ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

Austin City Code tit. 3, ch. 3-2, art. 2

in effect

Austin City Code § 3-2-11 ENCLOSURE REQUIRED.

§ 3-2-11 - ENCLOSURE REQUIRED. (A) A person may not keep an animal, fowl, bird, or reptile in an enclosure unless the enclosure is: (1) securely built; (2) adequately sized for the kind and number of animals, fowl, birds, or reptiles housed in the structure; (3) maintained in a sanitary condition that does not allow flies to breed or cause an odor offensive to an adjacent residence or business; and (4) in compliance with the applicable requirements of this article. (B) A person shall keep an animal, fowl, bird, or reptile in an enclosure that meets the requirements of Sections 3-2-12 (Enclosure for Small Animal), 3-2-13 (Enclosure for Dogs), 3-2-14 (Enclosure for Livestock), 3-2-15 (Enclosure for Miniature Livestock), 3-2-16 (Enclosure for Fowl), or 3-2-17 (Enclosure for Pigeon or Similar Bird). Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-1; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 3-2-12 ENCLOSURE FOR SMALL ANIMAL.

§ 3-2-12 - ENCLOSURE FOR SMALL ANIMAL. (A) An enclosure used to keep more than two but fewer than 10 small animals must be located at least 20 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business of the owner or handler of the small animals. (B) An enclosure used to keep ten or more small animals must be located at least 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business structure of the owner or handler of the small animals. (C) This section does not apply to an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, pet store, or institutional or education research facility. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-2; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20131121-020.

Austin City Code § 3-2-13 ENCLOSURE FOR DOGS.

§ 3-2-13 - ENCLOSURE FOR DOGS. (A) An outdoor enclosure used to keep six or more dogs, other than puppies less than six months old, must be located at least 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business, excluding the residence or business of the owner or handler of the dogs. (B) An outdoor enclosure used as the primary living area for a dog or used as an area for a dog to regularly eat, sleep, drink, and eliminate must have at least 150 square feet of space for each dog six months of age or older. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-2; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20070607-011.

Austin City Code § 3-2-14 ENCLOSURE FOR LIVESTOCK.

§ 3-2-14 - ENCLOSURE FOR LIVESTOCK. (A) Except as provided in Subsection (B), an enclosure used to keep livestock, other than miniature livestock, must be located: (1) at least 100 feet from adjoining residentially zoned property; and (2) at least 50 feet from a structure used for human habitation. (B) An enclosure used to keep not more than one livestock animal weighing less than 200 pounds must be located at least 10 feet from a structure used for human habitation, other than a structure owned or occupied by the owner or handler of the livestock. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-2-4; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20050818-044.

Austin City Code § 3-2-15 ENCLOSURE FOR MINIATURE LIVESTOCK.

§ 3-2-15 - ENCLOSURE FOR MINIATURE LIVESTOCK. (A) An enclosure used to keep one or two female or neutered male miniature livestock must be located at least 10 feet from a structure used for human habitation, other than a structure owned or occupied by the owner or handler of the miniature livestock. (B) An enclosure used to keep more than two but fewer than six female or neutered male miniature livestock must be located at least 50 feet from a structure used for human habitation. (C) An enclosure used to keep six or more female or neutered male miniature livestock, or one or more un-neutered male miniature livestock must be located at least 100 feet from a structure used for human habitation. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-2-4; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20050818-044.

Austin City Code § 3-2-16 ENCLOSURE FOR FOWL.

§ 3-2-16 - ENCLOSURE FOR FOWL. (A) A person shall keep fowl in an enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 3-2-11 (Enclosure Required) and has four secure sides with overhead cover. (B) A coop, pen, or crate that meets the requirements of Subsection (A) can be used as an enclosure. (C) An enclosure cannot exceed the height restrictions of a fence located on the owner or handler's property. (D) An enclosure used to keep fowl must be located at least 30 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business of the fowl's owner or handler. (E) An enclosure used to keep fowl must be located at least 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure if the fowl or the enclosure creates a health hazard. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-2-26; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20131121-020; Ord. No. 20221013-030, Pt. 1, 10-24-22.

Austin City Code § 3-2-17 ENCLOSURE FOR PIGEON OR SIMILAR BIRD.

§ 3-2-17 - ENCLOSURE FOR PIGEON OR SIMILAR BIRD. (A) Except as provided in Section 3-2-63 (Pigeons or Similar Birds), a person shall keep a pigeon or other bird in an enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 3-2-11 (Enclosure Required). (B) An enclosure used to keep two or more but fewer than ten pigeons or birds must be located at least 20 feet from an adjacent residence or business, excluding the residence or business of the owner or handler. (C) An enclosure used to keep ten or more but fewer than 100 pigeons or birds must be located at least 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business, excluding the residence or business of the owner or handler. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-2-27; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT3ANRE_CH3-2REAN_ART2ENREFetched: 10/27/2026