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Texas · Property Code §5.011Texas annexation notice (§5.011): when it is required and the buyer's 7-day right

A Texas seller must give the buyer written notice that property outside city limits may now or later be in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction and subject to annexation, and that each city keeps a boundary map (Property Code §5.011). It is delivered before the contract binds the buyer – separately, in the contract or with another notice; the TREC contract carries it in ¶6E(5). Without it, the buyer may terminate within 7 days after receiving the notice or before the transfer, whichever is earlier.

The rules

  1. Timing (§5.011(b))

    Before the date the executory contract binds the buyer; separately, as part of the contract or with another notice.

  2. Missing notice (§5.011(e))

    The buyer may terminate for any reason within 7 days after receiving the notice, or before the transfer, whichever is earlier.

  3. No more duty (§5.011(d))

    Once the notice is delivered, the seller has no duty to provide more information about possible annexation.

  4. Exempt (§5.011(c))

    Court-ordered and foreclosure transfers, fiduciaries, co-owners, spouses and lineal relatives, government, water or mineral rights only, and property wholly inside city limits.

What the TC tracks

  • Whether the property is outside city limits.
  • TREC contract used, so ¶6E(5) carries the notice – or a separate notice for other contracts.
  • The buyer's 7-day window if the notice came late.

Questions about the Texas annexation notice

When is the Texas annexation notice required?

When a seller sells real property, unless an exemption applies – for example property wholly inside a city's corporate limits (Property Code §5.011).

What if the annexation notice is not given?

The buyer may terminate within 7 days after receiving it or before the transfer, whichever is earlier (§5.011(e)).

Is the annexation notice in the TREC contract?

Yes, in paragraph 6E(5) of the One to Four Family contract.

What is extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)?

An area outside city limits where a municipality may have certain powers and which may later be annexed; each municipality keeps a map of its boundaries and ETJ.

Related guides

Add the annexation notice check to the deal as a task with an owner and due date in ClosingCode.

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Source: Texas Property Code §5.011, as amended effective September 1, 2025 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), and TREC 20-19 ¶6E(5), read October 24, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.