City Council seems poised to initiate changes to city zoning regulations that will allow tiny homes and recreational vehicles to be used as accessory dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods. Council Member Leslie Pool is sponsoring a resolution on today’s Council agenda that notes that back in 2014, staff identified zoning as the largest obstacle to […]
City of Austin Land Development Code
The city’s Land Development Code regulates building and development in the city of Austin.
Posted inLand Development Code
Council hears plan to overhaul site plan review process
Few who have dealt with the city of Austin’s site plan review process would dispute that it’s cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive. But consulting firm McKinsey & Company, which analyzed the process and then outlined improvements for City Council at Tuesday’s work session, has offered statistics demonstrating just how convoluted the process is. For example: The […]
Posted inCourts
City facing new legal challenge over Affordability Unlocked, other rules this week
The 18 plaintiffs who won a judgment against the city of Austin over its attempted rewrite of the Land Development Code in 2020 are going back to court this week. This time, they’ll attempt to overturn city regulations created in response to the need for more housing. Led by Frances Acuña, the group’s members have […]
Posted inHousing
Housing costs analysis endorses changes in lots sizes, compatibility requirements
City staff and researchers at the University of Texas looking to reduce housing costs have published their recommendations on policies for City Council to consider. A memo published last week offers a broad overview of the current state of affordability and development costs in Austin. The analysis by the Development Services and Housing departments and […]
Posted inHousing
Real estate leaders see hope in smaller lot sizes as demand for housing remains strong
“In Austin, you don’t have enough housing for the demand in the pipeline. … I can’t say it simpler. We all agree we have increased inventory, but with the demand coming down the pipeline, and then you had two quarters where builders weren’t building at all – we don’t have enough product.” Those words last […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment fee assistance program will launch Oct. 1
A long-awaited assistance program granting low-income homeowners waivers when seeking zoning variances will launch Oct. 1. The yearlong Board of Adjustment Applicant Assistant Program pilot will fund up to nine waivers – or $10,000 – for eligible applicants, according to a July 20 memo from Development Services Department Director José Roig to City Council. Modeled […]
Posted inCity Council
Council greenlights change to reduce land size needed to build a home in Austin
The size of land Austinites need to build a home on is about to get smaller – as part of an effort to encourage developers to build smaller and cheaper houses. City Council on Thursday approved a resolution that will start the process. The initiative would reduce the size of land required to build a home, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council considers code amendments to relax single-family zoning rules
City Council will consider an item at this week’s meeting that would begin the process of relaxing the city’s strict single-family zoning rules. Item 126, sponsored by Council Member Leslie Pool, directs the city manager to propose code amendments that reduce the minimum lot size from 5,750 to 2,500 square feet or less, so that […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Staff releases expedited timeline for housing code amendments
An updated timeline for implementation of a bundle of city code amendments aimed at increasing housing supply is in the hands of City Council. In a memo dated July 13, Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt revealed the updated Schedule of Active Code Amendments chart, which addresses concerns from community groups, the Planning Commission and Council […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission urges quicker processing of Land Development Code amendments
With dozens of amendments to the city’s outdated Land Development Code currently in the works – many aimed at increasing supply and lowering costs for housing – City Council members and city staffers in recent weeks have discussed how to prioritize the changes, given limited staff resources. The Planning Commission on June 13 weighed in, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
City code amendments moving slowly, including change to parking requirements
Remember all those amendments to Austin’s land use regulations that City Council directed city staff to write – ideas that seem particularly important in light of the housing shortage? They’re moving slowly. Those amendments include eliminating parking requirements from the land use regulations outside the central business district. Parking requirements have already been eliminated downtown, […]
Posted inPlanning
Council proposes allowing more homes in single-family zoning
City Council on Thursday voted to create a program that would allow more homes on single-family lots, as long as some homes are priced affordably. “What we are trying to accomplish here, from a high level, is to create an ownership density bonus program that allows for affordable units to be built without subsidy,” said […]