Jurisdictional Matters
Resources regarding changes to city boundaries and special districts located within the City’s jurisdiction.
Jump to: Annexation | Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Boundaries | Special Districts
Annexation
City Policy Regarding Annexation
Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges, and taxing authority to new territory.
In accordance with the City's annexation policies described in the Imagine Austin comprehensive plan, the City should annex areas in order to:
- Apply zoning and development standards, including environmental protection
- Create efficiencies in service delivery, particularly for public safety services
- Maximize the return on the City's investment in infrastructure and business incentives
- Protect and expand the tax base
- Provide municipal services beyond those available in rural areas
Municipal annexations must follow the procedures outlined by the Texas Local Government Code. Annexation laws and procedures were changed significantly in 2019. Landowner or voter approval is now required for most annexations.
Recent and Proposed Annexation Hearings
On July 23, 2026, Austin City Council will hear case C7a-2026-0002, regarding the full purpose annexation of approximately 1.9 acres located near 11819 IH 35. Full purpose annexation into Austin’s city limits has been requested for this property by its owner. The area is currently in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction contiguous to City Council District 5. The proposed annexation is associated with zoning case C14-2026-0025. The area is currently an undeveloped portion of a church property. Annexation of this parcel is not expected to affect the boundaries of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
On July 23, 2026, Austin City Council will hear case C7a-2026-0004, regarding the full purpose annexation of approximately 37.31 acres of Travis County rights-of-way. The proposed annexation includes portions of Hergotz Lane, Thompson Lane, Edwin Lane, Dalton Lane, and Ramirez Lane that are contiguous or connect to the City’s current full-purpose jurisdictional boundaries in East Austin. The right-of-way land is currently located in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and is contiguous and connecting to the recently annexed Dog’s Head area. Annexation of this area is not expected to affect the boundaries of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
On May 21, 2026, Austin City Council approved case C7a-2026-0003, regarding the full-purpose annexation of approximately 2,614 acres of land in eastern Travis County, known as the Dog's Head, located between the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130. The area was in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and adjacent to the City of Austin’s full purpose jurisdiction boundary. Full purpose annexation into Austin’s city limits has been requested for this property by the owner. Annexation of this parcel did not affect the boundaries of Austin’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.
On March 26, 2026, Austin City Council approved case C7a-2026-0001, Ross Road Right-of-Way annexation area (approximately 9.776 acres), located along Ross Road from the intersection of State Highway 71 East to approximately 381.35 feet south of Saint Thomas Drive. Full purpose annexation into Austin’s city limits has been authorized by Travis County Commissioners’ Court. The right-of-way property was located in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction contiguous to Council District 2. Annexation of this right-of-way did not expand Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
View a map of Austin's recent and proposed annexations
Additional Resources
Annexation Frequently Asked Questions
The ETJ is unincorporated land within five miles of the boundary of the City of Austin that is not within the city limits or ETJ of another city. Only land in this area can be annexed into the City of Austin’s Full or Limited Purpose Jurisdiction.
The ETJ was established to provide cities with a buffer to implement certain health and safety protections. Due to this narrow scope, there is no traditional zoning authority in the ETJ, and the City does not regulate land use. However, the City can enforce environmental regulations, which impact the health and safety of residents, approve subdivision plans, sign ordinances, and a few other non-zoning regulations. For more information about land development in the ETJ, see the Land Use Assistance webpage.
No City taxes are collected in the ETJ. Services such as public safety, road maintenance, and parks are provided by the County or special districts. Residents in Austin’s ETJ may vote on City referenda, which impact ETJ residents.
In areas annexed for full purposes, the City provides full municipal services, assesses taxes, and enforces City ordinances and regulations. Residents may vote in all City elections and run for office.
Limited purpose annexation extends the City's ordinances and regulations pertaining to land development and the environment and, in some cases, health and safety. The City collects no taxes in limited purpose areas and does not provide municipal services such as police protection. Residents may vote in city council and charter amendment elections. They may not vote in bond elections or run for office.
Annexation is a voluntary process. Property owners must consent to be annexed.
- Police protection
- Fire protection & fire prevention
- Emergency medical services (ambulance)*
- Street maintenance
- Waste collection services (including trash, composting, recycling, and bulk collection)
- Parks and recreation facilities accessibility
- Voting rights and representation on the City's governing body and various boards and commissions
- Maintenance of public infrastructure
- Enforcement of Code and Ordinances making the community safe and comfortable for all residents. These include, but are not limited to, planning and zoning, environmental health, and code enforcement services.
- Protection of natural resources, regulation of development in the floodplain, and the effects of development on downstream flooding
- Extension of City water and sewer infrastructure as development occurs**
*For areas in Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop Counties
**Only within areas that are not within the certified service area of another utility
A resident living in the ETJ currently pays county tax, school district tax, and, in some cases, an emergency services district or special district tax. Upon annexation, a city property tax would apply as well, but the emergency services district tax may be eliminated. For more information, see the City of Austin tax rates.
A property owner in the ETJ can request annexation per the procedure outlined by the Texas Local Government Code. If you would like to request annexation of your property, please email Jurisdictional Matters staff to discuss the annexation process and the information needed to submit a request.
Once a completed request for annexation is received, the Jurisdictional Matters staff will initiate an interdepartmental review process to evaluate the City's ability to provide full municipal services to the property and the cumulative impact of all scheduled annexation on departmental operations. If staff recommend annexation, a public hearing and ordinance reading will be scheduled at City Council.
If you have questions about annexations, email Jurisdictional Matters staff.
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Boundaries
City Policy Regarding Adjustment of ETJ Boundaries
The extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is the unincorporated land within five miles of Austin’s full purpose city limit that is not within the city limits or ETJ of another city. Austin’s ETJ currently extends into four counties: Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop. From time to time, two Cities may agree to adjust their ETJ boundaries to achieve more logical boundaries. A City Council making a request for an ETJ adjustment should direct it to the Austin Mayor with copies to the Austin City Manager and Jurisdictional Matters staff. All adjustments are evaluated according to the City’s ETJ Policy in order to ensure that they will not negatively impact Austin’s interests.
Additionally, Senate Bill 2038 that was passed during the Texas 88th legislative session (88R, 2023), amended state law to create processes for property owners or residents to petition the City of Austin to be released either directly (Subchapter D) or by election (Subchapter E) from the City’s ETJ. The City Clerk's Office has more information about how to submit a petition for release from the ETJ.
MUDs and PIDs
City Policy Regarding Special Districts
Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
MUDs are a type of Water District that are created to finance infrastructure for water, sewer, roads, drainage, and water quality as well as to maintain parks. Developers who wish to create new MUDs in the City's ETJ must request City consent before creation and meet the criteria described in the City's MUD Policy.
Email Jurisdictional Matters staff to discuss the MUD Consent process or if you have questions about MUDs.
Public Improvement Districts (PIDs)
PIDs are a tool that can be used to meet community needs by funding supplemental or enhanced public improvements or services that would not otherwise be constructed or provided in a timely manner. Property owners who wish to create new PIDs in the City's ETJ must request City consent before creation and meet the criteria described in the City's PID Policy.
Austin Financial Services provides more information on PIDs.
Please refer to the updated fee schedule for current fees.