PILLAR: Growing
AGENDA DATE: May 13, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Mayor and City Council Office
PRIORITY: Comprehensive and Land Use
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SUBJECT
Title
(1) A public hearing to receive comments; and (2) consideration of authorizing a public hearing to amend Chapter 51A, "Dallas Development Code," to establish design standards for small lot developments in accordance with the passage of Texas Senate Bill 15 by the Texas Legislature, with consideration given to amending subdivision; uses permitted; yard, lot, and space regulations; and any other associated regulations (This is a hearing to consider the request to authorize the hearing and not the amendment of the development code at this time) - Financing: No cost consideration to the City (via Councilmembers Blair, West, Johnson, Gracey, Resendez)
*In alignment with ForwardDallas.
Body
BACKGROUND
On March 2, 2026, pursuant to City Council Rules of Procedure Section 6.2, Councilmembers Blair, West, Johnson, Gracey, and Resendez submitted a five-signature memorandum requesting that the mayor refer the following item to a City Council committee.
Texas Senate Bill 15 applies to areas of five or more acres that are zoned for single-family and have no recorded plat. In areas that meet criteria, the city may not require a lot size greater than 3,000 square feet or development standards that are more restrictive than a 15-foot front yard, a 10-foot rear yard, a 5-foot side yard, a three-story maximum, and more than one parking space per dwelling unit. Texas Senate Bill 15 also prohibits the city from requiring a maximum building bulk or wall articulation in these areas. Proposed design requirements may include frontage on wide green spaces and a shared pedestrian path, garages entered from the rear, porches on the front of homes, a diverse tree population, and pitched roofs.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The ...
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