Frequently Asked Questions

Permits can be applied for through our online Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS Portal) which enables the online intake of permits, licenses, and plan submittal processes. Hardcopy/paper documentation and USB flash drives are no longer accepted at City Hall or any other location. Access the Citizen Self-Service portal.

The City of Sugar Land requires all property owners who wish to install a fence to apply for a “Building – Fence” permit; if you are changing the dimensions of of the fence or installing a new fence a permit is required. If you are replacing a fence "like for like" and not changing the dimensions of the fence a permit is not required. You can easily apply for a Permit through our Citizen Self Service (or CSS) Portal. The Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal allows for permits, licenses, and plan submittals to be conveniently processed online only.

The City of Sugar Land does not require a permit for garage sales. Residents are encouraged to contact their Homeowners Association (HOA) for any applicable requirements, including rules for posting signage.

Thank you for considering adoption! Adopters must be 18 years of age or older and have proper facilities to contain and care for an animal. Potential adopters should provide a Driver’s License or ID at the time of adoption. If the adopter’s current address does not match the one on their identification, they should be prepared to offer proof of current address through other means such as a utility bill or lease agreement.

If you are considering pet adoption, please stop by the animal shelter during regular hours, or see available pets online.

The City of Sugar Land does not have a license or registration program. Sate law does require that all dogs and cats over 4 months of age be current on their rabies vaccination. Residents should keep their animal’s vaccination certification on file and be prepared to provide it to an animal services officer upon request.

No, Sugar Land Animal Services does not service private traps for wildlife. If you trap any wildlife, please release the animal back into the same area where it was trapped. If you are unable to do so, please contact a pest control or wildlife control service. Some animals are illegal to transport per the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, including the transportation of raccoons, which is a class C misdemeanor. 

Trapping should be a last resort for wildlife.

Nature loves a vacuum. Removing the animal will just provide the opportunity for another to take its place. Many studies have proved that the majority of relocated animals do not survive. The best thing you can do for wildlife is to leave them alone. To solve the problem, the food source, shelter and water need to be removed or you will just get a replacement.

More information:

• Top 10 Ways to Prevent Wildlife Problems
• Coexisting with local wildlife

Ordinance No. 2330 was approved by City Council on May 7, 2024 establishing a Community Cat Program after recommendation by the Animal Advisory Board in their March 22, 2024 meeting.   In a TNR or Community Cat Program, unowned outdoor cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas (only in cases of extreme infestation), ear-tipped (the universal sign that a community cat has been neutered and vaccinated), and then returned to the area where it was originally trapped.  The program was proven to work through a pilot at First Colony Mall where 48 cats have been trapped with 16 being adopted, 5 transferred to rescue and 19 returned to the mall since March 2023.

Interested caretakers can register with the shelter to begin participation in the program and receive further instructions.

Sugar Land Animal Services does not accept owner surrenders. The City’s adoption programs are aimed at finding homes for animals that enter the shelter through animal control for public health and safety purposes. We understand how hard it is to decide that you need to find another home for your pet, so we can provide you with a resource list that includes other local animal shelters and rescues that accept owner surrenders. Please contact us at animalservices@sugarlandtx.gov to request the list. 

Snakes are nomadic and will usually move on very quickly. Most of the snakes in our area are Texas rat snakes which are non-venomous. If the snake is in your yard, wait a while. They are generally passing through. If the snake is in your garage, you can leave the garage door open for a while and wait for the snake to find its own way out. If you have a snake in your home, you will need to contact a pest control or wildlife removal company for assistance.

• Fort Bend County Animal Services
  1210 Blume Road
  Rosenberg, TX 77471
  Ph: 281-342-1512
• Rosenberg Animal Control
  1207 Blume Road
  Rosenberg, TX 77471-4071
  Ph: 832-595-3490
• Stafford Animal Control
  2702 S. Main St.
  Stafford, TX 77477-5599
  Ph: 281-261-3950
• Katy Animal Control
  25839 Interstate 10 E
  Katy, TX 77494
  Ph: 281-391-4740
• Missouri City Animal Control
  3849 Cartwright Road
  Missouri City, TX 77459-2443
  Ph: 281-403-8707
• Harris County Animal Service
  Ph: 281-999-3191
• BARC
  3200 Carr St.
  Houston, TX 77026
  Ph: 713-229-7300
• Houston Humane Society
  Ph: 713-433-6421
• Houston SPCA
  Ph: 713-869-7722
• CAPS-Citizens for Animal Protection Society
  Ph: 281-497-0591
• HOPE
  Ph:713-622-4673

If you are able to, you may remove the animal from your private property, the street, sidewalk or median using gloves or a shovel to avoid direct contact and place the animal in a garbage bag. It is okay to place it in your garbage bin for pickup on your scheduled trash day. 

If you are unable to do so, you may call a private dead animal removal company. If the animal is in the road and creating a traffic hazard, please contact Animal Services for assistance.

The animal shelter does not offer any veterinary services to the public. Sugar Land is home to many wonderful veterinarians and practices. We suggest searching the internet, or asking a neighbor for a recommendation. If you are in need of low cost alternatives, you can contact one of the following.

• Petco on Highway 6 by Luv My pet at 281.265.0700
• KAAWS at 281-200-2325
• Greater Good at 281-496-5983
• Houston Humane Society Wellness Clinic at 713-433-6453
  
  

Reporting Animal Bites 

State Health and Safety Code (Chapter 8-26), every animal bite must be reported to authorities.

Per City Ordinance, Animal Services will investigate bites that are level 3 or above on the Dunbar Bite Scale.

During normal business hours, please call 311 /  After hours and weekends, please call 281-275-2020

You will need to provide the below information:

• Name
• Phone Number
• Address of Residence / Address of where the Bite Occurred
• Date and Time of the Bite
• Any information on the owner of the Animal / Description of the Animal 

If you have lost your pet, notify us at animalservices@sugarlandtx.gov so that we can be on the lookout for it. Also notify other local agencies as pets can wander miles away from home. Keep an eye on our social media for posts about animals that have come into the shelter as well as  our "Found Pets" page. There are other sites where you can post your lost pet and have others help you in your search. When you contact us at the email address, we can send you a list of those resources along with other agencies to contact. There are groups on facebook for lost and found pets in Fort Bend County as well- (fortbendcountytxlostandfoundpets). You may also consider posting on Nextdoor to let your neighbors know to keep an eye out for them.

If your pet has a microchip- contact the microchip company to verify that your contact information is up to date. Many times we get animals in the shelter that are chipped but the contact information is out of date.

Some No Kill facilities pre-screen what they will take into their shelter. Less desirable animals are not admitted or transferred to other facilities. Sugar Land's animal shelter does not pre-screen animals; and does not euthanize for space. We will euthanize for medical or behavioral reasons following our policy and procedures. 

The "No Kill" Concept

A No Kill shelter is a great concept, but in reality even a No Kill shelter can euthanize 5-10% of its intake and still be considered No Kill. Maddie's Fund, an organization dedicated to increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S., defines a No-Kill shelter as “an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for unhealthy and untreatable animals.” Maddie’s Fund also has detailed definitions for healthy, treatable, rehabilitatable and manageable animals.

Working Towards Forever Homes

The City’s Animal Shelter does not promote itself as a "no kill" animal shelter. The shelter uses various strategies to ensure adoptable animals find a forever home. Even though the animal shelter has exceeded its capacity since 2015, the animal shelter does not euthanize for space. In addition, the City utilizes the following "no kill" strategies to ensure animals are adopted:

• Spay/neuter all animals in shelter care prior to adoption
• Rescue groups
• Community fostering program
• Comprehensive adoption programs
• Medical and behavior programs
• Public Relations/Community Involvement
• Volunteer programs
• Proactive redemptions on impoundment
• Compassionate Director
• Community Cat Program (TNVR)

To find out your garbage and recycling collection day, please visit MyNeighborhood at www.sugarlandtx.gov/MyNeighborhood. This online tool will provide you with the specific information you need based on your address.

If you need help with, or want to report the following:

• Missed Pickup
• Cart Questions
• Request Additional Pickup
• Report Cart Damage
• Bulk Cardboard Recycling

Contact Republic Services at 713-726-7307 or email sugarland@republicservices.com

If you would like to report repeated missed pickup issues or any other concern regarding garbage and recycling service, call the City at 3-1-1 or 281-275-2900 or email 311@sugarlandtx.gov.

Residents are encouraged to utilize the Fort Bend County Recycling Center, which is a regional drop-off center for household hazardous waste and electronics recycling for Fort Bend County residents. Their website provides information regarding accepted materials and applicable fees. Please note that the Fort Bend County Recycling Center does not schedule curbside collection of material. 

Please remember to not place these materials in your garbage or recycling carts, as they should be properly disposed of. It is also important to note that household hazardous waste material and electronics placed at the curb with bulky waste will not be collected.

Effective January 16, 2023, 35-gallon carts will no longer be offered as an option for every resident. Residents have the option of a 65 or 95-gallon cart for both garbage and recycling. 35-gallon carts will be reserved for those residents on the cart assistance program and/or have an existing 35-gallon cart.

Carts should be stored in compliance with your HOA deed restrictions. Ideally, the carts should be stored in your garage or behind fencing or brush. The city ordinance does not require the container be stored out of sight, but does require the cart not block or interfere with a sidewalk.

Carts should be placed at the base of the curb (where curbs exist) with the cart wheels against the curb. The cart must be at the curb with the handle facing away from the street and the lid opening to the street. Carts must be placed at least 3 feet from obstacles such as utility poles, mailboxes, trees, fire hydrants, and parked cars.

The collection arm on the automated truck requires space so that it will not tip over other containers or damage property. Please keep the containers away from obstacles that may interfere with the collection.

Please contact Republic Services at 713-726-7307 and notify them of the damaged or missing cart. The cart will be repaired or replaced if it is stolen or damaged beyond repair by any reason other than the customer's own neglect or misuse.

Are you recycling? Recycling materials will give you more room in your garbage cart.

Additional garbage carts are available for an additional monthly fee and can be requested by contacting Republic Services at 713-726-7307 or sugarland@republicservices.com . There is no additional monthly fee for extra recycling carts.

As of January 2025, the residential solid waste rates are as follows:

A separate collection will be provided for certain large items defined as bulky waste. These items include stoves, refrigerators (freon removed), furniture, and other large household items that cannot be broken down. Bulky waste does not include construction refuse, demolition refuse, or hazardous or electronic wastes. Bulky waste service days are different from garbage and recycling service days.

Visit our bulky waste page for more information.

Sugar Land City Council approved a solid waste contract with Republic Services that went into effect January 16, 2023. This is an exclusive franchise and will last 10 years.

Sugar Land strives to provide excellent customer service and holds our service providers and contractors to this standard. Any concerns about Republic Services' garbage and recycling service can be reported by calling the City at 3-1-1 or 281-275-2900 or by emailing 311@sugarlandtx.gov.

A few examples include:

• Poor customer service by Republic Services call center staff
• Misbehavior by truck drivers or collectors
• Unsafe driving
• Trash or debris left scattered on the street after pickup
• Repeated missed pickups

Facility reservations must be made in-person at the Imperial Park Recreation Center:

234 Matlage Way
Sugar Land, TX 7778

Reservation hours are: Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm. 
The deposit is due when you make your reservation and rental fees are due 10 days before your event.

Online reservation requests are now available for pavilions at the following parks: City Park, Eldridge Park, First Colony Park, Lost Creek Park, Sugar Land Memorial Park.

For online reservation requests or to check availability, visit https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/ParksRegister

Send our team an email to athletics@sugarlandtx.gov that includes:

• Field location (Park and field number [if known])
• Date/Time

A wide variety of classes and activities take place at the Imperial Park Recreation Center and the T.E. Harman Center for senior programs. Contact us at 281-275-2885 for more information, or to check current program offerings, visit www.SugarLandTX.gov/ParksRegister. 

You are a resident if you pay your water bill to the City of Sugar Land. If you pay your water bill to a MUD (Municipal Utility District) or any other entity then you are considered a non-resident.

The City of Sugar Land annexed Cullinan Park, which spans 754 acres in January 2016. Since then, Cullinan Park has become a regional destination for birding, wildlife viewing and more. 

The City of Sugar Land oversees and maintains Cullinan Park, while the Cullinan Park Conservancy is responsible for the promotion, enhancement, and protection of Cullinan Park.

The land at Cullinan Park was a gift from the Nina Cullinan estate in honor of her parents. She wanted the park to be a “place of beauty and peacefulness”. Please help us honor Ms. Cullinan’s vision by respecting pedestrian use only on trails.

Lonnie Green Park and Memorial Park have fenced in playgrounds.

You may obtain crash reports directly from the TxDOT website at this link: https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home.

For open records requests, please contact:

City Secretary's Office

2700 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land, TX
(281) 275-2730

Learn more about Open Records Requests.

Sugar Land Municipal Court

1200 Hwy. 6
(281) 275-2560 
https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/175/Municipal-Court

Fort Bend County Resources

(281) 342-3411
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/juvenile-probation/community-resource-list

Fort Bend County Tax Office

151 Stadium Dr. Sugar Land, TX
(281) 341-3710
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/tax-assessor-collector

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office

1840 Richmond Pkwy. Richmond, TX
(281) 341-4665
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/sheriff-s-office

Fort Bend County Court

1422 Eugene Heimann Cir. Richmond, TX
(281) 341-4515 
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/your-county/courts

Now you can do it from your home. Click here to renew your drivers license without leaving home and standing for hours in a long line. The Department of Public Safety Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website established this site for your convenience. It is available to all Texas residents who need to renew their driver’s license and I.D. cards.

The Sugar Land Police Department receives many requests on a daily basis for its patches. Because of the expense of patches and some Texas laws, the department does not currently sell, trade or give away its patches. For Your Information: The department is extremely proud of its patch. It contains the city seal. Inside the seal is the star of Texas. Inside the star is the crown of the Imperial Sugar Refinery. Sugar Land obtained its name because the jurisdiction was built around the Imperial Sugar Factory which unfortunately ceased its operations in 2003.

Because of rules and regulations of the National Crime Information Center and the Texas Crime Information Center, it is not possible for our law enforcement agency to release criminal history information to individuals. In Texas, certain criminal history information is available to individuals from the State of Texas Department of Public Safety. For further information contact the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office

301 Jackson St., Suite 101, Richmond, TX
(281) 341-8685
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-clerk

Park reservations are made in-person at the Imperial Park Recreation Center. Deposits are due at the time of facility reservation, and rental fees are due 10 days before your event. For any questions, please call us at 281-275-2885.

Currently membership at the IPRC is offered on an individual basis only. For current membership rates, visit www.SugarLandTX.gov/IPRC

Program registration can be made in-person at the Imperial Park Recreation Center or online at www.SugarLandTX.gov/ParksRegister. You can also call with any questions: 281-275-2885

IPRC is located at 234 Matlage Way, 77478. Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.

Currently, day passes are not being offered and only annual memberships can be purchased.

Yes, you have to come in-person when signing up for a membership and bring a form of I.D.

IPRC membership allows members to bring a guest three times a year.

Yes, a membership is required to participate in classes offered at IPRC.

The gymnasium at IPRC can only be reserved outside of normal operating hours (Saturdays from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.). Reservations for the gym have to be made in-person at the Imperial Park Recreation Center: 234 Matlage Way, 77478. You can also call with any questions: 281-275-2885

The T.E. Harman Center is located at 226 Matlage Way, 77478. Operating hours are Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about activities and programs, visit the T.E. Harman Center's webpage.

You are a resident if you pay your water bill to the City of Sugar Land. If you pay your water bill to a MUD (Municipal Utility District) or any other entity then you are considered a non-resident.

Registration for classes and activities begin on the first business Monday of each month for the following month’s classes and activities.

Yes, you must re-register for classes each month if you would like to continue to participate in those classes.

Online registration for classes and activities  is encouraged and preferred at www.SugarLandTX.gov/ParksRegister. You may go to the T.E. Harman Center in person to fill out a form for the classes and activities you wish to take or email your request classes and activities after 9 a.m. on registration day.

Programs at the T.E. Harman Center are reserved for seniors 50 years of age and older.

T.E. Harman Center membership allows members to bring a guest three times per year.

At this time, we do not offer weekly or monthly memberships. All T.E. Harman Center memberships are offered on an annual basis.

Members must register for all classes and activities that they would like to participate in. 

Green waste accounts for approximately 25% of the waste and can easily be recycled. By being separated from other materials it can be beneficially reused for things such as compost.

Historically, the majority of the city’s drinking water supply has been from groundwater aquifers. There are twelve city groundwater plants ranging in size from approximately 3 to 12 million gallons per day (MGD) of production capacity. The water in these aquifers is from the Gulf Coast Aquifer system with an average depth of greater than 1,200 feet.  

In response to Fort Bend Subsidence District’s (FBSD) 30 percent alternative water supply conversion deadline, the city constructed a 10.85-MGD surface water treatment plant (SWTP) that went into operation in 2013. The city has three sources of water available to supply the SWTP with surface water. The city holds a contract with the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA), who delivers raw water from the Brazos River to Oyster Creek. The contract with GCWA provides 10 MGD (11,201 AFY) of raw water, and an agreement to purchase an additional 10 MGD for future needs. The city also has a contract with the Brazos River Authority (BRA) for 6,388 AFY of raw water. Finally, the city holds a water right on Oyster Creek which allows the City to withdraw 18,000 acre-feet per year (AFY).

The homeowner is responsible for the pipes within the house, as well as the water service line from the house to the water meter box. If you think you have a leak, please call us first to request a leak investigation. You may contact 311 or our 24-hour line at 281-275-2900.

If you notice a leak or discharge of water, whether it is in the street, from a meter, or a hydrant please call 311 or the city's 24-hour line at 281-275-2900 and a crew will be dispatched to investigate the situation and take appropriate actions.

• Plugged or restricted screens on your faucets
• Malfunctioning or partially closed water valves in your home
• Water main breaks, firefighting, and hydrant flushing may affect the pressure

• Flush all the dip tube debris from the heater tank, install a new dip tube, and then clean all the strainers and aerators.
• Replace the water heater and then clean and flush the strainers and aerators. Contact a licensed plumber for additional information.

Please log in to Citizen Self Service and request an inspection. For additional information visit our Fire Marshal Forms page.

• Fats, oils and grease should NEVER be poured down the sink. Sink drains and garbage disposals are not designed to properly handle these materials.
• Before washing, scrape and dry wipe pots, pans and dishes with paper towels and dispose of materials in the trash.
• Avoid relying on the garbage disposal to get rid of food scraps. The garbage disposal chops up food into small pieces, which can still cause a blockage in the pipe. Use sink strainers to catch food items, and then empty the strainer into the trash.

CRS is the abbreviation for Community Rating System. The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

• Reduce flood losses
• Facilitate accurate insurance rating
• Promote the awareness of flood insurance.

A winter average is established in January and February of each year. Water usage is averaged between the February and March billing periods. That number is used as your average household water usage for wastewater volume charges from the April bill until the following March bill, regardless of the amount of water used. Residential customers have a set charge for wastewater each month. That way, if you use water for your yard, to fill a pool, if you have a leak, or for whatever reason during the year, you’ll have to pay for the water, but won’t pay extra for the wastewater.

The City has a Utility Assistance Program that is distributed through Fort Bend Social Services. To learn more about possible assistance, email socialservicesinbox@fortbendcounty.gov or you can call 281-403-8050 or 281-238-3502.

Yes, there is a payment history option when you are logged in to your online account. It will show the history of payments that have been made through the online portal. We are working to see if we can add the payments made through other payment options to the history in the future. 

No, our current process is to submit bank draft on a weekly basis which is the Friday before the due date.

Yes, we do offer bank draft from a checking account. Download the Automatic Payment Plan (APP) Application and follow instructions to submit. 

You can check your water bill balance multiple ways. You can create an online account or call our phone system at 281-275-2750 and press option 1. 

If you need to add a name to your water bill, please call Treasury at 281-275-2750 or email your request to treasury@sugarlandtx.gov.

If you would like to request a payment plan or extension on your water bill, please call Treasury at 281-275-2750 or email your request to treasury@sugarlandtx.gov.

If you believe your water bill is too high, please visit our water leaks page for more information on what could cause an increase in your bill. If you have additional questions, please contact the Treasury Department at 281-275-2750 or email treasury@sugarlandtx.gov 

To view the details of your water bills, you can sign up for an online account or email treasury@sugarlandtx.gov 

If you need to access your online account and are having trouble logging in, please contact our Treasury Department at 281-275-2750 or email treasury@sugarlandtx.gov.

We are changed locations for the processing of our mailed in payments. This change will allow staff more time to focus on phone calls and in person residents. NOTE: If you pay online, over the phone, or are setup on automatic payments, you will not have to make any changes to your current payment method.

If you are moving, please complete both a start service application for the new address and a cancel service form for the address you are moving out of. Please click here to find the application/form.

In order to change the name on a water utility account, you will need to submit a Start Service Application. Please click here to be redirected to the Treasury webpage.

Unfortunately, you are unable to change your water bill due date. Your due date is determined by your billing cycle. Billing cycles are assigned based on location in the city and cannot be changed.

You will receive a mailed delinquent notice from the City notifying you that your account is past due and that your services are subject to disconnection after the bill due date. If you are setup on e-billing, you will also receive one via email. The notice will contain your disconnection date. You may also receive a notification call prior to disconnection on the phone number listed on your utility account. To update that number, please contact Treasury at 281-275-2750. 

• Drainage facility ownership has changed and responsibilities need to be confirmed.
• New development and completed drainage projects will need to be incorporated.
• Improved detention pond maintenance policies are necessary to ensure detention ponds are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.

You can submit them to the court by mail, drop box, document submission portal, or in-person. 

Most tickets can be handled without a court appearance. You have options!

For a speeding ticket:

If you have not taken a defensive driving course in the last 12 months and if you were not speeding more than 25 miles over the speed limit, you may have your ticket dismissed by taking a defensive driving class. You must request permission from the court before you sign up for the course. Please refer to the Driving Safety Course section of this website under General Court Information.

For driving without a valid license:

If you received a ticket for driving without a license, you may request a deferred disposition or probation to keep your ticket off your driving record. The instructions for requesting a Deferred Disposition can be found in the Fines, Forms, and Payments section of this website.

For a failure to present a driver’s license:

If you received a ticket for Failure to present a driver’s license on demand, but your license was valid at the time, you can have your ticket dismissed by presenting your license and paying a court administrative fee of $10 at the lobby windows. No courtroom appearance is necessary.

For defective equipment:

If you received a defective equipment violation ticket and you have repaired the defect, you can have your ticket dismissed by paying a court administrative fee of $20 at the lobby windows. No courtroom appearance is necessary.

For an expired registration:

If you received a ticket for an expired registration sticker, but the registration has been renewed at the county tax office and the sticker was not expired for longer than 60 days, you can have your ticket dismissed. You will need to present proof that you have paid your late fees to the county tax office. You can take care of this transaction at the court lobby windows by paying a $20 court administrative fee and presenting your receipt from the tax office. No courtroom appearance is necessary.

For an insurance ticket

If you received a ticket for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, you may request a deferred disposition or probation to keep your ticket off your driving record. The instructions to request a Deferred Disposition can be found in the Fines, Forms, and Payments section of this website.  If you received a ticket for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, but you were insured at the time, there is no fee to have your ticket dismissed. You will need to present a copy of your insurance card with your name listed as an insured driver at the lobby windows.  You will be required to complete a motion to dismiss which will be provided for you. No courtroom appearance is necessary.

To request additional Time to Pay

You need to complete a payment plan form. A complete explanation of payment plans offered by the court and all the required forms can be found on our website in the Payment Plans & Extension-to-Pay tab under Fines, Forms, and Payments.   

NOTE: Other transactions can be made at the court lobby windows. You may be able to keep your ticket from becoming a conviction on your driving record even if your particular violation is not mentioned here.  

If you have more than one citation or if the time is past the appearance date on your ticket, you may have to make an appearance in court. When you receive a citation from the City of Sugar Land Police, you are given a date to appear. The court date in listed under the issue date. On handwritten tickets it is near the bottom of the ticket.  

Most tickets can be handled without a court appearance. You have options! You may be eligible to have your ticket dismissed or qualify for a program to keep your ticket off your driving record. Refer to the Dismissals page for more information.

The Sugar Land Municipal Court does not refer defendants to specific agencies however, you may visit the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to find a certified course. 

To be eligible, you must request permission from the court, not have taken a driving safety course 12 months prior to the date of the citation, enter a plea of no contest or guilty, present a valid Texas driver’s license, present valid insurance with your name on the policy, and pay $144 in applicable state court costs and administrative fees ($169 if the offense was in a school zone). 

If you are 16 years of age or younger, you must make a formal court appearance with a parent or legal guardian in order to request permission to take a driving safety course. For more information, please refer to the Driving Safety Course page on the Sugar Land website.

Refer to the Deferred Disposition page for more information.

You may file claim for exemption from jury service online via our Jury Service Page or via our Jury Portal. Additionally, you may fill out the juror questionnaire form and mail or hand deliver it to the court at 1200 Hwy 6 S. Sugar Land, Tx. 77478.

Sugar Land Municipal Court does not provide court-appointed attorneys. 

You can obtain a copy of your driving record (type 3A) by visiting the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS Website).

No, SLMC does not handle vehicle registration renewals. Please contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for more information. TX Dept of Motor Vehicles:  https://renew.txdmv.gov/Renew/registrationrenewal/jsp/txdot_reg_ren_enter_vehicle_info.jsp 

If you lost or misplaced your jury summons, you may visit the jury portal to fill out your questionnaire, check the date of service, claim an exemption or disqualifier, or reschedule. 

If you are no longer a resident of Sugar Land, you can contact the voter registration office to have your name removed from the jury service list in Sugar Land. You can visit Fort Bend Voter Registration Services for more information. 

Additionally if you have already been summoned, you may claim the non-resident disqualification from jury service via the Jury Portal online or filing out electronic form on our website.

To check on the status of your case or documentation submitted, please visit the Public Access Portal.

To check the status of your case, please visit the Public Access Portal. 

If your Motion to Dismiss was Denied, the court will notify you via mail. 

If your motion is Granted, the case will be dismissed in our system without notification to you. You may visit the Public Access Portal to see if the system has been updated with the dismissal by reviewing the status section.

You can submit them to the court by mail, drop box, document submission portal, or in-person.

The Human Resources department is committed to ensuring that this process is easy and user-friendly. To help applicants, the following resources are available:

• Click on the link titled Online Employment Application Guide or use the Support tab while logged in.
• If additional assistance is needed, the Human Resources Department is available during business hours:
  • Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Email: SuccessPartners@SugarLandTX.gov

A list of available positions can be viewed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All Fort Bend County Libraries offer free computer use. Evening and weekend hours are available:

• Sugar Land Branch Library
  550 Eldridge Sugar Land, TX Ph: 281-238-2140
• George Memorial Library< 1001 Golfview Richmond, TX Ph: 281-342-4455
• First Colony Branch Library 2121 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX Ph: 281-238-2800

You can also check online for additional locations.

Workforce Solutions can help you complete the online application free of charge. Visit one of the following locations:

• 117 Lane Drive, #7 Rosenberg, TX Ph: 281-344-0279
• 5000 Katy Mills Circle Katy, TX Ph: 281-644-1030
• 12710 Bissonnet Houston, TX Ph: 281-564-2660

Visit Work Solutions for additional locations.

If you do not already have an email address, free email is available through a number of providers.

• Phase One consists of classroom training where the dispatch recruit learns the basic operations of our dispatch center, our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computers, and standards of operation.
• In Phase Two the recruit learns the basics of call taking, including taking 9-1-1 emergency calls, as well as other miscellaneous duties that the Public Safety Dispatchers perform on a daily basis.
• Once the Recruit demonstrates full understanding of Phase Two, they will be moved to Phase Three where they will train on fire radio operations, along with continuing to practice their call taking skills.
• Once the recruit demonstrates proficiency at fire radio operations, he or she will be moved to Phase Four to train on police operations radio.
• When the recruit can fully demonstrate the ability to perform on all three console positions, he or she will be moved to Phase Five where they will be observed operating independently in each of the three capacities for a two week period without assistance from a trainer. However, a trainer will be observing the recruit and assessing his or her performance to ensure proficiency in operations.

• Illegal dumping of trash and debris along roadways or in creeks
• Leaking automobiles
• Concrete dumped in the street or storm drain
• Paint dumped in storm drain
• Motor oil dumped in storm drain
• Sediment runoff from construction sites
• Yard clippings blown or swept into storm drains
• Sewage or septic tank leaks

• Be aware of the stormwater pollution problem. Awareness is the first step.
• Dispose of household chemicals and used oil properly.
• Keep pet wastes, leaves and other debris out of storm drains.
• Participate in cleanup activities in your neighborhood.
• Take caution with your use of lawn care products. Follow the directions.
• Maintain your vehicle on a regular basis to prevent leaks.
• Recycle.
• Spread the word about pollution prevention.

• Sediment from eroded soil and construction sites
• Excess nutrients from lawn fertilizers
• Excess organic matter from leaf and grass clippings
• Bacteria and disease causing organisms from pet waste or raw, untreated sewage
• Debris / Trash such as plastic bags, cans, bottles, and cigarette butts
• Household hazardous waste like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids
• Metal particles deposited on roadways from automobiles

The city has established contractor insurance requirements based on service being provided, the associated costs for that service and the risk to the city upon the contractor performing the service.

Certificates of Insurance should be mailed to:

City of Sugar Land - Purchasing Office
P.O. Box 110
Sugar Land, TX 77487-0110

House Bill 914, passed during the 2005 Texas legislative session, became effective January 1, 2006. The bill added a new Chapter 176 to the Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 176 requires certain local government officers and those doing business or seeking to do business with local governmental entities to publicly disclose specified relationships. The new disclosure requirements apply to municipalities, such as the City of Sugar Land, counties, school districts and certain other local governmental entities.

A complete text of Chapter 176 is available at the Local Government Code website.

• When an officer or the officer’s family member has an employment or business relationship that results in taxable income with a person who has contracted with the City of Sugar Land or with whom the City of Sugar Land is considering doing business.
• When an officer or the officer’s family member receives and accepts one or more gifts with an aggregate value of $250 in the preceding 12 months from a person who conducts business or is being considered for doing business with the City of Sugar Land.
• A family member is defined as a person related to another person within the first degree by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage) (e.g., spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, etc.)
• Generally, gifts of food, lodging, transportation, or entertainment accepted as a guest, regardless of amount, do not have to be disclosed.

The questionnaires will be filed with and maintained by the City Secretary. If a person submits the questionnaire online, it will automatically be posted in a database maintained by the city secretary.

If a person is unable to submit a questionnaire online, paper copies of the questionnaire may generally be submitted to the City Secretary Office. Individual transactions with the city, however, may carry different instructions for submitting the questionnaire.

For expenditures totaling $50,000 or less, the city subscribes to the philosophy of decentralized purchasing, whereby most authorized purchases of goods and services are the responsibility of the individual departments. For these items, please complete our Vendor Introductory Submission Form. If a match is found, a department representative will contact you to discuss further steps. Expenditures for goods and services totaling more than $50,000, unless exempt under state law, are made through Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

For vendor registration information click here.

For current bid opportunities click here.

No, sealed bids and proposals are not accepted via fax.

Please submit these items to:

City of Sugar Land
Receptionist Desk, 1st Floor
2700 Town Center Blvd. N.
Sugar Land, Texas 77479

All volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. All volunteers under the age of 18 must also submit a signed parent/guardian permission form in addition to their on line application. More information is available on the volunteer sign up website.

Please go online to your profile, go to your calendar page and click on the assignment in question and select cancel. Please note some shifts may not be cancelled within 24-48 hours of the event.

Yes, if you are interested in completing your court mandated service hours at the animal shelter, you must apply and receive approval. You will then have access to available shelter volunteer hours.

No. All volunteers must apply online in advance, once approved they may sign up for volunteer opportunities. You must be registered in advance to volunteer for a specific event; you may not just show up at that event/training. We ask for a specific number of volunteers to ensure a positive experience for all.

Log in to your volunteer account to see a list of all current opportunities listed as news items on our volunteer website. Check out the news page and calendar for new events and then go to the 'Opportunities' tab to see ongoing opportunities.

The Sugar Land Regional Airport is a public use facility open 24 hours, seven days a week with services available daily, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. After hours service is only available with advance notice.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service is available at the Sugar Land Regional Airport. Learn more about clearing U.S. customs and associated fees.

A traffic circle can use stop signs and other controls. There are also no limits to the circle size or the entrance angles and widths of the approaches. 

A modern roundabout only uses yield control on approaches. Roundabouts also have design limits on circle size and the approach entry designs.

Although a multi-lane roundabout has two or more lanes, drivers should not change lanes while travelling in the roundabout. The traffic signs are designed to guide drivers to the correct lane before entering the roundabout and while circling the roundabout. If a driver does not choose the correct lane, then he or she should exit the roundabout, make a u-turn at the next median break and choose the correct lane based on the traffic signs. Changing lanes within a roundabout not only causes confusion for other drivers, but can also cause accidents.

Learn more about roundabouts >>

Many roundabouts are designed to allow buses and large trucks to drive through the roundabout. They typically have a 5-15 foot wide mountable curb around the central island called a truck apron. Buses and semi-trucks can use this apron in order to make a turn within the roundabout, and for multi-lane roundabouts, they can use both circulating lanes in order to make a turn. However, drivers of large vehicles need to wait until the circulating roundabout is clear of vehicles before they can enter and use both lanes. In addition, drivers on multi-lane approaches to roundabouts need to give way to oversized vehicles and allow them to enter the roundabout first.

Learn more about roundabouts >>

• drainage issues, i.e. standing water
• curb repairs
• minor pavement repairs, i.e. cracks and potholes
• full street reconstruction
• manhole adjustments and repairs
• storm drain inlet repairs

• driveway aprons, curbs, lips or panels
• sidewalk landings
• railroad crossings
• Texas Department of Transportation rights of way

At this time, there is no immediate concern with the Brazos River. However, the amount and rate of erosion will vary any given year as it depends on several factors. A few of these include:

• frequency of rain events
• magnitude and duration of future flooding events
• location of the erosion problem

Lack of planning and action could result in the potential of seeing property values impacted, increases in flood insurance rates, and the inclusion of some areas in the floodplain zone. One of the goals of the study is to develop plans to address the issue and reduce future risk to nearby areas.

Areas protected from the Brazos River by levees are not classified as being in the floodplain. As long as the river level is below the top of the levee or the levee is not breached, these areas would not experience flooding from the Brazos River. The ongoing erosion problem could change this.

The amount and rate of erosion will vary any given year as it depends on several factors. A few of these include:

• frequency of rain events
• magnitude and duration of future flooding events
• location of the erosion problem

Lack of planning and action could result in damage to the levee or a negative impact on the level of protection the levees provide. If this happens, there is the potential of seeing property values impacted, increases in flood insurance rates, and the inclusion of some areas in the floodplain zone. One of the goals of the study is to develop plans to address the issue and reduce future risk to nearby areas.

The City is using a the Observation Method for Meandering Prediction (OMM) developed by Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud at Texas A&M University. The methodology includes the following:

• observation of historical movement of the meanders of the river
  Historical maps and aerial photographs are used to determine the river movement (migration) with time. The bank migration is measured using the available aerial photos to perform a historical observation of the river bank movement.
• analysis of representative samples of the soil bank
  Soil samples are obtained at different depths along the critical bank locations to perform soil classification and laboratory testing with the objective of determining the erodibility of the soil at each location. Soils would be classified from very erodible category to non-erodible.
• quantification of the erodibility of the soils (EFA tests),
  A soil sample is collected in a thin-walled tubes (Shelby Tubes).  The soil is put through an Erosion Function Apparatus (EFA) apparatus, to determine their erodibility at different velocity. As a controlled flow of water is push thought he apparatus, the soil is extruded from the Shelby tube and the rate of erosion is determined. The Erosion Function Apparatus (EFA) test uses site-specific soil samples acquired via thin-walled tubes (Shelby Tubes) to generate the erosion rate and shear stress which is plotted to create an erosion plot. The information produced by the test can help an engineer accurately determine the depth of scour or level of bank erosion as a function of time.
• determination of the velocity hydrograph for the period of analysis,
  The river’s flow rate is plotted for different time intervals and different storm events. At each study location, and based on the river’s cross section, the corresponding average velocity for each flow is calculated for each time intervals analyzed. A hydrograph (plot showing the rate of flow versus time past a specific point in a river) is prepared showing the velocity versus time at each study location.
• calibration of the observed migration with predicted migration using the TAMU-OMS software
  This mathematical model based software, was developed by TAMU specifically for determination of erosion rate and river bank migration. It predicts the future migration of a river bank in a period of time based on the actual migration for an earlier time period.
• prediction of average future migration using the fitted soil erosion model
  The velocity data and soil type at each location are used as input for the MEANDER software to predict the average future migration for a time frame.
• performing probabilistic prediction to obtain probability of river meander to a certain location.
  A risk analysis is done using the 100 year and 500-year storm frequency hydrograph as the input values at different locations. The MEANDER software determined the probability of the river to reach a certain point in a giving period of time.
  
  

The stakeholders of the study are:

• Fort Bend County
• TxDOT
• Levee Improvement Districts (LIDs)
• Brazos River Authority

The city is partnering with:

• Greg Wine, PE
  Huitt-Zollars, Inc.
• Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud, PhD, PE, DGE
  University Distinguished Professor and Buchanan Chair Holder
  Zachry Dept. of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
  
  
  

The cemetery was dedicated to the City by LID 17 during October of 2006.  Sugar Land City Council approved Resolution No. 12-02 on Feb. 7, 2012.  The resolution authorized the purchase of 63.331 acres of land for park purposes and the purchase of 11.426 acres of land for airport purposes from NNP-TELFAIR, LP per the 2003 Development Agreement.

The city of Sugar Land negotiated with Newland to accept responsibility for the ownership of the cemetery, ensuring this historical property does not disappear through neglect like many others throughout the country.

The city zoned the cemetery and surrounding property as parkland, a designation that protects and preserves the property.  The city went further and purchased all of the land around the cemetery.  We planned enhancements that were intended to make the cemetery more accessible and highlight its historical importance.

The city routinely provides cemetery access to the Texas Slave Descendants Society to host events there.

An archeological survey of the property was previously completed by Newland Communities as required by federal law.

The Fort Bend County Historical Commission is charged with carrying out a continuing survey of the county’s historical buildings, sites, cemeteries, archeological sites, both public and private, and other historical features within the county and reports to the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and the Texas Historical Commission. Any new development that could have an impact on a historic site such as this must be vetted through the FB Historical Commission.  The Texas Historical Commission performed ground-penetration studies of the property in May 2016.

The city will comply with all required laws prior to any future parkland development surrounding the cemetery.

The city’s plans for a community park in Telfair were halted by the failed passage of an $18.5 million bond proposition.  Even though the regional park was defeated in the bond election by residents of Sugar Land, that property is still designated for future parkland in our Parks, Recreation Master Plan.

• The city is committed to honoring the history of the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery and the surrounding prison operation.
• Sugar Land maintains the cemetery.
• The City made significant contributions to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land, which was built inside what was once the Main Unit, known as Two Camp, where the prison’s black inmates were held. The museum has included an exhibit documenting the contributions of African-Americans.
• The City worked with the Fort Bend Historical Commission to submit an application to THC for a permanent educational historical marker at the cemetery.  The marker was installed with a ceremonially celebration.
• The Imperial Farm Cemetery was declared a Historic Texas Cemetery in 2007 in an application that was made in collaboration with the FB Historical Commission and approved by the THC. The City has protected and maintained the prison cemetery property since taking ownership.
  
  

The City of Sugar Land created the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and contributes funding to ensure the preservation of the city’s history.  The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation has been collecting local historical documents for a museum opened in 2018 at the Imperial Refinery site.  This museum will eventually include a diversity of exhibits documenting the contributions of African-Americans and all others. Community groups are encouraged to support the development of the museum.

The City recognizes the historical significance of the discovery and the importance of honoring and preserving these individuals with the utmost dignity, and memorializing the area’s history for future generations.

The cemetery is located in Fort Bend County near Highway 6 and US 90-A.

In 1867, Texas began leasing out its convicts to labor for private companies, and former plantations across the state were transformed into prison farms. The vast majority of the men and women who toiled on them were African-Americans, either the children of slaves or former slaves themselves, who came from states like Arkansas and Louisiana as well as from across Texas.  The graves in the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery are those of the African-Americans who worked in the convict leasing program and the guards. The cemetery has at least 31 graves, with the earliest dated from 1912. Three graves are post-dated the 1930s. The Imperial State Prison Farm was a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) men's prison. It was one of the first penal institutions owned by the State of Texas and opened in 1909 on the Imperial Sugar plantation. In 1930 the facility was renamed the Central State Prison Farm.

FBISD will determine if and how DNA testing will be performed prior to interment in the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery.  Under the terms of the MOU with FBISD, the City does not assume responsibility for the individuals until they have been reburied in the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery.  Any DNA testing would need to be conducted prior to reinterment.  The City does not support, nor do we feel it would be appropriate, to exhume the individuals for DNA testing after reinterment.

While the convict leasing program was reprehensible, The City of Sugar Land was not incorporated until December 1959, long after the program ended. No inmate labor has ever been used in building the City’s infrastructure, including any of our city halls. Convict labor leasing had been over for several decades when the City of Sugar Land was incorporated and was gradually phased out of the area during the 1910s, when Isaac Kempner and William Eldridge established Sugar Land as a company-owned town.

Contractors working for FBISD discovered the individuals during construction of a new school on the site.

95 unmarked graves were discovered on the site.

The individuals are of African-American males ranging in age from 14 to over 70.  The convict leasing system started in 1857 and operated until the early 1900s.

Yes, construction at the site has ceased.

Numerous entities are involved including the Texas Historical Commission, Fort Bend County, FBISD and the City of Sugar Land.

It is our understanding the FBISD plans to initiate educational initiatives regarding the historic discovery.  The City will work with all entities to participate, as appropriate, in efforts to honor those interred in the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery.

In 1867, Texas began leasing out its convicts to labor for private companies, and former plantations across the state were transformed into prison farms. The vast majority of the men and women who toiled on them were African-Americans, either the children of slaves or former slaves themselves, who came from states like Arkansas and Louisiana as well as from across Texas.  The graves in the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery are those of the African-Americans who worked in the convict leasing program and the guards on the Ellis Plantation’s sugar mill and surrounding sugar cane fields.

The cemetery was dedicated to the City by LID 17 in October 2006.  Sugar Land City Council approved Resolution No. 12-02 on Feb. 7, 2012.  The resolution authorized the purchase of 63.331 acres of land for park purposes and the purchase of 11.426 acres of land for airport purposes from NNP-TELFAIR, LP per the 2003 Development Agreement.

The City of Sugar Land negotiated with Newland Real Estate Group, developer of the Telfair residential community in Fort Bend County, to accept responsibility for the ownership of the cemetery, ensuring this historical property does not disappear through neglect like many others throughout the country. The Imperial Farm Cemetery was declared a Historic Texas Cemetery in 2007 in an application that was made in collaboration with the Fort Bend Historical Commission and approved by the Texas Historical Commission. The City has protected and maintained the prison cemetery property since taking ownership.

The city zoned the cemetery and surrounding property as parkland, a designation that protects and preserves the property.  The city went further and purchased all of the land around the cemetery.  We planned enhancements that were intended to make the cemetery more accessible and highlight its historical importance.

The city routinely provides cemetery access to the Texas Slave Descendants Society to host events there.

An archeological survey of the property was previously completed by Newland Communities as required by federal law.

The Fort Bend County Historical Commission is charged with carrying out a continuing survey of the county’s historical buildings, sites, cemeteries, archeological sites, both public and private, and other historical features within the county, and reports to the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and the Texas Historical Commission. Any new development that could have an impact on a historic site such as this must be vetted through the Fort Bend Historical Commission.  The Texas Historical Commission performed ground-penetration studies of the property in May 2016.

The city will comply with all required laws prior to any future parkland development surrounding the cemetery.

The city’s plans for a community park in Telfair were halted by the failed passage of an $18.5 million bond proposition.  Even though the regional park was defeated in the bond election by residents of Sugar Land, that property is still designated for future parkland in our Parks, Recreation Master Plan.  

The city is committed to honoring the history of the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery and the surrounding prison operation: 

• Sugar Land maintains the cemetery.
• The City made significant contributions to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land, which was built inside what was once the Main Unit, known as Two Camp, where the prison’s black inmates were held. The museum has included an exhibit documenting the experiences and contributions of African-Americans.
• The City worked with the Fort Bend Historical Commission to submit an application to Texas Historical Commission (THC) for a permanent educational historical marker at the cemetery.  The marker was installed with a ceremonial celebration.
• The Imperial Farm Cemetery was declared a Historic Texas Cemetery in 2007 in an application that was made in collaboration with the Fort Bend Historical Commission and approved by the THC. The City has protected and maintained the prison cemetery property since taking ownership.

The City of Sugar Land created the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and contributes funding to ensure the preservation of the city’s history.  The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation has been collecting local historical documents for a museum opened in 2018 at the Imperial Refinery site.  This museum will eventually include a diversity of exhibits documenting the experiences and contributions of African-Americans and all others. Community groups are encouraged to support the development of the museum.

The stated mission of the Convict Leasing and Labor Project is to document the abuses of forced labor in the United States past and present. That includes slavery, convict leasing, and current forced labor arrangements in US prisons. The published goal of CLLP is to “abolish the last vestiges of involuntary servitude in the nation to bring the US into compliance with Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

The stated vision of the CLLP is to provide a public forum on the impact of slavery, convict leasing, and current forced labor arrangements inside US prisons. According to their literature the group envisions:

• Partnering with the City of Sugar Land and Fort Bend Independent School District in properly memorializing the convict lease prisoners whose graves were uncovered at a FBISD construction site in 2018
• Partnering with the City and FBISD in establishing a permanent museum of slavery and convict leasing in Fort Bend County
• Providing educational outreach on the history of slavery, convict leasing, and forced labor
• Networking with prison reform activists and organizations dedicated to stopping ongoing forced labor arrangement in contemporary US prisons 

The Texas Slave Descendant’s Society was founded as a Texas General Business in 2006 by Reginald Moore.  Much of the Society’s activity has been to document the abuses of Texas’ prison labor system.  The Society has worked with the Woodson Research Center at Rice University to research the convict labor system in Fort Bend County.  The organization hosts an annual Labor Day event at the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery and the City routinely hosts TSDS at events at the cemetery.

Representatives from the National Black United Front met with FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre to discuss a list of 15 concerns they have regarding the individuals found on FBISD property.  Foremost among their concerns is a request that DNA testing be conducted before the individuals are reinterred.   Other concerns involve:

• Ceasing construction at the site
• Ensure no other buried individuals are located on the site
• Laws and processes regarding removal, testing, etc.
• African-Americans involved in the archeological testing 
• How the individuals will be honored
• Efforts being made to identify direct descendants
• Governmental entities or intergovernmental task force involvement
• Contacts made to Imperial Sugar Company executives and board
• Types of monuments, museums, ceremonies to honor the individuals
• An official apology from appropriate entities
• Funding secured to document this historic finding
• Research into similar finds such as the African Burial Ground in New York

After extensive discussion and consideration, the task force formally recommended two options.  The task force’s first option was to re-bury the remains at the original site where they were found. The task force believes this option is the most respectful to the remains because a burial site is considered sacred ground. However, the task force understands that there may be certain legal restrictions that will not allow reburial on school district property and would in that case recommend reburial at the city of Sugar Land’s cemetery.  

Sugar Land City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Fort Bend ISD that allows the school district to re-inter remains at the city’s cemetery if they so choose.  City Council’s decision was consistent with the task force’s recommendation, which included two options.

No. The interlocal agreement allows Fort Bend ISD to consider the city’s cemetery as an option for reburial.

As the property owner where the human remains were found, Fort Bend ISD has the responsibility of evaluating suitable burial locations to re-inter the bodies to present to the court for final approval.

The owner of the tree is responsible for the maintenance of the tree.  In some communities, the HOA will maintain the tree in front of a residential property.  If you do not know, it would be best to contact your HOA prior to completing any maintenance on your tree.

The City prunes its trees on a 3-5 year rotation.  Residents are encouraged to prune their trees on a similar rotation.  All trees along roadways are inspected every three years for compliance with the City Ordinance.  The City Ordinance requires that residential trees are pruned 12’ above the roadway and 8’ above the sidewalk; and all non-residential trees be pruned 14’ above the roadway and 8’ above the sidewalk.

Even if the city does not own the tree, city crews will come out 24/7 to respond to a concern.  If it is a city-owned tree, even if it is a small branch, the city will remove the hazard.  If it is a privately owned tree, the city will safely remove the tree from the roadway and place it in the yard or ROW of the owner of the tree.  It is the responsibility of the owner of the tree to remove the debris.

Please contact Public Works by dialing 311 or 281-275-2450.

The City does not have an ordinance for the removal of trees on private property, but certain HOAs have deed restriction regarding trees.  It would be best to contact your HOA prior to completing any work.

In certain areas of the community, trees were originally planted too close together.  As these trees have grown over time, the canopies of the trees have grown together to create very dense shade in numerous areas.  The shade has caused turf to die back and decline in many areas.  This causes unsightly conditions and dirt to runoff into the storm sewers during rain events.  

There are multiple benefits of tree removal.  Removing trees will allow sunlight to penetrate to the turf below allowing turf to thrive and prevent soil runoff during rain events. This, in turn, improves the effectiveness of the storm sewers, creeks and stream, which can contribute to lower oxygen levels that are harmful to aquatic life.  Tree removal will also allow streetlight to penetrate to the street to allow for safer roadways.  Reducing the number of trees also allows for more growing space for remaining trees and allows them to increase their canopy.  This will improve the appearance and value of the remaining trees.  Since trees planted too close together can have root grafting, the spread of disease is also more prevalent.  

The owner of the tree is responsible for making the decision of any tree removal.

Trees are often initially planted closer together in order to create an aesthetically pleasing look from the beginning.  Unfortunately, the trees eventually mature and cause other issues.

Tree thinning is the process of selectively removing branches within the tree canopy to allow light to penetrate to the ground.  Arborists recommend thinning of certain trees to protect the overall health of the canopy, which also protects the wildlife that uses the trees as habitats.

The Development Code requires trees to be replaced when removed IF they qualify as a Protected Tree under the definition in the Development Code.  Protected Tree means a hardwood tree having a minimum caliper size of 8 inches or greater, as measured 4½ feet above ground level. Otherwise, if trees are removed from private property and the removal of those trees takes the property out of compliance with the Development Code landscaping regulations in Chapter 2, then the City would have recourse to require replanting to comply with the landscaping requirements in Chapter 2.

Regarding trees within the right-of-way, the City does not have a policy regarding the replacement of trees.  In most cases, trees located in the right-of-way are owned and maintained by the adjacent property owner.  They have the sole discretion on choosing to replace a tree that is removed from the right-of-way. Trees along State-owned ROW’s are maintained by the City and are replaced, budget dependent, if they are removed.

The Development Code requires trees to be replaced when removed IF they qualify as a Protected Tree under the definition in the Development Code.  Protected Tree means a hardwood tree having a minimum caliper size of 8 inches or greater, as measured 4½ feet above ground level. This determination is made during the building permit process and review of a landscaping plan, if required. The landscaping requirements in Article XV (Landscaping and Screening Regulations) apply to any premise on which construction occurs for which a building permits is required.  There are a few exceptions – restoration of a building with a historic designation, remodeling of the interior of a building or the façade of building that does not alter the location of exterior walls, or the expansion of a Single-family or Two-Family Dwelling.

The National Weather Service has completed a historical rainfall study, called Atlas 14. This study incorporated approximately 100 years of rainfall data in Texas, which shows that Fort Bend County and the City of Sugar Land are likely to experience an increase in the frequency of intense rainfall events.

The existing rainfall frequency values were developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Atlas 14 incorporated an additional 4 decades of rainfall data collected by the increased number of rain gages in Texas. In addition, Atlas 14 used improved statistical methods to conduct rainfall frequency analysis. These rainfall frequency values are used for infrastructure design and planning activities under federal, state and local regulations. The values are also used to evaluate flood risks, manage development in floodplains, and delineate floodplain boundaries for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Areas of new development and re-development located next to Oyster Creek in the floodplain area could see an increment in the minimum required finish floor elevations. Redevelopment of properties located in levee-protected areas may need to build at a higher elevation if the original finish floor elevation did not comply with the minimum elevation requirements of the Levee District engineer.

As per the Fort Bend Drainage Criteria Manual (7.3.1.1 –Design Criteria Assuming Coincidental Events), the maximum ponding level within the leveed area should not exceed the maximum water surface elevation associated with the 100-yr coincidental flood event computed in designing the internal drainage system of the levee area, including the required minimum freeboard of one foot and the pumping and storage capacity of the leveed system.

The coincidental ponding is determined from the coincidental probability of interior and exterior flooding and the capacity of pumps, drainage channels, and detention using the precipitation requirements of Atlas 14.

No. The Development Code and the city's design standards require that any new or existing construction collects the stormwater on the property properly and delivers it to the proper city collection point, (i.e. stormwater inlet, stormwater channel or detention pond) without affecting any neighboring properties. This is clearly specified in the flood prevention ordinances adopted by City Council.

We are proposing to change the city code. Currently, many of our floodplain regulations are based on the 100-year flood. We are proposing an interim Atlas 14 100-year floodplain regulations until floodplain maps can be redrawn by FEMA in a few years. This interim floodplain is based on the current 500-year floodplain. This change means that property owners and businesses in the interim Atlas 14 100-year floodplain would have new restrictions if they want to develop, expand, remodel or improve their properties.

Sugar Land areas that will be affected by Atlas 14 implementation can be reviewed using the following maps:

• Online Interactive Map

The majority of the city will not be impacted by higher insurance rates, however, homeowners that are not in the current 100-year flood zone may be remapped to the flood hazard zone when FEMA updates floodplain maps in a few years. If remapped, affected homeowners might be required to purchase flood insurance.

Atlas 14 shows that the frequency of major storms that can take place in our city is expected to increase. This could mean more street ponding in our area. We do not anticipate homes flooding in our area as a result of Atlas 14 estimates, however, it is recommended that all homeowners and residents purchase flood insurance.

Violations can be reported in the following ways:

• Phone: 311 or  281-275-2900
• Email: codeenforcement@sugarlandtx.gov

Once a suspected code violation has been submitted, code enforcement staff is assigned and an investigation takes place. Due to the different nature of submissions, investigation and resolution times may vary. For example, zoning violations typically require monitoring and collecting of information on the property and usually will take longer to reach a resolution.

Once it is determined that a violation has occurred, city staff will issue a notice of violation to the property owner outlining the necessary corrective action as well as a compliance timeframe. Re-inspections are then conducted to verify compliance.

Once a violation has been confirmed, an inspector will issue a notice of violation to the appropriate parties, which outlines compliance timeframes. If the property owner does not correct the violation within the required timeframe, staff will begin progressive enforcement processes, which include issuing a final notice and ultimately filing citations with Municipal Court.  

Limited information regarding a case can be given unless the requestor submits an Open Records Request via the City Secretary’s Office. Please visit the city's open records request portal to learn more.

Code violation information is available to anyone through an open records request as part of the Freedom of Information Act.

The City does maintain close working relationships with HOAs and other community groups and regularly discusses high-level issues occurring within the subdivision.

There are times when a code inspector may determine that nuisance conditions do not meet the threshold for enforcement. Any complainant may file a citizen complaint to the City Prosecutor at Municipal Court. Part of this process includes the submission of evidence to prove the existence of a violation. 

Short-term rentals are only allowed in specific zoning districts with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The unapproved use of a property as an STR violates Sugar Land's zoning regulations. More information is available at www.sugarlandtx.gov/ShortTermRentals

Rental length defines what would be considered a short-term rental. Any property that is leased or rented out in whole or in part (a room, for example) longer than 30 days is not considered a short-term rental and would be allowed.

There is a misconception that Sugar Land prohibits short-term rentals because the City would not be able to collect occupancy tax from these rentals. In fact, any owner that is operating a lodging business – including a short term rental – anywhere in the state of Texas is required to collect state hotel occupancy taxes that must be submitted to the State Comptroller.

Additionally, if STRs were allowed in Sugar Land (they are not), they would also be subject to the city’s hotel occupancy tax.

Parking is available in lots A, B & C.  Parking is $7.00 per vehicle.  We will accept credit cards only. NO CASH

Visit https://www.gofevo.com/event/Citysugar4 to purchase tickets. If you have not received the City of Sugar Land email for resident tickets fees will apply.

Pick up is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Weekend pickup is also available on home game days only from 10 a.m. thru the 5th inning. Please visit the Space Cowboys website for home game schedule.  www.milb.com/sugar-land

No coolers or outside food and beverages will be allowed.

Exclusive codes will be sent to residents with e-mails on file for utility bills by Saturday, May 31. To receive your code, sign up for e-bill by visiting www.sugarlandtx.gov/eBilling. Additional tickets are available for purchase by residents. Non-Sugar Land residents may purchase tickets for $12 each, beginning Monday, June 9.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for e-bill at www.sugarlandtx.gov/eBilling to receive access code. 

The City offers this event as a service to its residents.  It will be at the Sugar Land resident’s discretion.

Tickets will be available for distribution beginning May 31 until June 30 for Sugar Land residents while supplies last.  Starting Monday, June 9, any remaining tickets will be made available to the general public (residents and non-residents).

Additional tickets are available for purchase.

Due to the limited availability of the tickets and our efforts to minimize scalping, tickets should be treated as cash.   Lost tickets will not be replaced. 

Sugar Land residents can obtain up to four (4) free tickets per household. Additional tickets are available for purchase

In the event of rain, please be aware that the start of the event may be delayed. If we must reschedule, your tickets will remain valid for the new date.  However, it is crucial to note that if the event is cancelled due to rain or any other unforeseen circumstances, tickets will not be eligible for re-issue or exchange.

If your plans change and you find that you are unable to attend, you have the option to return your tickets. To ensure that these tickets can be offered to other residents of Sugar Land, please contact the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

No, the concession stands offer an assortment of foods and beverages including sandwiches, soda, wine and beer for purchase. Event attendees are not allowed to bring outside food/beverages into the stadium.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. In the efforts to maximize the guest experience; we strongly suggest arriving to the event before 8 p.m. Gates/Event access may be limited after 8 p.m.

No, Tailgating is not allowed. Constellation Field features many local Texas and ballpark favorites that will make your mouth water from the second you step through the gate! 

A full concessions map along with menu options can be found on our website HERE

Please contact the Space Cowboys at 281-207-9123 or cparsons@astros.com for information on becoming a vendor for Red, White and Boom.

Yes! The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show. You will be able to view the firework display from inside the stadium.  This amazing show is timed to America's favorite hits for a memorable patriotic experience. 

Red, White, and Boom will feature family-friendly entertainment including live music, on-field games, kids' activities, and more. 

A full entertainment schedule will be posted closer to the event date.

Only service animals are allowed inside Constellation Field. Please leave all other pets at home for their safety and comfort.

Constellation Field has a clear bag policy. Small clutches and medically necessary items are allowed, but all bags are subject to inspection. Visit the Space Cowboys’ website for full bag policy details.

All tickets are general admission. Seating is available throughout the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis. Lawn seating is also available.

Yes, ADA parking and seating are available at Constellation Field. Please contact the box office at 281-240-4487 if you require additional assistance or accommodations.

All guests will go through standard security screening upon entry. Please allow extra time for this process and review the stadium’s prohibited items list in advance.

The city’s design standards set requirements for bike lanes built within the city’s right of way. These standards meet those set by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

TxDOT’s standards are based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadway Design Manual and guidelines. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols and guidelines which are used in highway design and construction throughout the United States.

The city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan contains recommended minimum requirements for pedestrian and bicycle facilities (bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks, etc…). Recommendations as outlined on the master plan adhere to applicable TMUTCD, ADA and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.

Below is a table comparing Sugar Land to TxDOT's bicycle facilities standards.

Prior to January 2020 and January 2021, the City has not increased water or wastewater rates since 2011, and surface water rates have not increased since 2014. These rates are the main source of funding for the utility system. If the operating and capital needs of the system exceed the capacity generated by revenues (payments), then rates have to be increased to maintain a financially sound, self-supporting utility system.

The rate increases are necessary to support the City in meeting the 60% groundwater reduction mandate as recommended by the Integrated Water Resources Plan.

Each year, a long-range financial forecast for the utility system is prepared using an updated model from the last rate study. This update provides guidance on revenues necessary to support the operating and capital needs of the system moving forward. The model builds in the capital projects identified through the Integrated Water Resources Plan and Capital Improvement Program.

The utility system is operated like a business and supported through charges to users of the system. Revenues are generated by the rates set by City Council.  

When rate increases are necessary, they are recommended through the annual budget, discussed with City Council during budget workshops, and then adopted by City Ordinance.

Please visit our water-saving tips page to help control the cost of your water bill.

In a 2018 survey conducted by the Texas Municipal League (TML), Sugar Land’s residential water and wastewater bills ranked 15% to 20% less than the average bill for 45 cities over 50,000 in population (including costs for mandatory groundwater reduction).

• See the TML Survey Results

The City has a Utility Assistance Program that is distributed through Fort Bend Social Services. To learn more about possible assistance, email socialservicesinbox@fortbendcounty.gov or you can call 281-403-8050 or 281-238-3502.

Beginning in 2014, the City had to meet FBSD regulations requiring the City to supply 30-percent of its water demand from alternative (non-groundwater) sources. In 2025, this water supply requirement will increase to 60-percent alternative sources.

The Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) is a comprehensive water supply plan, approved by City Council in 2019. The IWRP examined the City’s available water supplies and infrastructure and developed a clear, strategic, and cost-effective road map that allows the City to meet future water demands and regulations. The recommendations include partial expansion of the City’s Surface Water Treatment Plant, expanding reclaimed water facilities, water conservation programs, implementing advanced metering infrastructure and controlling water loss.

Learn more about the IWRP.

The City has not increased water or wastewater rates since 2011, and surface water rates have not increased since 2014. The Integrated Water Resources Plan identifies substantial capital investment ahead of the mandated 60% reduction in groundwater. Continued capital and operating investment into the system is necessary to ensure the safest and most reliable utility system for our customers. 

The utility rate study will help the City design a rate structure to achieve the revenues needed based on industry best practices, and only recommend the rate increases that are necessary to maintain a self-supporting utility system.  While necessary, future increases will be structured to ensure the financial sustainability of the system around smaller annual increases instead of larger less frequent increases.

City Council approved utility rate increases in September of 2020 to be effective January 1, 2021. Residents can expect to see the rate changes on bills issued after that date.

The Integrated Water Resources Plan identifies substantial capital investment ahead of the mandated 60% reduction in groundwater. Continued capital and operating investment into the system is necessary to ensure the safest and most reliable utility system for our customers. 

Phases II and III of the utility rate study will be conducted in FY21, and are focused on building policy direction for implementation of the IWRP based on City Council discussion during the FY21 budget process. This will help the City design a rate structure to achieve the revenues needed based on industry best practices, and only recommend the rate increases that are necessary to maintain a self-supporting utility system. While necessary, future increases will be structured to ensure the financial sustainability of the system around smaller annual increases instead of larger less frequent increases.

The City is being required to convert 60% of its total water demand to alternative or non-groundwater supplies by 2025. This conversion is an unfunded mandate by the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) Regulatory Plan.  The City is committed to meeting the mandate in a way that best fits our communities’ vision for the future.

The Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) is a comprehensive water supply plan, approved by City Council in 2019. The IWRP examined the City’s available water supplies and infrastructure and developed a clear, strategic, and cost-effective road map that allows the City to meet future water demands and regulations. The recommendations include partial expansion of the City’s Surface Water Treatment Plant, expanding reclaimed water facilities, water conservation programs, implementing advanced metering infrastructure and controlling water loss.

The costs of these projects will be phased over the next several years.  In order to fund these projects and meet the regulatory requirements, the City will be increasing rates incrementally over the next few years. Please visit the IWRP page.

These rates are the main source of funding for the utility system. If the operating and capital needs of the system exceed the capacity generated by revenues (payments), then rates have to be increased to maintain a financially sound, self-supporting utility system.

The rate increases are necessary to support the City in meeting the 60% groundwater reduction mandate as recommended by the Integrated Water Resources Plan.

The Integrated Water Resources Plan identifies substantial capital investment ahead of the mandated 60% reduction in groundwater. Continued capital and operating investment into the system is necessary to ensure the safest and most reliable utility system for our customers. 

The utility rate study establishes a rate structure to achieve the revenues needed based on industry best practices, and only recommending rate increases that are necessary to maintain a self-supporting utility system.  While necessary, future increases will be structured to ensure the financial sustainability of the system around smaller annual increases instead of larger less frequent increases.

City Council approved utility rate increases in September of 2021 to be effective January 1, 2022. Residents can expect to see the rate changes on bills issued after that date.

Pre-Qualification Presentations are offered bi-monthly.

Each presentation is allocated 45 minutes. Thirty minutes for the presentation and 15 minutes for questions and answers (Q/A).

Presentations should provide an overview of all disciplines (ie: water, wastewater, traffic, roads, drainage, etc.) the company offers or can focus on one specific area of expertise the company wants to make the city aware of.

The “Pre-Qualifications Presentation” schedule link is on the City of Sugar Land website with detailed instructions on the process.

No, Pre-Qualification Presentations are not required to do business with the City of Sugar Land. However, they are highly recommended because the process allows staff to become familiar with new companies, relevant changes within an existing company structure as well as new disciplines companies have to offer. Providing a presentation also allows the companies Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to go into the City’s 3 year library for selection process for projects under $250,000 budget.

Each Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  is based on particular projects (drainage, streets, traffic, etc.) With the SOQ (for pre-qualification submittals only) use the following criteria:

1. If a company wants to provide an overview of all the disciplines they have, they can just submit a general package they would normally submit for an RFQ.
2. If a company wants to provide an overview of discipline-specific areas, they can focus the submittal package on that, however, the presentation can go into all the disciplines they have experience in. We recommend not to focus too much on a specific discipline unless that is the only one the company is looking to be selected for. 

Please submit SOQs in PDF format with a maximum of 15 pages, 100 MB or less, including: introduction letter, structure of organization, disciplines of expertise and examples of projects. The page limit doesn't count the covers or section dividers. *Please note the City cannot accept SOQs on flash drives due to our IT security policy.  

SOQs stay active in the City’s Engineering library for 3 years.

If the company desires to keep their SOQ in the library an additional 3 years, they can submit an updated SOQ to prequalifications@sugarlandtx.gov. No additional presentation is necessary unless the following takes place: 1). The company has restructured the organization, 2) The company has added additional services they want to introduce to the City.

The company representative should contact the Engineering Department Administrative Coordinator at prequalifications@sugarlandtx.gov for further information or instructions.

Staff members from all divisions of city staff are invited to the meetings (Airport, Public Works, Parks, Engineering, Planning, etc.).

Presentations will now be conducted through an online virtual meeting process.  The platform will be Zoom.  Additional information is provided through the scheduling process on the City’s website, prequalification’s link.

Water conservation fortifies our community’s quality of life by ensuring availability of ample water resources and mitigating cost to reduce groundwater use to 40% by 2025 as mandated by the Fort Bend Subsidence District regulations. A comprehensive effort to use our water resources efficiently and reduce wasted water use is an essential component to providing safe and plentiful water to our customers today and in the years to come. As the population grows and water resource regulations change, the city’s Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP)  calls on water customers to contribute to our water resource management through conservation.

When water conserving habits are established during times of normal rainfall, the impact of drought and water use restrictions are lessened. For example, when lawns are deeply irrigated only when soil becomes dry (rather than a regular schedule), grass roots grow deeper resulting in a more drought tolerant lawn.

Water use awareness and changing habits are the most impactful conservation strategies. Water saving appliances are beneficial to achieving water conservation goals.  When planning appliance replacement or choosing irrigation system components, choose WaterSense™   labeled products that are proven to save water when compared to traditional appliances.

Refer to the Saving Water Indoors page for tips to conserve water. Contact apartment maintenance team when repairs are needed for leaking toilets and dripping faucets or leaking waterlines.

Watering early in the morning, after 2:00 am and before 10:00 am is best for landscapes.  This hydrates plants and sustains them through the high mid-day and afternoon temperatures.  Avoid watering during the heat of the day when evaporation is greatest. Watering in the evening and at night contributes to mold and fungus growth and standing water that attracts mosquitos when they are active.

Reduce wasteful irrigation run-off by implementing the Cycle and Soak Irrigation Method. Cycle and Soak is a two-cycle process that allows water to slowly penetrate deeply into our compacted, clay soils. When the soil is moistened after the first watering cycle, water from the second cycle will flow even deeper into the soil. When soil is moist to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, roots are encouraged to grow deeper. Deeper roots support a healthier lawn.

You can schedule a pick-up by

• Submit the online textile recycling request form
• Call Green City Recycler at 832-989-2745

You can use any bag, box, or container to place your textiles out for collection.

Items should be placed on your front porch on the scheduled date of service.

Yes. The City encourages residents to consider donating items first before recycling them.

There are several charitable organizations in our area that accept clothing, shoes, accessories, household goods, furniture, books, and much more. For a complete listing of acceptable donations, please visit their website.

• East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry
• Fort Bend Women’s Center
• Goodwill
• Second Mile

Cities use zoning as a tool to administrate land uses (e.g. residential, commercial, office, or industrial) and the physical development of land such as the size of buildings, and how buildings relate to their surroundings, including other buildings, open spaces, and the street.

Yes, all properties within Sugar Land city limits must be placed in a zoning district, which ensures compatibility between uses (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.), prevents nuisances, and protects value of property. The City of Sugar Land is divided, or zoned, into thirteen (13) standard zoning districts and multiple planned development (PD) districts. Each standard zoning district has development regulations that are located in Chapter 2, Zoning Regulations of the City’s Development Code. Access the official zoning map online under “Zoning Districts” at  http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/273/City-Maps.

The HR-1 district is a residential zoning district for the neighborhood known as The Hill, and was created in 1997. This zoning district has unique development regulations that ensures new development and redevelopment will be in character with the neighborhood, some of which were modified and/or added with the adoption of Ordinance No. 2237 by City Council on July 20th 2021.

The HR-1 Zoning District:

• Is not a historic preservation district;
• Continues to allow redevelopment including tear downs and rebuilds and new 2-story construction;
• Regulations only apply to new construction and future additions or structures;
• Tree regulations allow property owners to continue to plant or remove trees if not related to a demolition or new construction. 

The R-1 zoning district is a residential zoning district that is applied to many of the traditional suburban neighborhoods within the City.

At a glance, both zoning districts address many of the same things such as requiring minimum setbacks, maximum lot coverage, maximum floor-to-area ratio, maximum height, etc. R-1 is less restrictive by allowing taller homes (maximum height of 35 feet or 2.5 stories), wider homes (5-foot setback on each side) and overall larger homes than what commonly exists in The Hill. While still allowing larger homes than what exist today, the HR-1 regulations ensure that the size of new construction is smaller in scale to be compatible with the surrounding area. For example, homes in the HR-1 are allowed to be 2-stories, but are limited to 27 feet in overall height. Homes are also limited in width by larger side setbacks (10 feet on each side) and maximum building width, based on lot width in order to keep the open feel to the neighborhood.

If rezoned from HR-1 to R-1, your property will still have zoning and will follow development regulations for the R-1 zoning district when new construction such as additions or new houses are proposed on the property. This includes standard regulations such as minimum setbacks, maximum lot coverage, maximum floor-to-area ratio, maximum height, etc.

The email provided during the application process will receive a notification providing a status update.

The email provided during the application process will receive a request for documents if not submitted during the initial application process, or documents that need correction. Customer must login to profile and upload required attachments.

The email provided during the application process will receive a notification with instructions for remitting payment once application is approved.

Credit or debit card.

The email provided during the application process will receive a notification with permit attached.

Print and post in public view on the day(s) of your event. Note: It is against the law to duplicate or revise permit.

Yes, your customer profile will be saved for future events. You do not need to create a new customer profile for each application; please use your same login information

Yes, you may apply online through the Sugar Land Citizen’s Self-Service portal.

Yes, in order to be able to start any new application, you will have to register in the new CSS portal.

No. Any open applications not submitted through the CSS portal will not be available on the portal. To check the status of an open application, please call the Permits office at 281-275-2270 or email permits@sugarlandtx.gov.

Not on June 14, however, some previous records will be available on the CSS portal at a later date. Notifications will be made once the process of moving this information to CSS has started.

On June 14, all submittals (except for liquor licensing) will only be accepted online through the CSS portal. No documentation or USB flash drives will be accepted at City Hall or any other location.

Yes. You will be able to pay with a credit or debit card for any applications submitted entirely on the new CSS portal.

Computers with access to the CSS portal will be available for use in the Permits office at City Hall. Permit Technicians will also be available at the computers to assist with any questions.

Stormwater is surface water that flows across the land into creeks, rivers, and lakes. The storm water in Sugar Land flows to water supply sources like Oyster Creek and the Brazos River. The purpose of the stormwater program is to reduce the pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.

Drainage is stormwater that does not soak into the ground. It refers to water that falls as rain and runs off the land, and especially off of pavement or structures placed on the land. The city’s drainage system handles this water, and it consists of pipes, inlets, culverts, street gutters, ditches, channels, creeks, lakes, ponds, dams, tunnels and floodwalls. Drainage can be a problem because of flooding, erosion and impacts on water quality. The Stormwater Compliance Fee pays for programs that prevent, mitigate and/or correct these problems.

The drainage system should not be confused with the sanitary sewage system, which takes away water used in homes, businesses and industries for toilets, sinks, showers, washing machines and various types of business processes. The sanitary sewer system is a different system of pipes and infrastructure that lead to a wastewater treatment plant.

It is the monthly fee to pay for the cost for compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. This requires communities to reduce stormwater pollution to the maximum extent practicable. The Stormwater Compliance Fee covers the costs of staff, equipment, maintenance of existing infrastructure, regulatory fees, and public education efforts as part of the City of Sugar Land’s Stormwater Management Program.

The purpose of the fee is to pay for stormwater related activities, which are part of State and Federal environmental protection requirements. Municipalities are required to implement best management practices to reduce stormwater pollution to the maximum extent practicable.

Yes. The Stormwater Compliance Fees are billed to all residential and commercial properties located within the city limits with a few specific exemptions.

The following groups are exempt from the stormwater fee:

• State property
• County property including Levee Improvement Districts
• Universities
• Schools and School District properties

The project will identify priorities (public safety, drainage, mobility, infrastructure) identified by our residents through years of feedback, including our Citizen Satisfaction Surveys. 

The current storm water program includes:

• TCEQ MS4 Compliance and Control Measures
• Existing Drainage system Operations and Maintenance
• Storm Inlet Inspection and cleaning
• Mosquito Spraying
• Mosquito trapping and testing
• Drainage ditch flow monitoring equipment and maintenance
• Flood Gauges flood alert system

The Stormwater Compliance Fee considers a property’s impervious area which is the total area covered by materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, stone and compacted surfaces which reduce infiltration of precipitation. The amount of impervious area on a property directly impacts how much stormwater runs off the property and enters the City’s stormwater and drainage system.

Impervious cover is any type of human-made surface that doesn’t absorb rainfall, including:

• Driveways, paved and unpaved
• Parking lots, paved and unpaved
• Patios
• Pools
• Roadways
• Rooftops
• Sidewalks
• Some decks

If you rent a single-family home, you will be charged a Stormwater Compliance Fee. The Stormwater Compliance Fee will show up every month on your Utility Bill.

City code provides a process for requesting a review of your fee and for adjusting your fee, if warranted. The process includes an administrative review by city staff. Please call 311 to initiate your request for administrative review.

If you make changes to impervious cover on your property, your Stormwater Compliance Fee may change. However, there may be a lag time before changes are reflected in your charge. Changes that may affect your charge include increasing your parking space, building a property addition or adding a deck or shed. Removing impervious cover will reduce your charge.

If you have removed impervious cover, please call 311 to let us know, so we can adjust your charge for you sooner.

Unfunded mandates pass down standards and regulations from the State and Federal governments but do not come with the necessary appropriations or funding.

When applying for a permit and entering the address, follow these guidelines:

• enter only enter the street number and street name
• type address without any punctuation
• do not enter "Ave", "Blvd", "Dr", "Rd", "St", etc.

Example

This address: 17500 S. Grand Parkway should be entered as 17500 Grand.  

If you still cannot locate the property address, please fill out this form. 

See the Sub-permit user guide for step by step instructions on how to apply for a sub-permit after the Building Permit is issued.

It is important to note that you CANNOT apply for a sub-permit until the Building Permit (parent permit) has been APPROVED. 

• Sub-Permit Application User Guide

The status can be found on the summary dashboard of the permit. The Workflow shows the current step in the process of your permit application.

Submitted-Online: The application case has been created but has no yet been processed by city staff.

In Review: The application case has been routed for review by City Staff. The application will remain in this status until all reviews and administrative processing have been completed. Refer to the “Reviews” tab within the permit for the anticipated review completion date. If any of the reviews indicate “Requires Resubmit”, comments will be released and the email address(es) on the case will be notified, once all reviews are completed.

Fees Due: The case has an invoiced fee that must be paid in order to move the process forward

Fees Paid: The case has a paid invoice and this status notifies city staff that an action needs to be taken on the record

Required for Resubmittal: The application review has been completed and corrections are required. Whenever a permit is changed to this status, an email is sent to the email address on file, and the marked up document is added to the case under the “Attachments” tab within the case in the CSS portal

Approved, Pending Payment of Permit Fees: The application has been approved and waiting on final permit fees for issuance. After you’ve made the payment, you will be able to apply for trade permits and schedule inspections.

Issued: The permit has been issued and electronic files and final approved plans are available under the “attachments” tab within the permit case in the CSS Portal. 

On Hold: City staff has placed a hold on the permit process

All reviews must be complete before comments are available to download. Once reviews have been completed:

• Click on Attachments.
• Click on the title of the document (a link that will download the marked up plans)

To view your permit, you must be a contact listed on the permit and have an active CSS account.

• How to create a CSS account

Follow these steps:

1. Click on the permit from your active bucket.
2. Click on it again to open the details page.
3. Click inspections in the bottom row of tabs to find the one that did not pass.
4. Click the checklist tab and you will see the reason.

This is typically caused by attempting to schedule an inspection when other inspections are required and must be approved before this inspection.

Please call the Permits office at 281-275-2270 for assistance.  

• For permits that require a plan review, a plan check fee is paid for separately prior to the application being routed for review.
• Once the approval is granted, the permit fee is paid for prior to issuing the permit.
• For permits that do not require a building plan review, the permit is paid for once completeness checks are completed.

There a few reasons this can happen:

• You are not listed as a billing contact on the permit.
• The permit fee has not been completed and invoiced.

Please contact the Permits office for assistance 281-275-2270.

• Click on dashboard and scroll down to the bottom right-hand section that says “invoices”.
• Click “add to cart” if it shows fees due.

Please contact the Permits office for assistance 281-275-2270.  

Using the Fee Estimator tool located in the bar at the top of the screen, you can input the information for your project and it will calculate the fees for that type of application.

Resubmittal Process User Guide

• you received a notification via email
• your application is in need of corrections
• the City has requested additional documents to be submitted

Once you are registered and have been linked to your existing active permit, you have the ability to add additional contacts to your permits in CSS. As long as your additional contacts have already created a CSS account, you have the ability to connect them to the permit yourself. Some examples of additional contacts could be a homeowner, subcontractors, general contractors, project managers, etc. 

• Adding a Contact to a Permit

The company should have a single (primary) contact and email address for their business. The contact may or may not have a person’s name on the contact. This primary company contact record will be the general contractor license holder for the company (if applicable). 

Individual accounts will have to be created for sub-contractors, because professional licenses are associated with the account that applied for them. Sub-contractors can be linked to the company account as sub-contact through contact manager on CSS.

For more information on how to add employees to the primary account, see the user guide “How can I link my account to my company’s account”.

This error occurs when you are not registered as a contractor in the new system. First, apply for a contractor registration license pertaining to the permit you’re applying for. For example, a mechanical contractor license if you’re applying for a mechanical permit or a plumbing contractor license if you’re applying for a plumbing permit.

Request the reset password email but use a different device to go through the process. Once you have reset the password on a different device, you should be able to access CSS with the new password from any device.

If you are unable to use a different device, contact the Permits office for assistance 281-275-2270.

Yes. The Sugar Land Police Department will send recruits to a local Police Academy.

Yes. You will have to contact TCOLE and receive approval to challenge the state test. While completing the challenge process, you are eligible to be apply and be hired as a Certified Police Officer with SLPD prior to TCOLE approval.

Yes. While in the police academy, the salary for non-certified recruits starts at the Police Recruit level. 

Yes, the SLPD does have a lateral entry program for Police Officers.

No. SLPD is not a civil service agency.

Patrol Officers typically work 10-hour shifts with 3 consecutive days off. Days off and shift assignment are based on seniority.

Yes, SLPD has multiple different divisions to include: Criminal Investigations, Traffic Unit (Motors), Crime Prevention, Training & Recruiting, Narcotics and Parks. In addition to daily assignments, SLPD offers SWAT, CNT, SRT, Field Training Officers, K-9, Drones, Bicycle Patrol, UTV’s.

Yes, incentive pay is offered for the educational degrees: Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s and Certification Levels: Intermediate, Advanced and Master’s.

Facial hair is permitted as long as it fits the guidelines listed in the policy.

Yes, however hand, neck, and face tattoos are not permitted. All other tattoos must not be offensive and a long sleeve uniform should be able to cover them.

The hiring process typically last 3-4 months.

Yes, as long as you have 2 years’ active military, have an ETS date prior to being hired, and an honorable discharge you are eligible to apply. 

Yes - see specific physical requirements.

Every city has a lifecycle and we have reached the peak of ours now. With only 4% of developable land left until we are completely built out, we know we are at the decision point where we can either be aspirational or go into decline. Doing nothing is not an option -- we can change or time will make changes for us. 

Reinvestment means putting money into an existing asset (home, retail center, etc.) to bring the property up to new standards or trends in commercial and residential development. The City is exploring pilot programs that incentivize homeowners and landlords to invest in their properties and updating our development rules and services to encourage reinvestment across the city.

Simply, redevelopment is when an existing building and/or parking areas are demolished and a new development is built on the same site. It usually involves building more on the site than was previously there, creating density. Redevelopment can also occur when a current building is repurposed into a new use or to align with new market trends.

The City has limited land in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which is the area immediately outside of Sugar Land's corporate limits. All land surrounding the City is either already incorporated or in another jurisdiction's ETJ.

As described in the 2018 Land Use Plan, any new apartments built in Sugar Land will be required to be multi-story, urban-style apartments that activate the streets. Standalone, garden-style apartments are not supported by the Land Use Plan. Additional housing options that will be considered include townhomes, condos, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and live-work units that support local entrepreneurship and employment. These new types of housing are an essential first step to providing pathways to homeownership and drive demand for existing and new dining, retail, amenities, and attractions.

• Regional Activity Centers (RAC) are new or redeveloped commercial areas that will serve as destinations for both the city and region. These areas will be developed to vertically integrate various land uses such as commercial and retail buildings, educational and health care facilities, civic buildings, and a residential component. It's important the uses complement each other and the highest and best use of the land. Other qualities found in a RAC are varied building heights from low-rise to mid-ride, structured parking, street-level stores, pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and public spaces that can be used at various times of the day for various purposes.
• The City of Sugar Land's Land Use Plan designates these five (5) locations as RAC:
  • Sugar Land Town Center
  • Lake Pointe
  • University Boulevard
  • Imperial
  • Sugar Creek Triangle

The City cannot guarantee specific occupancy rates as retail is market driven by consumer demand. One of the key ingredients in a mixed-use development is housing which supports retail tenants. To support local retail, we encourage you to shop local instead of online purchases.

There is not a specific number of people needed. However, more people and housing are necessary for new commercial development and amenities to be supported.  This will be driven by the market on a development-by-development basis.  Accounting for annexation, the City’s population has only grown 1.4% from 2015-2019 (City’s Workforce and Targeted Industry Study).

The most important thing is to continue to grow and attract new residents by providing options for downsizing and pathways to homeownership for the younger generations.  

Sugar Land is committed to ensuring our infrastructure can adequately support additional development. Periodic updates to our master plans through long range planning helps the City anticipate population growth in key areas. When additional utility extensions or transportation improvements are needed, the City proactively allocates funding through the annual capital improvement program (CIP). Additionally, certain site improvements are paid for by the property owner/developer, which helps alleviate the financial burden to Sugar Land’s operating budget.  

The Land Use Plan is a guiding document that outlines policy direction and guidance for development, redevelopment and land use decisions. The plan is not a regulating document. The Land Use Plan furthers the Comprehensive Plan’s overall vision and sets out a specific land use vision and goals for the city and outlines actions that will achieve those goals to ensure Sugar Land continues to thrive.

Mixed-use zoning brings together residential and nonresidential uses in walkable, pedestrian districts. Examples of mixed-use places include office, residential, retail, and restaurants. 

The Land Use Plan states that mixed-use development is a critical factor in maintaining the City's ability to continue to provide first-rate city services at one of the lowest property tax rates in the state. Continued commercial development is vitally important to Sugar Land from both an economic perspective as well as the civic services and amenities it provides to residents and visitors. The success of Sugar Land Town Square is a model for future walkable, mixed-use Regional and Neighborhood Activity Centers.

Yes. When we updated the Land Use Plan (a component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which serves as a guide to how the City should develop and redevelop and evolve over time to reflect changing conditions) in 2018, we heard through that process that residents wanted mixed-use type areas in our community. They wanted not just a mix of uses, but they want us to create places where people can gather outside of work, school and their homes.   

The City of Sugar Land is actively working on enhancing our community's quality of life through the implementation of new mixed-use zoning regulations. Amending the development code to allow for mixed-use areas within the City is an action step included in the Land Use Plan to accomplish this goal. These regulations are a direct response to the long-term shifts in market demands and demographic trends, as well as the desires expressed by our residents during the Land Use Plan update in 2018. These regulations aim to create vibrant Activity Centers that integrate offices, housing, retail, entertainment, and civic uses, providing spaces where people can gather outside of work, school, and their homes. With the introduction of two new mixed-use zoning districts, we strive to bridge the gap between residential and commercial land uses. 

No. These proposed changes are only meant to create mixed-use Activity Centers as identified in the 2018 Land Use Plan approved by City Council. 

The Land Use Plan identifies:  

• Five (5) Regional Activity Centers (RACs) strategically located along regional highways to ensure intense commercial, retail and other high-traffic destinations are contained within designated areas and separated from single-family residential neighborhoods. Each RAC is intended to have its own unique identity providing different amenities for both residents and employees for entertainment, dining and shopping 
• Nine (9) Neighborhood Activity Centers (NACs) located on arterial streets, which are envisioned to be small mixed-use centers that act as a “Main Street” for nearby neighborhoods. These will largely be created through the redevelopment of older commercial areas and will minimize impacts on adjacent single-family neighborhoods by providing buffers and smooth transitions

The goal of the mixed-use zoning code and the proposed mixed-use districts is threefold. The mixed-use zoning code aims to:  

1. Create Vibrant Activity Centers: We are committed to developing Activity Centers that blend offices, housing, retail, entertainment, and civic uses, promoting a dynamic and engaging community environment - as envisioned by the Land Use Plan. 
2. Integrate Residential and Commercial Uses: The introduction of two new mixed-use zoning districts will enable the integration of residential and commercial land uses, fostering a cohesive environment where both can coexist and complement each other. 
3. Follow a Transparent and Fair Process: Creating these two mixed-use zoning districts does not automatically place this zoning on any property – that requires rezoning. All rezoning requests must go through a transparent, public, process that involves Planning & Zoning, and City Council approval.  Once the mixed-use zoning is in place, staff ensures development applications are compliant and achieve City Council’s vision. 

We have been hard at work since November 2020, with our zoning experts at Clarion Associates to research the best way to implement activity centers as discussed in the 2018 Land Use Plan. Writing the mixed-use zoning code, including researching comparison cities, has taken a little over a year. We anticipate presenting a final mixed-use zoning code to City Council in Fall 2023.   

Much like a vehicle that needs an oil change, our zoning codes need regular maintenance to make good things happen. City Council’s #1 priority is redevelopment because we are a community at a crossroads where we can either proactively blaze new trails into the future or lose our competitive advantage. While our zoning regulations control certain aspects of development and generally perform well, we also recognize they can also be too controlling in other ways. Without updating our zoning standards to keep up with the market and real estate trends and with surrounding communities, our community loses the competitive advantage we’ve historically enjoyed.  

In terms of acreage, activity centers only comprise less than 7% of the City’s land. 

Redistricting is process used to ensure single-member Council districts are substantially equal in population with a maximum deviation no greater than 10 percent between the most populated and least populated council member district.

Redistricting is triggered by changes in population such as the release of new Census figures, annexation, etc. The 2020 Census triggered the need for a redistricting process.

Federal and state law requires single-member Council districts to be configured so that they are relatively equal in total population according to the 2020 federal census. This is a requirement of Amendments 14 and 15 of the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act and the Texas Government Code.

No.

The redistricting process has absolutely no impact on school district boundaries. Only the city’s single-member Council district will be affected. Again, it’s a requirement of state and Federal law.

No.

The City of Sugar Land is divided into four single-member voting districts, each represented by one City Council member. City Council includes a Mayor and two at-large members elected citywide, along with four district members elected by residents of each district. Use the link below to find your district.

• Interactive City Map

Online - Information on the process, related documents, meeting video, and more will be posted on the city website at www.sugarlandtx.gov/redistricting
  
Public Meetings - Public meetings will be held during the redistricting process to receive public comments on the proposed redistricting plans; meeting dates and times will be published on the city website.
  
 Archived Meeting Video - Redistricting Advisory Committee meetings will be recorded and available to view online on the next business day after the meeting is held.

No. Although it is recognized that existing districts will have to be altered to reflect new population distribution, any districting plan should, to the extent possible, will be based on existing district.

Sugar Land City Council appointed a citizen-led Redistricting Advisory Committee charged with making a recommendation on a redistricting plan to the City Council for their consideration. Ultimately, City Council will decide which redistricting plan is approved.

The citizen-led committee will make a recommendation to City Council for their approval.

Public meetings will be held during the redistricting process to receive public comments on proposed redistricting plans. The public will be able to submit other redistricting plans for council consideration on August 15, 2023.  

The City of Sugar Land encourages you to learn more about this process and stay engaged through our redistricting page. All Redistricting Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, pottery, food and water.

Lead can cause a variety of adverse health effects if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. These effects may include increases in the blood pressure of some adults; delays in normal physical and mental development in babies and young children; and, deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning abilities of children. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants and pregnant women.

Structures built before the lead ban will be at a higher risk. The lead ban went into effect in Texas in 1988. Plumbing installed before 1988 can have lead in the solder, pipes, faucets, or fixtures, which can leach into the water supply over time. 

Developments built in the past 35 years would have neither lead service lines nor private plumbing lines that are lead, but plumbing fixtures in the home or business could contain lead. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as, “Lead free.” However, current standards for “lead-free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% of lead content.

The City of Sugar Land has no information on the type of material used in private plumbing lines inside homes and business. Customers who think their home or business could be at risk can hire a licensed plumber to perform an inspection. 

Customers may also be able to identify their plumbing material themselves using a key or coin and a refrigerator magnet:

Use a Key or coin to scrape a small area on the pipe. Check to see if a magnet will stick to the pipe. 

• If the scraped area is the color of a penny, the pipe is copper. A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
• If the scraped area remains a dull gray, and a magnet sticks to the surface, the pipe is galvanized steel.
• If the scraped area is shiny and silver, the pipe is lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.

Currently, in Sugar Land, we have no known lead service lines. Staff has completed an initial Lead Service Line Inventory for the each of the city’s four water systems. 

Staff conducted an extensive review of historical records to help determine service line construction materials. This review of historical records included construction and plumbing codes, city ordinances, county appraisal district records, capital improvement plans, water system maps, and all maintenance, inspection, and repair records pertaining to the water systems. 

In addition to the records review, Public Works staff gathered data on service line material through normal operations, such as repair and replacement of service lines and meters. Staff also utilized field investigation methods, such as excavation on both sides of the meter, to help identify unknowns where documentation of construction material could not be located. Field investigations were also used to verify the accuracy of historical records. Public Works staff completed approximately 11,500 field investigations on service lines that were installed prior to the 1988 lead ban.

No lead service lines were identified on either the customer-owned or city-owned portions of the service lines in any of the water systems. However, staff identified 110 service lines that are classified as Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR) in the City’s Main water system. All other service lines have been identified as non-lead.

If the service lines at your address are suspected to contain lead, you will receive a letter with additional information. 

Corrosive water can dissolve lead from plumbing materials in service lines and home plumbing. By using chemicals to control the corrosivity of the water, lead exposure can be reduced. The City of Sugar Land has a corrosion control plan, as part of the Lead and Copper Rule. The system’s corrosion control technique is to adjust pH so the treated water is non-corrosive to metal. Over time, this process has resulted in Sugar Land’s treated water forming a protective scale on the inside of pipes that prevents the leaching out of materials such as lead.

In 2021, TCEQ approved optimal pH ranges for the system to operate within at all times. Monitoring is performed every two weeks at the point where the treated water leaves each treatment plant and quarterly at locations throughout the distribution system. Results of this monitoring are reported to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The City of Sugar Land conducts lead and copper testing, as required by the TCEQ. Samples are collected and analyzed every three years from each of the city’s water systems. The City of Sugar Land was awarded a reduced sampling schedule of every three years because we have repeatedly demonstrated that the water systems meet the federal government's requirements. To date, the 90th percentile results for all of the city’s sampling events have been well below the Action Level of 0.015 mg/l for lead. 

The City of Sugar Land is responsible for providing drinking water that meets all federal and state standards but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components found in homes and other buildings. If you are worried about lead exposure, here are some steps you can take:

• Flush your tap water by letting the water run for several minutes if it has been sitting in your pipes for several hours, such as first thing in the morning or upon returning from work
• Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula
• Remove and clean faucet screens or aerators
• Use a filter certified to remove lead
• When replacing plumbing components or faucets, make sure the products have been tested and certified to “lead-free” standards

If you’re concerned your home plumbing may contain lead, you may want to have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory. 

A list of certified laboratories is available on the TCEQ website (TX Drinking Water Public Labs - Lead and Copper Testing - Google My Maps). Contact labs directly for information on cost and sampling bottles.

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791 or EPA’s website (https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water). 

The Environmental Protection Agency identifies a Galvanized Requiring Replacement line as a galvanized service line that is or was at any time downstream of a lead service line. If the water system is unable to demonstrate that the galvanized service line was never downstream of a lead service line, it must presume there was an upstream lead service line. The lines identified as GRR in the city’s initial inventory are galvanized, customer-owned lines in the original part of Sugar Land, at homes built between 1905 and 1965. While the city-owned portions upstream of them have been identified as non-lead currently, records are unable to demonstrate that the city-owned portions were always non-lead.

Galvanized service lines that have absorbed lead can contribute to lead in drinking water. People living in homes with a galvanized service line that has absorbed lead may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water. You can use the tips below to reduce your possible lead exposure.

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If the service lines at your address are suspected to contain lead or are classified as Galvanized Requiring Replacement, you will receive a letter with additional information. You can use the tips below to reduce your possible lead exposure.

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Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is an integrated system of customer water meters, communication network, and data management system that provides real-time water use information to the city and its water customers. As part of Sugar Land’s AMI Project, all 40,000 water meters in Sugar Land will be replaced or retrofitted to allow for communication with the AMI system. This investment will upgrade and modernize the City's water infrastructure and ensure accurate water meter reads.  

Customers will not be able to opt out.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) allows residents to have access to hour-by-hour information on their water consumption. This feature empowers residents to make informed decisions about their water usage. Residents will be able to access this information through the City of Sugar Land online portal, as well as set usage alerts on their accounts to avoid high bills.

A citizen-led committee, who dedicated over two years to develop the Integrated Water Resource Plan (IWRP), recommended the implementation of AMI. This investment in the City’s infrastructure is expected to reduce water losses in the city's water distribution system with improved customer meter accuracy, reduced unauthorized consumption, reduced data transfer/archive errors, reduced data billing errors and reduced customer-side leaks by identifying uncharacteristic water use.

Customers will begin to have access to our new customer water billing portal. This site will allow customers to view their water usage, set alerts for leaks, and receive more information on the City’s water initiatives. Please be on the look out for communications about the new and improved way to keep track of your water usage! The customer portal release is scheduled for summer 2026.

Yes. AMI will not limit access to meter boxes, but they are utility property. Customers looking inside their meter box should be careful not to damage the meter or antenna. 

City of Sugar Land is committed to safeguarding customer privacy. All water consumption data is encrypted and stored securely in a cloud data center. Meters do not transmit customer account numbers, names, or other personal information. Data transmitted from the meter to the portal is transmitted through a radio frequency channel that is licensed to the City.

Yes, AMI is safe. The radio signal from the meter falls well below the threshold set by the Federal Communications Commission for healthy and safety standards and is not a health concern. In fact, everyday devices found inside the home, such as microwave ovens, have significantly greater radio frequency exposure than AMI meters. 

The three factors that contribute to RF exposure are signal duration, RF energy, and distance from source. AMI meters transmit a signal for a fraction of a second, emits much less RF energy than common household items, and is generally located away from the house at the meter box.  

Email us at planning@sugarlandtx.gov or call us at 281-275-2218 and someone will be in touch.

Home businesses can operate in a residential home subject to additional regulations. Reference the City's development code to help you determine if the business you would like to operate out of a residential home is permitted.

The official zoning map for the City of Sugar Land can be found here: (https://interactivemaps.sugarlandtx.gov/zoningdistricts/#map/e_-10645616,3451737,-10644478,3452226,102100)  This map can be used as a tool to help identify the zoning for properties located within the city’s corporate limits.

Using the Map

Click on the "+" symbol to zoom in on the map or the "-" symbol to zoom out on the map. You may also enter an address within the City of Sugar Land in the search bar and then zoom to the location on the map for more information. As the map zooms in, click on the parcel you are looking for and zoning and parcel information will appear. More detailed zoning and parcel information for an address is available by clicking on the parcel on the map.

Zoning maps can also be accessed online from the following link: https://interactivemaps.sugarlandtx.gov/zoningdistricts/#map/e_-10645616,3451737,-10644478,3452226,102100

Official Zoning Verification Letters can be applied for online through our Citizen Self Service or CSS Portal here: https://energovweb.sugarlandtx.gov/EnerGov_prod/SelfService#/home

The City’s Land Use Matrix is a guide to understanding what land uses are permitted in each non-residential and residential zoning district. The matrix includes permitted land uses and conditional land uses. A Permitted Use (shown as P in the matrix) is a land use that is permitted by right in the zoning district. Conditional uses (shown as C in the matrix) may be allowed in a zoning district upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit.

More information on applying for a Conditional Use Permits can be found here: https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30716/SECTION-2-ZONING-2023

Open data is data made available to the public consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, policies or other legal restrictions, requirements and/or rights associated with the data. Open data can be freely used, reused, and redistributed by anyone. 

Sugar Land Insights gives residents a platform to access City data efficiently and independently. This data is expected to give residents insight on daily operations, empower them to identify potential areas for innovation and collaboration, and proactively provide information that residents currently must request via the Open Records Request process. Ultimately, we hope to provide increased transparency for residents Sugar Land Insights will assist in that effort.  

The Sugar Land Insights open data portal will go live January 22, 2024. The portal is iterative and will continue to expand throughout the year as more data and updates become available. There will be a form on the portal if users wish to provide recommended improvements or request additional datasets. 

Sugar Land Insights is a public portal. It can be accessed via its web address by anyone – residents, visitors, businesses, City employees, other municipalities, etc.  

Sugar Land Insights users may view and filter data directly on the site. Users may also choose to download or access the data via an API for further analysis, reuse, or sharing. Each dataset on the site is assigned an appropriate open license that provides in-depth terms of use.  

Yes, open data is public information. Each published dataset goes through an extensive legal review process to ensure it is fit for publication. Data will not be published if it meets the legal definitions of private, protected, or sensitive information. 

If you have questions about portal functionality, or the open data initiative in general, please submit the Suggestion and Feedback form. 

Maybe. The data on Sugar Land Insights will not completely replace the need for Open Records Requests. If the information you are seeking is not available on the portal, you will need to complete an Open Records Request.  

If you have questions about data accuracy or discover an error, please let us know via the Suggestion and Feedback form. 

Visit the Sugar Land Insights “Tips for Users” page and review the provide resources to start your open data journey! 

The Residential Rental Property License Ordinance was adopted by the City Council on November 20, 2007 (Ord. 1660).

This program provides a benefit to the tenant, owner and community. It ensures that tenants have safe and sanitary conditions to live in. The owner benefits from having maintenance issues addressed before they become serious costly repairs. Furthermore, owners that reside out of the area will benefit from having their properties inspected annually. The community will benefit because this will preserve and improve rental properties and, as a result, our neighborhoods.

No. Rental property owners pay a license fee that pays for all aspects of this program.

Yes. All rental properties must obtain a license and receive an exterior inspection annually.

Rental properties without a license are subject to a fine up to $500 per offense. Each day can be considered as a separate offense.

Yes.

For exterior inspections:

• Exterior inspections do not need to be scheduled. These are conducted annually by the City and do not require the attendance of the owner or renter.

For interior inspections:

• Interior inspections can be scheduled
  • Online: Rental Licensing Inspection Request Form
  • Call: 281-275-2785
  • Email: rentalprogram@sugarlandtx.gov
• Please note: The owner and/or tenant are required to provide access/entry into the structure.

The property owner is responsible to for paying fees associated with the rental licensing program.

Yes, each property owners’ name and contact information must be provided on the application form. In addition, the contact information for any property management company overseeing the rental property must also be provided.

A renewal application must be completed first. Once you log into the online portal and select “renew” on the license, the invoice will generate, and you will be able to pay online.

If you’re a property owner, you might have several types of utility lines running through your land, including electric, gas, or telecommunications lines including fiber.  These allow residents and businesses to receive reliable utilities, such as water, electricity, and the internet. These utility lines are typically located within a dedicated area of property called an “easement”. Often, but not always, utility easements are granted by plat when land is developed before there has been any construction.

An easement is a right to use a defined area of someone else’s property for a specific purpose. A utility easement gives a company a legal right to access and use your property for utility purposes. For example, utility companies have a right to access their own facilities, such as electrical and telecommunication lines and transformers, even though they might be located on your private property. A utility company can access these lines if there’s a problem, which means they can go onto your property.

There are various types of utility easements. Utility companies follow the American Public Works Association (APWA) color code system to understand what’s buried under which property. The color coding system below explains the various utility access you may have on your property:

• Blue: Potable drinking water
• Green: Sewer
• Yellow: Gas, oil, and other flammables
• Red: Electrical and lighting utilities
• Orange: Telecommunications
• White: Planned excavation limits

A resident can obtain a copy of their property plat/survey from:

1. Residents should have received a property plat/survey with the purchase of their home and should review their closing documents from their purchase.
2. Fort Bend County Clerk - (281) 341-8685
3. Order a survey report from Title Company that was used at closing or lender that the resident has their mortgage with.

Companies who choose to operate in the city limits must first apply for a Right-of-Way (ROW) permit with the City. The permit process initiates the “locate” process, which allows the City and 811 to designate various utility lines such as water, electricity, or sewer, to make sure the fiber company is aware of the infrastructure layout and can avoid accidental damage to such lines during construction. 

• The company has 30 days from the approval of their application to complete work in the area, which was designated on the permit.
• The company will dig underground to lay a large fiber cable bundle. The “boring” process varies and may include shallow or deeper digging to lay the fiber cable across many households.
• An “output” or connection opening is created, sometimes in between households, sometimes at each property.

• State law grants fiber companies the right to locate their facilities within public utility easements and City ROW.
• The City’ authority as to use of  public utility easements and ROW is addressed in Chapter 5, Article III of the City’s Code of Ordinances, related to Use of Public Right-of-Way (aka the “ROW Ordinance”).  https://library.municode.com/tx/sugar_land/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5PUPRSE_ARTIIIUSPURI-W
• The permitting process and ROW Ordinance are in place to ensure the protection of the various utilities and infrastructure the City maintains and therefore ensures  protection of the public's health and safety.

• When to operate: Companies should only operate within the hours of 7a-7p M-F however, they can perform noninvasive construction such as restoring ROW (sodding, backfilling holes, etc.) and property on Saturday only from 7a-7p.  No work is allowed the day of or day before City observed holidays in which City buildings are closed.
• Uniforms and logos should be visible and represent either the company listed in the permit application or represent contractors that may be assisting with locates, including 811 and other such sub-contractors or locate- services.
• Badges, project manager contact information, and permit documents should always be visible or made available upon request.
• The City asks that companies minimize the use of sub-contractors and hold them to the same expectations as the contractor listed on the permit application with the City.
• Companies have 30 days to complete the work outlined in their approved permit application.
• No open holes at all; any open holes left on property will be resolved quickly and have brightly-colored fencing around them until such resolution occurs.
• Knock first: Companies should undertake due diligence to attempt contact with a resident before entering the property.
• Communication with HOAs, door hangers, letters to residents, posting in local newspapers or newsletters: companies are advised to perform due diligence in their attempt to inform a neighborhood about planned construction prior to beginning their project. 
• Posted signs: companies may, and are recommended to post signage that includes information about their construction project. These signs should not be sales-related.
• Behavior: the conduct of any operator in the easement should be respectful of the property owner. 
• An available customer service point of contact for escalations: Companies will provide the city with customer-resolution contact information so it can be made available to the resident via the City’s 311 contact center and such resources will provide swift resolution of any property damage issues. 

Please contact 311. Our staff can initiate a quick investigation so that we can understand your issue and communicate it back to the oversight team through the permit process. City staff will do everything possible to work with fiber companies to get your concerns resolved in a timely manner. 

• Call 311 in City limits or dial 281-275-2900
• Submit a request via the MYSLTX app
• Submit a request online
• Email 311@sugarllandtx.gov
• Start a Live Chat (M-F 8:30-4:30)

As the regulating authority over registered companies, we advise residents to visit the Public Utilities Commission Website to learn more about their options.

The Sugar Land detention center is located at:

Sugar Land Police Department
1200 S SH 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
281-275-2600

The Fort Bend County jail is located at:

Fort Bend County Jail
1410 Williams Way Blvd
Richmond, TX 77478

You can attend court Tuesday through Friday (except on holidays). Court starts at 9am. You must check in at the court window before court starts. The court window opens at 8am.

If you’ve been arrested, you can wait to speak with Sugar Land Municipal Court judge, post a bond (if your charge is bondable), or pay your fine.

Warrants from the City of Sugar Land can be paid online or over the phone.

• Visit the Fines and Payments section of the Court's website 
  • You can search by Citation #, Driver’s License #, Social Security #, Vehicle Information, or Name.
• For payments over the phone, call 281-275-2390. You will need the citation number and your date of birth.

*The Citation # will be provided by the Detention Officer*

If the detainee has charges that are bondable, they or someone they call can post a cash bond or contact an approved Fort Bend County Bonding Company.

• See Fort Bend County's approved bonding companies

The judge will come to the detention center to magistrate detainees once a day after the morning docket. On the weekends, the judge is on call and will magistrate detainees when they are able to come to the detention center.

Detainees are allowed to make 2 phone calls after they have completed the booking process. They are allowed to make another phone call after they have been arraigned by the judge or are being released.

When you are brought to the detention center, all property will be removed. Some property may be seized as evidence by the arresting officer. The detention officer will then take an inventory of all the property and place it in a bag and then place everything in a locker. Upon release or transfer to another facility, your property will either be returned to you or go with you to another facility.

Chloramine is a disinfectant used in drinking water to inactivate bacteria and viruses. It is typically used for water systems sourced from surface water. The city of Sugar Land uses chloramine as a disinfectant in its Main water system. 

Free chlorine is a disinfectant used in drinking water to inactivate bacteria and viruses. It is typically used for water systems sourced from groundwater. The City of Sugar Land uses free chlorine as a disinfectant in its RiverPark, Greatwood, and New Territory water systems. 

A free chlorine conversion is a process by which a water system temporarily switches its disinfection process from chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) to free chlorine (chlorine only) in order to improve the long-term quality of its drinking water.

The City of Sugar Land’s Main water system uses chloramines for disinfection. Chloramines are a better long-term choice for systems on surface water because they produce lower levels of disinfectant byproducts like trihalomethanes when chlorine mixes with natural organic substances in water. However, prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system. Though harmless when consumed by humans, this organic matter can introduce unwanted taste and odor, and hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, clears distribution pipes of this organic matter and improves the quality of your water overall.

Yes. Free chlorine conversions are a common industry practice for preventative maintenance in drinking water distribution systems. Many utilities throughout the state and country that use chloramines for their primary distribution disinfectant periodically convert back to free chlorine to improve and maintain the highest water quality standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) endorse and support this procedure.

The duration of the free chlorine conversion is approximately 30 days and will begin on April 8, 2025. The City will return to chloramine disinfection on May 6, 2025.

A chlorine smell is very normal during the conversion period, as the disinfectant is transitioning from chloramines to free chlorine. Free chlorine may have a bit of a chemical odor or smell slightly like water in a swimming pool. Each individual customer has his or her own sensitivity level to the taste and/or odor of free chlorine, though many detect no change at all. Regardless of the form of chlorine in use, concentrations maintained during the conversion will be well within TCEQ and EPA standards and will be entirely safe to consume and use as normal.

Both free chlorine and chloramines may harm kidney dialysis patients during the dialysis process if it is not removed from water before passing into the bloodstream. The city will inform dialysis centers in the city of Sugar Land about the temporary switch from chloramine to free chlorine prior to the conversion. Dialysis patients may drink water treated with either free chlorine or chloramines because the digestive process neutralizes these chemicals before they can enter the bloodstream.

The City of Sugar Land will directional flush to help maintain clear water for our customers and to ensure the free chlorine has made it to the far reaches of our distribution system. We will repeat the process when we convert back to chloramine. Flushing should significantly subside after the conversion.

Most customers will not see a drop in water pressure. If a change in pressure does occur, it is usually momentary.

The flushing process can stir up sediments and minerals in water mains that may make it into customer service lines, resulting in some short-term cloudiness or discoloration. If you encounter this condition, flush faucets, tubs and toilets until the water clears. Clothing should not be washed during times of discoloration to reduce the possibility of staining. Prior to washing clothing, customers may want to run a little water in a bathtub to check for discoloration.

Pool owners must maintain the same chlorine level in water treated with either free chlorine or chloramines to prevent algae and bacterial growth. Pool supply stores can provide pool owners with more information.

While free chlorine and chloramine are safe for most pets, they must be removed from tap water used for aquatic life (including fish and amphibians) in aquariums and ponds. For businesses and customers who own fish aquariums or ponds, continue to treat the tap water with a water conditioner when making water changes. Read the product label on the water conditioner that you use. Most conditioners neutralize both chlorine and chloramines, and no change will be required.

Free chlorine can be removed by boiling water, filling a container with water and leaving it to vent, or adding a bit of lemon juice (ascorbic acid neutralizes the chlorine). Note that these methods will not remove chloramine. Water purification and filtration devices to reduce chlorine levels also exist.

No, the city has implemented a free chlorine conversion annually since April 2021. Chlorine conversions are part of the city’s distribution system maintenance strategy and will be implemented periodically in accordance with the city’s maintenance plan.

Visit the TCEQ Website

The process is entirely safe and poses no health risks to customers. The water is safe for people and animals to drink, for cooking and bathing, watering the garden, and for all other common uses.

A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radio waves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.

It's injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. 

The microchips presently used in pets only contain identification numbers. The microchip is not a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. Although the microchip itself does not contain your pet's medical information, some microchip registration databases will allow you to store that information in the database for quick reference.

No. You don't need to be concerned about your privacy. The information you provide to the manufacturer's microchip registry will be used to contact you in the event your pet is found and its microchip is scanned. The only information in the database is the information that you provide when you register the chip or update your information. There are protections in place so that a random person can't just look up an owner's identification.

Remember that having the microchip placed is only the first step, and the microchip must be registered in order to give you the best chances of getting your pet back. If that information is missing or incorrect, your chances of getting your pet back are dramatically reduced.

The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you'll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen.

Yes! All applicants are highly encouraged to email and meet with program staff before submitting an application. We are happy to go over project ideas with you, offer recommendations, and preview your application before it is submitted.

The latest Major Thoroughfare Map from the City can be found here. Applicants are encouraged to email program staff to confirm location eligibility prior to applying.

Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered in the order received on a case-by-case basis until all funds appropriated for that fiscal year are expended.

Organizations may apply as often as they would like. However, the same applicant cannot apply for a new project if a previous project has not been started before the application deadline.

General Obligation bonds are debt instruments issued by states and city governments to finance large capital improvements. Bonds are sold to investors and the proceeds from the sales of these bonds are used to pay for major capital investments that have a public purpose—in previous Sugar Land Bond programs, these funds have been used to address drainage, parks, mobility and public safety projects. 

Bond elections provide voters the opportunity to have a say in which projects they are willing to support through the approval of bond propositions to authorize funding for each type of project on the ballot. 

The bonds will require a tax rate increase of no more than 5 cents, spread out over the next five to seven years.

This will initially cost the average homeowner with a home valued at about $500,000 approximately $5 per month. This cost will increase annually, and by 2030, the monthly cost could rise to about $20 per month, excluding the impacts of property revaluation.

Tax Impact Calculator

This Property Tax Impact Calculator is provided as a general information tool to help you estimate the potential impact of tax increases due to the bond based on the values you enter. Please note that the calculator does not account for individual property revaluation, additional tax exemptions, or other factors that may affect your individual tax impact.

• Estimate potential bond tax impact

Considering current and historical growth of values, estimates assume a 5% value growth in 2025 (which corresponds to Fiscal Year 2026) and 3% annually afterward. Individual property revaluation will vary.

Voter approved projects are anticipated to be completed or under construction in the next five to seven years. As inflation increases, the value of a dollar today will be lower to when the funds are needed to cover project costs.

Since the projects cannot all be completed at once, without adjusting for inflation, project costs can become outdated and insufficient. Adjusting for inflation allows the City to plan for costs based on when voter approved projects are anticipated to begin, and complete projects without significant shortfalls and as scheduled.

Project estimates totaled around $300 million in 2024 dollars. To account for inflation, the estimates were increased by 4% per year based on project timelines and debt capacity, adding approximately $50 million.

The City does not set the value of your home. The Fort Bend County Appraisal District is the entity that sets your property’s valuation amount based on market values.

The interest rate is set by the bond market at the time bonds are issued.  The City's interest rate is among the lowest available for municipal bonds. Sugar Land typically issues bonds based on a 20-year maturity schedule, with at least half of the principal paying off in the first 10 years. This aggressive repayment schedule would also minimize the interest cost that must be repaid.

Bond projects were identified through years of public feedback including the most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, sentiment surveys and community meetings - as well as various master plans and City Council input. 

• The Citizen Satisfaction Survey measures and assesses citizen satisfaction with the delivery of major City services and helps set community priorities for improved services and long-range planning.
• Community meetings provide opportunities for direct interaction between City officials and staff and residents.
• Sugar Land’s various master plans are documents that present the long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect our City. 

The City is committed to full transparency and accountability in carrying out approved bond projects. Regular updates on project progress, timelines, and the use of bond funds will be available on the City's website.

One example of is the online dashboard created to track American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds. The dashboard provides a clear overview of each project's budget, showing the amount spent versus the remaining funds, providing a clear and transparent view of the financial expenditures for every project. All projects funded from the bonds will be trackable through a similar dashboard once funding is appropriated by City Council each fiscal year.

The City issues bonds to finance projects that will benefit the City for decades, allowing the cost to be spread across the useful life of the project. It would take many years to accumulate enough funding to pay for these projects as we go- during that time the projects don’t get built.

History has shown that construction inflation far outpaces interest costs and are not fixed as the interest will be on bonds.

No. Texas law requires that the proceeds of voter approved bonds be used only for projects described in the ballot questions.

Property taxes are the main source of funds used to repay bonds issued through a General Obligation bond. General Obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing jurisdiction, in this case the City of Sugar Land. This means the City is obligated to pay back the bonds plus interest by pledging revenue from ad valorem taxes. The City levies a property tax annually with a portion of the tax rate dedicated to the interest & sinking fund to repay general obligation bonds in the form of annual principal and interest payments.

The tax rate is set each year by City Council and no City Council can bind future City Councils as to that rate as a matter of state law. Property taxes are a legal pledge toward repayment of the bonds once they are issued- and the bonds have a 20-year maturity schedule. City Council is legally obligated to levy taxes to repay the debt. By that same law, future City Councils could roll back the rate at any time or raise it at any time. 

Bonds are one source of funding for City capital projects. Projects that lack funding are not included in the Capital Improvement Program.

General Obligation bonds were last on the ballot in November 2019 with propositions relating to drainage, public safety and facilities, streets and an animal shelter. Prior to that, the last City General Obligation bond election was in 2013.

No. The voter-approved bond projects address public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter. Visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/SLBond2024 for more information about bond projects. 

 More information about the Rapid-Start Power Plant Project is available by visiting www.sugarlandtx.gov/RapidStartPower

No. The City is partnering with the private sector and will pursue state and federal funding. Learn more about the proposed Autonomous Elevated Cable & Rail System project.

The 2024 Sugar Land bond election addressed public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter.  

In 2024, the City secured approximately $19.3 million in federal grants from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) for trail projects. Additionally, in the 2023 Fort Bend County Mobility Bond and Parks Bond, voters approved around $24 million for trails and parks in Sugar Land. The Sugar Land 4B Corporation also funded about $3 million for parks projects in FY24 and FY25.

The 2024 Sugar Land bond election addressed public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter. 

The City is actively developing plans for the expansion of the T.E. Harman Senior Center, however, a budget and funding source have yet to be determined. The City is committed to providing a facility that will provide expanded programs and recreational opportunities for seniors in the future.

Sugar Land voters approved $6.6 million on Nov. 5, 2019 to fund the design and construction of a new animal shelter to address projected animal capacity from the city’s growth. The construction of a new Animal Shelter was expected to address projected growth through 2030 and house a total of 70 dogs and 132 cats at any given time. Following approval of the bond election, City Council created a schedule to implement voter-approved projects. 

Due to financial constraints caused by the COVID pandemic, the schedule for the delivery of the projects was expanded from three to five years. Drainage and public safety projects were front-loaded in the schedule to address resident priorities as identified in citizen satisfaction surveys. 

In 2022, City Council directed staff to study regionalization options to leverage and coordinate regional resources, utilize a broader spectrum of expertise, better meet the needs of Sugar Land’s pet population and improve access and coordination of pet adoptions and placements in the region. Regionalization was determined to be unfeasible at the time due to difficulties in establishing the regional partnerships that would provide value to the effort. 

In the fall of 2023, City Council directed staff to resume planning for construction of a standalone City animal shelter. Preliminary engineering work began in early 2024 to evaluate space needs based on revised industry standards for dog housing in shelters (Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guideline for the Standard of Care in Animal Shelters. 2022 update), increased anticipated intake numbers and updated costs due to inflation, facility size and location.   

The updated proposed facility is sized to house 80 dogs and 122 cats in approximately 26,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor space.

The $6.6 million in bonds that voters approved in 2019 have not yet been issued. If voters approve the supplemental funding of $12 million in the 2024 bond, both bonds (2019 and 2024) will be issued and combined, along with $2.4 million in donations to be raised through the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation.

The site has not been finalized, but several city-owned properties have been evaluated. Factors considered in site selection include, centralized location, ease of access, visibility and existing site utilities and amenities. Several existing buildings (public and privately owned) are also being evaluated. 

Sugar Land voters approved a $6.6 million bond proposition in 2019 to fund the design and construction of a new animal shelter that would address projected animal capacity from the city’s growth. Through the work of the Animal Advisory Board, additional services were identified for inclusion within that facility; as such, a separate capital campaign was undertaken to fund these additional services. That effort was guided by the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation, a group that works on behalf of the city of Sugar Land to promote community investment in large-scale quality of life projects. The proposed facility would have included animal housing, intake/veterinary space, staffing area, public spaces, and space for animal outdoor fitness. 

Fundraising efforts for the new shelter were placed on hold while the city explored regionalization in 2022. The fundraising campaign was relaunched at the 2024 State of the City event and continues to be guided by the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation. Funds raised will be managed through a joint committee of Animal Advisory Board members and Legacy Foundation board members. The City Council has directed fundraising efforts of approximately $2.4 million to remain in place – however, the funds do not have to be fully raised ahead of construction beginning on the shelter. Fundraising can continue while the shelter is under construction. 

As of the end of May, approximately $135,000 has been raised for construction of the new shelter. 

The 2019 shelter was based on a 2016 study and was expected to house a total of 70 dogs and 132 cats within approx. 20,000 square-feet of indoor & outdoor space. The shelter budget was $9 million with $6.6 million from the bonds and $2.4 million from donations. 

Preliminary engineering work began in early 2024 to evaluate space needs based on revised industry standards for dog housing in shelters (Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guideline for the Standard of Care in Animal Shelters. 2022 update), increased anticipated intake numbers and updated costs due to inflation, facility size and location. 

The updated proposed facility is sized to house 80 dogs and 122 cats in approximately 26,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor space. Estimated cost is approximately $20 million in 2024 dollars. 

The development will be located on an 8-acre parcel within the City’s planned 100-acre industrial park (Central Prison Unit Site). This city-owned property has direct access to Highway 6, Highway 90A, and future access to FM1464. The site is also located adjacent to the Sugar Land Regional Airport.

The plant will use natural gas to provide resilient power to the Texas grid, balancing renewable energy and load within Sugar Land and the Greater Houston area. Highly efficient engines support ERCOT’s objectives of a stable and efficient power supply for energy and ancillary services. The plant will offer black start assistance during outages, aiding quicker recovery post-major events like hurricanes and winter storms. These units operate effectively even during severe weather, as seen in Winter Storm Uri, Winter Storm Elliot, and Hurricane Ida. Texas is rapidly transitioning to a renewable grid, with nearly 39,000 MW of wind and 22,000 MW of solar capacity. However, managing intermittent renewable generation poses challenges due to weather uncertainties, outages, transmission contingencies, and fluctuating customer usage. Traditional “Peakers” cannot resolve these challenges, but “Balancers” like Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) can. RICE technology features fast startup, immediate on-off cycling, low minimum operating levels, and fast ramp speeds of up to 60% total plant output per minute. With high efficiency and low emissions, this local power source can respond immediately to ERCOT’s increasing intermittency.

It is projected to be completed in late 2027-early 2028.

The power plant will be connected to the ERCOT grid and become part of their operations.

This is a public-private partnership project, and project financing is still being negotiated at this time. Public tax dollars will not be used to fund the project.

Fort Bend County falls within one of the defined nonattainment areas within Texas. The map below shows the nonattainment counties in the state. These counties are held to a higher standard when it comes to air permitting. More can be found on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) website for air permitting.

Click image to enlarge. 

Nonattainment Area 

Defined as Areas that meet the NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard) are designated “attainment,” and areas that cannot be classified based on the available information, “unclassifiable.” For ozone, the federal Clean Air Act establishes nonattainment-area classifications ranked according to the severity of the area’s air-pollution problem.

The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) area counties are included in the state's nonattainment classified areas which includes Fort Bend County. Visit the TCEQ website to review current HGB attainment status. 

If a facility is located in a nonattainment area designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, additional permitting requirements may apply. In addition to the requirements identified as part of the New Source Review (NSR) permits, nonattainment permit review is required if the facility has emissions above the major source and significant thresholds for the specific county designated as nonattainment. Nonattainment permitting requires the installation of the lowest achievable emission rate control technology and the acquisition of emission reductions to offset the proposed emissions increases. 

More information can be found on the TCEQ website. 

The City is committed to meeting or exceeding the state and federal air standards established through the approved guidelines set by the EPA and TCEQ. 

Noise mitigation is included in the proposal. All noise impacts will be addressed with sound barriers and by housing equipment within buildings and in accordance with all state and federal laws. The plant will operate only when requested by ERCOT, rather than running 24/7. It will be active during periods of high demand, typically on hot summer days or cold winter days when energy usage peaks. Historically, these peak times occur between 4:30 and 8:00 PM, when people return home and energy consumption is at its highest.

The mayor and staff were requested to attend community meetings to talk about the project, answer questions and listen to concerns.

Yes, future events will be posted on the city website. City staff will continue to update the project page and be available to address any community concerns.

The city is committed to providing factual information and addressing all community concerns. City staff have responded to questions from the community since the media announcement for the project. We have also been working to make staff available to attend community meetings to talk about the project, answer questions, and listen to concerns. 

The action City Council took on May 21 to approve a ground lease option agreement was done to grant access to conduct surveys, analysis, an interconnection study and an assessment that identified permits needed to ensure quality of life concerns such as air quality. Should the project proceed, a long term lease agreement will be considered by City Council.

We’ve known for a very long time that reliable power is important to our residents, especially during hot summer months and disasters like Winter Storm Yuri and Hurricane Beryl. The primary goal of this project is to deliver clean and sustainable power to the Texas grid, enhancing grid resiliency in Texas and the surrounding region. Adding capacity to the Texas grid and the surrounding region directly benefits our residents. A secondary benefit is the City is considering a revenue-sharing agreement with the developer. This agreement would allow the City to reinvest in infrastructure, maintenance, and economic development opportunities that help maintain one of the state’s lowest tax rates while also providing the high level of services our residents expect.

The activity is related to the construction of the Public Safety Training Facility and stockpile of materials for the upcoming Oyster Creek Diversion and Detention Facilities project that is currently under design to protect the Airport and Central Unit property from flooding during storm events.

No election is currently planned. The city charter specifies a process for initiative. Learn more at https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/483/Sugar-Land-Charter.

We are very early in the process. The city approved a ground lease option agreement on May 21 with Wärtsilä Development and Financials Services, Inc. to grant site access to facilitate surveys, soil boring, and analysis. A Full Interconnection Study (FIS) Application was submitted to ERCOT. Should the process continue, a future step would be a long-term ground lease and profit sharing agreement with a developer.

The plant will participate in the ERCOT market. This means that the plant will only operate when cost effective to do so. If power from ERCOT’s bulk power system is lower, like when wind and solar are producing at high levels, then the output of the plant would not be needed. However, as demand increases or when low-cost renewable generation is not available, the proposed power plant can provide reliable cost-effective energy. Importantly, this plant will be able to turn on and off quickly as system needs and prices dictate. This means it will not create unnecessary emissions or costs to customers because of operational limitations. Current estimates show the plant will initially run about 30%-35% of the time, minimizing both emissions and operating costs. It also offers black start capabilities, helping restore power during outages.

The plant will adhere to strict U.S. and international gas safety regulations to ensure public safety. These include comprehensive standards for both construction and operation, governed by agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local regulatory bodies, ensuring the highest safety measures are in place.

This power plant will have two primary functions: helping balance the variability of renewable resources and addressing high demand. Balancing variability means that the engine power plant is able to ramp up for example if a cloud cover causes solar output to decrease and then ramp back down as soon as the clouds pass. The ability to operate a plant this flexibly allows the use of as much renewables as possible, as often as possible. Additionally, this power plant can help serve high demand and efficiently produce energy only when needed. This means lower CO2 emissions overall. Also, this plant will apply the best available emission control technologies to ensure compliance with local air quality requirements. As a final matter, the engines can be adapted to operate on a blend of carbon-neutral fuels. In future, the engines can be converted to use 100% carbon neutral fuels, enabling the 100% renewable power systems of tomorrow.

The plant uses an extremely small amount of water—less than a gallon per day—because it operates on a closed-loop cooling system, similar to your car’s radiator. This means that the water is continuously recycled within the system, significantly reducing the need for additional water from local sources.

It is quite common for power plants to be located near airports, and some airports even have their own power plants to ensure a reliable supply of power or back-up power. The plant will be built and operated according to applicable US and global gas safety standards and requirements of relevant agencies such as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The proposed power project is classified as a light industrial facility. Unlike large-scale projects built for energy-intensive industries, this plant is designed to support the Texas grid.

Yes. Because the thresholds for Runways 17 and 35 are being shifted and the new runway will be at a higher elevation, the FAA is requiring the development of entirely new approaches. The Airport plans to implement identical GPS (RNAV) approaches for both RWY 17 & 35. However, after evaluating the substantial cost of relocating the existing Instrument Landing System (ILS) and surveying numerous airport users, the decision was made to decommission the ILS as part of this project. The new RNAV approaches will continue to provide pilots with reliable access to the Airport during inclement weather. 

This project will be funded through a combination of sources, including airport revenues and state and federal grants. Funding will come from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Texas House Bill 1 (HB 1), Congressional Community Project Funding, and Non-Primary Entitlement (NPE) funds. The airport sponsor’s share will be covered by airport-generated revenue. No local tax dollars will be used for this project.

• New runway pavement designed for current critical aircraft (Gulfstream G650, Global Express).

• Grooved pavement for improved drainage and aircraft braking action.
• FAA-compliant Runway Safety Area (RSA) provides improved safety for aircraft in the event of a runway excursion.
• Additional Landing Distance Available (LDA) for Runway 35.
• Future rehabilitation repairs can be conducted at night, reducing operational impacts.
• New 4-light LED PAPIs for both Runway 17 & 35.
• LED runway lights.

The Airport will implement production requirements for the contractor, which will require day and night crews throughout the 30-day period. To incentivize timely completion, the contract will include substantial bonuses tied to material production and phase milestones. An on-site asphalt batch plant will be required, along with redundant equipment to ensure consistent material delivery and mitigate delays from mechanical failures. Additionally, the Airport will preemptively complete 1,000 feet of work on the south end of the runway during Phase 2 to identify potential issues and reduce the overall workload during the full closure.
 
 In 2024, the Airport conducted a test strip to gather real-world data on the pavement reclamation process prior to demolishing the old Taxiway 'M.' The results exceeded expectations, confirming that Phase 3 can be completed in just 30 days. In addition, groundwater monitoring wells were installed to ensure construction activities would not adversely affect the water table—proactively addressing potential environmental concerns and helping to avoid unexpected delays in the schedule.

Yes, asphalt is a highly suitable and often preferred pavement option for airports in Texas. When designed according to FAA specifications, asphalt runways offers significant advantages—particularly for single-runway airports—due to its ability to be repaired quickly during nighttime hours, minimizing operational disruptions. Many airports, even large commercial airports, are transitioning to asphalt for critical runway surfaces because of the faster return to service compared to concrete. The asphalt mix proposed for this project is specifically engineered to perform reliably in Texas’s high-heat conditions.

If your aircraft is unable to access the runway during the closure period, you may be eligible for rent or land lease abatement. The Airport will get with eligible tenants closer to the closure period to discuss further. 

No, the FAA and TxDOT Aviation rejected the Airport’s request to utilize Taxiway ‘A’ as an alternate landing surface during the 30-day closure. Taxiway 'A' is 50’ wide and does not meet the FAA's design standards for runway use, even for Airplane Design Group I (ADG I) aircraft—such as Cessna 172s or Piper Archers—which require a minimum runway width of 60 feet, as per Advisory Circular 150/5300-13B, Airport Design.

Yes. Airport leadership and engineering consultants carefully evaluated numerous alternatives—including constructing the future west-side taxiway at 100 feet wide to serve as a temporary runway, and overlaying the existing concrete with asphalt. However, none of the options offered a realistic or permanent solution that could be reasonably funded in the near term. Other proposals were either prohibitively expensive, required excessive time to implement a lasting fix, or involved costly temporary repairs that failed to adequately address the aging pavement. This decision was made with careful consideration, as the Airport will face a significant loss in revenue during the 30-day period. However, Airport leadership determined that this approach serves the best long-term interests of the Airport and its stakeholders.

Airport staff conduct daily inspections and perform necessary repairs to keep the runway safe for aircraft operations. However, with increasing traffic and more frequent use by larger aircraft, the pavement continues to deteriorate. A comprehensive pavement evaluation completed in 2021—which included bores, cores, LiDAR imaging, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and Non-Destructive Testing—confirmed the need for a long-term, permanent repair. Initiating rehabilitation early is critical to avoid unplanned emergency repairs and ensure continued safe operations. From evaluation through planning, design, funding, and construction, the full rehabilitation process will span approximately nine years. Waiting until the pavement has failed to begin planning a major project is not a solution the Airport wants to consider. 

The current runway pavement, constructed in 1985, is now 40 years old and nearing the end of its useful life. Additionally, the existing pavement was never designed to support the larger corporate jet traffic we currently see today. A pavement condition survey conducted in 2018, followed by a detailed evaluation in 2021, confirmed the need for significant rehabilitation. In response, a comprehensive plan was developed to deliver a permanent, cost-effective solution by 2027.

No. The project will be funded by the Sugar Land Regional Airport and State and Federal aviation grants. The Airport is a self-supporting business that does not utilize local tax dollars.

No. We will only be rehabilitating the existing concrete pavement on the sole Runway at the Airport. We will not be creating a second Runway.

No, this project will not impact any city residents. Any impacts, such as runway closures, will be confined to the Airport property and will only affect aviation customers.

The Airport only has one runway. We often refer to the airport’s sole runway as “Runway 17- 35,” but this does not mean there are two runways. Pilots must land and take off into the wind, and the numbers represent the compass headings of the runway ends. Runway 17 indicates a heading of 170 degrees, with the last digit dropped for simplicity, while Runway 35 indicates a heading of 350 degrees. Despite the dual designation, SGR has only one physical runway. Runway 17 is used when landing from the north and flying south, and Runway 35 is used when landing from the south and flying north. Due to prevailing southern winds, Runway 17 is primarily used throughout most of the year. During the winter months, when winds shift from the north, Runway 35 is used more frequently.

No. The Airport will not be lengthening Runway 17-35. In fact, the Airport will be reducing approximately 50’ of the south end of the Runway to comply with FAA Runway Safety Area (RSA) design standards due to the proximity to the railroad tracks.

The Airport spans 610 contiguous acres, bordered by Cullinan Park on the west and north, Highway 6 on the east, and Highway 90 on the south. Due to these boundaries, the Airport cannot expand its current footprint. However, plans are in place to enhance and expand aeronautical facilities within the existing 610 acres.

The Airport does not have any plans at this time of becoming a commercial airport.

The project is currently in the engineering design phase. The construction phase of this project is anticipated to begin in early 2027 and will take the majority of the calendar year to complete.

No, this project will not impact any city residents. Any impacts, such as runway closures, will be confined to the Airport property and will only affect aviation customers.

Unfortunately, no. As a federally obligated airport, Sugar Land Regional Airport must comply with FAA Grant Assurances, including Grant Assurance 25 – Airport Revenue. These requirements strictly limit how airport-generated revenue can be used. Under FAA policy, airport revenue may only be used for airport capital improvements and operating expenses. It cannot be used to subsidize or provide direct financial assistance to individual airport tenants or private businesses. This position was confirmed in consultation with TxDOT Aviation and is further outlined in Chapter 15 of FAA Order 5190.6C (Airport Compliance Manual), including Section 15.9 on permitted uses of airport revenue.

The Engineer’s probable cost estimate for construction is $29,715,834. The cost of engineering design was $1,429,248.52 for a total project cost of over $31M. The Airport won’t know the total cost of construction until the project is bid, which is anticipated to be in July 2026.

The 2015 update to the Facilities Master Plan included an assessment of City facilities and recommended construction of a Public Safety Training Facility in phases, based on Sugar Land’s population growth and training standards. 

The Public Safety Training Facility was designed for the maintenance of high training standards and response capabilities. Having these facilities within city limits allows Fire-EMS and Police responders to train on duty without leaving the city, allowing them to remain available to respond to emergency calls. 

Phase I began in the fall of 2017 with the development of preliminary designs that included identifying proposed Police and Fire-EMS Department training facilities, equipment, infrastructure requirements, and their placement within the allocated site. In addition, construction of an interim gun range was identified through previous studies. This project was included in the approved FY18 budget, and the construction of the gun range was completed in 2018. Phase I of the project also included the construction of a modular fire training facility. 

Phase II of the project was included in a $90.76 million bond package approved by voters in 2019. This phase focuses on a training building and an apparatus bay/classroom building. The training building will provide police simulation training that involves close quarters, non-lethal, force-on-force practice in a short-range environment. The apparatus building will include five bays for training and department vehicles. A sixth bay will be utilized as a workshop. This will enable fire fighters to perform all training to simulate a real fire station. This space will also allow for advanced Police and Fire-EMS coordination in an indoor training environment regardless of weather conditions. Phase II construction is expected to be completed in January of 2025. 

Voters will have a choice to consider funding a third phase of the project. The proposed Phase III involves the design and construction of fire training structures for live fire training and a permanent gun range to allow indoor training.

In 2019, voters approved the construction of an Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building. The building will include dispatch, the Emergency Operations Center (which can become a multi-purpose facility during non-emergencies), Information Technology workroom, parking, and more. The project had been scheduled for design in Fiscal Year 2023 with construction taking place in Fiscal Year 2024. 

A proposed project in the 2024 bond election is the construction of new Police headquarters. With the approval of the 2024 bonds, the new Police headquarters will include the already approved Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Dispatch building. Integrating these two projects into a larger facility (rather than two) will reduce construction costs.

Deferred maintenance has been identified in the building that will need to be addressed prior to any renovation work takes place. The process to determine the specific renovation work that will take place at the facility, will require consultation with the proposed Facility Master Plan - which outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. Additionally, a detailed analysis of facilities data, including age, condition, and usage of each building will take place. Occupant input will also be a key factor, as first responders who use these facilities on a daily basis can provide valuable insights into the building’s functional uses.

At the time of its opening in 1996, the Police Department employed 105 people, including officers and civilian personnel, all housed in a facility with 53,615 square feet of space. At that time, each employee had approximately 511 square feet of space, allowing for adequate working space and conditions. Over the past 28 years, city growth has led to increased expectations for the Police Department's services and response capabilities. 

In response to changing service level expectations, the department has introduced programs and specialized units that didn't exist when the building was originally designed. A few examples follow: 

• Forensic Services Unit (FSU): Handling of all in-custody property and evidence.
• Digital Forensic Unit: Involves identifying, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence for investigations and court proceedings in nearly every crime.
• Mental Health Unit: The unit conducts follow-ups with mental health consumers, community partners, and law enforcement.
• K9 Unit: The K9 Unit is composed of handlers and canine partners specializing in patrol functions.
• Federal Task Force Officers: Several SLPD detectives are assigned to federal agencies like the FBI and ATF, as well as the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, enhancing intelligence and resource sharing through these partnerships.
• Drone Unit: The drone unit aids our operational capabilities by providing real-time aerial views valuable to documenting crime scene as well as event monitoring, risk reduction, and search and rescue.
• Special Response Teams (SRT): This team is especially trained and equipped to respond to civil disturbances and riots.
• Crime Analysts: Our crime analysts perform a variety of tasks, including data analysis, crime trend identification, crime mapping, investigative support, reporting, and intelligence collaboration with other agencies.
• Range Masters: One full-time range master and two part-time range masters develop and conduct firearms training, oversee qualifications, maintain firearms, and keep detailed training records for officers. 

The department has also incorporated Emergency Management personnel, who play a role in coordinating responses to natural disasters and other large-scale emergencies. 

 Additional square footage was added to the building in 2002, but by 2024, the department had expanded to 271 employees—more than double its workforce over the past 28 years. Despite this expansion, the Police Department’s building has not been expanded in order to accommodate staff growth. The amount of space per employee has been reduced to 198 square feet per person—a 61% decrease in available space since the building was first constructed.

In the 2013 parks bond, voters approved the development of 128 acres of new parkland along the Brazos River with an adjacent festival site and a connecting network of nearly 10 miles of hike and bike trails and bridges. The City is delivering all parks bond projects approved by voters. All projects are either in design, under construction or complete. The delivery schedule for some of the projects was delayed, pending approval from City Council to authorize the tax rate increase approved by voters due to economic uncertainties at the time.   

Latest Project Statuses:  

• Brazos River Park – Completed
• The Crown Festival Park – Completed
• Imperial Connector Trail – Completed
• First Colony Trail – Completed
• Sugar Land Trail (Ditch H Trail) will start construction soon.  

The 2019 bond projects were estimated to be completed within five years. Since funding became available in Fiscal Year 2021, of the 20 voter-approved projects, 7 have been completed, 1 is slated to be completed this year, while others are in different stages of design or construction and are expected to be completed in 2025 and 2026.You can view a list of project and their statuses here: www.sugarlandtx.gov/2019BondProjects; 

The Animal Shelter project and Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building are currently on hold. Learn more:  

• Animal Shelter Project
• Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building Project

The project has been renamed Sugar Land Trail Phase 1. This 10-foot-wide concrete trail will run along the west side of Ditch H, starting at Imperial Park near Matlage Way and ending near the Smart Financial Centre at Lexington. 

The trail will also include pedestrian underpasses beneath both Highway 6 and US 59, to address safety and connectivity. The design is complete, and construction is expected to begin in the next few months, with an estimated completion time of approximately 12 months.

The City will strategically plan the scheduling of bond street projects to prevent having multiple projects in the same area and at the same time. The goal will be to minimize traffic disruptions and manage the potential impact of construction on the community, neighborhoods, and businesses.

At this stage, projects are still in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed. The initial scope of projects is based on recommendations from traffic studies, the Pavement Management and Maintenance Program (PMMP) and resident feedback. 

A thorough planning and design process is currently taking place. More precise information regarding what each project will entail and the expected timelines for completion will be available once these steps are completed. 

Community engagement will also take place to include HOA/community meetings (as appropriate), posting of project information online, and direct communication with residents of impacted areas to provide an opportunity to learn about upcoming projects, ask questions, and share their feedback.

At this stage, projects are in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed. 

The sidepaths, which will be 8 to 10 feet wide, are planned for the side of the street that will minimize impacts to existing trees and utilities while utilizing the available space most effectively. However, the exact location of the sidepaths cannot be determined until the design phase is completed, when we will have a clearer understanding of all factors involved. 

At this stage, projects are still in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed. The initial scope of projects is based on recommendations from traffic studies, the Pavement Management and Maintenance Program (PMMP) and resident feedback. 

The City will evaluate each situation individually to determine if tree removal is necessary, and if removal is required, the City will consider planting trees in other locations.

Typically, the design phase takes 10 to 12 months, followed by approximately 12 months for construction. 

The City will strategically plan the scheduling of bond street projects to prevent having multiple projects in the same area and at the same time. The goal will be to minimize traffic disruptions and manage the potential impact of construction on the community, neighborhoods, and businesses.

The City will evaluate each situation individually to determine if tree removal is necessary. Additionally, the City will consider planting trees in other locations in collaboration with Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and property owners.

The City utilizes an annual sidewalk condition assessment that, along with resident requests, helps identify and prioritize sidewalks for repair or replacement. Currently, due to the list of outstanding repairs and the annual funding allocation, it takes approximately 18-24 months to complete a repair.

The Pavement Management and Maintenance Program (PMMP) is designed to optimize the performance and extend the lifespan of the city's pavements. The program focuses on ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation infrastructure through systematic management and proactive maintenance. 

Key objectives of the program include enhancing pavement safety and reliability, extending pavement lifespan, optimizing maintenance resources, and minimizing long-term costs. The program covers all public pavements in Sugar Land, excluding privately owned roads. 

 The City maintains an inventory of all pavements, tracking their location, type, and condition. Pavement condition data is collected through visual inspections and automated technologies. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores, ranging from 0 to 100, guide maintenance decisions. These assessments are updated every five years. The City utilizes this data to identify locations to target for street reconstruction or panel replacements.

The approval of the 2023 Fort Bend County (FBC) General Obligation Bond provides matching funds for eleven major street projects in Sugar Land. These projects will receive approximately 50% of their funding from the FBC Bond. These street projects are included in Proposition B and some involve street reconstruction. The listed project cost represents the City’s contribution including inflation adjusted contingency.

Swyft Cities, which licenses and implements Whoosh® advanced urban mobility systems, and the city of Sugar Land have entered into an agreement to study bringing an autonomous elevated cable and rail mobility system developed as part of a Google project to Sugar Land for fast, convenient mobility.

The system, called Whoosh®, uses electric vehicles that resemble conventional aerial gondolas but uses advanced autonomous technologies to move independently along a network of elevated fixed cables and rails. Vehicles are on-demand, and systems can be built at a cost far below conventional transit projects. All trips are fast and nonstop from origin to destination with no stops at intermediate stations.

Swyft Cities is partnering with the city of Sugar Land to bring a new level of fast, convenient mobility to help support the fast-growing region. The city of Sugar Land is emerging as a global leader in implementing advanced transportation infrastructures (as evidenced by the recent announcement of a partnership with Wisk Aero for development of vertiports for autonomous air taxi operations) introducing exciting new ways to meet the City’s growing mobility needs not only for today, but for the future as well.

The project is intended to improve mobility. Our residents have told us that mobility is among their top priorities. Mobility was identified as a top priority in our most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey. 

The Whoosh network will expand Sugar Land’s pedestrian network to include convenient connections to destination centers like Sugar Land Town Square, Smart Financial Centre and more. In addition, it will support and enhance trail connections as identified in the Pedestrian and Bike Master plan, a document created with extensive input from residents.

No. We are partnering with the private sector and will pursue state and federal funding.

The project will support economic development and tourism efforts by expanding Sugar Land’s pedestrian network to include connections to destination centers like Sugar Land Town Square, Smart Financial Centre and more. It will improve mobility for Sugar Land residents, visitors and businesses to participate more fully in everything the city has to offer.

Our residents have told us that mobility is among their top priorities, and we are committed to being responsive to their needs by providing opportunities to invest in projects they tell us are important. We will be just as relentless in looking for opportunities like this one to partner with state and federal funding sources to reduce the financial impact to our residents while also delivering mobility projects that support quality of life, economic development and tourism.

Swyft Cities transforms cities and real estate through innovative modular transit solutions. Swyft Cities licenses and implements Whoosh® transportation technology. Whoosh provides efficient, comfortable, sustainable urban transportation with individual electrically-powered vehicles using an elevated network of cable and rail guideways. Unique flexible, lightweight infrastructure delivers cost-effective mobility ranging from small systems to expanding networks that can cover entire urban areas.

Begun as Project Swyft at Google to advance the innovative Whoosh® transportation system, Swyft Cities was spun out from Google as a separate company to help commercialize the system and bring it to the world. The Swyft Cities team has extensive experience delivering large-scale infrastructure and urban mobility projects.

Sugar Land believes innovative transportation technologies are key to enabling the city to continue its growth by moving people across the community conveniently and sustainably. 

Sugar Land can be one of the first cities in the US to implement this innovative, trailblazing concept, and serve as a model for how cities can innovate their urban transportation systems.

The Whoosh® transportation system is based on proven technologies. Whoosh was first prototyped as part of “Project Swyft” at Google, which demonstrated low cost, an excellent user experience with great views, and environmental sustainability with zero emissions.

Swyft Cities was spun off from Google into a separate business to help bring the technology to market for public transportation and other uses.

A Whoosh® pilot project is currently underway in New Zealand.

Public right of way franchise agreements and connections to transit centers.

For the initial phase, we estimate 3-6 months of planning and design, 6-8 months of permitting and procurement, 6-12 months of construction and testing, for a total of 24-32 months including certification.

The City of Sugar Land is continuing discussions with Swyft Cities on potential route configurations, technical details, costs and other topics. The City met with TxDOT to let them know about the project and get their feedback. They expressed positive feedback and will need to review and approve any design elements that will cross their roadways (SH6 and US 59/IH 69). A stakeholder meeting with all of the property owners affected by the project is being planned. Federal funding is being sought through our regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, H-GAC, to pay for the first steps - engineering and design of the system.

The City of Sugar Land will work closely with our private-sector partners to ensure the infrastructure is installed safely and complements the aesthetics of our community.

Whoosh vehicles are zero-emissions. The system is expected to have a positive impact on the environment by encouraging non-vehicle traffic and ultimately reducing harmful emissions.

No. The infrastructure will be installed along rights of way commonly used by motorists, and gondola passengers will be obstructed from views of private homes or backyards.

Yes, after the system has been designed and before construction there will be opportunities for public input on the project.

Environmental reviews depend on the requirements of the Federal grant funding source. Aerial gondola systems have proven to be environmentally friendly (they produce no point source emissions) with a low ecological footprint. Impacts to the natural environment are minimal. Noise from these types of systems is also nominal for both riders and people at street-level.

The service started March 18th!

This is just a pilot, or “test phase”, to see how the service works in Sugar Land. The service area zone is approximately 18 square miles, would utilize around 7 vehicles, and would have short wait times of 8-15 minutes. We have a certain budget to adhere to, so this is what we can provide for the test phase. If the pilot phase is successful, we plan to expand the service area to include the entire city, which would necessitate a larger fleet in order to maintain short and convenient wait times.

City staff used census data to decide where the boundaries should be and what to include. The area contains around 43,000 residents with the highest percentage of elderly, low-income, disabled, and car-less households based on this census data. Also included were areas with a lot of activity – shopping, higher education, travel, and medical. Since we want to encourage more overall transit usage, the two Fort Bend Transit Park & Ride lot locations are included to create convenient first mile/last mile connections to their commuter bus services into Houston.

For the most part, all public transit services require passengers to provide car seats for their young children who would otherwise be required to have one in a personal automobile, unless the vehicle is large and traveling at very low speeds along a fixed route. The microtransit service will be using smaller vehicles (minivans/sedans) and will be mixing with regular traffic at typical roadway speeds, so car seats will be required for safety. Rides can be shared, so space must be available on board for any additional passengers along the route. Also, there is no place to store car seats while not in use.

Private ride-hailing services, like Uber and Lyft, are not public transit because rides are not shared. Riders request trips and are taken directly to their destination. Microtransit, although not traditional, IS public transit with the understanding that trips may be shared with other passengers along the route. This makes trips more economical and efficient, and is what makes microtransit a better travel choice than using a personal vehicle. Fares are $2 or less each way, so you know exactly what to expect when you request a trip. Plus, there is no need to tip the driver!

No. This pilot project will be grant funded for three years by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for our region) through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Commuter and Transit Services Pilot Program. Fort Bend County will also financially support the project utilizing voter-approved 2023 Mobility Bond funds. There will be no cost to the City for the three-year-long pilot phase.

The City’s Mosquito Management Program will reduce pathogen-transmitting mosquito populations by utilizing scientifically proven strategies that control mosquito’s population through population surveillance, larvae control, adult mosquito control, and public education.

The City wants to know:

1. Is spraying twice per week effective at reducing mosquito populations?  
2. Is the chemical used in the spray effective at reducing the mosquito population?  
3. Are beneficial insects negatively affected by the current spray program? 
4. Are there specific changes that would optimize the effectiveness of the City’s mosquito control efforts?

The City currently sprays up to twice a week.

The City contractor uses Kontrol, which is a general-purpose pesticide containing 30% Permethrin and 30% Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO). The City contractor also uses Fyfanon, a rotational insecticide containing Malathion 96.5% to prevent resistance in the mosquito population.

To find more about the chemicals currently being used in the spray, click here.

The study will commence on May 5^th, 2025. Once started, the study will last 9 weeks. The regular spray schedule will resume while the City analyzes the study results.

Study sites are chosen based on the existing spray zones. These sites have established mosquito traps and are regularly monitored by the City.

The City has an ongoing larvicide program which is effective at reducing mosquito larvae in our waterways. This program will not be affected by the study and will continue as normal.

Public health is the City’s top priority. If a positive West Nile Virus is detected in a mosquito in your area, we will spray for mosquitoes following established protocols.

The mosquito spray will have a dispersal radius of 150 feet. Learn more about truck spraying.

We will coordinate with your HOA so the spray days do not overlap. Extra sprays by your HOA will not affect the results of this study.

The City follows industry standards to evaluate how well its facilities accommodate current and future staffing, equipment, and service levels. This approach ensures the effective use of facilities today while preparing for the future as the city grows and service levels expectations evolve. 

In addition, the City utilizes the Facility Master Plan (FMP). The FMP outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. The current version of the plan is currently being updated and is expected to be adopted by early 2025. 

This update will include new guidance on deferred maintenance assessments and strategies for future structures and renovations. Once adopted, the plan will help guide decisions related to facility maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization. These decisions will also be informed by a detailed analysis of facility data, including each building’s age, condition, and usage.

Field staff often carry out equipment maintenance using the tailgates of their trucks or working on the ground in parking lots. Larger or more complex repairs are usually sent to external vendors, often resulting in additional costs and reduced equipment availability.

The City’s Facility Master Plan (FMP) outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. The current version of the plan is currently being updated and is expected to be adopted by early 2025. 

Modernizing a city facility could entail the rehabilitation of its infrastructure, technology, and design to address how the facility is used today and into the future. This could involve modifications to roofs, walls, and ceilings, electrical, mechanical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

Drainage remains a top priority for residents, as highlighted in the most recent citizen satisfaction survey. In response, the City included drainage projects aimed at reducing ponding and flooding in key areas of the City as part of four general obligation bond propositions approved by Sugar Land voters on November 5, 2019. 

The 2019 bond package also funded citywide Flood Prevention and Drainage Studies, which played a significant role in identifying the proposed projects for the 2024 bond. Proposition C includes six projects that focus on stormwater management systems, flood control measures, drainage infrastructure, and more.

Sugar Land Speaks is our community's online platform, powered by Zencity, for sharing, discussing, and collaborating on sustainable solutions for important issues, challenges, and opportunities. This serves as the City’s central platform for residents—current, prospective, and those relocating. It amplifies community voices by promoting data transparency, reducing survey fatigue, and encouraging actionable steps for engagement and informed decision-making.

This online hub allows residents to provide feedback and ideas through surveys and idea boards, featuring project pages for city initiatives. It integrates with Zencity’s data analysis tools to enhance interaction between residents and the City of Sugar Land.

October 28, 2024.

Sugar Land residents can directly voice their opinions on specific projects from city departments and ideas for improving our city.