One of the biggest factors in the land purchase and home-building process is zoning. Zoning laws govern the use of land in a given area. These laws regulate and determine the structures that can be built and those that are prohibited in particular areas within Texas.
If you want to know what you can build on your vacant land, you’ll need to understand zoning impacts on building restrictions. Keep reading to learn how the Texas zoning laws can affect your building plans and how you can navigate the requirements stress-free with SRC Land.
What is Zoning?
Under the Texas Local Government Code, each local government has the authority to create its own zoning laws and land use regulations. This freedom allows the county or municipal zoning authority to maintain an orderly city pattern and makes it easy to identify the types of buildings that can be constructed in different areas. Zoning typically means two things:
- The method by which land is divided and used for different purposes
- The laws and regulations that govern the various land uses
Zoning ordinances can dictate things like the appearance and amenities of a building, such as the existence of parking or adequate light, and they can also regulate what types of buildings can be built. For example, some parts of the city might be zoned for apartment buildings, others for offices, and some for restaurants and warehouses.
These restrictions help improve living conditions, roadway congestion, and overall city functionality. While individual property owners lose some land-related rights due to zoning, the community gains protection and rights to govern their space.
When local zoning laws change, previously existing locations may face new regulations and development costs. Depending on the system of zoning used, you may be able to seek zoning changes through a public hearing. Zoning changes can raise construction prices and changes to the character of existing neighborhoods.
What Can You Build on Your Own Land?
When choosing your building site, finding land with the right zoning is key. Generally, zoning areas are divided into categories based on their purposes. These zoning classifications include residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Here’s a brief overview of the different types of construction that can happen in each zone:
What Can You Build on Residential Land?
Residential land is set apart for people to build their homes and other buildings they intend to live in. Existing zoning regulations ensure that the land is used correctly and people live comfortably in their neighborhoods by permitting buildings like:
- Apartment buildings
- Single-family residences (SFR)
- Duplexes
- Condominiums
- Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
- Trailer park homes
- Suburban homesteads (SH)
Generally, residential zoning laws prohibit home-based businesses from operating in these areas. These restrictions help to control noise levels and encourage the use of community spaces. However, some laws may allow these businesses to operate on residential land, depending on the type of business and the operating hours.
What Can You Build on Commercial Land?
Commercial land is set aside for business operations and other commercial purposes. This area is zoned according to factors like the type of business, the number of clients, and parking requirements. Here are some structures that can be constructed on commercial land:
- Office buildings
- Department stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Warehouses
- Nursing homes
- Resorts
What Can You Build on Agricultural Land?
Agricultural land is zoned to make sure that there is adequate land for agricultural activities like farming and ranching. Here are some of the structures that are permitted on agricultural land:
- Barns
- Farmhouses
- Livestock shelters
- Poultry coops
- Equipment storage
- Hay and feed storage
- Riding arenas
What Can You Build on Industrial Land?
Industrial land is used for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution activities. Texas industrial zoning laws regulate economic development and provide environmental protection from these activities. Some of the buildings allowed on this land include:
- Factories
- Storage facilities
- Manufacturing plants
- Research facilities
- Warehouses
- Industrial parks
- Distribution centers
Other Factors Affecting What You Can Build on Your Own Lot
Zoning is just one of the many important questions at play when it comes to choosing the right property for your specific project. A few other central considerations include:
- Building Codes – Along with zoning, one of the biggest factors in what you can build on your property is local building codes and your access to required building permits. While zoning restricts the type of structure that can be built based on use, building codes dictate details of the structure to ensure safety.
- Utility Access – While buying raw land might be cheaper, it also comes with considerable challenges and costs for development. By choosing land with the right utilities in place, you can help ensure your construction project goes smoothly.
- Land Clearing and Grading – Along with utilities, another important part of land preparation is clearing trees and debris and grading the property to the required slope for proper drainage. By buying property that is already prepped for development can save considerable time and money in construction.
- Lot Sizes – When choosing the right property for your project, another essential factor that will impact your options is the size of the lot. Be sure to check the property lines of the plot to ensure it has the space you need.
- Property Characteristics – Depending on your specific property development project, there are countless aspects that you might need to consider when deciding on the right property. For example, if you plan on farming, you should avoid land with poor soil.
Get Land With the Right Zoning for Your Dream Home With SRC Land
The key to ensuring you can build what you want on your land is choosing the right property to buy in the first place. That’s where a Texas land developer like SRC Land comes in. We can help you avoid the potential issues that come with buying land that doesn’t suit your needs, and ensure you find the right land to achieve your vision of a custom home in Texas.
At SRC Land, our Texas land developers will guide and support you in your dream of buying land. We can make sure that you get the right land with zoning that suits your building and financial needs.
