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Eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen), Texas

Where eviction cases are filed in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)

Eviction court
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-5) — Justice of the Peace court Court page
Filing fee
$146 for one defendant ($56 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional defendant; writ of possession $7 + $200 constable service Cameron County JP 2-2 - Information on Forcible Detainers (effective 02/10/2025)
Notice before filing (state law)
At least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing, unless the written lease provides a shorter or longer period. For a tenant evicted solely for nonpayment who was not delinquent before the month of the notice, the notice must be a notice to pay rent or vacate. Texas rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,047/month HUD
Renter households
48,155 (35% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)

Eviction cases in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen) are heard by the Cameron County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-5) (Justice of the Peace court).

Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center

Courts listed include JP 1 (Port Isabel), 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 (Brownsville), 3-1 and 3-2 (San Benito), 4-1, and 5-1 through 5-3. File in the justice court for the precinct where the property is located. Accepted payment methods differ by court. Amendments to Texas Property Code ch. 24 (SB 38) apply to eviction cases filed on or after January 1, 2026 (statewide change, not county-specific).

How much it costs to file an eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)

$146 for one defendant ($56 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional defendant; writ of possession $7 + $200 constable service

From JP 2-2's eviction packet linked from the county Justice of the Peace page. It lists a $56 filing fee, higher than the $54 justice court filing fee common elsewhere in Texas; confirm the current amount with the court. JP 2-2 accepts check, money order or exact cash; 5% is added for credit or debit cards. A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs may be filed instead of paying fees.

Source: Cameron County JP 2-2 - Information on Forcible Detainers (effective 02/10/2025)

How eviction cases work locally

Hearings (JP 2-2)Hearings are in person. JP 2-2 asks the filer to provide a copy of the written notice given to the tenant.
Source: Official source

The Texas eviction process

Texas state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen):

  1. Written notice to vacate (at least 3 days unless lease says otherwise; pay-or-vacate form for first-time nonpayment) delivered by a method in Sec. 24.005(f-3)
  2. File sworn petition in justice court; landlord may include a sworn motion for summary disposition (Sec. 24.00505, 24.005106)
  3. Sheriff/constable must make a diligent effort to serve citation within 5 business days of filing; otherwise landlord may use another trained officer (Sec. 24.0051(f))
  4. Tenant may file a response to a summary disposition motion no later than the 4th day after service; trial is set 10-21 days after filing and not earlier than 4 days after service (Sec. 24.0051(g), 24.005106)
  5. Judgment; appeal to county court by bond, cash deposit, or statement of inability within 5 days after judgment is signed (Sec. 24.005107)
  6. Writ of possession may not issue before the 6th day after judgment (absent possession bond); officer serves it within 5 business days, posts a 24-hour warning, then executes (Sec. 24.0061)

Full Texas eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$773
1 bedroom$866
2 bedrooms$1,047
3 bedrooms$1,414
4 bedrooms$1,479

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen): $912/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law (Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24 and Tex. R. Civ. P. 510). City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)

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Other Texas counties

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)?
Eviction cases in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen) are filed with the Cameron County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-5).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)?
$146 for one defendant ($56 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional defendant; writ of possession $7 + $200 constable service.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)?
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA).
What is the fair market rent in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,047 per month (1-bedroom: $866).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.