Welcome to the Office of the City Attorney's Deed Restriction Enforcement Team Home Page. This page is dedicated to expanding the public's knowledge of how the Legal Department's Deed Restrictions Enforcement Team can assist Houston citizens and neighborhoods. There is a section on proving a deed restriction violation which tells potential complainants what the City needs to proceed with a complaint. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section for deed restriction issues and a Complaint Form for use in reporting alleged violations of deed restrictions.
This page provides general information regarding the City authority to enforce residential deed restrictions.
Affects the use to which real property may be put;
Fixes the distance that a structure must be set back from property lines, street lines, or lot lines; or
Affects the size of a lot or the size, type and number of structures that may be built on the lot.
We have a section on proving a deed restriction violation activity log (use it to document suspected violations of deed restrictions). If you have questions regarding deed restrictions or wish to lodge a complaint about a violation, please call the Deed Restriction Hotline at 832.393.6333. Or if you wish to lodge a written complaint, please print out and complete the Deed Restriction Complaint Form and mail it to:
City of Houston Legal Department
Revenue and Compliance Division
Attn: Deed Restriction Enforcement Team
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX. 77251-1562
The Deed Restriction Enforcement Team acts as an enforcement authority (we are the section of the City that takes people to civil court who violate the above-listed deed restrictions). Attorneys from the City's Legal Department can explain to citizens, civic organizations, and other individuals about the City's program for enforcement of deed restrictions but are prohibited by law from giving advice or offering an opinion to any individual member of the public. Examples of what the attorneys cannot do are interpreting the language (i.e. "What does this word or phrase mean?") in the deed restrictions and providing advice on legal procedures (i.e. "How can my civic club renew the restrictions for my subdivision?"). Private citizens and organizations must seek out the services of a private attorney.
Some issues might appear to be related to deed restrictions, but in fact are covered by City of Houston Ordinances.
