Open space amenities plan.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-192
in effectSec. 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)
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_SDAGERELORE_S42-192OPSPAMPLFetched: 10/26/2026