The Texas Right to Farm Act, Agriculture Code Chapter 251, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations after one year of operation. HB 1750 and HB 2308 (2023) significantly strengthened protections, preempting municipal ordinances that restrict generally accepted agricultural practices.
Agriculture Code Chapter 251 provides that no nuisance action may be brought against an agricultural operation in operation for one year or more if the conditions complained of did not exist when operations began. HB 1750 and HB 2308 (2023) expanded the act: new Section 251.0055 bars cities from requirements that prohibit generally accepted agricultural practices absent clear and convincing evidence of an imminent health or safety danger, protection now extends beyond nuisance suits to other actions to restrain operations, and unsuccessful plaintiffs pay the farm's costs and attorney fees under 251.004. Cities and counties cannot enforce ordinances that prohibit established farm operations from continuing or expanding within reasonable scope.
Plaintiffs in failed nuisance suits must pay farm operator costs and reasonable attorney fees; municipalities enforcing preempted ordinances face injunctive relief.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Stafford, TX
Stafford does not publish a dedicated municipal 'quiet hours' chapter the way many Texas cities do. Day-to-day noise enforcement in the city relies on two la...
Stafford, TX
Stafford requires swimming pools to be enclosed by compliant barriers with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent accidental access by children.
Stafford, TX
Stafford requires building permits for new fences and major fence replacements, with applications reviewed for height, location, and material compliance with...
Stafford, TX
Stafford limits residential fence heights, with stricter rules along front yards and corner-lot sight triangles to preserve visibility and neighborhood chara...
Stafford, TX
Stafford requires property owners to keep lots clear of high weeds, brush, and rubbish that create fire or health nuisances, enforced through the General Cod...
Stafford, TX
Stafford prohibits the possession, sale, and use of fireworks anywhere within city limits, with exceptions only for permitted professional public displays ap...
See how Stafford's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
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