Dallas County is inland — no Gulf coast, no Texas Open Beaches Act jurisdiction, and no GLO coastal-construction rules apply. The relevant inland program is the Dallas County Floodplain Development Permit, required for any work in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area in unincorporated areas. Most unincorporated land is in the Trinity River floodplain; floodway encroachment is prohibited absent a FEMA CLOMR.
Dallas County has no coastline, so Tex. Nat. Res. Code Ch. 61 (Open Beaches Act) and General Land Office coastal-construction rules do not apply. Dallas County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and administers floodplain rules through the Department of Unincorporated Area Services (DUAS) and Public Works. A Floodplain Development Permit is required before any grading, fill, structure, fence, or accessory building in a FEMA SFHA in unincorporated areas — and per DUAS, most unincorporated Dallas County land sits in the Trinity River floodplain, so a permit (or a verification letter showing the site is outside the SFHA) is the default starting point for any project. Floodway encroachment is prohibited unless FEMA issues a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) confirming no rise in the base flood elevation. Required submittals typically include an Elevation Certificate, topographic survey, and engineered no-rise analysis. Dallas County also participates in the Trinity River Common Vision Program coordinated by the Trinity River Authority. Inside city limits (Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Richardson, etc.), the city's floodplain administrator — not the county — issues permits. Confirm jurisdictional waters and floodplain status with DUAS at 214-653-6565 or development@dallascounty.org.
Floodplain work without a Dallas County Floodplain Development Permit can trigger NFIP non-compliance findings, county-issued stop-work orders, mandatory removal or elevation of unpermitted structures, civil penalties under Tex. Water Code Ch. 16, and loss of flood insurance eligibility for the property. Floodway encroachment without a FEMA CLOMR is independently actionable.
Mesquite, TX
Mesquite allows gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment during daytime hours, generally 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no city-wide gas blower ban.
Mesquite, TX
Outdoor music in Mesquite is allowed but cannot be plainly audible at neighboring residences after 10 p.m.; commercial venues need special event permits.
Mesquite, TX
Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with commercial markings cannot park on Mesquite residential streets overnight; semi-trucks and trailers face stricter limits.
Mesquite, TX
Overnight on-street parking is generally allowed in Mesquite where not signed otherwise, but vehicles cannot remain in the same spot for more than 48-72 hours.
Mesquite, TX
On-street parking in Mesquite is allowed where not signed otherwise; vehicles must park with the flow of traffic and cannot block driveways, hydrants, or sig...
Mesquite, TX
Mesquite limits residential fences to 8 feet in rear/side yards and 4 feet in front yards, with corner-lot visibility triangles enforced for traffic safety.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how other cities in Dallas County handle coastal development.
See how Mesquite's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
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