Pop. 72,980 · Tarrant County
Mansfield does not ban any dog breed. TX Health and Safety Code 822 (Lillian's Law) preempts city breed bans and uses a behavior-based dangerous dog standard. HOAs may privately restrict breeds.
Mansfield allows backyard hens with coop setbacks from neighboring homes under Chapter 14. Roosters are restricted in residential zones, and TX HB 1750 (2023) protects hens as agricultural operations.
Mansfield discourages feeding of deer, coyotes, feral hogs, and raccoons. Intentional feeding that attracts wildlife causing a nuisance can be abated under Chapter 14 and state game laws.
Mansfield bans dangerous wild animals under TX Health and Safety Code 822 Subchapter E. Non-human primates, big cats, bears, and crocodilians cannot be kept as pets in the city.
Mansfield prohibits cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, and goats on standard residential lots under Chapter 14 and the UDC. Livestock is permitted on agricultural zoning and large estate tracts.
Mansfield requires dogs to be leashed off the owner's property under Chapter 14. Running at large is a Class C offense. Off-leash is allowed only in designated dog park areas.
Mansfield allows backyard beekeeping on residential lots. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 and the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) govern registration, hive movement, and disease.
Mansfield requires property owners to maintain vegetation and remove accumulated brush that creates fire hazards. The Fire Department may order abatement of hazardous vegetation under the property maintenance code.
Mansfield requires working smoke alarms in all residential dwellings under the IRC and Texas Property Code Chapter 92. Landlords must install and maintain alarms in rentals, and new construction requires hardwired units.
Mansfield is not a designated wildland-urban interface high-risk zone, and Texas has no statewide defensible space mandate. The city relies on standard fire code and Tarrant County burn bans during dry periods.
Mansfield allows backyard recreational fires in contained pits or approved appliances for cooking or warming. Fires must be attended, use clean fuel, and stay 25 feet from structures. Prohibited during burn bans.
Mansfield prohibits the sale, possession, and discharge of all consumer fireworks within city limits. The ban covers firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and aerial shells, with fines up to 2000 dollars.
Mansfield prohibits most outdoor burning under TCEQ rule 30 TAC 111.209. Burning yard waste, trash, and construction debris is banned. Only contained recreational fires and authorized ceremonial fires are allowed.
Mansfield allows recreational fire pits under 3 feet wide for cooking or warming when fuel is contained. Fires must be at least 25 feet from structures, attended at all times, and use clean wood only.
Mansfield enforces Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 pool barriers: minimum 48 inch non-climbable fence, self-closing and self-latching gates, and pool alarms or door locks on house openings facing the pool.
Mansfield requires a building permit and engineered plans for any retaining wall over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top. Walls within drainage easements require additional review.
Mansfield requires no permit for standard wood or metal fences at or below 8 feet. Masonry fences, retaining walls over 4 feet, and pool barriers require Mansfield Building Services permits.
Mansfield fence disputes are handled through Texas Property Code 26 and TX SB 1588 (2021) for HOA overlays. Cost sharing is customary but not mandated by state law; written agreements are strongly recommended.
Mansfield prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fences in residential zoning districts. Masonry over 4 feet requires engineered plans. HOAs commonly mandate cedar, wrought iron, or masonry.
Mansfield requires fences to comply with the UDC on height, setback, easements, sight triangles, and finished-side placement. Solid wood fences must present the finished side outward to the public street.
Mansfield limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and side or rear fences to 8 feet under the Unified Development Code. Corner-lot street sides follow the 4 foot front-yard rule.
Mansfield supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping. Texas Property Code 202.007 protects homeowner rights to install xeriscape even in HOA communities, and the city encourages regional water conservation.
Mansfield permits residential artificial turf installation. Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents HOAs from banning artificial turf installed for water conservation, though HOAs may regulate appearance and quality.
Mansfield enforces year-round twice-weekly outdoor watering schedules with sprinklers banned 10 am to 6 pm. Drought stages declared by Tarrant Regional Water District add further restrictions when needed.
Mansfield requires property owners to trim trees that obstruct sidewalks, streets, or visibility triangles. Street trees and right-of-way trees may require coordination with Public Works before significant work.
Mansfield limits grass and weeds to 12 inches under its property maintenance code. Code Enforcement issues notices and the city may mow at the owners expense with lien authority if violations are not addressed.
Mansfield permits residential rainwater harvesting with minimal restrictions. Texas Property Code 202.007 bars HOAs from banning rain barrels, and state HB 3391 encourages harvesting. Basic barrels need no permit.
Mansfield prohibits accumulations of weeds and noxious plants exceeding 12 inches. Property owners must maintain lots free of rank vegetation, and the city may abate violations and lien costs to the property.
Mansfield has tree preservation rules in its zoning code for development projects. Street tree removal requires city approval. Single-family backyard tree removal is generally unrestricted unless heritage trees.
Mansfield regulates carports under the accessory structure rules. Carports typically require building permits, observe standard setbacks, and face restrictions in front yards. HOA approval is often required.
Mansfield does not accommodate tiny homes below zoning minimum dwelling sizes. Single-family zones require 1200+ square foot minimums, and tiny homes on wheels cannot serve as permanent dwellings without rezoning.
Mansfield regulates garage conversions to habitable living space under Mansfield Code Chapter 155 (Zoning) and the locally adopted International Residential Code. Where the conversion creates an Accessory Dwelling Unit, §155.099(B)(35) caps the unit at 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the primary dwelling, and the combined accessory area cannot exceed 2,500 sq ft. Most single-family zones require ADU listing in the permitted uses table.
Mansfield permits residential sheds, with building permits required for structures over 120 square feet. Sheds must observe rear and side setbacks and height limits, and cannot be used for habitation.
Mansfield regulates Accessory Dwelling Units under Mansfield Zoning Ordinance Chapter 155, specifically §155.099(B)(35) (Special Conditions), with ADUs permitted where specified in §155.054 (Permitted Uses), §155.072 (Downtown District), and §155.073 (South Mansfield Form-based Development District). ADUs are capped at 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the primary dwelling's habitable area, whichever is greater.
Mansfield does not mandate STR insurance, but standard HO-3 homeowners policies exclude commercial use. Hosts should carry commercial STR or landlord coverage with 1 million dollars liability.
Mansfield has no STR registry. Operators must register with the Texas Comptroller for state HOT and with Mansfield Finance for local HOT. HOA communities may require separate rental registration.
Mansfield STRs must collect 6 percent state HOT and 7 percent Mansfield HOT under TX Tax Code 156 and 351. Platforms collect state tax but hosts typically must remit local HOT to Mansfield Finance.
Mansfield STRs follow residential parking rules. Street parking cannot block driveways or mailboxes. RVs and trailers cannot be stored on residential streets. HOA rules often cap guest vehicles.
Mansfield follows IPMC sleeping standards: 70 sq ft for 1 occupant and 50 per additional occupant. Residential rules apply, and industry practice caps STR occupancy at 2 per bedroom plus 2.
Mansfield does not cap annual STR rental nights. Any stay under 30 consecutive days is subject to hotel occupancy tax. HOA covenants in master-planned communities may impose minimum stay terms.
STR guests in Mansfield follow the same noise ordinance as residents. Section 130.07 applies a plainly audible at 50 feet standard between 11 PM and 7 AM. Hosts are liable for guest conduct.
Mansfield has no dedicated STR registry but requires compliance with zoning and hotel tax rules. Operators must collect state 6 percent and local 7 percent HOT and follow residential use standards.
Mansfield requires residential driveways to be concrete or asphalt, connect to a permitted approach, and meet minimum width standards. Gravel driveways are generally not allowed.
Mansfield requires electrical permits for Level 2 and DC fast chargers. Home chargers follow NEC Article 625 and commercial stations need permits and inspections.
Mansfield enforces abandoned vehicle laws under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683. Vehicles left over 48 hours on streets or in public view without operation may be tagged and towed.
Mansfield prohibits parking large commercial vehicles and semi-trailers in residential districts overnight. Weight and length thresholds apply.
Mansfield allows on-street parking on most residential streets but prohibits parking on main thoroughfares, within 15 feet of a hydrant, and against the flow of traffic.
Mansfield permits overnight parking on most residential streets unless posted, but prohibits extended stays exceeding 48 hours and requires all driveway parking on approved surfaces.
Mansfield restricts RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential front yards and requires parking on approved surfaces behind the front building line for most properties.
Mansfield requires a home occupation permit for businesses run from a residence. Use must be secondary to the dwelling, with limited employees and no retail traffic. Apply through Planning.
Mansfield permits home occupations in residential districts when secondary to residential use. Operations cannot change the homes exterior, must limit employees and customer visits, and no retail sales are allowed.
Mansfield prohibits signs advertising home businesses in residential districts. The residential character standard means no commercial signage, and prominent vehicle-mounted advertising is restricted overnight.
Mansfield home occupation rules limit customer visits to preserve residential character. Regular foot traffic, customer parking needs, and commercial deliveries beyond normal residential volume are restricted.
Mansfield follows the Texas Cottage Food Law under Health and Safety Code Chapter 437, which preempts local rules. Home bakers may sell non-TCS foods directly to consumers without a local permit.
Mansfield allows registered family home daycare under state license. TX HHSC regulates child care under 42 TAC 747. Zoning treats licensed home daycare as an accessory home occupation.
Mansfield pools must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act for drain covers, IRC Appendix V barriers, and TX HSC 757 for operations. Signage and depth markers apply to multi-family pools.
Mansfield requires building, electrical, plumbing, and fence permits for pools. IRC Appendix V and TX Health and Safety Code 757 apply. Plan review through Mansfield Building Services is required.
Mansfield pools need a 48-inch barrier under IRC Appendix V and TX HSC 757. Gates must self-close and self-latch with 4-inch max openings. Door alarms apply if the house is part of the barrier.
Mansfield hot tubs need electrical permits and must meet IRC Appendix V. A locked ASTM F1346 cover can substitute for a 48-inch barrier. GFCI protection and equipotential bonding are required.
Mansfield treats above-ground pools holding 24 inches of water like in-ground pools for permit, barrier, and safety rules. Portable inflatable pools over this depth need barriers under IRC Appendix V.
Mansfield does not publish a table of numeric decibel caps. The city uses a plainly audible standard in Chapter 74 and relies on the 85 dB disorderly conduct threshold in TX Penal 42.01 for measurement-based enforcement.
Mansfield treats habitual barking as a public nuisance under Chapter 14 (Animals) and Chapter 74 (Offenses). Continuous barking of 10 to 15 minutes or intermittent barking over 30 minutes can trigger citations.
Mansfield regulates amplified music under Chapter 74 as noise plainly audible across property lines. Outdoor events at Big League Dreams, Farr Best Theater, and parks require permits that set volume and cut-off times.
Outdoor music in Mansfield is regulated under Chapter 74 and the special events policy. Restaurants with patios and parks events typically must end amplified music by 10 PM weeknights and 11 PM weekends.
Mansfield has no standalone leaf blower ordinance or gas blower ban. Blowers are regulated through the general noise rule in Chapter 74 and the 7 AM to 10 PM community standard for outdoor power equipment.
Industrial noise in Mansfield is regulated through Chapter 74 and UDC performance standards. Facilities in I-1 and I-2 districts along the US-287 corridor must attenuate noise at residential lines.
Aircraft noise over Mansfield National Airpark is preempted by the FAA under 49 USC 40103. The city controls land use and curfews only through airport minimum standards, not flight operations.
Mansfield enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under Chapter 74 (Offenses) of the City Code, layered on TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct with an 85 dB disturbance threshold.
Mansfield limits routine construction noise to roughly 7 AM to 10 PM under Chapter 74 of the City Code. Work outside those hours near homes requires special approval or is treated as a noise violation.
Mansfield does not maintain a citywide rental registration or licensing program. Landlords must comply with Texas Property Code Chapter 92 for habitability, security devices, and smoke alarms.
Mansfield has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions follow Texas Property Code Chapter 24, allowing landlords to terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice without stating a reason.
Mansfield does not impose rent control. Texas Local Government Code 214.902 preempts most local rent regulation, allowing only emergency measures under narrow conditions.
Mansfield regulates garage sales through permit and signage rules. Sales are typically limited to 2-3 per calendar year per household and must be conducted on residential property, not vacant lots.
Mansfield requires residents to store trash and recycling carts out of public view between collection days. Carts left in the front yard or at the curb more than 24 hours after pickup violate property maintenance code.
Mansfield has no ordinance requiring homeowners to shovel snow from sidewalks. Snow and ice events are rare in North Texas and the city focuses street clearing on major thoroughfares rather than residential walks.
Owners of vacant lots in Mansfield must keep weeds and grass below 12 inches and remove trash and debris. The city can mow and clean up neglected lots and assess a lien against the property for costs.
Mansfield prohibits accumulations of trash, junk, abandoned vehicles, overgrown weeds, and dilapidated structures. Violations are enforced through property maintenance and nuisance ordinances.
Mansfield HOA CCRs are enforced via fines, liens, and injunctive suits under TX Property Code 202 and 209. SB 1588 requires notice, cure period, and hearing. State preempts bans on flags, solar, and landscape.
Mansfield HOA assessments are liens under TX Property Code 209. SB 1588 (2021) requires 30-day notice before late fees, caps monthly fees, and mandates payment order: assessments before fines.
TX Property Code 209.006 requires HOAs to offer a hearing before fines. Owners can use ADR, file in JP court under 20,000 dollars, or sue in district court. Attorney fees available to prevailing owner under 209.008.
Mansfield HOA boards follow TX Property Code 209 (POA Act): open meetings, 10-day annual notice, owner record inspection, and fiduciary duties. SB 1588 (2021) adds online CCR posting for 60+ lot HOAs.
Mansfield HOA ARCs operate under TX Property Code 202. State law preempts bans on solar (202.010), drought landscaping (202.007), and flags (202.011). ARCs must act in reasonable time or approval may be deemed.
Mansfield zoning caps residential building height at 35 feet or 2-and-a-half stories in most SF districts. Commercial and multi-family heights vary by district.
Mansfield zoning sets minimum front, side, and rear setbacks by district. Typical SF-7.5 residential requires 25-foot front, 5-foot side, and 10-foot rear setbacks.
Mansfield zoning limits building and impervious coverage per lot. Typical SF districts allow 40 to 50 percent building coverage with additional impervious caps for stormwater control.
Mansfield zoning requires outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed downward. Excessive glare, uplighting, and light trespass onto neighbors may violate the nuisance ordinance.
Mansfield treats unwanted light crossing onto neighboring property as a potential nuisance. Floodlights must be aimed and shielded to limit illumination at the property line.
Texas Property Code 202.010 limits HOA authority over solar devices. Mansfield HOAs can regulate placement but generally cannot prohibit functional rooftop solar.
Mansfield requires building and electrical permits for residential solar PV systems. Plans review covers roof loading, fire setbacks, and interconnection to the utility grid.
Mansfield requires mobile food vendors to obtain a city permit, a Tarrant County Public Health food permit, and to operate only in approved locations.
Mansfield limits mobile food vending to commercial zoning districts and special event areas. Residential streets, public parks without event permits, and rights-of-way are off-limits.
Mansfield requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb with handles facing the house, at least 3 feet from obstacles. Carts must be stored out of public view between collection days.
Mansfield provides curbside single-stream recycling with a dedicated cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastics 1-2, aluminum, and glass. Recycling is not mandatory.
Mansfield offers bulky item pickup on scheduled collection days for items like furniture and appliances. Residents must call to schedule and follow size and quantity limits established by the solid waste provider.
Mansfield residents receive weekly curbside trash collection through the city contractor. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and removed within 24 hours after pickup.
Recreational drone use in Mansfield is governed primarily by FAA rules. Texas Gov Code Chapter 423 prohibits surveillance flights. City parks may prohibit drone takeoffs and landings.
Commercial drone operations in Mansfield require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operations near DFW and Mansfield Regional Airport require LAANC airspace authorization.
Home cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Mansfield. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 classifies marijuana as a controlled substance, making any cultivation a felony offense regardless of quantity.
Recreational cannabis dispensaries are illegal in Mansfield because Texas prohibits recreational sales. Only licensed Compassionate Use dispensing organizations may operate statewide.
Mansfield parks are generally closed from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. Being in a closed park after hours is a municipal ordinance violation enforceable by the Mansfield Police and Parks Department.
Mansfield enforces a juvenile curfew ordinance under Texas Local Government Code 370.002 typically prohibiting minors under 17 from being in public places after 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.
Mansfield follows EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR 745) for pre-1978 homes. Contractors must be RRP-certified. Sellers and landlords must disclose lead paint under 42 USC 4852d. TX DSHS handles blood lead reporting.
Mansfield requires scaffolds on building sites to comply with the adopted International Building Code and OSHA standards. Permits cover erection near public ways.
Mansfield property owners must eliminate rodent harborage and pest infestations under the adopted International Property Maintenance Code and city nuisance ordinances.
Mansfield elevators are regulated by TX Health and Safety Code 754 through TDLR. Annual inspections, licensed contractors, and posted certificates are required. TDLR enforces ASME A17.1 standards.
Mansfield cannot ban political signs on private residential property and must follow Texas Election Code and Property Code 202.009. HOAs are also restricted in limiting political signs during election periods.
Mansfield prohibits garage sale signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, and on traffic control devices. Signs must go on private property and be removed within 24 hours after the sale.
Mansfield generally allows seasonal holiday displays on private residential property without a permit. HOAs may impose reasonable duration and size rules under TX Property Code 202.
Mansfield participates in the NFIP and enforces a floodplain ordinance. Construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires elevation certificates and permits before building.
Mansfield requires erosion and sediment controls on all construction sites. BMPs include silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized entrances verified during inspections.
Mansfield requires grading permits for significant earthwork and drainage plans showing no adverse impact to adjacent properties. Lot regrading must preserve existing drainage patterns.
Mansfield operates a Phase II MS4 stormwater program under TPDES permit. Construction sites over 1 acre need SWPPP and must prevent pollutant discharge to storm drains.
Tarrant County is inland — no coastal jurisdiction or Texas General Land Office Open Beaches Act rules apply. Waterfront development along the Trinity River, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Worth, and Lake Arlington is regulated through Tarrant County's NFIP floodplain permit program and the controlling lake authority (Tarrant Regional Water District or USACE).
Mansfield solicitor rules generally require canvassers to honor No Solicitors signs at the door. Violators can be charged with criminal trespass under Texas Penal Code 30.05 after a warning to depart.
Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Mansfield must obtain a peddler or solicitor permit from the city. Religious, political, and charitable canvassing are generally exempt under the First Amendment.
Unincorporated Tarrant County has no bar or nightclub noise ordinance. TABC license conditions and state disorderly conduct law are the only sound-related controls in rural areas.
Tarrant County has no generator noise ordinance. Standby and portable generators may run without time limits. TX Penal Code 42.01 is the only backstop for extreme persistent noise.
Tarrant County does not regulate HVAC condenser or chiller noise in unincorporated areas. The International Mechanical Code governs installation but noise output is not addressed.
Most unincorporated Tarrant County roads have no public sidewalks. Where sidewalks exist, repair responsibility typically falls to the adjacent property owner or the HOA under Texas common law.
Texas Transportation Code Section 552.006 prohibits obstructing sidewalks in unincorporated Tarrant County. Common violations include trash bins, vehicles, basketball goals, and overgrown vegetation.
Tarrant County code enforcement is handled by individual municipalities. In unincorporated areas, complaints go to Tarrant County Development Services. Fort Worth residents use the MyFW app or call 817-392-1234. Arlington uses the Arlington Cares app or 817-459-5474.
Code enforcement response times in Tarrant County vary by municipality and violation severity. Fort Worth prioritizes health and safety hazards for same-day response, while routine violations like tall grass are typically investigated within 3-7 business days.
The most common code violations in Tarrant County include tall grass and weeds exceeding 12 inches, junk vehicles, illegal dumping, substandard structures, and zoning violations such as unpermitted home businesses or accessory structures.
Tarrant County and its municipalities do not have specific ordinances banning or restricting bamboo. If bamboo spreads onto neighboring properties, it may be addressed under general nuisance ordinances or through civil action between neighbors.
Tarrant County defers to the Texas Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list for prohibited species. The state list includes giant salvinia, water hyacinth, and certain thistles. Local municipalities do not maintain separate prohibited plant lists.
Texas HB 1686 (effective 2023) prohibits HOAs and municipalities from banning front-yard vegetable gardens. Tarrant County residents can grow edible gardens in their front yards, though cities may still regulate height, maintenance, and setback standards.
Residential security cameras are legal in Tarrant County without a permit. Texas law allows recording video on your property and publicly visible areas. Cameras must not be directed into areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy such as neighbors' bedrooms or bathrooms.
Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording in public spaces is legal, but recording in private areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy is a state jail felony.
Privacy fences in Tarrant County are generally allowed up to 8 feet in rear and side yards and 4 feet in front yards. Fort Worth requires permits for solid fences over 6 feet. The finished side must face outward toward neighbors.
In most Tarrant County cities, storage sheds under 120 square feet do not require a building permit. Sheds over 120 square feet require a permit and must comply with setback requirements. All sheds must be in the rear yard.
Fence permits are required in Fort Worth for fences over 6 feet tall. Standard residential fences of 6 feet or less in rear and side yards do not require a permit but must comply with zoning setbacks and materials standards.
Decks over 30 inches above grade require a building permit in most Tarrant County cities. Ground-level patios on grade generally do not require a permit. Attached decks must comply with the building code for structural connections.
Most renovation work in Tarrant County requires a building permit if it involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and cabinetry typically does not require a permit.
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 expressly preempts municipal and county minimum wage ordinances. The state minimum wage equals the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, and political subdivisions cannot require private employers to pay more, except for their own contracts.
Texas appellate courts have struck down municipal paid sick leave ordinances in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio as preempted under the Texas Minimum Wage Act. HB 2127 (2023) further codifies preemption by barring local regulation of employment benefits and leave policies.
HB 2127 (2023), the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, preempts municipal predictive or fair workweek scheduling ordinances. Texas cities cannot require employers to provide advance schedule notice, predictability pay, or rest periods between shifts beyond state law.
Texas authorizes License to Carry (LTC) holders to carry concealed handguns statewide under Government Code Chapter 411. Since 2021, permitless constitutional carry under HB 1927 also allows most adults 21 and older to carry without a license, with municipalities preempted from added restrictions.
Texas Local Government Code Section 229.001 broadly preempts municipal regulation of firearms, ammunition, knives, and related accessories. Cities cannot adopt or enforce ordinances regulating the transfer, ownership, possession, transport, or discharge of firearms beyond narrow exceptions for discharge in densely populated areas.
Texas authorizes open carry of holstered handguns statewide for adults 21 and older under Penal Code 46.02 and HB 910 (2015). Long guns may be openly carried subject to disorderly conduct limits. Municipalities cannot impose additional open carry restrictions.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-1) lets any non-prohibited adult lawfully carry a handgun inside a personally-owned or leased motor vehicle or watercraft without a License to Carry, provided the firearm is not in plain view and the person is not engaged in criminal activity or gang membership.
Texas Government Code Chapter 673 requires every state agency and any business that contracts with a state agency to register for and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new employees. Private-sector E-Verify use is generally voluntary statewide.
Texas Government Code Chapter 752, enacted by Senate Bill 4 in 2017, prohibits any local entity, campus police department, or jail from adopting sanctuary policies. Local officials must honor federal immigration detainer requests and may not bar officers from inquiring about immigration status.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 and Agriculture Code Chapter 251 limit municipal authority to zone or regulate land qualified for agricultural use appraisal. Counties have no general zoning authority, and cities face restrictions on annexing or imposing land use rules on established farms.
The Texas Right to Farm Act, Agriculture Code Chapter 251, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations after one year of operation. SB 1421 (2023) significantly strengthened protections, preempting municipal ordinances that restrict generally accepted agricultural practices.
The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association (2018) held that Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 preempts municipal plastic bag bans. Cities and counties cannot prohibit or restrict retail use of plastic checkout bags as containers or packages.
Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 also preempts municipal bans on polystyrene foam containers used for food service. The same statute that struck down plastic bag bans prevents Texas cities from prohibiting expanded polystyrene cups, plates, and takeout packaging.
Plastic straw bans by Texas municipalities are preempted under Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 and reinforced by HB 2127 (2023). Cities cannot prohibit or restrict food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws to customers.