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Zoning Changes and Application Process

Every proposal to change the regulations of the zoning ordinance or the boundaries of a zoning district must be presented to the Zoning Commission and approved by City Council. To initiate this process, an application is filed with the Planning and Development Department and payment is made of the appropriate filing fee. The application is made by the owner of the property or an authorized agent, or may be initiated by the City of Fort Worth.
 
Before land in the city of Fort Worth can be developed, it must be properly zoned and platted. Land outside the city limits but within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is subject to platting, but not to zoning. 

Zoning Commission meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month.

  • Workshop at 9:00 a.m.
  • Meeting begins at 10:00 with a break for lunch from 12:00-1:00

Council meetings when zoning cases are typically heard are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Meetings are at City Hall in the Council Chambers, Second Floor on the north end of the building

Who Can Apply for the Zoning Change?

A change of Zoning District may be proposed only by: 1) the owner of the property involved, or 2) a person having written authorization to represent and act on behalf of the owner. Where large areas or extensive ownership entities are involved, an application also may be filed by the city’s Department of Development upon recommendation of the Zoning Commission, Plan Commission, or Board of Adjustments or the City Council. 

1.  Owner Initiated Zoning Changes

Property owners may initiate a rezoning request at any time by filing an application with the Planning and Development Department.  If you have questions concerning the future land use designation of your property or on the appropriate zoning district for which to apply, please contact the Planning and Development Department Zoning Staff by calling 817-392-8028.  The process and timeline for zoning changes may be found below. 

2.  City Initiated Zoning Changes

  •    Petition-Based Zoning Changes

The City Council adopted a policy whereby the City – at the request of affected property owners – could initiate changes in zoning that are consistent with the future land uses in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Under these procedures, the City will initiate a zoning change after receiving a valid petition signed by property owners representing 50 percent or more of the parcels to be rezoned and 50 percent or more of the land area to be rezoned.

Planning and Development staff meets with the interested neighborhood in an informational meeting to: 1) review the existing zoning in the proposed petition area, 2) verify that the requested zoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and 3) review the requirements for the petition to be valid. After receipt of the petition, staff verifies that the petition signatures represent 50 percent of the parcels and 50 percent of the land area within the petition boundaries according to the most recent Tarrant Appraisal District records. Staff notifies the neighborhood representatives that the petition is valid.  A second neighborhood meeting to announce the results of the petition is held.  Staff then prepares the zoning application for zoning change and the case is reviewed and processed for the next available Zoning Commission Hearing.

  • Council Initiated Zoning Changes

From time to time, Council members Any interested Council member may request that the City Manager prepare a Mayor and Council communication (M&C) authorizing the City Manager to initiate one or more specific zoning changes. Planning staff verifies that the proposed changes are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, accompanies the City Council member at an informational meeting held in or near the area to be considered for rezoning, and briefs the full City Council on the proposed zoning changes at an appropriate pre-Council meeting. If the City Council indicates that it wishes to initiate the proposed zoning changes, then the City Manager places an appropriate M&C on the next regular City Council agenda. After the City Council approves the M&C, City staff prepares an appropriate rezoning application and schedules the case for the next available Zoning Commission public hearing.

Steps in the Process

Application and Fees

 

 



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