Ok, so I know what you’re thinking. Zoning law is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Zoning law is a set of rules that determine how land is used throughout Texas. More often than not, zoning law is taken for granted until a change occurs that touches you personally. It’s only then, that zoning law takes on a new meaning – and a different importance.
Keeping with the paint analogy, zoning laws in Texas are meant to make our communities pleasant. For 150 years, cities in Texas have been empowered to divide the population amongst neighborhoods, and give each neighborhood its own distinct personality. Not only does zoning change the look of Texas, but it also influences things like the local economy, housing options available, and the character of a neighborhood.
Zoning laws in Texas are based on Local Government Code – Title 7 – Subtitled “zoning regulation by general-law municipalities,” mentions Delano in Kern County, California, which became known as “Kern County’s first legally designated ‘colonies,'” and Texas’ First Subdivision, which was located in “West Dallas in 1939.” Since then, subdivision of land into smaller lots has become the standard, thanks to zoning laws.
Zoning has also long been utilized by Texas cities and towns to identify the types of housing that are to be built in a particular neighborhood. Thanks to zoning, Texans can purchase a single-family house, a duplex, or an apartment in any one of Texas’ many neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are made up of high-rise condos, while others are composed of bungalows, Edwards, Pueblo-style adobe houses, rancher houses, and even craftsman houses.
The beauty of zoning is that it allows citizens to plan for amenities, like parks, stores, libraries, and schools. School districts utilize zoning to ensure efficient routing of school buses. Taking advantage of zoning, public parks are being built that are equipped with children’s play equipment, water fountains, sports fields, picnic tables, and shade trees.
Texas cities and towns have also used zoning to ensure that cultural sites, monuments, and historic buildings are preserved. Think about it this way – zoning laws in Texas cities and towns play a direct role in shaping the personality and character of every neighborhood you live in. And, with the character of neighborhoods changing on a near-daily basis, zoning laws in Texas will continue to evolve in ways that can improve lives – and even turn your dreams into reality.
You may not have given much thought to zoning law in Texas, but this area of law can shape the future of your neighborhood, and the cultural landmarks and natural beauty will continue to survive thanks to zoning laws. Zoning laws also safeguard housing options, and ensure that Texans will enjoy vibrant parks, and schools that foster the development of future generations.
In short, zoning laws in Texas cities and towns determine your quality of life by influencing everything from the size and style of homes and residential properties to the number of parks and playgrounds available to residents of each neighborhood. So, if the quality of your neighborhood is important to you, zoning law is something you need to take an interest in, and participate in. Have an idea of what you want? Why not get a petition started for the change you have in mind? Real results start in your back yard.
For more information on zoning laws, you can visit the Wikipedia page on zoning.
