Dallas, October 6, 2025
News Summary
The City of Dallas is revamping its zoning code for the first time in decades to enhance housing supply, support sustainable growth, and improve transparency in development. The Dallas Housing Coalition is facilitating community engagement through a Zoning 101 Community Talk series, gathering input from residents on zoning issues. Key concerns include preserving neighborhood character and simplifying rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. The anticipated adoption for the revised zoning code is expected by late 2026 or early 2027, as public meetings and educational sessions continue.
Dallas
The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades. City leaders and planning partners say the overhaul is intended to increase housing supply, support sustainable growth, and make the development process more transparent for residents and developers.
What’s happening now
The goal is to boost housing supply, support sustainable growth, and enhance transparency in the development process. The effort includes public engagement, an educational listening series, and a multi-year drafting and approval process led by city staff and outside planners. The city is anticipating a lengthy approval process for the zoning reform, with the first briefing by the City Council scheduled for Wednesday. The anticipated adoption date for the new zoning code is expected to be late 2026 or early 2027.
Community engagement and events
The Dallas Housing Coalition is facilitating community engagement to ensure residents are informed and their voices are heard. A Zoning 101 Community Talk series will be held across Dallas, facilitated by Desiree “Dee” Powell and co-facilitated by Jennifer Rangel. The events are free, open to the public, and will run from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, with check-in starting at 5:30 PM. One of the event locations is the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation at 7110 Holly Hill Dr, Dallas, TX 7523.
Public meetings have already taken place to gather city residents’ input on the proposed changes to the zoning framework. More than 500 individuals have engaged with the city regarding zoning reform through meetings and online feedback. Future educational listening series sessions on zoning reform are scheduled for September 9, 11, and 16.
Key issues raised and proposed changes
Key concerns raised by residents include the preservation of single-family neighborhood character, transparency, proximity of industrial zones to residential areas, and simplified rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). To address housing shortages, the city aims to reform zoning by allowing for more varied housing types in residential areas, such as duplexes and triplexes. A community-centered communication approach is being developed to explain how zoning reform affects residents’ daily lives.
Currently, single-family zoning constitutes 51% of zoned acres in Dallas, while only 8-9% allow multifamily housing by right. Factors contributing to the housing crisis include high interest rates and limited supply, pushing many residents out of the market. The Dallas zoning overhaul is part of a broader trend at the state level to boost housing stock and streamline development processes.
Who is leading the technical work
The Dallas Planning & Development Department, alongside Camiros, an urban planning firm, is overseeing the zoning code reform effort. Zoning expert Sara Bronin is collaborating with the Dallas Housing Coalition during a book tour to discuss the implications of zoning on housing. The reform aims to simplify the existing code, making it more navigable and effective for meeting the city’s evolving needs.
Next steps and timeline
City staff and planning partners will continue outreach and technical drafting over the coming months. The city is anticipating a lengthy approval process for the zoning reform, and officials expect the anticipated adoption date for the new zoning code is expected to be late 2026 or early 2027. Meanwhile, the Zoning 101 Community Talk series and additional listening sessions will continue to gather resident feedback and provide information on proposed changes.
FAQ
What is the City doing?
The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades.
What is the goal of the rewrite?
The goal is to boost housing supply, support sustainable growth, and enhance transparency in the development process.
Who is facilitating community engagement?
The Dallas Housing Coalition is facilitating community engagement to ensure residents are informed and their voices are heard.
What is the Zoning 101 Community Talk series?
A Zoning 101 Community Talk series will be held across Dallas, facilitated by Desiree “Dee” Powell and co-facilitated by Jennifer Rangel.
When and where are the events?
The events are free, open to the public, and will run from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, with check-in starting at 5:30 PM.
Can you give an example of an event location?
One of the event locations is the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation at 7110 Holly Hill Dr, Dallas, TX 7523.
Has the city already held meetings?
Public meetings have already taken place to gather city residents’ input on the proposed changes to the zoning framework.
How many people have engaged so far?
More than 500 individuals have engaged with the city regarding zoning reform through meetings and online feedback.
What concerns have residents raised?
Key concerns raised by residents include the preservation of single-family neighborhood character, transparency, proximity of industrial zones to residential areas, and simplified rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
What does the city aim to change about housing types?
The city aims to reform zoning by allowing for more varied housing types in residential areas, such as duplexes and triplexes.
Who is overseeing the reform effort?
The Dallas Planning & Development Department, alongside Camiros, an urban planning firm, is overseeing the zoning code reform effort.
What are the current zoning percentages?
Currently, single-family zoning constitutes 51% of zoned acres in Dallas, while only 8-9% allow multifamily housing by right.
When is the new code expected to be adopted?
The anticipated adoption date for the new zoning code is expected to be late 2026 or early 2027.
What broader factors are influencing the housing crisis?
Factors contributing to the housing crisis include high interest rates and limited supply, pushing many residents out of the market.
Is this reform connected to broader trends?
The Dallas zoning overhaul is part of a broader trend at the state level to boost housing stock and streamline development processes.
Are there upcoming listening sessions?
Future educational listening series sessions on zoning reform are scheduled for September 9, 11, and 16.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project scope | The City of Dallas is rewriting its zoning code for the first time in decades. |
| Main goals | The goal is to boost housing supply, support sustainable growth, and enhance transparency in the development process. |
| Community facilitator | The Dallas Housing Coalition is facilitating community engagement to ensure residents are informed and their voices are heard. |
| Event series | A Zoning 101 Community Talk series will be held across Dallas, facilitated by Desiree “Dee” Powell and co-facilitated by Jennifer Rangel. |
| Event schedule | The events are free, open to the public, and will run from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, with check-in starting at 5:30 PM. |
| Example location | One of the event locations is the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation at 7110 Holly Hill Dr, Dallas, TX 7523. |
| Engagement to date | More than 500 individuals have engaged with the city regarding zoning reform through meetings and online feedback. |
| Expected adoption | The anticipated adoption date for the new zoning code is expected to be late 2026 or early 2027. |
| Current zoning | Currently, single-family zoning constitutes 51% of zoned acres in Dallas, while only 8-9% allow multifamily housing by right. |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Dallas Zoning Reform and Housing Affordability Growth
- Wikipedia: Zoning
- Candy’s Dirt: Dallas City Council Zoning Reform
- Google Search: Dallas Zoning Reform
- Dallas News: Get Involved in Dallas Zoning Reform
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Zoning
- Culture Map: Dallas Zoning Reform
- Google Scholar: Dallas Zoning Reform
- Candy’s Dirt: Dallas Takes Its First Swing at Zoning Reform
- Google News: Dallas Zoning Reform
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