Richardson council adopts zoning and property‑maintenance changes to align rules with new state law
July 13, 2026 | Richardson, Dallas County, Texas
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The Richardson City Council voted unanimously to adopt zoning file 26‑09 and an amendment to the city’s property‑maintenance code that revise the local definition of “family” and adjust protest thresholds to conform with recent state law.
Tina Fergans, the city’s director of development services, told the council the changes are required to align local ordinances with state statute and that the Plan Commission recommended approval on May 5. Fergans said the proposed definition retains the concept of a single housekeeping unit while removing limitations on familial relationship types that the state now preempts: “We are preemptive…we do meet the criteria that were provided for in the state statute,” she said, and noted that building and fire codes continue to apply.
Fergans also summarized changes to zoning protest procedures tied to the recent legislative session, noting the statute increased the written‑protest notification threshold and preserved a simple‑majority vote requirement in cases where written opposition is received in the notified area. She said staff reviewed the written comments submitted and consulted with the city attorney and concluded no ordinance changes were required beyond the draft presented.
Council Member Justice moved to close the public hearing and to adopt zoning file 26‑09; Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider seconded. Mayor Omar called for the vote, which the record shows passed unanimously. Later, Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider moved to adopt the companion amendment to Chapter 6 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article 8 (Property Maintenance), section 6.311 (definitions) to update the definition of “family”; Council Member Justice seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
City staff said the amendments mirror state changes intended to facilitate additional residential development while preserving the city’s ability to enforce building and fire‑code limits. No members of the public returned to speak before the council closed the hearing and voted.
The ordinance adoptions complete the council’s continuation of the public hearing on zoning file 26‑09; staff will publish the adopted ordinances and implement the updated definitions and procedures as required by state law.
Tina Fergans, the city’s director of development services, told the council the changes are required to align local ordinances with state statute and that the Plan Commission recommended approval on May 5. Fergans said the proposed definition retains the concept of a single housekeeping unit while removing limitations on familial relationship types that the state now preempts: “We are preemptive…we do meet the criteria that were provided for in the state statute,” she said, and noted that building and fire codes continue to apply.
Fergans also summarized changes to zoning protest procedures tied to the recent legislative session, noting the statute increased the written‑protest notification threshold and preserved a simple‑majority vote requirement in cases where written opposition is received in the notified area. She said staff reviewed the written comments submitted and consulted with the city attorney and concluded no ordinance changes were required beyond the draft presented.
Council Member Justice moved to close the public hearing and to adopt zoning file 26‑09; Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider seconded. Mayor Omar called for the vote, which the record shows passed unanimously. Later, Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider moved to adopt the companion amendment to Chapter 6 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article 8 (Property Maintenance), section 6.311 (definitions) to update the definition of “family”; Council Member Justice seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
City staff said the amendments mirror state changes intended to facilitate additional residential development while preserving the city’s ability to enforce building and fire‑code limits. No members of the public returned to speak before the council closed the hearing and voted.
The ordinance adoptions complete the council’s continuation of the public hearing on zoning file 26‑09; staff will publish the adopted ordinances and implement the updated definitions and procedures as required by state law.
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