Houston vs Dallas - which city is more business friendly (taxes, regulation, infrastructure, et al) (construction)

[Zhang Fei]

Now it is obvious that Houston has one item of infrastructure in its favor Dallas will never have - a major port. At first, I thought this should be left out of the comparison. But in the real world, nature's bounty always counts for something. So maybe it should be left in.

[Metro Matt]

Houston hands down!

You can set up any type of business (legit of course) almost anywhere in that city. There is no such thing as land use regulation since the city has zero zoning laws. Its not all that uncommon to see XXX rated video stores or nudie bars near churches, schools, & residential areas.

[Dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

Now it is obvious that Houston has one item of infrastructure in its favor Dallas will never have - a major port. At first, I thought this should be left out of the comparison. But in the real world, nature's bounty always counts for something. So maybe it should be left in.

Dallas will never have a seaport; but, currently under construction in South Dallas is one of the largest inland ports in the nation, the 6,000 acre Dallas Logistics Hub. DFW and Ft Worth's Alliance airport are both major air cargo hubs.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Houston hands down!

You can set up any type of business (legit of course) almost anywhere in that city. There is no such thing as land use regulation since the city has zero zoning laws. Its not all that uncommon to see XXX rated video stores or nudie bars near churches, schools, & residential areas.

I don't know if that was the case in years past, but there are ordinances against that now. The city recently shut down one or two nudie bars using these rules. Between all the different city ordinances, rules for "scenic districts", HOAs and now the billboard laws finally being enforced, the lack of formal zoning is almost overruled.