Tex. Prop. Code Section 21.012
Condemnation Petition


(a)

If an entity with eminent domain authority wants to acquire real property for public use but is unable to agree with the owner of the property on the amount of damages, the entity may begin a condemnation proceeding by filing a petition in the proper court.

(b)

The petition must:

(1)

describe the property to be condemned;

(2)

state with specificity the public use for which the entity intends to acquire the property;

(3)

state the name of the owner of the property if the owner is known;

(4)

state that the entity and the property owner are unable to agree on the damages;

(5)

if applicable, state that the entity provided the property owner with the landowner’s bill of rights statement in accordance with Section 21.0112 (Provision of Landowner’s Bill of Rights Statement Required); and

(6)

state that the entity made a bona fide offer to acquire the property from the property owner voluntarily as provided by Section 21.0113 (Bona Fide Offer Required).

(c)

An entity that files a petition under this section must concurrently provide a copy of the petition to the property owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, and first class mail. If the entity has received written notice that the property owner is represented by counsel, the entity must also concurrently provide a copy of the petition to the property owner’s attorney by first class mail, commercial delivery service, fax, or e-mail.
Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1201 (H.B. 1495), Sec. 4, eff. February 1, 2008.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 81 (S.B. 18), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 826 (H.B. 2730), Sec. 8, eff. January 1, 2022.

Source: Section 21.012 — Condemnation Petition, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.­21.­htm#21.­012 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

21.001
Concurrent Jurisdiction
21.002
Transfer of Cases
21.003
District Court Authority
21.011
Standard Procedure
21.012
Condemnation Petition
21.013
Venue
21.014
Special Commissioners
21.015
Hearing
21.016
Notice
21.017
Alternative Pleadings
21.018
Appeal from Commissioners’ Findings
21.019
Dismissal of Condemnation Proceedings
21.020
Reinstatement of Condemnation Proceedings
21.021
Possession Pending Litigation
21.022
Authority of Courts
21.023
Disclosure of Information Required at Time of Acquisition
21.025
Production of Information by Certain Entities
21.041
Evidence
21.042
Assessment of Damages
21.043
Displacement from Dwelling or Place of Business
21.044
Damages from Temporary Possession
21.045
Title Acquired
21.046
Relocation Assistance Program
21.047
Assessment of Costs and Fees
21.048
Statement of Damages and Costs
21.049
Notice of Decision of Special Commissioners
21.061
Judgment on Commissioners’ Findings
21.062
Writ of Possession
21.063
Appeal
21.064
Injunctive Relief
21.065
Vested Interest
21.0101
Effect of Chapter on Survey Access Rights
21.101
Right of Repurchase
21.102
Notice to Previous Property Owner Required
21.103
Resale of Property
21.0111
Disclosure of Certain Information Required
21.0112
Provision of Landowner’s Bill of Rights Statement Required
21.0113
Bona Fide Offer Required
21.0114
Required Terms for Instruments of Conveyance of Certain Easements
21.0121
Condemnation to Acquire Water Rights
21.0195
Dismissal of Certain Condemnation Proceedings
21.0211
Payment of Ad Valorem Taxes
21.0421
Assessment of Damages: Groundwater Rights
21.1021
Requests for Information Regarding Condemned Property
21.1022
Limitations Period for Repurchase Right

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 21.012’s source at texas​.gov