Mission Statement

Our Department's mission is to facilitate and provide the tools necessary to plan and develop commercial and residential projects through approachable and compassionate City staff, using Zoning Ordinances (UDO) and Development Guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy community, and to provide equity and fairness to all.  Staff provides transparent and ethical service to help grow Ennis in a way we can continue our thriving economy and vibrant lifestyles. 

Important Information

We’ve been made aware of scam emails being sent to developers that appear to come from City of Ennis staff. These emails request payment of an invoice via a link. Do not click any links or attempt to make a payment.

All legitimate invoices from the City of Ennis are generated and sent only through OpenGov.

PRE-DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS

***EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY***

The City of Ennis now offers Pre‑Development Meetings to guide and assist individuals and organizations planning development projects within the city.

Pre‑Development Meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month. The first meeting begins at 9:15 a.m., and the final meeting begins at 1:45 p.m. Developers may request an in‑person, virtual, or hybrid (in‑person/virtual) meeting.

In‑person meetings are conducted at the Planning and Development Department, located at 108 W. Knox St., Ennis, TX 75119. Virtual and hybrid meetings are facilitated through Microsoft Teams. Each meeting is scheduled for 45 minutes.

The purpose of these meetings is to introduce developers to applicable development and building regulations, as well as to the City officials responsible for various aspects of development within the City of Ennis. Developers will have the opportunity to discuss their proposed project, receive feedback, and ask questions regarding City ordinances, permitting requirements, development processes, and other relevant regulations.

These meetings are optional and informal, offered solely to assist developers in preparing to submit their formal application. Participation is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. No approvals for proposed projects will be granted during the meeting.

Representatives from various City departments may attend to answer questions and provide guidance. These departments may include: City Engineering, Building Inspection, Planning and Development, Fire Marshal, Public Works, Utilities, Economic Development, and, when applicable, the Health Department.

To schedule a Pre‑Development Meeting, please complete the Pre‑Development Meeting Request Form through our Online Portal. Please note that a non‑refundable meeting fee of $100 ($150 if Health Department involvement is required) is due at the time of approval and prior to scheduling the meeting.

Prior to your meeting, we also request that you review the Pre‑Development Meeting Checklist (see below).

PRE-DEVELOPMENT MEETING CHECKLIST

Staff have prepared a Pre-Development Meeting Checklist to help developers understand and prepare for the City's development process by outlining requirements, regulations and potential hurdles before formally applying for any entitlement process. 

Please click here to access our Checklist.  

PLANNED DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

Please Click Here And Read First Before Submitting An Application Through The Online Portal

PLANNING AND BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS PROCESSED ONLINE (NEW)

Effective June 5, 2024, any planning and building permit application you typically complete in paper form is now available online. This easy-to-use system, OpenGov, provides applicants with the ability to submit requests any time of day, any day of the week. Applicants can easily track the status of their request and communicate with the appropriate City staff about their application.

This system offers a simpler, more transparent and expeditious permit planning process. If you’re ready to get started, please log in to https://ennistx.portal.opengov.com to create an account in just a few simple steps. 

View instructions to learn how to create an account, apply and submit an application, track the progress of your application, make a payment or communicate with City staff about your application.

For your convenience, a self‑service kiosk has been made available in our lobby. Staff members are readily available to assist you should you require help submitting your application at the kiosk. The kiosk is accessible during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.