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[](https://www.houstontx.gov/index.html) 2. [Planning and Development Department](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/index.html) \> Minimum Lot Size / Minimum Building Line ## Planning & Development ### Minimum Lot Size (MLS) / Minimum Building Line (MBL) **What Is A Minimum Lot Size (MLS)?** A special minimum lot size is the minimum lot size standard currently met by at least 70% of the application area. Applications from City designated Historic Districts use the slightly lower threshold of 60%. By establishing this standard, lots cannot be subdivided below the “special minimum” lot size in the designated area. For instance, if 5,000 square feet was established as the special minimum lot size, a lot could not be divided into lots smaller than that size... If your lot is already smaller than the special minimum lot size, you will not be penalized. Existing structures may remain and can be replaced at any time without special permission. New structures that conform to the platting and building codes may be constructed without special permission. **What Is A Minimum Building Line (MBL)?** Similar to the lot size, a minimum building line, or setback, is the minimum building line currently met by at least 70% of the structures in the application area. Applications from City designated Historic Districts use the slightly lower threshold of 60%. Once established, structures must be constructed behind the minimum building line. If the home on your lot is closer than the minimum building line, you will not be penalized. The existing structure may remain in place; however, any new structure on the lot must conform to the established minimum building line. [ Special Minimum Lot Size Ordinance](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLS_Ord.pdf) [ Special Minimum Building Line Ordinance](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBL_Ord.pdf) [ Process and Ch. 42 Implementation Timeline](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/Neighborhood_Character_Preservation_Process.pdf) Applications/Brochures | Special Minimum Lot Size Block | Special Minimum Lot Size Area | Special Minimum Building Line Block | |---|---|---| | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Renew](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | \---- | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Renew](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure.pdf) [Minimum Lot Size Brochure](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure.pdf) (English) | \---- | \---- | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure_spanish.pdf) [Minimum Lot Size Brochure](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure_spanish.pdf) (Español) | \---- | \---- | How Long Does This Designation Last? 40 years from the date City Council adopts an ordinance establishing a minimum lot size block or building line. 40 years from the date City Council adopts an ordinance establishing a minimum lot size block area. Please contact us at 832.393.6600 before you begin the process. Status of Applications Check to review both approved and pending applications for the Minimum Lot Size Block, Minimum Building Line Block and Minimum Lot Size Area. (denoted by tabs in the spreadsheet). 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### Minimum Lot Size (MLS) / Minimum Building Line (MBL) **What Is A Minimum Lot Size (MLS)?** A special minimum lot size is the minimum lot size standard currently met by at least 70% of the application area. Applications from City designated Historic Districts use the slightly lower threshold of 60%. By establishing this standard, lots cannot be subdivided below the “special minimum” lot size in the designated area. For instance, if 5,000 square feet was established as the special minimum lot size, a lot could not be divided into lots smaller than that size... If your lot is already smaller than the special minimum lot size, you will not be penalized. Existing structures may remain and can be replaced at any time without special permission. New structures that conform to the platting and building codes may be constructed without special permission. **What Is A Minimum Building Line (MBL)?** Similar to the lot size, a minimum building line, or setback, is the minimum building line currently met by at least 70% of the structures in the application area. Applications from City designated Historic Districts use the slightly lower threshold of 60%. Once established, structures must be constructed behind the minimum building line. If the home on your lot is closer than the minimum building line, you will not be penalized. The existing structure may remain in place; however, any new structure on the lot must conform to the established minimum building line. [ Special Minimum Lot Size Ordinance](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLS_Ord.pdf) [ Special Minimum Building Line Ordinance](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBL_Ord.pdf) [ Process and Ch. 42 Implementation Timeline](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/Neighborhood_Character_Preservation_Process.pdf) Applications/Brochures | Special Minimum Lot Size Block | Special Minimum Lot Size Area | Special Minimum Building Line Block | |---|---|---| | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20Application%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSA%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Rescind](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RESCIND%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Renew](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMLSB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | \---- | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) [Application to Renew](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/SMBLB%20RENEWAL%20\(1-18-2023\).pdf) | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure.pdf) [Minimum Lot Size Brochure](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure.pdf) (English) | \---- | \---- | | [](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure_spanish.pdf) [Minimum Lot Size Brochure](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Neighborhood/docs_pdfs/MLS_Brochure_spanish.pdf) (Español) | \---- | \---- | How Long Does This Designation Last? 40 years from the date City Council adopts an ordinance establishing a minimum lot size block or building line. 40 years from the date City Council adopts an ordinance establishing a minimum lot size block area. Please contact us at 832.393.6600 before you begin the process. Status of Applications Check to review both approved and pending applications for the Minimum Lot Size Block, Minimum Building Line Block and Minimum Lot Size Area. (denoted by tabs in the spreadsheet). [ONLINE UPDATE EXCEL FILE](https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/ONLINE-UPDATE-0402.xlsx) GIS Map: Special Minimum Lot Size / Building Line Special Minimum Building Line / Lot Size (English) Special Minimum Building Line / Lot Size (Spanish)