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. SB 1421 (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 conditions or circumstances complained of did not exist when operations began. SB 1421 (2023) expanded the act to require courts to award costs and attorney fees to prevailing farms and to limit municipal authority to regulate generally accepted agricultural practices. Local Government Code 251.005 limits annexation and zoning of land qualified for agricultural appraisal under Tax Code 23.51. 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.
Universal City, TX
Outdoor live and recorded music in Universal City must comply with the general noise ordinance and stop by 10:00 PM unless a special event permit is granted.
Universal City, TX
Amplified music audible beyond a property line in Universal City can trigger a noise violation at any time, with stricter enforcement between 10:00 PM and 7:...
Universal City, TX
Universal City relies primarily on a plainly audible standard rather than specific dBA limits, though zoning performance standards for commercial and industr...
Universal City, TX
Universal City restricts parking of RVs, travel trailers, and boats in residential front yards and public streets, typically requiring storage in the side or...
Universal City, TX
Universal City generally allows on-street parking on public streets but prohibits parking on sidewalks, within 15 feet of fire hydrants, and in posted no-par...
Universal City, TX
Universal City generally allows overnight on-street parking for residential vehicles but prohibits leaving any vehicle in one spot for over 24 hours and bans...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bexar County.
See how Universal City'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.