On October 23, 2025 Round Rock City Council adopted amendments to the downtown mixed-use zoning districts and rezoned certain downtown lots to mixed-use. Adoption is the culmination of an eighteen-month project reevaluating the downtown mixed-use zoning districts to ensure they meet the needs and preferences of the Round Rock community today.
The mixed-use 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.
The new zoning and map amendments take effect immediately. Existing uses and buildings that do not conform to the new standards may continue as legally nonconforming, though expansions will require compliance. City staff will now review future downtown development applications using the updated regulations, ensuring consistency with Round Rock’s long-term vision for a vibrant, connected and historic downtown.
The new ordinances will be posted here soon. Additionally, a user guide for the downtown mixed-use zoning districts as adopted will be available soon.
Downtown Zoning / Rezonings
This map indicates the mixed-use zoning map adopted by City Council on October 23, 2025. A total of 114 parcels were rezoned:
- 66 parcels were rezoned to the MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density) district.
- 40 parcels were rezoned to the MU-L (Mixed-Use Limited) district.
- 8 parcels were rezoned to the OS (Open Space) district.
Click the image to open map as a PDF.
Summary of Notable Changes to Zoning Districts
Click the button below for a detailed summary list of the downtown zoning changes:
The Zoning Ordinance amendment aims to:
- 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
Downtown Zoning Amendments
The ordinance adopted on October 23, 2025 amends the version posted below by removing the prohibition of single-family in the MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density) district.
Click the button to open a bookmarked pdf of the downtown zoning amendments that were presented to City Council on October 23. Note the additional amendment prohibiting new bars in the MU-1 district in Section 2-91. Links to specific sections are listed below.
Jump to a specific section:
- Definitions (page 2)
- MU-1 Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core (page 4)
- MU-2 Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density (page 14)
- MU-L Mixed-Use Limited (page 43)
- Section 2-77 Permitted Uses in the Mixed-Use Districts (page 49)
- Section 2-78 Mixed-Use Lot and Building Dimensional Standards (page 51)
- Section 2-91 Supplementary Use Standards (page 54)
Project Timeline
October 23, 2025: an ordinance amending the mixed-use zoning districts and three rezoning ordinances were adopted by the City Council. Additionally, two resolutions were adopted, one to amend the downtown sidewalk furniture program and the other to amend Appendix A to add an annual permit fee for sidewalk furniture.
September 3, 2025: Planning and Zoning Commission consideration with public hearings.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of proposed downtown zoning ordinance amendments and mixed-use rezonings. One amendment was proposed to the mixed-use code amendments to add a supplementary use standard for small-scale manufacturing and assembly specifying the minimum amount of retail required.
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
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
