In Texas’ five largest counties, eminent domain cases are neither filed nor tried in district court. Sec. 21.013(b), Property Code, requires that the cases be filed and tried in a county court at law in any county which has a county court at law with eminent domain jurisdiction.
Property Rights
Housing Is Too Expensive. Blame Your Local Tree Ordinance.
Matthew Bernard wanted to build a home. He bought a small lot in Oakland, California, and began clearing several diseased and fallen trees that the local fire department had identified as hazards. The result was a $915,000 “mitigation fee” from the city of Oakland—nearly five times the value of the lot itself. Under Oakland’s tree ordinance,...
August 27, 2026