The Land Development Regulations of the City of Galveston, Texas (the City) shall be known and may be cited as "these regulations".

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

These regulations are adopted pursuant to the authority contained in the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution, the laws of the State of Texas, and the City Charter of the City and in accordance with the City of Galveston 2011 Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

A.

General Purposes. These regulations provide guidance and standards for the orderly development and redevelopment of land and associated public infrastructure, facilities, and amenities in accordance with the City of Galveston 2011 Comprehensive Plan and other adopted plans and policies. Other general purposes include:

1.

Promoting the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare;

2.

Promoting the safe, orderly, and healthy development of the municipality; and

3.

Specifically with regard to the zoning regulations herein:

a.

Lessen congestion in the streets; or

b.

Secure from fire, panic, and other dangers;

c.

Provide adequate light and air;

d.

Prevent terrestrial overcrowding;

e.

Avoid undue concentration of population; and

f.

Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewers, schools, parks, and other public requirements

B.

Promotion of the City. These regulations aim to promote the quality of life of its residents by:

1.

Ensuring a predictable and efficient development, review, and approval process;

2.

Maintaining and stabilizing the value of property;

3.

Encouraging the most appropriate uses of land and minimizing conflicts among adjacent and nearby land uses including the protection and enjoyment of public beaches and other natural assets;

4.

Providing for commercial and industrial investment and expansion to promote the City's ongoing economic development;

5.

Promoting decent, affordable housing;

6.

Protecting and preserving places and areas of historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance;

7.

Enhancing circulation within the community, including opportunities for and the safety of biking and walking; and

8.

Promoting the City's positive image and esthetics.

C.

Specific Purposes. Specific purposes of these regulations are set out in individual articles and in some divisions.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

These regulations apply within the municipal boundaries of the City. Where authorized by state law, certain provisions shall apply to land located within the City's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

To the extent allowed by law these regulations shall apply to all land, buildings, structures, and uses owned by government agencies, including city, county, state, and federal lands within the corporate limits of the City and its ETJ.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

A.

These regulations establish minimum requirements for land development activities in the City and its ETJ, and its terms shall be liberally construed to give full effect to the purposes and goals of these regulations and the City of Galveston 2011 Comprehensive Plan.

B.

Pictures and graphic illustrations are included throughout these regulations to assist users in understanding and applying the terms. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the text and the picture or graphic illustration, the text shall control.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

A.

General. The city is divided into districts and the boundaries of the zoning districts set out in this Section are as shown on the Official Zoning Map of the City of Galveston (the Map).

B.

Districts. The following zoning districts are established:

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

A.

General. The locations and boundaries of the zoning districts that are established by these regulations are shown on the digital map entitled Official Zoning Map of the City of Galveston, (the Map) which is made part of these regulations.

B.

References and Notations. All notations, references, and other information shown on the Map are a part of these regulations and have the same force and effect.

C.

Primacy of the Map. The digital file of the Map is maintained by the Technology Services Division whom shall assume control in the event of a conflict between the Map that is on file and any other reproduction of said Map.

D.

Zoning Map Amendments. The reclassification of property to a new zoning district or classification shall be considered an amendment to the Map in accordance with Section 13.203.A, Rezoning and Section 13.601, Procedures for Map Amendments and shall be recorded as such.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The following rules shall be used to determine the precise location of any zoning district boundary line shown on the Map:

A.

Property Lines. Boundary lines shown as following or approximately following platted lot lines, other property lines, or city limit lines shall be construed as following such lines.

B.

Right-of-Ways. Boundary lines shown as following or approximately following highways, streets, alleys, railroad tracks, or utility lines shall be construed as following the centerline of the right-of-way. Where any of these physical features on the ground differ from the representation of such features on the Map, the physical features on the ground control.

C.

Shore Lines and Water Features. Boundary lines shown as following or approximately following shorelines, the centerline of streams, canals, or other watercourses or the centerline of lakes, bays, or other bodies of water shall be construed as following the shoreline, the channel, or the centerline of water bodies. In the event of a natural change in the location of such shorelines, watercourses, or water bodies, the zoning district boundary shall be construed as moving with the shorelines or the channel or water body centerline.

D.

Parallel to Features. Boundary lines shown as separated from and parallel or approximately parallel to any of the features listed in subsections 1.203.A through 1.203.C above shall be construed to be parallel to such features and at such distances as are shown on the Map. The same shall apply for boundaries shown as extensions of any of the features listed in subsections 1.203.A through 1.203.C above.

E.

Un-subdivided Land or No Identifiable Feature. On un-subdivided land or when a district boundary follows no identifiable feature the location of district boundaries shall be determined by applying the following rules in order until the boundaries are known:

1.

First, by reference to the legal description in the ordinance establishing the district boundaries;

2.

Second, by referring to dimensions shown on the Map; and

3.

Third, by using the scale appearing on the Map.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

A.

Temporary Classification. All territory hereafter annexed to the City shall be temporarily classified as Single-Family Residential (R-1) until other zoning is established by the City Council, as appropriate, through the usual procedure for amending the Map.

B.

Required Approvals. In an area temporarily classified as Single-Family Residential (R-1) district:

1.

No person shall erect, construct, or add to any building or structure or cause the same to be done in any newly annexed territory to the City without first applying for and obtaining a building permit or certificate of occupancy from the Building Official or the City Council as required herein.

2.

The Building Official shall issue permits allowing for the construction of a building in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) district unless and until such territory has been classified in a zoning district other than the Single-Family Residential (R-1) district by the City Council as provided in this Section.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The R-0 district is intended to provide for single-family detached dwellings.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The R-1 district is intended to provide for single-family detached dwellings with complementary civic, recreational, and institutional uses.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The R-2 district provides for attached forms of single-family townhomes style dwellings.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The R-3 district is intended to preserve the residential uses found in the City's historic districts.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The MF district is intended to provide for multifamily housing developments representing a variety of housing options including rental apartments, condominiums, and a range of institutional and residential uses.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The UN district is intended to accommodate the range and pattern of residential uses found in the City's oldest, established Urban Core neighborhoods together with limited nonresidential uses, such as corner stores, that benefit nearby residents in a neighborhood setting conducive to walking and biking as much as vehicular circulation.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The NS district is intended to serve as a buffer zone between residential and certain commercial uses for the convenience of people living in surrounding residential areas without undue harmful effects to neighboring residential uses.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The TN district is intended to promote development that reflects the layout and planning principles of traditional neighborhoods and the historic residential sections of the City.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The C district is intended to accommodate a wide range of retail, service, and office uses while also providing for a variety of housing options.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The CB district encompasses much of the City's historic downtown area and is intended to provide for the intensive, mixed-use development pattern found in urban central business districts. Within this district, a Special Character District is established between 21 ^st Street and 23 ^rd Street, and approximately 160 feet north and south of the centerline of the Post Office Street right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The RES/REC district is intended to provide a variety of housing options and tourist oriented developments for residents and tourists.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The LI district is intended to accommodate a variety of manufacturing uses such as processing, assembling, warehousing, research, and development that have fewer offsite impacts such as noise, air pollution, and vibrations on adjoining properties.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The HI district is intended to accommodate intense industrial uses plus certain other activities that require careful location to limit risks to public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The PUD is a floating zoning district intended to create a mixture of uses, density, and infrastructure standards.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The H overlay district encompasses locally-designated Galveston Historic Districts and properties designated as Galveston Landmarks (GL).

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The NCD overlay district is intended to identify property to which additional standards are applied to preserve unique and distinctive neighborhoods in the City.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)

The HDDZ overlay district is intended to identify key areas of the City located in and subject to additional site development and design standards.

(Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18)