Dear Austin Residents and Interested Parties,

Thank you for subscribing to the City of Austin Planning Department’s Land Development Code Amendments Monthly Briefing 🏡📣. We are excited to share the latest news about changes to the Land Development Code.

Recent Updates

Code amendments approved by City Council:

• HOME Initiative and Removal of Occupancy Limits: On Dec. 7, Council adopted an ordinance to allow up to three homes, including tiny homes, on properties zoned single-family (SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3) and remove the limit on the number of unrelated adults that can live together. Click the link above to see the full ordinance and summary of approved changes.
• Eliminate Minimum Parking Requirements: On Nov. 2, Council voted to eliminate minimum parking requirements, allowing developers to decide how much parking to build.
• Childcare Services: Council on Oct. 19 greatly expanded where childcare and daycare centers are permitted throughout the city. 
• North Burnet/Gateway (NBG) Regulating Plan Update Phase 1: On Oct. 19, Council approved amendments to the NBG Regulating Plan to allow taller and more dense development in the area, particularly west of MoPac. 
• Parkland Dedication Repeal and Replace: In response to House Bill 1526, the Council on Nov. 30 repealed and replaced the City's parkland dedication ordinance to align with the new state law.
• Eliminate Station Area Plan Amendment Filing Deadlines: On Dec. 14, Council approved a code amendment to allow applicants to apply for amendments to Station Area Plans at any time. 

Code amendments initiated by City Council:

• Public Safety Density Bonus: Allow public safety facilities like Police, Fire or EMS stations to count as public benefits in density bonus programs and Planned Unit Developments.
• Modify Minimum Bicycle Parking Requirements: Increase the number of required bicycle parking spaces for new developments and explore incentives for existing buildings to add bicycle parking.
• North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan Update Phase 4: Create a new Research and Sciences Subistrict in the NBG Regulating Plan. 

Looking Ahead

Feb. 1, 2024, City Council Meeting:

• Council is scheduled to consider a resolution initiating several amendments to the LDC to support Austin's future Light Rail system:
  • Density Bonus Zoning District: Create a new density program that will allow up to 30 feet of additional height in exchange for affordable housing.
  • Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay: Create and apply an ETOD Overlay for properties within 1/2 mile of the Phase 1 Light Rail Line and priority extensions to prohibit car-oriented uses and allow up to 60 feet of additional height in commercial and certain multifamily zoning districts in exchange for affordable housing. 
  • Downtown Parking Requirements: Adopt policies related to parking, including parking maximums, to foster a more pedestrian- and transit-oriented Downtown.  
  • East Riverside Corridor (ERC) Regulating Plan Update: Update the ERC Regulating Plan to align regulations with ETOD goals. 
• S.M.A.R.T. Housing Update Phase 1: City Council will consider updating how fees applicable to SMART Housing developments are mentioned in the Land Development Code. The amendment would remove outdated fees listed in the LDC and refer instead to the annual fee schedule.

Feb. 13, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting: 

• Discuss and provide a recommendation on a proposed Density Bonus zoning district. 

Feb. 29, 2024, City Council Meeting: 

• Consider adoption of an ordinance to create a new Density Bonus zoning district. 

Dive Deeper

The following documents provide a more detailed update on Land Development Code amendments:

1. Schedule of Active Code Amendments Chart and Memo: Outline of the key milestones and deadlines for each amendment and summary of changes to the schedule.

2. Amendment Details Table: Additional detail on each of the amendments.

Get Involved

📣 Want to participate in a Planning Commission or City Council meeting?

You can attend City Council and Planning Commission meetings in person at City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street, or watch online at http://www.atxn.tv or by downloading the ATXN app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire or Google Play.

To speak at a Planning Commission or City Council meeting, either in-person or virtually, you must register in advance.

For additional information on how to participate or register to speak at a Planning Commission meeting, visit the Planning Commission website and see speaker registration information at the end of each meeting agenda. 

For additional information on how to participate or register to speak at a City Council meeting, please visit the City Council Meeting Information Center page.

💭 Ask questions or give feedback.

The City of Austin values your feedback and participation. We encourage you to send us comments or questions by commenting on PublicInput, emailing LDCupdates@austintexas.gov, or calling (512) 974-7220. Your participation is vital to the success of these projects. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for being involved in creating a better Austin!

To learn more about the proposed Land Development Code amendments, including the process each change goes through before it is adopted, visit our PublicInput page.

Best regards,

City of Austin Planning Department