Are Chickens Allowed in Arlington, TX?

BySusan Medlin

Arlington, Texas, a city located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, is known for its vibrant community, family-friendly attractions, and diverse cultural landscape. With the growing interest in sustainability, local food production, and urban farming, many residents have started to inquire about raising chickens in their backyards. Raising chickens for fresh eggs, natural pest control, and as pets is becoming a popular trend in many cities across the United States, but the question remains: are chickens allowed in Arlington, TX?

Current Regulations on Keeping Chickens in Arlington

As of now, Arlington does allow chickens to be kept on residential properties, but there are specific rules and regulations in place to ensure the practice is safe, hygienic, and considerate to neighbors. The City of Arlington has established guidelines under its Animal Control Ordinance to regulate the keeping of chickens in urban areas. These guidelines aim to balance the desires of urban agriculture enthusiasts with the concerns of the community, including noise, waste management, and public health. Let’s take a closer look at the current regulations surrounding the keeping of chickens in Arlington.

Number of Chickens

In Arlington, residents are allowed to keep chickens in their backyards, but there are limitations on the number of chickens. Specifically, you can have up to six chickens on your property in residential areas. The city imposes this limit to prevent overcrowding and to ensure that the chickens can be adequately cared for. These chickens must be kept for personal use only, meaning they are not permitted for commercial purposes such as egg sales or breeding for profit.

Roosters

While chickens are allowed, there are strict rules about keeping roosters. In Arlington, residents are not allowed to keep roosters on their property. This restriction is primarily due to noise concerns. Roosters are known for their loud crowing, especially during the early morning hours, which can be disruptive to neighbors. Since noise complaints are one of the most common issues in urban poultry-keeping, this ban on roosters helps mitigate potential disturbances in residential neighborhoods.

Coop and Enclosure Requirements

Another important aspect of raising chickens in Arlington is ensuring that the chickens are kept in a secure, sanitary, and humane environment. The City of Arlington has specific guidelines for chicken coops and enclosures to ensure the chickens’ well-being and prevent any public nuisances. Here are the main coop and enclosure requirements:

  • Secure Fencing: The chicken coop must be securely fenced to prevent the chickens from wandering off the property. This also helps protect them from predators, such as dogs or coyotes, which are common in suburban and urban areas.
  • Setbacks: The coop and chicken run must be placed a minimum of five feet from property lines to reduce the risk of disturbing neighbors. This setback ensures that the chickens have enough space while also keeping them at a reasonable distance from adjacent properties.
  • Coop Design: The coop must provide adequate shelter, protection from weather, and enough space for each chicken. A common recommendation is at least 2 to 3 square feet per chicken inside the coop. Chickens also need access to an outdoor run to exercise, which should provide at least 10 square feet per chicken. Proper ventilation and access to clean water are also essential.
  • Waste Management: Chickens produce waste that can attract pests if not properly managed. The city advises chicken keepers to regularly clean the coop and manage the chicken waste through composting or disposal to prevent odor or the spread of disease.

Health and Safety Considerations

Keeping chickens comes with certain health and safety considerations that residents must take seriously. The City of Arlington mandates that chicken keepers take proper care of their birds to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain a clean and safe environment for both the chickens and the community. Common concerns include:

  • Biosecurity: Residents should implement basic biosecurity practices, such as limiting contact between their chickens and other poultry or wild birds, to prevent the spread of diseases like avian flu or salmonella.
  • Health Checks: Regularly monitoring the health of the chickens is essential. Chickens can suffer from various diseases, parasites, and infections. Ensuring that the chickens are healthy not only benefits the chickens themselves but also reduces the risk of transmission of diseases to humans.
  • Hygiene: Proper hygiene must be maintained, including regularly cleaning the coop and surrounding areas. It is essential to prevent the buildup of ammonia, which can harm the chickens’ respiratory systems, as well as reduce the likelihood of attracting pests or rodents.

Permits and Licensing

While chickens are allowed in Arlington, residents must ensure they comply with the necessary permitting and licensing requirements. This includes obtaining a permit from the City of Arlington, which typically involves submitting a request to the city’s Animal Services Department and paying a small fee. The process ensures that the chicken-keeping setup meets the city’s requirements for animal welfare, safety, and neighbor relations.

The process to apply for a permit involves filling out a form that includes information about the property, the number of chickens, and the proposed location for the coop. It is also important to provide a plan that outlines how the chickens will be cared for and how the coop will be maintained. The application will be reviewed by Animal Services, who may inspect the property to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Neighborhood Considerations

Before starting a backyard chicken flock, it’s important to consider the impact on your neighbors. Chickens are relatively quiet compared to other animals, but they still produce noise, particularly when they are startled or when they lay eggs. It is important to communicate with your neighbors and ensure that they are aware of your plans to raise chickens. This is especially important if you live in a densely populated area or a neighborhood with strict noise regulations.

Noise Considerations

While the ban on roosters in Arlington helps alleviate some noise issues, hens can still produce some level of noise, especially when they are distressed or laying eggs. The clucking of hens is not usually loud enough to disturb neighbors, but it is worth considering the placement of the coop and run. Placing the coop away from shared property lines or noisy areas, such as busy streets or areas with a lot of foot traffic, can help minimize disruptions.

Waste and Odor Management

Chickens are relatively low-maintenance animals, but one of the biggest concerns when keeping chickens in an urban environment is waste management. Improperly managed chicken waste can lead to unpleasant odors, attract pests, and create hygiene issues. Arlington’s guidelines suggest composting chicken waste or disposing of it in a way that minimizes odor and prevents it from becoming a nuisance.

Ensuring that the coop is regularly cleaned and that waste is removed promptly is key to preventing any smell or buildup of waste. Proper ventilation inside the coop can also reduce odors and help maintain a healthy environment for the chickens.

Benefits of Raising Chickens in Arlington

Despite the regulations and responsibilities that come with raising chickens, many residents in Arlington find the experience to be highly rewarding. Some of the main benefits of keeping chickens in an urban environment include:

  • Fresh Eggs: One of the primary reasons people keep chickens is for fresh, local eggs. Backyard eggs are often healthier and more flavorful than store-bought eggs, and they provide a reliable source of protein for families.
  • Pest Control: Chickens are natural foragers and will help control insects, weeds, and even small rodents in the backyard. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides, making your garden more sustainable.
  • Educational Opportunity: Raising chickens can be an excellent educational experience for children, teaching them about animal care, responsibility, and where their food comes from.
  • Composting: Chickens produce manure that can be used as high-quality fertilizer for gardens, helping to enrich the soil and promote plant growth.

Conclusion

In Arlington, TX, chickens are allowed, but there are clear regulations in place to ensure that residents can keep poultry responsibly. By adhering to the city’s guidelines regarding the number of chickens, coop design, waste management, and the prohibition of roosters, you can successfully raise chickens in your backyard. The benefits of having fresh eggs, natural pest control, and the experience of urban farming can be very rewarding, making chickens a popular choice for many Arlington residents. As long as proper care is taken and neighbor relations are maintained, keeping chickens in Arlington can be a sustainable and enjoyable endeavor.