Planning and Development Department

About the Planning and Development Department

The Planning and Development Department helps to guide growth and development within the city and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

The Planning and Development Department is committed to providing the community with high-quality, proactive services and programs to enhance the quality of life of the City’s residents, businesses and visitors, and to promote a well-designed, physically integrated, livable and prosperous community.  It provides the community with personal attention, accurate, and detailed information and timely responses in a manner that instills public trust and confidence while exceeding service expectations. The department oversees all applications for discretionary permits needed to meet those requirements

City ETJ
To find if you are in the City Limits or Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction click the above image

The Planning and Development Department actively works with a number of other agencies, including Hays County, a wide variety of utility companies, Hays County Emergency Services Districts #1 and #6 (Dripping Springs Fire and EMS), Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and multiple state agencies to coordinate efforts and ensure good practices and compliance with the requirements of each. 

In an effort to meet the needs of the citizens, the Planning and Development Department has the following goals:

  • To properly manage the growth and development of the community by carrying out adopted policies and providing professional expertise in the area of city planning, engineering, and development
  • To continue our commitment to providing high quality service and accountability to the various groups we serve, including the general public, builders, developers, land owners, neighborhood groups, city commissions, and outside agencies
  • Shaping the future of our city and neighborhoods by working directly with citizens and developing comprehensive short and long range plans for improving our community
  • To maintain fair and consistent application of rules and regulations, encourage broad participation in land use decisions and access to land use data, and provide forward thinking, innovative, and solution-oriented advice on community planning, engineering, building, and resource management issues
  • To enhance the tax base and livability of the community by encouraging high quality growth and development

For Questions related to Planning and Development, Please contact City offices at 512-858-4725 or email planning@cityofdrippingsprings.com.

To view our Development Manual, click on the graphic below:

Development Manual

Staff Contacts

Name Title
Tory Carpenter Planning Director
Katherine Griego Development Permit Coordinator