What McKinney Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

McKinney is a mid-sized city in Collin County, Texas, with about 199000 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 65 ordinances across 23 categories that affect daily life in McKinney.

McKinney 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.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: McKinney prohibits garage sale signs in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, street signs, and medians. Signs allowed only on private property with owner consent and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale..

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for McKinney for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: McKinney requires door-to-door solicitors to obtain a Peddler or Solicitor Permit from the city before engaging in sales. Applications include background checks and 100 dollar fee under Code Chapter 110..

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

Building Safety

Building Permits: McKinney requires a building permit before construction. Chapter 122, § 122-25 of the City Code adopts the 2024 International Building and Residential Codes, whose permit provisions make an approved permit mandatory before you erect, alter, move, or demolish almost any structure citywide..

Also covered: Elevator Maintenance (limited). See the full building safety guide for McKinney for details.

HOA Rules

Board Procedures: McKinney HOAs operate under Texas Property Code Chapter 209, which requires open meetings for members, recorded board actions, and 72-hour notice for regular meetings of most residential POAs..

Also covered: Dispute Resolution (limited), Assessment & Dues (limited), CC&R Enforcement (limited). See the full hoa rules guide for McKinney for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: McKinney has NO local just-cause eviction ordinance. Texas is a no-cause termination state under Tex.

Also covered: Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for McKinney for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: McKinney enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under City Code Chapter 62 (Noise). Residential sound levels above 65 dBA day and 55 dBA night measured at the property line trigger violations, consistent with TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct standards..

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Aircraft Noise (permissive), Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for McKinney for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Elevation Requirements: In McKinney's mapped floodplain, new homes and substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood or fully developed 100-year flood elevation, whichever is higher: a full two feet of freeboard enforced by the city Engineering Department..

Also covered: Erosion Control (limited), Stormwater Management (limited), Flood Zones (limited). See the full environmental rules guide for McKinney for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Red-Light Cameras: McKinney cannot operate red-light cameras. Texas Transportation Code 707.020, added by HB 1631 and effective June 2, 2019, bars every local authority from implementing or operating a photographic traffic signal enforcement system on any street under its jurisdiction..

Parking Rules

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles: McKinney prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 1 ton or 22 ft in length in residential zoning districts except for active loading or service calls (2-hour limit). Semi-trailers, dump trucks, and tractor units are banned from residential streets overnight..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (permissive), Abandoned Vehicles (limited), Street Parking Limits (limited). See the full parking rules guide for McKinney for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: McKinney property owners must control rodents, roaches, and other vermin under the Property Maintenance Code. Commercial pesticide applicators must be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture and comply with TDA Structural Pest Control Service rules..

Home Business

Signage Rules: No business signage allowed on residential properties for home occupations in McKinney. Zoning Chapter 146 home occupation standards prohibit any display or sign visible from the street..

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

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: McKinney permits solar panel installation on residential and commercial properties. Building and electrical permits required.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for McKinney for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: McKinney permits wood, wrought iron, vinyl, masonry, and tubular steel fencing. Chain link is restricted in front yards and along arterial street frontages.

Also covered: Height Limits (limited). See the full fence regulations guide for McKinney for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Outdoor burning of yard waste, trash, and debris is prohibited in McKinney under TCEQ 30 TAC Section 111.209 and city ordinance. Only approved recreational fires and cooking fires are allowed..

Also covered: Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for McKinney for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Stays under 30 days in McKinney are taxed at a combined 13 percent: 6 percent Texas state HOT plus 7 percent City of McKinney HOT, remitted monthly; platforms like Airbnb collect state tax but operators verify city collection..

Also covered: Night Caps (permissive), Insurance Requirements (permissive), Occupancy Limits (limited). See the full short-term rentals guide for McKinney for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: McKinney regulates tree removal citywide under its Unified Development Code, Article 4. Critically altering a protected tree requires a Tree Permit from the Planning Department, and removed trees must be replaced by ratio or paid into the Tree Reforestation Fund..

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Artificial Turf (limited), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for McKinney for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: McKinney provides monthly bulk trash pickup for residential customers through CWD. Items must be placed curbside the night before scheduled collection, limited to 6 cubic yards per month..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (limited). See the full trash & recycling guide for McKinney for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Adult Entertainment: Sexually oriented businesses in McKinney can operate only in the MH heavy manufacturing district and must stand at least 1,000 feet from any church, school, child care facility, park, historic site, cemetery, or residential district or lot..

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cannabis cultivation is illegal in McKinney under Texas state law. TX Health and Safety Code §481.121 classifies marijuana possession as a criminal offense regardless of quantity or purpose..

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

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: McKinney recreational drone use is governed by FAA Part 107 and TX Government Code Ch. 423.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: McKinney prohibits dangerous wild animals under City Code Chapter 14, aligned with Texas Health & Safety Code 822.101-116. Lions, tigers, bears, non-human primates, and venomous reptiles require state registration and are generally banned within city limits..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (limited), Beekeeping (limited). See the full animal ordinances guide for McKinney for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: McKinney enforces International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with local amendments through Code Services. Blighted properties face citations for peeling paint, broken windows, sagging gutters, and structural deterioration..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (limited). See the full property maintenance guide for McKinney for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: McKinney enforces 2021 IRC Appendix G pool barriers: minimum 48-inch fence, self-closing and self-latching gates opening outward, latch 54 inches high, and door alarms on any house opening into the pool area..

Also covered: Pool Permits (limited). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for McKinney for details.

What to Do With This Information

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