Can I keep chickens in San Antonio, TX?
Yes — San Antonio allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with no permit required. (San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Coop of at least 24 sq ft or 6 sq ft per bird (whichever is larger); birds may roam the yard 6am-10pm; sanitation must not attract pests. |
| Code section | San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109 |
San Antonio residences may keep up to 8 domestic fowl without a permit, only one of which may be a rooster. Larger flocks require a $25 excess animal permit with coop distance requirements that scale with flock size. Chapter 5 was last revised December 2024.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in San Antonio?
Yes — chickens are allowed in San Antonio (San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109).
How many chickens can I keep in San Antonio?
Up to 8 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in San Antonio?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in San Antonio.
Are roosters allowed in San Antonio?
Yes, with conditions — see San Antonio's rules (San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109).
What law covers backyard chickens in San Antonio?
San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
San Antonio Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-109 — read the official code
“the total number of domestic fowl and livestock allowed at a residence is ten which may include: (Chapter 5. Sec. 5-109) Up to eight domestic fowl (chickens, etc.) with only ONE of which can be a rooster” source
“Up to eight domestic fowl (chickens, etc.) with only ONE of which can be a rooster” source
“Exceed Number of Legal Animal Limit Permit | $25” source
Last verified July 19, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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