City Charter & Code of Ordinances

City Charter

Home Rule cities are required to write and adopt a Charter. The Charter, for all practical purposes, is a municipal Constitution that is written and adopted by the citizens of the Home Rule city via an election. The Charter defines, grants, and limits the powers, duties, and responsibilities of local government based on local preferences and desires. The citizens determine the necessary controls over their city government such as elections, referendums, initiatives, and recall. Essentially, the City Charter describes and defines local government based on local preferences and controls as opposed to general laws which have been written by the Texas legislature.

The City of Tomball City Charter was adopted on January 17, 1987, and was subsequently revised in 1995, 2014 and 2024.

Access the City of Tomball City Charter (link)

Code of Ordinances

Ordinances are local laws adopted by the city council or governing body through its legislative function. The City of Tomball's Code of Ordinances (link) is available electronically.

Operational Ordinances are used to approve certain required documents, such as the annual budget, the adoption of utility rates, and the levying property taxes. Those ordinances are not listed in the City's adopted Code of Ordinances, but are available through the City's Ordinance (link).