Title
Update on State Legislative Updates regarding Land Use and Zoning
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
MEETING DATE: August 19, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Hayley Angel, AICP, Planning Manager
Lucas Raley, AICP, CNU-A, CFM, Planning Director
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTION:
* Receive an update on State legislative changes regarding land use and zoning.
ITEM SUMMARY:
* During the 89th Legislative Session, three bills pertaining to land use and zoning were signed into law. They will have impacts on mixed-use and multifamily uses, single-family uses, and zoning protest petitions.
* Senate Bill 840 - relating to certain municipal regulation of certain mixed-use and multifamily residential development projects
o Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 is amended and Chapter 218 is added to require certain municipalities to allow mixed-use residential and multifamily uses in a zoning classification that allows office, commercial, retail, mixed-use, or warehouse uses. It includes certain exceptions, such as properties with proximity to airports or heavy industrial uses and in zoning districts that allow heavy industrial uses.
o The newly added Chapter 218 also limits a municipality's ability to regulate density, building height, setbacks, and parking requirements in any zoning district where the use is permitted.
o There are additional restrictions on a municipality's authority for projects that convert existing office, retail, or warehouse buildings to mixed-use or multifamily residential uses. These include prohibiting a municipality from requiring a traffic impact analysis or requiring additional parking spaces.
* Senate Bill 15 - relating to size and density requirements for residential lots in certain municipalities
o Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 is amended to restrict certain municipality's authority regarding lot and development standards of ...
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