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1. What is zoning?

The city is separated into separated zoning districts according to land use (for example, a single family residence is located within one of the single family residential zoning districts; and a retail use, such as a grocery store, will be located in general retail zoning). Each zoning district has a list of permitted uses and zoning regulations for development which includes: lot coverage, building setbacks, parking requirements, height requirements, roof pitch, building materials, signage and landscaping, etc.

If you are having problems finding the correct zoning for a particular parcel of land, please contact (972)-230-9622 for more information. It is helpful if you have the address and/or legal description of the property.

2. Where do I obtain maps of the city?

Official maps for the City of DeSoto are on display in the Development Services Department. Upon request, Planning & Zoning staff can provide 11X17 copies of either the zoning map or city street map. You may also find the interactive map of the city website using the link below. Zoning Information and Maps

3. How do I change the zoning of property?

There are a number of steps associated with changing the zoning of property. These steps include:
• Submit a change of zoning application to the Planning & Zoning Division. The application must include a description of the property to be rezoned (site plan, legal description, metes & bounds), applicable fee, and zoning request (current zoning and change being requested).

• Staff will then review the request, and subsequently publish the appropriate public hearing notices for both the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission and City Council (public hearings are required for zoning change requests). Letters will also be sent out to every property owner within 200 feet of the property in question notifying property owners of the request.
P&Z Commission meets are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise posted).

• The zoning change request is then considered by the P&Z Commission and a recommendation is made to the City Council to grant, deny or grant the request with modifications. If the P&Z Commission feels they do not have enough information to consider the request, they have the option to postpone or table the item to allow for additional information to be furnished.

• Finally, the City Council will consider the zoning change request to grant, deny or grant the request with modifications. Zoning Change Application

4. Where can I find information about permitted uses in each zoning district?

The use of land and/or building use can found in the Use Regulation Chart which is found in Section 36 of the Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Ordinance

5. What are the chances of getting a zoning changed?

Although we cannot tell you specifically whether or not requested zoning changes will be granted, Planning & Zoning staff can tell you about current trends in zoning throughout the city. Staff can also tell you what the city's Comprehensive Plan calls for in any area within the city limits. This information can be helpful in determining whether or not a zoning change is likely to be supported on any given property.

6. What are the steps in the platting process?

The platting process involves the creation of legal subdivision plats. Subdivision Platting consists of the division of the property into legal lots that conform to the city’s specifications as provided in the Subdivision Ordinance.

There are a number of steps in platting property. These steps include:

If utilities are required, then detailed construction plans must be submitted to the Engineering Division for approval before the preliminary plat application can be submitted to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Division. Once construction plans have been approved, the developer must submit preliminary plat application to the P&Z Division. The application must include the preliminary plat copies, applicable fee and tax certificates from Dallas County.

• Next, the Development Review Committee (DRC) reviews the preliminary plat for site-specific issues such as utility and fire access, drainage, lot configuration and conformance to zoning regulations. When the concerns of DRC have been addressed, staff will notify the applicant to provide copies of plats for the P&Z Commission packets.

• Planning and Zoning meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise posted).
The preliminary plat is then considered by the P&Z Commission for a recommendation to City Council to approve, deny or approve the preliminary plat with modifications.

Once the P&Z Commission has made a recommendation, the City Council then takes action to approve, deny or approve the preliminary plat with modifications. If the preliminary plat is approved by City Council the developer can begin construction of the infrastructure. When the infrastructure is complete and approved by the Engineering Division, the developer can submit the final plat application to the P&Z Division. The application submittal must include the final plat copies, applicable fee, and tax certificates from Dallas County.

• Then DRC will review the final plat. When the concerns of DRC have been addressed, staff will notify the applicant to provide copies of plats for the P&Z Commission packets. The final plat is considered by the P&Z Commission through a regular hearing to approve, deny or approve the final plat with modifications.

If the final plat is approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the developer can provide the P&Z Division with plat copies and fees for recording the plat with Dallas County. Once the final plat has been recorded with Dallas County, the developer can apply for a building permit with the Building Inspections Division.

7. How do you obtain copies of different plats or subdivisions?

Plat copies can be made by either visiting the Development Services Division or clicking this link. Zoning Information and Maps

8. How do you obtain a specific address and/or location within the City of DeSoto?

The Planning & Zoning Division has individual address maps of each subdivision throughout city. These address maps can be obtained by visiting the Planning & Zoning Division or calling (972) 230-9622. Zoning Information and Maps