04/29/2026
One of the most frequent questions I get as a City Council member is some version of: “Why can’t the City require this?” or “Why is that development allowed to do that?”
The answer is often more complex than it appears and usually comes down to where the property is located and what authority the City actually has.
For properties within city limits, we are generally able to apply our ordinances to the fullest extent. Even then, it can depend on when the property was originally platted and what regulations were in place at that time.
For properties in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), our authority is much more limited. Dripping Springs actually has one of the largest ETJs in the state, but despite that size, our regulatory reach there is fairly narrow. In most cases, it is limited to a handful of items defined by state law. In some situations, there may be a development agreement in place that provides additional structure, but those are relatively uncommon and often date back many years.
For properties located entirely in the county, the City has no regulatory authority. Those developments must comply with county rules, which are themselves limited and largely shaped by state law.
All of that to say, while the City plays an important role in shaping growth, our ability to regulate varies significantly depending on jurisdiction. Understanding those distinctions helps explain why you may see different standards applied across projects in and around Dripping Springs.
Statement from Mayor Bill Foulds Regarding Development Near Dripping Springs
April 28, 2026
We understand the concern many in our community have regarding site clearing of land associated with a coming Target retail store near the City of Dripping Springs. Our community and City Council care deeply about our natural landscape, especially our heritage trees, and the character of our Hill Country home.
It is important for residents to know that the majority of this property is not within the City of Dripping Springs’ jurisdiction, and we have NO control of what is done in areas such as these. While a small portion of the land remains within the ETJ, which we do have minimal control, no development is currently proposed in that area. The map shows that small portion of land within the City’s ETJ (blue). The area where clearing has occurred is outside the City’s jurisdiction.
The City has not received any permit applications related to this project or the area within our ETJ, and City ordinances, including tree preservation, do not apply outside of our jurisdiction. This development is being reviewed at the Hays County level, and based on coordination with the County, it will include a new Target store and possibly other retail.
Also, the City of Dripping Springs does not have authority over exterior lighting or signage because this project is outside the City’s jurisdiction. As the first city in Texas to be designated an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International, we recognize how important responsible lighting is to our residents, too. While we do not have oversight of lighting plans for developments outside our jurisdiction, City staff have proactively reached out to project representatives to open a dialogue about the importance of responsible lighting and preserving our night skies.
We remain committed to protecting the character of Dripping Springs within the areas where we do have authority, and we will continue to work collaboratively with regional partners whenever possible.
We encourage residents with questions or concerns about this project to reach out to Hays County, which is the reviewing authority.
For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
