Density Bonus Law: Austin vs Pflugerville
How do density bonus law rules compare between Austin, TX and Pflugerville, TX?
Pflugerville has fewer restrictions than Austin.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin Land Development Code offers multiple density-bonus programs, including the citywide Affordability Unlocked program adopted in 2019, allowing developers to exceed base zoning if they reserve at least 50 percent of units for affordable rents.
View full Austin rules →Pflugerville, TX
Travis County
Travis County itself cannot offer a density bonus because counties lack use-zoning authority under Texas law. Density bonuses for affordable housing apply only inside Austin, Pflugerville, and other municipalities that have adopted explicit bonus ordinances.
View full Pflugerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Pflugerville |
|---|---|---|
| Citywide program | Affordability Unlocked (2019) | - |
| Affordability minimum | 50 percent of units | - |
| Rental AMI cap | 60 percent typically | - |
| Ownership AMI cap | 80 percent | - |
| Lead agency | Austin Housing Department | - |
| County program | - | None |
| Austin program | - | Affordability Unlocked |
| Density driver | - | Septic and water |
| Authority gap | - | TX Local Govt Code 240 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
What is Austin's Affordability Unlocked program?
A 2019 citywide density bonus letting developers exceed base zoning on height, setbacks, density, parking, and impervious cover when at least 50 percent of units stay affordable for rentals at 60 percent AMI or ownership at 80 percent AMI.
Do all Austin density bonuses require affordability?
Yes. Every Austin density bonus program requires either fee-in-lieu, on-site affordable units, or both. Downtown Density Bonus, ERC, AHBP, and Affordability Unlocked each set unique affordability percentages and AMI caps.
Pflugerville FAQ
Can I build more units if I include affordable ones in unincorporated Travis County?
Not through any county program. Density in the unincorporated county is governed by site capacity for septic, water, and subdivision standards, not unit-count bonuses.
What about inside Austin city limits?
Yes. Austin offers density bonuses through Affordability Unlocked, Vertical Mixed Use, and corridor-specific regulating plans, each with different income and unit set-aside requirements.
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