Summary of Adopted Changes

HOME Phase 2, Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD Overlay), Citywide Compatibility, and Electric Vehicle Charging code amendments were approved by City Council at the May 16th, 2024 meeting. See below for a summary of the adopted changes and the adopted ordinances. 

HOME Phase 2

  • Lower the minimum lot size for small lot single-family from 5,750 sq ft to 1,800 sq ft for properties zoned SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3 

  • Adjust development standards for small lots on properties zoned SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3:  

    • Set maximum unit size for small lots within the "McMansion" area  

    • Reduce the minimum lot width to 15 ft  

    • Create design standards for driveways, front yards, and garage placement  

    • Remove Residential Design and Compatibility (i.e., McMansion or Subchapter F) standards for small lots  

    • Allow for attached and detached units on small lots and remove setbacks between new small lots 

    • Maintain current impervious cover limits 

  • Adjust flag lot regulations, including minimum width requirements, to facilitate easier subdivision for properties with between one and three dwelling units 

Click to view the HOME Phase 2 adopted ordinance. 

Click to view the HOME Phase 2 project webpage.

Click to view the Development Services Department's HOME Amendments webpage

Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay

  • Create two combining districts:  

    • ETOD Overlay combining district (ETOD) restricts certain non-transit supportive uses  

    • ETOD Density Bonus District (DBETOD) creates an optional density bonus program that includes development-related incentives and community benefit requirements, including affordable housing and protections for certain residents and businesses 

  • Rezone certain lots with ½ mile of the Phase 1 Austin Light Rail alignment and priority extensions to ETOD and DBETOD 

  • DBETOD Density Bonus District adopted changes include:  

    • Establish requirements for developments to provide income-restricted affordable housing or a fee-in-lieu, with different tiers of affordability requirements based on the total height (i.e., 60', 90', or 120' tall) of the new building. 

    • Require ground-floor commercial space or civic spaces and set design standards  

    • Allow buildings 120’ tall within a ¼ mile of the future light rail line, and buildings 90’ tall between ¼ and ½-mile of the light rail line 

    • Allow less restrictive compatibility height limits and modify/supersede other site development standards that limit housing capacity 

    • Require the replacement of existing market-rate and income-restricted affordable housing and certain kinds of commercial space 

    • Allow residential units in all base zones  

Click to view the ETOD Overlay info sheet.

Click to view the ETOD Overlay and ETOD rezoning adopted ordinances.

Click to view the ETOD Overlay project webpage

Citywide Compatibility

  • End compatibility at 75' of distance from a single-family home compared to the previous 540’ of distance  

  • Allow more height and flexibility within 75' of a single-family home 

  • Limit which properties trigger compatibility to those zoned single-family (SF-5 and more restrictive) with 1-3 homes 

  • Exempt lower-intensity multifamily zones from compatibility 

  • Require a landscape buffer between single-family homes and larger buildings  

  • Exempt lower-intensity commercial and office zones from the landscape buffer requirement 

  • Require additional screening for certain objects, including mechanical equipment 

Click to view the Compatibility info sheet.

Click to view the Citywide Compatibility and Compatibility Buffer adopted ordinances. 

Click to view the Compatibility project webpage

Electric Vehicle Charging

  • Create an Electric Vehicle Charging (EV Charging) use so that an entire property can be used for EV charging 

  • Allow EV Charging use in higher-intensity commercial and industrial zones along certain types of roadways or on sites with existing gas stations 

  • Require a conditional use permit for EV Charging on larger properties abutting core and future core transit corridors and urban roadways to prevent concentrations within activated areas 

Click to view the Electric Vehicle Charging info sheet

Click to view the Electric Vehicle Charging project webpage

Click to view the Electric Vehicle Charging adopted ordinance


Contact Information

Email: LDCupdates@austintexas.gov 

Call: 512-974-7220

Public Hearing Information and Timeline

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Joint City Council and Planning Commission Public Hearing

When: Thursday, April 11 at 9 a.m.

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street 

Video: Watch a Recording of the Joint Meeting

 

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Open House #1 (In-Person)

When: Wednesday, April 17 from 6-8 p.m.

Where: Central Library, 710 Cesar Chavez Street

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Open House #2 (Virtual)

When: Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-noon

Video: Watch a Recording of the Virtual Open House

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Joint Housing and Planning Committee and Mobility Committee Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 23 at 1 p.m. 

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street

Video: Watch a Recording of the Joint Housing and Planning and Mobility Committees

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Planning Commission Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 23 at 4 p.m.

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street

Video: Watch a Recording of the Planning Commission Meeting

Amendments on Agenda:

  • Citywide Compatibility
  • HOME Phase 2
  • Electric Vehicle Charging

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City Council Work Session

When: Tuesday, April 30 at 9 a.m.

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street

Video: Watch a Recording of the Work Session

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Planning Commission Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 30 at 4 p.m. 

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street 

Video: Watch a Recording of the Planning Commission Meeting 

Amendment on Agenda:

  • Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay
  • Downtown Parking

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Open House #3 (In-Person)

When: Monday, May 6 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Where: Anderson High School8403 Mesa Dr., 78759

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Open House #4 (In-Person)

When: Wednesday, May 8 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Where: George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St., 78702

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City Council Work Session

When: Tuesday, May 14 at 9 a.m. 

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street 

Video: Watch a Recording of the Work Session

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City Council Meeting

When: Thursday, May 16 at 10 a.m. 

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street 

Video: Watch a Recording of the City Council Meeting