Beauxart Gardens, TX

Jefferson County does not set occupancy limits for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no zoning or building-code authority over single-family dwellings (Tex. Loc. Gov. Code Ch. 232). Inside Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, or other city limits, that city's STR or housing code applies.

Jefferson County has no county-level short-term rental permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties generally lack the zoning authority that cities use to license STRs. The City of Beaumont adopted its STR ordinance (Ord. ORD-26-001, codified at Sec. 28.04.009) requiring a permit and applying the city's 15% hotel occupancy tax to STRs. Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 (state hotel occupancy tax, 6%) applies to stays under 30 days regardless of location. Texas HB 2127 (88R, 2023) preemption litigation remains unresolved.

Jefferson County imposes a 2% county Hotel Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days, on top of the 6% state HOT. STRs in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, or Port Neches also pay that city's HOT. Filings due by the 20th of the following month.

Jefferson County does not regulate STR parking in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot impose off-street parking minimums on residential lots (Tex. Loc. Gov. Code Ch. 232). On-street parking on county roads must not block travel lanes, mailboxes, or driveways. City limits add their own STR parking rules.

Jefferson County does NOT have zoning authority over ADUs in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county building authority to specific safety, flood, and subdivision matters; counties cannot impose general residential zoning. The Jefferson County Subdivision and Development Regulations govern lot creation but do not restrict adding a second dwelling on an existing platted parcel. Properties inside Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Port Neches, or Groves city limits or ETJ follow that city's rules. On-site septic (OSSF) capacity reviewed by Environmental Control is the practical limit.

Jefferson County Commissioners Court may restrict 'restricted fireworks' (skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins) in the unincorporated county under Texas Local Government Code §352.051 when the Texas A&M Forest Service certifies a Keetch-Byram Drought Index of 575 or greater. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick issued a 90-day burn ban effective February 26, 2026 under TX LGC §352.081, which had been lifted by April 2026. Burn bans do not by themselves outlaw fireworks; a separate §352.051 fireworks order is required. State sales licensing is governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154.

Jefferson County does NOT regulate fencing for single-family residential pools in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county building authority. The state-level Texas Pool Yard Enclosure Act (Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757) imposes a 48-inch enclosure rule, but Section 757.002 limits its application to multiunit rental complexes and HOA-owned/maintained pools — not detached single-family homes. Inside Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Port Neches, or Groves city limits, that city's adopted IRC pool-barrier rules apply (e.g., Port Arthur Code Ch. 18 Art. XI).

Jefferson County has no general leash law in unincorporated areas. The Sheriff's Office handles livestock estrays and rabies quarantine under Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 822 and Ch. 826. Cities like Beaumont enforce strict leash rules: dogs off-property without a leash are 'at large' under Beaumont Ord. 4.03.001.

Jefferson County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority outside ETJ. The county's Subdivision and Development Regulations cover platting, drainage, and flood plain but contain no fence provisions. Cities (Beaumont, Port Arthur) set their own height limits.

Jefferson County has no noise ordinance with quiet hours in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general police power to regulate noise (Local Gov Code Ch. 233). State law (Penal Code §42.01(a)(5)) governs unreasonable noise countywide and is enforced by the Sheriff.

Jefferson County is a Gulf Coast hurricane-impact county (Rita 2005, Ike 2008, Harvey 2017) and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the Jefferson County Flood Damage Prevention Order, most recently amended June 27, 2023. A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction, fill, or substantial improvement within a Special Flood Hazard Area (FEMA Zone A, AE, AH, AO, V, VE) on the effective Jefferson County FIRM (2007). Floodway development requires a no-rise certification. Drainage District 6 (Beaumont area) and DD7 (Port Arthur/Nederland/Groves/Port Neches) provide separate drainage review.