What is a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) in Texas?

The ETJ is a band of unincorporated land just outside a Texas city's limits where the city can apply some rules, mainly subdivision and platting standards, even though it is not inside the city. Its depth depends on city population under Local Government Code Section 42.021: one-half mile for cities under 5,000 people, 1 mile for 5,000 to 24,999, 2 miles for 25,000 to 49,999, 3.5 miles for 50,000 to 99,999, and 5 miles for 100,000 or more. A city can apply some of its development rules there, and county subdivision authority is limited inside an ETJ unless the city and county have an agreement. Check the city's online ETJ map or ask its planning office whether your parcel is inside it.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

• Texas Local Government Code Section 42.021 (Extent of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction)Texas Local Government Code via Public.Law
• What You Need to Know About Land-Use Restrictions in TexasTexas A&M Real Estate Research Center
• Subdivision Regulations (county government training presentation)V.G. Young Institute of County Government, Texas A&M AgriLife