Texas Law Makes It Harder to Block Housing Projects: Now What for Real Estate Investors

TEXAS – A sweeping new law in Texas is set to make it significantly more difficult for communities to block new housing developments, a change that could have major implications for developers, homeowners, and real estate investors.

House Bill 24, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, goes into effect September 1, 2025. The law raises the threshold of community opposition needed to halt a housing project, while also making rezoning decisions easier for local governments to approve.

What the New Law Changes

Prior to HB 24, community members needed only 20% of nearby property owners to oppose a proposed zoning change in order to trigger a supermajority vote (75%) by the city council to move the project forward.

Under the new law:

• 60% of affected landowners must now sign on to protest a project

• City councils only need a simple majority vote to approve rezoning

These changes reduce the ability of small activist groups to delay or block new housing proposals — a move supporters say will streamline development in rapidly growing cities.

Details of the legislation were shared in a LinkedIn policy briefing.

Implications for Developers and Property Owners

The law shifts influence toward property owners closest to development sites and empowers local governments to pursue strategic growth initiatives. It also supports broader housing-related bills like SB 15, SB 840, and SB 2477, which promote higher-density living and repurposing of commercial properties for housing.

Why This Matters for Real Estate Investors

The law is expected to bring several key benefits to developers and investors:

1. Faster Project Approvals – With more stringent protest requirements, developers are less likely to face costly delays, reducing holding costs and overall project risk.

2. Boost in Housing Supply – The shift opens the door to new residential construction, helping meet demand and easing affordability concerns in major metros.

3. Opportunity for Multifamily and Mixed-Use – Investors may now find it easier to build duplexes, triplexes, and mixed-use properties, even in zones that were traditionally single-family only.

4. More Predictable Markets – With rezoning challenges reduced, developers and investors can plan their timelines and capital deployment with greater confidence.

Do you think relaxing zoning protest laws will improve housing availability or limit community voice? Share your opinion in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.