Council adopts UDC text amendment to define residential garage orientations
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Summary
Council approved ordinance Z2025-049 to add formal definitions for seven residential garage orientations in the Unified Development Code to reduce inconsistent interpretations by builders and staff.
Rockwall — The Rockwall City Council on Sept. 2 adopted a text amendment to the Unified Development Code that formally defines residential garage orientations used in the city's planned development districts.
The ordinance (Z2025‑049) adds definitions — including front entry, recessed front entry, side entry, J‑swing, traditional swing, modified traditional swing and the general term "swing garage" — to Article 6 (Parking and Loading) and Article 13 (Definitions). Planning and zoning staff told the council the change is "strictly definitional in nature" and does not alter existing development standards; the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 7–0.
Why it matters: Several older planned development districts currently refer to garage configurations in their standards without an authoritative definition. Staff and P&Z said adding clear definitions will reduce inconsistent interpretation by builders and streamline permit review.
Planning staff explained the change is intended to “standardize the terminology we use on a regular basis” and emphasized that the amendment does not change dimensional standards or existing design rules in the UDC or PDs. Councilman Thomas moved approval and Councilwoman Campbell seconded; the ordinance passed unanimously. The ordinance amends the city—s codified UDC language and becomes effective per the ordinance provisions.
Background: The amendment grew from recurring builder and staff questions about distinguishing similar garage types; staff and P&Z prepared draft definitions and recommended their adoption after evaluating older PDs where the terms appear.
What this means: Future permit applications and PD interpretations will use the new definitions to evaluate garage placement and design, reducing ambiguity between builders and city reviewers.