Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 24.001–24.011 § 24.00506
RULES OF COURT.
Operative Text
Sec. 24.00506. RULES OF COURT. (a) A court may adopt local rules, forms, or standing orders for eviction suits in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.(b) A court may not adopt local rules, forms, or standing orders for eviction suits that:(1) require content in or with the petition other than the content required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;(2) require any mediation, pretrial conference, or other proceeding before trial; or(3) authorize the dismissal of an eviction suit on the basis that the petition is improper if the petition:(A) meets the requirements of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; or(B) can be amended to meet the requirements of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2026.
Section 24.00506 of the Texas Property Code governs what local courts can and cannot do when setting their own procedural rules for eviction cases. While courts retain the authority to adopt local rules, forms, or standing orders that align with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, they are expressly prohibited from imposing additional petition content requirements, mandating pre-trial proceedings like mediation, or dismissing a case solely because a petition has a correctable defect. The provision takes effect January 1, 2026, and is intended to create a more uniform eviction process across Texas courts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 24.00506, landlords filing eviction suits in Texas can generally expect that local courts will not impose requirements beyond what the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure already demand. A compliant operator typically ensures that eviction petitions meet the statewide procedural standards, knowing that a court cannot reject a petition outright if it meets those standards or can be amended to do so. Landlords should also be aware that courts cannot require participation in mediation or other pre-trial proceedings as a condition of moving an eviction case forward.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 24.00506 of the Texas Property Code limits the procedural hurdles a court can place on eviction cases, which affects the timeline and process tenants may experience when facing an eviction suit. Because courts cannot require mediation or pre-trial conferences under this provision, tenants should be prepared for cases to proceed to trial without those intermediate steps. Tenants who have questions about their rights in an eviction proceeding may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Texas eviction procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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