The City of Fort Worth has polished a set of proposed zoning amendments designed to prevent clusters of certain businesses, including liquor stores, retail smoke shops and credit-access businesses, from concentrating in the same areas. The goal is to ultimately encourage balanced development and support neighborhood vitality.
After additional feedback and research, the Development Services Department is no longer recommending a change to pawn shop spacing rules. Texas state law already restricts new pawn shop licenses within two miles of an existing location, which is stricter than the City’s earlier proposal in 2025.
Key parts of the proposal
- Liquor stores: 1,000-foot spacing between stores and removal from lower-intensity commercial districts.
- Credit-access businesses (or payday lenders): Added to zoning use tables with a 1,000-foot spacing requirement.
- Smoke shops: Updated definition for categorization, 1,000-foot spacing, and a larger buffer from “sensitive uses” (including schools, parks, places of worship, hospitals and daycare centers).
- Bars and restaurants: Clearer definitions to better distinguish how each operates.
The Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Jan. 13. City Council is scheduled to consider the amendments on Jan. 27.
