Development Over Closed Landfills

There are many closed or abandoned landfills in the Austin area. Many operated before landfills were regulated, and may pose environmental or safety risks. Their boundaries are often unknown or poorly defined.

Structures built over landfills may be at risk from soil subsidence or methane gas.

Chapter 25-1-83 of Austin’s Land Development Code addresses issues related to closed landfills.

All commercial or multi-family development applications for subdivision, site plan, and building permits on tracts more than one acre in size, or smaller tracts that are located within a landfill buffer area (see Map Library) must provide a:

Certificate sealed by a Professional Engineer certifying the site is not over a closed landfill and describing the basis for that determination, or;
Development permit from the TCEQ, or;
Letter from the TCEQ stating that the project is not subject to the requirements of TAC Ch. 330, Subchapter T.

Details on many of the landfills below can be found in the 2004 Supplemental Assessment. Those not found in the assessment can be found on the Capital Area Council of Governments' website.