Allen's rulebook for building, zoning, and development is getting its first major review since 2000, a process that could take up to two years and change how the city handles zoning and permitting for businesses and developers.
Community Development Director Haley Angel presented the plan to City Council at a special workshop on July 23 telling members the Allen Land Development Code needs to catch up with a city that has more than doubled in size since the code was last written.
"Back in 2000, we were a population of 43,000, and only 43% of our land was developed," Angel said at the workshop.
Allen's population has since grown to an estimated 113,447 as of last July, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. With the city approaching build-out and growth slowing, Angel said it is time to reevaluate how the codes serve the community.
What's on the table
The review is tied to Allen's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in April 2025, which lays out 141 action items across five categories: land use, transportation and mobility, community character and health, housing and neighborhoods, and economic development. Angel told council that 16 of those action items could be addressed through amendments to the land development code.
One goal singled out in Angel's presentation: reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses and improving outreach to help owners navigate zoning and permitting. Angel said one proposed improvement would make the code more user-friendly by adding graphics that clearly explain what requirements applicants need to meet for a zoning request to be recommended for approval.
The code governs building construction, zoning, floodplains, parkland dedication, and development standards. A full update is highly technical and could take 18 to 24 months to complete, according to Angel's presentation.
The Allen Planning and Zoning Commission discussed ALDC amendments at its July 7 meeting, indicating incremental code changes are already underway even as the broader review takes shape.
What comes next
Angel told council she will present again on the code review at the city's annual budget workshop in August 2026. No specific date for that workshop has been announced. The city's FY2025-26 budget, adopted in August 2025, lists "vibrant community with lively destinations and successful commercial centers" among its five strategic goals.
