Rockwall, Texas zoning
A plain-language summary of the Rockwall zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on City-hosted PDF Unified Development Code, last reviewed July 5, 2026.
Zoning districts
- AGSpecial purpose
Agricultural
Land reserved for future growth, raw or agricultural use, constrained land, green belts, natural areas, or open space while urban services are premature.
- SFE-1.5Residential
Single Family Estate 1.5
Rural estate lots of at least 1.5 acres, typically in the city hinterland away from higher density residential and non-residential development.
- SFE-2.0Residential
Single Family Estate 2.0
Rural estate lots of at least two acres, typically on the city periphery with public roadway, water, wastewater, and drainage access.
- SFE-4.0Residential
Single Family Estate 4.0
Rural estate lots of at least four acres in the city hinterland, with larger private restrictions handled by covenants rather than the district.
- SF-1Residential
Single Family 1
One-acre single-family lots or clustered one dwelling per acre development that conserves open space and transitions toward estate or rural areas.
- SF-16Residential
Single Family 16
Larger lot single-family neighborhoods that also accommodate civic neighborhood elements such as schools, churches, and parks.
- SF-10Residential
Single Family 10
Medium-lot single-family district for the majority of Rockwall existing single-family residential development.
- SF-8.4Residential
Single Family 8.4
Medium-lot single-family district for remaining undeveloped land and transition areas between higher and lower density residential districts.
- SF-7Residential
Single Family 7
Smaller-lot single-family district near low-intensity non-residential uses, Old Town Rockwall, or residential transition areas.
- ZL-5Residential
Zero Lot Line
Medium-density owner-occupied single-family development on separate lots, with increased public infrastructure demands.
- 2FResidential
Two-Family
Medium-density duplex district allowing two dwelling units per lot as a transition from higher to lower density residential areas.
- MF-14Residential
Multi-Family 14
Higher density multifamily district intended near retail and services, with spacing limits to avoid concentrated multifamily clusters and traffic through single-family streets.
- ROCommercial
Residential-Office
Low-intensity office and limited retail conversion district for older residential areas, serving as a transition between neighborhoods and busier corridors.
- NSCommercial
Neighborhood Services
Small neighborhood-serving retail and personal service district, typically one-half to two acres at limited arterial corner locations.
- GRCommercial
General Retail
Neighborhood-scale retail and service district near major thoroughfare intersections, excluding more intensive commercial and truck-heavy uses.
- CCommercial
Commercial
General business district for larger shopping centers and commercial strips along arterials, excluding heavy truck and low-retail traffic uses.
- HCCommercial
Heavy Commercial
Commercial district for truck traffic, outside operations, outside storage, excessive noise, or similar activities needing buffering from residential areas.
- DTMixed use
Downtown
Downtown development and redevelopment district implementing the comprehensive plan and Downtown Plan for the traditional downtown area.
- LIIndustrial
Light Industrial
Limited industrial district for modern, cleaner industrial parks that restrict outside storage and activity, intended for high-visibility corridor locations kept apart from residential areas by open space.
- HIIndustrial
Heavy Industrial
District for industrial uses that cannot be fully enclosed or may involve hazardous materials, noise, or truck traffic, sited away from residential areas along arterial roadways capable of carrying that traffic.
- PDSpecial purpose
Planned Development
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- HOVSpecial purpose
Historic Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- NG OVSpecial purpose
North Goliad Street Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SROSpecial purpose
Southside Residential Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- IH-30 OVSpecial purpose
IH-30 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SH-205 OVSpecial purpose
SH-205 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SOVSpecial purpose
Scenic Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SH-66 OVSpecial purpose
SH-66 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SH-205 BY-OVSpecial purpose
SH-205 By-Pass Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- N. SH-205 OVSpecial purpose
North SH-205 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- FM-549 OVSpecial purpose
FM-549 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- SH-276 OVSpecial purpose
SH-276 Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
- TL OVSpecial purpose
Lake Ray Hubbard Takeline Overlay
Standards under independent review — see the cited ordinance.
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?
- Do I need special approval for my use?
- How do I request a variance?
- How much parking is required?
- How tall can I build?
- Is my property in the Rockwall ETJ?
- What setbacks apply to this property?
- What can I build on this property?
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