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Livingston council adopts ordinance regulating land clearing
Summary
The City Council of Livingston on April 14 adopted Ordinance No. A-861 adding Section 10-31 to the city code to regulate land clearing after a staff review; the public hearing drew one speaker in favor and no opposition. Council clarified the difference between routine maintenance and activities that change topography.
The City Council of Livingston, Texas, adopted Ordinance No. A-861 on April 14, 2026, adding Section 10-31 to Article II of Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances to regulate land clearing within city limits. Mayor Judy B. Cochran opened a public hearing on the proposal, and Community Development Coordinator Scott Rayburn reviewed the ordinance for the council. Resident Byron Black spoke in favor; no members of the public spoke against the proposal.
Council discussion focused on distinguishing ordinary maintenance of property from land-clearing activities that alter topography or otherwise change the physical character of a lot. Scott Rayburn summarized the ordinance for council members and answered questions about where routine maintenance ends and regulated clearing would begin.
Alderman Bobby Jackson moved to adopt the ordinance; Alderman Alan Cook seconded. The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. A-861.
The ordinance was captioned as follows in the minutes: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LIVINGSTON, TEXAS, ADDING SECTION 10-31 TO ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 10 (BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THEREBY ESTABLISHING A CODE REGULATING LAND CLEARING WITHIN THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, TEXAS." The minutes do not specify an effective date or finer regulatory details of the new section.
