Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251, the Right to Farm Act, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits when neighbors arrive after farming began. Dallas County operations qualify under state law.
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. Dallas County has limited remaining farmland concentrated in southern and western unincorporated pockets and the Trinity River bottoms, but qualifying operations there receive the state shield. Dallas County does not layer a separate county right-to-farm ordinance on top. Disputes route through Dallas County district court.
A nuisance suit against a covered 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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Mesquite, TX
Mesquite allows gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment during daytime hours, generally 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no city-wide gas blower ban.
Mesquite, TX
Outdoor music in Mesquite is allowed but cannot be plainly audible at neighboring residences after 10 p.m.; commercial venues need special event permits.
Mesquite, TX
Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with commercial markings cannot park on Mesquite residential streets overnight; semi-trucks and trailers face stricter limits.
Mesquite, TX
Overnight on-street parking is generally allowed in Mesquite where not signed otherwise, but vehicles cannot remain in the same spot for more than 48-72 hours.
Mesquite, TX
On-street parking in Mesquite is allowed where not signed otherwise; vehicles must park with the flow of traffic and cannot block driveways, hydrants, or sig...
Mesquite, TX
Mesquite limits residential fences to 8 feet in rear/side yards and 4 feet in front yards, with corner-lot visibility triangles enforced for traffic safety.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how Mesquite'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.