City Limits vs. Unincorporated Land in Randall County

Canyon is the main incorporated city in Randall County. Outside city limits, most land is unincorporated. That means county rules — or sometimes no rules at all — apply instead of city ordinances. Texas cities also have an extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ. Think of the ETJ as a buffer ring just outside city limits. The city can regulate how land is subdivided there, but generally not how it is used.

If you buy rural land or build outside Canyon's city limits, you may face fewer restrictions on what you do with your land. But you also get fewer services — no city water, sewer, or trash pickup. Before you buy, confirm with Randall County and the city of Canyon which rules apply to that specific property.