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Houston generally has the most lax development regulations. They don't even have zoning. Almost anyone can build almost anything anywhere.

barry-cotter 6y ago
Just because they don’t call it zoning doesn’t mean they don’t have zoning. > Festa also rattles off a list of other policies that bolster his case that Houston effectively has zoning. > Deed restrictions: In Houston, developers create rules to prevent things like corner stores within residential neighborhoods. Those rules are called deed restrictions. Houston is unique in that it will represent residents when they try to enforce those covenants. > Density: Historically, the area within the confines of the 610 Loop have been permitted to have higher levels of density than the rest of the city. But recent changes to city policies extend the higher density levels all the way to Beltway 8. “Those are rules that tell you what you can and can’t do, based on where you are on a map,” Festa said. > Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones: The controversial tool allows certain areas within distinct boundaries to retain property tax revenue for uses within their borders. The word “zone” is right in the name. > Airports: The Houston area has three major airports, and under federal rules, the communities around them are subject to zoning requirements. “It’s a good chunk of metropolitan Houston, and it’s flat out zoning,” Festa said. > Buffering ordinance: New rules restrict tall buildings to “major activity centers” by limiting their height, set back requirements and construction styles. > Historic preservation: Residents can ensure many types of building restrictions within their communities if they get enough votes to create a historic district. > Lot sizes: City rules restrict lot sizes, but neighborhoods can petition for even tighter restrictions if they get the votes. https://kinder.rice.edu/2015/09/08/forget-what-youve-heard-houston-really-does-have-zoning-sort-of https://kinder.rice.edu/2015/09/08/forget-what-youve-heard-h...

barry-cotter 6y ago

Just because they don’t call it zoning doesn’t mean they don’t have zoning. > Festa also rattles off a list of other policies that bolster his case that Houston effectively has zoning. > Deed restrictions: In Houston, developers create rules to prevent things like corner stores within residential neighborhoods. Those rules are called deed restrictions. Houston is unique in that it will represent residents when they try to enforce those covenants. > Density: Historically, the area within the confines of the 610 Loop have been permitted to have higher levels of density than the rest of the city. But recent changes to city policies extend the higher density levels all the way to Beltway 8. “Those are rules that tell you what you can and can’t do, based on where you are on a map,” Festa said. > Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones: The controversial tool allows certain areas within distinct boundaries to retain property tax revenue for uses within their borders. The word “zone” is right in the name. > Airports: The Houston area has three major airports, and under federal rules, the communities around them are subject to zoning requirements. “It’s a good chunk of metropolitan Houston, and it’s flat out zoning,” Festa said. > Buffering ordinance: New rules restrict tall buildings to “major activity centers” by limiting their height, set back requirements and construction styles. > Historic preservation: Residents can ensure many types of building restrictions within their communities if they get enough votes to create a historic district. > Lot sizes: City rules restrict lot sizes, but neighborhoods can petition for even tighter restrictions if they get the votes. https://kinder.rice.edu/2015/09/08/forget-what-youve-heard-houston-really-does-have-zoning-sort-of https://kinder.rice.edu/2015/09/08/forget-what-youve-heard-h...