Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed three major housing bills aimed at expanding development, cutting red tape, and boosting affordability across the state. The new laws, Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 840, and House Bill 24, are designed to increase housing supply and give Texans more pathways to homeownership.
Abbott Highlights Housing Affordability
“Housing affordability is one of the key issues on the minds of Texans today,” Governor Abbott said during the signing at the Texas Capitol. “Thankfully, we have taken large steps to make the American dream of affording a home a reality.”
Lawmakers and Advocates Present
Abbott was joined by Senator Paul Bettencourt, Senator Bryan Hughes, Representative Gary Gates, Representative Cole Hefner, Representative Angelina Orr, and other housing policy advocates to celebrate the passage of the bills.
Senate Bill 15: Smaller Lot Flexibility
SB 15 prohibits cities from mandating excessively large lot sizes on unplatted tracts of five acres or more. It also limits municipal requirements for setbacks, covered parking, off-site parking, permeable surface ratios, ceiling heights, building bulk, and wall articulation, paving the way for denser, smaller housing developments.
Senate Bill 840: Unlocking Mixed-Use Housing
SB 840 permits mixed-use and multifamily developments in zones currently restricted to office, retail, or warehouse purposes. It also blocks cities from imposing certain fees and requirements, aiming to remove costly bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate housing availability in urban areas.
House Bill 24: Reforming Zoning Petitions
HB 24 reforms the “valid petition process,” often called the “tyrant’s veto,” which previously made zoning changes difficult. The updated law eases restrictions to enable more residential development, increasing supply, density, and affordability across Texas communities.
Next Steps for Texans
The Governor emphasized that the reforms mark significant progress but acknowledged that more work remains to ensure Texas families can secure affordable homes.