Land Development Process Tree

Step 1.Pre-Development Information

Pre-Development Conferences are generally scheduled in ½ hour increments and are held twice weekly. Monday conferences are scheduled between 1 and 3 p.m., and Thursday meetings are held between 9 a.m. and noon.

Pre-Development Conferences with city staff are offered for applicants to learn more about city development policies and procedures and to address site specific issues.

These meetings are meant to be a “discovery” type meeting designed to help developers in their project due diligence. These meetings cannot be serve as a comprehensive questions and answer sessions; rather they are useful in uncovering potential issues, are a good platform to create a common understanding amongst all city departments, and help to streamline the development process.

Representatives from development related city departments such as Transportation & Public Works, Water, Planning & Development and Fire are present to evaluate the project to aid the developer in their project planning.

Step 2.Schedule

To schedule a conference, complete the Pre-Development Conference Request Form(PDF, 540KB) and then contact the development coordinator, at 817-392-1PDC (1732).

Note: The following items will be discussed as requested at the Pre-Development Conference:

• Zoning
• Platting
• Fire Code
• Roadway Improvements
• Drainage Improvements
• Parks
• Water and Sewer
• Building Code Issues
• Urban Forestry Permits

Step 1.Zoning Change Typical Process

Every proposal to change the regulations of the zoning ordinance or the boundaries of a zoning district must be presented to the Zoning Commission and approved by City Council, with a total of two public hearings. To initiate this process, an application is filed with the Development Services Department and payment is made of the appropriate filing fee. The application is made by the owner of the property or an authorized agent, or may be initiated by the City of Fort Worth.

Before land in the city of Fort Worth can be developed, it must be properly zoned and platted. Land outside the city limits but within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is subject to platting, but not to zoning.

The public hearings for Zoning cases are typically scheduled for the Council meeting held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Some cases may request an for alternate Council hearing date. These dates are provided on the notification and the Zoning Commission agenda.

The scheduled dates for continued cases are announced at the Zoning Commission or City Council at the time of continuance. A fee is charged for cases continued by the applicant.

Zoning Change Process

Step 2.Application & Fees

Please note the Following Requirements:

A. Persons filing an application to amend the zoning ordinance must be fully prepared to present their proposal at the Zoning Commission and City Council public hearings.

B. An application denied by the City Council cannot be accepted as a new request until one year from the date the original application was denied.

• Zoning Change Application(PDF, 395KB)

Step 3.Processing & Notifications

• 1st Public Hearing
• 2nd public hearing

Step 1.Platting

A plat is a map of a piece of land identifying the location and boundaries of street rights-of-way, individual lots or parcels, and other site information. The plat shows features such as lot lines, utility easements, setback lines, land dedicated for public use (e.g. streets and parks), ownership, and metes and bounds (boundary dimensions). Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 212, contains the state law governing the approval of plats.

The Subdivision Ordinance is Chapter 31 in the City Code. The City Code can be found on this page by scrolling to the very bottom of this page and clicking on "City Code & Charter." For additional information regarding platting in the City of Fort Worth please contact the platting team, 817-392-8027.

Platting

Step 2.What are the Categories of Plats?

The plats necessary for a project depend on the project itself and the stage of development.

• Concept Plan (Not Recorded)
• Preliminary Plat (Not Recorded)
• Final Plat
• Minor Plat (Short Form Final Plat)
• Replat
• Amending Plat
• Correction Plat
• Conveyance Plat
• Vacated Plat

Step 1.Urban Forestry Typical Process

Protection and preservation of a portion of the existing trees on each site helps to achieve a multi-aged urban forest and maintain ecological balance. Urban Forestry ordinance(PDF, 2MB).

Urban Forestry

Step 2.Zoning Special District Typical Process

• Read the HSTE COA(PDF, 1MB).
• Zoning

Step 1.Infrastructure Plan Review Center (IPRC)

The Infrastructure Plan Review Center (IPRC) is responsible for the consultation, intake and review of public infrastructure plans that will be constructed pursuant to a CFA or other agreement between the City and a Developer. IPRC reviews construction plans, CFA exhibits, Project Manuals, easement exhibits, and other documents relating to a project. The IPRC also assists with reviewing and processing permits and agreements, assists with public bidding when there is City Participation in a project, coordinating construction issues, reviews plan revisions, and processes change orders during construction.” Please visit our webpage here. 

Step 2.Community Facilities Agreement (CFA) Typical Process

A community facilities agreement (CFA) is a contract between the city and a developer that is required whenever the construction of public infrastructure is funded entirely or in part by a private developer. It ensures that new development is adequately served by public infrastructure and that the infrastructure improvements are constructed according to city standards. 

CFA

Step 3.Construction/Green Sheet Process

Step 1.Inspections Typical Process

An inspection is required for all construction or work for which a permit is required and shall be subject to inspection by the building official and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official. 

Inspection Process

Step 2.Limited Certificate of Occupancy (LCO) Typical Process

• Certificate of Occupancy(PDF, 77KB)