A Resident's Guide to Arlington's Local Ordinances

Arlington is a mid-sized city in Tarrant County, Texas, with about 394000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 108 ordinances across 36 categories that affect daily life in Arlington.

Arlington takes a lighter touch compared to many cities. More than half of its ordinances sit at the more permissive end of the scale. That does not mean there are no rules, but enforcement tends to focus on clear violations rather than minor infractions.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Arlington caps accessory dwelling units at 800 square feet and counts each toward the lot's maximum dwelling-unit total, but only requires one parking space per ADU. Units can sit inside, attached to, or detached from the primary home, including above or beside a garage..

Special Events & Permits

Street Fair Rules: A carnival, circus, or festival-style amusement ride in Arlington needs a special event/temporary outdoor event permit from the Building Official before operations begin, under UDC Sec. 3.4.5.A as revised by Ordinance No.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Industrial noise in Arlington is regulated through Chapter 22 (Noise) and the zoning ordinance. Facilities in Light Industrial (LI) and Industrial Manufacturing (IM) districts near Great Southwest Parkway, Avenue E, and the SH 360 corridor must not produce noise that exceeds nuisance limits at the boundary of adjacent residential or commercial districts.

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Barking Dogs (limited). See the full noise ordinances guide for Arlington for details.

Employment Preemption

Paid Leave Preemption: Arlington cannot require employers to provide paid sick leave. Texas HB 2127 (the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, 2023) preempts municipal employment regulations, voiding earlier paid-leave ordinances passed in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas..

Also covered: Minimum Wage Preemption (permissive), Worker Scheduling Preemption (permissive). See the full employment preemption guide for Arlington for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Fireworks are completely banned inside Arlington city limits under authority of Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154, which allows municipalities over 100,000 population to prohibit consumer fireworks. Possession, sale, and discharge all carry Class C misdemeanor penalties up to $2,000 per offense..

Also covered: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (moderate), Wildfire Zones (permissive), Smoke Detectors (limited). See the full fire regulations guide for Arlington for details.

Trash & Recycling

Dumpster Rules: Arlington's Unified Development Code requires dumpsters and other trash and recycling service areas in Form-Based Zoning Districts to sit behind buildings, on a concrete pad, and screened on three sides by a masonry wall six to eight feet tall with a solid gate at least six feet high on the fourth side. The gate must stay closed except during pickups..

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Illegal Dumping (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Arlington for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Encroachment Permits: Awnings, canopies and other shading structures may project over Arlington's public right-of-way only if the owner signs an encroachment agreement with the city. Structures must clear the ground by at least 8 feet and extend at least 6 feet from the building wall..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Arlington mobile food establishments can't vend within one block of an elementary, junior high, or middle school, can't stop to sell for more than 30 minutes outside an approved event, and need written Parks Department permission to vend near a park concession stand, per Health Chapter Sec. 4.20.

Also covered: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (limited), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Arlington for details.

HOA Rules

HOA Fines & Enforcement: Before an Arlington HOA can levy a fine for a covenant, bylaw, or rule violation, Texas Property Code Chapter 209 forces it to mail written notice first, describe the violation, state any amount owed, and give the owner a chance to be heard..

Also covered: CC&R Enforcement (limited). See the full hoa rules guide for Arlington for details.

Home Business

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits: Arlington allows a home occupation as an accessory use to a residence in every residential zoning district, plus the FBZ-TN and RMU form-based districts, under UDC Sec. 3.3.6.H as revised by Ordinance 26-019.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Signage Rules (moderate), Home Daycare (limited). See the full home business guide for Arlington for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: Arlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 permits backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) on lots at least 10,000 square feet, with coops set back from property lines. Traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) is prohibited on lots under 1 acre and requires Agricultural zoning or grandfathered rights..

Also covered: Pet Limits (limited), Cat Rules (limited), Mandatory Spay/Neuter (limited). See the full animal ordinances guide for Arlington for details.

Rental Property Rules

Eviction Moratorium History: Arlington tenants were briefly protected by the federal CDC and CARES Act eviction moratoriums from 2020 through August 2021, but Texas courts and the Texas Supreme Court resumed forcible-detainer hearings in 2021. No Arlington-specific moratorium was ever enacted citywide..

Also covered: No-Fault Evictions (permissive), AB-1482 Notice Disclosure (permissive), Tenant Anti-Harassment (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Arlington for details.

Building Safety

Building Permits: In Arlington it is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish any building or structure without first obtaining a building permit from the city's Building Official. Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are also required..

Also covered: Green Building Code (limited), Fire Sprinkler Requirements (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (limited). See the full building safety guide for Arlington for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Texas Health and Safety Code §161.0815 bars selling tobacco or e-cigarettes to anyone under 21; Arlington retailers must verify ID and face DSHS-led enforcement and license actions..

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (permissive). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Arlington for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: Arlington enforces general obstruction-of-sidewalk and entertainment-district public-conduct rules but has no broad sit-lie ordinance criminalizing sitting or lying on public sidewalks. Texas Penal Code §42.03 obstruction provisions apply when a person blocks pedestrian or vehicle passage..

Single-Use Items

Polystyrene Foam Rules: The same Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act analysis that preempted plastic bag bans also blocks Arlington from banning expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers used by local restaurants..

Also covered: Plastic Bag Rules (permissive), Plastic Straw Rules (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for Arlington for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Arlington has not authorized large-scale dockless e-scooter operations. Limited shared-mobility deployments require city permits and operational agreements, with most riding occurring on the UTA campus and within the Entertainment District around AT&T Stadium event days..

Also covered: Red-Light Cameras (permissive), Bike Lane Rules (limited). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Arlington for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Towing Companies: A tow company running non-consent tows that originate in Arlington must register its wrecker with the city, and every tow truck must carry a state TDLR permit. Texas law lets Arlington regulate non-consent tow fees, but only up to the ceiling the state licensing commission sets..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (moderate), Adult Entertainment (moderate), Tobacco Retail License (limited). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Arlington for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Arlington requires a tree Preservation Plan for all development under UDC Section 5.2.3. Residential sites over one acre must preserve at least 35 percent of their tree inventory; non-residential and multi-family projects must reach a net-positive plan or mitigate by replanting or paying into the Reforestation Fund..

Also covered: Native Plants (permissive), Weed Ordinances (limited), Artificial Turf (limited). See the full landscaping rules guide for Arlington for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Above-ground pools in Arlington capable of holding water deeper than 24 inches require a building permit and must meet the same barrier, electrical, and setback standards as in-ground pools. Ladders must be removable or securable to prevent unsupervised child access when the pool is not in use..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (limited). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Arlington for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Arlington restricts electric fences to the IM Industrial Manufacturing district and bans them outright in the Downtown Form-Based Zoning District and Entertainment District overlay, under UDC Sec. 5.3.4.B.3.

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Arlington for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: Arlington's short-term rental ordinance caps guest occupancy based on bedroom count, typically two guests per bedroom plus up to two additional, with an overall ceiling tied to the unit's International Property Maintenance Code floor-area and egress standards. Events, parties, and weddings at STRs are not permitted without a separate event authorization, and violations can trigger fines and registration revocation..

Also covered: Extended Home Share (permissive), Host Platform Liability (permissive), Night Caps (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Arlington for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: Every Arlington food establishment must conspicuously display its most recent inspection letter grade in public view, per Health Chapter Sec. 4.08(A).

Also covered: Rodent Control (limited), Food Handler Certification (limited), Syringe Disposal (limited). See the full public health rules guide for Arlington for details.

Immigration Policy

E-Verify Mandates: Texas requires E-Verify for state agencies and state contractors under Government Code 673.002. Arlington does not impose its own city-wide E-Verify mandate, but state-funded projects at AT&T Stadium and UTA must comply..

Also covered: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (permissive). See the full immigration policy guide for Arlington for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Arlington imposes a 9% city Hotel Occupancy Tax on rooms costing $2 or more per day, stacked on top of the 6% Texas state HOT for a combined 15% rate, one of the higher hotel taxes in Texas..

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Arlington bans smoking and vaping inside all city-owned buildings, vehicles, and within 25 feet of public entrances. City parks, trails, and public playgrounds are smoke-free; private restaurants and bars set their own indoor policies..

Also covered: Public Alcohol Use (limited), Loud Party Ordinance (moderate), Public Marijuana Use (limited). See the full public conduct guide for Arlington for details.

Water Use Rules

Turf Replacement Rebates: Arlington Water Utilities offers rebates for homeowners converting thirsty turf grass to drought-tolerant landscaping. The program reimburses up to 250 dollars for qualified projects using approved native plant lists from Texas SmartScape regional resources..

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: New development in Arlington's Form-Based Zoning Districts must install pedestrian lighting certified by Darksky International, capped at 16 feet tall and spaced no more than 75 feet apart along the sidewalk's Furnishing Zone. The rule applies to development-installed pedestrian fixtures, not private residential lighting generally..

Also covered: Light Trespass & Shielding (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Arlington for details.

Parking Rules

EV Charging: New multi-family and mixed-use residential developments in Arlington must install electric vehicle charging under the city's Green Building Performance Standards, Construction Chapter Sec. 1.04.H(6)(b).

Also covered: Overnight Parking (limited), Commercial & Oversized Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Arlington for details.

Rental Inspections

Inspection Programs: Arlington puts every multi-family complex, duplex, and extended-stay hotel on a mandatory city inspection roll and bills the owner a recurring inspection fee to enforce the Uniform Housing Code. Complexes pay semi-annually, duplexes annually, and skipping payment is a misdemeanor carrying up to $500 per day..

Sign Regulations

Digital Billboards: Digital billboards are allowed in Arlington only in the GC, LI, and IM districts along I-20, I-30, SH 360, and US 287, and only by converting an existing billboard, each subject to strict electronic-message standards..

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Arlington for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Cannabis cultivation is illegal in Texas. Texas has one of the most restrictive cannabis laws in the nation.

Also covered: Cannabis Delivery Rules (permissive), Personal Cultivation Limits (permissive), Buffer Zones (permissive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Arlington for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Arlington enforces stormwater management regulations through its Stormwater Management Department and the city's Code of Ordinances. The city operates under a Phase I MS4 NPDES permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Arlington for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Arlington actively enforces property blight standards through its Code Compliance division. Property owners must maintain their properties free of accumulated junk, debris, abandoned vehicles, and deteriorated conditions..

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Arlington sets front setbacks as the greater of the applicable sub-district standard or the minimum needed to meet sidewalk and Furnishing Zone requirements. Side and rear building projections must stay at least 5 feet off any non-street property line, and the Zoning Administrator can grant only narrow, capped adjustments through a Minor Modification..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Arlington for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Arlington requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations. Texas Property Code §202.010 protects homeowners' right to install solar energy devices and limits HOA restrictions.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Arlington, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.