S.B. No. 2577 amends the Local Government Code to establish new requirements for subdivision platting in certain Texas counties, particularly those bordering the United Mexican States and the Gulf of Mexico. The bill introduces a new Subchapter G, which outlines definitions and specific applicability criteria for subdivisions, including the requirement for a plat when subdividing land into two or more lots, with at least one lot being less than five acres. It clarifies that counties may not require a plat if the lots are sold to adjoining landowners and added to their existing parcels. The bill modifies existing sections of the Local Government Code, including Section 232.0015 and Section 232.022, adding a new subsection (a-1) to Section 232.022, which states that the subchapter does not apply to counties bordering the United Mexican States and the Gulf of Mexico.

The bill also introduces several amendments regarding the approval and requirements for subdivision plats, including the necessity for purchasers to provide a metes and bounds description of adjoining parcels. It grants counties discretion to grant exceptions to plat requirements under specific conditions and mandates that the commissioners court document their findings when granting exceptions. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the commissioners court in approving plats, including compliance with floodplain regulations and the issuance of certificates for subdivisions. It establishes penalties for subdividers who fail to comply with regulations, allowing for legal action by the attorney general or local district attorneys against violators. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 232.0015, Local Government Code 232.022, Local Government Code 232.071, Water Code 16.343, Water Code 16.350 (Water Code 16, Local Government Code 232)