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 HB 347 (2019) repealed unilateral annexation in many areas, requiring landowner consent or election before bringing rural ag land into city limits and zoning jurisdiction.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.
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville treats persistent barking as a noise disturbance under Ch. 18. A dog barking continuously for 15 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes triggers...
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville sits about 10 miles south of DFW International Airport with regular overflight noise. Federal law preempts local regulation of flight paths and al...
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville limits construction noise to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday under Ch. 18. Sunday and holiday work requires a special permit from Buildin...
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville prohibits amplified music plainly audible at a neighboring property during quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under Ch. 18. City events require soun...
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville uses a plainly-audible standard rather than fixed decibel limits under Ch. 18. No dBA thresholds are codified; officers may use sound meters as ev...
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville regulates outdoor music under Ch. 18. Live and recorded music must not be plainly audible at neighboring property during quiet hours of 10 p.m. to...
See how Lewisville's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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