The TRWD General Ordinance is the document by which the District regulates the water and land under its control and performs its duties as required by the general laws governing water control and improvement districts, which includes the Texas Constitution and the Texas Water Code. The current version of the General Ordinance (which also features an associated Commercial Facilities Ordinance) was first adopted by the TRWD Board of Directors in March 2002 and revised by action of the Board in November 2011.
The proposed 2025 General Ordinance is a reorganization and modernization of the document. It includes notable additions of definitions, structured permit/licensing/enforcement processes, explicit new rules for modern issues (e.g., drones, invasive species, critical infrastructure), clarified GM authority, and clearer cross-references to external law. Permit processes are more detailed and provide for administrative and technical review, amendments, revocations, and appeals. Permit Guidelines (still under development) for all permit and license types will provide standardized procedures for each permit and allow District staff to amend or update the Guidelines in response to changes in law or best practices.
– Proposed 2025 General Ordinance
– 2025 General Ordinance – Summary of Changes
The public can submit comments regarding the proposed ordinances to TRWD by emailing PublicComments@trwd.com or sending comments by mail to:
Tarrant Regional Water District
Attn: Ordinance Update
800 E. Northside Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
