The City of Round Rock is reevaluating the downtown mixed-use zoning districts to ensure they meet the needs and preferences of the Round Rock community today.
It has been over 10 years since City Council adopted mixed-use zoning districts downtown. The zoning districts are intended to implement the 2010 Downtown Master Plan’s vision to create a thriving downtown featuring a viable mix of retail, dining, entertainment, residential and public spaces in a walkable and historically sensitive environment. To contact Planning staff about this project. please email us at downtownzoning@roundrocktexas.gov.
NEW: Draft map, summary of ordinance changes and ordinance redline posted below.
Upcoming opportunities for public comment: Visit with staff to provide feedback or ask questions during walk-in office hours. Our offices are located at 301 W. Bagdad Ave. Suite 210.
- Tuesday 7/22 – 8-10am, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
- Wednesday 7/23 – 10-2pm
- Thursday 7/24 – 2-7pm
- Tuesday 7/29 – 8-5pm
- Thursday 7/31 – 2-7pm
Proposed Downtown Zoning
Click the image to open map as a PDF.
Summary of Notable Changes to Zoning Districts
- Expands downtown boundaries
- Increases density along corridors (Mays St and Round Rock Ave)
- Proposes new and expanded uses along Main/Georgetown Streets in MU-L
- MU-2 design requirements based on building form instead of use
- Proposes development and design standards focused on the pedestrian perception/scale
- Encourages greenery/vegetation to soften the built environment
- Requires street-facing facades to serve as primary facades with enhanced design features
- Requires designation of a primary frontage, subject to additional development standards
- 5-12 story buildings must construct Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS)
- Clarifies design and development standards for expansions, conversions, and tenant changes
- Consistency/clarifying language
Click the button below for a more detailed summary list of the proposed downtown zoning changes:
Proposed Downtown Zoning Amendments
Click the button to open a bookmarked pdf of the draft downtown zoning amendments as of July 9, 2025. Links to specific sections are listed below.
Jump to a specific section:
Definitions Draft Redline (page 1)
MU-1 Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core Draft Redline (page 3)
MU-2 Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density Draft Redline (page 12)
MU-L Mixed-Use Limited Draft Redline (page 38)
Section 2-77 Permitted Uses in the Mixed-Use Districts Draft Redline (page 43)
Section 2-78 Mixed-Use Lot and Building Dimensional Standards Draft Redline (page 46)
Section 2-91 Supplementary Use Standards Draft Redline (page 49)
Draft Amendments to Other Related Sections:
Mobile Food Establishments (page 67)
Height and Placement Requirements (page 75)
Landscape Requirements (page 75)
Off-Street Parking and Loading (page 80)
Outdoor Storage and Display (page 80)
Signs (page 81)
Project Timeline
July 2025: Public Review of Proposed Draft Amendments
Draft amendments posted July 9, 2025. Office hours at the Planning and Development Services Department (301 W. Bagdad Ave. #210) to allow the public to ask questions and provide comments about the proposed ordinance amendments:
- Tuesday 7/22 – 8-10am, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
- Wednesday 7/23 – 10-2pm
- Thursday 7/24 – 2-7pm
- Tuesday 7/29 – 8-5pm
- Thursday 7/31 – 2-7pm
Staff is available for one-on-one by appointment from 7-21-8/8 virtually or in-person. Email downtownzoning@roundrocktexas.gov to set up an appointment.
July 22-23, 2025: Planning and Zoning Commission Small Group Meetings
Staff will meet with commissioners for presentation and discussion of proposed mixed-use zoning amendments. These meetings will be informational only; no changes to the draft code will be made and no action will taken during these meetings. Meetings will be held at the Planning and Development Services Department (301 W. Bagdad Ave. #210). Commissioners will be given an overview of the proposed code amendments before a future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and public hearing (tentatively scheduled for August 20 or September 3).
Spring 2025: Prepare Ordinance Amendments
Staff will prepare proposed ordinance amendments for presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Adoption of the amendment(s) will include public hearings and will likely take place in late summer 2025.
December 4, 2024: City Council Pre-Retreat Presentation
The presentation included a public input summary with main takeaways listed below:
- Maintain historic character and small-town feel
- Ensure pedestrian oriented
- Have more retail and diverse dining options with outdoor/gathering spaces
- Need streetscape improvements, lighting, shade, on-street parking
July-October 2024: Public Outreach
The first step was gathering public input prior to proposing amendments to the zoning districts. Staff has prepared a public input summary of community feedback received through the surveys, open house, and engagement activities listed below.
- 2024 Community Survey: Biennial city-wide sample survey; included 3 questions related to downtown.
- September 2024, Downtown Business Survey: survey available to downtown businesses in September 2024
- October 8, 2024, Downtown Developer Roundtable: Round table discussion with local developers with projects in downtown Round Rock.
- October 29, 2024, Downtown Zoning Open House at the Library: all property owners, business owners, residents and tenants invited to participate.
- Informational Open House display boards are posted here (pdf). Input exercises will be available at the open house.
- Open House Survey
- Visual Preference Survey Activity Results
Existing zoning within the project area
Click the image to open map as a PDF.
To see the status of current downtown development projects, see this map: Downtown Developments.
Existing Downtown Mixed-Use Districts
- MU-1 (Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core): One-to-three story buildings designed to complement, but not imitate, the Downtown Historic District. Primary uses are retail, restaurant, and entertainment, with limited residential and office on upper floors.
- MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density): A wider variety of building types and combinations of commercial, office and residential uses, including many housing types, including apartments, houses, live-work spaces, and accessory units.
- MU-L (Mixed-Use Limited): A variety of residential uses and limited commercial and office uses, with buildings designed to complement the existing neighborhood of single-family houses, many of them historic.
StoryMap
Creating a Thriving Town Center: the revitalization of downtown Round Rock has been a long-term investment and priority for the city.
Click here or click image to open the StoryMap.
Photos from October 29 Open House
