188 local rules on file · Pop. 14,000 · Travis County
Showing ordinances that apply to Wells Branch, TX
Wells Branch is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 14,000 in Travis County, Texas. Because Wells Branch is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Travis 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 Travis County may have different rules.
Unincorporated Travis County has no shed permit requirement (no zoning authority). Austin requires permits for sheds over 200 sq ft under 2021 IRC R105.2. Sheds under 200 sq ft are permit-exempt but must meet setbacks. HOAs commonly require design review for sheds regardless of size.
Unincorporated Travis County permits tiny homes freely on owned land subject to TCEQ septic rules. Austin treats tiny homes as either ADUs (if on foundation) or RVs (if on wheels, parking restrictions apply). HOME Initiative now permits up to 3 units including tiny home ADUs on SF lots. Tiny-home communities require MUD or full subdivision approval.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Travis County ordinances.
Unincorporated Travis County has no zoning authority and therefore no ADU restrictions beyond septic/OSSF rules. Austin allows ADUs on most SF lots under HOME Initiative amendments (2023-2024) with reduced lot size, setback, and parking requirements. ADUs up to 1,100 sq ft permitted by right in Austin SF-1/2/3 zones.
Unincorporated Travis County imposes no customer-traffic limits on home businesses. Austin Code 25-2-901 caps home occupation client visits at 3 per day with no simultaneous clients, preserving residential character. Cottage food operators (TX HSC 437) are exempt and may sell directly from home. HOAs may impose stricter limits.
Travis County has no general zoning authority under Texas Local Government Code, so no home occupation permit is issued at the county level. Home businesses in unincorporated Travis County are limited only by deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, and any applicable ETJ city rules.
Registered and licensed child-care homes in unincorporated Travis County operate under Texas HHSC rules (TX Human Resources Code Ch. 42, 26 TAC Ch. 745). County has no zoning, so home daycares are permissible subject to state license, fire marshal inspection, and deed restrictions.
Texas Cottage Food Law (Health and Safety Code Ch. 437) preempts local regulation of home-based food production for non-potentially-hazardous foods. Up to 50,000 dollars annual gross sales allowed. Products must be labeled with producer name, address, ingredients, and the statement that the food is made in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department. No permit or kitchen inspection required.
Unincorporated Travis County has no zoning and therefore no home-business restrictions beyond deed and HOA rules. Austin permits home occupations in all SF zones under Code 25-2-901: max 20 percent of dwelling floor area, resident-operated, no more than 1 non-resident employee, no retail sales on-site, no outdoor storage.
Unincorporated Travis County has no sign ordinance outside highway right-of-way (TxDOT jurisdiction). Austin Code 25-10 limits home occupation signage to one non-illuminated nameplate, maximum 2 sq ft, flat-mounted to building. Temporary contractor/real estate signs follow separate limits. HOAs often prohibit all commercial signage.
Travis County does NOT levy a county hotel occupancy tax on STRs. Operators pay 6% Texas state HOT to the Comptroller plus any city HOT (Austin 11%, Bee Cave 7%, Lakeway 7%). Platforms auto-collect in most cases.
Travis County does not require STR liability insurance. Austin requires proof of $1M liability insurance for Type 2/3 licenses. Platforms provide host protection programs (Airbnb AirCover $1M, Vrbo Liability Insurance).
Travis County does not regulate STR parking in unincorporated areas. Guests generally park on-site; county roads allow on-street parking unless posted. Austin STRs must provide one off-street space per bedroom.
Travis County does not cap STR rental nights. Austin Type 2 STRs are currently limited to non-owner-occupied rental with no annual night cap; owner-occupied Type 1 has no limit.
No Travis County STR registration exists. State HOT registration with TX Comptroller (Form AP-102) is mandatory. Incorporated cities require separate licensing. Austin licenses renew annually for $443.
Travis County sets no STR occupancy cap. Austin limits Type 2 STRs to 6 adults and 10 total occupants; Lakeway limits occupancy to 2 per bedroom plus 2. OSSF septic capacity is the operative constraint in unincorporated areas.
Travis County does not require short-term rental hosts to be present during guest stays. State law HB 1620 (2025) preempts most local STR rules, leaving owner-absent rentals broadly permissible across unincorporated areas.
Texas Tax Code 156.103 requires marketplace facilitators like Airbnb and Vrbo to collect and remit state hotel occupancy tax on Travis County stays. Hosts remain responsible if the platform fails to collect on a booking.
Travis County does not operate a three-strikes or escalating-penalty system for short-term rental nuisance complaints. Each incident is handled separately by TCSO or county code, and there is no cumulative permit-revocation pathway.
Travis County does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investor-owned and second-home STRs are permitted across unincorporated areas, consistent with Texas HB 1620 statewide preemption of ownership-status conditions.
Travis County does not cap home-share length or distinguish extended stays from short stays. Hosts can rent rooms or whole homes for any duration, subject only to Texas hotel occupancy tax thresholds for stays under 30 days.
STRs in unincorporated Travis County are subject to TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct (unreasonable noise) and Sheriff enforcement. No county quiet-hours ordinance exists; incorporated cities set their own.
Travis County does not require a short-term rental permit in unincorporated areas. Incorporated cities (Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Pflugerville) each license STRs separately. State HOT registration with the TX Comptroller is required for all STR operators.
Travis County has no leaf blower regulations for unincorporated areas. No countywide decibel, time-of-day, or equipment-type rules exist. Austin city ordinance does not extend to unincorporated county land.
Vehicle noise in unincorporated Travis County is enforced under TX Transportation Code 547.604 requiring functioning mufflers and prohibiting excessive/unusual noise. No county decibel ordinance. DPS and Sheriff enforce on county roads.
Travis County has no zoning so no commercial noise limits exist at the county level for unincorporated land. Quarries, concrete plants, and industrial sites are regulated by TCEQ permits. State disorderly conduct law applies for unreasonable noise affecting homes.
Aircraft noise in Travis County is federally preempted under 49 USC 40103. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) operates under FAA Part 150 noise compatibility planning. Local ordinances cannot regulate aircraft operations or altitudes.
Travis County relies on state law for barking dog complaints. TX Health & Safety Code 822.041 defines public nuisance dogs. Travis County Animal Control (via Austin Animal Center partnership) investigates chronic barking complaints in unincorporated areas.
Travis County has no countywide quiet hours ordinance for unincorporated areas. TX Penal Code 42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct covers unreasonable noise, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to $500. Sheriff responds to complaints.
Travis County does not regulate construction hours in unincorporated areas. TX counties lack zoning authority to impose work-hour limits. State disorderly conduct applies only to unreasonable nighttime noise affecting nearby residences.
Travis County does not have a dedicated amplified music ordinance for unincorporated areas. Loud outdoor music is enforced under TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct. Commercial venues near Lake Travis and Hill Country wineries often operate under TABC permit conditions.
Travis County imposes no fence height limits in unincorporated areas because TX counties cannot zone. Height is governed only by deed restrictions, HOA covenants, or Austin ETJ rules where applicable. Most subdivisions allow 6 ft rear, 4 ft front.
Pool fencing in unincorporated Travis County follows the International Residential Code as adopted by the county via TX H&SC 757. Minimum 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gates, and approved safety features required for residential pools.
Texas has no Good Neighbor Fence Act. Each owner is responsible for their own fence. Travis County does not mediate boundary fence disputes. Shared fence cost-sharing requires voluntary written agreement; otherwise disputes go to JP or district court.
Travis County does not restrict fence materials in unincorporated areas. Wood, metal, masonry, chain link, and wire are all allowed. No countywide ban on barbed wire, electric, or chain link. HOA and subdivision deed restrictions control aesthetics.
Corner sight triangles on county roads follow TxDOT and Travis County Transportation & Natural Resources standards during subdivision platting. No post-construction fence height enforcement exists unless a sight obstruction creates a safety hazard on a county-maintained road.
No fence permit is required from Travis County for unincorporated properties. Counties cannot issue zoning-based building permits for residential fences. On-site sewage and floodplain permits still apply separately if the fence affects a regulated feature.
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated Travis County must comply with TCEQ 30 TAC 111.219 and active Commissioners Court burn bans. Wood fires require 25-foot clearance, continuous attendance, water/extinguisher, and prohibited during burn bans. Propane chimineas and gas fire pits exempt from burn bans and recommended in WUI areas.
Travis County recommends 30-foot defensible space around structures in WUI zones per Texas A&M Forest Service Firewise guidelines. No county-wide mandatory brush clearance ordinance exists, but ESDs and some MUDs (Steiner Ranch, Lakeway area) have adopted local clearance standards. Cedar (Ashe juniper) removal is strongly encouraged within 100 feet of homes.
Western Travis County (Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, Spicewood, Bee Cave, Lago Vista) sits in the Hill Country Wildland-Urban Interface documented by TAMU Forest Service. The 2011 Steiner Ranch fire destroyed 23 homes; the same year Bastrop Complex fire (adjacent county) destroyed 1,660 homes. Insurers increasingly require defensible space and Class A roofing in these areas.
Smoke detector requirements follow Texas Property Code Ch. 92 for rental dwellings (landlord must install and maintain one in each bedroom and hallway). Owner-occupied homes in unincorporated Travis County have no county-level requirement, but state fire code encourages compliance. STR operators must meet TX 2015 IRC smoke alarm standards.
Fireworks sales and use in unincorporated Travis County are governed by TX Occupations Code Ch. 2154. Commissioners Court routinely restricts or prohibits certain fireworks (missiles with fins, skyrockets with sticks) during drought under HSC 352.051. Legal periods: June 24-July 4 and Dec 20-Jan 1. Austin city limits ban all consumer fireworks.
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Travis County is governed by TCEQ 30 TAC 111.219 and Commissioners Court burn ban orders. Burn bans are in effect most summers (typically May-October) when KBDI exceeds 575. Burning household garbage, construction debris, and wire insulation is prohibited year-round. Permits required for land-clearing burns.
Propane and other LP-gas storage in Travis County is regulated under Texas Railroad Commission rules and the International Fire Code as adopted by local Emergency Services Districts, with strict tank-spacing and permit requirements.
Travis County Fire Marshal permits recreational fire pits in unincorporated areas with 25-foot clearance from structures and combustible vegetation. Pits must be under 3 feet diameter and contained by non-combustible ring. Gas/propane pits exempt from burn bans; wood-burning pits prohibited during Commissioners Court burn bans, common in Hill Country summers.
Travis County sets no numerical pet limits in unincorporated areas. No kennel license threshold exists at the county level. Commercial breeders with 11+ adult intact females need TX Licensed Breeders license under Occupations Code 802.
Unincorporated Travis County has no chicken or poultry limits. No zoning means no coop setbacks, flock caps, or rooster bans apply countywide. Austin ETJ and HOA rules may restrict in some subdivisions.
Texas prohibits breed-specific legislation under TX H&SC 822.047. Travis County cannot ban specific breeds. Dangerous dog determinations are behavior-based under Lillian Law (TX H&SC 822.041-0425).
Beekeeping is permitted in unincorporated Travis County with no specific county ordinance. Registration with Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) required for interstate movement. Agricultural valuation available for 5+ acres with 6+ hives under TX Tax Code 23.51.
Travis County regulates dangerous wild animals under TX H&SC 822.101-.116. Lions, tigers, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles require registration with the county animal registration authority and $100,000 liability insurance.
Travis County follows Texas Parks & Wildlife rules on wildlife feeding. Deer feeding is legal on private property for hunting or observation with TPWD supplemental feeding regs. Feeding that creates public nuisance may be cited. Do not feed javelina, bears, or coyotes.
Unincorporated Travis County does not require cat licenses, but rabies vaccination is mandatory under state law and TCAS Chapter 30 rules apply to cats causing nuisance or showing signs of disease.
Travis County Animal Services investigates suspected hoarding under Chapter 30 cruelty provisions and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 821, working with TCSO when seizure of neglected animals becomes necessary.
Coyotes are abundant across Hill Country edges of Travis County. TCAS does not trap or relocate healthy coyotes, but assists residents with hazing guidance and refers depredation cases to Texas Wildlife Services.
Travis County does not impose general mandatory spay-neuter on owned pets, but Texas HSC 828 requires sterilization of dogs and cats released from TCAS adoption or shelter custody before transfer.
Travis County has limited zoning authority under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240, so veterinary clinics in unincorporated areas operate primarily under state licensing rules and city extraterritorial jurisdiction overlays.
Travis County hosts protected species like the golden-cheeked warbler under the federal Endangered Species Act, plus migratory songbirds under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act enforced regardless of any county rule.
Travis County does not mandate microchipping countywide, but TCAS implants chips in every adopted animal and uses chip scans as the primary lost-pet reunification tool for unincorporated residents.
Pet groomers in unincorporated Travis County face no specific county license, operating under general business rules, sales-tax registration, and Travis County Health & Human Services kennel sanitation when boarding accompanies grooming.
Travis County does not regulate pet stores in unincorporated zones, but Texas HSC 802 licenses larger commercial breeders and the city of Austin within the county prohibits retail sale of dogs and cats from non-rescue sources.
Travis County adopted a leash/restraint order under TX Health & Safety Code 822.042 effective in unincorporated areas. Dogs must be under physical restraint when off owner property. Austin Animal Services responds to at-large complaints.
Artificial turf is permitted throughout Travis County; no county ordinance prohibits or regulates it. Austin allows artificial turf but excludes it from landscape rebate programs (only living plants qualify). HOAs may impose aesthetic requirements but cannot ban water-conserving alternatives under TX Property Code 202.007.
Travis County has no county-wide grass height ordinance for unincorporated areas; Texas counties lack zoning authority. Austin City Code 10-5 limits grass to 12 inches within city limits and ETJ. HOAs throughout master-planned communities (Steiner Ranch, Circle C, Avery Ranch) enforce their own height limits, typically 6-8 inches.
LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) and Austin Water set watering restrictions for Travis County. Austin Water Conservation Stage (year-round): once-per-week watering by address, before 10 AM or after 7 PM. Drought stages escalate to twice-monthly. LCRA enforces Highland Lakes firm/interruptible water contracts. Violations carry fines.
Travis County has no county-wide weed ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general nuisance abatement authority except under HSC 342 (unsanitary conditions) and burn ban contexts. Austin Code 10-5 addresses weeds with 12-inch height limit. HOAs and MUDs enforce locally.
Texas strongly supports rainwater harvesting under TX Property Code 202.007 (HOAs cannot prohibit) and Tax Code 151.355 (sales tax exemption for equipment). Travis County and Austin offer rebates. Systems used for indoor potable supply must meet TCEQ standards. No permit needed for outdoor irrigation systems.
Oak wilt prevention is critical in Central Texas: do NOT prune oaks February through June. Paint all oak pruning cuts immediately year-round. Travis County and Austin enforce oak wilt suppression zones. Utility trimming by Oncor/Austin Energy/PEC follows right-of-way standards. No county tree-trimming permit required in unincorporated areas.
Unincorporated Travis County has no tree removal permit requirement. Austin has one of the strictest tree ordinances in Texas: Code 25-8-622 protects trees 19+ inches diameter, 24+ inch heritage species (oaks, elms, pecans, cypress). Removal requires permit, mitigation, or fee. Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park have lighter but similar rules.
Travis County strongly encourages native Hill Country plants (live oak, cedar elm, bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, Mexican feathergrass) for water conservation. Austin Grow Green program and LCRA/LBJ Wildflower Center offer plant lists and rebates. HOAs cannot ban xeriscaping under TX Property Code 202.007.
Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches require a Travis County Development Permit and must meet the same 48-inch barrier standard. Pool walls at least 48 inches high may serve as the barrier if ladder is removable or lockable.
Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Travis County must have a lockable safety cover compliant with ASTM F1346 or be enclosed by the same 48-inch barrier required for pools. Electrical installation requires GFCI and NEC 680 bonding.
Pools in unincorporated Travis County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates per 2021 IRC Appendix V, Section AV105, as locally adopted.
Pool safety rules include anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), electrical bonding per NEC 680, and barrier compliance. TX Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 requires public pools to post safety info; residential pools follow IRC.
Residential swimming pools in unincorporated Travis County require a Development Permit and must comply with the 2021 International Residential Code, Appendix V, as adopted by the Travis County Fire Marshal and TNR.
Driveway access to Travis County roads requires a Driveway Permit from Transportation & Natural Resources under County Code Chapter 82. Driveways onto state highways (US 290, SH 71, RM 620) require TxDOT permits. Edwards Aquifer recharge zone driveways must include water quality BMPs under Chapter 64.
Travis County has no overnight parking ban on unincorporated county roads. Texas law sets no statewide overnight limit. County park facilities including Pace Bend, Hippie Hollow, and Milton Reimers Ranch have posted hours and do not allow overnight parking except in designated camping areas.
Travis County adopted the 2015 IRC and IBC which do not require EV-ready wiring for residential construction. No county EV charging mandate exists. Austin Energy serves much of Travis County and offers the Plug-In EVerywhere charging network plus residential rebates up to $1,200. Pedernales Electric Cooperative serves western Travis County.
Abandoned vehicles on public roads in unincorporated Travis County are handled under TX Transportation Code Chapter 683 (Abandoned Motor Vehicles). A vehicle left over 48 hours on public property, inoperable for 30 days, or wrecked can be declared abandoned. Travis County Sheriff tags and tows after proper notice.
Travis County has no general on-street parking ordinance for unincorporated county roads. Texas Transportation Code §545.301-545.305 governs where stopping, standing, and parking are prohibited statewide — within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, 30 feet of a stop sign. Subdivisions may impose stricter HOA rules.
Travis County does not regulate RV or boat storage on private residential property in unincorporated areas — no county zoning authority exists under Texas law. Lake Travis and Lake Austin boat storage is common. However, most subdivisions near the lakes (Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, Hudson Bend) have HOA CCRs restricting visible RV/boat parking to screened side or rear yards.
Travis County has no ordinance restricting commercial vehicle parking on residential property in unincorporated areas. Texas Transportation Code §622 governs commercial vehicle weight and size on roads. Heavy-haul operations on county roads require TNR overweight/oversize permits. HOAs routinely ban commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential subdivisions.
Travis County imposes no general height limits on structures in unincorporated areas due to lack of zoning authority. Height restrictions come from subdivision plats, HOA CCRs, and FAA Part 77 surface requirements near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and small airports. Lake Travis lakefront heights often limited by view CCRs.
Travis County enforces strict impervious cover limits in the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones under Chapter 64 of County Code. Recharge zone residential sites limited to 20% impervious cover on lots under 1 acre and 15% on larger lots. Contributing zone allows 25-40% depending on lot size. Non-aquifer rural sites face no county coverage cap.
Travis County has no zoning authority under Texas law and does not impose building setbacks in unincorporated areas. Setbacks are governed by recorded subdivision plats and HOA CCRs. Structures within Edwards Aquifer recharge zone must meet TCEQ 30 TAC §213 buffer distances from sensitive features (300 feet from caves, sinkholes).
Texas Local Government Code §214.902 preempts all local rent control in Texas — counties and cities cannot cap residential rents except during a declared disaster with governor approval. Travis County has no rent stabilization, rent board, or rent-related ordinance. Market rates prevail across Austin metro despite severe affordability pressures.
Travis County follows Texas Property Code Chapter 24 for evictions. Texas is a landlord-friendly state with no just-cause requirement. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice for any non-discriminatory reason.
Travis County has no rental registration program for unincorporated areas. County authority over rental housing is limited under Texas law. The City of Austin operates a separate Repeat Offender Program for rental properties within city limits.
Travis County and Texas law impose no rules on cash-for-keys agreements. Landlords and tenants may negotiate any sum for voluntary surrender of possession, subject only to ordinary contract law and notarized written agreements.
The Housing Authority of Travis County administers federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in unincorporated areas. Acceptance is voluntary for landlords under Texas law, but participating units must pass HQS inspection and rent-reasonableness review.
Travis County does not require landlords to pay tenant relocation assistance for no-fault evictions, demolitions, or substantial renovations. Texas Property Code provides no statewide relocation right, and county authority over rentals is narrow.
Travis County has no dedicated tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenants rely on Texas Property Code retaliation protections, federal Fair Housing Act anti-harassment rules, and common-law tort remedies for landlord misconduct.
Texas Property Code 92.103 requires landlords to return tenant security deposits, with itemized deductions, within 30 days of move-out. Travis County follows state rules; willful retention exposes landlords to triple-damages liability.
Texas Local Government Code 250.007 prohibits cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers. Travis County therefore cannot enforce source-of-income protections, and refusing voucher tenants is lawful.
Travis County allows no-fault, end-of-lease non-renewal under Texas Property Code Chapter 24. Landlords need only provide proper notice; no just-cause requirement applies, and county authority over evictions is preempted by state law.
Trash and recycling carts must be placed at the curb on collection day and removed the same evening. Austin City Code §15-6-91 requires carts stored out of public view between collections. Unincorporated county has no placement ordinance.
Travis County does not provide solid waste collection in unincorporated areas. Residents contract with private haulers (Waste Management, Republic Services, Texas Disposal Systems) for curbside service. City of Austin residents receive service through Austin Resource Recovery.
Travis County residents can use the Austin Resource Recovery bulk pickup program (Austin addresses) or drop off at the Austin Recycling and Reuse Drop-off Center. Unincorporated residents use Texas Disposal Systems landfill or private haul-away service.
Austin City Code §15-6-91 mandates single-stream recycling for all residences and commercial properties (Universal Recycling Ordinance). Unincorporated Travis County has no recycling mandate; residents recycle voluntarily through private haulers.
Trash and recycling containers must be stored out of sight from the public right-of-way between collections in Austin (§15-6-91). Unincorporated Travis County has no cart storage ordinance; HOA rules typically govern.
Unincorporated Travis County enforces limited property nuisance rules under TX Health & Safety Code Chapter 343. Austin Code Compliance enforces Austin City Code Chapter 10-8 for unsafe structures, tall grass, and accumulated trash.
Unincorporated Travis County has no garage sale permit or frequency limit. Austin City Code §4-2 limits residents to 3 garage sales per year, max 3 consecutive days each, with no permit required for private residential sales.
Vacant lots in unincorporated Travis County must be kept free of public health nuisances per TX Health & Safety Code §343.011. Austin Code Compliance requires vacant lot maintenance under §10-8-211, including grass under 12 inches.
Travis County has no snow removal ordinance. Central Texas averages less than 1 inch of snow per year, and ice events are rare (Winter Storm Uri 2021 was historic). No municipal or county snow-clearance requirement exists.
TX Property Code 209.007 requires HOAs to provide owners notice and opportunity for a hearing before assessing fines or suspending privileges. Owners may request ADR through the Texas Real Estate Commission or file in Travis County Justice/District Court.
Travis County HOAs operate under the Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act (TX Property Code Ch. 209). Boards must hold open meetings, provide 10 days notice, and maintain books and records accessible to members.
HOA assessments in Travis County are governed by CCRs and TX Property Code 209.0062-209.0064. Payment plans must be offered before foreclosure; judicial foreclosure required for assessment liens since 2012 amendments.
HOAs enforce CCRs under TX Property Code 202 and 209. Fines must be reasonable; common cap $200/day. Owners have right to cure, hearing, and appeal. Religious items, solar, flags, and xeriscape cannot be restricted beyond state limits.
HOA architectural committees in Travis County must follow TX Property Code 209.00505, which allows owners to appeal denials to the board. State law preempts HOA bans on solar panels, drought-resistant landscaping, rain barrels, and certain flags.
Mobile food units operating in unincorporated Travis County require a Mobile Food Establishment permit from Austin Public Health under interlocal agreement — annual fee approximately $258. Units must pass plan review, have a central commissary agreement, and carry TABC permit if serving alcohol. Food handler certification required for all workers.
Travis County does not designate vending zones in unincorporated areas — no zoning authority exists. Mobile vendors may operate on private property with owner permission and APH permit. Right-of-way vending on county roads requires a TNR permit and is generally limited to special events. State highway right-of-way vending is prohibited by TxDOT without an approved license agreement.
Recreational drone flight in Travis County is regulated by FAA Part 107 and 49 USC §44809. Austin-Bergstrom Class C airspace covers most of Travis County, requiring LAANC authorization. Camp Mabry (TX ARNG) restricts flight near Burnet Rd.
Commercial drone operators need FAA Part 107 certification plus LAANC authorization for Austin-Bergstrom Class C airspace. Texas Gov Code Ch. 423 restricts aerial surveillance. Travis County and Austin require additional permits for operations on public property.
Political signs are broadly protected under Texas Election Code §259.002 and the First Amendment. Travis County and Austin cannot ban political signs on private residential property, though size and duration limits apply.
Holiday decorations and displays are permitted in Travis County and Austin without permit, provided they do not create traffic hazards, encroach on public right-of-way, or violate noise/light ordinances. HOA restrictions are common.
Garage sale signs are allowed on private property during the sale but prohibited in public right-of-way. Austin City Code §25-10-152 limits off-premise temporary signs; Travis County bans signs in county road ROW.
Posted No Soliciting signs are legally enforceable in Austin under §10-3-32. Violations constitute criminal trespass under Texas Penal Code §30.05. Residents can report violations to 3-1-1 or APD non-emergency at 512-974-5750.
Commercial door-to-door solicitors must register with the City of Austin Police Department per Austin City Code §10-3 and carry a permit. Unincorporated Travis County has no solicitor permit requirement. Religious and political canvassing is constitutionally protected.
Travis County enforces floodplain development through Chapter 82 and participates in NFIP. The 2018 Llano River / Lake Travis flood raised the lake 18 feet in days and drove significant floodplain map revisions. Lake Travis and Lake Austin are managed by LCRA with flood operations out of Mansfield Dam. Development in SFHA requires a Floodplain Development Permit and finished-floor 1 foot above BFE, 2 feet in the Onion Creek basin.
Grading permits are required under Travis County Code Chapter 82 for any disturbance over 1 acre, cuts/fills over 4 feet, or any work in the Edwards Aquifer recharge or contributing zones. Drainage designs must match pre-development peak flows for 2, 10, 25, and 100-year storms using Atlas 14 rainfall data. Downstream drainage easements required for concentrated flow.
Erosion and sedimentation control is required under Travis County Code Chapter 82 for any earth disturbance over 1 acre or within Edwards Aquifer zones. Silt fence, rock berms, construction entrances, and inlet protection must be installed before clearing begins and maintained until vegetation reestablishes. Steep slopes over 15% in recharge zone receive additional scrutiny.
Travis County administers MS4 stormwater permit TXR040000 under TCEQ authority. Chapter 82 of County Code requires construction sites over 1 acre to file a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and obtain Construction General Permit coverage. Edwards Aquifer sites require additional Water Quality Protection Plan under Chapter 64.
Heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating in Travis County are subject to the TCEQ five-minute idling rule under 30 TAC Chapter 114. Travis County signed the Memorandum of Agreement enrolling unincorporated areas in this enforceable air-quality program.
Travis County has no cool-roof mandate for private properties because Texas preempts local energy code amendments on residential construction beyond the adopted 2015 IRC baseline. Voluntary high-reflectance shingles qualify for utility rebates inside Austin Energy territory.
Travis County Commissioners Court adopted climate goals through the Travis County Sustainability program, but Texas state law preempts most enforceable mandates on private development, so the program focuses on county facilities, fleet, and grant-funded weatherization.
Travis County encourages defensible space around rural Hill Country homes, but enforcement is limited because Texas grants counties narrow authority. ESDs and Texas A&M Forest Service publish voluntary 30-foot brush clearance guidelines for unincorporated wildfire-prone areas.
Travis County addresses urban heat island effects through tree canopy programs on county parks and right-of-way, but cannot impose surface albedo or canopy mandates on private property under Texas county zoning preemption.
Texas Property Code §202.010 strictly limits HOA authority to prohibit solar panels. HOAs cannot ban solar devices but may require architectural review for panel placement, provided the requirement does not reduce estimated energy production by more than 10%. Many Travis County lake-area HOAs have adopted solar-compliant guidelines after 202.010.
Rooftop solar installations in unincorporated Travis County require an electrical permit from Development Services (typical fee $150-250) and must comply with 2017 National Electrical Code as adopted. Structural engineering review required if panels add over 5 PSF to existing roof. Austin Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative both offer solar rebates and net metering.
Cannabis home cultivation is illegal in Texas. TX Health & Safety Code §481.121 makes possession of any marijuana plant a criminal offense. Only TCUP (Texas Compassionate Use Program) dispensaries can cultivate low-THC cannabis for medical patients.
Recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries are illegal in Texas. Only three state-licensed TCUP dispensing organizations may operate, serving qualified patients with low-THC cannabis under TX H&S Ch. 487. No commercial retail cannabis exists in Travis County.
Texas does not license adult-use cannabis businesses, so Travis County has no social equity licensing program; only a small set of state-licensed Compassionate Use Program dispensaries operate statewide under TX HSC Chapter 487.
Texas does not impose statewide cannabis buffer zones because adult-use is illegal; the few Compassionate Use dispensaries follow DPS site-security rules, and Travis County has no local cannabis buffer ordinance.
Texas prohibits personal cannabis cultivation entirely; Travis County cannot authorize home grows because Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 makes any plant possession a state criminal offense regardless of amount.
Cannabis delivery in Travis County is limited to state-licensed Compassionate Use dispensing organizations transporting low-THC product to registered patients under DPS rules, with no local cannabis delivery industry permitted.
Austin parks close from 10 PM to 5 AM under Parks and Recreation Rule §8-1-2. Travis County parks close at sunset or 10 PM depending on facility, per Travis County Parks Rules §82.101. Violators may be cited for criminal trespass.
City of Austin repealed its juvenile curfew in 2017 following federal court scrutiny of similar ordinances. Unincorporated Travis County has no general juvenile curfew. Some suburban cities (Pflugerville, Cedar Park) maintain curfews.
Pesticide application in Travis County is regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture under TX Occupations Code Chapter 1951. Structural pest control requires a TDA license. The County Environmental Health Services handles mosquito abatement and rodent complaints in unincorporated areas, with heightened attention to West Nile virus and Zika surveillance.
Renovation, repair, and painting of pre-1978 homes in Travis County is governed by EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR 745) and TDSHS Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules. Certified firms and lead-safe work practices required.
Travis County unincorporated areas follow the 2015 International Building Code adopted by the County for commercial construction. Scaffold safety on job sites falls under federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L rather than county rules. Travis County does not issue separate scaffold permits for residential work.
Elevators in Travis County commercial and multifamily buildings are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under TX Health and Safety Code Ch. 754 and 16 TAC Ch. 74. Annual inspection and certificate of compliance required.
Travis County adopts the International Building Code and International Fire Code through Chapter 64, which require fire sprinklers in most multifamily and commercial occupancies but exempt one-family and two-family detached homes statewide.
Travis County Chapter 64 adopts International Building Code rules for egress hardware, requiring single-action unlatching from the egress side and limiting deadbolts and barricade devices in commercial and assembly occupancies.
Travis County has limited zoning power under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240, so unincorporated areas have no mansionization caps; size limits exist mainly in city extraterritorial jurisdictions and platted subdivision deed restrictions.
Childcare centers in unincorporated Travis County must meet Texas HHSC licensing requirements alongside Chapter 64 building rules, ESD fire marshal inspection, and Travis County Health & Human Services environmental review.
Travis County has not adopted a mandatory green building code, though state-level energy provisions in the IECC apply through Chapter 64 and Austin Energy Green Building reaches some unincorporated developments via utility service agreements.
Travis County has no specific light trespass ordinance for unincorporated areas. Nuisance light claims between neighbors proceed under Texas common-law nuisance doctrine. Subdivisions with dark-sky CCRs provide civil enforcement. City of Austin LDC 25-6 applies within city limits but not in unincorporated county.
Travis County adopted dark-sky lighting standards for the western Hill Country portion of the county in 2018 to protect rural night skies and the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Full-cutoff fixtures required for outdoor lighting on parcels over 5 acres in the designated zone. The City of Austin has separate lighting rules including shielding within 5 miles of McDonald Observatory collaboration zones.
Travis County Health & Human Services partners with ECHO to provide sanitation services at unincorporated encampments. There is no county camping ban, but illegal-dumping and biohazard rules apply, with TCSO assistance for cleanups.
Travis County funds bridge and rapid-rehousing slots through ECHO, the Continuum of Care lead agency. There is no county-specific bridge-housing ordinance; eligibility, length-of-stay, and exit rules follow HUD CoC and ECHO protocols.
Travis County itself has no sit-lie or sidewalk-obstruction ordinance for unincorporated areas. The City of Austin reinstated its public-camping ordinance via Proposition B (May 2021), but that rule applies only inside Austin city limits.
Travis County Health and Human Services inspects restaurants in unincorporated areas using the Texas Food Establishment Rules, posting violation reports online rather than letter grades on storefronts.
Used syringes in Travis County must be placed in puncture-resistant sharps containers and dropped at approved sites; loose sharps in household trash violate Texas medical waste rules and TCHHS collection policy.
Property owners in unincorporated Travis County must abate rodent harborage and standing water that breeds vectors, with TCHHS empowered to issue notices and pursue abatement under nuisance authority.
Texas requires food employees to complete an accredited food handler course within 60 days of hire, and Travis County food permits are conditioned on staff holding current certificates from a DSHS-approved program.
Texas has no statewide bed bug statute and Travis County has not adopted a county-specific ordinance, leaving treatment as a habitability obligation under Texas Property Code landlord duties.
Calorie labeling at Travis County restaurants is governed by federal FDA rules for chains with 20 or more locations; Texas and Travis County have not added local menu-labeling requirements beyond federal law.
Travis County cannot ban polystyrene foam containers because the same TX HSC 361.0961 preemption confirmed by Laredo Merchants v. Laredo applies to all solid waste containers, not just plastic bags.
Travis County does not regulate plastic straws because TX HSC 361.0961 preempts local container restrictions; restaurants may voluntarily offer paper or upon-request straw service without local mandate.
Travis County cannot ban plastic carryout bags after the 2018 Texas Supreme Court decision in Laredo Merchants v. City of Laredo, which struck local bag bans as preempted by the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act.
Lawn watering in Travis County follows Lower Colorado River Authority drought response stages and the customer water provider rules. Most providers limit irrigation to one or two designated days per week with hose-end timers required during stage two and three drought.
Recycled and reclaimed water service in Travis County is largely confined to the City of Austin reclaimed water network, which serves downtown, Mueller, and select east-side districts. Most unincorporated Travis County has no reclaimed water access for irrigation or cooling.
Turf replacement is voluntary in Travis County. Several water providers including Austin Water and WTCPUA offer rebates between one and two dollars per square foot of converted lawn to drought-tolerant landscaping or hardscape that meets program criteria.
Travis County does not operate a county leak reporting line. Customers should report visible water main breaks or hydrant leaks to their retail provider. Austin Water runs a 24-hour line, while smaller utility districts route through their on-call dispatch.
Texas requires e-cigarette retailers to hold a state e-cigarette retailer permit issued by the Comptroller, with FDA premarket authorization for products, and Travis County does not add a separate local vape permit.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815 prohibits selling tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone under 21, with limited military exception, and Travis County retailers must verify ID and post the required state warning sign.
Travis County itself cannot offer a density bonus because counties lack use-zoning authority under Texas law. Density bonuses for affordable housing apply only inside Austin, Pflugerville, and other municipalities that have adopted explicit bonus ordinances.
Travis County has limited zoning authority compared to municipalities. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 240 grants counties only narrow powers over subdivisions, flood plains, and a few enumerated topics. Use districts and specific plans of the city sense are not available.
Shared electric scooters operate under City of Austin and other municipal permits, not Travis County. Unincorporated Travis County has no shared-mobility license framework, so dockless scooters are uncommon outside city limits and CapMetro service zones.
Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources stripes bike lanes on county arterials including Cameron Road, FM 1826, and South Pleasant Valley extensions. Texas Transportation Code grants cyclists full road rights and three-foot passing under HB 1755 statewide.
Travis County has narrow tree removal permit authority because Texas state law preempts most county tree ordinances under HB 1796. Subdivision plat conditions, Hill Country Conservancy easements, and floodplain rules still create some review requirements.
Heritage tree protection in Travis County is concentrated inside the City of Austin, which defines heritage trees as 24 inches diameter and over of certain native species. Unincorporated Travis County has no heritage tree designation, though plat conditions and conservation easements can apply.
Tattoo and body piercing studios in Travis County need a Texas Department of State Health Services license under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146, with mandatory minor-consent rules, sterilization standards, and county zoning compliance.
Travis County regulates adult-oriented businesses in unincorporated areas through state law and county location restrictions, requiring sexually oriented business permits, age 21 staff, and minimum distance from schools, churches, and homes.
Secondhand dealers and metal recyclers in Travis County must follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting rules, hold-period requirements, and seller identification, with TCSO accessing transaction databases for stolen-property investigations.
Tobacco and e-cigarette retailers in Travis County must hold a Texas Comptroller cigarette and tobacco permit under Tax Code Chapters 154 and 155, plus a DSHS e-cigarette retailer permit under Health and Safety Code Chapter 147.
Massage therapy and establishments in Travis County are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Occupations Code Chapter 455, with county zoning and TCHHS oversight for unincorporated locations.
Travis County restricts commercial auto repair at homes through unincorporated zoning, home occupation rules, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fluid-handling standards, while owners may work on personal vehicles freely on private property.
Travis County prohibits public consumption of alcohol in county parks and on the Highland Lakes shoreline by ordinance, while broader open container rules in vehicles follow Texas Penal Code Section 49.031 statewide.
Travis County enforces Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161 indoor smoking restrictions and Austin city ordinances banning smoking in workplaces, restaurants, bars, and outdoor patios within city limits, including e-cigarette use.
Marijuana possession and public use remain illegal under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 across Travis County, though Austin Proposition A (2022) deprioritized low-level possession arrests within Austin city limits.
Travis County and Austin prohibit aggressive panhandling such as touching, blocking paths, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, while passive sign-holding remains protected speech under federal court rulings.
Texas HB 2127 (2023) preempted local paid sick leave mandates, voiding the Austin paid sick leave ordinance previously enjoined by the Texas Third Court of Appeals, leaving paid leave a voluntary employer benefit in Travis County.
Texas preempts local minimum wage laws under Local Government Code Chapter 229, leaving the federal $7.25 per hour rate as the floor for most private employers in Travis County, though Austin and Travis County set higher wages for their own employees.