Texas counties have very limited zoning authority under Local Government Code chapters 232 and 233, primarily over subdivisions and floodplains. Harris County does not adopt specific plans. Houston also lacks traditional zoning. Land-use control comes from deed restrictions, HOAs, and chapter 42 city development rules.
Texas Local Government Code chapters 232 and 233 grant counties limited unincorporated authority over subdivision platting, floodplain management, and a small set of public health rules. Counties cannot adopt comprehensive zoning, specific plans, or transit-oriented development overlays the way California counties do under Government Code 65450. Harris County does not maintain a specific-plan regime. The City of Houston famously rejected zoning in 1993 and 2010 referendums and instead relies on deed restrictions enforced under Property Code chapter 209 and on Houston Code of Ordinances chapter 42 development standards. Cities like Sugar Land, Pearland, and Bellaire run more traditional zoning but no formal specific-plan overlay.
No specific-plan violation framework exists because Texas does not authorize county specific plans. Subdivision-platting violations under Local Government Code chapter 232 carry civil penalties up to one thousand dollars per day and injunctive relief in district court.
Harris County, TX
Harris County has no zoning in unincorporated areas. Home-based businesses are unrestricted at the county level. Texas counties lack zoning authority. Deed r...
Harris County, TX
Unincorporated Harris County has no zoning and no county-wide building setback requirements. Setbacks are established through individual subdivision plats fi...
Harris County, TX
Harris County has no lot coverage restrictions in unincorporated areas due to its lack of zoning. Maximum impervious cover may be effectively limited by stor...
See how Harris County's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.