Applications

Board of Adjustment Application

• Board of Adjustment Application (PDF)
• 2023 Board of Adjustment Calendar (PDF)

Variance Requests

• Application Fee: $400 

Variances allow for adjustments to specific ordinance requirements, owing to special and unique conditions, where the literal enforcement of the ordinance provisions result in an unnecessary hardship. When a lot differs from other lots in the same district by being of such restricted area, shape or slope that it cannot be developed in a manner commensurate with the development permitted upon other lots in the same district, a variance can be sought. It is important to understand that a variance shall not be granted to relieve a self-created or personal hardship, nor for financial reason only. The Board must find all of the following conditions from section 23­356.2(H) of the Zoning Ordinance present in order to grant a variance: 

• That the granting of the variance will not be contrary to the public interest and will not be injurious to neighboring properties or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.
• That granting a variance is consistent with spirit and intent of this Ordinance and is in harmony herewith.
• That, due to special conditions and peculiarities of the land or improvements in question, literal interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship (other than financial) to the owner of the land and prohibit reasonable use of said land.

Special Exceptions

• Application Fee: $400

There are certain listed uses that may be allowed within the city, designated as special exceptions. Given the nature of these uses, they are allowed provided that an applicant come to the Board of Adjustment, show where the use will take place on a plan, allow a public hearing. The Board must find that the use will be compatible with the site and meets all of the following criteria from section 23­356.2.G. of the Zoning Ordinance: 

• That approval of the special exception is clearly in harmony with the general purposes and intent of this Ordinance and, furthermore, provides for substantial justice.
• Will be wholly compatible with the use and permitted development of adjacent property, either as filed or subject to such requirements as the Board finds to be necessary to protect and maintain the stability of adjacent properties.
• Will place no undue burden on public facilities. Public facilities to be considered shall include, but are not limited to streets and alleys, water and sewer utilities, schools and parks.

Temporary Permits

• Application Fee: $150

Accessory land uses such as construction offices, security residences, or subdivision sales offices may be temporarily allowed by the Board of Adjustment.

Farmland Exceptions

• Application Fee: None

This allows the construction of a single-family dwelling on tracts of at least 20 acres of unplatted property,

Development Application for Plats & Site Plans

• Development Application (PDF)
• Subdivision Process Flowchart (PDF)
• Required Documents for Filing Plats (PDF)

Subdivision Plats

• Submit your application online with MyGov 
• Download the Development Plan Review Application for Plats (PDF)
• Paper applications will be processed after online applications are reviewed.

Included in the application are:

• Final Plats
• Minor Plats
• Preliminary Plats
• Waiver of Right for 30-day Action

Additional Information:

• Current Plats
• Plat Handout (PDF)
• Waiver of Right for 30-Day Action (PDF)
• Taylor County Fees

Site Plans

• Submit your application online through MyGov 
• Download the Development Plan Review Application for Site Plans (PDF)
•  Paper applications will be processed after online applications are reviewed. 

Included in the application:

• Checklist
• Site Plan Application

Additional Information:

• Current Site Plans
• Subdivision Plat Checklist (PDF)

Itinerant Business Permit

• Itinerant Business Permit Application (PDF)
• Application Fee: $100

Itinerant businesses were recently reviewed by the City Council and now must obtain an Itinerant Business Permit. This will apply to the establishment of any business on a temporary basis where the business does not occur in a permanent structure, in a structure for which a temporary permit has been obtained, or in association with another temporary use such as a carnival, fair, parade or festival. The term further does not apply to garage sales in residential zoning districts, businesses that are operated or owned by the same person or entity that owns the property, or businesses that hold a lease term on the property of at least one year. Businesses must meet the following criteria in order to apply:

• Any tent, trailer or other structure housing the itinerant business must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines.
• The approved permit must be available for inspection at the business premises at all times that the business is operating.
• Businesses with food items must have written approval of the Health Department. This approval shall appear on the Itinerant Business permit.
• The following businesses shall be prohibited from obtaining an itinerant business permit:
  • Adult Entertainment as defined by this ordinance
  • Sales of alcoholic beverages
  • Sales of knives, firearms or other weapons
  • Sales of live animals
• The itinerant business must be located on property that is zoned to allow the activity as identified in Section 23-306.4 of this ordinance.
• The itinerant business must have the written permission of the property owner.
• Nothing related to the itinerant business (including but not limited to signs, inventory, parking, storage, tents) may occur in or be placed in any of the following areas:
  • Any area deemed a hazard to the general public health, safety, or welfare by any official of the City of Abilene or any other Governmental agency
  • Drainage Easement
  • Fire lane
  • The vision clearance triangle
• A permit is not required for non-profit entities that possess a current City of Abilene Solicitation Permit.
• A permit must be obtained, with exceptions listed in (d) below. No more than one itinerant business may be on a property at one time. No parcel may have an itinerant business on site for more than 36 days in a calendar year. The 36 days may be used at one time or may be divided in any way. A permit for an itinerant business does not take the place of other approvals or permits that may be required by other City departments or governmental agencies, e.g. Fire Department, Health Department, etc. The permit must include all of the following information:
  • Address of the property where the activity will take place
  • Applicable fee: The fees and charges for services furnished by the City shall be determined from time to time and placed on file in the Office of the City Secretary.
  • Complete description of the business activity
  • Dates and hours of operation
  • Health Department approval if applicable
  • Parkway width
  • Responsible party’s name, address and telephone number
  • Written proof of the property owner’s permission

Zoning Application

• Zoning Application (PDF)
• Zoning Process Flow Chart (PDF)
• 2023 Zoning Submittal & Meetings Schedule (PDF)

Zoning Changes

• Application Fees:
  • Zone changes to Planned Development Districts:
    • Planned Development District: $2,000
    • Planned Development District:, Amendment: $1,000
  • All other zone changes:
    • Zone Change Request: $1,500

Zoning establishes the types of land uses permitted on a specific tract of land. Zoning also regulates the size, intensity, and height of development, as well as signage, screening, and parking related to development. Zone changes allow for development that is not permissible under current district’s regulations. The zoning on a specific piece of property can change only through a public hearing process. This process allows public participation from the applicant, interested citizens, and decision makers. The process requires public notification, public hearings, a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, and final approval by the City Council.

Street Name Changes

• Application Fees:
  • Standard street name change: $800 (applicant also responsible for notification costs)
  • Honorary street name change: To be determined

Street name changes can alter a street name completely or add an Honorary Title to an existing name. Both processes require a public hearing and approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The Honorary Street Name Change also requires a petition signed by a minimum of 51% of residents along the street to be changed. 

Thoroughfare Closures

• Application Fee: Based on land value, will be determined at time of application

Thoroughfares, including alleys and parkways along public roadways, are public rights-of-way that allow access throughout the city. Upon approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, citizens can acquire the land from the City at the current market value. 

Easement Releases

• Application Fee: $400

These must be approved by all the utility companies or City services that utilize the space before the easement can be released to the property owner. If there are utility lines in place they must be relocated at the applicant’s expense.

Zoning Verification Letters

• Application Fee: None

Provide a letter stating:

• The person or business (with address) to receive the letter
• The requested information (i.e. current zoning, code violation history, flood zone classification, etc.)
• Requests for additional documents (copies of Certificates of Occupancy, zoning map, etc.)
• Any additional requests or instructions

Allow at least one week for staff to process your request once it is received.