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1. What is the Planning Department?

The Planning Department, oversees the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan (which expresses the shared community vision for the future of the city, and directs community action towards achieving that vision) and other plans for specific neighborhoods such as the Las Colinas Urban Center and Heritage Crossing. The Planning Department also works with land owners, residents and builders on the development of properties through administration of the Zoning Ordinance (which defines how property can be used) and Subdivision/Platting Regulations (which govern dividing or combining property for sale or construction), and for administering beautification programs for businesses along major corridors such as Irving Boulevard and a home improvement program for houses in the Hospital District and Austin Heights. This team also maintains statistical information about Irving including population, demographics, housing, employment and other data.

The Planning Department works closely with the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is a board made up of volunteers who advise City Council on land use related decisions. More information about this board can be found on the City Secretary’s website.

2. Do I need a permit to do any type of construction on my property?

Zoning regulations pertain to land use, and where on a lot a structure may be placed. Actual regulation of the construction process is handled through the Permits Team in the Inspections Department. If one is planning to do any type of construction, demolition, foundation repair, electrical work, mechanical work, plumbing work, irrigation, fences, signs, fire alarms, house moving, carnivals/circuses, swimming pools, gas wells, garage sales, tree removal, addition to an existing structure, etc. they should call the Permits Team at (972) 721-2371 to find out if a permit is needed. This number will direct the caller through a series of menus and to the correct member of that team.

3. What is the zoning of my property?

• For quick reference purposes, you may look up the zoning for your property by connecting to the interactive Web map. Type your address in the box in the top left side of the screen and hit enter, or zoom into your property if the address is not found. Then look at the symbols on the top right corner of the screen and click on the one that looks like three squares stacked on top of each other. This will open up a "layers list." Check the box next to "Planning and Zoning", and the map should change colors and a zoning label should appear. Also, you may now click on the map, and the zoning information for any given parcel should appear in a text box. 
• "Case Number," "Class" and "Use" are the three pieces of information you may need to figure out allowable uses for a site. Class indicates the zoning district, and Case Number can help city staff look up details of the property if the Zone involves any sort of site plan. Use is a quick reference code for site plan districts. If you click the arrow next to the Planning and Zoning layer box, you can see that there are other layers of information that could be shown in the map, such as Overlay Districts. It is easiest to have only one subcategory displayed at a time. Call (972) 721-2424 if you need assistance with this.
• To find out details about what uses are allowed on your property, please view the Municode or call us at (972) 721-2424.
• To receive official verification of your property’s zoning, please submit a  zoning verification request along with a payment of $50 per parcel you are researching. The request may be submitted by fax, but a verification letter will not be sent until payment has been received.

4. What is the process to apply for a zoning verification letter?

It typically takes 5 business days or less to receive a zoning verification letter by may take up to 10 days. A fee of $50 is required. Please apply through MGO: https://www.mgoconnect.org/auth/cplogin.

5. Is my property zoned to sell beer and wine?

Property zoned for retail sales and which meets the separation requirements from schools, churches, and hospitals are potentially able to sell beer and wine.

6. Can I change the zoning of my property?

The zoning on a specific piece of property can change only through the public hearing process according to state law which allows public participation from the applicant, interested citizens, and public officials. While a property owner may request the zoning of a piece of land be changed, the whether or not to make such a change is the final decision of the City Council. More information may be found here: https://www.cityofirving.org/815/Applications-Forms.

7. How do I report zoning violations?

To report zoning violations, please contact the City of Irving Code Enforcement Department at (972) 721-4829.

8. Can I do business out of my home?

If your business meets the definition of a customary home occupation in (item 41in Chapter 9, Section 9.3 of the Unified Development Code), generates no unusual traffic, uses no on-site employees, and does not create a nuisance for adjoining property owners, then yes.

The definition reads:

Customary home occupation shall mean an occupation customarily carried on in the home by a member of the occupant’s family without structural alteration in the building or any of its rooms and without the installation of machinery other than that customary to normal household operation or additional equipment, provided that no person other than a member of the family of the owner or user of the principal single-family dwelling shall be employed or work in or at such home occupation. A customary home occupation shall not include the physical or medical treatment of persons or animals, professional services, business services, barber shops, beauty shops, dance studios, carpenter shops, electrical shops, plumber shops, radio shops, auto repairing or painting, furniture repairing or sign painting.

9. What are the regulations for accessory buildings?

Requirements vary with each individual zoning district and type of accessory structure. Chapter 3, Section 3.1 of the Unified Development Code describes some of the regulations - generally building separation, height and setback requirements apply.  You may contact the Planning Department at Planning@CityofIrving.org or (972)721-2424 if you need information concerning the restrictions on your particular property. 

10. Can I have a guest quarters on my property?

In order to add guest quarters as an accessory structure, one must request a zoning change for site plan zoning allowing the construction of the guest quarters. The owners of all properties within 200-ft of your site will be notified of your request and be permitted to speak at the City Council public hearing either in support or opposition to your request. After hearing your request and the concerns of interested parties, City Council will determine whether a guest quarters should be allowed on your property or not.

11. Can I build a carport on my property?

In order to build a carport that is visible from any public right of way, one must request a zoning change for site plan zoning to allow the construction of a carport. The owners of all properties within 200-ft of your site will be notified of your request and be permitted to speak at the City Council public hearing either in support or opposition to your request. After hearing your request and the concerns of interested parties, City Council will determine whether a carport should be allowed on your property or not. If the proposed carport is not visible from the right of way, it must comply with all remaining guidelines from Chapter 3, Section 3.1 of the Unified Development Code..

12. Is my property platted?

For quick reference purposes, you may connect to the interactive Web map and zoom into your property. Once zoomed in closely enough, check the “subdivision” box on the right side of the map and click the “query a point” button on top of the map. Then click on your property and scroll to the bottom of the page. You should see a “site report” with sections indicating zoning, tax and subdivision information among other things. If there is an entry for the row titled “subdivision name” then it is likely that your property is platted. If you need to see a copy of the plat, then write down the Subdivision Name and Index Number to assist us in finding a copy of it for you.

13. How do I obtain a copy of a plat or a property survey?

Plats are recorded and maintained by the Dallas County Clerk's Office. Official and Unofficial copies may be requested from the County. Copies of subdivision plats may also be obtained through the City of Irving Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Department at (972) 721-2768 or email.  These copies can be delivered electronically at no charge or hard copies can be made at $3 per sheet.  

The city does not have copies of individual property surveys. These typically are found in your mortgage or deed records, or you can hire a registered surveyor to complete a survey of your property.

14. What is the process of rezoning / platting?

• Fill out and submit your application form along with the stated number of copies of any site plan or plat, and your non-refundable application fee.
• Your request will then be assigned to a city planner / case manager who will guide the application through the rest of the process.
• The planner will present your case at a multidepartmental Technical Review Committee meeting so that all elements of the city government in charge of providing services or reviewing the design of a property can make comments.
• Technical Review Committee comments will be sent to you so that you can make any necessary revisions to your proposal.
• Once all revisions have been made and the concerns of staff have been addressed, the case will be scheduled for public hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission. All property owners within 200 feet of a zoning case will be notified of your request and be permitted to speak at the public hearing. Residential replats also require public notice to be sent out.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear your case and make a recommendation of approval or denial of zoning cases for City Council. With plats, the Planning and Zoning Commission has the authority to approve or deny the request.
• Zoning cases moving forward to City Council’s consideration are identified in a Notice of Public Hearing published in a local newspaper 15 days prior to the public hearing. In addition, the applicant must post signs on the property identifying the nature of the request.
• If City Council approves a zoning change, then an ordinance is prepared indicating the change in zoning for that property. If City Council denies the zoning change request, then the zoning remains unchanged and the case is considered closed.
• Typically, a zoning change takes approximately 60 days to process from receipt of application to the final City Council decision. In some cases, the process may take longer.

15. Where can I find samples of the standardized language that is required on a plat?

The Planning Department maintains standard language for subdivision plats, such as signature blocks, navigation easements, owner’s certificate, and standard plat notes. If you need further assistance, please contact the department at Planning@CityofIrving.org or (972) 721-2424.