Annexation is one important way for new territories and developments to receive municipal services such as police, garbage collection, sewer service and other municipal services as well as voting privileges. Fort Worth can only annex territory that is located inside its 5-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. The State of Texas establishes statutes that define extraterritorial boundaries according to the population size of the City. These statutes allow a 5-mile ETJ for cities in excess of 100,000 in population. Fort Worth has a 5-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction since its population is estimated to be in excess of 504,000 persons.
Cities can only annex territory that is located inside their own extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Cities are not permitted to annex areas located inside another City , or in another City's ETJ , unless both cities agree to such an action. Anyone who owns property located inside Fort Worth's ETJ, and that touches an existing city limits boundary, may petition and apply to have his or her property annexed into Fort Worth. Several different property owners whose land is situated in the same general area may file a petition and application if their properties are contiguous. All persons having an ownership interest in the property must sign the petition and application. State law requires a city to present a service plan for each area proposed for annexation.