Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Houston requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Houston Code of Ordinances sec. 6-24. A court can impose $75 to $500. You are also required to carry a means of removal whenever you walk your dog.
What the Houston ordinance says
| Ordinance | Houston Code of Ordinances sec. 6-24 |
|---|---|
| Fine | $75 to $500 |
| Must carry a bag | Yes |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
On conviction, a fine of not less than $75 and not more than $500. Each act is a separate offense. The section sets no separate repeat-offense amount. Adopted in its current form by Ordinance 2022-44 (January 19, 2022). Applies to cats as well as dogs.
The carry rule
Section 6-24(b): 'Any person in control of a dog or cat is required to be in possession of materials to remove feces left by the dog or cat.'
Service animals
No service dog exemption in sec. 6-24. The only affirmative defense is that the person is the owner, or the owner's agent, of the premises where the feces were left.
In practice
Because Houston requires you to carry a way to clean up, the simplest way to stay on the right side of it is to keep bags on the leash itself, so they leave the house every time the dog does. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Texas
Texas dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: San Antonio dog poop law · Dallas dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Houston municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
