Zoning determines how our city looks by establishing what and where buildings can be built and what services can operate in our communities. The Planning Department reviews development proposals to ensure they match the city’s goals to grow sustainably. | Urban Design examines places people gather: parks and open spaces, streets and sidewalks, bridges and water bodies, historical features, trees and landscaping, lighting, and signage. The Planning Department seeks to shape these places to ensure they are functional, attractive, comfortable, lively, and safe for all.
Urban Design
Urban Design examines elements in the public realm and spaces where people may gather: parks and open spaces, streets and sidewalks, bridges and water bodies, historical features, trees and landscaping, lighting, and signage. Urban design takes a holistic approach towards these physical elements that make up a city and seeks to shape them in ways that create urban environments that are functional, attractive, comfortable, animated, stimulating and safe for all.
Great Streets
The Great Streets Plan envisions Downtown as the heart of Austin, and its streets as the primary signal of thriving urban life, vitality, and vibrancy. Essential to achieving this vision is curating a pedestrian experience that makes downtown streets become destinations, places for interaction and spending time as opposed to thoroughfares to pass through.
Zoning & Site Regulations
The Planning Department provides information on the City of Austin's zoning resources and site regulations. Learn more about our Notice of Design Standards, site regulations, Downtown Wayfinding Project, Zoning Districts, and Request for Zoning Verification Letter here. Annexation & Special Districts
Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges & taxing authority to new territory. Resources regarding changes to city boundaries and special districts located within the City’s jurisdiction are found on our Annexation & Special Districts page.
Understanding the Zoning/Rezoning Process
When a property owner requests a zoning change, nearby neighbors are considered to have a stake in the zoning as well and have the opportunity to support or challenge the zoning request before City Council. This page is intended to provide an overview of the zoning/rezoning process and a way to submit feedback on active cases.
Historic Preservation
The Historic Preservation Office encourages the preservation of Austin’s historic buildings, structures, sites, and districts; promotes awareness of our cultural and architectural heritage; and helps shape a more sustainable, equitable, and livable city in collaboration with other City departments and community partners.
Transit Oriented Development
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an intentional mixing of land use and transit through the creation of compact, walkable, mixed-use communities within walking distance of a transit stop or station. The Transit Oriented Development page provides TOD principles to explain their use and intention as a tool.