Central Gardens, TX

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.