Dripping Springs extends moratorium on development for additional 120 days

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS – The Dripping Springs City Council last night voted to extend the Temporary Development Moratorium through September 18, 2022, in relation to wastewater needs.

The Moratorium will continue to affect all permits for new development related to subdivision, site planning, development, land use, and construction in the City Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) for both residential and commercial projects and those projects requiring wastewater service from the City could be delayed.

During the extended Moratorium, no City department will accept permit applications for development where a waiver or exception has not been approved. Any project that does not request or require wastewater service from the City will be eligible for an exception.

The Temporary Development Moratorium was enacted on November 18, 2021, and was extended from February 2022 to May 21, 2022.

Over the past six months, City leaders met with developers and builders who had questions or concerns and approved more than forty waivers and exceptions primarily for ongoing projects.

The City also started the process of revisiting the comprehensive plan and studying land use and development in the City limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and hired a professional land planning firm to provide comprehensive plan and development code services.

Following the public hearing last night, the moratorium as it relates to land use has been lifted, but the Council extended the Moratorium as it relates to the provision of wastewater.

The Council continues to recognize the impact of rapid growth on providing for responsible development in relation to providing adequate wastewater infrastructure for the City.

During the temporary moratorium extension, exceptions can be reviewed and approved by City Staff, without needing to go through the City Council waiver approval process which occurs at weekly council meetings.

Developers and citizens can continue to find up-to-date information at cityofdrippingsprings.com/moratorium. Exception and waiver forms can also be found in this section.

Developers or citizens with questions should contact the Planning Department at moratorium@cityofdrippingsprings.com.

Due to the anticipated high volume of inquiries on this matter, the city requests that all questions be submitted in writing.