Hays County Planning | Municipal Government

Development & Planning

HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DIVISION

Overview:

The Development & Planning Division of Hays County Development Services oversees the entire development process, including plat reviews, property compliance, and land subdivisions.

In Texas, the legislative body has conferred limited zoning authority upon counties. Hays County acknowledges the Texas Airport Zoning Act as implemented and adopted by the County Seat, the City of San Marcos, specifically for the San Marcos Regional Airport. Outside the zoning regulations for the San Marcos Regional Airport, Hays County lacks zoning authority.

To learn more about the San Marcos Airport Zoning, please click here.

Authority:

Hays County is empowered to review a variety of applications and documents in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code, Texas Transportation Code, Texas Administrative Code, and The Hays County Development Regulations as adopted by the Hays County Commissioners Court, along with any other relevant local, state, and federal regulations.

Meetings:

Applicants proposing developments such as new roads, land subdivision, commercial or non-residential projects, condominium-style developments, or Manufactured Home Rental Communities (MHRC) are encouraged to schedule a Pre-Application Meeting with County staff. These complimentary meetings are designed to assist property owners and applicants in better comprehending the application and review processes while also addressing general questions. Depending on the project's specific nature, representatives from various county departments may be involved.

Pre-Application Meetings can be scheduled online here.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange an In-Application Meeting with County staff. These meetings are provided as a complimentary service to help applicants comprehend the feedback given by County staff before re-submitting the required amendments, modifications, revisions, or updates. Each meeting is conducted on a case-by-case basis at the request of the applicant.

In-Application Meetings can be scheduled via emailing planning@hayscountytx.gov.

General Application Process:

All applications are accessible and can be submitted online at MyGovernmentOnline. At the time of application, fees can be settled using Certified Payments. Please utilize Bureau Code 4963827 to associate your payment with Hays County Development Services. Each application will undergo both an Administrative Review and a Technical Review. The duration of these reviews may vary depending on the type of application and the project's scope.

Please be aware that certain projects may necessitate a Public Notice depending upon their scope. Public Notice encompasses various forms or forums, including but not limited to, applicant-sponsored meetings, signage on the property, published notices (such as announcements in newspapers or other media), written notifications (via USPS mailings), or public hearings conducted in Commissioners Court. Specifically, for certain types of notifications, contiguous property owners must be informed, which includes those residing within a 200-foot radius of the property in question. Additionally, some notifications will require that political subdivisions also receive communication.

General Development Process:

The conventional development process includes several key components: a Pre-Application Meeting, a Voluntary Preliminary Plan Application, Public Infrastructure Construction Plans (also referred to as "Subdivision Construction Plans"), a Plat Application, Addressing, and ultimately, the Permitting stage. Each of these phases is crucial, as it establishes clear expectations for both the county and the developer. Please note that this process may differ depending on the project's scope and its geographic location.

For additional information on the Development Process, please click here.

Guidance & Resources:

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