Site Plan Exemption (or full Site Plan): Austin restaurant guide

Austin Development Services (Site Plan Review)

What it is

Approves site-level changes (parking, drainage, use changes) — Austin requires a Site Plan, Site Plan Correction or Site Plan Exemption before a building permit.

When a restaurant needs it

Most restaurant change-of-use and finish-out projects qualify for an exemption; new construction or major site work needs a full site plan.

How to apply

Submit the Site Plan Exemption web form through your AB+C account (full site plans go through a completeness check and formal review).

Documents you’ll need

Site Plan Exemption form
Owner authorization letter
To-scale drawing of the site and work

Fee

Varies — see DSD site plan fee schedule

Processing time

Exemptions: no published timeline (review after completeness check and payment, by up to 10 disciplines); full site plans: typically 12–14 months (about 6 months via the expedited pilot)

Renewal

None

Who files

Applicant with an AB+C account plus the owner's authorization; drawings usually by your architect or engineer.

Good to know

A full site plan is a 1-year process — confirm early that your project fits the LDC 25-5-2 exemption criteria. Concurrent site plan/building review is possible with an approved request form.

Official source

DSD — site plans, exemptions and corrections

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Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.