a. 
Generally.
In addition to the applicable required procedures in Division 7.1, Purpose, Applicability, and Common Review Procedures, the following specific procedural provisions shall apply to Zone Changes.
b. 
Purpose.
The purpose of a Zone Change is to change the zoning district of a property on the Official Zoning Map from one zoning district to another.
c. 
Protest against a zone change.
A Zone Change shall not become effective except by a favorable vote of three-fourths of all members of the City Council if either of the following sign a valid protest against the change:
1. 
Subject property. Owners of 20 percent or more of the land included in such proposed change; or
2. 
Within 200 feet. Owners of 20 percent of the land within 200 feet of the subject property. The land area within this radius includes any intervening public street or alley.
d. 
Successive zone change applications.
To promote the stability and well-being of the community and offer certainty to the City's citizens regarding the use and development of property, the following requirements, in addition to those in Section 39.07.008g, Successive Applications, govern the filing of Zone Change reapplications:
1. 
Criteria. A reapplication within 12 months of the date of the application for a Zone Change shall not be heard for a particular parcel of property if:
A. 
Within 12 months prior to the date of the application a Zone Change or similar application was recommended for denial by the Planning & Zoning Commission and denied by the City Council;
B. 
The application currently under consideration includes property that was all of or a part of the previously denied case; or
C. 
The reapplication is for the same or a more intense zoning district (as defined in Subsection d.2., below) than the district requested in the previous application.
2. 
Districts. For purposes of applying the district intensity standard in Subsection d.1.C., above, the zoning districts established in this UDC are listed in order, from the least to most intense, below. A district is generally considered more intense than the district requested in a previous application if it requests a greater number of dwelling units or floor area, than the previous application.
A. 
Residential Estates (RE);
B. 
Very Low Density Single-Family (SF-1);
C. 
Low Density Single-Family (SF-2);
D. 
Medium Density Residential (MDR);
E. 
High Density Residential (HDR);
F. 
West Broadway (MU-1), Broadway (MU-2), General (MU-3), and Civic Center (MU-5);
G. 
Office (OF);
H. 
Neighborhood Commercial (NC);
I. 
Auto-Urban Commercial (AC);
J. 
Heavy Commercial (HC);
K. 
Industrial Park (IP);
L. 
Light Industrial (LI); and
M. 
General Industrial (GI).
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023; Ordinance 2025-O0095 adopted 8/18/2025)
a. 
Generally.
In addition to the applicable required procedures in Division 7.1, Purpose, Applicability, and Common Review Procedures, the following specific procedural provisions shall apply to Specific Use Permits (SUPs).
b. 
Purpose.
The purpose of SUP review is to determine if specific uses, as denoted in each zoning district in Division 2.2, Zoning Districts and Standards, should be allowed on a property.
c. 
Specific decision criteria.
1. 
Review and decision. In determining whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a SUP, the review bodies shall consider the applicable common decision criteria in Section 39.07.006, Common Decision Criteria, and the following:
A. 
Generally.
i. 
The granting of the SUP is not injurious or otherwise detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the general public; and
ii. 
The granting of the SUP is not substantially or permanently injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity in which the property is located.
B. 
Concentration. The specific use does not create an unwanted concentration of similar specific uses that is likely to discourage permitted uses by making the vicinity less desirable for them.
2. 
Approval. In order to approve a SUP, the final decision-making body shall consider all of the applicable decision criteria.
d. 
Conditions of approval.
The Planning and Zoning Commission may recommend, and the City Council may approve, conditions of approval to the SUP in order to mitigate its impacts to adjacent land uses such that it complies with the associated decision criteria. The subject matter of conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
1. 
Additional landscaping or buffering;
2. 
Building or facade improvements, but not to building material requirements;
3. 
Noise abatement measures;
4. 
Limitations on lighting, such as lighting curfews or restrictions on levels of illumination;
5. 
Measures to control, mitigate, or direct traffic;
6. 
Parking, loading, stacking, and site circulation adjustments;
7. 
Restrictions on outdoor displays, sales, or storage; or
8. 
Restrictions on signs that relate only to the sign structure, materials, lighting, placement, size, or type.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
In addition to the applicable required procedures in Section 39.07.006, Common Decision Criteria, the following specific procedural provisions shall apply to Master Development Plans.
b. 
Purpose.
The purpose of a Master Development Plan is to provide a site layout for property developed using the village subdivision type in a district where such subdivision type is permitted. Review of the Master Development Plan shall occur prior to any other development activity for the project taking place.
c. 
Exemptions.
A Master Development Plan is not required prior to the development of a subdivision that is not a village type.
d. 
Binding characteristics.
Approval of the Master Development Plan establishes:
1. 
Context, transitioning, and buffering. The context of the proposed development relative to adjoining and adjacentdevelopment and the proposal for transitioning and buffering such uses;
2. 
Uses, scale, and compatibility. The locations and types of residential, nonresidential, and public or institutional land uses; their scale and design relationships; and methods to ensure compatibility between the various uses and adjacent properties;
3. 
Density. Minimum and maximum gross densities, block sizes, lot patterns, and heights of residential uses;
4. 
Bulk. Planned gross square footages, lot coverage, and heights of nonresidential uses;
5. 
Parking and circulation. The proposed parking and circulation plans;
6. 
Transportation. The patterns, functional classifications, and cross-sections of streets within and adjacent to the development, along with the network of pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit improvements;
7. 
Open space. General locations, means of continuity and connectivity, and the extent of open space to be dedicated for public or private purposes;
8. 
Environmental features. Areas of environmental sensitivity to be protected and preserved, including floodplains and riparian areas, wetlands and water bodies, steep slopes, forested areas, and other such areas; and
9. 
Phases. Phases of development.
e. 
Specific decision criteria.
In determining whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Master Development Plan, the review bodies shall consider the applicable common decision criteria in Section 39.07.006, Common Decision Criteria, and the following:
1. 
Phasing. The development is phased in a manner that assures an adequate mixture of residential and nonresidential land uses and allows for transition from the early phases to completion, relating to the intensity of uses and parking.
2. 
Undeveloped space. Together with the developed areas, the undeveloped spaces devoted to natural resource preservation, buffering of uses, and for passive and active recreational use are continuous throughout the development and where appropriate may double as stormwater best management practices.
3. 
Streets and parking. The streets are designed in conformance with Section 39.04.005b., Conformance to Thoroughfare Plan, and, where appropriate, for multi-modal purposes, including being used as access and transit ways, for on-street parking, and safe use of pedestrians and bicyclists, and the parking is well-distributed and designed to preserve an urban streetscape.
4. 
Walkability. The connections within and between buildings, civic spaces, parking areas, and to the surrounding development; the presence of amenities and other pedestrian improvements; and the proximity of origins and destinations both internal and external to the development are such that walking and bicycling are safe and viable modes of transportation.
5. 
Quality design. The design of buildings and hardscape and landscape areas help to establish visual interest, aesthetic appeal, and a unique identity for the development, including as key considerations human-scale amenities, integration of civic spaces for public interaction, and protection from the environmental elements.
6. 
Building form and massing. The placement, arrangement, size, and relationships of buildings relative to streets, pedestrian and civic spaces, and one another create an urban environment.
7. 
Site layout. The subject property is laid out in an efficient manner relative to the natural and built environments and designed to achieve the aims of a compact, highly walkable environment.
f. 
Amendments.
1. 
Classification. Amendments to a previously approved plan shall be classified as a minor or major modification. Minor modifications may be administratively accepted and will be subject to procedures of Section 39.07.028, Minor Modification of an Approved Application. The Director of Planning shall provide a written response indicating whether or not the revised Master Development Plan has been classified as a minor or major amendment.
2. 
Minor amendments. In addition to the amendments listed in Section 39.07.028c., Specific Decision Criteria, Minor amendments include the following:
A. 
Changes to the timing or phasing of the proposed development provided the use and overall geographic land area remains the same;
B. 
A reduction or increase by no more than 10 percent in the number of proposed platted lots provided the use and overall geographic land area remains substantially the same;
C. 
A decrease in overall residential density;
D. 
Updating of ownership or consultant information;
E. 
A decrease in the overall land area, provided the initial design is maintained; and
F. 
Master Development Plan or subdivision plat name change.
3. 
Major amendments. All other amendments shall be classified as major modifications and shall be processed in the same manner as a new Master Development Plan submittal. Any major amendments, including any phased amendments to an approved Planned Unit Development adopted prior to the effective date of this UDC per Section 39.01.010, Vesting and Transition Standards, shall be considered a major amendment.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
In addition to the applicable required procedures in Division 7.1, Purpose, Applicability, and Common Review Procedures, the following specific procedural provisions shall apply to Certificates of Appropriateness.
b. 
Purpose.
The purpose of a Certificate of Appropriateness review is to ensure that no person carries out demolition, alteration, or reconstruction of any contributing building in a Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) district without compliance with the design standards of Section 39.02.009, Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO). Certificate of Appropriateness approval is required in addition to, and not in lieu of, any required Building Permit.
c. 
Exemptions.
The following activities are exempt from the requirements of this Section:
1. 
Unfit for occupancy. Demolition of a contributing structure that the Director of Code Enforcement deems "unfit for human occupancy";
2. 
Ordinary maintenance. Ordinary maintenance on any structure that does not involve demolition, alteration, or reconstruction; or
3. 
Non-contributing structure. Demolition, alteration, or reconstruction of a building or structure that the Director of Planning deems as non-contributing.
d. 
Specific decision criteria.
In determining whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Certificate of Appropriateness, the review bodies shall consider the applicable common decision criteria in Section 39.07.006, Common Decision Criteria, and the following:
1. 
Historic use or minimal change. The property is used as it was historically or will be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships.
2. 
Historic character of property. The historic character of a property is retained and preserved. The applicant does not propose the removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize the property and would compromise its integrity.
3. 
Distinctive features. The applicant proposes to preserve distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize the property.
4. 
Repair and replacement. The applicant proposes to repair rather than replace deteriorated historic features. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature matches the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. The applicant has substantially documented the replacement of missing features.
5. 
Gentlest means. The applicant proposes to undertake chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, using the gentlest means possible, without using treatments that cause damage to historic materials.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
In addition to the applicable required procedures in Division 7.1, Purpose, Applicability, and Common Review Procedures, the specific procedural provisions of Section 39.07.032, Zone Change, and the following shall apply to Planned Unit Development.
b. 
Purpose.
The purpose of this Section is to apply the designation of Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the Official Zoning Map in conjunction with the base zoning district of an eligible property as described in Section 39.02.012. Planned Unit Development District (PUD).
c. 
Specific decision criteria.
In determining whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Planned Unit Development, the review bodies shall consider the applicable common decision criteria in Section 39.07.006, Common Decision Criteria, Section 39.07.032c. [Section 39.07.033c], Specific Decision Criteria, and the following:
1. 
Purpose of development. The use of PUD development regulations shall not be used for the sole purpose of avoiding the quantitative or dimensional requirements for uses that would already be permitted in the base zoning district;
2. 
Public service or facilities. The proposed land use(s) shall not materially add public service or facility loads beyond those contemplated in the Comprehensive Plan or other adopted policies or plans of the City, unless the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City Council that such added loads will be accommodated or mitigated upon implementation of approved plan;
3. 
Comprehensive plan. A proposed PUD shall be consistent with the goals and objectives and shall not have an adverse impact upon the Comprehensive Plan. Notwithstanding this requirement, the City Council may approve a PUD proposal that includes uses that are not called for in the Comprehensive Plan, provided that the City Council determines that such a use deviation is justified based on a demonstrated need and the current planning and development objectives of the City;
4. 
Compatibility with adjacent uses. Land use patterns established by the PUD shall be compatible with existing and planned uses on and adjacent to the site;
5. 
Quality building design and site development. The PUD shall improve the appearance of the City through quality building design and site development, the provision of trees and landscaping consistent with or beyond minimum requirements of the base zoning district, the preservation of unique and/or historic sites or structures, and/or the provision of open space or other desirable features of a site beyond minimum requirements; and
6. 
Density and intensity. The PUD development shall not be allowed solely as a means of increasing the density or intensity of development. The PUD development shall result in a development that could not be achieved under the base zoning district.
d. 
Applicant responsibilities and approval procedures.
1. 
Concept plan.
A. 
Contents. The first part of the PUD submittal shall include the following:
i. 
An application for a zone change;
iii. 
A written statement explaining:
a. 
How the proposed district will relate to the City's Comprehensive Plan and the degree to which it is or is not consistent with said plan and the proposed base zoning district.
b. 
The proposed uses, building and site improvements, phasing plans, and resulting open spaces, landscaped areas, floor area and parking.
c. 
Reasons that a PUD is preferred over conventional zoning, and identification of the benefits to the City of Lubbock and its residents resulting from the PUD development project.
iv. 
A plan of streets through and along the perimeter of the site, which shall be in accordance with the City's approved Thoroughfare Plan.
v. 
Additional maps and documents as necessary to adequately describe the project.
vi. 
A listing of proposed variations, deviations, and/or exceptions to the use and design standards applicable to the base zoning district, as well as any other applicable requirement, and an explanation as to how each such proposal will benefit the project pursuant to the purpose and intent of the PUD regulations as set forth in Section 39.02.012, Planned Unit Development District (PUD).
vii. 
An adequate legal description of the tract(s), showing total acreage, proposed general land uses, and acreage for each use, including open space, existing and proposed streets (public and private), general topographic conditions, significant environmental features, including floodplains and watercourses;
viii. 
Dimensioned site plan drawn to scale, showing all proposed and existing buildings and structures, including:
a. 
Proposed paths and sidewalks;
b. 
Proposed height, setbacks, square footages, and uses of buildings;
c. 
A summary of proposed parking;
d. 
A summary of proposed unit counts;
e. 
A summary of proposed densities (units/acre);
f. 
Proposed landscaped areas and open space, and
g. 
Any other information necessary to determine eligibility and ascertain mandatory requirements in accordance with Section 39.02.012, Planned Unit Development District (PUD);
ix. 
A proposed phasing schedule, if known;
x. 
Elevation drawings and renderings;
xi. 
Any proposed deed covenants, conditions, restrictions, or agreements that purport to govern the use, maintenance, and operation of any commonly-owned areas, structures, or facilities; and
xii. 
Documentation of impacts the proposed development will have on public facilities and services and ways in which these impacts will be mitigated in conjunction with the proposed development. Examples of impacts include, but are not limited to, the level of service at street intersections, residential equivalency units for wastewater service, water capacity, and school district enrollment.
B. 
Recommendation and final decision. Refer to review responsibilities of a PUD application denoted in Table 39.07.012-1, Development Review Summary.
C. 
Ordinance. The City Attorney shall prepare a PUD Ordinance zone change to the property that includes any conditions upon which the concept plan approval is based. The ordinance shall be voted upon after the first public hearing and, if passed, shall require a second reading at a subsequent meeting of the City Council prior to publication and enactment.
D. 
Effect of approval.
i. 
Approval of a concept plan and adoption of its PUD Development ordinance by the City Council pursuant to the PUD regulations shall confer upon the property owner or owners the right to submit a PUD detail plan in accordance with Subsection 2, below.
ii. 
Once an area has been included in a concept plan that has been approved by the City Council, no development may take place in such area nor may any use thereof be made except in accordance with the approved concept plan or a plan amended in accordance with Subsection e, below.
2. 
Detail plan.
A. 
Contents. The Detail Plan of the PUD submittal shall include the following:
i. 
All of the information required for Site Development Plans.
ii. 
Plans and information regarding roads, utilities, sidewalks, and other infrastructure, parks and open spaces, enhancements to public services, and other features of the proposed PUD.
iii. 
A copy of the approved ordinance that rezoned the property, along with any conditions placed thereon.
iv. 
Any other documentation necessary to demonstrate that the detail plan complies with the approved concept plan and any conditions placed on the approval.
B. 
Recommendation and final decision. Refer to review responsibilities of a PUD application denoted in Table 39.07.012-1, Development Review Summary.
C. 
Effect of approval. Upon approval of the Detail Plan, the Director of Planning is authorized to issue a notice of approval to the owner or developer that the applicant may proceed to the next phase of regulatory review, including site plan review and building permit submittal, subject to any and all other development, construction and permitting requirements of this UDC or other applicable City Codes.
3. 
Phasing of construction. A PUD development project may be proposed for construction in phases, in which case the project shall be designed so that each phase, when completed, has received or is capable of receiving a Certificate of Occupancy in terms of public or common services, facilities and utilities, and open space. Each phase shall contain the necessary components to ensure the protection of natural resources and the health, safety, and welfare of the users of the project and the residents of the surrounding area.
e. 
Amendments.
1. 
Classification. Amendments to a previously approved PUD shall be classified as a minor or major modification. Minor modifications may be administratively accepted and will be subject to the procedures of Section 39.07.028, Minor Modification of an Approved Application. The Director of Planning shall provide a written response indicating whether or not the revised PUD has been classified as a minor or major amendment.
2. 
Minor amendments. In addition to the amendments listed in Section 39.07.028c., Specific Decision Criteria, minor amendments include modifications that meet the following:
A. 
Do not modify the overall acreage, but rather modify the acreage identified for each use by a factor of no more than 10%.
B. 
Do not increase or decrease the minimum yards or setbacks;
C. 
Do not increase or decrease the amount of off-street parking by a factor of more than 10%;
D. 
Do not significantly alter the facade design and materials;
E. 
Do not increase lot coverage by a factor of more than 10%;
F. 
Do not alter the uses allowed; and
G. 
Do not alter the intent and conditions of the PUD approval.
3. 
Major amendments. All other amendments shall be classified as major modifications and shall be processed in the same manner as a new PUD submittal. Any major amendments, including any phased amendments to an approved PUD, adopted prior to the effective date of this UDC per Section 39.01.010, Vesting and Transition Standards, shall be considered a major amendment.
f. 
Protest against a zone change.
Refer to Section 39.07.032c., Protest Against a Zone Change. Provisions for Zone Change Applications also apply to successive PUD applications.
g. 
Successive PUD applications.
Refer to Section 39.07.032d., Successive Zone Change Applications. Provisions for Zone Change Applications also apply to successive PUD applications.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)