Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Parker, Texas

Parker’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Parker city limits (Collin County)

  • Chapter 156 is the comprehensive zoning ordinance (Ord. 483, passed 6-6-2000) with later amendments; later amendments may not be reflected in the city's copy.

  “the several use districts into which the city is divided are hereby designed and described as follows: (a) a-o, agricultural-open space; (b) mh, manufactured housing; (c) sf, single-family residential;”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Parker city zoning districts: A-O, MH, SF, SFT, PRD, SA

  • The city's copy of Chapter 156 may predate later amendments.

  “(a) a-o, agricultural-open space; (b) mh, manufactured housing; (c) sf, single-family residential; (d) sft, single-family transitional;”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Single-family residence in the SF single-family residential district, inside Parker city

  • Accessory dwellings in SF have no minimum living space requirement.
  • The A-O district applies the SF area requirements and building regulations unless otherwise specified.

  minimum air-conditioned living space: >= 2500 square feet

  “there shall be a minimum of 2,500 square feet of air- conditioned living space.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  SF single-family residential district, inside Parker city

  • Lot sizes are net unless stated otherwise.
  • Minimum lot width at street frontage is 200 feet on straight streets and minimum lot depth is 300 feet.

  minimum lot size: >= 2 acres net (87,120 sq ft)

  “the minimum lot size shall be 2.0 acres net (87,120 square feet).”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — A-O agricultural-open space district, inside Parker city

    “no property qualifies for a-o district unless it has 5 acres in contiguous tracts under single ownership.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  SF single-family residential district, inside Parker city

  • Distances exclude public or private motor vehicle easements or rights-of-way.
  • Corner-lot side setback equals the front setback on the street side (100 feet for 2-acre lots).
  • The code text states the 50-foot rear setback in corner-lot wording.

  front setback: >= 100 feet · side setback: >= 40 feet · rear setback: >= 50 feet

  “the minimum side setback shall be 40 feet from the closest point of the side property line.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — A-O agricultural-open space district, inside Parker city

    “no structure shall be constructed within 100 feet of any property line.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  SF single-family residential district, inside Parker city

  • No more than 10% of total lot area may be accessory buildings.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 20 percent

  “the maximum lot coverage shall be no more than 20%. this is inclusive of all structures.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Primary residence in the SF district, inside Parker city

  • Architectural treatment elements may not exceed 40 feet above finished floor elevation.
  • Accessory buildings: 2 stories, not to exceed the height of the primary residence.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet above finished floor, max 2 stories (architectural treatment elements up to 40 feet)

  “the maximum height for the primary residence shall be 2 stories above ground level, not to exceed 35 feet above finished floor elevation, excluding architectural treatment elements.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Use of a recreational vehicle as a residential dwelling inside Parker city

  • Terms are defined by reference to Tex. Occupations Code ch. 1201 and Tex. Transp. Code 522.004(b).

  “no recreational vehicle may be installed, used, or occupied as a residential dwelling within the corporate limits of the city.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  HUD-code manufactured homes inside Parker city

  • Allowed only within a manufactured housing (MH) district approved by the city.
  • Not permitted in the A-O district.
  • An application to install a new HUD-code manufactured home as a residence is deemed approved unless the city denies it in writing within 45 days.

  “no hud-code manufactured homes (constructed on or after june 15, 1976) shall be permitted in the city as a residential dwelling, or otherwise, unless the installation is within a manufacturing housing district approved by the city.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwellings in the SF and A-O districts, inside Parker city

  • Special use permit requires notice of hearing and council approval in its discretion.
  • SF accessory dwellings must meet brick/stone exterior material percentages; no minimum living space.

  “accessory buildings to be used for living purposes may be constructed only after the issuance of a special use permit.”

• Permit processPartial

  New construction, exterior remodeling or additions inside Parker city

  • Site plan approval precedes the building permit; the building permit application process itself was not found.

  “no building permit shall be issued for a development subject to site plan review until the site plan has been approved in accordance with this section.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Parker or Collin County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits inside Parker city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Parker city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Parker city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Parker city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Parker city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.