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 HB 347 (2019) repealed unilateral annexation in many areas, requiring landowner consent or election before bringing rural ag land into city limits and zoning jurisdiction.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.
Plano, TX
Plano's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political s...
Plano, TX
Plano has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA covenants under the Texas R...
Plano, TX
Plano has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA covenants under the Te...
Plano, TX
Outdoor kitchens in Plano require separate trade permits from Building Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lines,...
Plano, TX
Plano has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-family balcony ...
Plano, TX
Plano adopts the 2021 International Fire Code through the Plano Code of Ordinances, enforced by Plano Fire-Rescue. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking ...
See how Plano's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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