.
(H) 
If a Municipal Court judge orders that the animal is to be removed from the city limits of Carrollton, the owner shall provide the address of the location of the animal to the DCO in writing within 72 hours of the issuance of the order.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
It shall be unlawful for an owner, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, to allow any such animal to unreasonably bark, howl, crow, or make any other unreasonably loud noise, unprovoked, that disturbs the peace and quiet of a person of ordinary sensibilities.
(1) 
Unreasonable is defined as disturbing the peace and quiet of a person of ordinary sensibilities; and
(a) 
The recorded loud animal noise event continued for a period of at least 15 minutes; or
(b) 
Sporadic intervals of recorded loud animal noise over the course of a 15-minute interval.
(2) 
"Recorded" may include video recordings or audio recordings.
(3) 
"Unprovoked" shall mean not deliberately caused by the complaining witness, or other person. Actions of provocation may include, but not be limited to, standing along a fence line, taunting, teasing, or whistling.
(4) 
No prosecution of an alleged violation, under this section, may proceed unless:
(a) 
There is a "complaining witness";
(b) 
The complaining witness completes a formal complaint form provided by the City;
(c) 
The complaining witness acknowledges and agrees to attend and provide witness testimony in municipal or district court; and
(d) 
The recording is of sufficient quality to authenticate the location, time, and date of the alleged disturbance. Any recording sought to conform with this requirement must be of a duration capable of establishing unreasonable as defined under subsection (A)(1).
(5) 
In any prosecution of a violation of this section, recorded proof that the noise was unreasonable, as set forth in subsection (A), shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section and that the same constitutes a nuisance.
(6) 
Prosecution of an alleged violation under this section may not proceed if:
(a) 
The prosecutor determines insufficient admissible evidence exists to sustain a conviction;
(b) 
A complaining witness has demonstrated unreliability, including failure to appear, failure to cooperate, or failure to provide consistent testimony in prior proceedings;
(c) 
Evidence indicates that the complaining witness or reporting party has engaged in harassment, intimidation, or bullying of the defendant or other persons involved; or
(d) 
Any other circumstance or consideration of justice, equity, public interest, or prosecutorial discretion that, in the judgment of the legal department, warrants non-prosecution.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any animal or fowl in such a manner that residents of adjacent or nearby property are subject to obnoxious odors.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful to feed any animal on any property other than the property of the owner of the animal. Animals must be fed from a container designed to prevent attracting rodents.
(D) 
Except as provided in section 91.007(A)(4), it shall be unlawful to feed wild animals in any method, excluding fowl.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
It shall be unlawful for an owner, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, to permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog or animal to defecate upon the sidewalk or parkway of any public street, public park, or upon the floor of any common hall in any entranceway, stairway, or wall immediately abutting on a public office building or other buildings used in common by the public or upon the floor, stairway, entranceway, office, lobby, foyer, or patio used in common by the public, or the front yard, rear yard, side yard, or utility easement of any private property not owned or leased by, or under the control of the animal's owner.
(B) 
The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by their animal(s) in areas outlined in subsection (A) of this section. Immediate removal and appropriate disposal of such excreta shall be a defense to prosecution under this section.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful for an owner, or any person exercising care, custody, or control of an animal, to fail to visibly have in his possession materials that can be used to immediately remove and dispose of any excreta that animal produces while in areas outlined in subsection (A) of this section.
(D) 
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the person was in an area where materials that can be used to immediately remove and dispose of any animal excreta were publicly provided and readily available within the immediate vicinity.
(E) 
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section if the animal is a police service animal being used in official law enforcement activities or the animal is under the direction and control of a nonprofit search and rescue organization participating in an authorized search and rescue activity.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
No person shall leave any poisonous substance in any place accessible to fowl, dogs, cats or other such animals with the intent to kill or harm such animals.
(B) 
No person shall use or place for use any leg-hold trap, snare, or other animal capturing device. This section shall not apply to the use of live-catch, box style traps, or other humane traps.
(C) 
The person who places a humane trap on private property shall be responsible for checking the trap, the care of the animal while it is in the trap, and removal or relocation of the trapped animal. All humane traps shall be checked at least daily.
(D) 
No traps shall be placed upon public property, highway, street alley, or other public place within the incorporated limits of the City without specific written permission from the DCO.
(E) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to fail to check a trap he has placed, placed and baited, or allowed to be placed or placed and baited at least once every 24 hours.
(F) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to place, or place and bait, or allow the placing or placing and baiting of any trap when the overnight low temperature is expected to be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit without first obtaining written permission from the DCO.
(G) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to place, or place and bait, or allow the placing or placing and baiting of any trap under conditions which may endanger the health of the animal due to exposure to rain, snow, extreme temperatures, a severe weather warning issued by the National Weather Service, lack of food or water, or under other circumstances that may cause bodily injury, serious bodily injury or death of the animal, whether or not such injury occurs.
(H) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to place, or place and bait a trap, other than a commercially available trap solely designed to exterminate mice, rats, or insects, for commercial profit, without identifying the trap with the name, telephone number, and Texas Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Applicator license number of the applicator who placed or placed and baited the trap.
(I) 
Any trap found to be set in violation of this chapter may be confiscated by the DCO and held as evidence in the case for the offense.
(J) 
This section is not intended to prevent the DCO, Animal Services Officers, or their designee from trapping animals, or the use of various trapping methods, when entitled to do so by state statute or by any ordinance of the City.
(K) 
It shall be unlawful to remove, alter, damage, or otherwise tamper with a trap or equipment belonging to or set by the DCO.
(L) 
This section shall not be interpreted to restrict the extermination of rats, mice, insects, other vermin, or any animal deemed a nuisance by state or federal law, through the use of traps, poisons, or other commercially available means when used in that person's residence, property, accessory structure, or commercial establishment and in accordance with the manufacturer's directions as long as reasonable precautions are taken to ensure that no human, pet, or wild animal, other than the targeted species, comes into contact with the traps, poisons, or other means and that does not violate any other section of this chapter.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
Whenever any premises where any animals are kept in an unsanitary condition, or the facilities are not adequate under the provisions of this chapter, or any health ordinance or law is not being observed, the DCO may, by written notice to the owner of such premises or facilities, require the abatement of the conditions which violate this chapter or such ordinance or law and establish a schedule by which such abatement must be completed. Failure of the owner to comply with said order shall, in addition to constituting a misdemeanor hereunder, be grounds for and entitle the City to seek relief through any remedy available under applicable statutes.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes any domestic animal on a public roadway shall, as soon as practicable, report the occurrence to animal services or the police department.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)