Frequently Asked Questions

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A zoning district is a classification of land in the city limits which divides property into specific types of uses. Zoning regulates the type of development that can occur in an area. Zoning also sets other standards for development in a particular zoning district. City Council determines the zoning designation of a property. For example, in the City there are zones that are reserved for residential, commercial, and industrial development.

Each abbreviation refers to a specific zoning district which is regulated by an individual article or chapter contained in the Zoning Ordinance. The City of Donna is divided into five (5) districts as follows:

District R-1: Single-Family Residential District

District R-2: Multi-Family Residential District

District B-1: Local Business District

District B-2: General Business District

District M-H: Mobile Home District

For the regulations and restrictions for each district, see the Zoning Ordinance.

A property owner may request a zone change through the Planning Department. There are a set of criteria that must be met in order for a zone change to occur. Zone change requests are presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City Council. A non-refundable filing fee of $300.00 must be paid at the time the application for zone change is filed. If you would like more information, please call the Planning Department at (956) 464-6917.

Zone Change Application

A landowner may apply to have his or her property subdivided. This requires getting a surveyor and completing all other requirements. Please see application (below) for the requirements. The non-refundable fee for an application for subdivision plat approval is $625.00, plus $25.00 per acre. Subdivision plat approvals are presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. If you are interested in subdividing your property please contact the Planning Department at (956) 464-6917 for more information.

Subdivision Application

Setbacks are distances from the property line in which a structure may not be located. Setbacks vary by the zoning designation of the property and are defined in the City of Donna Zoning Ordinance. The required setback may be different for a primary use structure versus an accessory use structure such as a shed. The Zoning Ordinance may be found here. For additional information, please contact the Planning Department at (956) 464-6917.

Easements are designated areas on your land that are set aside for the use of others for a specific purpose, usually for a type of public utility. This means the easement holder has the right to access the property for a specific purpose such as maintenance of an electrical, water, or sanitary sewer line. Permanent structures of any nature are not allowed in easements. Fences are allowed in most types of easements with an easement encroachment agreement with the owner stating that a portion of fence may be removed if necessary. Fences are not allowed in drainage easements. For more information, please call the Planning Department at (956) 464-6917.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to determine the location of his or her property lines. The City may have documents such as a plat or plot plan, which will show the dimensions of the property; however, hiring a licensed land surveyor is the only way to accurately locate the property lines. Acquiring a survey of your property is also the best way to resolve a property line dispute with an adjacent property owner. The City does not recommend any specific surveyor or survey company. Please check your phone book for a list of surveyors. The City does not have a surveyor on staff that can assist with locating property lines.

At the public hearing, the staff planner will summarize the project and key issues, then the applicant speaks on the matter. As a project applicant this is your opportunity to present your case to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. After the applicant speaks, anyone else in the audience can speak and then the applicant has the opportunity for rebuttal. The hearing is then closed. The decision making body then discusses the issue and makes their decision.

State law and/or City regulations require property owners that are located within 200 feet from a proposed development to be notified. Please call the Planning Department for more information on the proposal if you have any questions. Everyone is invited to attend all Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings and City Council Public Meetings to offer any relevant public input. More information can be found here.