Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251, the Right to Farm Act, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits when neighbors arrive after farming began. Harris County operations qualify under state law; the county does not layer additional protection on top.
Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251 bars nuisance lawsuits against agricultural operations that have been in operation for one year or more, provided they have not substantially changed practices. Protected activity includes crop production, livestock, dairy, poultry, equine, beekeeping, and routine farm noise, dust, odor, and chemical application. The 2023 amendments via HB 1750 strengthened protections by requiring plaintiffs to live within one half mile of the operation and capping damages. Harris County retains scattered agricultural and ranching operations in unincorporated northern, eastern, and southwestern pockets, and those qualifying operations receive the state shield. Harris County has not adopted a separate county right-to-farm ordinance. Disputes route through Harris County district courts.
A nuisance suit against a covered Harris County farm can be dismissed under Chapter 251. The 2023 amendments allow recovery of attorney fees by the prevailing farm and cap punitive damages, deterring frivolous suits over routine agricultural activity.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 (Animals) addresses barking dogs as a nuisance. A dog that barks, howls, or makes excessive noise continuously for an e...
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 34 (Nuisances) regulates construction noise in residential areas. Construction activities producing loud noise are restric...
Baytown, TX
Baytown Code of Ordinances Chapter 34 (Nuisances) prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing sounds including amplified music. Sound from loudspeakers, PA sys...
Baytown, TX
Baytown enforces noise regulations under its Code of Ordinances. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM in residential areas. Located near major ExxonMobil and Chevro...
Baytown, TX
Baytown does not have a specific ordinance restricting leaf blower use. Gas-powered and electric leaf blowers are permitted for residential and commercial la...
Baytown, TX
Baytown has relatively permissive street parking rules. There are no residential parking permits, no general time limits for street parking, and no alternate...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how Baytown's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.