Search results
The Department of Planning and Development regulates land development in Houston and within its extraterritorial jurisdiction, ETJ. The City of Houston does not have zoning, but development is governed by ordinance codes that address how property can be subdivided. The City codes do not address land use. No Zoning Letter and Boundary Map for ...
- Plat and Permit Activity Reports
Obtain additional information about permits by contacting...
- Multifamily Residential Review
New multi-family submissions will be processed through the...
- Subdivision Plat Recordation
Planning & Development Subdivision Plat Recordation. See all...
- Residential Buffering Ordinance
City Council approved amendments to the City Code of...
- Frequently Asked Questions
A plat is a map document based on a survey that shows land...
- Tree and Shrub Ordinance
The City of Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance provides...
- Plat and Permit Activity Reports
Land deals in Houston were once negotiated between politicians and landowners in the Rice Hotel. Open government laws have long since ended that practice, but the development community continues to influence city regulations. As for the development code itself, Houston does have one, perhaps contrary to popular belief.
- They DO have land use regulations. Despite their reputation as the city without zoning, they do regulate a myriad of land use issues such as density, buffering, lot size, and historic preservation through their Planning and Development Department.
- Unincorporated Towns. It’s important to note there are numerous unincorporated towns within and surrounding the Houston metro area. And while these towns have their own land use codes, if they lie within the very large Houston annexation area, they will be subject to some of Houston’s ordinances, like subdivision laws, in addition to their town’s land use codes.
- The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Houston also has something called a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Designed to establish and attract new investments, these areas retain property tax revenue for uses within their borders.
- Houston has no Comprehensive Plan. This isn’t earth-shattering news, but the absence of a comprehensive plan means there is no policy document to inform ordinance creation.
Houston Actually Does in Fact Lack Zoning. When discussion of Houston is brought up urbanists will say that while Houston lacks a formal zoning code, that its land use regulations are "zoning by another name". But I believe this analysis is simplistic. This equates all land use regulation with zoning and it misunderstands what zoning in fact is.
Apr 29, 2021 · April 29, 2021, 12:00 PM PDT. By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell. Yes, Houston is one of the most populous cities in the United States, and it's also the only city among the largest in the country to lack a zoning ordinance. But, despite a few obvious exceptions, Houston really isn't that much different than other U.S. cities.
Apr 24, 2024 · “ Unlike many major cities, Houston is unique in that it does not have conventional zoning laws. ” - Fred Lawton. Houston's Zoning Laws: A Visual Guide for Property Development. Navigating the zoning laws of Houston can be a complex process, but understanding these regulations is crucial for both developers and homeowners. Unlike many major ...
People also ask
Does Houston have zoning?
Does Houston have a land deal?
Is Houston a zoning-type city?
What are Houston's land-use policies?
How is land use addressed in Houston?
Do city codes address land use?
In Houston, the minimum lot size requirements are defined under various residential zones like R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4. Each zone has distinct regulations about acceptable lot sizes for development. For instance, residential zones may specify minimum square footage for a single-family home.
