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Bill

HB 294

Relating to the regulation by a property owners' association of food production on single-family residential lots.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Briscoe Cain and 4 co-sponsors

HB 294 prohibits Texas HOAs from unreasonably restricting homeowners' food production activities like gardening and small-scale livestock on residential properties.

Referred to Local Government
#agriculture(i0020) #animals(i0035) #citygovernment--landuse&zoning(i0064) #food(s0761) #propertyinterests--propertyownersassociation(i0618) #restrictivecovenants(s0299)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 294

Legislative bill overview

HB 294 restricts property owners' associations (HOAs) from prohibiting or unreasonably regulating food production activities on single-family residential lots. The bill allows homeowners to grow gardens, raise certain livestock, and engage in food production on their properties despite HOA covenants or rules that might otherwise forbid such activities.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects millions of Texans living under HOA governance by expanding their property rights and ability to achieve food self-sufficiency. It addresses growing consumer interest in local food production while potentially reducing HOA enforcement conflicts and creating tension between individual property rights and community aesthetic standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "reasonable" regulation - The bill's language around "unreasonably" restricting food production is subjective and may create litigation disputes between homeowners and HOAs over what regulations cross the line
  • Property value concerns - Some argue visible gardens, composting, or livestock could affect neighboring property values, while proponents counter that food production is a legitimate land use that shouldn't automatically diminish aesthetics
  • HOA authority erosion - HOAs may view this as state-level overreach into private covenants that homeowners voluntarily agreed to when purchasing property, weakening HOA governance powers

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

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