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The Real Estate Council is
actively monitoring issues at the state and local level that impact
the commercial real estate industry and our partners. Our mission is
to build a better city – and public policy is an essential component
of that vision.
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Dallas Development Code Rewrite
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The City of Dallas is
rewriting its Development Code, marking one of the most significant
land use reforms in decades. The goal is a clearer, more consistent,
intuitive, and predictable code that’s easier to use. Key potential
improvements include streamlined approvals, reduced reliance on
Planned Development districts, and the use of graphics and matrices
to simplify regulations.
In March, the city released the Development Code Diagnostic Report,
a detailed review of Chapter 51A with recommendations to modernize
and align zoning regulations with the ForwardDallas comprehensive
plan. City staff briefed the
City Plan Commission on the Diagnostic Report and on a series of
public meetings in June.
The first public draft of the new development code, tentatively
Chapter 63, is expected by the end of 2025, with a redline draft
incorporating public feedback to follow in 2026. A final draft is
targeted for completion and City Council consideration by fall 2026.
TREC has a dedicated working group that is engaging and educating
city staff throughout the process and will keep members informed as
key milestones approach.
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The Impact of the 89th
Texas Legislature
TREC is monitoring council meetings in Dallas and neighboring
cities to track how key land use bills passed during the 89th Texas
Legislative Session are being implemented and assessing their impact.
With bills like SB 15, SB 840, and HB 24 set to take effect on September 1,
many TREC members have raised questions about how these new laws will
be interpreted and applied locally. We are especially interested in
understanding how and when relevant municipal ordinances, development
manuals, and permitting procedures will be updated to reflect the new
state requirements.
The City of Dallas Planning and Development Department will share the
following updates:
- August 7: City staff briefed the City
Plan Commission.
- August 15: Interpretation memos will be
released and made available on the City’s website.
- August 22: A special meeting of the Development
Advisory Committee will be held to review and discuss the
implications of these new land use bills.
You can
submit questions to the Planning and Development Department about the
legislation’s impact here, and view upcoming meeting agendas here.
First Called Special
Session
Governor Abbott called legislators back to Austin for a 30-day
special session that began July 21. The agenda includes regulating THC in hemp products,
improving disaster preparedness in response to recent flooding, and
redrawing congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections. In an
effort to block what they believe is a discriminatory redistricting
plan designed to give Republicans five more congressional seats in
the US Congress, Texas House Democrats left the state to break quorum
and stall the special session. While TREC continues to assess the
full impact legislation passed during the regular session, we are
also closely tracking proposals in the first and any subsequent
special sessions that may affect commercial real estate.
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Dallas City Council
Following the June 16
inauguration, the newly seated Dallas City Council held meetings in
June before pausing for its traditional July recess. With the Council
set to resume regular business in August, it is now up to Mayor Eric
Johnson to announce committee and chair assignments, a key
responsibility that will shape how policy is developed and
prioritized over the next two years. These appointments determine
which council members will lead on major issues like housing,
infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. With budget
season approaching, the structure and leadership of each committee
will help set the tone for the work ahead.
2025-26 Dallas City Budget
Dallas adopts its
2025–26 budget in September to fund core services like public safety,
infrastructure, housing, and sanitation. City leaders are projecting
a budget shortfall driven by a state-imposed cap on property tax
revenue, slower sales tax growth, and rising costs tied to
Proposition U, a voter-approved charter amendment requiring the city
to hire 900 new police officers and dedicate half of all new revenue
to public safety pensions. Councilmembers are hosting town hall meetings,
so don't miss your opportunity to provide input on city budget
priorities.
City Meetings
View upcoming city
meetings here.
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Civic Leadership – Serve on a Dallas Board or
Commission
As current Dallas board
and commission appointee terms expire, vacancies will open on nearly 50 boards and commissions
that help shape city policy on planning, zoning, housing,
economic development, and more. TREC is committed to developing the
next generation of civic leaders and serves as a resource for
councilmembers seeking qualified candidates. If you're interested in
serving on a Dallas board or commission, contact Public Policy and
Community Relations Manager Michael Williams
to learn more.
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Tuesday, August 19|Industry
Insights: Water Availability and Accessibility in North Texas (open to Investor-level members only)
Tuesday, August 26|Bank
of Texas Speaker Series: A Fireside Chat With SMU President Jay
Hartzell
Thursday, September 18|FightNight
XXXVI
Tuesday, November 4|Market
Matters: Capital Markets Update With Mark Gibson of JLL Capital
Markets-Americas
View all upcoming
events here.
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Manage Your Preferences
The
Real Estate Council
3100 McKinnon Street, Suite 1150 Dallas, TX 75201
214.692.3600 | recouncil.com
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