Proposed Updates

The City of San Marcos

The City of San Marcos is currently in the process of reviewing the San Marcos Development Code for potential updates. Information on Development Code updates as they are proposed will be posted on this page. If you have any questions, please contact planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov.

Proposed Updates:

Downtown Nighttime

September 2, 2021 Historic Preservation Updates: The Historic Preservation Commission will hear proposed updates to the Development Code regarding the following topics :

  • Posted Notice for Certificate of Appropriateness Requests: related to requiring posted notice of public hearings for Certificates of Appropriateness
  • Demolition by Neglect: related to removal of the requirement allowing these types of cases once a quarter and requiring Certified Mail be sent to the property owner notifying them of the Demolition by Neglect findings

For details on the adoption, please see the following timeline:

  • September 2, 2021: Consideration of a recommendation by Historic Preservation Commission 
  • September 28, 2021: Consideration of a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission 
  • October 19, 2021: First Reading by City Council
  • November 3, 2021: Second Reading by City Council

Recent Updates:

Code Excerpt

August 3, 2021 Miscellaneous Updates (Ord. 2021-47): The City Council approved updates to the Development Code regarding several topics as follows:

  • City Engineering Staff Recommendations: related to site permits, detention, and stormwater quality and stream protection.
  • Residential Garage / Access Standards: related to residential garage parking, pedestrian access, front porches, and residential front door requirements.
  • Use of Self Storage and Outdoor Storage: related to the use of self storage, outdoor storage, changes to the Land Use Matrix, and a renaming of the Employment Center zoning district.
  • Allowable uses in CD-2.5 and ND-3.2: Amendment to the Land Use Matrix to include CD-2.5 and ND-3.2 zoning.
  • Typographical Errors: related to misspellings, the inclusion of missing text, and other miscellaneous errors related to typographical or technical errors.

For details on the adoption, please utilize the below links:

Bee on bluebonnet 12

March 16, 2021 Turfgrass (Ord. 2021-05) and Irrigation (Ord. 2021-06) Requirements: The City Council approved updates to the Development Code and City Code regarding water conservation enhancements related to limiting the amount of turfgrass in new development and revising the irrigation requirements. For additional information, please contact Jan Klein, Conservation Coordinator.

Image of Code (JPG)

March 16, 2021 Downtown Design (Ord. 2021-16): The City Council approved updates to the Development Code and Design Manual regarding downtown architectural design standards and guidelines. View information regarding the project and adopted redlines on the project webpage.