A.   Public, semipublic or public service buildings, hospitals, institutions or schools, when permitted in a district, may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty feet (60') and churches and temples may be erected to a height not exceeding seventy five feet (75') if the building is set back from each yard line at least one foot (1') for each two feet (2') additional height above the height limit otherwise provided in the district in which the building is located.

   B.   Chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, grain elevators, flour mills, monuments, stacks or scenery lofts, tanks, water towers, ornamental towers and spired church steeples, radio or television towers or necessary mechanical appurtenances may be erected to a height in accordance with existing or hereafter adopted ordinances of the City; provided, that in the absence of any such ordinance there shall be no height limitation of these structures.

(Ord. 95-04-04, 4-4-1995)

   A.   Single Use Of Required Yard Space: No yard or other open space provided about any building for the purposes of complying with the provisions of these regulations shall again be used as a yard or an open space for another building.

   B.   Sky Space: Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky and unobstructed by buildings, except for accessory buildings in the rear yard and except the ordinary projections of skylights, sills, belt courses, cornices and other ornamental features which may project into such yards a distance of not more than two feet (2'). Furthermore, regarding residential buildings and residential accessory structures, it is declared that a maximum of a two-foot (2') roof overhang shall exist when such structure(s) are five feet (5') to the side property’s boundary (as it adjoins other private properties). The intended effect is that a roof overhang’s furthest edge shall not be less than three feet (3') to any other private property. A longer roof overhang may be permitted if structurally sound, and if its’ furthest edge is further than the minimum three feet (3') to the adjoining property. Finally, any previous action by the City that may have been applied in the past to this effect is hereby retroactively approved, and thus moot.

   C.   Porches And Platforms: Open, unenclosed porches, platforms or landing places not covered by a roof or canopy may extend or project into front yards.

   D.   Vision Clearance: On any corner lot on which a front or side yard is required, no wall, fence, sign or other structure or any plant growth shall be permitted or maintained higher than two feet (2') above the curb level within fifteen feet (15') of the property lines.

   E.   Minimum Square Footage: Except for MDR1 lots which have a higher living area mandate, the minimum living area square footage per single family residence shall be no less than eight hundred (800) square feet excluding carports, garages, and porches.

(Ord. 95-04-04, 4-4-1995; amd. Ord. 10-03-17, 3-21-2017; Ord. 63-09-22, 9-6-2022; Ord. 201-08-25, 8-19-2025)

   A.   Front Yard: The minimum depth of the front yard is as provided under each district, however, where forty percent (40%) or more of the frontage on one (1) side of a street between two (2) intersecting streets is developed with buildings that have not observed a front yard as hereinabove described the front yard shall be the average size of the front yards of such lots.

      1.   Construction materials and color tones, inclusive of colored steel metal roofs. will match, or substantially match, the primary home’s aesthetics. It is declared that a canvas-type roof that is taut to its supporting steel frame may re permitted; however, its color shall match, as much as reasonably possible, the primary color of the residence.

   B.   Side Yards:

      1.   The minimum width of a side yard of a corner lot in the R-1 and R-2 Districts shall be not less than ten feet (10') facing a side street.

      2.   A side yard of not less than twenty five feet (25') on the side of the lot adjoining on an R-1 or R-2 District shall be provided for all schools, libraries, community houses, churches, clubs and other public or semipublic buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered.

      3.   A side yard shall be provided of not less than ten feet (10') upon a lot in the C District that abuts upon an R-1 or R-2 District.

      4.   A garage detached or attached to the main use building entering on the side street of a corner lot shall maintain a side yard of twenty feet (20') in front of the garage. A golf cart garage door shall not be less than fifteen feet (15') to the corner side property line; a ‘Golf Cart Garage’ is defined as an enclosed dedicated space specifically for storing a golf cart; whereby the general size of such could approximately be 8' x 15'.

   C.   Rear Yard: In the R-1 or R-2 Districts, accessory buildings may be placed five feet (5') from the rear property line, if there are no rear easements. If there are rear easements, the Planning Department may authorize placement of an accessory structure if:

      1.   There are no existing utilities within the area the accessory structure is to be placed; and

      2.   The accessory structure is not placed on a permanent cement foundation; and

      3.   The owner of the property signs and records a hold harmless agreement with the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office.

      4.   A garage structure, whether new or remodeled, with a garage door facing the alley, alley easement, or rear access way, shall have a minimum rear garage door setback of twenty feet (20') to magnify through traffic maneuverability within said travel lane(s).

      In R-1 and R-2 Districts, no accessory building shall be more than one (1) story in height.

(Ord. 95-04-04, 4-4-1995; amd. Ord. 10-03-17, 3-21-2017; Ord. 35-06-22, 6-7-2022; Ord. 36-07-23, 7-11-2023; Ord. 78-2-24, 2-6-2024; Ord. 159-02-25, 2-24-2025)

   A.   No building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered to exceed the height limit herein established for the district in which the building is situated.

   B.   No building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered, except in conformity with the area and parking regulations of the district in which the building is situated.

   C.   The minimum yards and other open spaces, including lot area per family, required by this title for each and every building existing at the effective date hereof or for any building thereafter erected shall not encroach upon or be considered as yard or open space requirements for any other building nor shall any lot area be reduced to an area less than the district requirements of this title.

   D.   Every building hereinafter erected or structurally altered shall be on a "lot" as herein defined, and in no case shall there be more than one (1) main building on one (1) lot, except as otherwise provided by this title. (Ord. 95-04-04, 4-4-1995; amd. Ord. 120-9-24, 9-3-2024)

A bona fide and signed petition for de-annexation shall comply with all prevailing Texas statutes as may be specified in Title 2, Subtitle C, Subchapter G ‘De-annexation’, Chapter 43 of the Local Government Code. It is the inherent duty of the petitioner(s) to examine such statutes, and thereafter file all required documents to the City Secretary’s Office. Upon receiving the documents, the City shall date-stamp the documents. Thereafter, they shall be examined by the City of Alamo officials to confirm full compliance. When deemed appropriate, the City shall process the petition to its eventual outcome. Should the petition not be fully compliant, the petitioners’ representative shall be informed of this determination. For the administrative services to be comprehensively provided, a de-annexation processing fee rate schedule is hereby established to fairly compensate the City for its review/processing services as follows:

 

 

(Ord. 168-04-26, 4-1-2025)

   A.   Use of premises and all buildings in the City shall be in accordance with the minimum standards hereinafter established.

   B.   Every building shall be on a lot, except where a lot is in C or M Districts where there may be more than one (1) commercial or industrial building on a lot; provided, that the required yards be maintained around the group of buildings.

   C.   Yards, parking space or lot area required for one (1) building cannot be used for another building nor can the size of a lot be reduced below the requirements of this title, except as provided for in chapter 12 of this title.

   D.   All inhabited trailers shall conform to title 9, chapter 5 of this Code.

   E.   In all commercial districts and industrial districts, adjacent residential uses and zoning districts shall have the nonresidential user install a minimum 6' to 8' high buffering wall or wood fence between said properties. Dependent on circumstances of compatibility and expected noise generation from the nonresidential user, an appropriate fence buffer may be required by the City even if an intervening alley exists between the residential and nonresidential property especially if said nonresidential user does not plan to actively use the alley.

(Ord. 95-04-04, 4-4-1995; amd. Ord. 45-09-23, 9-5-2023)

It is the intent of the vehicle parking regulations to allow in all zoning districts off street parking, also known as on site parking, shall be provided for each of the uses identified hereinbelow at the ratios specified herein at the time any building or structure is: a) erected or b) structurally altered, or at such other time when the use of an existing building is changed, except as otherwise specified by this section. (Ord. 11-06-15, 6-2-2015)

   A.   Parking Requirements:

 

(Ord. 11-06-15, 6-2-2015; amd. Ord. 02-01-16, 1-19-2016)

   B.   Rules For Computing Number Of Parking Spaces: In computing the number of parking spaces required for each of the above uses the following rules shall govern:

      1.   Definition Of Floor Area: The term "floor area" means the gross floor area of the specific use.

      2.   Fractional Spaces: Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be constructed to be the next higher whole number.

      3.   Uses Not Mentioned: The parking space requirements for use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a use of similar nature.

      4.   Building Or Use Changes: Whenever a building or use is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity, or otherwise, to create a need for an increase in the number of existing parking spaces, such spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. Whenever any building is enlarged to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more in floor area or in the area used, said building or use shall then and thereafter comply with the parking requirements set forth herein.

      5.   Mixed Uses: In the case of mixed uses, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.

      6.   Parking Reductions:

         a.   For multi-tenant retail shopping centers or office developments greater than twenty five thousand (25,000) square feet in floor area, the sum of the total required parking may be reduced with site plan approval. Determination shall be based on the frequency of the anticipated peak parking demands, and location of parking spaces in relation to the building(s).

         b.   For developments greater than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet in floor area, the sum of the total required parking may be reduced with site plan approval. Determination shall be based on the frequency of the anticipated peak parking demand, and location of parking spaces in relation to the building(s).

   C.   Shared Parking Spaces: Under specific circumstances listed below, a limited number of parking spaces may be applied toward parking space requirements for two (2) different uses. Proposed shared parking arrangements shall be considered during the site planning process. Not more than fifty percent (50%) of the required parking spaces for: theaters, bowling alleys, nightclubs, churches or school auditoriums, or similar uses may be provided and used jointly by uses not normally open, used or operated during the same hours as those listed herein.

   D.   Location Of Parking Spaces: All parking spaces required herein shall be located on the same lot with the building or use served, except as follows:

      1.   Required parking spaces for nonresidential uses not located on the same lot with the building or use served may be located on another lot located no more than five hundred feet (500') from such building or use. Where no parking lot or building is being constructed, staff may approve such off site parking arrangements. If the proposed off site parking proposal is related to or includes construction of a building or parking lot, proposed off site parking arrangements shall be considered during the site plan process.

   E.   Parking Agreements Required: For any shared parking arrangements or off site parking arrangements described above, written agreements ensuring retention of such parking spaces for such purposes, shall be properly drawn and executed by the parties concerned, approved as to form by the city attorney and shall be filed with the application for a building permit.

   F.   General Requirements:

      1.   Dimensions: Off street parking spaces shall have minimum dimensions of:

         a.   Nine feet (9') in width; and

         b.   Eighteen feet (18') in length (depth of stall perpendicular to the aisle).

         c.   The minimum width of access aisles (for one-way and two-way operation) internal to a parking lot or structure shall be as follows:

 

 

      2.   Striping: Each parking stall, accessible aisle, painted island, and loading zone shall be striped using a paint designed to resist weather and abrasions that adheres well to concrete or asphalt. The striping shall be a minimum of four inches (4") wide, with white or yellow paint for stalls and loading zones, and blue or white paint for accessible parking and associated access aisles.

      3.   Construction Materials: All off street parking facilities, inclusive of residential driveways and approaches, shall be constructed with a minimum of concrete or asphalt according to city standards and specifications. The planning director shall have the authority to allow for an extension of time to pave the required off street parking, however shall not be more than sixty (60) calendar days. The city commission may authorize more than sixty (60) calendar days during a conditional use permit process or through the variance process as detailed in section 10-11-1 of this title.

      4.   Maintenance And Right To Inspection: All off street parking facilities, inclusive of residential driveways and approaches must be maintained in good condition and shall constitute a violation of this chapter if said parking is not maintained by the property owner. The city inspector or code enforcement officer shall have the right to enter upon any property in order to inspect the parking facilities or driveway to ensure that the parking facilities or driveway is free of weeds, dust, trash, loose gravel, potholes, faded parking stripes and any other issues that may have a negative aesthetic or impact on the proper use of the parking facility. If the city inspector or the code enforcement officer finds that a parking facility is in need of repair, a notice to correct the violation shall be sent to the owner of the property based on the Hidalgo County appraisal records in order to remedy the violation.

      5.   Commercial And Multi-Family Driveways And Parking Facilities: A commercial/multi-family driveway entrance shall not be more than thirty six feet (36') in width with a ten foot (10') radius along the driveway approach (cut). The thirty six feet (36') will allow for a maximum of three (3) 12-foot lanes (a left turn, right turn, and entrance). In areas where the parking facilities are adjacent to the boundary or perimeter of a property, wheel guards or a standard concrete curb shall be installed. Businesses that wish to utilize adjoining existing alleys shall provide paving of the alley no less than sixteen feet (16') in width from the property to the nearest existing street or as required by the fire marshal. If the alley is to be used as a maneuvering lane, the minimum paved width shall meet the requirements set out in subsection F1c of this section. Paving shall comply with the minimum standards required by the public works director.

      6.   Residential Driveways: A residential driveway shall be a minimum of either ten feet (10') wide by thirty six feet (36') in length or twenty feet (20') in width by twenty eight feet (28') in length. The driveway shall not be more than twenty feet (20') in width with a five foot (5') radius along the driveway approach (cut). No more than two (2) driveways are permitted along any street frontage. A minimum of twelve inches (12") of open green space is required between driveways and the side property lines or a minimum of a four inch (4") curb will be required in order to prevent stormwater runoff into the neighboring properties.

      7.   Requirement Deviations: In approving a parking plan, the planning director may allow or require minor deviations from the requirements of this section whenever a literal application of a requirement to a premises that would, because of unusual circumstances or situations not generally common to other premises, not achieve the purposes or intent of the regulation or cause an undesired result.

   G.   Accessible Parking:

      1.   Accessible parking spaces and access routes shall be required in all commercial parking facilities and in multi-family uses with more than four (4) dwelling units per lot. Accessible parking spaces required shall comply with the 2010 ADA "Standards For Accessible Design" manual.

         a.   Each accessible parking space shall be designated as reserved by a vertically mounted or suspended sign at least twelve inches (12") in width showing the symbol of accessibility. The required signage shall also include below the symbol for accessibility the words, "class C misdemeanor w/o permit". Signage for van accessible spaces shall also display the words "van accessible" below the symbol for accessibility.

         b.   Post mounted signs shall have a minimum mounting height of seven feet (7') within pedestrian areas. Post mounted signs not within pedestrian areas or wall mounted signs shall have a minimum mounting height of five feet (5').

Curb ramps with a minimum width of three feet (3') and a maximum slope of one to twelve (1:12) shall be provided wherever an accessible route crosses a curb. Maximum slope of one to ten (1:10) shall be provided for flared sides for curb ramps within accessible routes and for built-up curb ramps within parking areas.

   H.   Access Management:

      1.   All proposed access points along state roadways shall comply with TxDOT's "Access Management Manual". The city shall review access points along all other roadways in order to provide the safest and best location for proposed access points.

   I.   Common Access And Internal Cross Access:

      1.   Separate Ownership; No Common Plan Or Development: Where adjacent properties are separately owned and not part of a common plan of development, the city may require common access or internal cross access as the parcels are developed, substantially improved, or redeveloped. As such, an applicant may be granted temporary individual access if:

         a.   The applicant demonstrates that a reasonable offer with regard to cross access was refused by the adjacent landowner; and

         b.   The applicant records a property encumbrance document that will ensure that the connection will be provided and access will be consolidated upon the earlier of:

            (1)   Approval for development, substantial improvement, or redevelopment of the adjacent property, if providing such connection is a requirement of the approval for the adjacent property; or

            (2)   The applicant's parcel and the adjacent parcel coming under common ownership; and

            (3)   The applicant demonstrates that the proposed temporary access will not materially affect the safe and efficient flow of traffic.

      2.   Common Ownership Or Common Plan Of Development: Phased development, development sites under the same ownership, or development sites that are consolidated for the purposes of development and comprised of more than one building are considered unified parcels. Unified parcels shall provide access as follows:

         a.   The number of connections permitted shall be the minimum number necessary to provide reasonable access to the overall site and not the maximum available for the site's frontage.

         b.   Access to outparcels shall be internalized using a shared circulation system and designed to avoid excessive movement across parking aisles or queuing across surrounding parking and driving aisles.

      3.   Terms: The city may require that common and cross access easements include one or more of the following:

         a.   A continuous drive able to accommodate two-way traffic between properties.

         b.   Stub-outs and other design features to allow adjoining nonresidential properties an avenue to tie in for future cross access connectivity.

         c.   Linkage to existing cross access drives in the area.

      4.   Approval And Recording Of Cross Access Easements: In areas where shared access by adjoining properties is being proposed or required, a common access easement document shall be filed with the county clerk's office in order to ensure continued shared access.

   J.   Median Island in Parking Lot: When a property owner/developer desires a median island within the boundaries of a private parking lot affording access to a residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and/or religious development, the median island template as found in Attachment A shall be required. It is declared that any owner/agent proposing deviation from the standards reflected thereon, shall file an application for variance which shall first be acted upon by the Planning & Zoning Commission for advisory action; ultimate action on such a variance shall be tendered by the Board of Commissioners. The non-refundable filing fee for median island deviation shall be $100.

   K.   Except for single-dwelling residential uses whose paved driveways have vehicles largely backing-out onto the street system, all other parking plans shall have vehicles internally maneuver within the paved parking area to result in vehicles facing-out as they are heading out. This face-out/head-out policy shall be imposed to any properties that transition from single-dwelling residential to other uses, inclusive of duplex+ uses. This measure intends to maximize traffic safety to exiting motorists/passengers, as well as to pedestrians/pets. Unless there are unique land use circumstances that may warrant minor deviations from this provision as may be authorized by the city’s planning director, any other request for exceptions shall only be considered by the zoning board of adjustments (ZBA).

(Ord. 11-06-15, 6-2-2015; amd. Ord. 16-09-18, 9-4-2018; Ord. 69-10-22, 10-4-2022; Ord. 152-12-24, 12-3-2024; Ord. 195-08-25, 8-19-2025; Ord. 198-08-25, 8-19-2025)