Leon Valley is amending its animal ordinance to allow some exceptions for certain animal possession, such as zoos and veterinary offices. This would be a good time for residents to address problems that they have with the current ordinance. The city already has pet limits. One pet limit bans anyone from having more than six animals in any combination, and not more than four dogs and cats in total (i.e., 3 cats and 2 dogs would be illegal without a permit). This applies to aquarium fish, birds, reptiles, and all other animals if you live on a lot less than one acre. Larger properties have different pet limits. A permit is available to have more than the limit of dogs, cats, and chickens, but not other animals. See page 311 at the link below.
Meeting info: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM, Leon Valley City Council Chambers, 6400 El Verde Road, Leon Valley, TX 78238
The animals below are specifically banned. However, the current ordinance also bans all “wild or dangerous animals.”
“Prohibited animals. The below listed animals may not be owned or brought into the City of Leon Valley:
(1) Any ape or other nonhuman primate;
(2) Any member of the genus Canis including wolf, hybrid wolf, coyote, jackal or fox, and similar species except Canis familiaris;
(3) Any member of the genus Felis including leopard, lion, panther, tiger, lynx, bobcat, cheetah, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and any similar species except Felis domesticus;
(4) Mustelids; other than the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo);
(5) Skunk;
(6) Any venomous or poisonous reptile or venomous species except bees;
(7) Crocodile, alligator, caiman or related species;
(8) Swine with the exception of miniature pigs (see section 2.01.015);
(9) Ostrich or any other ratites;
(10) Bear; and
(11) All other mammals that live in a natural state of undomesticated freedom including the opossum, raccoon, armadillo and squirrel.”
Wild animal. Any nonhuman primate, raccoon, skunk, fox, wolf, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, bobcat, or other warm-blooded animal, or any poisonous or dangerous snake which can be found in an untamed state.
Dangerous animal. Any animal that meets any or all of the following criteria:
(1) An animal which, by species or nature, is vicious or dangerous to man;
(2) An animal that has bitten two or more people or one person on two or more occasions;
(3) An animal that has killed a person or another pet or livestock animal; and/or
(4) An animal that has attacked a human being and the nature of the attack or the resulting injury was such as might endanger the life or permanent health of the human.
In residential areas of the city with lot sizes of less than one acre, a household may keep, shelter, maintain or harbor up to: (1) A maximum number of four cats or four dogs or any combination up to four total cats and dogs, no more than two of which may be unsterilized. (2) A total of six animals of any combination of domestic dogs, cats, domestic fowl, snakes, rabbits, or any other approved animal… See page 311
Read the ordinance and amendments at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/leonvllytx-pubu/MEET-Packet-712a597aeca648e5a55bc498c59edfba.pdf. The animal ordinance section begins on page 297.
Email comments to citizenstobeheard@leonvalleytexas.gov.
