HB 3919

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 3919 establishes new zoning limitations for residential lot size and density in municipalities with populations over 90,000 that are located in counties with more than 300,000 residents. The bill prohibits these municipalities from enforcing minimum lot size requirements exceeding 1,400 square feet, minimum lot width exceeding 20 feet, or minimum depth exceeding 60 feet. Additionally, it limits density restrictions by ensuring that zoning regulations do not reduce the number of dwelling units per acre below 31.1. The bill also sets restrictions on how municipalities regulate small lots, defined as those 4,000 square feet or smaller. It prevents cities from imposing excessive setback requirements, requiring covered parking, mandating more than one parking space per unit, or restricting building height below three stories. Municipalities may still impose fees and driveway-sharing requirements, but they cannot adopt zoning restrictions that limit housing development on small lots beyond the specified limits. Homeowners' associations and private agreements remain unaffected by this legislation, allowing them to continue enforcing their own property restrictions. The bill also grants individuals or housing organizations the right to sue municipalities for violations, with courts authorized to issue declaratory judgments, injunctions, and monetary damages. It includes a waiver of governmental immunity for municipalities and official immunity for municipal employees when facing claims under this law.

Author

Gary Gates

Pat Curry

Todd Hunter

James Talarico

Cody Harris

Co-Author

Sheryl Cole

Mark Dorazio

Ryan Guillen

Sam Harless

Richard Hayes

Cole Hefner

Hillary Hickland

Janis Holt

Lacey Hull

Suleman Lalani

Oscar Longoria

Janie Lopez

A.J. Louderback

J. M. Lozano

Armando Martinez

Don McLaughlin

Terry Meza

Sergio Munoz, Jr.

Tom Oliverson

Claudia Ordaz

Richard Raymond

John Smithee

Carl Tepper

Senfronia Thompson

Cody Vasut

Hubert Vo

Eugene Wu

Contact the Author

Rep. Gary Gates