Austin approves size limits for new homes

Austin Business Journal - 2:39 PM CDT Friday

The Austin City Council on Thursday approved new regulations that limit the size of new homes and duplexes in about 50 neighborhoods in and around downtown.

New homes are limited to a maximum height of 32 feet, and their square footage is limited to 2,500 square feet or 40 percent of the lot size, whichever is greater. Critics of the restrictions have argued that they're too strict and will discourage in-fill building. A newly created city design board will handle appeals for people who want to build a home that exceeds the size limits.

City officials for years have worked on ways to bring more dense developments -- and consequently more people -- to the city's core.