Shooting on personal private property

[OldSchool]

We are (finally) looking for a couple of acres of property outside city limits. We may have found just over two acres outside Santa Fe (not convenient at all for our commutes, the trees have all been cleared off, and Galveston property tax is way up there, so definitely not perfect). Plenty of room to do what we want to, which is the main thing. No mention of a formal subdivision of any kind, but we are still checking into it.

Which brought up the question (a search of the forum didn't come up with anything): What should we look for with regard to being able to shoot on the property? I've read before about having to grandfather anything under ten acres in Texas, but I don't know if that's accurate. We plan on throwing up a berm, of course, and keeping it at short distances -- unless a varmint strays onto the property....

As always, thanks, folks!

[Beiruty]

Depending on county, unincorportaed (outside of city limits) the minimum lot size is 10 acres. Others would clarify.

[TexasGal]

It's the decision of that county on what to allow on parcels of land under 10 acres. I dug around and found this info. I am not claiming it to be the last word on this. Just some ideas;

If it is part of a subdivision or development, there may be restrictions on a "gun range". You should be able to learn if there are any restrictions on it at your county property records office.

At no time can your ammo end up crossing your property line without permission of the owner to shoot on his/her land.

For City jurisdictions; Agriculture Code subsection 251.005 and Local Government Code subsections 43.002 and 229.002. As best I understand; Cities can not regulate parcels equal to or over 10 acres (firing at a distance exceeding 150 ft from residences/occupied bldgs) using handguns, shotguns, bow and arrow, air rifle, or BB gun if they were annexed after Sept 1, 1981. They can not regulate centerfire or rimfire rifles or pistols of any caliber on at least 50 acres more than 300 feet from an occupied bldg or residence. This is assuming the ammo is reasonably believed to be contained within that area (you are using a backstop, etc) Under 10 acres in a city limits, there are restrictions on discharging a weapon except for self defense.

For County jurisdictions (rural land): Local Government code subsection 240.021 A lot is up to the local Sheriff for what happens on less than 10 acres. The Commissioner's Court can prohibit shooting on 10 acres or less for safety reasons. You have to check with your local Sheriff and County Commissioner's Court to find out what they allow on less than 10 acres. I suspect it has to do with whether or not there is complaining from neighbors or an obvious safety concern. I have a friend who is building a private gun range on less than 10 acres in Tarrant County (not in any city limits). He asked the Sheriff's office if there was any problem with that and was told to go ahead as long as it met the safety protocols for a gun range.
Your land should not be located too close to COE land so if it's 2 acres adjacent to a COE lake or waterway, that's a problem.

I hope this helped and didn't just make it more confusing.
I am sure there are far more knowledgeable members who will chime in.

[gwashorn]

Well I live next to Santa Fe off of FM517 on 2 acres. We are not in any city limit there. Very simple deed restrictions for our dead end road. I and my neighbors all shoot on our property. We don't do target shooting but I do shoot snakes etc while cutting the grass around my pond. I test fire all my weapons and people shoot along the back of their property along the bayou. Where in Santa Fe you looking? We still have a few plots left for sale on our street.

[slinco]

We shoot on some undeveloped land in our subdivision. It is pretty rural and all of our neighbors shoot on their property almost daily. We keep it to handguns with a small but adequate berm, and clay birds. Local PD has no problem with it. I guess it really all depends on your neighbors and local law enforcement.

[Salty1]

I would check any local ordinances, the small city where I live does not even allow shooting of BB guns or pellet rifles....

[Rex B]

I'm in an unincorporated area of Tarrant County, basically 100 houses on 3 streets sandwiched between keller and Ft Worth.
Mine is one of the smaller lots at .86 acres. We can shoot anything we want to. If a bullet ends up on a neighbor's property, and they call the law, it's a ticket about like speeding. Otherwise, fire away.

This came up at a HOA meeting a few years ago when coyotes were coming into the area. There was much angst about that, so we asked the local deputy at that meeting what we should do about the problem. "Just shoot 'em" he said. The few liberals in the room were aghast. The rest of us were doing high-fives
It was a few nights later we heard some gunshots. Haven't seen a coyote since.

As a practical matter though I don't shoot anything larger than .22, and that only rarely. I did have a problem with a neighbor's barking dogs at the back corner. I figured if I was putting up with their noise, they could put up with some of mine. Just happened that back corner was where I my "range" is. Oddly enough, after a few target sessions the dogs suddenly started spending the nights inside.

[OldSchool]

Well I live next to Santa Fe off of FM517 on 2 acres. We are not in any city limit there. Very simple deed restrictions for our dead end road. I and my neighbors all shoot on our property. We don't do target shooting but I do shoot snakes etc while cutting the grass around my pond. I test fire all my weapons and people shoot along the back of their property along the bayou. Where in Santa Fe you looking? We still have a few plots left for sale on our street.

It would be the other side of Santa Fe from you, in the Highland Road area, toward your SW, I believe. FM517 would be better for us in terms of commute (it's a long way to the Ellington area -- and even further to Jones Hall ). Galveston County property tax rates could be the worst problem. Head hurts -- too many priorities....

Thanks, everyone. This is "clearly" one of those gray areas, which (correctly) deals primarily with how one affects other folks.
Anyone have 10.01 acres for sale in our price range??

[gwashorn]

Well I live next to Santa Fe off of FM517 on 2 acres. We are not in any city limit there. Very simple deed restrictions for our dead end road. I and my neighbors all shoot on our property. We don't do target shooting but I do shoot snakes etc while cutting the grass around my pond. I test fire all my weapons and people shoot along the back of their property along the bayou. Where in Santa Fe you looking? We still have a few plots left for sale on our street.

It would be the other side of Santa Fe from you, in the Highland Road area, toward your SW, I believe. FM517 would be better for us in terms of commute (it's a long way to the Ellington area -- and even further to Jones Hall ). Galveston County property tax rates could be the worst problem. Head hurts -- too many priorities....

Thanks, everyone. This is "clearly" one of those gray areas, which (correctly) deals primarily with how one affects other folks.
Anyone have 10.01 acres for sale in our price range??

I see where Highlands is, right near the Haak winery. Well, I work at the SW corner of 610. Not a fun drive but Ellington is fairly close and easy from my side of the creek. 20 minute drive. We have a couple of empty lots on my street, Bayou End Circle. There are others in the area. Might check up and down Cemetry road and from there to FM646. Not sure your price range though. Larger lots come a bit less per acre.

[OldSchool]

Well I live next to Santa Fe off of FM517 on 2 acres. We are not in any city limit there. Very simple deed restrictions for our dead end road. I and my neighbors all shoot on our property. We don't do target shooting but I do shoot snakes etc while cutting the grass around my pond. I test fire all my weapons and people shoot along the back of their property along the bayou. Where in Santa Fe you looking? We still have a few plots left for sale on our street.

It would be the other side of Santa Fe from you, in the Highland Road area, toward your SW, I believe. FM517 would be better for us in terms of commute (it's a long way to the Ellington area -- and even further to Jones Hall ). Galveston County property tax rates could be the worst problem. Head hurts -- too many priorities....

Thanks, everyone. This is "clearly" one of those gray areas, which (correctly) deals primarily with how one affects other folks.
Anyone have 10.01 acres for sale in our price range??

I see where Highlands is, right near the Haak winery. Well, I work at the SW corner of 610. Not a fun drive but Ellington is fairly close and easy from my side of the creek. 20 minute drive. We have a couple of empty lots on my street, Bayou End Circle. There are others in the area. Might check up and down Cemetry road and from there to FM646. Not sure your price range though. Larger lots come a bit less per acre.

Thanks!