HB 24

H.B. No. 24
  AN ACT
  relating to procedures for changes to a zoning regulation or
  district boundary.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 211, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 211.0011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 211.0011.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "proposed
  comprehensive zoning change" means a municipal proposal to:
               (1)  change an existing zoning regulation that:
                     (A)  will have the effect of allowing more
  residential development than the previous regulation; and
                     (B)  will apply uniformly to each parcel in one or
  more zoning districts;
               (2)  adopt a new zoning code or zoning map that will
  apply to the entire municipality; or
               (3)  adopt a zoning overlay district that:
                     (A)  will have the effect of allowing more
  residential development than allowed without the overlay; and
                     (B)  will include an area along a major roadway,
  highway, or transit corridor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 211.006(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The governing body of a municipality wishing to exercise
  the authority relating to zoning regulations and zoning district
  boundaries shall establish procedures for adopting and enforcing
  the regulations and boundaries.  A regulation or boundary is not
  effective until after a public hearing on the matter at which
  parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be
  heard.  Before the 15th day before the date of the hearing, notice
  of the time and place of the hearing must be:
               (1)  published in an official newspaper or a newspaper
  of general circulation in the municipality; and
               (2)  if the municipality maintains an Internet website,
  published on the municipality's Internet website.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 211, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 211.0061 to read as follows:
         Sec. 211.0061.  PROTEST PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN PROPOSED
  CHANGES.  (a)  This section applies only to a proposed change to a
  zoning regulation or district boundary that is not a proposed
  comprehensive zoning change.
         (b)  A protest of a proposed change to a zoning regulation or
  district boundary must be written and signed by the owners of:
               (1)  at least 20 percent of the area of the lots or land
  covered by the proposed change;
               (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (3), at least 20
  percent of the area of the lots or land immediately adjoining the
  area covered by the proposed change and extending 200 feet from that
  area; or
               (3)  at least 60 percent of the area of the lots or land
  immediately adjoining the area covered by the proposed change and
  extending 200 feet from that area if the proposed change has the
  effect of allowing more residential development than the existing
  zoning regulation or district boundary and does not have the effect
  of allowing additional commercial or industrial uses unless the
  additional use is limited to the first floor of any residential
  development and does not exceed 35 percent of the overall
  development.
         (d)  If a proposed change to a regulation or district
  boundary is protested in accordance with Subsection (b), the
  proposed change must receive, in order to take effect, the
  affirmative vote of at least:
               (1)  three-fourths of all members of the governing body
  for a protest described by Subsection (b)(1) or (2); or
               (2)  a majority of all members of the governing body for
  a protest described by Subsection (b)(3).
         SECTION 4.  Section 211.006(e), Local Government Code, is
  transferred to Section 211.0061, Local Government Code, as added by
  this Act, redesignated as Section 211.0061(c), Local Government
  Code, and amended to read as follows:
         (c) [(e)]  In computing the percentage of land area under
  Subsection (b):
               (1)  [(d),] the area of streets and alleys shall be
  included; and
               (2)  the land area is not calculated individually for
  each tract of land subject to a proposed change in a zoning
  regulation or district boundary but in the aggregate for all tracts
  of land subject to the change.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter A, Chapter 211, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Sections 211.0063 and 211.0065 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 211.0063.  NOTICE FOR PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
  CHANGES.  The notices described by Section 211.006(a) or
  211.007(d), as applicable, and Section 211.006(a-1) are the only
  notices required for a proposed comprehensive zoning change.
         Sec. 211.0065.  PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY FOR CERTAIN CHANGES
  TO ZONING REGULATIONS OR DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.  A change to a zoning
  regulation or district boundary that has the effect of allowing
  more residential development than the previous regulation is
  conclusively presumed valid and to have occurred in accordance with
  all applicable statutes and ordinances if an action to annul or
  invalidate the change has not been filed before the 60th day after
  the effective date of the change.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter A, Chapter 211, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 211.0073 to read as follows:
         Sec. 211.0073.  NOTICE SIGN REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN ZONING
  CHANGES IN HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITIES.  (a)  Not later than the 10th
  day before the date the zoning commission of a home-rule
  municipality holds a hearing on a proposed change in zoning
  classification that does not apply to the whole municipality and
  until the date of a final determination on the proposed change by
  the governing body of the municipality, the zoning commission shall
  post a notice sign in accordance with this section on:
               (1)  the property affected by the change; or
               (2)  a public right-of-way for a change initiated by
  the municipality that affects multiple properties.
         (b)  The notice sign must be at least 24 inches long by 48
  inches wide.
         (c)  The zoning commission may elect to provide, maintain,
  and pay for a notice sign under this section or require an applicant
  for a change in zoning classification to provide, maintain, and pay
  for the sign.
         (d)  Notice requirements prescribed under this section are
  in addition to notice required by Section 211.007.
         SECTION 7.  Sections 211.006(d) and (f), Local Government
  Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 8.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a proposal to change a municipal zoning regulation or district
  boundary made on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
  ______________________________
  ______________________________
     President of the Senate
  Speaker of the House     
         I certify that H.B. No. 24 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 83, Nays 56, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 24 on May 29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 104, Nays 30, 1
  present, not voting.
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
         I certify that H.B. No. 24 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays
  1.
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
           __________________
                Governor