Dallas consolidated its Planning & Urban Design and Development Services functions into the Planning & Development Department in 2024. That department now serves as the main hub for building permits, plan review, zoning, inspections, platting, and related development approvals. Residential and commercial construction permits are submitted through DallasNow, the city’s unified online land-management system.
Zoning can affect a project before building review begins. Dallas regulates matters such as land use, setbacks, height, density, lot coverage, and floor-area ratio through the Dallas Development Code. When a proposed use or development does not fit the property’s existing zoning, a separate zoning-change process may be required. Current Planning applications are also handled through DallasNow.
Historic properties have an additional review layer. Exterior work on individually designated Dallas Landmarks and properties within Landmark districts generally requires a Certificate of Appropriateness. These applications are processed through DallasNow, but historic approval does not replace any building permit that may also be required. Depending on the scope, review may be handled administratively or by the Dallas Landmark Commission.
Some work falls outside the standard building-permit workflow. Transportation & Public Works separately manages permits for construction within the public right-of-way or work that damages it. For most development projects, applicants can start with the City’s DallasNow resource center and then identify any additional zoning, historic-preservation, engineering, or right-of-way reviews that apply.