Laredo's City Limits and Its ETJ Extend Far Into Webb County

Texas cities have what is called an extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ. That is a zone just outside city limits where the city has some control over how land is divided and developed. For a large city like Laredo with more than 100,000 residents, the ETJ stretches up to 5 miles past city limits.

If you buy land just outside Laredo, you may still have to follow Laredo's rules when you divide or develop it. You would not pay city taxes. But you also would not get all city services. Before you buy, build, or split a parcel near Laredo, call the City of Laredo planning department. Ask them what rules apply to that specific address. It can save you trouble later.