Austin, TX

Austin allows residential beekeeping under City Code Chapter 3-2 with no colony cap, provided hives are set back 10 feet from property lines and behind a 6-foot flyway barrier if within 25 feet of a neighbor. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 regulates registration and disease control.

Austin does not have breed-specific legislation and is legally prevented from enacting one by Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047. The city instead uses a dangerous-dog designation process under §822.0421 applied based on behavior, not breed.

Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 prohibits intentional feeding of deer, coyotes, javelinas, and other wildlife where it attracts nuisance populations. Bird feeding is allowed. Texas Parks & Wildlife Code adds state-level rules on baiting and game species.

Austin Animal Services investigates hoarding under City Code Chapter 3-2 and Texas Penal Code 42.092. Officers may seize neglected animals with warrants under Health & Safety Code Chapter 821, file misdemeanor or felony charges, and seek court-ordered relinquishment.

Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 requires cats over four months old to be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 826. Austin Animal Services supports community cat trap-neuter-return programs alongside its No-Kill mission.

Austin City Code Section 3-4-29 requires all dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered. Owners wishing to keep intact animals must obtain an annual breeder or intact-animal permit. The ordinance is among the strongest in Texas.

Austin Animal Center microchips every dog and cat before adoption transfer, and Austin City Code Title 3 requires licensed pets to maintain ISO-compliant microchip identification with current registry contact information for return to owner.

Austin City Code Section 3-2-7 limits households to three dogs and three cats over four months old without an animal-establishment permit. Larger numbers require a kennel, foster, or rescue authorization with inspection, zoning compliance, and welfare standards.

Austin Animal Services follows a hazing-first coyote management plan emphasizing public education, deterrence, and habitat modification. Texas Parks & Wildlife treats coyotes as nongame furbearers; lethal removal is reserved for documented aggressive or sick animals threatening human safety.

Austin City Code Chapter 3-3 prohibits pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats; retail sales are limited to animals sourced from shelters or rescues. The rule complements Austin's No-Kill mission and aligns with statewide and national anti-puppy-mill efforts.

Austin allows livestock with minimum lot size: 1 acre for goats/sheep, 2 acres for cattle/horses/hogs, all with a 100-ft setback from any dwelling (Austin City Code Ch. 3-2). Slaughter is banned in city limits except permitted poultry. Chickens have separate, looser rules.

Austin City Code Chapter 3-4 requires dogs in public to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash areas including Red Bud Isle, portions of Auditorium Shores, and parts of Zilker Park. Violations are Class C misdemeanors enforced by Austin Animal Services and APD.

Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 allows up to 10 chickens on most residential lots with setbacks of 50 feet from neighboring dwellings for coops. Roosters are allowed but subject to noise enforcement. Livestock (goats, pigs, cattle) require minimum lot sizes.

Travis County regulates dangerous wild animals under TX H&SC 822.101-.116. Lions, tigers, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles require registration with the county animal registration authority and $100,000 liability insurance.

Travis County hosts protected species like the golden-cheeked warbler under the federal Endangered Species Act, plus migratory songbirds under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act enforced regardless of any county rule.

Travis County has limited zoning authority under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240, so veterinary clinics in unincorporated areas operate primarily under state licensing rules and city extraterritorial jurisdiction overlays.

Pet groomers in unincorporated Travis County face no specific county license, operating under general business rules, sales-tax registration, and Travis County Health & Human Services kennel sanitation when boarding accompanies grooming.

Open burning within Austin city limits is prohibited except for small recreational fires (3 feet diameter or less, 2 feet tall or less) for cooking or warmth. Burning in all city parks, greenbelts, and preserves is prohibited under Ordinance No. 20111102-025.

The Austin Fire Department designates WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) zones concentrated in West Austin hills west of MoPac and south of the Colorado River. Homes in these zones face stricter building codes, vegetation management, and inspection requirements under Chapter 6-1.

Austin Fire Code Chapter 25-12 allows recreational backyard fires only in approved appliances (chimineas, fire pits under 3 feet diameter, patio heaters) with dry seasoned wood or manufactured logs. Open burning of yard waste is banned, and Travis County burn bans automatically apply in Austin city limits.

Austin Fire Department enforces the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code adopted in 2020 requiring defensible space around homes in designated WUI zones, primarily in West Austin hills. Property owners must maintain 30 to 100 feet of cleared space and follow state Property Code guidelines.

Austin Fire Code Title 6, an amended version of the 2021 International Fire Code Chapter 61, restricts residential propane storage to 25 gallons aggregate water capacity, with stricter rules for multifamily balconies and commercial cylinder exchange under IFC Section 6101.

Austin follows the International Fire Code and Texas Property Code §92.251-.262 requiring working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, hallway, and each story of a dwelling. Rental properties must have alarms tested at move-in, and interconnected 10-year sealed-battery alarms are required in new construction.

Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for professional displays by Austin Fire Special Events.

Fire pits and backyard fires are allowed in Austin if used for cooking or warmth and kept to 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Permanent outdoor fireplaces and enclosed barbecue pits are permitted. Burning trash is prohibited.

Austin does not ban gas leaf blowers, but their use is governed by the general noise ordinance in City Code Chapter 9-2. Leaf blower operation is restricted during nighttime hours and must not exceed residential decibel limits, with enforcement by Austin Code and APD.

As the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has detailed amplified sound rules in City Code Chapter 9-2. Outdoor amplified music requires a permit, with decibel caps and cutoff times that are stricter in residential areas and around the Red River Cultural District and downtown entertainment zones.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) aircraft noise is regulated exclusively by the FAA under federal law, preempting local decibel ordinances. The City of Austin Department of Aviation runs a voluntary noise abatement program and publishes a noise complaint portal for residents under flight paths.

Austin requires an Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit for any commercial property hosting outdoor amplified music. Permits specify decibel caps, cutoff times, and stage orientation, and residential outdoor music is generally prohibited after 10:00 PM under Chapter 9-2.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 sets industrial noise limits at 75 dB(A) during daytime and 70 dB(A) at night, measured at the property line of the receiving property. Industrial facilities in IP (Industrial Park) and MI (Major Industry) zones must also comply with site development permit noise conditions.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes decibel limits by zoning district and time of day: 75 dB(A) daytime and 70 dB(A) nighttime in residential, up to 85 dB(A) in commercial, and higher in permitted entertainment districts. Measurements are taken at the property line with Type 1 or Type 2 sound meters.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes citywide quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, during which sound plainly audible across a property line in residential districts is prohibited. The Austin Police Department and Austin Code Department enforce, with Class C misdemeanor citations up to $500 per offense.

Vehicle noise in unincorporated Travis County is enforced under TX Transportation Code 547.604 requiring functioning mufflers and prohibiting excessive/unusual noise. No county decibel ordinance. DPS and Sheriff enforce on county roads.

Travis County relies on state law for barking dog complaints. TX Health & Safety Code 822.041 defines public nuisance dogs. Travis County Animal Control (via Austin Animal Center partnership) investigates chronic barking complaints in unincorporated areas.

Travis County does not regulate construction hours in unincorporated areas. TX counties lack zoning authority to impose work-hour limits. State disorderly conduct applies only to unreasonable nighttime noise affecting nearby residences.

Austin STR operators must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom under City Code Chapter 25-6. On-street parking by guests is allowed only where the street permits, and RPP (Residential Permit Parking) zones prohibit non-resident overnight parking.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 establishes three STR license types, and Type 1 requires the operator to occupy the property as a primary residence. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) and Type 3 (multifamily) carry stricter limits, density caps, and ongoing litigation over permitted neighborhoods.

Austin short-term rentals are subject to Chapter 9-2 noise limits plus stricter STR-specific conditions under City Code Chapter 25-2. STR operators must post 24-hour contact info, respond to noise complaints within one hour, and face license revocation after repeat violations.

Austin imposes an 11% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on STR stays plus a 6% Texas state HOT. Operators must hold a city operating license: $836.30 new or $385.30 renewal.

Austin requires every short-term rental to hold a current operating license under City Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter E. Applications go through Development Services, require proof of insurance, HOT tax account, and neighbor notification, with annual renewal and posted license number on every listing.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter E caps STR occupancy at six unrelated adults or 10 total including related persons, whichever is lower, with no more than two adults per bedroom plus two. Outdoor occupancy after 10:00 PM is limited to six persons.

Austin STR licensees must carry at least $1 million in liability coverage specifically endorsed for short-term rental use, per City Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter E. Proof of insurance is submitted with the annual license application and must remain in force throughout the license term.

Austin does not impose an annual night cap on STR rentals like San Francisco's 90-day rule or Palm Springs' 32-day limit. However, Type 2 non-owner-occupied STRs are restricted in residential zones, and all STRs face occupancy and noise limits that effectively constrain heavy event-style bookings.

Austin requires all STRs to obtain a city license through Austin Development Services. Type 1 (owner-occupied), Type 2 (non-owner-occupied), and Type 3 (multifamily) licenses are available. As of Oct. 1, 2025, licenses are valid for two years. License fee is approximately $836.

Travis County does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investor-owned and second-home STRs are permitted across unincorporated areas, consistent with Texas HB 1620 statewide preemption of ownership-status conditions.

Texas Tax Code 156.103 requires marketplace facilitators like Airbnb and Vrbo to collect and remit state hotel occupancy tax on Travis County stays. Hosts remain responsible if the platform fails to collect on a booking.

Travis County does not operate a three-strikes or escalating-penalty system for short-term rental nuisance complaints. Each incident is handled separately by TCSO or county code, and there is no cumulative permit-revocation pathway.

Travis County does not cap home-share length or distinguish extended stays from short stays. Hosts can rent rooms or whole homes for any duration, subject only to Texas hotel occupancy tax thresholds for stays under 30 days.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 requires EV-ready parking in new multifamily and commercial construction (minimum 20 percent of spaces), and Austin Energy operates the Plug-In EVerywhere network. Single-family owners can install Level 2 chargers under a simple permit process and receive rebates up to $1,200.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-6 regulates residential driveway width, setback, and surfacing. Single-family driveways are limited to 30 percent of the front yard or 20 feet wide (whichever is less), must be paved with concrete or asphalt, and require a driveway permit for new curb cuts.

Austin has no general citywide overnight parking ban on public streets. However, approximately 40 Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones restrict overnight parking to permit holders, and vehicles may not remain in the same spot for more than 24 hours under Chapter 12-5.

Austin enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 and Austin City Code Chapter 12-5: a vehicle on public right-of-way is abandoned if inoperable for more than 48 hours or operable but apparently abandoned for more than 7 days. APD posts a warning tag and tows. Junked vehicles on private property are abated under Austin Code Chapter 9-2 as a nuisance with a 10-day notice.

RVs and motor homes may not be parked on Austin public streets longer than 72 hours (§12-5-11). Residents may store up to two recreational vehicles on residential property if screened behind a 6-foot wood or masonry fence. Living in an RV on residential property requires permits.

Austin does not have an ordinance prohibiting residents from saving shoveled-out parking spots with chairs or cones. Snow events are extremely rare in Austin, and there is no formal 'dibs' system or regulation addressing the practice. The city's parking regulations focus on standard restrictions such as time limits, fire lanes, and accessible parking. Residents are not penalized for placing items in public parking spaces during rare winter weather events.

Travis County has no general on-street parking ordinance for unincorporated county roads. Texas Transportation Code §545.301-545.305 governs where stopping, standing, and parking are prohibited statewide — within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, 30 feet of a stop sign. Subdivisions may impose stricter HOA rules.

Travis County has no ordinance restricting commercial vehicle parking on residential property in unincorporated areas. Texas Transportation Code §622 governs commercial vehicle weight and size on roads. Heavy-haul operations on county roads require TNR overweight/oversize permits. HOAs routinely ban commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential subdivisions.

Austin strongly encourages rainwater harvesting and offers rebates up to $5,000 through Austin Water. Texas Property Code §202.007 prevents HOAs from banning rain barrels or cisterns. Building permits are required for cisterns over 5,000 gallons or connected to household plumbing.

Austin's Grow Green program promotes native and adapted landscaping with a free plant guide and regional nursery partnerships. Texas Property Code §202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-tolerant and native plant landscapes. New developments must meet the Chapter 25-2 native-plant list thresholds.

Austin allows artificial turf in residential and commercial landscapes but it is counted as impervious cover under Chapter 25-2, subject to the 40–45% impervious cover cap. Austin Water does not rebate turf replacement with plastic grass; only live native/adapted landscape qualifies.

Travis County has no county-wide grass height ordinance for unincorporated areas; Texas counties lack zoning authority. Austin City Code 10-5 limits grass to 12 inches within city limits and ETJ. HOAs throughout master-planned communities (Steiner Ranch, Circle C, Avery Ranch) enforce their own height limits, typically 6-8 inches.

LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) and Austin Water set watering restrictions for Travis County. Austin Water Conservation Stage (year-round): once-per-week watering by address, before 10 AM or after 7 PM. Drought stages escalate to twice-monthly. LCRA enforces Highland Lakes firm/interruptible water contracts. Violations carry fines.

Oak wilt prevention is critical in Central Texas: do NOT prune oaks February through June. Paint all oak pruning cuts immediately year-round. Travis County and Austin enforce oak wilt suppression zones. Utility trimming by Oncor/Austin Energy/PEC follows right-of-way standards. No county tree-trimming permit required in unincorporated areas.

Unincorporated Travis County has no tree removal permit requirement. Austin has one of the strictest tree ordinances in Texas: Code 25-8-622 protects trees 19+ inches diameter, 24+ inch heritage species (oaks, elms, pecans, cypress). Removal requires permit, mitigation, or fee. Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park have lighter but similar rules.

Travis County has no county-wide weed ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general nuisance abatement authority except under HSC 342 (unsanitary conditions) and burn ban contexts. Austin Code 10-5 addresses weeds with 12-inch height limit. HOAs and MUDs enforce locally.

Austin allows cottage food production under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 437.001 — no local permit, up to $50,000/year gross, direct and online sales of non-hazardous foods. Labeling requires producer name, address, ingredients, allergens, and the statement 'Made in a home kitchen and not inspected by the Department of State Health Services'.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 allows Home Occupations in all residential zones subject to limits: no employees beyond residents, no customer visits except professionals (1 per 30 minutes, 5 per day), no outdoor storage, no signage, and activity confined to 25 percent of the dwelling.

Austin does not require a standalone Home Occupation Permit for compliant home businesses — the use is permitted by right under LDC §25-2-901. Operators should verify zoning, obtain a City of Austin Business Tax Certificate if applicable, and register for Texas sales tax through the Comptroller.

Austin LDC Section 25-2-901 caps home business customer visits at one every 30 minutes and five total per day, with no commercial parking in front yards. Deliveries are limited to typical residential package volume; commercial vehicle visits over 1 ton require a zoning variance.

Unincorporated Travis County has no sign ordinance outside highway right-of-way (TxDOT jurisdiction). Austin Code 25-10 limits home occupation signage to one non-illuminated nameplate, maximum 2 sq ft, flat-mounted to building. Temporary contractor/real estate signs follow separate limits. HOAs often prohibit all commercial signage.

Registered and licensed child-care homes in unincorporated Travis County operate under Texas HHSC rules (TX Human Resources Code Ch. 42, 26 TAC Ch. 745). County has no zoning, so home daycares are permissible subject to state license, fire marshal inspection, and deed restrictions.

Austin requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet in height or any wall supporting a surcharge (driveway, structure, slope), per City Code Chapter 25-12. Engineered drawings are required for walls over 4 feet, and watershed rules impose additional limits near creeks and Critical Environmental Features.

Austin enforces International Swimming Pool and Spa Code barrier standards under Chapter 25-12: 4-foot minimum fence, self-closing self-latching gates, door alarms on homes acting as a pool barrier, and 20-inch gap limits. Barriers must be in place before any water is added.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 allows residential fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards without a permit. Corner visibility triangles, Heritage Tree protection zones, and HOA design rules impose additional limits.

Austin prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences in residential zones under City Code Chapter 25-2. Hill Country Roadway corridors and historic districts impose additional material rules, and HOA covenants commonly specify wood or masonry.

Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter F caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards without a permit. Corner-lot visibility triangles drop the limit to 2.5 feet, and fences exceeding code limits require a Board of Adjustment variance.

Texas has no Good Neighbor Fence Act. Each owner is responsible for their own fence. Travis County does not mediate boundary fence disputes. Shared fence cost-sharing requires voluntary written agreement; otherwise disputes go to JP or district court.

No fence permit is required from Travis County for unincorporated properties. Counties cannot issue zoning-based building permits for residential fences. On-site sewage and floodplain permits still apply separately if the fence affects a regulated feature.

One-story detached residential sheds 200 sq ft or smaller and 15 ft or shorter in height are exempt from a building permit, provided they have no plumbing, are not a dwelling, and are not in a flood hazard area.

Austin's HOME Initiative (Ord. 20231207-001, effective Feb 5, 2024) allows up to 3 housing units, including ADUs and tiny homes, on lots zoned SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3.

Austin is among the most tiny-home-friendly cities in Texas, allowing ADUs on most SF lots down to 5,750 sf and permitting DADUs (Detached ADUs) with reduced setbacks under HOME Initiative amendments. Texas Property Code and local SMART Housing incentives promote affordable tiny-home development.

Austin requires a Garage Conversion / Carport-Porch Enclosure permit plus a Residential Interior Remodel application. Citywide off-street parking minimums were eliminated in 2023, though some addresses still trigger replacement parking.

Austin regulates carports through the Land Development Code (LDC) Title 25. To qualify as a carport (rather than a garage counted toward floor area), the structure must have at least two open sides that are clear and unobstructed for at least 80% of the area below the top wall plate. A building permit is required, and the structure must comply with setbacks under LDC § 25-2-492 and the openness-of-yard rules in LDC § 25-2-513.

Austin processes ADU applications under the HOME Initiative amendments (Ordinance 20231207-001 and 20240516-002) to Land Development Code Chapter 25-2. ADUs are permitted by right on SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3 lots of at least 2,500 sq ft. The pathway is administrative: no zoning case or board hearing for code-compliant designs. Applications go through the Development Services Department Residential Permit team with a target review time of about 30 business days.

Austin does not charge a general municipal impact fee; the city relies on water/wastewater capital recovery fees, transportation user fees, and Austin Energy connection charges instead. Water/Wastewater capital recovery fees for ADUs are charged based on meter size: an ADU sharing the main meter pays nothing extra, while a separately metered ADU pays the standard 5/8-inch residential rate. Drainage fees are tied to impervious cover. There is no per-unit citywide ADU surcharge.

Austin removed its ADU owner-occupancy requirement when the HOME Initiative Phase 1 (Ordinance 20231207-001) took effect in December 2023. A property owner is no longer required to live on the lot to build an ADU or to rent the ADU long-term. Both the main house and the ADU may be rented to separate tenants by an absentee owner. No deed restriction is recorded.

Austin allows long-term rental of ADUs without owner occupancy after the HOME Initiative. Short-term rental of an ADU is restricted under LDC 25-2-788 and 25-2-789: ADUs built after October 1, 2015 may operate as a short-term rental for no more than 30 days per calendar year. Type 2 short-term rental licenses (non-owner-occupied) remain phased out under Ordinance 20160223-A.1. Type 1 (owner-occupied) licenses are available but only for the principal dwelling, not the ADU.

Austin requires VGBA-compliant anti-entrapment drain covers, barrier compliance, and for public/semi-public pools, lifeguard or signage requirements under Chapter 10-3. Residential pool drownings are the leading accidental death cause for Texas children 1–4.

Austin adopts the 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code requiring 48-inch barriers, self-closing self-latching outward gates, door alarms on dwellings acting as barriers, and strict picket spacing. Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757 adds owner liability for pool access.

Austin requires permits for above-ground pools over 24 inches deep or 5,000 gallons. Structural, electrical, and barrier inspections apply, and impervious cover counts against zoning limits. Smaller inflatable pools under 24 inches deep are exempt.

Residential swimming pools in unincorporated Travis County require a Development Permit and must comply with the 2021 International Residential Code, Appendix V, as adopted by the Travis County Fire Marshal and TNR.

Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Travis County must have a lockable safety cover compliant with ASTM F1346 or be enclosed by the same 48-inch barrier required for pools. Electrical installation requires GFCI and NEC 680 bonding.

Texas House Bill 1927 allows most adults 21 and older to carry handguns concealed without a permit. Austin follows state rules; License to Carry under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 remains available for reciprocity benefits.

Texas Penal Code Section 46.02 allows lawful adults to carry handguns in private vehicles or watercraft if not in plain view, gang-related, or possessed by a prohibited person. Austin cannot impose additional vehicle restrictions.

Texas allows permitless open carry of handguns in shoulder or belt holsters for adults 21 and older. Austin cannot restrict open carry beyond state law except on city property and posted private property.

Austin cannot enact local firearm ordinances — Texas Local Government Code Section 229.001 preempts municipal regulation of the transfer, ownership, keeping, transportation, licensing, or registration of firearms. Carry, purchase, and possession rules are uniform statewide.

Texas House Bill 1771 and Health and Safety Code provisions preempt cities from banning the sale of flavored tobacco or e-cigarette products. Austin cannot adopt menthol or flavored vape prohibitions enacted in some other states.

Texas Comptroller licenses tobacco and e-cigarette retailers statewide under Tax Code Chapter 154 and 155. Austin City Code Chapter 7 adds local age-of-sale enforcement and inspections for cigarette and e-cigarette dealers.

Austin enforces the federal Tobacco 21 minimum age and Texas SB 21 (2019), prohibiting tobacco and vape sales to anyone under 21. While Austin Public Health runs robust tobacco-prevention programs, Texas state law preempts local flavor bans and retailer licensing. Smoking is separately banned in public places under Austin City Code Chapter 10-6.

Texas Property Code Section 92.103 requires Austin landlords to refund tenant security deposits within 30 days of move-out, with itemized deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear; Austin imposes no stricter local rule.

Austin enacted a source-of-income antidiscrimination ordinance in 2014, but Texas HB 1510 (2015), codified at Local Government Code Section 250.007, expressly preempted it. Private Austin landlords may legally refuse Section 8 vouchers today.

The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers, but landlord participation is voluntary because Texas Local Government Code Section 250.007 preempts mandatory acceptance.

Austin's Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance, codified at City Code Chapter 25-1 Subchapter F, requires landlords to pay relocation benefits when manufactured-home parks close, multifamily properties demolish, or zoning changes displace tenants. Most private market evictions still require nothing.

Texas Property Code Section 92.331 prohibits landlord retaliation, and Austin City Code Chapter 5-2 forbids housing discrimination on protected-class grounds. Austin has no comprehensive Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance like Los Angeles or Seattle.

Texas Property Code Chapter 24 allows Austin landlords to terminate month-to-month tenancies or refuse to renew fixed-term leases without cause, requiring only proper written notice; Austin imposes no just-cause requirement on private landlords.

Austin has NO local rent control ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts any Texas municipality from adopting rent control unless the governor approves it after a declared housing-emergency disaster. The Austin City Code contains no rent stabilization chapter and most rent increases are unrestricted.

Austin City Code Chapter 4-14 (Ord. 20221027-023, Oct. 2022) requires landlords with 5+ units to give a 7-day notice of proposed eviction before any notice to vacate. Texas HB 2127 (eff. Sept. 1, 2023) preempts local eviction rules; the Third Court of Appeals upheld HB 2127 in July 2025.

Austin requires registration for short-term rentals (STRs) under City Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2, Article 4 (Short-Term Rental Ordinance). STRs are classified as Type 1 (owner-occupied), Type 2 (non-owner-occupied, non-multifamily), or Type 3 (non-owner-occupied multifamily). All types require an operating license from Austin Code Department. Long-term rentals do not require a separate rental registration. The city suspended issuing new Type 2 licenses in certain areas due to density caps.

Travis County and Texas law impose no rules on cash-for-keys agreements. Landlords and tenants may negotiate any sum for voluntary surrender of possession, subject only to ordinary contract law and notarized written agreements.

Austin cannot set a private-sector minimum wage. Tex. Lab. Code § 62.0515 preempts local wage ordinances, so the Texas Minimum Wage Act rate of $7.25/hour (matching federal FLSA) applies citywide. Austin pays its own City employees a higher living wage (most recently $20.80/hr under Council Resolution), but this floor does not extend to private employers.

The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (HB 4, 2023) bars Texas cities from regulating employer scheduling practices. Austin has no fair-workweek or predictive-scheduling ordinance, and any future local rule would be preempted by state law.

Austin's pioneering 2018 paid-sick-leave ordinance was struck down in Texas Ass'n of Business v. City of Austin, 565 S.W.3d 425 (Tex. App.-Austin 2018), as unconstitutional and preempted by the Texas Minimum Wage Act. The Texas Supreme Court denied review in 2020. The ordinance is unenforceable. Austin workers have no city-mandated paid sick leave — only federal FMLA (unpaid, 12 weeks).

Texas SB 4 (2017), codified at Government Code Chapter 752, prohibits Austin from adopting sanctuary policies. Austin and Travis County must honor ICE detainers and may not bar officers from asking immigration status during lawful stops.

Texas Government Code Chapter 673 requires every state agency and any business that contracts with a state agency to register for and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new employees. Private-sector E-Verify use is generally voluntary statewide.

Austin Public Health inspects food establishments under City Code Chapter 10-3 and assigns a numerical score on a 100-point scale. Austin does not require posted letter grades at the entrance, but reports are public on the Austin/Travis County dashboard.

Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 728 governs disposal of used needles and sharps. Austin Resource Recovery and Austin Public Health direct residents to rigid containers and authorized drop-off points; loose syringes in trash or recycling are prohibited and create worker-injury liability.

Austin City Code Chapter 10-2 and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 343 require property owners to control rats, mice, and other vermin. The Austin Code Department investigates complaints, issues abatement notices, and may perform city-led abatement charged as a property lien.

The Texas Food Handler Education Act requires food employees to complete a state-approved food handler course within sixty days of hire. Austin City Code Chapter 10-3 requires every food establishment to employ at least one Certified Food Manager with credential posted on premises.

Calorie labeling at Travis County restaurants is governed by federal FDA rules for chains with 20 or more locations; Texas and Travis County have not added local menu-labeling requirements beyond federal law.

Texas has no statewide bed bug statute and Travis County has not adopted a county-specific ordinance, leaving treatment as a habitability obligation under Texas Property Code landlord duties.

Texas has no recreational cannabis program, so Austin cannot create a social-equity license. The narrow Compassionate Use Program licenses three statewide dispensing organizations on competitive merit, with no equity preference for prior-conviction, minority, or low-income applicants.

Texas prohibits personal cannabis cultivation entirely. Austin cannot authorize home grows under home-rule authority while state law treats marijuana possession and manufacture as criminal offenses. Austin Prop A deprioritizes low-level enforcement but does not legalize cultivation.

Austin has no recreational cannabis retail because Texas prohibits it. Hemp-derived CBD and consumable-hemp retailers operate under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 122 plus Austin Land Development Code commercial zoning. Smoke shops and CBD storefronts are treated as ordinary retail uses citywide.

Texas law strictly limits cannabis dispensaries to licensed Compassionate Use Program organizations dispensing low-THC cannabis (under 1% THC). As of 2025 only three licensed dispensaries operate statewide and none are located in Austin. Local zoning for cannabis dispensaries is effectively preempted by state licensing requirements. Austin has no local dispensary zoning ordinance because the state controls all licensing and siting of compassionate use dispensaries.

Cannabis cultivation is illegal in Texas under the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 (Texas Controlled Substances Act). There is no home cultivation exemption for recreational or medical use. The Texas Compassionate Use Program allows only licensed dispensing organizations to cultivate low-THC cannabis (under 1% THC) for qualifying patients. Austin voters approved Proposition A in May 2020 directing police to deprioritize low-level marijuana possession, but cultivation remains a felony under state law.

Texas does not impose statewide cannabis buffer zones because adult-use is illegal; the few Compassionate Use dispensaries follow DPS site-security rules, and Travis County has no local cannabis buffer ordinance.

Cannabis delivery in Travis County is limited to state-licensed Compassionate Use dispensing organizations transporting low-THC product to registered patients under DPS rules, with no local cannabis delivery industry permitted.

Travis County opted into TCEQ Rule 30 TAC 114.512, which prohibits commercial motor vehicles over 14,000 pounds GVWR from idling for more than five consecutive minutes within Austin and surrounding counties, with several work-related exemptions.

Austin has not banned gasoline-powered leaf blowers and likely cannot enforce one because Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 382 reserves air-quality regulation to the state, while general nuisance preemption under HB 4 limits city authority over equipment performance.

Austin's Sustainable Purchasing Program, adopted by City Council resolution and codified in Financial Services Department procurement policy, requires city departments to evaluate environmental and equity criteria when buying goods, services, and construction.

Austin's Urban Forest Plan, adopted in 2014 and updated in 2024, sets a 50 percent citywide canopy cover goal, paired with cool-roof requirements, shaded transit stops, and bus stop greening to mitigate the urban heat island effect across the city.

Austin City Council adopted the Climate Equity Plan in 2021, committing the city to net-zero community greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, accompanied by sector goals for electricity, transportation, buildings, and consumption alongside equity outcome metrics.

Austin City Code Title 25 and the Drainage Criteria Manual regulate all grading and drainage activities. A grading permit is required for any land-disturbing activity exceeding specific thresholds. The city requires drainage plans showing pre- and post-development runoff calculations and mandates that development not increase flooding on adjacent properties. Cut and fill operations must comply with geotechnical requirements especially in the Balcones Fault Zone.

Austin Energy Code, an amended version of the 2021 IECC adopted under City Code Title 25, requires high-reflectance and high-emissivity roofing on low-slope commercial and multifamily roofs, reducing cooling loads and mitigating urban heat island effect.

Austin City Code Title 25 and the Environmental Criteria Manual Section 1.6 require erosion and sedimentation controls for all land-disturbing activities. In March 2025 the City Council approved strengthened erosion protections along the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam. Developers must submit Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans and install Best Management Practices (BMPs) before grading begins. Inspections are required during active construction.

Austin City Code Title 6, Chapter 6-7 (Drainage) and the Environmental Criteria Manual require stormwater management for all development. The Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance imposes the strictest water quality controls in the Barton Springs Zone. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (rain gardens, biofiltration, rainwater harvesting) is now required as the primary water quality treatment method for most site plan and subdivision development citywide.

Austin is an inland city with no coastline, so coastal development regulations do not apply. Waterfront development along Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River is instead governed by the Waterfront Overlay Ordinance (Title 25, Subchapter C, Article 2) and the Town Lake Corridor special regulations which address building height, setbacks, and public access along the urban waterfront.

Austin participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and maintains strict floodplain regulations under City Code Title 25 and the Drainage Criteria Manual. The city has over 130 miles of creeks including major flood-prone corridors along Onion Creek, Shoal Creek, Williamson Creek, and Barton Creek. Development in the 100-year floodplain is prohibited or heavily restricted. The Watershed Protection Department maintains flood early warning systems and buyout programs for repeatedly flooded properties.

Travis County encourages defensible space around rural Hill Country homes, but enforcement is limited because Texas grants counties narrow authority. ESDs and Texas A&M Forest Service publish voluntary 30-foot brush clearance guidelines for unincorporated wildfire-prone areas.

Austin Energy Green Building, launched in 1990 as the first municipal green building rating program in the United States, evaluates new and remodel projects on a one-to-five-star scale and is referenced by Austin Code Title 25 for incentives and density bonuses.

Austin childcare centers are licensed and inspected by Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child Care Regulation under 26 TAC Chapter 746, layered with Austin City Code Title 25 zoning, building, and fire requirements before a center can open.

Austin became one of the first major Texas cities to mandate residential fire sprinklers in new single-family homes, adopting IRC Section R313 without the typical state amendments and codifying the requirement in Austin City Code Title 25 Building Criteria Manual.

Lead paint regulations in Austin follow federal law (Title X, Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992) and EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 745). Sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing must disclose known lead-based paint hazards, provide the EPA pamphlet, and allow a 10-day inspection period for buyers. Texas does not have a state lead paint law beyond federal requirements, and Austin does not impose additional municipal lead paint ordinances.

Austin requires property owners to maintain premises free from rodent and insect infestations under the city's property maintenance standards. The Austin Code Department enforces violations related to conditions that attract pests, including tall weeds, accumulated trash, and standing water. Landlords are responsible for providing habitable rental units free of pest infestations under Texas Property Code Section 92.052.

Scaffolding in Austin is regulated under the city's adopted building codes (2024 Technical Building Codes effective July 10, 2025) and right-of-way permit requirements. Any scaffolding erected over public sidewalks or rights-of-way requires a right-of-way permit from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. Construction sites must maintain pedestrian access and provide protective sidewalk sheds when overhead work could endanger the public.

Elevator safety in Austin is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under the Texas Elevator Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Chapter 754). All elevators, escalators, and related conveyances must be registered with TDLR, inspected annually, and maintained by licensed contractors. Austin's adopted building codes incorporate ASME A17.1 safety standards for new installations.

Travis County Chapter 64 adopts International Building Code rules for egress hardware, requiring single-action unlatching from the egress side and limiting deadbolts and barricade devices in commercial and assembly occupancies.

Travis County has limited zoning power under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240, so unincorporated areas have no mansionization caps; size limits exist mainly in city extraterritorial jurisdictions and platted subdivision deed restrictions.

Austin Land Development Code offers multiple density-bonus programs, including the citywide Affordability Unlocked program adopted in 2019, allowing developers to exceed base zoning if they reserve at least 50 percent of units for affordable rents.

Austin's Land Development Code in City Code Title 25 still uses 1980s-vintage Euclidean zoning categories paired with the Imagine Austin Future Land Use Map, after the CodeNEXT replacement effort was abandoned in 2018 and successor HOME initiatives moved incrementally.

Austin Water enforces year-round watering schedules and tightening drought-stage restrictions under City Code Chapter 6-4, limiting irrigation to specific days and hours based on address and current Highland Lakes combined storage levels.

Austin Water's WaterWise Landscape Rebate, administered by the Conservation Division, pays residential and commercial customers per square foot of high-water turf converted to drought-tolerant landscape, supporting drought-stage compliance and the One Water Plan.

Recycled and reclaimed water service in Travis County is largely confined to the City of Austin reclaimed water network, which serves downtown, Mueller, and select east-side districts. Most unincorporated Travis County has no reclaimed water access for irrigation or cooling.

Travis County does not operate a county leak reporting line. Customers should report visible water main breaks or hydrant leaks to their retail provider. Austin Water runs a 24-hour line, while smaller utility districts route through their on-call dispatch.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 prohibits aggressive solicitation, including approaching ATMs, intersections, and outdoor diners, while Texas Penal Code Section 22.06 governs threatening contact; passive panhandling itself remains protected speech under the First Amendment after Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

Austin Code Chapter 10-6 has banned smoking in indoor workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public buildings since the 2005 voter-approved Smoke-Free Workplace Ordinance, plus designated outdoor zones near entrances, parks, playgrounds, and city-funded venues; vaping is included.

Texas Transportation Code Section 552.005 requires pedestrians crossing outside marked crosswalks or intersections to yield right-of-way to vehicles; Austin enforces this state statute selectively, with no separate municipal jaywalking ordinance and growing pressure to decriminalize.

Austin Noise Ordinance Chapter 9-2 prohibits unreasonable noise after 10 p.m. on weeknights and 10:30 p.m. weekends; second-response loud-party calls within 12 hours trigger cost-recovery billing of the host plus class C misdemeanor citations.

Austin City Code Title 10 disorderly conduct provisions and Texas Penal Code Section 42.01 reach public urination through indecent exposure and disorderly conduct charges; Sixth Street and downtown districts see heaviest enforcement during late-night hours.

Marijuana possession and public use remain illegal under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 across Travis County, though Austin Proposition A (2022) deprioritized low-level possession arrests within Austin city limits.

Travis County prohibits public consumption of alcohol in county parks and on the Highland Lakes shoreline by ordinance, while broader open container rules in vehicles follow Texas Penal Code Section 49.031 statewide.

Austin City Code Chapter 11 imposes an 11 percent municipal hotel occupancy tax on stays under 30 days, layered atop the 6 percent Texas state HOT, totaling 17 percent on Austin lodging; short-term rentals owe the same tax through platform collection or direct remittance.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-8 protects every tree 19 inches DBH or larger, with heritage status for 24-inch protected species like live oak, pecan, bald cypress, and Texas ash; removal requires a permit, mitigation, and often arborist review, with fines up to $1,000 per inch.

Austin City Arborist and Urban Forestry program control planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and street under City Code Chapter 25-7 and Transportation Department right-of-way rules. Approved species lists, clearance standards, and free street tree programs guide residents.

Austin City Code Title 25, Chapter 25-8, Subchapter B (Tree and Natural Area Protection) requires a permit to remove any protected tree. Trees with a trunk diameter of 19 inches or more (measured at 4.5 feet above ground) are classified as protected. A tree removal permit from the City Arborist must be obtained before removal. Permit applications require a tree survey, justification for removal, and a mitigation plan. Emergency removals for immediate safety hazards may proceed without prior permit but must be reported within 5 business days.

Austin's 2010 Heritage Tree Ordinance (City Code Ch. 6-3) is one of the strictest in the United States. Trees of designated species 19+ inches in diameter are Heritage Trees and cannot be removed except for imminent hazard or where a tree prevents reasonable use of the property. Protected trees (8–18 inch DBH) require a removal permit.

Austin's tree mitigation requirements under Title 25, Chapter 25-8 require replacement planting or payment into the Tree Fund when protected or heritage trees are removed. Standard protected tree mitigation is calculated based on the diameter of the removed tree using a caliper-inch replacement formula. Heritage trees require a higher mitigation ratio. Developers may plant replacement trees on-site, off-site at an approved location, or pay into the City's Tree Mitigation Fund. The fund is used for tree planting in underserved areas.

Austin City Code Section 9-4-11 prohibits camping in public places citywide after Proposition B passed May 2021, reversing the 2019 decriminalization; first offenses bring warnings and outreach offers, repeat violations are class C misdemeanors with up to $500 fine.

Travis County Health & Human Services partners with ECHO to provide sanitation services at unincorporated encampments. There is no county camping ban, but illegal-dumping and biohazard rules apply, with TCSO assistance for cleanups.

Travis County funds bridge and rapid-rehousing slots through ECHO, the Continuum of Care lead agency. There is no county-specific bridge-housing ordinance; eligibility, length-of-stay, and exit rules follow HUD CoC and ECHO protocols.

Travis County itself has no sit-lie or sidewalk-obstruction ordinance for unincorporated areas. The City of Austin reinstated its public-camping ordinance via Proposition B (May 2021), but that rule applies only inside Austin city limits.

FAA Part 107 controls drone flights near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Pilots must request near-real-time LAANC authorization for flights in controlled Class C airspace surrounding AUS. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 adds state-level no-fly zones around critical infrastructure.

FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions and stadium TFRs ban drone flights over large Austin events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits, and University of Texas football. Austin Code 14-8 and Texas Penal Code 423.0045 add local trespass and reckless-endangerment exposure.

Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) prohibits drone operation in city parks without a film/event permit under Austin City Code §8-1. Zilker Park, Town Lake, and Lady Bird Lake all post no-drone rules. ABIA Class C airspace covers most of South Austin requiring LAANC, and Texas Govt Code §423 adds statewide overlays.

Commercial drone operations in Austin require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operations near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport require LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) approval through the FAA. Commercial operators must also comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 423 which restricts drone image capture over private property with limited exceptions for real estate photography, oil and gas operations, and utility inspections. Austin does not require a separate local commercial drone permit.

Austin allows recreational drone flight under FAA rules with park-specific bans. Pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs ($5/3 years), complete the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet AGL, and maintain visual line of sight. Austin Parks & Recreation prohibits drone takeoff and landing in city parks, including Zilker, Lady Bird Lake, and the Greenbelt, without a permit.

Austin Energy and Austin Development Services run an expedited Solar PV permit pathway for typical residential rooftop systems. Standardized plans, online submission, and combined electrical and structural review let most homeowner installations clear permit review in days rather than weeks.

Austin Energy operates one of Texas's largest community solar programs, letting customers subscribe to a share of utility-owned arrays without rooftop panels. Income-qualified customers receive deep bill credits through Austin Energy Customer Assistance Program partnerships.

Solar panel installations in Austin require a building permit through Austin Development Services. Residential rooftop systems must comply with the International Residential Code as adopted locally and the National Electrical Code. Austin Energy offers the Value of Solar tariff for grid-connected systems, replacing traditional net metering. Systems must pass electrical and structural inspections before interconnection. Austin has streamlined solar permitting with an expedited review process for standard residential installations.

Texas Property Code Section 202.010 prohibits HOAs from banning solar energy devices on residential property. HOAs may adopt reasonable restrictions on panel placement but cannot prevent installation or substantially increase cost. Restrictions cannot reduce system output by more than 10% or increase total cost by more than 10%. The Texas Solar Rights Act ensures homeowners can install solar panels even in deed-restricted communities, and Austin's pro-solar policies align with state protections.

Austin Police Department operates a limited Automated License Plate Reader pilot under Council direction, with retention caps and audit reporting. Texas has no specific ALPR statute, so policy controls dominate, and Austin debate has centered on civil-liberties concerns and opt-out provisions.

Austin has no specific ordinance regulating residential security cameras. Texas law permits video recording on your own property. Cameras must not record areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy per TX Penal Code §21.15. No registration required.

Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording (TX Penal Code §16.02). Video recording in public is legal. Recording private conversations without at least one party's consent is a felony. Doorbell cameras and dashcams are legal.

Austin allows privacy fences up to 8 feet in rear and side yards. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet if solid, 6 feet if at least 50% open. Fences under 7 feet generally do not require a permit unless in a flood zone.

Austin City Code Chapter 15-6 (Universal Recycling Ordinance) requires food-permitted businesses to divert organic material from landfill via composting, donation, or other approved methods. Austin Resource Recovery enforces with annual diversion plans and audits citywide.

Austin Resource Recovery provides weekly curbside composting of yard trimmings combined with food scraps in the green cart. Branches must be bundled separately for monthly bulk brush pickup. Christmas trees are collected as part of curbside composting in January.

Austin Resource Recovery requires specific cart placement for collection. Carts must be placed at the curb with wheels against the curb, lids closed, and handles facing the house. Carts should be at least 3 feet apart from each other and 3 feet from mailboxes, cars, utility poles, and other obstacles. Carts must not block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes. Between collection days, carts must be stored behind the front building line or screened from street view.

Austin Resource Recovery provides curbside bulk item collection by appointment. Residents can schedule up to two free bulk pickups per year for large items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Additional pickups are available for a fee. Items must be placed at the curb on the scheduled date. Austin also operates the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center for construction debris, tires, and other materials. Hazardous waste is accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste facility on Todd Lane.

Austin Resource Recovery provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and composting for single-family residences. Trash is collected weekly in the blue-lidded cart, recycling in the green-lidded cart, and compost in the orange-lidded cart. Collection schedules vary by neighborhood and can be found on the Austin Resource Recovery website or app. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:30 AM on collection day with lids closed and handles facing the house. Multifamily properties arrange private collection services.

Austin has a Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) adopted in 2012 requiring recycling and organics diversion for commercial properties, multifamily properties, and food-permitted establishments. The URO supports Austin's Zero Waste goal of diverting 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. All properties with trash service of 96 gallons or more per week must provide recycling. Food-permitted businesses must divert organics. Single-family homes receive single-stream recycling through Austin Resource Recovery.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 caps construction equipment noise at the property line and limits powered construction work to permitted daytime hours. The general construction noise standard is roughly 85 dBA at fifty feet, with stricter rules near residential property and at night.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport regulates engine maintenance runups under FAA Part 150 noise compatibility planning and AUS airport rules. Maintenance test runs occur at designated runup pads with time-of-day restrictions to limit nighttime impact on East Austin neighborhoods.

Austin City Code Chapter 14-8 requires a parade or street-event permit issued through the Austin Center for Events, with Austin Police Department coordination. Applicants submit routes, traffic plans, insurance, and fees, and may need APD off-duty officer staffing for street closures.

Austin regulates sidewalk cafes under Chapter 14-4 of the Code of Ordinances. Restaurants may operate outdoor dining on public sidewalks adjacent to their facade with a Temporary Sidewalk Cafe Permit from the Transportation and Public Works Right-of-Way Division. Permits are valid for up to 5 years. The sidewalk must maintain a minimum clear pedestrian zone, and operators must provide liability insurance and a surety bond.

Block parties in Austin that involve closing any portion of a public street require a permit from the Austin Center for Events (ACE) in the Transportation and Public Works Department. Stationary events impacting only one block of sidewalk or non-street right-of-way may qualify for a simplified permit under Chapter 14-8 of the Austin Code of Ordinances. Applications must be submitted with advance notice depending on the event tier.

A permit from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is required for organized events in Austin's public parks, except for casual gatherings of friends or family without commercial activity or public advertisement. Events with amplified sound, structures, vendors, or commercial activity require additional coordination. The permit process is managed through the Austin Center for Events (ACE).

Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 creates Local Historic District (LHD) zoning overlays with design standards, Historic Landmark Commission review of exterior changes, and demolition controls. Districts include Hyde Park, Castle Hill, and Harthan Way among others.

Austin Historic Landmark Commission designates individual properties as Historic Landmarks under City Code Chapter 25-2. Designation triggers Certificate of Appropriateness review for exterior changes, demolition delay, and a substantial property tax exemption tied to maintenance compliance.

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is listed as a Texas invasive species by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Austin lacks a specific tree-of-heaven ordinance, but Code 25-7 and 25-8 watershed and tree rules plus state nuisance law apply when removal is needed.

Austin follows the Texas Department of Agriculture noxious weed list. The city's Environmental Criteria Manual identifies invasive species to avoid including Chinese tallow, ligustrum, Chinaberry, and giant reed. Austin prohibits these species in required landscaping for new development.

Austin does not have a specific ordinance banning bamboo. Running bamboo that spreads onto neighboring properties may be addressed as a nuisance. Texas state law does not regulate bamboo. Property owners are responsible for controlling spread.

Austin allows and encourages front yard vegetable gardens. Texas HB 1643 (2023) prohibits HOAs from banning vegetable gardens. Austin has no restrictions on edible landscaping in residential front yards. Community gardens are supported citywide.

Federal HUD/EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule and Lead Disclosure Rule apply to pre-1978 Austin rentals. Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 88 adds state lead-poisoning surveillance. Austin lacks a separate proactive lead-inspection program but enforces habitability under City Code 25-2.

Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 licenses pawnbrokers through the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, capping fees, requiring 30-day minimum redemption, and mandating police transaction reports; Austin pawnshops also follow the secondhand-dealer reporting and zoning rules.

Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 regulates secondhand dealers and crafted-precious-metal dealers, requiring registration with local police, transaction reporting, holding periods, and seller identification; Austin Police Department administers compliance for Austin merchants.

Texas Comptroller issues retail cigarette, e-cigarette, and tobacco permits under Tax Code Chapters 154 and 155; Austin Code Chapter 7-2 layers vendor responsibilities and Smoke-Free Workplace duties, while HB 1771 preempts most local restrictions on flavor or product mix.

Austin City Code Chapter 4-13 licenses sexually oriented businesses, requiring annual permits, distance buffers from schools, churches, parks, and residential zones, no-touch performer rules, and operator background checks; violations are class C misdemeanors enforced by APD vice.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses massage therapists and establishments statewide under Occupations Code Chapter 455; Austin City Code Chapter 4-9 layers local registration, zoning, and human-trafficking inspections on top of the state license.

Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 licenses tow operators, vehicle storage facilities, and incident-management towers through TDLR; Austin City Code Chapter 12 layers wrecker permits, rotation rosters, and consent-tow disclosures, with maximum nonconsent fees set by TDLR rules.

Tattoo and body piercing studios in Travis County need a Texas Department of State Health Services license under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146, with mandatory minor-consent rules, sterilization standards, and county zoning compliance.

Travis County restricts commercial auto repair at homes through unincorporated zoning, home occupation rules, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fluid-handling standards, while owners may work on personal vehicles freely on private property.

Texas does not allow municipal gross-receipts taxes, so Austin has no local business tax classification scheme; businesses owe only the Texas franchise tax through the Comptroller plus property tax on tangible personal property assessed by Travis Central Appraisal District.

Austin does not have a mandatory snow or ice sidewalk clearing ordinance. Snow and ice events are rare in Central Texas, occurring only a few times per decade. During the February 2021 winter storm, the city focused on emergency road clearing rather than sidewalk enforcement. Property owners are generally expected to use reasonable care to maintain safe conditions but there is no specific city code requirement to shovel or de-ice sidewalks within a set timeframe.

Austin Code Department enforces property maintenance standards including trash container storage and placement. Austin Resource Recovery provides standardized carts for trash and recycling collection. Carts must be placed curbside by 6:30 AM on collection day and retrieved by 10 PM the same day. Between collection days, carts should be stored behind the front building line or screened from public view. Overflowing or unsecured trash containers are a code violation enforceable by Austin Code.

Austin Code Department aggressively enforces property maintenance standards under City Code Chapters 6-1 (Public Health and Sanitation) and 13-1 (Minimum Property Standards). Property blight violations include accumulated junk, abandoned vehicles, dilapidated structures, graffiti, and overgrown vegetation exceeding 12 inches. The city operates a complaint-driven enforcement system through 311 and Austin Code Connect. Repeat violators face escalating fines and the city can abate violations and place a lien on the property for costs.

Austin does not require a permit for residential garage sales. The city does not impose a specific limit on the number of garage sales per year by ordinance, but sales that appear to operate as ongoing retail businesses may trigger zoning enforcement for unauthorized commercial activity in a residential zone under Title 25 of the Land Development Code. Garage sale signs may only be placed on the property where the sale is occurring. Sales of food or beverages may require a Temporary Food Permit from Austin Public Health.

Vacant lots in Austin must be maintained under City Code Chapter 6-1 (Public Health) and Chapter 13-1 (Minimum Property Standards). Owners must keep vegetation below 12 inches, prevent accumulation of debris and standing water, and secure any structures against unauthorized entry. Austin Code Department conducts proactive sweeps in areas with concentrated vacant lot complaints. The city can mow or clear a vacant lot and assess costs as a lien against the property after providing notice.

Austin does not require a permit for residential garage sales or yard sales. Residents may hold garage sales on their property without prior city authorization. Sales that collect Texas sales tax must comply with Texas Comptroller requirements, though occasional garage sales of personal items are generally exempt from sales tax under the Texas Tax Code. If sales become frequent enough to constitute a business, zoning enforcement for unauthorized commercial activity in a residential zone may apply.

Austin does not impose a specific numerical limit on the number of garage sales a resident can hold per year. However, the Land Development Code prohibits ongoing commercial activity in residential zones. If garage sales become frequent enough to constitute a business operation (regular hours, commercial inventory, repeated advertising), Austin Code may investigate for unauthorized commercial use. The determination is made on a case-by-case basis considering frequency, duration, and the nature of items sold.

Austin does not impose specific time-of-day restrictions on garage sales by ordinance. General noise ordinance provisions in City Code Chapter 9-2 apply, meaning garage sales should not create excessive noise during quiet hours (10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays, 10 PM to 9 AM on weekends). As a practical matter, most garage sales operate during daylight hours. HOA communities may have their own rules governing the timing of garage sales within deed-restricted neighborhoods.

Austin City Code Title 10, Chapter 10-5 regulates solicitors and peddlers. Door-to-door solicitors must register with the city and carry identification while soliciting. Solicitation is prohibited between 9 PM and 9 AM. Austin also regulates aggressive solicitation (panhandling) under City Code provisions addressing pedestrian safety in traffic. Religious, political, and charitable solicitation receives First Amendment protection but must still comply with time and manner restrictions.

Austin respects no-solicitation signs under City Code Title 10. Solicitors who ignore posted no-solicitation signs can be cited for trespassing or violating the solicitation ordinance. Property owners can post no-solicitation or no-trespassing signs to prohibit uninvited visitors. The Austin Police Department responds to complaints about solicitors who ignore posted signs. Texas Penal Code Section 30.05 (Criminal Trespass) also applies when a person enters property with notice that entry is forbidden.

Texas Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 preempts municipal regulation of foam food containers as solid waste. Austin has no polystyrene ban and cannot lawfully prohibit expanded polystyrene cups, plates, or takeout containers.

Texas state law preempts local regulation of single-use food service items including plastic straws. Austin has no straw ban or upon-request rule; restaurants distribute plastic straws freely without local penalties or fees.

Austin's 2013 single-use carryout bag ban was struck down by the Texas Supreme Court on June 22, 2018 in Laster v. Austin, which held the state Solid Waste Disposal Act preempts municipal bag bans. Austin retailers are now free to provide plastic bags. The City retains educational programs but cannot enforce the ban.

Austin Code Chapter 12-1 and Texas Transportation Code combine to require motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of passing distance, six feet for trucks and buses, while bicycles must yield in protected lanes per Austin Bicycle Plan.

Shared electric scooters operate under City of Austin and other municipal permits, not Travis County. Unincorporated Travis County has no shared-mobility license framework, so dockless scooters are uncommon outside city limits and CapMetro service zones.

An outdoor kitchen in Austin typically requires a residential building permit when the structure exceeds 200 sq ft or is attached to the main house. Gas line extensions need a plumbing permit, electrical work needs an electrical permit, and any potable water and drain lines require plumbing permits. Detached accessory structures count toward the lot's impervious-cover and FAR limits under LDC 25-2 Subchapter F. Setbacks of 5 feet from side and rear lot lines apply.

Austin adopts the International Fire Code through City Code Chapter 6-2. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies and within 10 feet of combustible construction in apartments, condos, and hotels. Single-family homes are exempt from the multifamily balcony rule. Small LP-gas cylinders of 1 lb (2.5 lb water capacity) are allowed even in multifamily settings. Citywide burn bans during drought can also restrict open flame.

Austin has no dedicated code provision for residential smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens beyond the general open-flame rules in IFC 308 and the nuisance provisions of City Code 10-1 (Nuisances). Single-family backyard smoker use is unrestricted. Multifamily balcony use falls under IFC 308.1.4. Texas does not regulate residential wood-smoke emissions at the state level, and Austin has no Spare-the-Air analog.

Austin has no ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, motor noise, and lighting hours are not capped by the municipal code. The constraints come from generally applicable rules: City Code 9-2 (noise) for blower motors after 10:30 p.m., LDC 25-10 (sign code) which exempts residential displays, and City Code 12 (right of way) for items placed on the public sidewalk. HOA CC&Rs typically impose stricter limits.

Austin imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (LDC 25-10) exempts non-commercial residential displays. Political signs are protected speech subject only to LDC 25-10's residential sign caps. HOA CC&Rs in deed-restricted neighborhoods often add architectural-review requirements that the city does not.

Austin has no city ordinance limiting the duration, brightness, or hours of residential holiday lighting. The sign code in City Code Chapter 25-10 expressly exempts non-commercial residential displays. The applicable enforcement levers are City Code Chapter 9-2 (noise) for amplified sound after 10:30 p.m. and City Code 10-1 (nuisance) for documented light trespass. HOA CC&Rs in deed-restricted neighborhoods often set firmer take-down dates.

Austin City Code Chapter 25-10 restricts garage sale signs to the property where the sale is taking place. Off-premises directional signs (such as signs at intersections pointing to a garage sale) are prohibited in the public right-of-way. Signs must be temporary and removed promptly after the sale ends. Bandit signs placed on utility poles, traffic signs, or public property are subject to removal by Austin Code Compliance and can result in fines.

Austin regulates political signs as temporary signs under Land Development Code Chapter 25-10. Residential properties may display non-illuminated temporary signs up to 8 square feet per sign and 36 square feet aggregate without permits. Texas state law preempts content-based timing rules; Austin applies content-neutral size and placement standards year-round.

Austin does not specifically regulate temporary holiday displays on private residential property beyond general sign code provisions in Chapter 25-10. Seasonal decorations including lights, inflatables, and yard displays are generally permitted without a permit. Displays should not obstruct public sidewalks, streets, or sight lines at intersections. HOA communities may have their own restrictions on holiday decoration timing and types. Electrical decorations must comply with the city's electrical code.

Austin's outdoor lighting regulations in Title 25 address light trespass by requiring shielded, full-cutoff fixtures that direct light downward and away from adjacent properties. The Land Development Code sets maximum illumination levels at property lines for commercial and multifamily development. Residential complaints about light trespass from commercial properties can be filed through Austin Code Department or 311. Enforcement typically involves requiring the offending light source to be shielded or repositioned.

Austin's Outdoor Lighting Code (Land Development Code §25-2) requires fully-shielded fixtures and caps color temperature at 3000K on new installations. The code aligns with Texas HB 916 and surrounding Hill Country dark-sky reserves protecting McDonald Observatory. Non-essential commercial lighting must dim or extinguish by 11:00 PM.

Austin's Land Development Code Title 25 and City Code Title 14 regulate where mobile food vendors can operate. Food trucks can operate on private property with the owner's permission and proper permits. The city has designated vending areas downtown and in commercial districts. Food trailer parks are a common model where multiple trucks share a private lot with permanent utility connections. Operations in the public right-of-way require additional authorization. Proximity restrictions apply near brick-and-mortar restaurants in some areas.

Austin offers some of the most food-truck-friendly permitting in Texas: Austin Public Health Mobile Food Vendor permit costs $263–$525/year depending on class, with no city-wide restaurant buffer. Trucks operate from a Travis County-permitted commissary and follow City Code §10-3 for siting. Most operators park on private lots with owner consent rather than the street.

Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 establishes setback requirements that vary by zoning district. In SF-2 (single-family small lot) zones, the front setback is 25 feet, side setbacks are 5 feet (15 feet on street side of corner lots), and rear setback is 10 feet. SF-3 (single-family standard lot) requires 25-foot front, 5-foot side, and 10-foot rear setbacks. Commercial and multifamily zones have different requirements. The city processes variance requests through the Board of Adjustment.

Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 sets maximum building coverage (impervious cover) by zoning district. SF-2 zones allow 40% building coverage and 45% impervious cover. SF-3 zones allow 40% building coverage and 45% impervious cover. The McMansion ordinance applies additional floor-to-area ratio (FAR) limits of 0.40:1 in affected neighborhoods. In the Barton Springs Zone, impervious cover limits are significantly lower (15-25%) under the Save Our Springs ordinance. Exceeding limits requires a variance.

Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 sets maximum building heights by zoning district. Single-family residential zones (SF-1 through SF-6) have a 35-foot height limit with a maximum of two stories. The McMansion ordinance (Subchapter F) further limits height and mass in certain central Austin neighborhoods to prevent oversized homes. Downtown and commercial zones have higher limits ranging from 40 to 60 feet, with some Capitol View Corridors limiting height to protect views of the State Capitol building.

Austin City Code Chapter 9-4 establishes a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. On school nights (Sunday-Thursday), minors must be off public streets by 11 PM and may not be out before 6 AM. On non-school nights (Friday-Saturday), the curfew is midnight to 6 AM. Exceptions include traveling to or from work, school events, emergencies, and exercising First Amendment rights. Parents or guardians can be cited for knowingly allowing curfew violations. Penalties include fines up to $500.

Austin city parks close at 10 PM and open at 5 AM under Austin Parks and Recreation Department rules. Presence in a city park during closed hours is a violation subject to citation by Austin Park Police. Some parks and greenbelts have specific posted hours that may differ. Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, and other high-use facilities have individual operating schedules. Special event permits can authorize after-hours use. The Barton Creek Greenbelt and other natural areas also close at dark for safety.

HOAs in Austin enforce architectural standards through their CC&Rs, governed by the Texas Property Code. Under Section 209.00505, if a property owner's architectural application is not denied within 60 days, it is automatically approved. Associations must follow documented guidelines and apply them consistently. Protected displays include U.S. and Texas flags and religious door items.

HOAs in Austin are governed by the Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act (Property Code Chapter 209). Board meetings must be open to all association members under Section 209.0051. The board cannot vote on enforcement actions, fines, or suspension of owner rights in closed session. Notice of meetings must include date, time, location, and agenda items.

Texas Property Code Chapter 209 governs HOA assessment collection in Austin. Before filing a lien for unpaid assessments, the HOA must provide a written 30-day notice of delinquency including the amount owed, late fees, and the owner's right to a payment plan. HOAs must offer repayment over at least 3 months. Foreclosure requires a court order and is prohibited if the debt is solely fines or attorney's fees.

Texas Property Code Section 209.0071 provides a mandatory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework for HOA disputes in Austin. Before an HOA or homeowner can file a lawsuit related to the governing documents, the complaining party must first offer ADR through mediation. This applies to disputes over enforcement actions, fines, architectural decisions, and assessment collection.

Texas Property Code Chapter 209 governs how HOAs in Austin enforce covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Before levying fines, the HOA must provide written notice specifying the violation and the owner's right to a hearing before the board. Fines and suspension of rights may only be imposed after an open board meeting vote. The HOA may not file a lien for fines alone.

Street vending in Austin requires a Right-of-Way Vendor Permit from the Transportation and Public Works Department. Vendors may place a cart or stand in the right-of-way not exceeding 4 feet by 5 feet. No person or company may hold more than three vendor permits. Food vendors also need permits from Austin Public Health and must comply with Chapter 10-3 of the Code of Ordinances (Food and Food Handlers).

Austin imposes specific location restrictions for street vendors in the right-of-way. The affected sidewalk area must be at least 16 feet wide with a minimum 10-by-10-foot unobstructed pedestrian space. Vendors cannot locate within 20 feet of another vending location or within 20 feet of a business entrance selling comparable merchandise. Additional restrictions apply near intersections, crosswalks, and transit stops.

Street vendors in Austin may place either a cart or a stand in the right-of-way, not exceeding 4 feet by 5 feet including non-detachable parts. Units must be self-contained with no connection to external utilities. Mobile food units must comply with Austin Public Health equipment standards and the Austin Fire Department inspection requirements for units with cooking appliances.

All commercial, student, and mobile filming in Austin's public right-of-way (streets, sidewalks, alleys) requires a film permit from the Office of Special Events (OSE) in the Transportation and Public Works Department. There is no cost for a right-of-way film permit. Applications must be submitted via the AB+C Portal at least 3 business days before filming. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence is required.

Film productions in Austin must comply with the city's noise ordinance (Chapter 9-2 of the Code of Ordinances). Unreasonable noises are strictly prohibited between 10:30 PM and 7:00 AM. Productions using generators, amplified sound, pyrotechnics, or other noise-generating equipment during permitted hours must still keep noise at reasonable levels. Noise waivers may be available through the special events permitting process for productions requiring overnight filming.

Film productions requiring street closures in Austin must obtain a permit from the Office of Special Events and submit a Traffic Control Plan. Police assistance is mandatory for any road closure. Applications must include the specific streets, dates, and hours of requested closures. There is no fee for the film permit itself, but police assistance and traffic control costs are the production's responsibility.

Austin accepts code violation reports through Austin 3-1-1 by phone (dial 311 or 512-974-2000), online at 311.austintexas.gov, or via the Austin 311 mobile app. Code Connect line for case updates: 512-974-2633.

Austin Code Compliance uses a tiered response system: Emergency (life safety) within 1 hour, Urgent (high-risk) within 1 day, Unsafe (structural/land use) within 3 days, and Maintenance (property) within 4 days.

Austin's most common code violations include high grass/weeds over 12 inches, illegal short-term rentals, unpermitted construction, junk vehicles, illegal dumping, and property maintenance failures. Austin City Code Chapters 25-2 (zoning) and 10-6 (property maintenance) govern most violations.

Austin exempts decks up to 200 sq ft, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and not in a flood zone. Larger or higher decks require a building permit. Uncovered patios at grade do not need permits.

Austin does not require permits for fences up to 7 feet that are not in a flood hazard area. Fences in flood zones always require a permit regardless of height. Pool barrier fences must meet IRC standards.

Austin exempts tool and storage sheds up to 120 square feet from building permits, provided they are not in a flood hazard area and have no plumbing or electrical. Larger sheds require a building permit. All sheds must meet zoning setbacks.

Austin requires building permits for renovations involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Cosmetic work is exempt. Permits can be obtained online or at the Permit Center. Small projects cost $100-$300; major renovations cost $1,000+.

Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 and Agriculture Code Chapter 251 limit municipal authority to zone or regulate land qualified for agricultural use appraisal. Counties have no general zoning authority, and cities face restrictions on annexing or imposing land use rules on established farms.

The Texas Right to Farm Act, Agriculture Code Chapter 251, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations after one year of operation. SB 1421 (2023) significantly strengthened protections, preempting municipal ordinances that restrict generally accepted agricultural practices.