A qualifying property owner may erect a gate on certain roads if needed, but must add required equipment, keep it in good order, and get county approval.
Sec. 251.010. GATES ON THIRD-CLASS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS; OFFENSES. (a) A person, including a neighborhood association, who owns or controls real property on which a third-class road or a neighborhood road established under Section 251.053 is located for which the right-of-way was obtained without cost to the county may erect a gate across the road when necessary. The person shall place a permanent hitching post and stile block on each side of the gate within 60 feet of the gate. The gate must be: (1) at least 10 feet wide; (2) free of obstructions above the gate; (3) constructed so that opening and shutting the gate will not cause unnecessary delay to persons, including emergency personnel, using the road; and (4) constructed with a fastening to hold the gate open until a person using the gate passes through it. (b) The property owner shall keep the gate and the approaches to the gate in good order. (c) A person who erects a gate across a road specified by Subsection (a) and who wilfully or negligently fails to comply with a requirement of this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 or more than $20. Each week that the person fails to comply with this section constitutes a separate offense. (d) A person who wilfully or negligently leaves open a gate on a road specified by Subsection (a) commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 or more than $20. (e) A person may not erect a gate under this section unless the gate is approved by the commissioners court of the county. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1123, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1032 (H.B. 1671), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.