City Limits vs. Unincorporated
Whether You Are in City Limits Matters a Lot in Galveston County
Living inside a city means following city rules. Living outside city limits means county rules apply instead — and they can be very different.
Galveston County has several cities. They include Galveston, Texas City, League City, Dickinson, Kemah, and Friendswood. Each city sets its own rules. Those rules cover things like zoning, short-term rentals, building permits, and local fees. Outside city limits, the county is in charge. County rules are often less strict. Galveston County does not have zoning rules for unincorporated areas.
If you buy land outside a city, find out if it is in an ETJ. ETJ stands for extraterritorial jurisdiction. It is the land just outside a city's limits. A city can apply some building and subdivision rules inside its ETJ. You do not live in the city, but the city still has a say. Before you build or start a business, check with the city and with Galveston County at galvestoncountytx.gov.
Source to confirm: Galveston County, TX — Official Site