Dallas, October 2, 2025
News Summary
The City of Dallas is embarking on a major overhaul of its zoning code for the first time in decades. City officials and community organizations, led by the Dallas Housing Coalition, are hosting a series of public engagement events to gather feedback and inform residents about the upcoming changes. The initiative aims to simplify the development process, allowing for more varied housing types and mixed-use developments to enhance affordability and sustainability. Public meetings have already engaged over 500 residents, with more opportunities for input scheduled throughout the reform process.
Dallas — The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades. City officials and community organizers have launched a public engagement series to explain the changes, collect feedback and build consensus as officials move through a multi-year review and approval process.
What’s happening now
The Dallas Housing Coalition is spearheading efforts to ensure communities are informed and engaged in the zoning reform process. A Zoning 101 Community Talk is scheduled to run from 6 PM to 7:30 PM with check-in starting at 5:30 PM. The event venue is the Wesley-Rankin Community Center “Casa Feliz” Building, located at 3107 N. Winnetka Ave., Dallas, TX 75212. The event is free and open to the public.
The series aims to discuss the future of Dallas and gather community feedback on zoning topics. In conjunction with the community talks, an educational listening series is planned for September 9, 11, and 16. Public meetings and opportunities for feedback have engaged over 500 residents, either through in-person attendance or online input.
Why the rewrite and key goals
The city’s zoning reform initiative seeks to simplify the existing development code and implement ForwardDallas 2.0, which includes allowing more types of housing (ADUs, duplexes, triplexes) and fostering mixed-use developments. The reform effort also aims to make the development process more transparent and conducive to sustainable growth.
Currently, 51% of zoned acres in Dallas are designated for single-family housing, while only 8-9% are allowed for multi-family housing by right. The rewrite seeks to rebalance those allowances to support greater housing variety and improved affordability across neighborhoods.
Process, timeline and oversight
The Dallas City Council will receive its first briefing on zoning reform on Wednesday, marking a step in a lengthy approval process. The anticipated adoption date for the revised zoning code is late 2026 or early 2027. The reform process is being managed in collaboration with Camiros, an urban planning firm based in Chicago. Dallas Deputy Director of Planning & Development Andreea Udrea aims to clarify the development code to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles.
Community concerns and expert perspective
Concerns being voiced by residents include neighborhood character, proximity of industrial zones to residential areas, and zoning for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Community meetings are intended to surface those issues so they can be addressed in code language, zoning maps and implementation strategies.
Sara Bronin, an author and zoning expert, emphasizes the need for zoning flexibility and the benefits of allowing multi-family housing in traditionally single-family zones. City staff and consultants plan to use public feedback to refine proposals, test alternatives, and explain trade-offs before formal council votes.
How to participate
Community members can learn more and provide feedback at DallasZoningReform.com. The public engagement series includes neighborhood talks, an educational listening series on September 9, 11, and 16, and ongoing online input opportunities. Officials describe outreach as a core tool to build trust and increase understanding of zoning reform among residents.
Immediate next steps
- Attend the Zoning 101 Community Talk (check-in 5:30 PM; program 6 PM–7:30 PM) at Wesley-Rankin Community Center “Casa Feliz” Building, 3107 N. Winnetka Ave., Dallas, TX 75212.
- Join the educational listening series on September 9, 11, and 16.
- Visit DallasZoningReform.com to read materials and submit feedback online.
Background context
Dallas has relied on an existing development code for decades. City leaders and planners describe the current process as complex and in need of modernization to reflect housing demand, changing household types and sustainability goals. By linking the code rewrite to ForwardDallas 2.0, the city hopes to align land use rules with broader policy aims, including more housing choices, mixed-use corridors and clearer administrative procedures.
FAQ
What is the core change announced?
The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades.
Who is leading community engagement?
The Dallas Housing Coalition is spearheading efforts to ensure communities are informed and engaged in the zoning reform process.
When and where is the Zoning 101 Community Talk?
A Zoning 101 Community Talk is scheduled to run from 6 PM to 7:30 PM with check-in starting at 5:30 PM.
Where is the event being held?
The event venue is the Wesley-Rankin Community Center “Casa Feliz” Building, located at 3107 N. Winnetka Ave., Dallas, TX 75212.
Is there a cost to attend?
The event is free and open to the public.
What other engagement activities are planned?
In conjunction with the community talks, an educational listening series is planned for September 9, 11, and 16.
How many residents have participated so far?
Public meetings and opportunities for feedback have engaged over 500 residents, either through in-person attendance or online input.
What is the timeline for approval?
The Dallas City Council will receive its first briefing on zoning reform on Wednesday, marking a step in a lengthy approval process. The anticipated adoption date for the revised zoning code is late 2026 or early 2027.
What are some numerical measures of current zoning?
Currently, 51% of zoned acres in Dallas are designated for single-family housing, while only 8-9% are allowed for multi-family housing by right.
Who is managing the reform process?
The reform process is being managed in collaboration with Camiros, an urban planning firm based in Chicago.
How can residents learn more or provide feedback?
Community members can learn more and provide feedback at DallasZoningReform.com.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Code rewrite | The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades. |
| Public engagement lead | The Dallas Housing Coalition is spearheading efforts to ensure communities are informed and engaged in the zoning reform process. |
| Primary goals | The city’s zoning reform initiative seeks to simplify the existing development code and implement ForwardDallas 2.0, which includes allowing more types of housing (ADUs, duplexes, triplexes) and fostering mixed-use developments. |
| Current zoning distribution | Currently, 51% of zoned acres in Dallas are designated for single-family housing, while only 8-9% are allowed for multi-family housing by right. |
| Management | The reform process is being managed in collaboration with Camiros, an urban planning firm based in Chicago. |
| Timeline | The anticipated adoption date for the revised zoning code is late 2026 or early 2027. |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News Event
- CBS News: Dallas Zoning Reform
- Candy’s Dirt: City Council Zoning Reform
- Wikipedia: Zoning
- Planetizen: Dallas Code Reform
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