Frequently Asked Questions

Zoning establishes the types of land uses permitted on a specific tract of land. Zoning also regulates the size, intensity, and height of development, as well as landscaping, screening, and parking related to development.

Argyle has 17 established zoning districts, which are broadly grouped into residential, non-residential and mixed-use, and overlay districts. Specific information regarding each district can be obtained in the Town Development Standards.

The zoning on a specific piece of property can change only through a public hearing process. This process allows public participation from the applicant, interested citizens, and decision makers. The process requires public notification, public hearings, and final approval by the Town Council.

An applicant may seek a change to establish a use not permitted in the current zoning district. The applicant may use the zoning process to request rezoning to a district that will permit the use outright, or by a Specific Use Permit.

Specific Use Permits are permitted exclusively by specific permit approval by the Council. Fees and processing of an SUP are similar to a zoning case.

Anyone may apply for a zoning change; however, permission of the property owner is required. A place is provided on the zoning application for the owner's signature, whether a single owner or a corporation. In all cases, the owner's notarized signature must be on the application.

During the public hearings of the zoning case at Planning and Zoning Commission and/or Town Council, the applicant and people in favor of or opposed to the request may present their views.

In addition to speaking at the public hearing, you may also send letters to the Commission and Council either directly or through the Department of Community Development, or you may discuss the case with the Planning and Zoning Commissioners or Council Members.

A petition is a more formal process of registering your support for or opposition to a request. A petition becomes a permanent part of the case and must be filed with the Town Secretary. 

Regardless of the type of petition, there is no legal effect on the Planning and Zoning Commission's vote. A simple majority vote recommending approval or denial of a zoning request is all that is required of the Commission. However, the Commission's decision may be influenced by petitions of support or opposition.

Petitions of support may influence final Council action, but they have no legal effect. Petitions of opposition (individual form, group form) submitted to the Town Secretary, that are properly notarized and meet state and local criteria will invoke a required three-fourths vote of approval to permit a change. In order to invoke the mandatory three-fourths approval, the petition must be signed by the owners of at least 20 percent of either:

• the land area covered by the proposed change; or,
• the land area within 200 feet of the subject property.

Only one vote per lot in support or opposition per owner is permitted. The "owner" is the owner shown on the most recently approved Town tax roll. For example, if John Doe appears as the owner on the tax rolls, then the signature on the petition should be John Doe. If joint ownership appears on the tax rolls, i.e., John and Mary Doe, then John Doe and/or Mary Doe should sign the petition. 

A Planned Development is a custom zoning district. The general purpose of the Planned Development to accommodate unique and creative developments, which the regulations on the Town’s established zoning districts cannot provide.

All Planned Developments have one or more base zoning districts, and then certain exceptions or enhancements to those regulations are specifically codified for the Planned Development.

Waterbrook, Lakes of Argyle, Argyle Landing, and 5T Ranch are some examples of existing Planned Developments within the Town.