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
Residential buffering standards establish a buffer distance...
- Frequently Asked Questions
Reserves: A platted unrestricted reserve can be used for any...
- Tree and Shrub Ordinance
The City of Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance provides...
- Plat and Permit Activity Reports
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.
- 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.
The story of Houston’s land-use policies is a lot more complicated than “no zoning.” In reality, Houston is a big mixture of ordinances, policies, tactics by neighborhoods, and independent efforts by nonprofits, all of which play a role in determining how land is used. Whether or not the lack of zoning and the use of these other tools add ...
Houston's lack of zoning is why you can take industrial property, clean it up and reuse it for residential uses, because the lack of zoning means that the property can be used for something else. Tory Gattis, who is biased towards Houston, points out the major difference between Houston's land use regulation and other cities.
Apr 24, 2024 · 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 cities, Houston is unique in that it does not have conventional zoning laws. However, this doesn't mean that any kind of development goes. There are various forms of land use ...
People also ask
Does Houston have zoning?
Is Houston a zoning-type city?
What are Houston's land-use policies?
Does Houston have a land deal?
How is land use addressed in Houston?
Does Houston have private deed restrictions?
Feb 7, 2024 · Article continues below this ad. In its city charter, Houston has a provision preventing the city council from authorizing a zone ordinance without a majority referendum. In its absence of zoning ...