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1. Is Texarkana, Texas a Zoned Community?

Yes, Texarkana, Texas is zoned with the following districts:
1. A Agriculture
2. SF-1 Single Family 1 Residential District
3. SF-2 Single Family 2 Residential District
4. SF-3 Single Family 3 Residential District
5. PUR Planned Unit Residential
6. 2F-1 Two Family-1
7. 2F-2 Two Family-2
8. TH Townhouse
9. MF-1 Multiple Family-1
10. MF-2 Multiple Family-2
11. P Parking
12. OA Office
13. NS Neighborhood Service
14. GR General Retail
15. CB Central Business
16. LC Limited Commercial
17. C Commercial
18. I-1 Industrial-1
19. I-2 Industrial-2
20. PD Planned Development
21. S Specific Use Permit

2. Who can tell me how my property is zoned?

The Planning Department, at 903-798-3945 or 903-798-3934, can help you determine the zoning of your property. You must know the physical location and legal description of your property; including lot, block, and addition, as well as the names of any streets in the vicinity. To help with a legal description visit the Bowie Central Appraisal District website.

3. Who can apply to rezone a piece of property?

The city can initiate a rezoning, or a property owner, or his agent. Someone other than the property owner may apply for a zoning change; however, permission of the property owner is required. See the Application to Amend Zoning Map.

4. What must I do to rezone my property, request site plan approval or apply for a specific use permit?

1. Call or come by the Planning Department. The offices are located on the 4th floor, Texas City Hall, 220 Texas Blvd. Phone numbers are 903-798-3945 or 903-798-3934.

2. Fill out the application. See Zoning Application Form. Also use this form for site plan approval and specific use permit requests.

3. The application must include:

I. Original signature of property owner.
II. Complete legal description of property (metes and bounds or lot and block in subdivision).
III. Site plan approval requests which must include the following:

a. Building and partking layout including sizes, square footage, distances from property lines, heights, and materials proposed.
b. Building elevations.
c. Sign information including size (sq. footage), height, style, i.e. monument, planter, pole, electronic messaging.
d. Landscaping
e. Fencing (material and height)
f. General drainage directional plan

4. Applications cannot be filed on-line since an original application with the owner's signature is required.

5. The application should include a $250.00 application fee, non-refundable, plus a variable deposit fee of $200.00. See Fee Schedule.

6. Appear at the meetings to present your request. See Planning and Zoning Meeting.

5. When does the planning and zoning commission meet?

The Planning and Zoning Commission normally meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of each month. The meeting is held in the council chambers on the 2nd floor of the city hall building located at 220 Texas Boulevard, Texarkana, Texas 75501.
See Planning and Zoning Meeting Schedule

6. Can a Manufactured Home be placed inside the City?

Each Manufactured Home must receive approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for placement on a separate lot or tract of land inside the city. The process for this approval is by rezoning the property to a SF-3 zoning district in conjunction with the approval of a Specific Use Permit, SUP. See Zoning Change Application, and Manufactured Home Information form.

7. What is the Board of Adjustment?

The Board of Adjustment is a five member board appointed by the City Council to hear requests for variances to the city zoning ordinance; i. e, setbacks, height, lot coverage, non conforming structures, or to determine if a city official has made an error regarding a zoning requirement.

8. When does the Board of Adjustment meet?

The Board of Adjustment meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:15 p.m. as needed, in the conference room of city hall, located at 220 Texas Boulevard, Texarkana, Texas. See Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting.

9. What is a request for a variance?

A request for a variance is what a property owner seeks when strict compliance with the zoning ordinance such as application of setback, height, or area regulations would create an unnecessary hardship on the owner of a particular piece of property. To be considered for a variance, the board of adjustment must be assured that the hardship is not self-imposed, is unique to the property-size, shape, topography of the lot or tract, is not financial in nature, and does not simply preclude development for the "highest and best use" of the land.

10. How do I request a variance?

Do the following to request a variance:
1. Submit an Application for Variance form* See Variance Form form. The application should include a $150.00 application fee, non refundable, plus a variable deposit fee of $200.00. See Fee Schedule.
2. Submit a site plan of the lot showing all property lines as well as depiction of the requested variance.
3. Appear at the public hearing before the Board of Adjustment. See Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Schedule.

11. What is the fee for platting and replatting?

See Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule below.

Fee Schedule

12. What is the City of Texarkana, Texas' ETJ?

The City of Texarkana, Texas' ETJ, Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, is the land up to two miles beyond the current city limits.

13. Where do I find information about building setbacks requirements?

Information can be obtained through the Inspection Department, 903-798-3912.

14. Do I need a permit to erect a sign?

Yes. All permits are issued by the Inspection Department, 903-798-3912, or online.

15. Where may I place a storage building on my lot?

Storage buildings are permitted in the required back yard of a lot provided that they are detached and separated from the main building by not less than 10 feet and setback from the rear and side yard property lines by not less than three feet as long as there is not an easement located in these areas. If the property has an usable alley at the rear yard, contact the Inspection Department at 903-798-3912. A permit is required and can be obtained through the Inspection Department.

16. Do I need a permit to erect a fence?

No, as long as the fence has a height of less than eight feet. If the fence is over eight feet contact the Inspection Department at 903-798-3912, or online.