Keeping Of Livestock And Other Animals

The following is an excerpt from the zoning ordinance that regulates the keeping of domestic animals, other than dogs, cats or other household pets within the city limits. The conditions for the keeping of chickens are listed in subsections (5) and (7).
For information on the keeping of dogs, cats or other household pets, contact the animal control officer at the police department (325-646-2525).
For the control of wild animals and for the control of animals running at large, contact the animal control officer at the police department (325-646-2525).

CHAPTER 98 ZONING
Sec. 98-583. Accessory and incidental uses.

     (b)  Keeping of livestock and other animals

 

(1)   No livestock shall be permitted to be kept, harbored or maintained with the following zoning districts of the city: R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MY, CN, C-2A, C-U AND CO, excluding ranchette subdivisions established under chapter 94, article VI, division 2 of this Code. Livestock may be permitted as a conditional use in the following zoning districts of the city: RR, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2 and A-1.

(2)   In zoning districts where livestock are permitted, except A-1 and ranchette subdivision as described below, the number of livestock kept on a given lot shall not exceed the ration of one animal unit, per one free roaming acre, with an animal unit identified as follows:

 

  • 1 cow = 1 animal unit
  • 1 horse = 1 animal unit
  • 1 mule = 1 animal unit
  • 1 burro = 1 animal unit
  • 2 sheep = 1 animal unit
  • 2 goats = 1 animal unit
  • 2 llamas = 1 animal unit
  • 2 alpacas = 1 animal unit

For any other livestock not specifically listed, the animal unit equivalency will depend on the size of the typical adult animal of the species. If the animal is similar in size to a cow, horse, mule or burro then it will equal one animal unit. If the animal is similar in size to a sheep, goat, llama or alpaca, then tow of those animal will equal one animal unit.

 

Offspring shall be exempt from the animal limitation until reaching the age of 12 months. Any acreage designated for livestock shall be “free roaming acres” such that the livestock has unrestricted access to the entirety of the acreage. For purposes of determining the amount of “free roaming acres” available to keep livestock, any area on the site designated for the keeping of livestock shall exclude structures, dwellings or other bodies of water and/or any unenclosed or unfenced area. In ranchette subdivisions established under chapter 94, article VI, division 23 of this Code, and in A-1 districts, the site for the keeping of livestock shall contain a minimum of one free roaming acre per three animal units quartered. Offspring shall be exempt from the animal limitation until reaching the age of 12 months.

(3)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, no swine or emu shall be allowed or permitted to be kept in the city, except swine as provided by chapter 14, article IV, subsection 14-223(b)(5). Poultry may be allowed, subject to the restriction as set forth in subsections (b)(5) and (b)(7) of this section.

(4)   Adequate shelter shall be provided for each animal. The shelter must be of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, lie down and turn around in a natural opposition. Any structure, open, shelter, enclosure or other means used to restrain an animal, including, without limitation, a rope, shall be located not less than 75 feet from any street right-of-way or lot line.

(5)   Fences for pens, corral fences or similar enclosures must be of a sufficient height and strength to retain animals. All poultry shall be properly penned and contained. There shall be a minimum space for pens, coops and yards of 100 square feet (ten feet by ten feet) for each bird, excluding chicks under six months of age. Each additional animal of this type must be given an additional 100 square feet (ten feet by ten feet). Barbed-wire fences are not permitted in any zoning districts, except A-1 districts as set forth in subsection (e)(5) of this section.

(6)   Manure and droppings shall be removed from the property, including any of the pens, stable, sheds or other enclosures, regularly, based on the size and number of animals. This waste matter shall be disposed of in such a way and with such frequency so as to keep the property free from any nuisance.

(7)   The keeping of livestock in the zones indicated in subsection (b)(1) above, may only be permitted so long as such use does not cause a hazard to health by reason of unsanitary conditions, and are not offensive by reason of odors, dust, fumes, noise or vibration, and are not otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.