Development Regulations

Planning and Development

Related Development Regulations Links
(each section has additional links):

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 codes that address how property can be subdivided. The City codes do not address land use.

The Department’s primary function in this role is to review plats for compliance with development codes and recommend action on the plats to the City’s Planning Commission. Plats are submitted to the city every two weeks for consideration by the Commission the following week.

The Department checks subdivision plats for the proper subdivision of land and for adequate street or right-of-way, building lines and for compliance with Chapter 42, the City’s land development ordinance. Development site plans are checked for compliance with regulations that include parking, tree and shrub requirements, setbacks, and access.

Changes to Requirements for Subdivisions, Developments & Platting

The City adopted new requirements for subdivisions, developments and platting with recent amendments to Chapters 10 and 42 of the Code of Ordinances. The changes go into effect on Friday, May 24, 2013. For more information on the phased implementation of certain rules outside of Loop 610, please click here.

To view the Summary of Amendments Overview, please click here.
To view the Adopted Ordinance for Chapters 10 and 42, please click here.
To view the Chapter 42 Ordinance Redline of Changes, please click here.

To learn more about how to preserve your neighborhood’s character with the Special Minimum Lot Size (SMLS) and Special Minimum Building Line (SMBL) protections now available citywide, please click here.

To view the list of upcoming community meetings on SMLS and SMBL, please click here.

For more information, please contact:

Brian J. Crimmins

City of Houston Planning & Development Department

brian.crimmins@houstontx.gov

(713) 837-7701

Mechanical Equipment Noise and Garage Screening Amendments

The City is proposing the following amendments to the Construction Code related to mechanical equipment noise and garage screening.