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Planning and Zoning

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1. What is zoning and how do I know what my property is zoned?

Zoning refers to a common practice in city planning, where a comprehensive plan is developed to decide how land should best be utilized. The comprehensive plan breaks the City up into various “zones,” dictating what sorts of things can be built in these zones and what kinds of businesses are acceptable. All zoning changes proposed in the City must go through a public hearing process as determined by state law.

Zoning laws serve several functions. They protect existing businesses and residences. For example, in a city without zoning laws, a company could build a factory in the middle of a residential zone, potentially impacting the quality of life for residents. Zoning laws ensure that land use is consistent within a specific area of the City, and that conflicting uses like heavy industry and residential housing are kept isolated from each other for the convenience of all.

Many cities also use zoning laws to protect their look and feel. For example, a law could restrict buildings in a certain zone to a set number of stories, or it could block the construction of apartment complexes within a particular neighborhood. Zoning laws are also used to ensure that neighbors do not infringe on each other with new construction; for example, most zoning laws require the footprint of a new structure to be significantly smaller than the lot it is built on, ensuring that people don't, for example, build homes which block the views of neighbors.

To find out what your property is zoned you can visit our GIS website. There you will find an interactive map as well as static maps with information about zoning. To know what uses are permitted in a certain zoning district please refer to the use chart found in section 77:301 of the Rowlett Development Code . This is a guide and depending on the property other restrictions may apply so please contact staff for detailed information about specific locations.

2. What is a plat?

A plat is a map of an approved subdivision filed with the County Register of Deeds. It shows surveyed lot lines, street rights of way, easements, monuments and distances, angles and bearings pertaining to the exact dimensions of all parcels, street lines and so forth.

3. When must property be platted in the City of Rowlett?

Before any building permit is issued in Rowlett, a plat must be on file with the County.

4. What county do I live in?

The City of Rowlett spans both Dallas and Rockwall Counties. All properties located east of Dalrock Road are located in Rockwall County. All properties west of Dalrock Road are in Dallas County.

5. How do I know if my property is platted or not?

If your deed or contract for sale indentifies the property by a lot number and block within a subdivision the property is probably platted. If the property is described in metes and bounds or with a legal description the property is probably not platted. You can also check for the description of your property at the following websites. You will need to know if your property is within Dallas or Rockwall County.

www.dcad.org

http://www.rockwallcad.com/

6. What are the City and County requirements?

To view specfic platting requirements for the City of Rowlett, please visit Planning/Public Works Division webpage and click on Applications and Checklists to view packet information. Once a plat has been approved by the city the following is required:

City Requirements:
1 - 24" x 36" mylar with original seals and signatures, stamped with County recording information.
1 - 18" x 24" mylar with original seals and signatures, stamped with County recording information.
7 - 18" x 24" blackline copies
A digital copy in DWG. format. (NOTE: Plat will not be released for filing until Autocad File Received).

Dallas County Plat Recording Requirements:
2 - 24" x 36" blacklines with original seals and signatures
1 - Original tax certificate for the platted property

Rockwall County Plat Requirements: Verify with Rockwall County Clerk at 972-204-7000.
2 - 18" x 24" mylars with original seals and signatures
1 - Original tax certificate for the platted property for Dallas County.
1 - Original tax certificate for the platted property for Rockwall County.

**If an approved plat is not filed with the county within 180 days following approval, the approval is null and void.**

7. What are building setbacks?

Setbacks are required minimum distances between a building and the related front, side, exterior side (the street side of a corner lot), or rear property line. These distances determine how far construction must be set back from the property line. Setbacks for your particular property may be determined by determining the zoning and referring to the dimensional chart found in section 77:400 of the Rowlett Development Code .

8. How do I find my property lines?

First, obtain a copy of your property's legal description. See: How Do I know if my property is platted or not?

Using this information, try to locate your property pins - iron rods inserted into the ground in each corner of your property (you may need to use a metal detector to find them). Stringing a line (or laying a garden hose) between those pins will give you a fairly accurate idea of where your property lines are.

You may also want to hire a surveyor to determine your property corners and property lines.

9. Do I need a license to operate a home business in Rowlett?

Yes, a home application permit is required in order to have a home-based business in the City of Rowlett.

10. What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?

Please view the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ presentation for an overview of TOD.