Animal Control

Smith County has an animal control ordinance for unincorporated areas

Unincorporated Smith County has an animal control ordinance focused on the care and restraint of dogs outside city limits.

Smith County Rules & Licenses

If you live outside any city's limits in Smith County, the county's Animal Control Ordinance applies to you. It covers dogs — how they must be kept and restrained. It includes rules about loose dogs and dangerous dogs. Cities like Tyler have their own separate rules inside city limits.

The county ordinance focuses on dogs, not livestock. If you plan to keep horses or cattle on rural land, note that livestock rules come from state law, not this ordinance. Contact Smith County directly to get the current version of the ordinance.

Source to confirm: Smith County — County Ordinances and Policies

More Smith County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Smith County

The Smith County Appraisal District sets your property value; a separate tax office collects what you owe.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your Smith County tax bill

If your home is your primary residence, you can file a homestead exemption with Smith CAD to reduce the taxable value.

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Over-65 Exemption

Turning 65 freezes your school taxes in Smith County

Once you qualify for the over-65 homestead exemption, your school taxes cannot go higher than the amount you paid in your first qualifying year.

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Appraisal Protest

You can protest your property value in Smith County

If you think Smith CAD valued your property too high, you have the right to protest — and the deadline is printed on your appraisal notice.

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