33 local rules on file · Pop. 20,204 · Fort Bend County
Showing ordinances that apply to Sienna, TX
Sienna is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 20,204 in Fort Bend County, Texas. Because Sienna is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Fort Bend County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Fort Bend County may have different rules.
Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Fort Bend County with strict distance limits, and aerial fireworks may be banned during drought conditions by Commissioners Court.
Fort Bend County permits recreational and ceremonial fires in unincorporated areas only when wind, distance, and weather conditions protect neighboring structures and roads.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Fort Bend County ordinances.
Fort Bend County enforces TCEQ outdoor burning rules and the county Fire Code, with Commissioners Court burn bans triggered during drought conditions.
Fort Bend County requires semi-public and public swimming pools and spas to be enclosed by a barrier meeting county standards, but exempts private single-family and duplex residential pools from regulation.
Fort Bend County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county has not adopted zoning ordinances and does not issue Certificates of Occupancy. Cities (Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond) set their own fence height limits by municipal code.
Operators of public and semi-public pools must comply with Fort Bend County safety rules covering posted depth markings, lifesaving equipment, water quality, supervision signage, and proper drain covers compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.
Fort Bend County Environmental Health regulates pools, spas, and interactive water features in unincorporated areas, requiring plan review approval and an annual operating permit before construction or operation begins.
Public and semi-public spas in unincorporated Fort Bend County are regulated under the same county pool regulations, requiring plan review, annual permits, posted maximum bather load, and timer-controlled jets.
Public and semi-public pools in unincorporated Fort Bend County must be enclosed by barriers meeting county construction standards, on top of the statewide Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 yard enclosure requirements.
Fort Bend County does NOT require a short-term rental (STR) permit or registration in unincorporated areas — the county has not adopted zoning and has no STR ordinance. However, Fort Bend County did adopt a county Hotel Occupancy Tax effective October 1, 2024 under Texas Tax Code Chapter 352: 7% outside city limits and 2% inside city limits, in addition to the 6% state HOT under Tax Code §156.051. Full enforcement began May 1, 2025, with monthly returns due to Avenu (HotelTaxOnline.com) by the 15th. STRs inside Fort Bend County cities (Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, Fulshear, Meadows Place) must follow that city's STR rules.
Fort Bend County imposes no STR-specific occupancy limits in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general police power to regulate STRs under Local Gov't Code Ch. 233. Practical limits derive from International Residential Code bedroom/egress rules and on-site septic system capacity (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality OSSF rules in 30 TAC Ch. 285).
Fort Bend County has no STR-specific noise ordinance in unincorporated areas. Enforcement falls under Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct (unreasonable noise), with noise above 85 decibels presumptively unreasonable per §42.01(c)(2). The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office responds to nuisance noise calls at vacation rentals.
Fort Bend County does not regulate STR parking in unincorporated areas. The county has not adopted zoning and does not impose minimum off-street parking requirements for vacation rentals. Texas Local Gov't Code Ch. 233 limits county zoning authority outside city ETJs.
Fort Bend County imposes a Hotel Occupancy Tax on short-term rentals under 30 days, with full enforcement beginning May 1, 2025 for all bookings.
Fort Bend County follows Texas state law allowing beekeeping as a qualifying agricultural use on tracts of 5 to 20 acres, granting agricultural valuation for property tax purposes when minimum colony counts are maintained.
Fort Bend County prohibits feeding stray or feral animals in ways that create public health nuisances, and discourages wildlife feeding that attracts coyotes, hogs, and other species near residential areas.
Fort Bend County requires dogs to be restrained by leash, fence, or enclosure when off the owner's property, with stricter rules for dogs running at large in unincorporated areas.
Fort Bend County requires new development to manage stormwater runoff using detention, conveyance, and water quality measures meeting county drainage criteria.
Fort Bend County requires erosion and sediment control measures on construction sites to protect drainage infrastructure and downstream waterways.
Fort Bend County requires lot grading and drainage plans for new subdivisions and many site developments, ensuring positive drainage and downstream protection.
Fort Bend County requires a floodplain development permit for any construction, fill, or improvement in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas under its NFIP-participating ordinance.
Fort Bend County requires subdivision developers to replant any perished landscape reserve trees during the one-year maintenance period before the county accepts the project as complete.
Fort Bend County does not require general tree removal permits on private property, but subdivision developers must protect existing qualifying trees inside dedicated landscape reserves to earn planting credits.
Fort Bend County prohibits illegal dumping and unauthorized disposal of solid waste in unincorporated areas, with enforcement by the Environmental Health Department and constables.
Fort Bend County hosts scheduled household hazardous waste, electronics, and bulk disposal collection events for residents at designated precinct locations throughout the year.
Fort Bend County parks operate under set hours established by Commissioners Court, prohibiting entry after sunset or posted closing time except for permitted activities.
Fort Bend County enforces a juvenile curfew in unincorporated areas restricting minors under 17 from public places during late night and school day hours.