Fort Worth Urban Design District-Downtown (DUDD) Regulatory Guide
The City of Fort Worth Urban Design District-Downtown (DUDD) is a specialized zoning overlay that requires a mandatory Certificate of Appropriateness for all new construction, expansions, and exterior renovations. Projects within this district are governed by the Downtown Urban Design Standards and Guidelines, which take precedence over base zoning regulations in the event of a conflict. All applications must be reviewed by the City of Fort Worth Downtown Design Review Board following a required pre-design conference with city staff.
Purpose and Applicability
The City of Fort Worth established the Urban Design District-Downtown (DUDD) to protect and enhance the character of the downtown area, encourage economic development, and protect local property values [Section 4.402(a)]. As a zoning overlay, the Urban Design District-Downtown (DUDD) supplements the primary underlying zoning classifications. While the permitted uses are determined by the base zoning, all development projects are subject to the specific design standards of the overlay. If a conflict arises between the base zoning and the DUDD standards, the City of Fort Worth mandates that the DUDD standards shall control [Section 4.402(c)].
The Downtown Design Review Board (DDRB)
The City of Fort Worth Downtown Design Review Board (DDRB) is the primary body responsible for enforcing design standards within the district. The board is composed of seven members and one alternate, including representatives from the following professional categories:
- Architects or design professionals;
- Downtown urban design district business owners or managers;
- Downtown urban design district residents or homeowners;
- Real estate professionals [Section 2.104(a)].
A quorum of five members is required to conduct business, and four affirmative votes are necessary to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness or propose amendments to the district standards [Section 2.104(c), (f)].
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Requirements
Within the City of Fort Worth Urban Design District-Downtown (DUDD), a Certificate of Appropriateness is a prerequisite for obtaining a building permit for any of the following activities:
- Issuance of a permit for the construction of a new structure;
- Expansion of an existing structure;
- Renovation, remodeling, or other exterior alterations of an existing structure;
- Construction of a new surface parking lot [Section 4.402(e)].
The Application Process
Before a formal application can be filed, the City of Fort Worth requires a pre-design conference between the applicant and the development services director. This meeting is used to review preliminary site plans, building footprints, and proposed elevations [Section 4.402(f)].
Following the conference, a formal application must be submitted at least 10 days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Downtown Design Review Board. At the time of submission, the applicant will receive a sign from the City of Fort Worth that must be posted on the project site in a location visible to the public [Section 4.402(g)].
Mandatory Submittal Standards
The City of Fort Worth requires the following materials to be included in a formal application for a Certificate of Appropriateness in the DUDD:
| Required Item | Quantity/Detail |
|---|---|
| Site Plan | 5 copies showing footprints, setbacks, parking, and utilities |
| Landscape Plan | 5 copies including species, size, and irrigation coverage |
| Schematic Floor Plans | 5 copies showing interior arrangement and site relationships |
| Building Elevations | 5 copies showing all sides, materials, and colors |
| Material Specifications | Outlines with samples/brochures of all exterior finishes |
| Sign Plans | 5 site plans drawn to scale (for detached signs) |
Appeals and Enforcement
If the development services director makes a decision regarding walkway areas or landscaping, an applicant may appeal that decision to the Downtown Design Review Board within 10 days [Section 4.402(i)].
Decisions made by the City of Fort Worth Downtown Design Review Board may be appealed by the applicant to the Board of Adjustment (BOA). The appeal must be filed with the city secretary within 10 days of the DDRB's decision. The Board of Adjustment must then schedule a hearing within 30 days. The BOA uses a "substantial evidence test" when reviewing the record made before the design review board [Section 4.402(i)].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.104: Downtown Design Review Board
- Section 4.100: Districts Established
- Section 4.402: Urban Design District-Downtown