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Unified Development Code
Purpose and Goals
A Zoning Ordinance says how a piece of land can be used. A Subdivision Ordinance says how a piece of land can be divided into smaller pieces or combined into larger pieces.
These two sets of rules determine the shape of the city and what individuals can do with their property.
The City of Irving is working to combine these two sets of rules into a single Unified Development Code.
Updating the land use regulations in this way will help the City of Irving implement the community vision set forth in the Imagine Irving Comprehensive Plan.
Imagine Irving Goals
The Imagine Irving Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2017. This plan defines a shared vision for the city's future that can only be achieved by taking deliberate action.
Among other things, the plan encourages the City to:
"Focus development and redevelopment efforts on creating well-designed centers."
"Widen the range of housing and employment choices by encouraging creation of dense mixed-use developments."
"Remove barriers to infill construction and encourage reinvestment in aging neighborhoods and nonresidential areas."
"Preserve and develop appropriate real estate options to meet the needs of current and prospective businesses and ensure that adequate land exists for a variety of uses."
Imagine Irving's Plan Summary, Page 24
These objectives became the major goals set forth in the Land Use and Urban Design chapter. But to achieve these objectives, the city must develop the correct tools to enact the first goal of this chapter: "Ensure land use decisions are consistent with the adopted Imagine Irving Comprehensive Plan."
The existing Zoning and Subdivision regulations need to be updated in order to ensure strategic goals can be attained.
Irving's existing Zoning Ordinance was initially adopted in 1964, and it has been amended many times.
- There are new types of land use not addressed by the current ordinance.
- The ordinance is difficult for infrequent users to understand.
- It can be improved by adding clear charts, tables and illustrations.
- Updates are needed to address the mixed use properties and other new ideas proposed in the Imagine Irving Comprehensive Plan.
The existing Subdivision Ordinance was adopted in 1963, and it has been amended three times since adoption.
- The current Subdivision Ordinance's processes must be updated to reflect current state law.
- It contains sections that are in conflict with the Zoning Ordinance.
A Unified Development Code:
- Will share a common definition section.
- Can combine issues, such as landscaping and setback discussions, into a single set of rules.
- Place all related regulations into a single ordinance, eliminating duplication of resources.
Zoning Topics
Scope of Work
- Review the trends and best practices of other cities that are meeting the changing market demands and development needs of their communities.
- Check for compliance with existing state law.
- Combine Zoning and Subdivision ordinances into a Unified Development Code to improve consistency of regulations and definitions.
- Define specific zoning districts that will provide greater predictability for property owners and neighbors.
- Add illustrations and exhibits that help demonstrate the intent of regulations and make the rules easier for ordinary property owners to understand.
Specific Areas of Concern
- Definitions: Add new land uses that do not appear in the current Zoning Ordinance, and consolidate the various definition sections in the ordinance.
- Parking: Commuting patterns, retail use and workforce requirements have changed over time, but the city's minimum parking standards have not.
- Home-based businesses: The internet has revolutionized how people work, but it is not reflected in how the city regulates businesses.
- Housing innovation: New housing types are available that meet community needs, but they are not addressed by existing ordinances.
- Mixed-use districts: Creating ways for people to safely and comfortably live near work opens new opportunities for community growth.
- Flexible predictability: Create flexible districts and remove variance requests for unusual lots from the political process.
Subdivision Topics
Scope of Work
- Review of trends and best practices of other cities that are meeting the changing regulatory requirements.
- Update the process to comply with current state laws and review period constraints.
- Update submittal requirements to reflect changes in technology.
- Combine Zoning and Subdivision ordinances into a Unified Development Code to improve consistency of regulations and definitions.
- Add illustrations and exhibits that help demonstrate the intent of regulations and make the rules easier for ordinary property owners to understand
Specific Areas of Concern
- Definitions: Clean up and consolidate with the Zoning Ordinance definitions for internal consistency.
- Add a “Lot of Record” provision that better defines what is considered a legally recognized parcel of land.
- Add the options and standards for a “Conveyance Plat,” which will allow land to be subdivided and sold without requiring the level of detail necessary when platting for immediate development.
- Update the process for approving private streets.
- Clarify street naming and the name change process, as well as its application to private streets.
Irving's Planning Department is responsible for researching, drafting and updating the current Zoning and Subdivision ordinances and then crafting them into a Unified Development Code. Residents and business owners are invited to participate in the work, helping build a new ordinance that is easy to understand and serves the community’s needs.
The City of Irving invites interested stakeholders to participate by:
- Reviewing the proposed changes to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.
- Ensuring these changes will help implement the Imagine Irving Comprehensive Plan.
- Taking the Zoning and Subdivision Process Survey.
- Joining the New Zoning Ordinance email notification list. Sign in with your email address and select "New Zoning Ordinance Updates" under Notify Me by clicking on the envelope icon.