Does Houston have zoning?
No. The City of Houston Planning and Development Department states that the city does not have zoning. It also states that city codes do not address land use. Houston regulates how land is divided and built on, not what it is used for.
What does Houston use instead of zoning?
Several separate tools shape development in the city:
- Deed restrictions. These are private agreements recorded in county property records. They often limit a subdivision to residential use. The city helps enforce them. See How do deed restrictions work in Houston?
- Chapter 42. Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances is the city’s land development ordinance. It covers subdivisions, development and platting.
- Site plan review. Reviewers check new buildings, additions and remodels for lot size, building setbacks, parking and landscaping.
- Special minimum lot size and building line designations. Neighborhoods can request these to limit how small new lots can be and how close new homes can sit to the street.
- Historic districts. The Houston Office of Preservation oversees the creation of historic districts and landmarks.
How does Chapter 42 work?
The Planning Commission reviews subdivision plats under Chapter 42. Staff check for proper land division, adequate streets or rights-of-way, and building lines. The department states that if a plat meets all the rules under Chapter 42, the Commission shall approve it. A variance is a Commission-approved deviation from Chapter 42 standards.
How do minimum lot size and building line areas work?
These designations are neighborhood-initiated. A special minimum lot size is based on the smallest lot size met by at least 70 percent of properties in the application area. A special minimum building line is based on the front setback met by at least 70 percent of homes. In city-designated historic districts, the threshold is 60 percent. A special minimum lot size area must cover at least five contiguous blocks. Designations have an approval period and can be renewed before they expire.
What do historic districts add?
A certificate of appropriateness is required for new construction, demolition or alterations to historic structures in a designated district. As of January 2026, the Office of Preservation reported 23 historic districts in the city.
What role does the city play in deed restrictions?
The state legislature and City Council authorized the city to help enforce recorded deed restrictions. The Legal Department can seek injunctions for violations that began after August 1965. Any Houston resident, neighborhood group or civic club may file a complaint, and the city charges no fee.
Do these rules apply outside city limits?
The city reviews plats in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), an area extending about five miles beyond the city limits. Property in the ETJ is not subject to the city’s permitting and building inspection regulations. See Who issues building permits in unincorporated Harris County?