The City of Austin has made several updates to the development process to help facilitate more housing choices. These changes include:
- HOME Amendment:
- Phase 1 - Code amendments increasing opportunities for homeowners to add more units to their property
- Phase 2 - Code amendments allowing homeowners to subdivide their property into smaller lots
- Site Plan Lite:
- Phase 1 - Code amendments allowing the development of 3 or 4 units to be processed in the same manner as developments with 1 or 2 units
- Phase 2 - Code amendments to streamline drainage requirements for projects with 5-16 units
- Infill Plat – Code amendments to streamline drainage requirements for the re-subdivision of residential lots
Together, these residential infill tools are designed to make it easier and more affordable to build housing in Austin.
HOME Amendments
The “Home Options for Mobility and Equity” (HOME) amendments were passed by City Council in 2023 (Phase 1) and 2024 (Phase 2). The goal of these changes is to provide a wider range of housing types and increase housing supply within single-family zoned areas of Austin.
Infill Plat
In 2025, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20250306-037, which updated drainage regulations for most residential re-subdivisions of one acre or less.
Re-subdividing Residential Lots
- If you are re-subdividing one or more existing lots that are one acre or smaller, and your property meets the definition of “Residential Infill” in LDC § 25-1-21(97) on page 1, you may qualify for a streamlined drainage review.
- If you qualify, check the "Re-subdivision” box on the applicable subdivision applications.
Site Plan Lite
Site Plan Lite is a simplified review process for small- to mid-sized housing projects. The goal is to reduce regulations and make it easier, more cost-effective, and faster to construct “missing middle” housing.
Ordinances
- Ordinance No. 20230720-158 - Exempts projects with three to four units from site plan requirements
- Ordinance No. 20250306-037 - Streamlines regulations for projects with five to sixteen units
Phase 1: 3 – 4 Units
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For projects within the City of Austin’s zoning jurisdiction, you do not have to submit a site plan or site plan exemption. However, you must submit a Commercial or Residential Building Permit application, depending on the scope of the proposal. For these projects, you are not required to provide drainage facilities.
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For projects in the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), you will have to submit a Site Plan Exemption and need to check with the County on additional approvals they require.
This streamlined review process is completed in less time than the full site plan process and is more comparable to one- and two-family residential projects. Other regulations, including zoning and floodplain, continue to apply.
Phase 2: 5 – 16 Units
“Small Project” Classification
- Projects with 5–16 units now qualify as “Small Project Site Plans”
- This classification reduces review fees, eliminates notification requirements, and streamlines the review timeline
Site Plan Lite Process
- Allows deferral of certain engineering requirements to the building permit phase
- Simplifies submittal requirements for drainage and grading
- No drainage studies or detention ponds required for developments under 8,000 square feet of impervious cover
- For projects exceeding 4,000 square feet of new impervious cover:
- A simplified drainage plan is required
- Must show runoff directed to an existing storm drain or right-of-way
To get started on your application, visit the Site Plan webpage.