New Safe Fencing Regulations in Effect July 31 

New safe fencing regulations designed to improve safety for children and wildlife go into effect on July 31. The changes establish requirements to prohibit dangerous designs, including spiked pickets, bars, and other decorative elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence. There is no change to the types of fences that require permits. Parts of the ordinance apply to most newly constructed residential and commercial fences. The new regulations do not apply to existing fences, but residents will be required to follow the guidelines when adding new fences or replacing more than 50 percent of an existing fence. Visit austintexas.gov/page/fences to learn more about the new safe fencing requirements. 

Council to Consider Adoption of 2023 National Electric Code in August

The Austin City Council has set an Aug. 31 public hearing date to consider adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code. Updates to the national code include clarifications and additional requirements related to ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and surge protection. The changes also address physical access concerns, provide guidance for medium voltage installations, and eliminate redundancies. Proposed local amendments would help simplify and standardize code requirements for buildings in Austin. Although the SpeakUp Austin page on this topic has closed for comments, the page is still available to review current online feedback and information about the proposed new Code requirements. If approved, the new requirements will go into effect in November. 

Update on Active Land Development Code (LDC) Amendments, Feedback Opportunities

A Message from the Planning Department

The Land Development Code (LDC) governs land use regulations in our city, dictating what can be built, where it can be built, and how much can be built. It has undergone numerous amendments in response to changing policy goals since its adoption in the mid-1980s. The Planning Commission currently has 38 active code amendment cases. To keep the public informed, staff provides regular updates on these amendments during Council Housing and Planning Committee meetings, including a Code Amendment Timeline Chart and an Active Code Amendments Table. The Planning Department currently seeks feedback on amendment case C20-2023-015, Eliminate Neighborhood Plan Amendment Filing Deadlines. Staff will include responses to an online survey with materials provided before public hearings at the Planning Commission (Aug. 8) and Austin City Council (Aug. 31).  

Staff Evaluating Impacts of New Laws Regarding Development Process

New statewide legislation impacting the City of Austin’s development process will go into effect on Sept. 1. We are continuing to evaluate the effects of this legislation and prepare for changes to DSD’s policies and procedures. We will provide specific updates in the coming weeks about any changes that will affect you. 

Reminder: Water Testing Required for PVC Water Supply Lines

To help protect resident and worker safety, the Uniform Plumbing Code in place in the City of Austin requires water testing on PVC water supply lines. During final tests, PVC water lines must be able to carry water at a pressure of at least 50 psi. These testing requirements are consistent with those used for fire lines and will be enforced during plumbing inspections. If water is not available for testing and lines are covered before final inspection, contractors will be responsible for uncovering those lines if a leak is found during inspection. 

Clear One-Time Inspections to Schedule Final Building Inspections

If you have ever encountered error messages when trying to schedule a Final Building Inspection for your project, it likely was due to incomplete one-time inspections. One-time inspections are just that: an inspection that occurs only once during construction. All one-time inspections must be complete before you can schedule a Final Building Inspection for your permitted project. DSD’s Building Inspections webpage now includes information to make it easier to identify your missing inspections, including contact information and the three-digit inspection type to help your schedule. This and other helpful inspections information is available on our webpage.  

Environmental Inspections Brown Bag Lunch and Learn to Return Aug. 3

The Environmental Inspection Division is holding its next Environmental Inspections Brown Bag Lunch and Learn on Aug. 3, 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., at the Permitting and Development Center. Learn more about our services and the processes we use to review erosion and sediment control tools, construction site stabilization, water quality resources, tree protection, and environmental enforcement. These will be interactive sessions, with plenty of time for questions.

These sessions are open to all interested Austin residents and anyone with a project that is subject to these environmental requirements. The presentation will focus mainly on information that affects permit holders and professionals who work in development and landscaping. Learn more and register today here. If registration is full, we’re holding our next session in October. Make sure you sign up for our Lunch and Learn email list to be notified when registration opens.  

Provide Input on Future Water-Saving Requirements for Landscapes

A Message from Austin Water

Austin Water will offer an opportunity to offer input on a Landscape Transformation Ordinance for newly built single-family residential properties during a virtual meeting via Zoom on Aug. 10, 6-7 p.m. The goal for these new properties is to have landscapes that require less water when supplemental irrigation is needed. This initiative is designed to support strategies identified in the Water Forward Plan approved by City Council. Possible options currently include pressure-regulating requirements for new irrigation systems, limits on automatic irrigation equipment, requirements for Laundry to Landscape connections, and a city plant list for landscapes. The meeting also will include a discussion of irrigation inspection requirements and enforcement. If you would like to participate and learn more, please register to attend. 

Upcoming Dates

Environmental Inspections Brown Bag Lunch & Learn – Aug. 3 

"We All Belong" Event at City Hall – Aug. 12 

Austin Build Expo – Aug. 16-17 

Tree Smart Brown Bag Lunch & Learn – Aug. 24 

Labor Day Holiday (City Offices Closed) - Sept. 4 

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