Deed Restriction Update Project
"To preserve and protect the residential character and long-term livability of Western Trails."
Welcome to the Western Trails Deed Restriction Update Project.
This page provides Western Trails Property Owners with important information to understand our current deed restrictions and the urgent need to update them.
What's going on?
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With the recent changes to the City of Austin’s Land Development Code, it is now easier to subdivide lots and build multiple housing units on properties that have traditionally been single-family lots.
Why the sense of urgency?
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A current development proposal in Western Trails has raised concerns about possible violations of our existing deed restrictions. This situation highlights why it is important for each section to review and update its restrictions before additional development conflicts arise. The goal is not to stop responsible home improvement, but to make sure neighborhood standards are clear, consistent, and enforceable.
How can you help protect Western Trails?
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Please provide your contact information, including your name, address, and email address. Phone number is optional. We will use this information to invite you to an upcoming information session and to share important updates as needed.
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To get started, please click the orange “Enter Contact Information” button on the left. It only takes about two minutes.
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Please read the information below to better understand the issues.
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Please tell your neighbors and have them sign up too! We will need everyone's support and participation.
Your contact information will be used only to share important updates related to the deed restriction project and to invite you to upcoming information meetings. We will not share your personal information, and we will limit communications to relevant project updates.
About Our Deed Restrictions
Western Trails has had deed restrictions in place since our homes were first built. These restrictions establish shared standards for property use, lot configuration, building activity, and neighborhood character, and they help protect the residential quality, stability, and long-term value of our community. While our deed restrictions remain valid, many have not been updated in decades and need to be modernized so they are clear, enforceable, and aligned with today’s development pressures. This project is a neighbor-led effort to preserve the character and quality of life that have helped define Western Trails for generations.
The Austin HOME Initiative
The City of Austin’s HOME (Home Options for Mobility and Equity) Initiative, adopted in phases beginning in December 2023, changed portions of the Land Development Code to allow more housing options on many single-family residential lots. The initiative is intended to increase housing supply, encourage smaller and more diverse housing types, and address Austin’s broader affordability challenges. In neighborhoods like Western Trails, these changes could allow additional units, smaller lots, or more intensive residential development than many homeowners may have expected when the neighborhood was originally built. While the HOME Initiative may create new housing opportunities, it could also affect neighborhood character, density, traffic, parking, tree canopy, drainage, and overall quality of life, which is why understanding and updating our deed restrictions is so important. You can learn more about HOME here.
Project Timeline
Step 1: Collect neighbor contact information
We need updated contact information for property owners in each section.
Step 2: Hold section meetings
Neighbors will be invited to review the current deed restrictions and proposed updates.
Step 3: Align on proposed changes
Each section will discuss and refine the proposed updates.
Step 4: Sign with a notary
Once aligned, neighbors will be invited to sign the updated deed restrictions.
Step 5: File with Travis County
The final updated deed restrictions will be filed with Travis County.
Goal: Complete the process within 2–3 months.
About Our Deed Restrictions
Deed restrictions are rules that apply to properties within Western Trails and establish certain standards that all property owners are expected to follow. They are intended to help preserve the residential character of the neighborhood, protect property values, and promote consistency in how properties are used and maintained. These restrictions are not new; they have been in place since our homes were first built and remain part of the framework that helps guide development and property use in Western Trails. By keeping these standards in place, neighbors help protect the long-term quality, stability, and character of our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are deed restrictions?
Deed restrictions are private property rules that apply to homes within a specific section of Western Trails. They establish shared standards for how properties may be used, developed, and maintained. These standards help preserve the residential character, stability, and quality of life of the neighborhood.
Are our current restrictions still valid?
Yes. The existing deed restrictions remain valid and continue to apply to properties within each section of Western Trails. However, many of these restrictions have not been updated in decades, which can create uncertainty when questions arise about interpretation, enforcement, or modern development activity.
Why do they need to be updated?
The deed restrictions need to be updated so they are clear, current, and easier to enforce. Since many of the original restrictions were written when the neighborhood was first developed, some language may no longer be as specific or useful as it needs to be today. Updating them helps protect the neighborhood from confusion, inconsistent interpretation, and development that may not align with the residential character of Western Trails.
Is this related to the City’s HOME Initiative?
Yes, in part. The City of Austin’s HOME Initiative changed the Land Development Code to allow more housing options on many residential lots, including additional units on properties that have traditionally been single-family lots. Deed restrictions are separate from City zoning rules, but these changes make it especially important for neighborhoods to review and clarify their private deed restrictions.
Will this affect my ability to remodel my home?
The intent is not to prevent reasonable home improvements or routine remodeling. The goal is to make sure that future construction, additions, lot changes, and property uses remain consistent with the standards agreed upon by neighbors in each section. Any proposed updates will be reviewed and discussed with neighbors before signatures are collected.
How many neighbors need to sign?
The number of signatures required may vary by section and will depend on the language in that section’s existing deed restrictions and applicable legal requirements. We are working with our attorney to confirm the specific requirements for each section before moving forward.
What happens if I do not sign?
If you choose not to sign, the existing deed restrictions still apply to your property unless and until they are properly amended. However, updating the restrictions requires neighbor participation, so every signature matters. We encourage all property owners to attend the information meeting for their section, ask questions, and review the proposed changes before making a decision.
Will there be a meeting for my section?
Yes. Each section will be invited to an information meeting to review the current deed restrictions, discuss the proposed updates, and ask questions. These meetings are intended to make sure neighbors understand the process and have an opportunity to provide input before signing.
Why is a notary needed?
A notary is needed because amended deed restrictions are legal documents that must be properly signed and recorded. Having signatures notarized helps verify the identity of the property owners signing the document and ensures the amendment can be filed correctly with Travis County.
What happens after the documents are signed?
After the required signatures are collected and notarized, the updated deed restrictions will be filed with Travis County. Once filed, they become part of the official property records and provide a clearer, updated framework for future property use and development within that section.
Are we working with an attorney?
Yes. We are working with Julie Alexander as our attorney. She is well versed in deed restrictions and helped draft the updated deed restrictions for Section 7 of Western Trails. Her guidance will help ensure that the process is handled properly and that the updated documents are legally sound. For efficiency and cost savings, we can use Section 7 as a template for the other sections.
How will we pay for the legal expenses?
We will ask neighbors to make voluntary donations to help cover the legal expenses associated with this project. We ask that everyone contribute at whatever level they are able. The goal is to share the cost fairly while keeping the process moving forward for the benefit of the neighborhood.
