Houston Land Use Decisions: March 2026

In March 2026, Houston held 4 public meetings covering land use matters. 13 land use decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 8 approved (100% approval rate), 5 deferred. Activity was up 4% compared to February (198 activity items across 3 meetings).

Note: Houston does not use traditional zoning. The city regulates land use through deed restrictions, a permitting system, and development ordinances. The activity tracked here reflects these regulatory discussions.

Land Use Decisions This Month

East Broad Oaks Reserve 21-Lot Subdivision

Deferred.

Replat to create 21 single-family residential lots and one parking reserve on approximately 2.5 acres, located east of Chimney Walk Road and north of Woodway Drive. Developer Frank Liu proposed the project. Opposition letters received from Council Members Huffman and Alcorn. Deferred to allow developer meeting with neighborhood.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Portman Center Street East Replat Number 1

Deferred.

275-unit multifamily development requesting 7.5-foot building line variance instead of required 10 feet along Center Street. Numerous public comments received both in support and opposition.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

609 Oxford Street Mid-Rise Buffer Variance

Deferred.

Mid-rise multifamily building requesting waiver of 15-foot buffer requirement between building and adjacent single-family restricted lot under same ownership, located east of Heights Boulevard.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

507 Cordell Street Building Line Variance

Approved.

Residential remodel requesting 4.5-foot building line for front porch instead of required 10 feet. Replaces existing porch at same setback with slightly wider footprint.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

6515 Lockwood Drive Building Line Variance

Approved.

Variance for 17.5-foot garage building line instead of required 25 feet for substantially completed single-family home. Construction error discovered during inspection. Part of City of Houston home repair program.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

5434 Petty Street Carport Variance

Approved.

Variance for 11-foot building line instead of required 20-foot garage building line for residential carport. Carport built without permits but received neighbor support letters.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Morton Creek Ranch Section 16 Replat and Extension

Approved.

Replat of 23.5-acre property in Harris County ETJ creating 108 single-family residential lots and 9 reserves, located east along Peak Ridge Road, north of Morton Road, west of Grand 99 Parkway.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Ventana Lakes East Drill Site Park Variance

Approved.

Variance granted to change land use from landscape and open space reserve to landscape, open space, and recreation use for 4.2-acre property. Harris County MUD proposing park with playground, pavilion, and connecting trails.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 13 recorded land use decisions. See all Houston meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• plat: 33 instances
• variance: 29 instances
• commercial: 20 instances
• subdivision: 18 instances
• residential: 16 instances

What to Watch

• Commercial mentions were up 300% from February.
• Residential came up 78% more often than February.

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