Monthly Archives: July 2019
Cities in Texas May No Longer Restrict Building Materials Approved in International Codes
Most Texas cities have a sort of visual harmony when it comes to either the community as a whole, or specific neighborhoods within the city. This is because most Texas cities have ordinances regulating the construction of residential and commercial buildings. These ordinances are typically aimed at providing safety for citizens by requiring high-quality… Read More »
Electric Power Lines: To Bury, or Not to Bury. That is the Question
A common issue that Texas cities face when dealing with electric utility companies centers around whether they can require a company to place their electric utilities underground. One would think that the City simply needs to adopt an ordinance that requires electrical undergrounding. However, as many Texas cities are discovering, it is not that… Read More »
New Texas Law for Flood Control Funding Depends on Voters this November
Louisiana has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Barry heads for land, bringing the potential for a life-threatening storm surge. In Houston, we breathe a collective sigh of relief while simultaneously, our Hurricane Harvey memories are refreshed. What has Texas done to avoid the type of flooding and damage experienced in 2017… Read More »
Fourth of July and the Law of Fireworks
When you hear “Independence Day,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a myriad of things—cookouts, swimming, tricorn hats, Old Glory, alien invasions—but I’d bet one of the top things most people think of is fireworks. After all, is there a better way to celebrate anything than to set off a series of colorful, controlled explosions?… Read More »
How a Municipal Utility District (MUD) Facilitates Real Estate Development in Texas
Many Texans who live in the areas surrounding big cities may pay their water bills to a municipal utility district, or “MUD,” without really understanding what they are and how they work. From a legal standpoint, a MUD is a little bit like a tiny government that manages the water and sewer services for… Read More »