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Council updates development code and ordinances to reflect new state laws on occupancy, home businesses and protest procedures
Summary
Council approved text amendments to the Denton Development Code and companion ordinance to comply with recent state legislation affecting occupancy calculations, 'no-impact' home-occupation rules, and notification/protest procedures for zoning changes.
The Denton City Council approved amendments to the Denton Development Code and the code of ordinances to align local rules with state legislation affecting home occupancy, home occupations and protest/notice procedures.
Principal planner Julie Wyatt summarized changes tied to three bills adopted by the state legislature: occupancy rules will use sleeping-area square footage (one person per 70 square feet and additional occupants per extra 50 square feet), a new "no-impact home based business" classification will be added, and protest/notice procedures were revised for certain comprehensive zoning changes — including a 60% land-area protest threshold within 200 feet for some actions. Wyatt recommended approval to bring local code into compliance with state law and council approved the amendments (6-1).
Councilmembers said they supported the changes but urged proactive public education to explain the revisions to residents and avoid confusion. Staff noted companion edits to the code of ordinances would follow the same approach.
