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Planning & Zoning

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1. How do I obtain a map of the City?

The Planning & Zoning Department has updated the City map, and can provide you with 11X17 copies upon request. You may also find an interactive map of the City using this link: City of DeSoto Street Map

2. What is zoning?

All of the land within the City is broken into zones which allow different land uses, for example residential, office, retail, commercial and industrial. Each zoning district has a list of permitted uses. Each district also has a list of certain rules for the development of these uses which include: lot coverage, building setbacks, parking requirements, height requirements, roof pitch, building materials, signage and landscaping.

3. How is a piece of property zoned?

The Planning & Zoning Department has an Official Zoning Map for the City of DeSoto. This map is kept up to date and is on display in the Planning and Zoning department. If you are having problems with finding the correct zoning for a particular parcel of land, please call (972) 230-9622 for information. You may also locate the zoning for a piece of property using the link below. It is helpful if you have the address and/or legal description of the property. Zoning Information and Maps

4. How do I rezone property?

Submit a rezoning application to the Planning & Zoning Department. 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 review the request and publish the appropriate public hearing notices for Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) and City Council (both P&Z and City Council public hearings are required for zoning change requests).
Prior to the zoning change being sent to P&Z, letters will be sent out to every property owner within 200 feet of the property in question notifying them of the request.
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 zoning change request is consider by the Planning and Zoning Commission through a public hearing and a recommendation is made to the City Council to grant the request, deny the request or grant the request with modifications. If the P&Z feels they do not have enough information to consider the request, they can postpone or table the item to allow for additional information to be furnished.
The City Council must hold a public hearing prior to consideration of the item to grant the request, deny the request or grant the request with modifications.
Zoning Change Application

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

The use of land and/or buildings shall be in accordance with those listed in the Use Chart which is found in Section 36 of the Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Ordinance

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

Though we cannot tell you specifically whether or not requested zoning will be approved, the Staff can tell you about current trends in zoning throughout the City. We can also tell you what the City's Comprehensive Plan calls for in any area of town. These pieces of information can be helpful in determining whether or not zoning is likely to be supported on any given property.

7. What is the plat process?

The platting process is creating a legal subdivision plat. Subdivision Platting is the division of the property into legal lots that conform to the city’s specifications as provided in the Subdivision Ordinance.
If utilities are required, then detailed construction plans must be submitted to the Engineering Department and approved before the preliminary plat application can be submitted to P&Z. The developer must submit preliminary plat application to the Planning & Zoning Department. The application must include the preliminary plat copies, applicable fee and tax certificates from both the City and Dallas County.
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 through one revised plat, staff notifies the applicant to provide necessary copies of plats for the Planning & Zoning 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 considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission and a recommendation is made to City Council to approve the preliminary plat, deny the preliminary plat or approve the preliminary plat with modifications.
The City Council then takes action to approve the preliminary plat, deny the preliminary plat or approve the preliminary plat with modifications. If the preliminary plat is approved by City Council the developer can begin construction of the infrastructure. Once the infrastructure is complete and approved by the Engineering Department, the developer can submit the final plat application to the Planning & Zoning Department. The application submittal must include the final plat copies and applicable fee, and tax certificates from both the City and Dallas County.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) reviews the final plat for completeness or any necessary corrections. When the concerns of DRC have been addressed, staff notifies the applicant to provide necessary copies of plats for the Planning & Zoning Commission packets.
The final plat is considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission through a regular hearing to approve the final plat, deny the final plat or approve the final plat with modifications. If the final plat is approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the developer can provide the Planning & Zoning Department with necessary copies of plats 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 Department.

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

The Planning & Zoning Department has most of the recorded plats for the City of DeSoto. Once Plats have been approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council or staff, they are then recorded by staff at Dallas County. These plats are available to the general public. You may use the link below, drop by the Planning & Zoning Department, or call 972.230.9622 to obtain specific plats or tracts of land. Most older plats are available online through this link. Zoning Information and Maps

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

The Planning & Zoning Department have individual address maps of each subdivision throughout the City of DeSoto. These address maps can be found using the link below, by coming into the Planning & Zoning Department or by calling (972) 230-9622. Zoning Information and Maps