Bexar County has only narrow zoning power under Texas Local Government Code 240. Most land-use control in unincorporated areas runs through subdivision platting, the Unified Development Code's regional pieces, and Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone rules, not full zoning.
Texas counties cannot zone the way cities do. Texas Local Government Code 240 grants narrow zoning authority for specific topics like flood plains, certain border counties, and limited unincorporated tracts. Bexar County instead controls land use through subdivision regulations under Local Government Code 232, building inspection in some areas, and the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone development rules administered by Public Works. Master plan documents like the SA Tomorrow regional plan inform decisions but do not carry binding districting force outside city limits. Most large-scale land-use decisions in unincorporated Bexar County happen through plat approval at Commissioners Court.
Improper subdivision or development outside platted authority can void plats, halt utility connections, and trigger Local Government Code 232 enforcement actions.
See how Universal City's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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