Duration; transfer.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 6-89
in effectSec. 6-89. - Duration; transfer.
(a) Each sterilized pet registration and unsterilized pet registration shall expire upon the first occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) The expiration of the current rabies vaccination that was evidenced in the documentation furnished to obtain the registration;
(2) The death of the animal;
(3) The 30th calendar day following any change of ownership of the animal, unless the registration has been amended by that date;
(4) The 30th calendar day following any change of the address of the animal's owner unless the registration has been amended by that date;
(5) The anniversary of the issuance of the dog or cat's registration if the rabies vaccination is documented by a licensed veterinarian to be medically inadvisable for the dog or cat; or
(6) In order to partially defray the city's additional costs associated with late issuance and renewal of licenses, a late processing fee shall be added to the cost of the dog or cat license fees if the applicant fails to obtain both a current rabies vaccination and a renewed registration upon the expiration of the current vaccination and registration.
(b) In the event of a change of ownership of the registered animal or in the event of a change of address of the registered animal's owner, the owner must submit an application for amendment to reflect the change of owner or address within 30 calendar days following the date of the change. The director may promulgate forms and administrative rules as required for the orderly administration of registration amendments and applications. The director shall post a copy of the administrative rules on BARC animal services' website and maintain a copy for public inspection in the offices of the director and the city secretary. No fee shall be imposed for an amendment.
(c) An expired registration is of no force and effect. A new registration must be obtained on or before expiration if the animal remains subject to registration by the city hereunder.
(Ord. No. 2022-44, § 2(Exh. A), 1-19-2022)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH6ANFO_ARTIVDOCA_DIV2MIVA_S6-89DUTRFetched: 10/26/2026