Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.221
REGULATION OF SOLAR PERGOLAS.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.221. REGULATION OF SOLAR PERGOLAS. A municipality may not apply a municipal building code to the construction of a solar pergola. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 332 (H.B. 3526), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. SUBCHAPTER H. REGISTRATION OF VACANT BUILDINGS
Under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.221, Texas municipalities are prohibited from applying their local building codes to the construction of a solar pergola. This provision, effective September 1, 2023, carves out solar pergolas from the category of structures subject to municipal building-code oversight. The rule does not address other types of permitting or land-use regulations that might separately apply to such structures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.221 means that property owners and managers in Texas who construct solar pergolas cannot be required to comply with municipal building codes for that construction. Operators generally document the nature of a structure as a solar pergola when seeking any applicable approvals, since the exemption is specific to that structure type. It is worth noting that other local regulations—such as zoning, deed restrictions, or homeowners association rules—may still apply independently of building codes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.221 may be relevant to tenants who live in properties where a landlord constructs or plans to construct a solar pergola, since municipal building codes cannot be used to block or regulate that construction. If a tenant has concerns about how a solar pergola installation affects their housing conditions, they may consider raising the specific scope of this exemption with a local tenant-rights organization to understand what other protections might still apply. Because this provision is relatively new, having taken effect September 1, 2023, tenant-rights groups or housing counselors may be helpful resources for understanding its practical implications.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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