House Bill No. 5187 establishes new regulations for converting certain office buildings into mixed-use and multifamily residential spaces in municipalities and counties that meet specific population criteria. The bill introduces Chapter 249 to the Local Government Code, defining key terms such as "heavy industrial use," "mixed-use residential," and "multifamily residential." It applies to municipalities with populations over 90,000 in counties exceeding 300,000, as well as to counties with populations greater than 300,000. Importantly, the bill ensures that local governments can still enforce existing ordinances related to historic preservation and short-term rentals.

The legislation prohibits municipalities and counties from charging fees associated with the conversion process, including building permits and parkland dedication fees, and restricts local authorities from requiring traffic impact analyses or additional parking beyond what the International Building Code mandates. If a proposed conversion complies with local regulations, the relevant authority must approve the permit administratively. The bill also allows for civil actions against municipalities or counties for non-compliance and grants the Attorney General enforcement powers, including the ability to restrict tax rate increases for violators. Additionally, it amends Section 395.011 of the Local Government Code to clarify the imposition of impact fees by political subdivisions, specifically prohibiting such fees for roadway facilities on land within their extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 395.011 (Local Government Code 395)