Rosenberg Planning Development Reference

  1. Purpose
    This document is intended to be a reference guide for the City of Rosenberg and its development processes.

    Predevelopment meetings are available and are strongly recommended.
  2. Scope
    All parties involved in the submittal of plats and building plans shall follow these procedures.
  3. Initial Development Discussion
    1. Predevelopment Meeting
      The purpose of a predevelopment meeting is to prepare the developer for their interaction with the City. These meetings offer the chance to ask any questions, as well as receive feedback from City departments that have a direct hand in the reviewing and permitting of the different phases of the process.
    2. Planning
      1. Platting
        All properties shall be platted unless exempt by law, prior to development.
        1. Land Plan:
          The purpose of a land plan is to allow the Planning Commission to review the proposed major thoroughfare and collector street patterns, land use, environmental issues, conformance to the comprehensive master plan, the property's relationship to adjoining subdivisions or properties, as well as such additional developmental or infrastructure review as deemed necessary by the city.

          A land plan consisting of a general plan, master plan, and/or concept plan may not be required if the preliminary plat(s) contain sufficient information to provide for the proper coordination of development.
        2. Preliminary Plat:
          A preliminary plat should show all designated land uses, lots or reserves, on the face of the plat in accordance with the approved land plan and all approved comprehensive, water, sewer, and thoroughfare plans. It shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, a licensed professional land surveyor, or a land planner. Preliminary plans for a water distribution system, a sewerage collection system, and an on-site and off-site drainage system shall be included on the preliminary plat.
        3. Final Plat:
          After the approval of a preliminary plat, a final plat must be submitted for Planning Commission review and recommendation that is in general conformance with the preliminary plat and shall incorporate all conditions, changes, directions and additions recommended by the commission. City Council will take final action on the plat.
        4. Short Form Final Plat:
          A short form final plat (combination of preliminary and final plat) may be allowed at the applicants request as long as the final plat meets all of the conditions and requirements as outlined under the Texas Local Government Code, as amended as well as the following:
          1. No more than four lots, tracts or reserves are included;
          2. The area to be platted lies within an existing public street circulation system already approved by the city council;
          3. The plat does not proposed to vacate public street rights-of-way or easements;
          4. The plat does not propose creation or extension of public rights-of-way;
          5. The proposed development does not require any significant drainage improvements and, if contained wholly or partially within the one hundred-year flood plain, conforms to Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain management rules;
          6. The proposed development is consistent with the thoroughfare plan and creates no significant traffic congestion on the existing public street system.

            The short form plat shall meet all of the requirements for a final plat. Evidence that the proposed subdivision is adequately served by all existing utilities, including gas, water, sewer, electricity, etc., and is acknowledged as acceptable by the city engineer and public works director at the time the short form final plat is submitted. If it is a replat, a public hearing is held in accordance with the requirements of law for replats before final approval of the final plat.
        5. See the plat applications.
        6. See the Chapter 4 of the Unified Development Code - Article II (PDF).
  4. Planning Commission and City Council
    1. Meeting Dates
      The Planning Commission meets at 5 pm in Council Chambers in City Hall on the third Wednesday of each month. The City Council meets at 7 pm in Council Chambers on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

      All plat and variance applications must first be considered by the Planning Commission. City Council has the ultimate decision on final plats and variance requests. A public hearing before the Commission must be held for replats.
    2. Submittal Requirements
      1. Land Plans and Plats
        An example of the graphic requirements for a Land Plan can be seen. Click the respective links for platting and plat graphic requirements for land plans and plats.
        1. Land Plan Requirements (PDF)
        2. Preliminary Plat Requirements (PDF)
        3. Final Plat Requirements (PDF)
        4. Short Form Final Plat Requirements (PDF)
    3. Recordation
      1. Plats
        Review what the Fort Bend County Clerk's Office requires for filing.
  5. Exhibit A. Signature Blocks for Plats
    Access form for dedications and certifications to be utilized on the final plat of subdivisions or resubdivisions (PDF):
  6. Exhibit B. Service Provider Contact Information
    1. CenterPoint Energy (Electric and Gas)
      Samantha Richards
      Phone: 713-207-6362
      Email Samantha Richards

      *Applicant will email a copy of the plat to L Row for the purpose of providing a no objection letter.
    2. AT&T (Phone)
      Mike Broussard
      Phone: 281-341-4312
      Email Mike Broussard

      *Applicant will provide AT&T with a copy of the plat for review by sending the plat to Mike Broussard's email for the purpose of providing a no objection letter.
    3. Comcast (Cable)
      Chris Grey
      Phone: 713-637-5025
      Email Chris Grey

      *Applicant will provide Comcast with a copy of the plat for review by sending the plat to Chris Grey's email for the purpose of providing a no objection letter.
    4. Lamar CISD 
      Kevin McKeever (LCISD Executive Director, Facilities & Planning)
      Phone: 832-223-0252
      Email Kevin McKeever

      *Applicant will provide the school district with a copy of the plat or land plan for informational purposes.

      (or applicable School District - Needville ISD or Brazos ISD)
  7. Exhibit C. Tax Certificate Contact Information
    B. Fort Bend County Tax Office
    1317 Eugene Heimann Circle
    Richmond, TX 77469-3623
  8. Variance and Special Exception Requests
    A variance is a deviation from the Subdivision Ordinance or Interim Corridor Standards that allows for flexibility when a literal enforcement of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship.

    Pursuant to Sec. 4-7 of the Rosenberg Unified Development Code, the applicant has the responsibility of proving that compliance with the Ordinance will create undue hardship*, and the following conditions must be present for consideration:
    1. There are special circumstances affecting the land involved such that the strict application of the provisions of this ordinance would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of this land.
    2. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public safety or welfare or injurious to other property in the area.
    3. The granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of other lands in the area in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
    4. A more appropriate design solution exists which is not currently allowed in this ordinance.

      *Economic hardship (financial impact) to the subdivider, standing alone, shall not be deemed to constitute undue hardship.

      The purpose of a special exception shall be to authorize a modification of standards applicable to development within the city, which is consistent with the overall intent of the Code, but that requires additional review to determine whether the development with the modifications is compatible with adjoining properties and the character of the neighborhood in which the development is proposed. In granting a special exception under this article, the Planning Commission may impose such criteria and conditions as necessary to protect adjacent property owners.
    5. See applications for variances and special exceptions.
  9. Exhibit D. City of Rosenberg Adopted Codes
    • 2018 International Building Code
    • 2018 International Residential Code
    • 2018 International Mechanical Code
    • 2018 International Plumbing Code
    • 2018 International Fire Code
    • 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
    • 2018 International Existing Building Code
    • 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
    • 2015 International Energy Code
    • 2017 National Electrical Code