Annexation is the legal process that adds land to the corporate limits of a city. Annexation allows formerly unincorporated properties to receive municipal services such as police protection, fire protection, and garbage collection; and prevents non-conforming construction within the ETJ.

Annexation can yield a more efficient land development pattern responding to population growth and economic development opportunities, while ensuring effective delivery of services.

The extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is a legally designated area of land located a specific distance beyond a city' s corporate boundaries that a city has authority to annex. State statutes define the size of the ETJ boundaries according to a city' s population. The statutes allow a five- mile ETJ for cities in excess of 100, 000 in population. Corpus Christi falls into this category and has a five- mile ETJ.