Title LG, Local Government Code

Sec. 43.907. EFFECT OF ANNEXATION ON COLONIAS. (a) In this section, "colonia" means a geographic area that consists of 11 or more dwellings that are located in close proximity to each other in an area that may be described as a community or neighborhood and that: (1) has a majori…

Sec. 43.908. ENFORCEMENT OF CHAPTER. (a) This chapter may be enforced only through mandamus or declaratory or injunctive relief. (b) A political subdivision's immunity from suit is waived in regard to an action under this chapter. (c) A court may award court costs and reasonable …

Sec. 51.001. ORDINANCE, RULE, OR REGULATION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT OTHER POWERS. The governing body of a municipality may adopt, publish, amend, or repeal an ordinance, rule, or police regulation that: (1) is for the good government, peace, or order of the municipality or for the…

Sec. 51.002. ORDINANCE OR RULES INCONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW PROHIBITED. Notwithstanding Section 51.001, the governing body of a municipality may adopt, enforce, or maintain an ordinance or rule only if the ordinance or rule is consistent with the laws of this state. Added by Acts…

Sec. 51.003. MUNICIPAL ACT OR PROCEEDING PRESUMED VALID. (a) A governmental act or proceeding of a municipality is conclusively presumed, as of the date it occurred, to be valid and to have occurred in accordance with all applicable statutes and ordinances if: (1) the third anniv…

Sec. 51.011. SUBCHAPTER APPLICABLE TO TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. This subchapter applies only to a Type A general-law municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.012. ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS. The municipality may adopt an ordinance, act, law, or regulation, not inconsistent with state law, that is necessary for the government, interest, welfare, or good order of the municipality as a body politic. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149,…

Sec. 51.013. AUTHORITY RELATING TO LAWSUITS. The municipality may sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and answer and be answered in any matter in any court or other place. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.014. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. The municipality may contract with other persons. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.015. AUTHORITY TO HOLD, PURCHASE, LEASE, OR CONVEY PROPERTY. (a) To carry out a municipal purpose, the municipality may take, hold, purchase, lease, grant, or convey property located in or outside the municipality. (b) The governing body of the municipality may manage and…

Sec. 51.016. ADOPTION AND USE OF SEAL. The municipality may adopt a corporate seal for the use of the municipality. The municipality may change and renew the seal. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.017. CONTINUATION OF POWERS, DUTIES, PENALTIES, AND SUITS AFTER CHANGE TO TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) This section applies only to a Type A general-law municipality that: (1) changed to that type under Subchapter B of Chapter 6; or (2) changed its municipal type …

Sec. 51.018. OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF PROPERTY AFTER CHANGE TO TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) This section applies only to a Type A general-law municipality described by Section 51.017(a). (b) The property belonging to the municipality before it changed to a Type A general-law…

Sec. 51.031. SUBCHAPTER APPLICABLE TO TYPE B GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. This subchapter applies only to a Type B general-law municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.032. ORDINANCES AND BYLAWS. (a) The governing body of the municipality may adopt an ordinance or bylaw, not inconsistent with state law, that the governing body considers proper for the government of the municipal corporation. (b) The governing body may take any other act…

Sec. 51.033. AUTHORITY RELATING TO LAWSUITS. The municipality may sue and be sued and may plead and be impleaded. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.034. AUTHORITY TO HOLD AND DISPOSE OF PROPERTY. The municipality may hold and dispose of: (1) personal property; and (2) real property located within the municipal boundaries. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.035. AUTHORITY, DUTIES, PRIVILEGES. A Type B general-law municipality has the same authority, duties, and privileges as a Type A general-law municipality, unless the Type B general-law municipality in exercising the authority or privilege or performing the duty would be i…

Sec. 51.051. GENERAL POWERS OF TYPE C GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) The governing body of a Type C general-law municipality with 501 to 4,999 inhabitants has the same authority and is subject to the same duties as a Type A general-law municipality unless the authority or duties c…

Sec. 51.052. ALTERNATIVE GENERAL POWERS FOR CERTAIN TYPE C GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITIES. (a) A municipality that is incorporated as a Type C general-law municipality and that has $500,000 or more of assessed valuation for taxable purposes, according to its most recently approved ta…

Sec. 51.071. SUBCHAPTER APPLICABLE TO HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITY. This subchapter applies only to a home-rule municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.072. AUTHORITY OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT. (a) The municipality has full power of local self-government. (b) The grant of powers to the municipality by this code does not prevent, by implication or otherwise, the municipality from exercising the authority incident to local …

Sec. 51.073. ADOPTION OF CHARTER DOES NOT AFFECT RIGHTS AND CLAIMS. The adoption or amendment of the municipality's charter does not affect any previously existing property, action, right of action, claim, or demand involving the municipality. A right of action, claim, or demand …

Sec. 51.074. PERPETUAL SUCCESSION. The municipality may act in perpetual succession as a body politic. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.075. AUTHORITY RELATING TO LAWSUITS. The municipality may plead and be impleaded in any court. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 51.076. AUTHORITY RELATING TO PROPERTY. (a) The municipality may hold property, including any charitable or trust fund, that it receives by gift, deed, devise, or other manner. (b) The municipality may provide that any property owned or held by the municipality is not subjec…

Sec. 51.077. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES. The municipality may adopt rules, as it considers advisable, governing the municipality's liability for damages caused to a person or property. The municipality may provide for its exemption from liability. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1…

Sec. 51.078. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN POWERS GRANTED BEFORE 1913. Powers granted before July 1, 1913, to a municipality by general law or special law continue to be powers of the municipality after it adopts a home-rule charter if the powers are made a part of the charter. Acts 19…

Sec. 51.079. RESTRICTIONS APPLYING TO NONBINDING REFERENDUM. (a) A nonbinding referendum held by the municipality as a result of a petition by the voters of the municipality must be held on the same date of an election called by the governing body of the municipality on another q…

Sec. 52.001. SUBCHAPTER APPLICABLE TO TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. This subchapter applies only to a Type A general-law municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 52.002. STYLE. (a) The style of an ordinance of the municipality must be: "Be it ordained by the _____________ (insert the name by which the governing body of the municipality is known, such as city council, board of aldermen, or city commission) of the ______________ (inser…

Sec. 52.003. APPROVAL BY MAYOR AND RELATED CONDITIONS FOR ORDINANCE TO TAKE EFFECT. (a) Before an ordinance or resolution adopted by the governing body of the municipality may take effect, the ordinance or resolution must be placed in the office of the secretary of the municipali…

Sec. 52.004. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER. (a) As soon as practicable after the beginning of each municipal year, the governing body of the municipality shall contract, as determined by ordinance or resolution, with a public newspaper of the municipality to be the municipality's official n…

Sec. 52.011. TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) If a Type A general-law municipality adopts an ordinance that imposes a penalty, fine, or forfeiture, the ordinance, or a caption that summarizes the purpose of the ordinance and the penalty for violating the ordinance, shall be p…

Sec. 52.012. TYPE B GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) Before an ordinance or a bylaw of a Type B general-law municipality may be enforced, the ordinance or bylaw, or a caption that summarizes the purpose of the ordinance or bylaw and the penalty for violating the ordinance or bylaw m…

Sec. 52.013. HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITIES. (a) The governing body of a home-rule municipality may publish a caption of an adopted ordinance that summarizes the purpose of the ordinance and any penalty for violating the ordinance in lieu of a requirement in the municipality's charter …

Sec. 53.001. ADOPTION OF CODE. (a) A municipality may adopt by ordinance a codification of its civil and criminal ordinances, together with appropriate penalties for the violation of the ordinances. (b) On the adoption of the code, the secretary of the municipality shall record t…

Sec. 53.002. PUBLICATION OF ADOPTION ORDINANCE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the ordinance adopting a code of municipal ordinances shall be published in the official publication of the municipality or in a newspaper published in the municipality or county as provided…

Sec. 53.003. SUBDIVISION OF CODE. A code of municipal ordinances may be subdivided into chapters, titles, articles, or sections at the discretion of the governing body of the municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 53.004. CHANGE OR REPEAL OF ORDINANCE. If a change in a municipality's form of government and designation of offices and officers necessitates the change or repeal of an ordinance or part of an ordinance being codified, the municipality may amend, omit, or repeal the ordinan…

Sec. 53.005. EFFECT OF CODIFICATION. (a) A municipal code of ordinances has the force and effect of an ordinance regularly adopted in accordance with law. (b) The record of the code in the municipality's ordinance records is a record of the codified ordinances and establishes the…

Sec. 53.006. PRINTED CODE AS EVIDENCE. (a) A municipality may have printed, under the direction of the governing body of the municipality, a copy of the code that is authenticated and approved by the mayor's signature and attested by the secretary of the municipality. (b) In a co…

Sec. 54.001. GENERAL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITIES; PENALTY. (a) The governing body of a municipality may enforce each rule, ordinance, or police regulation of the municipality and may punish a violation of a rule, ordinance, or police regulation. (b) A fine or penalty …

Sec. 54.002. IMPOSITION OF FINE IN TYPE B GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. (a) The governing body of a Type B general-law municipality may prescribe the fine for the violation of a municipal bylaw or ordinance. (b) If a defendant in a Type B general-law municipality demands a jury trial…

Sec. 54.003. REMISSION OF FINE BY TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. On a two-thirds vote of the members present, the governing body of a Type A general-law municipality may remit a fine or a penalty, or a part of a fine or penalty, imposed or incurred under law or under an ordinan…

Sec. 54.004. PRESERVATION OF HEALTH, PROPERTY, GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND ORDER IN HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITY. A home-rule municipality may enforce ordinances necessary to protect health, life, and property and to preserve the good government, order, and security of the municipality and it…