Unified Development Code
What Is the Unified Development Code?
Unified Development Code(PDF, 15MB)
Last updated: February 25, 2025
The Unified Development Code (UDC) is a document that consolidates all development-related regulations including zoning and land use, subdivisions, design and development standards, and review procedures.
The UDC has several advantages over maintaining separate zoning and subdivision ordinances. First, it avoids overlapping, conflicting, or inconsistent requirements by providing one source for all standards and approval procedures. Second, the UDC is simpler for customers to use since they only need to become familiar with one set of standards. Finally, by integrating all types of development, the UDC offers a more flexible and comprehensive approach to design, which leads to a more consistent treatment of different types of development.
The UDC was effective on July 10, 2014.
Finding Information in the UDC
The UDC is organized into 12 articles that cover zoning districts, land uses, development standards, signs, and procedures. See the UDC Introduction(PDF, 139KB) for a summary of each article.
Amendments and Updates
The Unified Development Code has been amended and updated since its adoption in June 2014. Amendments keep the UDC relevant with changes that reflect the latest thinking on land use and development. Omnibus updates are made to eliminate unclear language, correct errors, and update content based on interpretations and practices of the department.
- February 1, 2023, UDC Update related to Tobacco, E-cigarettes, CHP, or Non-traditional Smoking-related Retail Stores(PDF, 537KB)
- March 7, 2023, UDC Annual Update(PDF, 2MB)
- May 23, 2023, UDC Update related to the Flex Hybrid Zoning District(PDF, 691KB) (not yet codified in the complete UDC)
- September 5, 2023, UDC Update related to Cottage Communities(PDF, 1MB) (not yet codified in the complete UDC)
- September 26, 2023, UDC Update related to Wall Murals(PDF, 418KB) (not yet codified in the complete UDC)
- April 9, 2024, UDC Update related to Hotel Design Standards(PDF, 2MB) (not yet codified in the complete UDC)
- April 9, 2024, UDC Annual Update(PDF, 6MB)
- February 25, 2025 - UDC Update related to Tree Preservation and Mitigation(PDF, 4MB)
UDC Updates - Under Consideration
UDC User's Guide
The following information bulletins provide more detail on portions of the UDC.
Find the Zoning of a Property
Arlington Maps Online includes the zoning designation of all property in the city.
While the online map is the most current and accurate version of the zoning map, if you have technical issues, a dated PDF map(PDF, 2MB) is available. Please use the online map or call 817-459-6502 to confirm the zoning of a property.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the UDC, please email us at planningdevelopment@arlingtontx.gov or call 817-459-6502.