How Can Zoning Affect Property Repairs?
If your home or another property you own sustains damage in a tornado, a hurricane, or another severe weather event in Texas, what should you know when you file a damage claim with your insurance company? When will you need to contact a Texas storm damage attorney?
Texas building codes and zoning laws affect the cost of storm damage repairs, even when landlords and homeowners have insurance coverage. Local regulations may establish safety requirements and construction standards that must be satisfied when you repair storm damage.
Texas cities and municipalities may adopt building codes, zoning ordinances, and other regulations influencing how storm damage is repaired. When owners file insurance claims or apply for building permits, their property repairs must comply with these regulations.
What Kind of Weather Can Texas Property Owners Expect?
An average of 137 tornadoes strike Texas annually, more than any other state. Hurricanes regularly strike the state’s Gulf Coast. Temperatures can drop below zero in the winter and exceed 110 degrees in the summer. Texas is well-known for its history of severe weather events.
A San Antonio hailstorm caused over $1 billion in damages in 2016. A 1983 cold snap killed six people in the Dallas area and caused over $1.5 million in damages. And in May 2025, Austin was hit with a severe thunderstorm that caused flash flooding and widespread power outages.
Municipal zoning laws in Texas take weather into account and determine how properties are to be used and maintained. Local zoning laws may limit the floor space or the number of units that can be built on a property after a severe weather event.
How Can a Storm Damage Attorney Assist You?
If a catastrophic weather event damages your home or another property you own, a Texas storm damage lawyer can advise you regarding local zoning laws and help you obtain the permits you need for repairs.
Your property damage may require a change to zoning regulations or a variance to allow you to repair or rebuild. If you don’t have the right coverage in place, you may end up paying for the upgrades out of pocket.
After a severe weather event, if your insurance company denies your property damage claim, a Texas storm damage attorney can negotiate with the company for the payout you need or, if necessary, take the insurance company to court.
What if Your Property Damage is Extensive?
First and foremost, understand what your policy covers. Many policyholders don’t realize what their damage is covered for until it’s too late and they file a claim only to discover exclusions, waivers, and limits. Secondly, gathering evidence of the extent of damages sustained can drastically help you build your claim. If it’s unsafe for you to take photos and videos of the damages, have a local contractor come in to assess the damage and provide a repair estimate.
Log all of your communication efforts with your insurance company, provide them with the documentation you’ve gathered and any additional information you feel may help your claim. They may request other documents, we highly recommend providing them, if you have questions about the requests please make sure to ask. Your claim is only as strong as your efforts to communicate and provide clarity to your insurance company. Don’t let the fault of your claim fall on you.
If the damage was done during a natural disaster, look into FEMA. Under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines, if the cost of repairing storm damage equals or surpasses half of a structure’s market value, the structure is “substantially” damaged, and repairs must comply with local floodplain management standards. This may require work beyond the initial repair estimate.
What Should Landlords Know?
Texas law obligates landlords to repair any damage that affects the safety or physical health of tenants after a severe weather event. Landlords have seven days to make repairs that directly affect safety and health, such as plumbing, air conditioning, or heating repairs.
For less critical repairs, a “reasonable” timeframe applies, which depends on the extent of the damage and the availability of repair services. A landlord may also delay less critical repairs if the landlord is waiting for an insurance payout. If you are a landlord and facing delays in your claim, reach out to our law offices for assistance.
We know how important and vital it is for your repairs to be done in a timely manner and can ensure your insurance company is not acting in bad faith for the damages your property has sustained.
Could Your Insurance Company Act in Bad Faith?
Property insurance policies typically require policyholders to file damage claims promptly after a severe weather event. Include photographs of the damage when you submit your claim, and maintain a written record of your discussions with your insurance agent and claims adjuster.
If your insurance company rejects your property damage claim, a Texas storm damage lawyer can challenge the insurance company on your behalf, especially if local zoning regulations complicate the process or if your insurance company has acted in bad faith.
How Will an Attorney Challenge Your Insurance Company?
When insurance companies are backlogged with claims after a severe Texas weather event, your insurance company may deny, dispute, or delay the processing of your claim. Some insurance companies act in bad faith in these cases, so you may need an attorney’s help.
Contact a storm damage attorney immediately if your insurance company denies your property damage claim. When the company learns you have retained an attorney, it may decide to avoid a legal conflict and pay your claim promptly.
If your payout is not made immediately, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company. If the company fails to negotiate in good faith, your attorney can file a lawsuit asking a court to order the insurance company to make the payment.
Stormlex Law Group Advises and Represents Texas Property Owners
With over 50 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at Stormlex Law Group have resolved more than 12,000 property damage claims. We have recovered millions for property owners in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and across the Lone Star State.
Stormlex Law Group advises and represents Texas property owners on a contingent fee basis. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. And, here in Texas, most lawsuits end with the insurance company paying the legal fees due to their bad faith practices.
If you need help after a severe weather event with local zoning regulations, or if your insurance company rejects your severe weather damage claim, call the attorneys at Stormlex Law Group promptly – from anywhere in Texas – at 877-890-6372 to schedule a free first legal consultation.
