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.
Texas counties generally lack zoning authority outside narrow statutory grants such as floodplain or subdivision regulation under Local Government Code Chapter 232. Municipal zoning under Local Government Code Chapter 211 is limited near agricultural land. Agriculture Code 251.006 and SB 1421 (2023) restrict cities from enforcing ordinances that effectively prohibit generally accepted agricultural practices on protected farms. Land qualified under Tax Code 23.51 for agricultural appraisal receives additional protections. HB 347 (2019) repealed unilateral annexation in many areas, requiring landowner consent or election before bringing rural ag land into city limits and zoning jurisdiction.
Municipal ordinances violating Chapter 251 protections are subject to declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, with attorney fees awarded to prevailing agricultural operators.
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo has no municipal ordinance restricting leaf blower use by time of day, decibel level, or fuel type. Noise complaints are handled under Texas Penal C...
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo has no municipal noise ordinance covering industrial or commercial operations. Noise complaints are handled under Texas state law, which prohibits u...
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo requires a building permit for any swimming pool barrier or enclosure, whether residential or commercial. The barrier must meet Texas Health & Safet...
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo's Chapter 8-2 regulates domestic animals and fowl but contains no explicit prohibition on feeding feral or wild animals. Keeping wild animals inside...
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo caps combined dogs and cats per household at four, and prohibits keeping animals in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions under Chapter 8-2. Animal M...
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo enforces smoke-alarm requirements through its adopted 2021 International Residential Code (Ordinance 7101) and the statewide Texas Health & Safety C...
See how Amarillo's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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