Melissa, Texas zoning

A plain-language summary of the Melissa zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Municode, last reviewed July 3, 2026.

Zoning districts

• AResidential

  Agricultural District

  Continuance of farming, ranching and gardening on land that may urbanize later (Sec. 8.1). Two acre minimum lots. Newly annexed territory is temporarily classified Agricultural District until the City Council assigns permanent zoning (Sec. 6). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• SF-1Residential

  Single-Family Residential District-1

  Larger lots for large single-family homes and accessory structures, typically in remote areas separated from major thoroughfares (Sec. 9.1). Twenty thousand square foot minimum lots. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• SF-2Residential

  Single-Family Residential District-2

  Low density traditional single-family development, appropriate as a buffer between higher density residential and agricultural or estate residential areas (Sec. 10.1). Ten thousand square foot minimum lots. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• SF-3Residential

  Single-Family Residential District-3

  Single-family development at somewhat higher density than SF-1 or SF-2, appropriate as a buffer between multi-family or commercial areas and lower density single-family areas (Sec. 11.1). Seven thousand eight hundred square foot minimum lots. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• THResidential

  Townhome Residential District

  Attached residential dwelling units in structures of three to eight units per building, appropriate as a buffer between multi-family or commercial areas and lower density single-family uses (Sec. 11-A.1). Treated as a single-family residential district and townhome structures as single-family structures for regulations that distinguish SF from MF, except as otherwise provided. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• MFResidential

  Multi-Family Residential District

  Medium to high density residential development suitable for higher traffic volume; attached dwellings permitted at no more than fifteen units per acre (Sec. 12.1). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• MHResidential

  Manufactured Home Park District

  Manufactured home development on a minimum twenty acre park; no manufactured home may be located outside an authorized park, and none built before June 15, 1976 may be located in the city (Sec. 13.1). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• C-1Commercial

  Restricted Commercial District

  Office, neighborhood shopping and service commercial uses compatible with a central business district (Sec. 14.1). Business must be conducted wholly within an enclosed building. Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• C-2Commercial

  General Commercial District

  Retail, commercial and office uses needing considerable display, sales or open storage space, or otherwise not generally compatible with the C-1 District (Sec. 15.1). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• I-1Industrial

  Light Industrial District

  Light industrial uses and commercial uses requiring outside storage and display, with standards intended to keep working areas attractive (Sec. 16.1). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• I-2Industrial

  Heavy Industrial District

  A wide range of industrial uses including manufacturing, processing, assembling, warehousing and distribution, some of which may generate objectionable or hazardous conditions (Sec. 17.1). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

• PDSpecial purpose

  Planned Development District

  Flexible district for master-planned or mixed-use development; permitted uses and all dimensional standards (density, lot area, yards, height, coverage, parking) are set in the ordinance granting each specific PD, which can supersede citywide standards (Sec. 18(A)). There is no single citywide PD dimensional table; the adopting ordinance for the specific PD controls. Confirm the current zoning map and the adopting PD ordinance before acting.

• DODMixed use

  Downtown Overlay District

  Overlay guiding development and redevelopment of the historic downtown core with a mix of commercial, retail and residential uses, applied on top of the underlying base district (Sec. 18(C)). Includes Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) and Transition Mixed Use (TMU) character zones with distinct design and parking rules. Overlay-specific dimensional deviations from the base district are review-gated; confirm the current zoning map, the overlay boundary, and the cited section text before acting.

• CC/OMixed use

  Commercial Corridor Overlay District

  Overlay guiding new development and redevelopment along the US Highway 75 and Collin County Outer Loop corridors, applied on top of the underlying base district, with enhanced design, landscaping, sign, screening and fencing standards (Sec. 18(D)). Overlay-specific dimensional deviations from the base district are review-gated; confirm the current zoning map, the overlay boundary, and the cited section text before acting.

• SUPSpecial purpose

  Specific Use Permit

  Not a stand-alone zoning district; a use marked S on the Schedule of Uses is permitted in its base district only after City Council approval of a Specific Use Permit, following a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and public hearing (Sec. 18(B)). Confirm the current zoning map and the cited section text before acting.

Rules by topic

• Permitted usesWhat you can do by right in each zoning district.
• Special land usesUses that need special approval before they are allowed.
• SetbacksHow far buildings must sit from property lines.
• Building heightHeight limits by district, and the exceptions.
• Lot coverageHow much of a lot buildings may cover.
• Lot size and widthMinimum lot area and width requirements.
• ParkingRequired spaces, driveway rules, and surfaces.
• Accessory dwelling unitsWhether a second dwelling unit is allowed.
• Garages, sheds, and accessory structuresSize caps, setbacks, and height limits for detached structures.
• FencesHeight limits, placement, and prohibited materials.
• SignsWhat signs are allowed and where.
• Home occupationsRunning a business from a residence.
• Variances and appealsWho decides, what standard applies, and the sequence.

Common questions

• Can I add an accessory dwelling unit?
• Can I build a fence?
• Can I run a home business here?
• Can I use this property for retail?
• Do I need special approval for my use?
• How do I request a variance?
• How much parking is required?
• How tall can I build?
• What setbacks apply to this property?
• What can I build on this property?