General Requirements for Lots and Reserves

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 42, art. III, div. 4, subpt. A

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-180 General lot design standards.

Sec. 42-180. - General lot design standards. (a) Each lot in a subdivision plat shall be of sufficient size and shape to: (1) Allow for the construction of a single-family residential building that meets the requirements of this Code, the Construction Code, and the design manual; (2) Accommodate an easement for all public and private utilities necessary to serve the single-family residential building constructed thereon; (3) Ensure that direct vehicular access is provided from a street, shared driveway, or alley. (4) When proposing a narrow lot, no more than 1 vehicular access from a street is allowed. (5) No vehicular access is required for lots within a courtyard style development. (6) Provide for the number of parking spaces required by section 42-186 and article VIII of chapter 26 of this Code, as applicable. The size and dimensions of a parking space shall be in conformance with the requirements of the Construction Code. (b) A lot that will not be served by a wastewater collection system shall meet the minimum requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The applicant shall provide a letter from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality evidencing compliance with the minimum requirements. In addition, a lot without wastewater collection service that is platted in a special flood hazard area, as determined under the National Flood Insurance Program, shall meet the applicable requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the city, and the county engineer of the county in which the lot is located with respect to the location of the onsite sewage system. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-181 Single-family residential lot size.

Sec. 42-181. - Single-family residential lot size. (a) The minimum lot size for a single-family residential lot with wastewater collection service shall be as shown below, except for lots within courtyard style development meeting the requirements of section 42-194: (1) 5,000 square feet for a lot within the extraterritorial jurisdiction; or (2) 3,500 square feet for a lot within the city. (b) The lot size for a single-family residential lot with wastewater collection service may be less than the minimum lot size provided by subsection (a) if the subdivision plat meets the performance standards of either: (1) The compensating open space performance standards of section 42-182 of this Code; or (2) For a subdivision plat within the city, the performance standards of section 42-184 of this Code. (c) A subdivision plat shall not include a lot that is less than 1,400 square feet unless the plat meets the following performance standards: (1) The property to be platted is located within the city and all lots within the subdivision take vehicular access from the shared driveway or permanent access easement; (2) The average lot size within the subdivision plat is greater than or equal to 1,400 square feet. A lot that is larger than 3,500 square feet shall be counted as 3,500 square feet for purposes of the average lot size calculation of this subsection; (3) For the purposes of this subsection, blockface has the meaning in 42-1 and shall include the distances measured from and to shared driveways, intersecting or terminating with shared driveways. (4) If the subdivision plat contains one or more blockfaces in their entirety, the average lot size of each blockface within the subdivision plat is greater than or equal to 1,400 square feet; and (5) If a subdivision plat includes a lot with a lot size less than 3,500 square feet, any subsequent replat of a lot within the subdivision plat shall maintain an average lot size that is greater than or equal to 1,400 square feet. The average lot size for each subsequent replat shall be based on all lots within the original subdivision plat containing a lot with a lot size less than 3,500 feet. The subdivision plat and all subsequent replats of lots within the subdivision plat shall contain a plat notation stating the requirements of this item. (d) The minimum lot size for lots without wastewater collection service shall be in accordance with the requirements of subsection (b) of section 42-180 of this Code; (e) A special minimum lot size requirement established pursuant to subdivision B of this division shall control over all other provisions of this section. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-182 Optional performance standards for the reduction in lot size—Compensating open space.

Sec. 42-182. - Optional performance standards for the reduction in lot size—Compensating open space. A subdivision plat may contain a lot of less than minimum lot size required by subsection (a) of section 42-181 of this Code if compensating open space is provided within the boundaries of the subdivision plat in accordance with the following schedule and in conformance with the design standards of section 42-183 of this Code: Average lot size may be reduced to this square footage | Upon providing this amount of compensating open space per lot (square feet) City | Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 4,999—4,500 | None | 100 4,499—4,000 | None | 200 3,999—3,500 | None | 300 3,499—3,000 | 240 | 400 2,999—2,500 | 360 | 500 2,449—2,000 | 480 | 600 1,999—1,400 | 600 | 720 (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-183 Standards for compensating open space.

Sec. 42-183. - Standards for compensating open space. (a) Compensating open space may be used to reduce the minimum lot size requirement only to the extent that the area proposed to be dedicated to compensating open space meets the standards of this section. (b) The following areas shall not be used for or considered compensating open space: (1) Areas designated or used as lots or building sites for dwelling units, utility or storage purposes, carports or garages; (2) Driveways, private roadways, or streets; (3) Private medians less than 12 feet wide; or (4) Except as provided by section 42-192 of this Code, detention ponds, drainageways, water areas including floodplains and floodways, or ravines. (c) Compensating open space shall be reasonably dry and flat, unless the area is within an open space amenities plan approved by the commission pursuant to section 42-192 of this Code. (d) The ground floor square footage of a building used for recreational purposes, at the option of the applicant, may be included in calculating compensating open space provided that the recreational use of the building is shown as a plat restriction on the face of the subdivision plat. (e) The minimum size of any area used for compensating open space shall be 240 square feet, with dimensions of 20 feet by 12 feet. (f) Any area used for compensating open space: (1) Shall be restricted for the use of owners of property in and residents of the subdivision; (2) Shall be owned, managed and maintained under a binding agreement among the owners of property in the subdivision; and (3) Shall be accessible to all of the residents of the subdivision. (g) Compensating open space can be used to provide courtyard access from groups or clusters of lots adjacent to one or more streets provided that the minimum distance between the opposing faces of the buildings forming the courtyard is 20 feet. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-184 Optional performance standards for the reduction in lot size within the city.

Sec. 42-184. - Optional performance standards for the reduction in lot size within the city. A subdivision plat for property located within the city may provide for a single-family residential lot size of less than 3,500 square feet, but not less than an average of 1,400 square feet, for lots with adequate wastewater collection service, if the subdivision plat meets the following performance standards and includes plat notations requiring compliance with the following performance standards: (1) More than 60% of the area of each lot that is less than 3,500 square feet is not covered by buildings, or for a subdivision plat that is solely a replat of a lot on a corner at the intersection of two public streets, more than 75% of the area of the lot is not covered by buildings; (2) The subdivision plat provides for at least 150 square feet of permeable area on each lot that is less than 3,500 square feet; (3) The number of single-family residential dwelling units that can be constructed within the proposed subdivision plat does not exceed an equivalent density of 27 units to the gross acre of all land within the boundaries of the subdivision plat; and (4) An equivalent density of 35 units to the gross acre of all land within the boundaries of the subdivision plat is allowed if all lots within the subdivision take vehicular access from the rear or side via an alley, flag staff, shared driveway or permanent access easement. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-185 Minimum width of a lot.

Sec. 42-185. - Minimum width of a lot. (a) The minimum width of any lot along a street or shared driveway shall be 20 feet unless otherwise allowed by this ordinance. (b) The minimum width of any lot in a subdivision within the city may be 15 feet if all lots within the subdivision plat take vehicular access from the shared driveway or permanent access easement and the subdivision plat conforms to the following performance standards: (1) The average width of all lots within the subdivision plat is greater than or equal to 18 feet. A lot with a width greater than 30 feet shall be counted as 30 feet for purposes of the average lot width calculation of this subsection; (2) For the purposes of this subsection, blockface shall have the meaning of 42-1 and further shall include the distances measured from and to shared driveways, intersecting or terminating with shared driveways. (3) If the subdivision plat contains one or more blockfaces in their entirety, the average lot width of each blockface within the subdivision plat is greater than or equal to 18 feet; and (4) If a subdivision plat includes a lot with a width of less than 20 feet, any subsequent replat of a lot within the subdivision plat shall maintain an average lot width that is greater than or equal to 18 feet. The average lot width for each subsequent replat shall be based on all lots within the original subdivision plat containing a lot with a width less than 20 feet. The subdivision plat and all subsequent replats of lots within the subdivision plat shall contain a plat notation stating the requirements of this item. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-186 Parking for single-family residential uses.

Sec. 42-186. - Parking for single-family residential uses. (a) Each subdivision plat or development plat providing for a single-family residential use shall provide at least two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit on each lot with the following exceptions: (1) for a dwelling unit that is not more than 1500 square feet, only one space shall be required per dwelling unit; or (2) for a dwelling unit that is less than or equal to 1000 square feet, no off-street parking is required when all of the following criteria are met: a. the lot has less than 33 feet of public street frontage, b. 100 percent of the unit has occupiable space fronting the street, and c. driveway access from the public street is not permitted, and shall be reflected on the plat and building permit. (b) If the first unit meets the off-street parking requirements: (1) When a second dwelling unit of not more than 1000 gross square feet is provided, no additional off-street parking spaces shall be required. (2) When a second dwelling unit is greater than 1000 square feet but less than or equal to 1500 square feet, only one additional off-street parking space shall be required. (c) Each courtyard style development plat completed in accordance with section 42-194, providing for single-family residential use, shall provide one off-street parking space for every dwelling unit less than or equal to 1000 square feet and 2 off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit if the units are between 1001-1800 square feet. (d) For lots within a courtyard style development in accordance with section 42-194 parking may be located in a reserve within the subdivision provided there is a shared access and maintenance agreement among lot owners. (e) Each subdivision plat providing for a single-family residential use on property located within the city that includes a courtyard access drive, a shared driveway, or a type 2 permanent access easement with six or more dwelling units shall provide one additional parking space for every six dwelling units. Dwelling units on a lot that includes a parking space in excess of the parking requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not be counted in determining the required number of additional parking spaces required by this subsection. Each additional parking space shall conform to the following requirements: (1) The size and dimensions of the parking space shall be in conformance with the requirements of the Construction Code; (2) The parking space shall be placed within the boundaries of the subdivision plat; (3) For a subdivision plat where the lots abut a type 2 permanent access easement and take vehicular access only from a private alley, a parking space may be included within the type 2 permanent access easement; (4) The parking space shall not be placed within a shared driveway or within a lot; (5) The parking space shall not be placed where parking is prohibited by law, and the parking space shall be placed a minimum of 20 feet away from the right-of-way of a major thoroughfare, major collector, or existing protected bike lanes; (6) The parking space shall be accessible to all residents of each dwelling unit of the subdivision plat via an internal path of either the shared driveway, type 2 permanent access easement or an improved walkway surface in an access easement within the subdivision meeting accessibility requirements in accordance with IDM standards with a minimum width of 3 feet in accordance with Chapter 40 sidewalk regulations. (f) A variance granted by the commission to parking requirements contained in this chapter is also a variance to the same parking requirement in Chapter 26. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-187 Flag lots.

Sec. 42-187. - Flag lots. (a) Each flag lot shall provide for a combined vehicular access to the principal portion of all lots that are less than 44 feet wide through the flag staff. The maximum number of lots that may take access from a flag staff is 4. (b) The minimum width of the flag staff shall be 16 feet. The entire width of the flag staff need not be paved. (c) If the garage is parallel to the length of the flag staff, the distance between the face of the garage and the farthest edge of the flag staff shall be 20 feet. [image omitted; see the official code] (d) The total length of the flag staff and driveway cannot be longer than 200 feet from the street that contains a roadway. (e) Any area required to be used for vehicular access purposes shall be depicted by a note on the subdivision plat that restricts the portions of the lots for ingress and egress only and that precludes construction of any building, structure, wall or fence within those portions. The plat note shall clearly indicate the joint or shared nature of the access. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-188 Lot access.

Sec. 42-188. - Lot access. This section sets forth requirements for lot access. Subsections (b)(2) and (d) through (h) apply only in the city boundary. (a) Each lot shall have access to a street or shared driveway that meets the requirements of this chapter and the design manual, subject to the limitations of this section except for lots within courtyard style development in accordance with section 42-194. (b) A single-family residential lot shall not have direct vehicular access to a major thoroughfare unless: (1) The lot takes vehicular access to a major thoroughfare through a shared driveway that meets the requirements of subdivision B of division II of this article; (2) The lot takes vehicular access to a major thoroughfare through a flag staff that meets the requirements of section 42-187 and a turnaround is provided that prohibits vehicles from backing onto the major thoroughfare; or (3) The lot is greater than one acre in size and the subdivision plat contains a notation adjacent to the lot requiring a turnaround on the lot that prohibits vehicles from backing onto the major thoroughfare. (c) Lots that front on or take access from a permanent access easement must be a part of a unified development scheme where the owners of all lots within the subdivision are legally bound together by deed restriction, contract or any other constituted and binding homeowners association, corporation, or other organization with, as one of its purposes, the continued care and maintenance of all commonly owned properties within the subdivision, particularly the areas established as permanent access easements, and the authority and means to impose binding assessments upon the lot owners for that purpose. Each subdivision plat that contains a permanent access easement shall contain the following notation on the face of the plat: "THIS SUBDIVISION CONTAINS ONE OR MORE PERMANENT ACCESS EASEMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC OR ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR ANY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY AS PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY. THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS NO OBLIGATION, NOR DOES ANY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAVE ANY OBLIGATION, TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE ANY PERMANENT ACCESS EASEMENT WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION, WHICH OBLIGATION SHALL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN THIS SUBDIVISION." (d) Lots within a courtyard style development must be a part of a unified development plan where the owners of all lots within the subdivision are legally bound by deed restriction, contract or any other legal and binding homeowners association, corporation, or other organization with, as one of its purposes, the continued care and maintenance of all commonly owned properties within the subdivision, particularly the areas established as courtyards, parking, pedestrian pathways and courtyard access drives, and the authority and means to impose binding assessments upon the lot owners for that purpose. Each subdivision plat for a courtyard style development shall contain the following notation on the face of the plat: "THIS SUBDIVISION CONTAINS ONE OR MORE COURTYARD ACCESS DRIVES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC OR ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR ANY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY AS PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY. THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS NO OBLIGATION, NOR DOES ANY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAVE ANY OBLIGATION, TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE ANY COURTYARD ACCESS DRIVES WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION, WHICH OBLIGATION SHALL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN THIS SUBDIVISION." (e) Properties being subdivided that abut an alley that is maintained by the city or a homeowners association must take vehicular access from the alley, unless determined by the director to be undevelopable or inaccessible, including the blockage or partial blockage of the alley by obstructions not allowing vehicular use. (f) Corner properties being subdivided shall provide vehicular access: 1. from an existing alley that is maintained by the city or a homeowners association; 2. if there is no alley or the alley is determined by the director to be undevelopable or inaccessible, the access must be provided from the side street unless the side street is a major thoroughfare through a flag staff, shared driveway, courtyard access drive or permanent access easement; or 3. for a sole corner lot, access must be from the side street. (g) Mid-block property being subdivided is adjacent to an undevelopable or inaccessible alley as determined by the director, or is not abutting an alley, access must be provided as follows: 1. For a lot that is 44 feet wide or more, at least 20 feet of frontage must be left as unobstructed curb space, and a minimum of ⅓ of the width of the structure façade facing the street must be occupiable space. [image omitted; see the official code] 2. When proposing one or more narrow lots on a public street, the following shall apply: a. Vehicular access must be provided through a flag-staff, a shared driveway or permanent access easement; or b. For property less than or equal to 15,000 square feet, direct vehicular access from a street may be allowed for lots 33 feet or wider but less than 44 feet wide, through a driveway of maximum 12 feet in width. [image omitted; see the official code] (h) When a tract along a transit-oriented development street or walkable places street is subdivided, a single-family residential lot within this new subdivision shall not be designed to have direct vehicular access to the TOD street or WP street unless opting-into TOD or walkable places standards, and: (1) The lot takes vehicular access to the TOD street or WP street through a shared driveway that meets the requirements of subdivision B of division II of this article; or (2) The lot is greater than one acre in size and the subdivision plat contains a note prohibiting vehicles from backing onto the transit-oriented development street or walkable places street and requiring the turnaround to be located wholly outside the pedestrian realm. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2020-684, § 2(Exh. A), 8-5-2020; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-188.5 Optional performance standards for direct driveway access.

Sec. 42-188.5. - Optional performance standards for direct driveway access. Direct driveway access to a street or type 1 permanent access easement for existing lots narrower than 33 feet is permitted if all the following standards are met: (a) The existing lot was platted with less than 33 feet width, or the property is of an insufficient width to subdivide into multiple equal-sized lots of 33 feet or more prior to September 27, 2023; (b) The existing property does not have usable side or rear access to a public street or a type 1 permanent access easement or an alley maintained by the city or a homeowners association; (c) Each proposed lot will have only one driveway approach of no more than 12 feet in width; (d) The garage building line on each proposed lot must be a minimum of 20 feet; (e) The property proposed to be subdivided is not within 1,400 feet walking distance, measured by walking on sidewalks or other paved surface, from the primary entrance of a primary or secondary school; and (f) The property is not located in an area shown as a Complete Community on the map attached as Appendix A to this chapter and also available on the department's website. [image omitted; see the official code] (Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-189 Points of access.

Sec. 42-189. - Points of access. Any subdivision that includes more than 150 lots shall have at least two points of access separated from each other by a distance of at least 250 feet to a public street outside the boundaries of the subdivision. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-190 Tracts for non-single-family use—Reserves.

Sec. 42-190. - Tracts for non-single-family use—Reserves. (a) A tract of land that is not restricted to single-family residential use shall not be designated on a subdivision plat as a lot but shall be designated as a reserve and shall be subject to those provisions of this chapter pertaining to reserves. (b) A subdivision plat shall identify each reserve by alphabetical letter and shall show the total acreage of the reserve within the delineated reserve boundaries. The applicant may note on the plat the use intended for each reserve. The applicant shall identify a reserve tract for which it has not determined a use as an unrestricted reserve. (c) Each reserve shall meet the following requirements for minimum size, the type and width of street or shared driveway on which it may be located, and the minimum frontage, as applicable to the type of reserve: TYPE OF RESERVE | MINIMUM SIZE | TYPE OF STREET OR SHARED DRIVEWAY | MINIMUM STREET OR SHARED DRIVEWAY WIDTH | MINIMUM STREET OR SHARED DRIVEWAY FRONTAGE Unrestricted reserve | 5,000 sq. ft. | public street | 60 feet (50 feet in a street width exception area) | 60 feet MUR Reserve per Sec. 42-237 | 3500 sq ft | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | 50 feet Restricted reserve - Courtyard per Sec. 42-194 | 480 sq ft for the main courtyard | None required | None required | None required Restricted reserve—Lift station | Minimum size required by the design manual | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | 20 feet Temporary access easement if the reserve meets the standards of section 42-190(d) | Temporary access easement if the reserve meets the standards of section 42-190(d) Restricted reserve—Compensating open space | 240 sq. ft. | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | 12 feet type 2 permanent access easement | 28 feet shared driveway | 16 feet Restricted reserve—Landscape or open space | None required | None required | None required | None required Restricted reserve—Recreation | 5,000 sq. ft. | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | 50 feet Type 2 permanent access easement | 28 feet | 50 feet Shared driveway | 16 feet | 50 feet Restricted reserve—Drainage or detention | None required | public street | 50 feet | 20 feet permanent access easement | 28 feet shared driveway owned by homeowners association | 16 feet | 16 feet None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to drainage or detention | None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to drainage or detention | None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to drainage or detention Restricted reserve—Wastewater treatment, water production, or water repressurization | 5,000 sq. ft. | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | 50 feet Temporary access easement if the reserve meets the standards of section 42-190(d) | Temporary access easement if the reserve meets the standards of section 42-190(d) None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to wastewater treatment, water production, or water repressurization | None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to wastewater treatment, water production, or water repressurization | None if adjoining existing reserve restricted to wastewater treatment, water production, or water repressurization Restricted reserve—Parking | Minimum size requirement for a parking space specified in the Construction Code | public street or type 1 permanent access easement | 50 feet | Minimum width of a parking space required by the Construction Code type 2 permanent access easement | 28 feet shared driveway | 16 feet Restricted reserve—All other | 5,000 sq. ft. | public street | 60 feet (50 feet in a street width exception area) | 60 feet (d) A reserve may take access via an access easement temporarily until the adjacent public streets within the general plan are platted with abutting sections if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The reserve is specifically restricted to lift station, wastewater treatment, water production, or water repressurization; (2) The access easement is temporary and non-exclusive that must be recorded prior to the recordation of the plat in a form approved by the city attorney; (3) The access easement aligns with the public street pattern identified in the current approved general plan; (4) The minimum width of the access easement must be 30 feet with all-weather road surface and shall comply with all applicable Design Manual, Fire Code, city, county, and Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements; and (5) The minimum street width and minimum frontage requirements otherwise required by this section must be met as other sections abutting the reserve are recorded. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2022-391, §§ 14, 15, 5-18-2022; Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-191 One foot reserves.

Sec. 42-191. - One foot reserves. Subdivision plats shall provide a one-foot reserve within the street right-of-way as a buffer strip dedicated to the public to prevent access to public streets when a proposed public street stub ends into adjacent acreage or where the proposed public street is adjacent to the plat boundary and abutting acreage. The following notation shall be placed upon the face of the subdivision plat: "ONE-FOOT RESERVE DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC IN FEE AS A BUFFER SEPARATION BETWEEN THE SIDE OR END OF STREETS WHERE SUCH STREETS ABUT ADJACENT PROPERTY, THE CONDITION OF THIS DEDICATION BEING THAT WHEN THE ADJACENT PROPERTY IS SUBDIVIDED OR RE-SUBDIVIDED IN A RECORDED SUBDIVISION PLAT, THE ONE-FOOT RESERVE SHALL THEREUPON BECOME VESTED IN THE PUBLIC FOR STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES AND THE FEE TITLE THERETO SHALL REVERT TO AND REVEST IN THE DEDICATOR, HIS HEIRS, ASSIGNS OR SUCCESSORS." (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-192 Open space amenities plan.

Sec. 42-192. - Open space amenities plan. (a) All or part of an area included in an open space amenities plan may qualify as compensating open space by complying with the applicable provisions of this section. (b) Fifty percent of the area in the open space amenities plan qualifies as compensating open space if: (1) The open space amenities plan contains less than three acres and provides each of the following: a. Detention facility, if any, provides a stormceptor if the facility will not be a permanently wet lake or pond; b. Detention facility, if any, has a bank slope ratio of 4:1 or flatter; c. One 2.5-inch caliper tree from the street tree list, as defined in article V of chapter 33 of this Code, for each 30 feet of the boundary of the area included in the open space amenities plan: [1] Planted at least 20 feet apart without extreme variation in spacing along pathways; [2] Planted in one or more groupings within the area included in the open space amenities plan in a manner consistent with the growth characteristics of the trees; or [3] A combination of both; d. One or more pathways that provide access to and through the area included in the open space amenities plan and that are a minimum of five feet wide to be constructed of decomposed granite, asphalt or concrete; e. One bench installed for each 500 feet of pathway, with a minimum of one bench; f. Amenities are accessible to person with disabilities pursuant to standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and g. An irrigation system that will irrigate all of the area included in the open space amenities plan other than a permanently wet lake or pond; or (2) The open space amenities plan contains three acres or more and provides: a. All of the amenities listed in item (b)(1); plus: b. Parking required by chapter 26 of this Code for a class 6 park occupancy. (c) All of the area within an open space amenities plan qualifies as compensating open space if: (1) The open space amenities plan contains less than one acre and provides: a. All of the amenities listed in item (b)(1); plus b. At least two of the following: [1] Additional landscaping, which may be; [a] Additional trees from the street tree list, as defined in article V of chapter 33 of this Code; [b] Shrubs from the approved shrub list contained in appendix D of article V of chapter 33 of this Code; [c] 4.0-inch caliper trees in lieu of the same number of 2.5-inch caliper trees; or [d] A combination of the above; [2] Use of decorative stone or pavers in lieu of decomposed granite, asphalt or concrete; [3] Use of decorative fencing; [4] Pedestrian scale lighting with a minimum of 0.25 foot-candles at any point along the trail; [5] Bicycle racks sufficient to store five bicycles per acre or portion thereof; [6] At least one drinking fountain; [7] A decorative fountain; or [8] Connectivity with other community amenities; (2) The open space amenities plan contains at least one acre but less than three acres and provides: a. All of the amenities listed in item (b)(2); plus b. At least four of the amenities listed in paragraph (c)(1)b; or (3) The open space amenities plan contains three or more acres and provides: a. All of the amenities listed in item (b)(1); plus b. At least six of the amenities listed in paragraph (c)(1)b; plus c. Parking required by chapter 26 of this Code for a class 6 park occupancy. (d) An open space amenities plan shall be submitted in the form and contain the information prescribed by the director. Any area included in an open space amenities plan shall be clearly identified on the corresponding subdivision plat and shall include a table showing the type and quantities of amenities to be provided. The open space amenities plan approved by the commission shall be recorded simultaneously with the subdivision plat. (e) Failure to provide or maintain any amenity included in an approved open space amenities plan shall be a violation of this chapter. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-193 Rules governing partial replats of certain property.

Sec. 42-193. - Rules governing partial replats of certain property. (a) The rules in this section govern partial replats of subdivision plats recorded in the real property records and shall apply to each subsequent replat as though it were the first replat of the original subdivision plat. These rules do not apply to a replat of all the property in the original subdivision plat by all of the current owners thereof. For purposes of this section, "original subdivision plat" means the first recorded subdivision plat in which a plat restriction was included, and a "partial replat" means a replat of part of a recorded subdivision plat. (b) Property within a subdivision plat that does not contain lots restricted to single-family residential or residential use may be replatted to amend any plat restriction contained on the preceding subdivision plat. (c) Property within a subdivision plat that contains lots restricted to single-family residential or residential use may be replatted to amend a plat restriction only as provided below: (1) A plat restriction limiting the use of property to residential or single-family residential use may be amended to permit the use of that property only for landscape, park, recreation, drainage, or open space uses. (2) A plat restriction limiting the use of property specifically to 'nonresidential': a. May not be amended to permit multi-family residential use of that property unless the applicant demonstrates that the property was actually improved and used for multi-family residential purposes prior to April 3, 1999; b. May be amended to permit single-family residential use of that property only if: [1] The typical lot size in the replat is not less than the typical lot size of lots in the preceding plat; or [2] The property abuts a major thoroughfare. c. May be amended to any more specific "nonresidential" use of that property. (3) A plat restriction limiting the use of property specifically to 'commercial' use: a. May not be amended to permit multi-family residential use of that property unless the applicant demonstrates that the property was actually improved and used for multifamily residential purposes prior to April 3, 1999; b. May be amended to permit single-family residential use of that property only if: [1] The typical lot size in the replat is not less than the typical lot size of lots in the preceding plat; or [2] The property abuts a major thoroughfare. c. May be amended to any more specific "commercial" use of that property. (4) A plat restriction limiting the use of property to drainage, water plant, wastewater treatment, lift station or similar public utility use may be amended only to permit: a. Landscape, park, recreation, drainage, open space or similar amenity uses of that property, or b. Single-family residential use of that property only if the typical lot size in the replat is not less than the typical lot size of lots in the preceding plat. (Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013; Ord. No. 2022-391, § 16, 5-18-2022)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-194 Courtyard style development performance standards

Sec. 42-194. - Courtyard style development performance standards (a) The intent of the courtyard style development is to allow design of a group of small single-family residential lots arranged around a shared open space, to incentivize a greater range of naturally occurring affordable housing options, smaller single-family residential homes with functioning open space in a compact development pattern. It will also promote access and proximity to mobility options and better utilize land closer to existing infrastructure. [image omitted; see the official code] (b) The courtyard style development performance standards applicable to developments are shown in the table, and summarized, with depictions below. The full text of standards is contained in subsection (c). The following chart is a summary of certain requirements of this section and is intended for illustrative purposes only. In case of any conflict between the chart, drawings or this section, the text controls. These standards can only be used on property submitted on a site plan showing compliance with this section, and platted as a unified courtyard style development with single-family restricted lots, reserves and courtyard access drive. For purposes of courtyard style developments, the word courtyard does not include roof top courtyards. [image omitted; see the official code] (c) The common areas and courtyards within the development cannot be replatted into any other use and are subject to section 42-193. Each subdivision plat that contains a courtyard style development shall contain a notation to that effect on the face of the plat. Any area used for common space or a courtyard: (1) Shall be restricted for the use and access of owners of property in and residents of the subdivision; and (2) Shall be owned, managed, and maintained under a binding agreement among the owners of property in the subdivision. (d) A Courtyard style development site must have a minimum width of 50-foot frontage on a 50 feet street. No portion of a site can be more than 150 feet from a street containing a roadway. [image omitted; see the official code] (e) No individual lot can be more than 3,500 square feet in area, and no unit on a site can exceed 1800 square feet in floor area. (f) Each lot on the site must have frontage on a public street or alley that meets the requirements of section 42-122, a courtyard, a courtyard access drive that meets the requirements of this section, or a pedestrian pathway that is at least 3 feet wide and connects the dwelling units to courtyard space, parking, and public street. (g) The building line requirement for a structure along a public street right-of-way other than major thoroughfare and not including an alley, is 5 feet. A reduced building line of 15 feet is authorized for a structure along major thoroughfares with a right-of-way 80 feet or less. All units along the public street must face the street with an entry feature, and provide a pedestrian connection to the sidewalk in accordance with section 42-165. (h) The minimum building line for a structure along a courtyard edge is 0 feet, provided there is at least 20 feet between opposing building facades across the courtyard, measured from edge to edge of the courtyard, including any pedestrian walkways. [image omitted; see the official code] (i) A courtyard style development may have more than one courtyard area. One must be designated as the main courtyard area, and at least one must be provided within each courtyard style development. A main courtyard must be a minimum of 480 square feet in area. A minimum area of 150 square feet of courtyard space per lot must be provided within the boundaries of the subdivision plat. Courtyards must have minimum dimensions of 12 feet by 12 feet, measured from edge to edge of the area designated, including any pedestrian walkways. (j) At least half of all lots must front the main courtyard or a street. To be considered fronting, at least 50% of the width or depth of each residence lot must front the main courtyard or a street. Each lot with frontage on the main courtyard must provide an entrance that faces the courtyard unless an entrance is provided along the street, provide pedestrian ingress and egress to a first floor occupiable space, and must provide a minimum 3-foot-wide pedestrian connection to the main courtyard. (1) Additional courtyards are allowed in order to meet the 150 square foot per lot requirement. (2) Additional courtyards are not required to meet the minimum area of 480 square feet, but must meet the minimum width and depth standards below to receive credit for the courtyard requirement. [image omitted; see the official code] (k) Courtyards must be located at grade and may be a mix of impervious or pervious material and may contain elements such as patios, seating areas, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian walkways. Fences along the edge of the main courtyard may not exceed 4 feet in height. If a fence is installed, a pedestrian access gate must be provided for access to the main courtyard for each lot or building fronting on the main courtyard. (l) Where the property abuts an alley meeting the requirements of section 42-188, all vehicular access is provided from that alley. (m) On a site without alley access, or abutting an undeveloped alley midblock, a driveway is allowed every 75 feet along each street frontage, measured along the property line from edge to edge of the pavement from all existing and proposed driveways located on-site. Measurement does not apply to abutting properties. On a corner site without alley access, vehicular access must be provided from the side street if not a major thoroughfare. (n) A driveway to or from a street must be at least 12 feet wide but can be no wider than 18 feet, measured from edge to edge of driveway along the property line. One-way driveways are permitted for corner property and must meet the design manual. [image omitted; see the official code] (o) Parking requirements for courtyard style developments must meet section 42-186. In addition, the following parking requirements apply: (1) Parking spaces may be consolidated in one or more locations to the side or rear of the site. Pedestrian access must be provided from consolidated parking areas to each lot or structure the parking area is intended to serve. (2) No required parking space may be located between a street or courtyard and a building that faces a street or courtyard. [image omitted; see the official code] (p) No building on the site may exceed 30 feet in height, as measured from average grade to the highest roof surface. Roof surface is defined, in accordance with Section D of the International Fire Code, as the measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of a parapet wall, whichever is greater. (Ord. No. 2023-801, § 3(Exh. A), 9-27-2023, eff. 11-27-2023)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH42SUDEPL_ARTIIIPLST_DIV4LORE_SDAGERELOREFetched: 10/26/2026