Moving to Keller, TX? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Keller, Texas may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 115 tracked ordinances across 26 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Keller permits home occupations as accessory uses in single-family districts. The business must be incidental, cannot alter the exterior, and limits customer traffic.

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive). See the full home business guide for Keller for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Keller follows TX H&S Code 822 subchapter E and TX Parks and Wildlife Code 63. Big cats, bears, non-human primates, and many venomous reptiles are effectively barred as pets..

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Keller for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Keller enforces Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 pool barrier rules. Barriers must be 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates and openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Keller for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: Keller has no dedicated STR registration program. Operators must register for the Texas state hotel occupancy tax with the Comptroller and for the 7 percent Keller local hotel occupancy tax with the Finance Department..

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Insurance Requirements (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Keller for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Keller requires a building permit for any pool deeper than 24 inches. Plans must show barrier fencing, electrical bonding, and setbacks meeting Chapter 6 and the ISPSC..

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Fencing Requirements (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Keller for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Owners of vacant lots in Keller must keep them free of excessive weeds, trash, and debris. Grass cannot exceed the posted maximum height, and failure to maintain can trigger city-contracted mowing billed to the owner..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Keller for details.

Landscaping Rules

Grass Height Limits: Keller limits grass, weeds, and rank vegetation to 12 inches on all lots including the parkway strip. Code Enforcement uses a 10-day notice before abatement.

Also covered: Water Restrictions (strict), Artificial Turf (moderate), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Keller for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Texas has no statewide ADU mandate, and Keller zoning does not broadly permit ADUs in single-family districts. Guest quarters without kitchens may be allowed as accessory structures, but rental units need PD zoning..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (strict), Tiny Homes (strict). See the full accessory structures guide for Keller for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Keller does not operate a mandatory rental registration program for long-term residential rentals. Landlords must still follow Texas Property Code Chapter 92 habitability rules and city property maintenance codes..

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Just Cause Eviction (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Keller for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Political signs on Keller private property are protected under Texas Property Code 202.009 from most HOA bans and under Reed v. Gilbert from content-based city rules.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Keller for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Keller is in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Zone AE construction requires a Floodplain Development Permit and elevation above base flood elevation..

Also covered: Erosion Control (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Keller for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door solicitors in Keller must get a city permit, pass a background check, and follow hours and ID rules. Religious, political, and charitable canvassing are generally First Amendment exempt..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Keller for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Keller Zoning Ordinance limits single-family structures to 35 to 40 feet in most residential districts. Accessory buildings and fences have separate height caps, typically 15 feet and 8 feet respectively..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Keller for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Keller prohibits parking recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in front yards except on approved paved surfaces. Most Keller HOAs ban RV and boat storage in driveways entirely under recorded deed restrictions..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Keller for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drones in Keller require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification, drone registration, and airspace compliance. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 adds state imaging rules, and city event permits may apply..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Keller for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Texas Property Code 202.010 limits Keller HOA authority to prohibit solar energy devices. HOAs cannot ban roof-mounted solar on the owner's home but may impose reasonable appearance and placement rules..

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Keller for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Keller generally does not require a paid permit for occasional residential garage sales, but ordinances limit frequency, duration, and signage. Ongoing retail disguised as garage sales triggers commercial licensing..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Keller Zoning Ordinance allows mobile food vending in commercial and mixed-use districts with owner consent. Residential vending is restricted to temporary events and approved food truck nights..

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Keller for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Keller parks close overnight, typically from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., with violations handled as trespass or ordinance violations.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for Keller for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Keller prohibits exterior lighting that causes glare or excessive illumination crossing onto adjoining properties. Commercial property lines are typically capped at 0.5 foot-candles under the Lighting Standards..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Keller for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Keller provides single-stream curbside recycling through its franchise hauler. Participation is voluntary but encouraged, and specific rules govern accepted materials, contamination, and cart setout..

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Keller for details.

Noise Ordinances

Aircraft Noise: Aircraft noise is under FAA federal jurisdiction, not Keller control. Keller lies near DFW International Airport, Alliance Airport, and Meacham International flight paths..

Also covered: Construction Hours (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Keller for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: Keller HOAs may levy regular and special assessments under CCRs and Texas Property Code 209. Past-due assessments become statutory liens on the property with foreclosure rights limited by Chapter 209 subchapter D..

Also covered: Dispute Resolution (moderate), CC&R Enforcement (moderate), Board Procedures (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Keller for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Pre-1978 homes in Keller are subject to federal Lead Renovation Repair and Painting rules and Title X disclosure. Contractors disturbing lead paint must be EPA RRP-certified and provide the EPA pamphlet to owners..

Also covered: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate), Pest Control (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Keller for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home marijuana cultivation is illegal statewide under Texas Health and Safety Code 481, with no personal or medical exception. Only three licensed Compassionate Use operators may cultivate low-THC cannabis..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Keller for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: All consumer fireworks including sparklers are banned inside Keller city limits year-round under TX Occupations Code Chapter 2154. Violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to 2,000 dollars per offense..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Wildfire Zones (permissive), Backyard Fires (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Keller for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Keller includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.