|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
As 2025 comes to a
close, it’s clear that this has been a landmark year for The Real
Estate Council—marked by major policy wins, deeper partnerships at
City Hall and the Texas Legislature, and significant progress on
development, housing, and permitting reforms across North Texas. We
want to offer a special thank you to our member-led committees who’ve
played a central role in shaping outcomes at every level of
government, championing responsible growth, driving modernization of
outdated policies, and ensuring commercial real estate has a strong,
informed, unified voice in the decisions that impact our industry and
our region.
|
|
|
|
Park Land Dedication
Ordinance
On November 12, the Park Land Dedication
Ordinance, developed over the past year through collaboration between
TREC, the Park and Recreation Department, and the Parks, Trails, and
Environment Committee, went to the City Council for a vote. The final ordinance reduces the
number of Nexus zones, exempts affordable housing units, and
clarifies the Park Director’s authority for on-site dedications.
During the meeting, Councilmember Paul
Ridley proposed setting the park fee for two-bedroom and larger
units to the maximum 2 percent of AMFI per the original Park Board
and ZOAC recommendation. TREC supported a 1.5 percent AMFI rate for
two-plus bedroom units and a 1 percent rate for one-bedroom units.
Ultimately, Council approved a compromise fee of 1.75 percent for
2-plus bedroom units while retaining the 1 percent rate for
one-bedroom units.
DallasNow Permitting System
In May, the City of Dallas transitioned
to Accela — branded as DallasNow — its new permitting and land-use
management platform. The rollout introduced significant challenges
throughout the spring and summer. TREC worked closely with city staff
to document issues, track errors, flag system breakdowns, and provide
detailed, actionable feedback from our members. Planning and
Development has made steady progress in resolving key concerns, and
by fall the system had begun to stabilize with noticeable
improvements in data migration, application tracking, and overall
platform performance.
Parking Reform Adopted
In May, the Dallas City Council approved
the first major update to
Dallas’ off-street parking requirements since 1965. The city reduced
and simplified its parking requirements by adopting a tiered
“per-dwelling-unit” standard for multifamily developments, eliminated
minimums for many commercial uses such as office, retail, and smaller
restaurant/bar spaces, and lowering or standardizing ratios for
remaining commercial categories.
Development Code Rewrite
Dallas is undertaking a comprehensive
rewrite of its Development Code for the first time since the 1960s.
Following the release of the Diagnostic Report in March and a series of
public meetings, Camiros, the city’s consultant, is drafting a new
Chapter 63 to replace the current development code or Ch. 51A. TREC
established a dedicated working group to closely monitor its
progress, with a public draft tentatively expected in spring
2026.
City Meetings
View upcoming city meetings here.
|
|
|
|
89th Texas Legislature
The 89th Texas Legislative Session
delivered major land use and housing reforms — updating minimum lot
sizes, zoning protest thresholds, commercial-to-residential by-right
development, and Housing Finance Corporations. TREC monitored more
than 350 bills and provided targeted feedback throughout the session,
reinforced by TREC PAC’s participation in the February RECsTX Austin
Lobby Days, where members met with North Texas legislators to discuss
development, permitting, infrastructure, and housing issues. These
efforts ensured TREC’s expertise informed key policy conversations at
the Capitol, including the following bills:
- SB
840|Multifamily
Mixed-Use in Commercial Zones By Right: Allows by-right multifamily
and mixed-use development in commercial zones in Texas’s large
cities and counties.
- HB
24|Zoning Protest
Threshold Reform: Raises the protest threshold for zoning cases from
20 percent to 60 percent for housing projects,
reducing the ability of small groups to block new development.
- HB
21|Housing Finance
Corporation Reform: Closes the “traveling HFC” loophole
and adds auditing and affordability requirements.
|
|
|
Renew Your TREC Membership
Your TREC membership
powers professional growth, meaningful connections, and real impact
across DFW. Renew by December 31, 2025 to continue accessing our
networking events, industry programs, advocacy efforts, leadership
development, and community investment opportunities in the year
ahead.
Invest in TREC PAC
Investing in TREC Political Action Committee (PAC)
ensures our industry has a strong voice in the decisions that shape
commercial real estate and protects the work you do every day. In
early 2026, PAC investors will interview candidates running in the
Texas House primaries, giving us a direct hand in supporting leaders
who understand growth, development, and the policies that keep our
region competitive. Your investment strengthens our influence and
helps safeguard the future of our industry.
ALC Class of 2026 Applications Now Available
TREC’s premier leadership
development program turns 30 in 2026! Apply to be a part of this
milestone year for the Associate Leadership Council (ALC) and take
the next step in your commercial real estate career. Application materials
are due Friday, January 9, 2026.
|
|
|
Tuesday, February 3|Public
Policy Committee Meeting
View all upcoming
events here.
|
|
|
|
Manage Your Preferences
The
Real Estate Council
3100 McKinnon Street, Suite 1150 Dallas, TX 75201
214.692.3600 | recouncil.com
|
|
|
|
|
