Round Rock Development Code

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Update: October 2018

Round Rock City Council adopted the Zoning and Development Code on September 27, 2018.

Staff update regarding adoption of the Zoning & Development Code to the Planning & Zoning Commission 10/16/2018
Memo regarding major changes within the Development Code (pdf)
Memo regarding how certain changes could affect a given project’s cost (pdf)
Boards presented at the October 26, 2016 Open House (pdf)
Written comments received as of December 15, 2016 (and how the draft Development Code addresses them) (pdf)

Update: August 31, 2018

After a lengthy administrative process between the city and Municode (the online code publishing company), the final re-codification to accommodate the Development Code is expected to be adopted by City Council in Fall 2018.

Update: April 14, 2017

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Round Rock Zoning and Development Code for approval in December after a several public hearings. City Council has now begun the process of adopting the Development Code in three steps. First, Council has been considering a series of amendments to the Code of Ordinances incorporating the most impactful policy changes contained within the Development Code. Second, Council approved a resolution authorizing the re-codification of city codes to accommodate the Development Code. This step is expected to take several months as the city works with its online code publishing company. Once complete, the final step will be for City Council to consider formal adoption of the Development Code as a whole. Public hearings have occurred in conjunction with each item. Here is a tentative timeline for the process:

October 26, 2016:public open house
November 1, 2016:public hearing and informational presentation at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
Presentation video on Round Rock Replay (click item E.1 below video frame)
November 16, 2016:public hearing and informational presentation at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
Presentation video on Round Rock Replay (click item F.1 below video frame)
December 7, 2016:public hearing and informational presentation at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
Presentation video on Round Rock Replay (click item F.1 below video frame)
December 21, 2016:public hearing and recommendation for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission
Meeting video on Round Rock Replay (click item F.1 below video frame)
March 9, 2017: City Council approved on first reading the following amendments to the Code of Ordinances:
- Upgrades to the building design standards of most nonresidential zoning districts;
- Requirements for connectivity within new residential subdivisions (see below for more);
- Modifications to on-site storm water detention requirements to require all detention ponds to accommodate the 1% annul chance storm event; and
- Updates to tree protection and preservation regulations, including providing heightened protection for monarch trees.
March 23, 2017: City Council approved the second reading of the above amendments, and approved on first reading the following amendments to the Code of Ordinances:
- Various changes to the downtown mixed use zoning districts MU-1 (Mixed Use Historic Commercial Core), MU-2 (Mixed Use Downtown Medium Density), and MU-L (Mixed Use Limited) including new restrictions on bars in the MU-1 district;
- Modifications to compatibility buffer and subdivision wall requirements;
- Updating platting procedures, including allowing minor plats and amending plats to be administratively approved; and
- Creating conditions under which model homes and up to 26 single family homes may be built in new residential subdivisions prior to formal acceptance of the subdivision improvements.
March 23, 2017:City Council approved a resolution authorizing the re-codification of city ordinances to accommodate the proposed Round Rock Zoning and Development Code.
April 13, 2017: City Council approved on second reading the amendments considered on March 23. City Council also approved on first reading an ordinance creating new opt-in zoning districts SF-3 (Single Family – Mixed Lot), OF-2 (Office – Mid Rise), MU-R (Mixed Use –Redevelopment and Small Lot), and MU-G (Mixed Use – Greenfield and Large Lot).
April 27, 2017: City Council will consider the second reading of the amendment creating four new opt-in zoning districts described above.

Subdivision roadway connectivity requirements added

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Development Code for approval at their meeting on December 21, 2016, including provisions for roadway connectivity within and between new residential subdivisions. Staff has since met with local home builders to gather feedback on the connectivity requirements and has made changes in response to their input.

What is a Development Code?

A Development Code is a set of rules and guidelines that address all aspects of land development from beginning to end. This includes subdivision platting, zoning, site plan review, permitting, landscaping and tree protection, signs, and technical building codes.

Why create a Development Code?

Right now, the various regulations pertaining to development in Round Rock are scattered about the City’s Code of Ordinances, making it difficult for property owners, developers, and citizens to find the information they need. This also increases the likelihood of duplication and inconsistencies between different ordinance sections; for example whenever one section is updated, conflicts may result if other sections are not also updated. Putting all regulations into one document will allow for more consistent interpretation and enforcement while reducing conflicts and making the Code more easily understood by everyone, reinforcing the City’s development philosophy of Making it Happen.

It also provides the City an opportunity to modernize outdated regulations, provide clarifications, and reshape certain policies.

Why should I care about the new development code?

The Development Code will shape Round Rock’s built environment for years to come, touching everything from new residential neighborhoods to shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, industrial parks, and more. Aspects of development both big and small will be affected by updated regulations, which will create a more resilient, high-quality city. The end result will go a long way toward ensuring Round Rock maintains its prominent reputation as a first-class place to live, work, and play.

The Process

The Round Rock Development Code will become a new third section of the City’s Code of Ordinances. First is the Charter and second is the current Code of Ordinances. All the regulations pertaining to land development will be removed from their current place in the Code of Ordinances and moved to the new Development Code. All sections will continue to be found online at Municode.

City Council gave staff direction to move forward with the Development Code in mid-2013. Staff began gathering topics for further review and possible amending soon thereafter, while also creating an outline for the new document. Staff presented these topics to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) at the annual work session in January 2014. From May through August 2014 staff met with the City Council-appointed Advisory Committee made up of local professionals in a series of six meetings. All of the topics presented to the P&Z Commission were presented to the Advisory Committee, as well as other topics that arose in the meantime. The Advisory Committee provided high-level input that staff used to help form the basis for new land development policy decisions. The agenda and meeting minutes from each Advisory Committee meeting are posted at the bottom of the page.

In January 2015 staff presented a first draft to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review at the annual work session. Soon thereafter a draft was sent to the City Attorney to begin the legal review process. Staff has met with the City Attorney regularly to further refine the draft, and also continued meeting internally to identify additional policies that needed revising.

Notable Amendments

The Development Code will update many regulations and aspects of the development process. Some are simple, such as getting rid of outdated regulations or bringing procedural requirements in line with those of the State of Texas. Other updates will have a broader, more noticeable impact over time. A few of these include:

Updated design standards for many zoning districts, with an emphasis on true masonry and more flexible allowances for modern materials and design styles;
Landscaping requirements for new single family neighborhoods to help establish a water-wise community;
Modernized parking requirements to include new uses and resolve confusion;
Updated regulations for the downtown mixed-use zoning districts to address issues that have arisen since they were implemented in late 2013; and
New mixed-use zoning districts that will allow more flexible development in certain areas of the city, should a property owner choose to opt-in to the district.

Development Code Advisory Committee members

Brent Baker, Landscape Architect – Studio 16:19
Brian Cave, Operations Manager – Cain & Company – Keller Williams Realty (Mr. Cave has since relocated out of state)
Vice President – Heart of Round Rock Neighborhood Association
Chuck Glace, President – Chasco Constructors
Keith Hickman, Principal Architect – KAH Architecture
Jeff Seiler, Civil Engineer – Seiler Lankus Group
David Sour, Broker – David Sour & Associates
Bo Spencer, Principal Architect – Spencer-Pierce Architecture + Interiors