Texas counties have very limited zoning power, so Dallas County does not run a sexually oriented business licensing program. Each Dallas County city, including Dallas, Irving, Garland, and Mesquite, regulates SOBs under municipal code and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 243 secondary-effects authority.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 243 authorizes counties to regulate sexually oriented businesses only in unincorporated areas, and Dallas County has not adopted a comprehensive SOB ordinance. Almost the entire county sits inside an incorporated city, where the municipality enforces its own SOB code under Chapter 243 and Penal Code Chapter 43. Dallas regulates SOBs under City Code Chapter 41A with 1,000-foot buffers, employee permits, and stage rules; Irving, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Carrollton, and Grand Prairie maintain similar ordinances. Dallas County Sheriff enforces Penal Code obscenity and prostitution statutes countywide. The Dallas County District Attorney prosecutes SOB-related criminal cases such as compelling prostitution under Penal Code 43.05.
Operating an unlicensed SOB is enforced by the city in which the business sits. Penal Code 43 obscenity, prostitution, and compelling prostitution charges are filed by the Dallas County DA. Sheriff enforcement applies in unincorporated pockets only.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts. Commercial vehicles over one ton rated capacity, semi-tractors, trailers ove...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto requires all residential swimming pools with water depths over 24 inches to be fully enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall, per Texas...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto generally permits wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain link, masonry, and composite fences in residential zones, but each district has specific rules. Fro...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto limits residential fence heights based on yard location. Fences in front yards are typically limited to 4 feet tall, while side and rear yard fences m...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto requires fences to be structurally sound, properly installed, and maintained in good repair. Posts must be set in concrete footings of adequate depth ...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto discourages feeding of wildlife that creates nuisance or public health concerns. Intentional feeding of feral hogs, coyotes, raccoons, and similar wil...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how DeSoto's adult entertainment rules stack up against other locations.
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