Zoning refers to a common practice in city planning, where a comprehensive plan is developed to decide how land should best be utilized. The comprehensive plan breaks the City up into various “zones,” dictating what sorts of things can be built in these zones and what kinds of businesses are acceptable. All zoning changes proposed in the City must go through a public hearing process as determined by state law. Zoning laws serve several functions. They protect existing businesses and residences. For example, in a city without zoning laws, a company could build a factory in the middle of a residential zone, potentially impacting the quality of life for residents. Zoning laws ensure that land use is consistent within a specific area of the City, and that conflicting uses like heavy industry and residential housing are kept isolated from each other for the convenience of all.
Many cities also use zoning laws to protect their look and feel. For example, a law could restrict buildings in a certain zone to a set number of stories, or it could block the construction of apartment complexes within a particular neighborhood. Zoning laws are also used to ensure that neighbors do not infringe on each other with new construction; for example, most zoning laws require the footprint of a new structure to be significantly smaller than the lot it is built on, ensuring that people don't, for example, build homes which block the views of neighbors.
To find out what your property is zoned you can visit our GIS website. There you will find an interactive map as well as static maps with information about zoning. To know what uses are permitted in a certain zoning district please refer to the use chart found in section 77:301 of the Rowlett Development Code . This is a guide and depending on the property other restrictions may apply so please contact staff for detailed information about specific locations.