By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1787
 
  (Goldman)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to size and density requirements for residential lots in
  certain municipalities; 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 MUNICIPALITIES
  LOCATED IN COUNTIES OF 300,000 OR MORE
         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 that is wholly or partly located in a county with
  a population of 300,000 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 1,400 square feet;
                     (B)  wider than 20 feet; or
                     (C)  deeper than 60 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 one property owner
  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
  property 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 an 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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.