Vasut Bill Ends Big Lot Minimums In Cities Of 85,000+

The text as introduced · 2,163 words

89R3182 MP-F

By: Vasut
H.B. No. 878

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of residential land use and accessory

dwelling units by a political subdivision; authorizing a fee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 211, Local Government Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. RESIDENTIAL ZONING LIMITATIONS IN CERTAIN

MUNICIPALITIES

Sec. 211.051. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "small lot"

means a residential lot that is 4,000 square feet or less.

Sec. 211.052. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only

to a municipality:

(1) with a population of 85,000 or more; and

(2) that is wholly or partly located in a county with a

population of one million or more.

Sec. 211.053. CONSTRUCTION OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter

may not be construed to affect requirements directly related to

sewer or water services.

Sec. 211.054. CERTAIN DWELLING UNIT LOT SIZE REQUIREMENTS

PROHIBITED. A municipality may not adopt or enforce an ordinance,

rule, or other measure that requires:

(1) a residential lot to be:

(A) larger than 2,500 square feet;

(B) wider than 16 feet; or

(C) deeper than 30 feet; or

(2) if regulating the density of dwelling units on a

residential lot, a ratio of dwelling units per acre that results in

fewer than 31.1 units per acre.

Sec. 211.055. SMALL LOTS. (a) A municipality may not adopt

or enforce an ordinance, rule, or other measure that requires a

small lot to have:

(1) a building, waterway, plane, or other setback

greater than:

(A) five feet from the front or back of the

property; or

(B) five feet from the side of the property;

(2) covered parking;

(3) more than one parking space per unit;

(4) off-site parking;

(5) more than 30 percent open space or permeable

surface;

(6) fewer than three full stories not exceeding 10

feet in height measured from the interior floor to ceiling;

(7) a maximum building bulk;

(8) a wall articulation requirement; or

(9) any other zoning restriction that imposes

restrictions inconsistent with this subsection, including

restrictions through contiguous zoning districts or uses or from

the creation of an overlapping zoning district.

(b) A municipality may require with respect to a small lot:

(1) the sharing of a driveway with another lot; or

(2) permitting fees equivalent to the permitting fees

charged for the development of a lot the use of which is restricted

to a single-family residence.

Sec. 211.056. NO EFFECT ON OTHER ZONING AUTHORITY. This

subchapter does not prohibit a municipality from imposing

restrictions that are applicable to all similarly situated lots or

subdivisions, including requiring all subdivisions or all small

lots to fully mitigate stormwater runoff.

Sec. 211.057. NO EFFECT ON HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS AND

OTHER PRIVATE AGREEMENTS. This subchapter does not prohibit

property owners from enforcing rules or deed restrictions imposed

by a homeowners' association or by other private agreement.

Sec. 211.058. SPECIAL EXCEPTION. (a) The owner of a

property that is subject to the provisions of this subchapter may

apply for a special exception from the lot or building requirements

of this subchapter.

(b) An application submitted under Subsection (a) must:

(1) propose to exempt a contiguous area subject to

this subchapter and designated only for single-family residential

use; and

(2) demonstrate:

(A) the approval of at least 51 percent of the

owners of the property located on a block face that is the subject

of the application, if the application proposes to exempt an area

containing all lots located on at least one block face and not more

than two opposing block faces; or

(B) the approval of at least 55 percent of the

owners of property located in the area that is the subject of the

application, if the application proposes to exempt an area

containing:

(i) all lots located on at least five block

faces composed of five or more lots; and

(ii) not more than 500 lots within the same

subdivision plat or 400 lots within two or more subdivision plats.

(c) A municipality shall adopt procedures that comply with

this chapter for providing notice, a hearing, and appeal of any

decision to approve or deny an application submitted under

Subsection (a).

(d) A special exception granted under this section may not

require a property to exceed the minimum lot size requirements for

other properties subject to the zoning regulations applicable to

the property.

Sec. 211.059. PROPERTY OWNER ACTION. (a) A property owner

may bring an action against a municipality that violates this

subchapter for damages resulting from the violation and appropriate

equitable relief.

(b) A court may award a prevailing claimant reasonable

attorney's fees incurred in bringing an action under this section.

The claimant may not recover exemplary damages in the action.

(c) Governmental immunity of a municipality to suit and from

liability is waived to the extent of liability created by this

section.

SECTION 2. Chapter 231, Local Government Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter N to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER N. LAND USE REGULATIONS FOR HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

AREAS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES

Sec. 231.301. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "high

density residential area" means an area of land that:

(1) is in the unincorporated area of a county; and

(2) has more than two dwelling units per acre.

Sec. 231.302. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only

to a high density residential area that:

(1) is located in a county with a population of less

than one million; and

(2) is not subject to other zoning authority provided

by this chapter.

Sec. 231.303. LIMITED LAND USE REGULATION IN HIGH DENSITY

RESIDENTIAL AREAS. (a) The commissioners court of a county may by

order regulate the use of land located in a high density residential

area in relation to:

(1) health and safety; or

(2) the quiet enjoyment of property, including

regulations of noise and signage.

(b) The commissioners court of a county may enter into an

agreement under Chapter 791, Government Code, with a law

enforcement agency for the purpose of enforcing an order adopted

under this section.

Sec. 231.304. PLATTING IN HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

The commissioners court of a county may by order regulate the

platting of high density residential areas. The order may not

limit:

(1) lot sizes to be less than 10,000 square feet; or

(2) lot width to be less than 100 square feet.

SECTION 3. Subtitle C, Title 7, Local Government Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 249 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 249. REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS BY POLITICAL

SUBDIVISIONS

Sec. 249.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "accessory

dwelling unit" means a residential housing unit that is:

(1) located on any lot that is zoned for a

single-family home or duplex or is not zoned;

(2) independent of the attached or detached primary

dwelling unit; and

(3) a complete and independent living facility for at

least one individual.

Sec. 249.002. CERTAIN REGULATIONS PROHIBITED. (a) A

political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an order, ordinance,

or other measure that:

(1) prohibits an owner of a lot described by Section

249.001(1) from building an accessory dwelling unit before, after,

or concurrently with the building of the primary dwelling unit on

the lot;

(2) subject to Section 249.003(e), prohibits the owner

from selling or entering into a residential lease of an accessory

dwelling unit;

(3) requires any owner occupancy of the primary

dwelling unit;

(4) subject to Subsection (b), requires parking for an

accessory dwelling unit;

(5) requires a minimum lot size for an accessory

dwelling unit that is larger than the minimum lot size required by

the political subdivision for:

(A) a single-family home or duplex, as

applicable, in a lot zoned for that purpose; or

(B) an accessory dwelling unit on September 1,

2025, if the political subdivision only required a property owner

to provide notice to the political subdivision of the proposed unit

in order to be authorized to build the unit;

(6) requires side or rear building, waterway, plane,

or other setbacks larger than five feet for an accessory dwelling

unit;

(7) prevents an owner of a lot zoned for a

single-family home or duplex from converting an existing structure

to an accessory dwelling unit by requiring setbacks larger than the

current structure's setbacks;

(8) applies the political subdivision's local growth

restrictions or density or bulk limitations to an accessory

dwelling unit;

(9) provides a limitation on the square footage of an

accessory dwelling unit that is less than:

(A) 50 percent of the square footage of the

primary dwelling unit; or

(B) 800 square feet;

(10) regulates the design of an accessory dwelling

unit, including the shape, size, massing, or distribution of square

footage between floors;

(11) requires the height of a room in an accessory

dwelling unit to be more than 14 feet, measured from floor to

ceiling;

(12) charges an impact fee:

(A) in any amount for an accessory dwelling unit

that is less than 800 square feet; or

(B) that conflicts with Chapter 395;

(13) charges any additional fee or any exaction,

including a parkland or right-of-way dedication, specific to

accessory dwelling units;

(14) imposes any restriction of accessory dwelling

unit occupancy on the basis of age or employment relationship with

the primary dwelling unit owner;

(15) prohibits an owner of a lot that is at least

10,000 square feet that is described by Section 249.001(1) from

building two accessory dwelling units before, after, or

concurrently with the primary dwelling unit; or

(16) prohibits the construction of accessory dwelling

units consistent with this chapter under otherwise applicable open

space or permeable surface restrictions.

(b) Subsection (a)(4) does not limit a political

subdivision's authority to require the replacement of parking

required for the primary dwelling unit if the accessory dwelling

unit construction eliminates the primary dwelling unit's existing

parking.

Sec. 249.003. AUTHORIZED REGULATION. (a) Except as

provided by this chapter, a political subdivision's height

limitations, front setback limitations, site plan review, and other

zoning requirements that are generally applicable to residential

construction for the area in which an accessory dwelling unit is

built apply to the accessory dwelling unit.

(b) A political subdivision may publish accessory dwelling

unit plans, building codes, and design standards that are permitted

in the political subdivision. Subject to Section 249.002, standards

may include height, setback, landscape, aesthetics standards, and

maximum size of an accessory dwelling unit.

(c) A political subdivision may authorize an accessory

dwelling unit on a lot that:

(1) contains a structure subject to a historic

preservation law, subject to a political subdivision's authority to

regulate under other law, including Section 211.003;

(2) is located in an area used to implement a water

conservation plan described by Section 11.1271 or 13.146, Water

Code; or

(3) is located in an area subject to a standard imposed

by the Texas Water Development Board as described by Section

3000.002(c), Government Code.

(d) A political subdivision may apply the political

subdivision's regulations on short-term rental units to an

accessory dwelling unit.

(e) A political subdivision may prohibit the sale of an

accessory dwelling unit separately from the primary dwelling unit.

Sec. 249.004. PERMIT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS. (a) A

political subdivision that requires a permit to construct an

accessory dwelling unit shall:

(1) process the application for the permit

ministerially without discretionary review or a hearing;

(2) consider only whether the application satisfies

the applicable building codes, design standards, and fire codes;

and

(3) approve or deny the application not later than the

60th day after the date the applicant submits the completed

application.

(b) A permit application described by Subsection (a) is

considered approved if the political subdivision to which the

application is submitted does not approve or deny the application

on or before the 60th day after the date the applicant submits the

application.

Sec. 249.005. EFFECT ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS AND RULES. This

chapter does not supersede, preempt, or apply to a historic

preservation rule, deed restriction, or homeowners' association

rule that limits or prohibits the construction of an accessory

dwelling unit.

Sec. 249.006. ATTORNEY GENERAL ENFORCEMENT. (a) In this

section:

(1) "No-new-revenue tax rate" means the

no-new-revenue tax rate calculated under Chapter 26, Tax Code.

(2) "Tax year" has the meaning assigned by Section

1.04, Tax Code.

(b) A person may submit a complaint to the attorney general

of a suspected violation of this chapter.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, if the attorney general

determines that a political subdivision has violated this chapter,

the political subdivision may not adopt an ad valorem tax rate that

exceeds the political subdivision's no-new-revenue tax rate for the

tax year that begins on or after the date of the determination.

SECTION 4. Chapter 249, Local Government Code, as added by

this Act, applies only to a permit application submitted on or after

the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this

section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

(b) Subchapter N, Chapter 231, Local Government Code, as

added by this Act, takes effect September 1, 2027.