Fort Worth Zoning for Breweries, Distilleries, and Taprooms
The City of Fort Worth permits breweries and distilleries by right in the Light Industrial (I) and Medium Industrial (J) districts, as well as within the Stockyards and specific Berry/University form-based zones. Taprooms, which fall under the "Bar or Tavern" classification, are allowed in nearly all commercial and industrial districts, though the High Intensity Mixed-Use (MU-2) district limits establishments to 2,000 square feet or less for by-right approval.
Permitted Districts for Breweries and Distilleries
In the City of Fort Worth, the production of alcoholic beverages is categorized under "Brewery, distillery or winery." These uses are strictly prohibited in residential and most neighborhood commercial districts.
| District Category | Specific District Name | Permission Status |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Districts | "I" Light Industrial | Permitted (P) |
| Industrial Districts | "J" Medium Industrial | Permitted (P) |
| Form-Based Districts | "BU-SH" & "BU-IX" (Berry/University) | Permitted (P) |
| Form-Based Districts | All "SY" (Stockyards) Districts | Permitted (P) |
| Commercial Districts | "E", "FR", "F", "G", "H" | Not Permitted |
[Section 4.803, Section 4.1203]
Permitted Districts for Taprooms and Bars
Taprooms are generally regulated as "Bars or Taverns" or "Cocktail Lounges." The City of Fort Worth allows these uses in a much broader range of districts than the production facilities themselves.
Commercial and Industrial Base Districts
The City of Fort Worth permits bars and taverns in the following standard districts:
- Commercial: "E" Neighborhood Commercial, "FR" General Commercial Restricted, "F" General Commercial, "G" Intensive Commercial, and "H" Central Business [Section 4.803].
- Industrial: "I" Light Industrial, "J" Medium Industrial, and "K" Heavy Industrial [Section 4.803].
Form-Based and Mixed-Use Districts
In form-based districts, the City of Fort Worth provides the following permissions:
- Near Southside (NS), Panther Island (PI), Camp Bowie (CB), Trinity Lakes (TL): Generally permitted [Section 4.1203].
- Low Intensity Mixed-Use (MU-1): Permitted only by Conditional Use Permit (CUP) [Section 4.1203].
- High Intensity Mixed-Use (MU-2): Permitted by right if the establishment is 2,000 square feet or less. If the facility exceeds 2,000 square feet, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required [Section 5.154].
- Stockyards (SY): Permitted in all sub-districts (SY-HSH through SY-ECC) [Section 4.1203].
Development and Parking Standards
Establishments in the City of Fort Worth must adhere to specific off-street parking requirements based on their primary use. If a brewery operates a taproom or restaurant on-site, parking may be calculated based on the square footage of those specific areas.
| Use Type | City of Fort Worth Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Industrial / Production | 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. or 1 space per 3 employees (whichever is greater) |
| Restaurant / Café Area | 1 space per 100 square feet |
| General Commercial / Retail | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet |
| Bar / Tavern (MU-2 only) | Subject to § 6.201 based on district proximity |
[Section 6.201]
Special Conditions for Bars and Taverns
In the High Intensity Mixed-Use (MU-2) district, the City of Fort Worth building official maintains a register of all certificates of occupancy for bars and taverns. Nonconforming status is retained when renewing a Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) permit, provided the use is not altered or expanded beyond the registry limits [Section 5.154].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.803: Non-Residential District Use Table
- Section 4.1203: Form Based Code Districts Use Table
- Section 5.154: Bars or Taverns
- Section 6.201: Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 9.101: Defined Terms