78R4761 DRH-F

By:  Armbrister                                                   S.B. No. 991



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the enactment of certain municipal zoning regulations.            
	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 211.0031 to read as follows:
	Sec. 211.0031.  ZONING REGULATION AFFECTING APPEARANCE OF 
BUILDINGS OR OPEN SPACES.  (a)  As part of adopting zoning 
regulations under  this chapter, the governing body of a 
municipality may regulate:
		(1)  the appearance or architectural style of buildings 
or other structures, including the types of building materials that 
may be used or the amount of masonry that must be contained on the 
exterior of the building or structure; and
		(2)  the appearance of yards, courts, or open spaces, 
including the types or quantities of plants or landscaping 
materials required.
	(b)  A municipal regulation authorized by Subsection (a) is 
subject to the restrictions in Chapter 245 and is not exempt from 
those restrictions under Section 245.004.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                      
	(b)  A regulation described by Section 211.0031, Local 
Government Code, as added by this Act, is subject to the application 
of Chapter 245, Local Government Code, notwithstanding Section 
245.004, Local Government Code, only in relation to an original 
permit application filed with a municipality on or after the 
effective date of this Act.  An original permit application filed 
with a municipality before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law in effect when the permit was filed, and the 
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.