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 HB 347 (2019) repealed unilateral annexation in many areas, requiring landowner consent or election before bringing rural ag land into city limits and zoning jurisdiction.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.
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm does not establish specific numeric decibel limits in its noise ordinance. Instead, Sec. 70-55 uses a reasonable-person standard, prohibiting nois...
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm regulates amplified music through Sec. 70-55, restricting radios, TVs, musical instruments, loudspeakers, and similar devices in residential areas...
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm regulates industrial and commercial noise through the general noise ordinance in Sec. 70-55. Industrial operations in nonresidential districts mus...
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm specifically prohibits outdoor music in parks, public places, and nonresidential districts without a town-approved special event permit or facilit...
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm restricts construction, maintenance, repair, alteration, and demolition work in residential districts and quiet zones to daytime hours. Under Sec....
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm enforces noise restrictions under Chapter 70, Article III of the Town Code. Sound devices including radios, TVs, and musical instruments are prohi...
See how Little Elm's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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