Can I keep chickens in Brownsville, TX?
Yes, with conditions — Brownsville allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Brownsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-63(b) (Special Distance Requirements), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | Pens/enclosures at least 50 ft (straight-line) from any residence or human-habitation building other than the keeper's own, and 50 ft from any church, school, hospital, convalescent or nursing home; no odor/noise nuisance. |
| Code section | Brownsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-63(b) (Special Distance Requirements) |
Fowl (chicken, turkey, goose, duck, peafowl and similar) may not be kept in any pen or enclosure within 50 feet of a residence or building used for human habitation other than the keeper's own, or within 50 feet of a church, school, hospital, convalescent home or nursing home. Distance is measured in a straight line. No numeric hen cap and no permit are stated in the ordinance.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Brownsville?
Yes, with conditions — Brownsville allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Brownsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-63(b) (Special Distance Requirements)).
How many chickens can I keep in Brownsville?
It depends on your lot. No fixed cap; fowl enclosures must be 50 ft from any neighboring residence/habitation (straight-line), owner's own home exempt.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Brownsville?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Brownsville.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Brownsville?
50 feet minimum. Pens/enclosures at least 50 ft (straight-line) from any residence or human-habitation building other than the keeper's own, and 50 ft from any church, school, hospital, convalescent or nursing home; no odor/noise nuisance.
What law covers backyard chickens in Brownsville?
Brownsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-63(b) (Special Distance Requirements). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Brownsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-63(b) (Special Distance Requirements) — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess or maintain within the city any rabbit, guinea pig, pigeon, chicken, turkey, goose, duck, peafowl, or any other fowl in any pen, enclosure, or other structure within 50 feet of any residence or building used for human habitation, other than that of the keeper or owner of such animal, or within 50 feet of any church, school, hospital, convalescent home, or nursing home.” source
“unlawful... to keep, possess or maintain within the city any rabbit, guinea pig, pigeon, chicken, turkey, goose, duck, peafowl, or any other fowl in any pen, enclosure, or other structure within 50 feet of any residence or building used for human habitation, other than that of the keeper or owner” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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