Travis County, TX Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Specific Plans Overview (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- TX Local Govt Chapter 240
- Use districts
- Not available to counties
- City annexed parcels
- Follow city zoning
- Max civil penalty
- 1,000 dollars per day
Summary
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.
Sec. 232.001. PLAT REQUIRED. (a) The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if the owner divides the tract into two or more parts to lay out:(1) a subdivision of the tract, including an addition;(2) lots; or(3) streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended by the owner of the tract to be dedicated to public use.(b) To be recorded, the plat must:(1) describe the subdivision by metes and bounds;(2) locate the subdivision with respect to an original corner of the original survey of which it is a part.
Full Breakdown
Texas state law preempts comprehensive county zoning. Travis County cannot adopt the use, density, and form districts that cities like Austin maintain. Instead Travis County regulates land through Chapter 240 of the Texas Local Government Code, which authorizes county subdivision review, floodplain ordinances, on-site septic system regulation, and specific topics like fireworks zones and lake regulation. Any property owner inside an Austin or Pflugerville full-purpose annexation falls under city zoning. Properties in Austin extraterritorial jurisdiction face dual review: city subdivision rules plus county requirements. Truly unincorporated parcels follow only Travis County subdivision and floodplain regulations, leaving substantial property rights flexibility.
Violations & Fines
Subdivision and floodplain violations under Travis County rules can incur civil penalties up to 1,000 dollars per day under Texas Local Government Code, plus injunctive relief and stop-work orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Travis County have residential zones?
Am I in the city or just the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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