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 HB 347 (2019) repealed unilateral annexation in many areas, requiring landowner consent or election before bringing rural ag land into city limits and zoning jurisdiction.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.
Pasadena, TX
Pasadena specifically prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or prolonged sound disturbing neighbors, regardless of whether decibel limits...
Pasadena, TX
Pasadena regulates street parking under Chapter 36 (Traffic), Article VII (Stopping, Standing, and Parking). Vehicles must not obstruct traffic, block fire h...
Pasadena, TX
Pasadena enforces abandoned and junk vehicle regulations through Code Enforcement. Inoperable vehicles, vehicles with expired registration, and vehicles left...
Pasadena, TX
Texas Transportation Code §545.307 prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs on posted residential streets between 10 PM and 6 AM. Pasadena enfor...
Pasadena, TX
Pasadena requires residential off-street parking on improved surfaces under Sec. 9-7.1. Single-family driveways need 3.5 inches of 2500 PSI concrete with wir...
Pasadena, TX
Pasadena allows residential fences up to 7 feet maximum under Sec. 9-3(1). Fences in front of the building setback line are limited to 4 feet and must be cha...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how Pasadena's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.