Timeline for Zoning and Site Plan Review in Arlington, Texas
The City of Arlington review process begins with a mandatory 10-business-day completeness review followed by a minimum 11-day public notice period for applications requiring public hearings. While specific final timelines vary by project type, the City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission generally considers plats within 30 days of a complete filing, and administrative interpretations must be rendered within 30 days of a written request.
Initial Filing and Completeness Determination
Before the City of Arlington begins a substantive review of a development proposal, the application must undergo a completeness check. The Zoning Administrator has 10 business days after an application is filed to determine if it is complete and provide written notice to the applicant [Section 10.3.5.C.1].
If the City of Arlington determines an application is incomplete, the applicant has a limited window to provide the missing information. The application will expire on or after the 45th day following the initial filing if the requested documents are not submitted [Section 10.3.5.C.3]. The time limits for the actual review process do not begin until the Zoning Administrator has formally accepted the application as complete [Section 10.3.5.E].
Public Notice and Hearing Timelines
For many City of Arlington procedures, such as Zoning Map Amendments or Specific Use Permits, a public hearing is required. The UDC establishes specific minimum timeframes for providing notice to the public before these hearings occur.
Summary Table of Notice Requirements
| Application Type | Published Notice | Written (Mailed) Notice | Posted (Sign) Notice | Minimum Days Before Hearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoning Code Amendments | Required | Not Required | Not Required | 16 days |
| Zoning Map Amendments | Required | Required | Required | 11 days |
| Planned Developments | Required | Required | Required | 11 days |
| Multi-family Development Plans | Required | Required | Required | 11 days |
| Specific Use Permits | Required | Required | Required | 11 days |
| Variances | Required | Required | Not Required | 11 days |
| Appeals to Zoning Board of Adjustment | Required | Required | Not Required | 11 days |
| Landmark District Designation | Required | Required | Required | 7 days |
| Landmark District Certificates of Appropriateness | Required | Not Required | Not Required | 7 days |
[Source: Table 10.3-2]
Review Deadlines by Application Type
The City of Arlington UDC specifies various deadlines for specific types of decisions and administrative actions.
Platting Procedures
The City of Arlington must schedule a plat for consideration by the appropriate decision-making body within 30 days after the date the application is officially filed [Section 10.4.11.D.1]. A conveyance plat, which allows for the sale of land without immediate development, expires six months after the application date unless it is successfully recorded with Tarrant County [Section 10.4.12.H].
Administrative Interpretations and Historical Reviews
When a person requests a formal interpretation of a term within the City of Arlington UDC, the Zoning Administrator is required to respond in writing within 30 days [Section 12.2].
For properties within a Landmark Preservation Overlay (LPO) district, the following timelines apply:
- Hearing: The Landmark Preservation Commission must hold a public hearing within 30 days of receiving a completed application for a Certificate of Appropriateness [Section 10.4.9.F.1].
- Automatic Approval: If the Commission takes no action within 60 days of the receipt of the completed application, the certificate is deemed issued [Section 10.4.9.F.3].
Summary of Review Deadlines
| Action or Application Type | Required Timeline |
|---|---|
| Completeness Determination | 10 business days |
| Application Expiration (if incomplete) | 45 days |
| Plat Consideration (P&Z Commission) | 30 days from filing |
| Written Interpretation Response | 30 days |
| LPO Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing | 30 days from receipt |
| LPO Certificate of Appropriateness Final Action | 60 days from receipt |
Expiration of Approved Plans
Once the City of Arlington approves a permit or development plan, the applicant must demonstrate progress to keep the approval valid.
- General Expiration: Most individual permits or approvals expire if no progress is made toward completion within two years of the approval date [Section 10.3.10.A.1].
- Project Completion: A project expires if not completed by the fifth anniversary of the date the first permit application was filed [Section 10.3.10.A.2].
- Extensions: The Zoning Administrator may grant a single extension of the approval period for up to 12 months, provided the request is submitted at least 30 calendar days prior to the expiration [Section 10.3.10.B].
Sections Cited
- Section 10.3.5 Completeness Determination
- Section 10.3.6 Public Notice
- Table 10.3-2 Summary Table of Notice Requirements
- Section 10.3.10 Scope of Approval
- Section 10.4.9 Landmark Preservation District Certificate of Appropriateness
- Section 10.4.11 Plat Review, Generally
- Section 10.4.12 Conveyance Plats
- Section 12.2 Interpretations