Zoning
Austin’s zoning rules guide development in our city by determining what can be built and where. In addition to governing the specific uses of a property (for example, single-family homes, apartments, offices, or industrial), our zoning ordinances, as collected in Austin’s Land Development Code, establish site regulations for building heights, setbacks, amount of impervious cover, and more.
Zoning is a power granted to cities by the State of Texas to promote public health, safety, morals, or general welfare, and to protect and preserve places and areas of historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance.
Zoning is a complex but important part of our everyday lives. It affects everything from where people live, work, learn, and play to how we get around our communities. Get answers to frequently asked questions on our Zoning FAQ page.
Understanding the Zoning & Rezoning Process
When a property owner requests a zoning change, nearby neighbors are considered to have a stake in the zoning as well, and can support or challenge the zoning request before City Council. The Understanding the Zoning & Rezoning Process page provides an overview of the zoning/rezoning process and a way to submit feedback on active cases.
Annexation and Special Districts
Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges, and taxing authority to new territory. By expanding the territory subject to city ordinances, regulations, and codes, annexation improves the city’s economic base and enables Austin to manage growth and development. Learn more about Annexation and Special Districts and find out how to submit a petition for extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) release.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is an all-volunteer, Council-appointed body that recommends approval or disapproval of proposed zoning changes and plan amendments within neighborhood planning areas.
Zoning and Platting Commission
The Zoning and Platting Commission serves as the land use commission for all applications that involve properties not within the boundaries of a neighborhood plan that the council has adopted as a component of the comprehensive plan.