The Weirdest Things You’re Allowed to Keep in Your Lubbock Yard

Some Lubbock backyards have a little more than a grill and patio furniture.

City ordinances and zoning rules allow some things in residential yards that might make you do a double-take when you drive by. Of course, there are rules and restrictions, but your Lubbock backyard could potentially become home to some rather unusual additions.

Here are some of the most interesting things you're allowed to have:

Beehives

person removing a brown woooden artificial bee hive from a box

Lubbock allows honeybees under some really specific conditions. You can have up to 4 hives per city lot, but the hives have to be enclosed by a fence and at least 30 feet from property lines. You also have to have a water source within 20 feet of the hive, and you'll need to get handwritten permission from the majority of people with adjoining properties to yours.

For more on adding honeybees to your Lubbock property, click here.

An RV

Outlaw RV parked on grass near trees

Zoning codes in Lubbock allow recreational vehicles and oversized equipment to be stored on private property and in most residential districts. They can generally be stored near the rear or side of your yard, or behind the property. They can't go over the property line or sidewalk, and there are restrictions for using the RV as actual living quarters.

So, you might actually have a legal defense case for the enormous camper you've been trying to explain away to your HOA...

A Greenhouse

green trees and plants inside greenhouse

You've got to follow all the accessory structure rules in Lubbock's Unified Development Code, but you can certainly add a greenhouse to your property.

Read More: What Happens If You Ignore a Lubbock Parking Ticket?

Chickens

group of chicks

Yep. You can have chickens in your Lubbock backyard.

R-1, R-1A, and R-1 residential properties can have up to 6 hens, but roosters are NOT allowed. You've also got to provide an enclosure and follow all the rules for sanitation and food storage, so don't start building a hen house just yet. Read the rules.

A Horse, A Mule, or A Donkey

brown horse

If your property is at least 2 acres, you can keep a horse, mule, or donkey. You've got to have stables and the whole 9 yards, so don't just bring a donkey home today on a whim...

Read the rules...

The Catch?

Just because it's allowed in one area doesn't mean it's allowed everywhere!

Always check for zoning districts, property size, setbacks, permits, nuisance rules, and other restrictions before adding anything to your Lubbock property.

It's nice to know that your Lubbock backyard can get a whole lot more interesting if you'd like. You never know. You might decide to take up horseback riding when your divorce is finalized...