City Of Katy, TX

Form of Government

The City of Katy is a Home Rule city. There are two major categories of local government in the State of Texas: General Law cities and Home Rule cities.  The major distinction between the two is that a General Law city can ONLY do what the legislature, through law, allows them to do.  A Home Rule city, on the other hand, can pass any regulations or laws it deems necessary unless the state law prohibits it.  In order for a city to be Home Rule, the population has to reach 5,000 and there has to be an election ratifying a city charter.

City Charter

The City Charter is effectively the constitution of the City.  Cities typically form a charter committee to help draft the proposed Charter.  The proposed Charter then must be approved by the City Council to be presented to the eligible voters of the city for approval and ratification at an election.  The City of Katy’s Home Rule Charter was crafted by a charter committee and adopted in 1981. A copy of the Charter can be found within the City’s Code of Ordinances found HERE.