Brownsville Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Brownsville
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Brownsville — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan(2009)
The Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan was adopted on July 21, 2009 and received the American Planning Association's 2009 Comprehensive Planning Award. It set a 10-year community vision and remains the foundational comprehensive plan referenced by the Planning and Redevelopment Services Department.
Source · brownsvilletx.govDowntown Overlay District (Ordinance 2017-235.87)(2017)
Adopted August 1, 2017 as Ordinance No. 2017-235.87, the Downtown Overlay District (DOD) waives applicable building and zoning fees for qualifying new retail, service, art, and entertainment businesses obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy in downtown Brownsville. It is one of the city's principal downtown-revitalization tools.
Source · brownsvilletx.govDowntown Form-Based Code
Brownsville maintains a Downtown Form-Based Code addressing downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, with provisions for mixed-use development, housing diversity, and Complete Streets principles. The Brownsville UDC and Form-Based Code have been recognized by APA Texas.
Source · brownsvilletx.govTexas Local Government Code Chapter 211 (state zoning enabling authority)
Brownsville's zoning power derives from Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 (Municipal Zoning Authority), which requires zoning to be 'in accordance with a comprehensive plan' (a role filled by Imagine Brownsville) and prescribes the procedural framework for amendments and board of adjustment relief.
Source · statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Brownsville
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Cameron County
- Role: County-level property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs and deed restrictions for additional requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 8,400 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 7,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Brownsville are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Brownsville permit fees →Official Sources
City-specific