Community Development

The Community Development Department is responsible for facilitating, organizing and directing the city’s growth and development. Community Development provides an important service to the public by helping to ensure that new construction and new businesses are in compliance with city zoning and development ordinances. In addition to compliance, the department implements growth policies in accordance with the City Council’s goals and objectives.

Community Development is comprised of two divisions: Planning & Zoning and Building Inspections. Our staff offers professional advice and technical expertise on development related topics such as planning and zoning, platting, land use, building permits, sign permits, and building inspections.

Development projects get their start in the Community Development Department. From the first ideas and submittals, to the final inspections, all new residential, commercial, and public land development begins with the Community Development Department.

Wanting to Develop in Cleburne?

Thank you for considering development in the City of Cleburne! Development is often a complex process, and many applicants benefit from a Predevelopment Meeting with members of the Development Review Committee (DRC) to review the features of a proposal. The DRC includes city staff from various departments including Planning, Engineering, Building, Economic Development, and Fire. Predevelopment Meetings are held every Thursday at City Hall in 30-minute time slots. During the meeting, staff will provide specific feedback on the proposal, answer questions, and discuss the next steps of the development process.

Anyone proposing to develop property is asked to complete and email the Predevelopment Meeting Request Form and a written or graphic/drawn description of the proposal to Danielle Castillo at [email protected]. Once received, if it is determined that a Predevelopment Meeting is needed, you will be contacted with a list of time slots on the next available Thursday. Note that Predevelopment Meetings are held on a first-come, first-served basis and your preferred time or date may not be available due to the volume of Predevelopment Meeting requests.

Community Development staff also serve as liaisons to the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historical Preservation Committee. Our staff also provides support to the Building & Standards Commission.

If you have questions about a project, give us a call at 817-556-8811.