Katy, TX · HARRIS / WALLER / FORT BEND COUNTY SPLIT · No Rent Control · Texas Gov. Code §214.902 · Academy Sports + Outdoors HQ 1800 N Mason Rd · Katy ISD 100,000+ Students · Energy Corridor 20–30 Min · Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital · Houston Methodist West · Cinco Ranch · Cross Creek Ranch · File Evictions in the Right County JP Court · No Deposit Cap · 30-Day Return · Treble Damages
Katy TX rent increase 2026 Texas has no rent control — Gov. Code §214.902 (HB 2902, eff. Sept 1, 2023) bars all Texas municipalities and counties from enacting rent caps. Katy spans THREE counties: Harris County (east), Waller County (northwest), and Fort Bend County (south) — landlords must file evictions at the JP Court for the county where the property sits. Katy ISD (100,000+ students; 14,000+ employees), Academy Sports + Outdoors HQ (~7,000 employees), Energy Corridor (BP / Shell / ConocoPhillips; 20–30 min via I-10), Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, and Houston Methodist West drive one of west Houston’s most active rental markets. Texas Property Code Chapter 92: no deposit cap; 30-day return (§92.103); treble damages (§92.109).
Katy, Texas — home to the Academy Sports + Outdoors corporate headquarters, served by one of Texas’s largest school districts, and positioned at the western gateway to the Houston Energy Corridor — has no rent control of any kind.
Texas Government Code §214.902 bars the City of Katy and all three counties in which Katy sits — Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend — from enacting any rent control ordinance. The city’s most important jurisdictional quirk for landlords: Katy straddles three county lines, and evictions must be filed at the JP Court for the specific county where the rental property sits.
Filing an eviction petition in the wrong county is the most common and costly procedural mistake Katy landlords make — it results in dismissal, a re-filing fee, and 2–4 additional weeks of delay. Verify your property’s county before initiating any eviction proceeding.
Katy TX 2026 rent control status: quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rent control in Katy? | None. Texas Gov. Code §214.902 prohibits all local rent control. |
| Annual increase cap? | No cap. Any amount at lease expiration with proper notice. |
| MTM notice to raise rent? | 1 month written notice minimum (§91.001); lease may require more. |
| Security deposit cap? | No statutory cap. Parties agree to any amount (§92.102). |
| Deposit return deadline? | 30 days after surrender + itemized deductions list (§92.103). |
| Bad-faith withholding penalty? | $100 + 3× amount + attorney fees (§92.109). |
| Non-payment eviction notice? | 3-day written notice to vacate (§24.005) — vacate only, no cure. |
| Eviction court — Harris County portion? | Harris County JP Court, Precinct 5 (west side / Katy area). |
| Eviction court — Waller County portion? | Waller County JP Court, 836 Austin St, Hempstead TX 77445. |
| Eviction court — Fort Bend County portion? | Fort Bend County JP Court, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. |
| Flood disclosure? | Yes — SB 339 (2022): disclose if flooded more than once in last 5 years. |
| Controlling law | Texas Gov. Code §214.902; Texas Property Code Chapters 91, 92, 24 |
CRITICAL: Katy TX three-county jurisdiction split
The City of Katy is one of a handful of Texas cities that spans three counties. Understanding which county a rental property sits in is essential for:
- Eviction filings: Must be filed at the JP Court of the county where the property is located. A filing in Harris County JP Court for a Waller County property — or vice versa — will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, requiring refiling and additional delay.
- Property tax and assessor records: Each county has its own tax records system; landlords must ensure property taxes are paid to the correct county appraisal district.
- Emergency services and zoning: County line affects which fire district, constable precinct, and municipal utility district (MUD) serves the property.
How to determine your property’s county
The most reliable method is to look up the property on the Texas property tax portal or directly on the relevant county appraisal district website:
- Harris County: hcad.org (Harris County Appraisal District)
- Waller County: wallercad.org (Waller County Appraisal District)
- Fort Bend County: fbcad.org (Fort Bend Central Appraisal District)
The property’s appraisal district will confirm the county. General rule of thumb: properties east of Fry Rd / FM 1463 are predominantly Harris County; properties far west of the city core (northwest Katy, Old Town Katy area) may be Waller County; properties south of I-10 near Grand Pkwy TX-99 / Cinco Ranch area are often Fort Bend County. But the rule of thumb is not reliable — always verify.
Texas rent control preemption — Gov. Code §214.902
“A municipality or county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, order, or other regulation that controls the price at which private residential rental property may be offered for rent or leased to a prospective tenant.”
Texas Government Code §214.902 (HB 2902, 88th Texas Legislature, effective September 1, 2023)
All three counties containing Katy — Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend — are prohibited by §214.902 from enacting rent control. The City of Katy is similarly prohibited. Katy has never sought rent control; all three counties have never sought rent control; and under current Texas law, none could legally do so. Katy landlords operate in a pure market-rate environment.
Major employers driving Katy TX rental demand
Academy Sports + Outdoors Corporate Headquarters
Academy Sports + Outdoors (1800 N Mason Rd, Katy TX 77449) is a Fortune 500 sporting goods retailer and one of Katy’s flagship corporate employers. With approximately $6.5+ billion in fiscal 2024 revenues and a national store network of 280+ locations, Academy’s Katy headquarters employs approximately 5,000–7,000 corporate, supply chain, and distribution employees. Compensation ranges from $55,000 for entry-level buying/merchandise analysts to $200,000+ for senior executives and VPs. Academy employees represent a concentrated demand source for Cinco Ranch and Cross Creek Ranch SFR rentals within 10–15 minutes of the Mason Rd campus.
Katy Independent School District (KISD)
Katy ISD is one of the 10 largest school districts in Texas, serving approximately 100,000+ enrolled students across 72+ campuses. The district employs approximately 14,000+ teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff. Teacher salaries in Katy ISD range from $47,000 for entry-level to $85,000+ for experienced teachers with advanced degrees. Katy ISD employees — many of whom prefer to live within 15–20 minutes of their campus — are a consistent base demand driver for mid-market Katy apartments and townhomes throughout the school year.
The Katy ISD school quality reputation is a key driver of the entire Katy SFR rental market. Families from Energy Corridor employers explicitly seek Katy ISD–zoned properties (particularly Cinco Ranch HS, Seven Lakes HS, and Jordan HS attendance zones) and pay premiums of 20–30% over comparable properties in other area school districts.
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital & Houston Methodist West
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital (23900 Katy Fwy, Katy TX 77494) is a 400+ bed acute care hospital employing approximately 3,000+ healthcare professionals. Houston Methodist West Hospital (18500 Katy Fwy, Houston TX 77094) is a 223-bed hospital employing approximately 2,000+ staff. Together, these two hospital systems create significant stable rental demand from healthcare workers who prefer the Katy master-planned community lifestyle.
Energy Corridor proximity — I-10 West
The Houston Energy Corridor — the concentration of BP America, Shell Oil, ConocoPhillips, Citgo, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and dozens of energy sector companies along I-10 West and Westheimer — is located approximately 20–30 minutes east of Katy via I-10 (depending on traffic). The Energy Corridor employs approximately 70,000+ professionals. Many choose Katy for commuting access combined with Katy ISD schools and master-planned community amenities. Energy Corridor professionals are the primary demand driver for premium SFR rentals in Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, and LaCenterra-area communities.
Igloo Products Corporation
Igloo Products Corporation (777 Igloo Rd, Katy TX 77494) — the iconic cooler and drinkware manufacturer — maintains its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations in Katy, employing approximately 1,000 corporate and manufacturing employees. Igloo is one of Katy’s original industrial employers and continues to be a mid-tier demand driver for workforce housing in the I-10 corridor.
Katy TX rental market by submarket
| Submarket | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR SFR | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinco Ranch (master-planned; KISD premium) | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,600 | $2,000–$3,500 | Harris / Fort Bend |
| LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch (lifestyle center) | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,600 | $2,100–$3,500 | Fort Bend |
| Cross Creek Ranch / Fulshear (newest MPC) | $1,400–$2,100 | $1,800–$2,700 | $2,200–$3,800 | Fort Bend |
| Katy Town Center / I-10 corridor | $1,100–$1,800 | $1,400–$2,300 | $1,800–$2,900 | Harris |
| Bear Creek / West Houston (older stock) | $1,000–$1,600 | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,600 | Harris |
| Old Town Katy / Waller County area | $900–$1,400 | $1,100–$1,800 | $1,500–$2,500 | Waller / Harris |
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 — security deposit rules
- No statutory cap (§92.102): No Texas-imposed limit. Katy Cinco Ranch SFR rentals with pools may require $2,000–$4,500 deposits.
- 30-day return (§92.103): Return deposit + itemized deductions within 30 days of surrender. Begin inspection at move-out immediately.
- Treble damages (§92.109): Bad-faith withholding = $100 + 3× amount withheld + attorney fees. A $2,500 wrongful withholding in bad faith = $7,600 + attorney fees.
- Normal wear and tear not deductible: Cannot deduct carpet wear, minor scuffs, or loose hardware. Document abnormal damage with dated photos.
- Pool/outdoor documentation: Many Katy SFR rentals include pools; document pool equipment, fences, and landscaping at move-in. Pool equipment claims without documentation are regularly denied by JP Courts.
Flood disclosure — Katy TX (SB 339)
Katy and the surrounding Katy Prairie have historically flooded during major rain events. Hurricane Harvey (August 2017) caused significant flooding throughout the Katy area, including in some Cinco Ranch and Bear Creek communities. Texas Senate Bill 339 (effective January 1, 2022) requires landlords to disclose in the written lease if the residential property has flooded more than once in the prior 5 years. Check FEMA flood maps and local Harris/Fort Bend/Waller County flood records; obtain a signed flood disclosure from tenants before move-in.
Eviction process — Katy TX (all three counties)
- Determine the county: Harris, Waller, or Fort Bend. Use the county appraisal district website to confirm based on the property address.
- Serve 3-day notice to vacate (non-payment; §24.005): No cure option. Serve personally, by posting on front door, or certified mail.
- File FED petition at the correct county JP Court:
- Harris County: JP Precinct 5 (Katy/west Houston area office)
- Waller County: 836 Austin St, Hempstead TX 77445
- Fort Bend County: 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469
- JP hearing within 10–21 days. Bring lease, notice, payment records, communications.
- Judgment + appeal window: Tenant has 5 days to appeal to County Court. If no appeal: request Writ of Possession.
- Constable lockout: The county Constable (Harris, Waller, or Fort Bend, depending on location) posts 24-hour notice then executes lockout. Total uncontested: ~3–5 weeks.
Top 10 Katy TX landlord compliance mistakes
- Filing eviction in the wrong county. The three-county split is Katy’s biggest trap. Verify county via appraisal district before filing — always.
- Missing the 30-day deposit return deadline. Set an immediate calendar alert from the day of surrender.
- Deducting normal wear and tear. Pool deck surface fading, minor carpet wear, and loose hinges are not deductible.
- Self-help eviction. Changing locks without Constable Writ: §92.0081 violation.
- No SB 339 flood disclosure. Katy has significant Harvey-era flood history; failure to disclose known flooding is litigation risk.
- Misrepresenting Katy ISD school zone / high school attendance zone. Katy ISD has multiple distinct high school zones; misrepresentation creates Fair Housing exposure.
- No pool condition documentation. SFR pools require documented move-in condition to support damage claims.
- Not checking the lease notice period. Many Katy leases specify 60-day notice, which supersedes the 30-day statutory minimum for MTM rent changes.
- Ignoring SCRA for Energy Corridor tenants. DOD contractors and reservists have federal lease termination rights; refusing valid SCRA terminations creates federal liability.
- Failing §92.201 owner/manager disclosure. Required in lease or posted notice; affects attorney fee recovery in disputes.
Related Houston area rent increase pages
- Houston TX rent increase 2026
- Sugar Land TX rent increase 2026 (Fort Bend County)
- The Woodlands TX rent increase 2026 (Montgomery County)
- Pearland TX rent increase 2026 (Brazoria County)
- League City TX rent increase 2026 (Galveston/Harris split)
- Texas statewide rent increase laws 2026
Katy TX rent increase FAQ
Does Katy TX have rent control in 2026?
No. Texas Gov. Code §214.902 prohibits it. The City of Katy and all three counties it spans (Harris, Waller, Fort Bend) are barred from enacting rent control. No cap, no rent board, no filing requirements.
CRITICAL: Which JP Court handles evictions in Katy TX?
Depends on which county the property sits in. Harris County east portion: Harris County JP Precinct 5. Waller County northwest portion: Waller County JP Court (836 Austin St, Hempstead TX). Fort Bend County south portion: Fort Bend County JP Court (1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX). Always verify the property’s county via the appraisal district before filing.
What are the major employers near Katy TX?
Academy Sports + Outdoors HQ (~7,000); Katy ISD (14,000+ employees); Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital (~3,000+); Houston Methodist West (~2,000+); Energy Corridor employers (BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips — 70,000+, 20–30 min east on I-10); Igloo Products HQ (~1,000).
What are typical 2026 rent levels in Katy TX?
Cinco Ranch: 1BR $1,300–$2,000; 3BR SFR $2,000–$3,500. Cross Creek Ranch: 1BR $1,400–$2,100; 3BR $2,200–$3,800. Katy Town Center: 1BR $1,100–$1,800. Katy ISD school zone commands 20–30% SFR premium.
What are the security deposit rules for Katy TX landlords?
No deposit cap (§92.102). Return within 30 days with itemized list (§92.103). Treble damages for bad-faith withholding (§92.109). Cannot deduct normal wear and tear. Document pools and outdoor features at move-in.
What notice is required to raise rent in Katy TX?
MTM: at least 1 month written notice (§91.001); many Katy leases specify 60 days — lease controls. Fixed-term: rent locked for the term; offer new price at renewal. Serve certified mail + email; retain proof.
What are the biggest landlord mistakes in Katy TX?
Filing eviction in wrong county (the three-county split); missing 30-day deposit deadline; no SB 339 flood disclosure; misrepresenting Katy ISD school zone; no pool condition documentation; self-help eviction.