Zoning
Zoning is a municipality's regulation of land uses and associated development. The City of Gainesville has many zoning districts, each with its own requirements and allowed uses. Development plans must comply with the land use regulations contained within Appendix A: Zoning of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances.
Zoning restrictions ensure safer neighborhoods, more attractive business development, well-designed communities, and are the primary means of protecting Gainesville's long-range tax base. The State of Texas delegates the authority and power to zone land to municipalities via Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Contacting the Community Development Department is the first step if one desires to change the zoning on a tract of land. State law strictly governs the rezoning process through a series of legal notices, public hearings, and conformance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Factors influencing the outcome may also include compatibility with adjacent zoning districts, proposed land uses, recent zoning trends, adopted development policies, the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission, and other relevant factors.