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Bill

SB 1567

Relating to the authority of home-rule municipalities to regulate the occupancy of dwelling units.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt and 2 co-sponsors

SB 1567 empowers Texas home-rule cities to set their own occupancy limits for rental dwellings, effective September 1, 2025, affecting housing flexibility and local zoning control.

Effective on 9/1/25
#citygovernment--landuse&zoning(i0064) #civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #countygovernment--landuse&zoning(i0098) #housing--general(i0405)
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Bill Summary · SB 1567

Legislative bill overview

SB 1567 grants Texas home-rule municipalities expanded authority to regulate occupancy limits in dwelling units, allowing cities to set their own rules on how many unrelated persons can live together. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor in June.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects housing flexibility and local land-use control. It allows cities to enforce stricter occupancy standards than state law, which can impact affordability, student housing, co-living arrangements, and rental market dynamics. The outcome depends heavily on how individual municipalities choose to implement these new powers.

Potential points of contention

  • Housing affordability concerns: Stricter occupancy limits could reduce housing supply for cost-conscious renters and young professionals seeking shared housing arrangements
  • Local control vs. housing access: While municipalities gain regulatory flexibility, this may limit residents' ability to live with multiple unrelated roommates, potentially pushing housing-seekers to less-regulated areas
  • Enforcement complexity: Cities must establish and enforce new occupancy standards, creating administrative burden and potential discrimination risks if rules are applied unevenly across neighborhoods

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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