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1. How do I find out if I live within the City of West Lake Hills city limits?

You can search for your property in the Travis County Appraisal District (TCAD) records online here: www.traviscad.org/property-search/. If City of West Lake Hills isn’t listed as a taxing jurisdiction for your property, then you are not located in the city limits.

Another way to find out is to search for your property on the City of Austin Jurisdictions Map located online here: www.austintexas.gov/GIS/JurisdictionsWebMap/

2. Who should I contact about all building, utilities, permit, and inspection questions??

Please refer to the list below to determine the appropriate person to direct your questions to:

1. General building application, permit status updates, and general planning/building process questions: Contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at pzsec@westlakehills.gov 
2. Application requirements, permit status, and application completeness review questions: Contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at pzsec@westlakehills.gov
3. Specific questions about building regulations, planning, zoning, short-term rentals, variances, special use permits, etc.: Contact Jennifer Bills, Director of Building & Development Services, at jbills@westlakehills.gov
4. Tree/vegetation questions and septic inspections: Contact Alex Sanchez at asanchez@westlakehills.gov
5. Inspections, Building Code questions, Code enforcement/violation questions: Contact Alex Sanchez at asanchez@westlakehills.gov
6. Wastewater availability and billing: Contact Wastewater/Accounting Manager Theresa Sanchez at tsanchez@westlakehills.gov
7. Water service: Water is provided by Travis County Water District 10. Please contact  Executive Assistant Louise Winder email Lwinder@waterdistrict10.org or General Manager Carla Orts email generalmanager@waterdistrict10.org or call (512) 327-2230.
8. Fire flow determination emergency access accessibility questions: Fire review is provided by Travis County Emergency Services District 9. Please contact District Chief/Fire Marshal Michael Lacey at (512) 539–3491 or email mlacey@westlakefd.org. 

3. What is the zoning for my property?

The City’s Zoning Map is available on the City website under How Do I View City Maps. The zoning map shows the zoning district for each property within the city limits. If you need to request a formal zoning determination from the City in writing, please send the request to Jennifer Bills, Director of Building & Development, at jbills@westlakehills.gov. There is a $50 fee for a zoning determination letter.

4. If I live in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), are there any City regulations that I need to be aware of?

The City enforces its Subdivision Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and certain commercial site development projects in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The ETJ is also subject to requirements by Travis County WC&ID # 10 and ESD # 9, and potentially other County regulations.

5. Does the City have setback regulations that are applicable to my property?

• Yes. Please refer to the City’s Code of Ordinances, Article 22.03, Division 8 for setback and other dimensional requirements. Setbacks vary based on zoning district, lot size, and other factors as explained in the Code. The Code is accessible online here: https://www.westlakehills.org/107/Code-of-Ordinances

6. Does the City have impervious cover restrictions?

Yes. Please refer to Code of Ordinances, Article 22.03, Division 8. Impervious cover regulations differ by zoning district. Single-family residential properties that are 0.5 acre or larger have a maximum of 25% impervious cover. Smaller properties that are on central wastewater have an impervious cover bonus as outlined in the Code. Non-residential properties have higher impervious cover maximums and have the option to apply for incentives to increase the impervious cover maximum. Code of Ordinances website: https://z2codes.franklinlegal.net/franklin/Z2Browser2.html?showset=westlakehillsset

7. Does the City have drainage requirements for new projects?

Yes. Please refer to the City’s Drainage Manual, which can be found on the Building and Development page on the City website here: https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

The level of detail you will need to provide depends on the development category applicable to your project (Type I, II, or III). Drainage plans should be turned in with the building permit application, and are reviewed by the City Engineer’s office.

8. How do I apply for a variance? How long is the process?

The  first step is to contact the Director of Building & Development Jennifer Bills to discuss your proposed variance. You will then be emailed the variance application and a summary of the variance process, application deadline, and public hearing dates.  

Variances are first considered by ZAPCO for a recommendation, and then depending on the type of variance, the application will be forwarded to either the City Council or the Board of Adjustment. ZAPCO meets the third Wednesday of each month. If the variance is considered by City Council, it will go onto the immediate following City Council agenda, the fourth Wednesday of the month. If it needs to be considered by the BOA, it will go to the BOA agenda on the following month’s agenda on the second Wednesday. Variance applications are due to staff approximately 45 days prior to the ZAPCO meeting. Staff will handle public noticing requirements and will provide you with a public notice sign to place on your property. Please review the City’s Application Submittal Policy located online here: https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

9. I would like to submit an application for a residential remodel/addition/new construction. How do I get started?

Please contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at pzsec@westlakehills.gov to determine if a pre-application meeting is needed. If so, you will then need to submit a completed Pre-Application Meeting Request Form. The purpose of a pre-application meeting is to go through general processes and Code requirements to point applicants in the right direction before getting too far into the plan development process. Small projects and interior-only projects typically do not require a pre-application meeting.

 When you are ready to turn in your building application, please contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at (512) 327 – 3628 or by email at pzsec@westlakehills.gov to help you determine the applicable application fees.  Turn in the permit applications in email in pdf form.  No hard copies are required.

10. I would like to submit an application for a non-residential project. What do I need to do?

Please contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at pzsec@westlakehills.gov to determine if a pre-application meeting is required. Interior remodels/finish-outs do not need a pre-application meeting.

Commercial building permit applications are available online here: https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

Please keep in mind non-residential/commercial building permit applications involving exterior work must go through the Building Design Committee (BDC), Zoning & Planning Commission (ZAPCO), and City Council for review and approval before the City can issue a building permit.

When you are ready to turn in your building application, please contact Zoning & Planning Secretary Mark Littrell at (512) 327 – 3628 or by email at pzsec@westlakehills.gov to help you determine the application fees.

11. Where can I find building and development applications?

Building permit applications, including sign permit applications are, are located on the Building & Development page of the City website here: https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

Don’t see the application you’re looking for? Please contact Mark Littrell at the contact info provided on the bottom of that page.

12. How long will it take to get my permit?

It depends on the type of permit, and also depends on the amount and type of comments/questions staff may have upon review. Larger projects, such as reconstruction or new construction, may take a few months or longer to have a permit issued. If your project includes variances, this may add another two to three months (sometimes longer) to the process. Because the City is small, we have several third-party reviewers who also review permit applications. We strive to provide a complete set of comments within three to four weeks of application submittal; however, it may take a longer or shorter amount of time depending on schedules and any issues beyond the control of staff.

Please note that permit fees must be paid up front and the application must be considered administratively complete before it is routed for technical review. You will be notified if any additional information is needed for the application to be complete.

13. Do I need a permit for a swimming pool?

Yes. Swimming pools require a separate permit, even if you are turning in a building permit application for a remodel/addition/new construction. There are also separate fees associated with the pool permit application.

14. Do I need a permit to construct a fence?

Yes, new fence construction and some remodels require permits. The Fence Permit Application is available online here:

 https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

 

15. Where can I find the fee schedule?

Most development fees are included in the building application packet. For a full listing of fees, please see Appendix A: Fee Schedule in the City’s Code of Ordinances. 

Code of Ordinances website: https://z2codes.franklinlegal.net/franklin/Z2Browser2.html?showset=westlakehillsset

16. Do I need a permit for roofing?

Yes, roofing requires a permit. Roofing permits are a no-fee application. You can use the small project permit application available online here: https://www.westlakehills.org/95/Building-Development

All metal roofs require a sample at the time of the submission.  Roof overhangs and eaves, shall not encroach into building setbacks-Section 22.03

View ordinances

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. What is the credit card refund policy?

All credit card sales are final, with the exception of any City generated duplicate payments.
Refund requests must be made in writing and submitted with all supporting documentation to the Finance Department for approval.
Any approved refunds will be processed with a paper check. 

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1. What is the mass notification service?

The West Lake Hills mass notification service allows city officials to create and
rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every telephone number stored
in the notification database. With the service, authorized users can send
thousands of messages in minutes. Only authorized city officials are allowed
access to the system.

2. How does the service work?

Authorized officials record a voice message that is then delivered quickly to
individual phones in the notification database.

3. What types of messages will be sent using the service?

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of our community would be
disseminated using the service.

Examples would include severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic
or road conditions inside the city or affecting local routes, and any other situation
that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of our citizens. The system will
also be used to send important messages regarding city services and events.

4. Does the service replace other systems that have been used to provide

This system is a significant enhancement to existing means of communication
and is supplemental to, not a replacement for, the systems we have used in the
past.

Residents should still call 911 in case of emergency. For non-emergencies,
residents should call (512) 327-1195 to reach the police department and (512)
327-3628 for all other departments. Also, our city web site will continue to
broadcast important announcements and we will continue to send newsletters
and letters to communicate with residents.

5. Is my telephone number included in the notification database?

It is our intention and hope that every residence and commercial facility in our
community be included in the notification database. Initially for businesses, we
only store one main phone number. For residents, we may have more than one
number that belongs to you in the database.

Additionally, you may request to have additional phone numbers and e-mail addresses entered into our database for priority calling. The system accepts up to three phone numbers and two email addresses per contact.

6. May I use a cell phone as my notification database listing?

Yes, cell phones may also be accepted as an alternate or primary phone number
in the database and we encourage you to request that your number be included.

7. What precautions are being taken to protect personal information?

Our service provider is Connect-CTY® of The NTI Group, Inc. (NTI). NTI takes
security and privacy concerns very seriously and does not sell, trade, lease or
loan any data about clients to any third party. From a technical perspective, they
utilize multiple physical and virtual layers of firewalls to maintain data security.
NTI only utilizes secure transmissions with its customers. No confidential
information is ever transmitted between NTI and its customers using e-mail or
FTP, but rather always utilizes either a VPN tunnel or SSL. Data is hosted in
state-of-the-art facilities which require photo identification, thumb-print
recognition, keyed access, and are manned 24/7 with full-security personnel. All
data is encrypted prior to being placed on tape for offsite storage. NTI also
retains an external, independent security firm to perform annual security audits.

8. Will there be a way to positively identify incoming calls which are made by the city using the system?

The caller-ID number for calls generated by the service will be the same as the
city office number: (512) 327-3628. In addition, every message will begin with
the same standard announcement: “Hello, this is ______ calling with an
important message from the City of West Lake Hills.” The message content
will follow this standard introduction.

9. Will the service work if I have a call screening system on my phone?

There are several varieties of call screening devices which use differing protocols
for screening. In general, the system has been found to work with these devices;
but, some may require some type of pre-programming to allow our city’s
telephone number to pass through. We may conduct periodic tests to assure
that messages are being delivered to numbers in the notification database.

10. If I am a non-resident home or condominium owner, what phone should be listed in the notification database?

For non-residents or owners who reside out of the city, you may provide an
additional phone number to be included in our database to contact during certain
situations. In general, calls are sent to the primary number only, but we also
have the ability to call multiple numbers for each resident or business when
requested by the resident or business. Please go to the city website
(www.westlakehills.org) or contact our city hall office at (512) 327-3628 to
provide us with that information or to add phone numbers to your address.

11. If I have provided more than one phone number, when will they be called?

Should a situation arise that requires us to contact you at multiple phone
numbers, we can activate the system to place a simultaneous call to all of your
numbers. In most cases, we will be sending calls only to one phone number.

12. My primary phone or my second listing is a cell phone with a non-local area code. Will the service call numbers outside the area?

Yes. The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.

13. How does the system respond to busy signals or no-answer situations?

For busy signals, the call will be repeated several times in an attempt to reach
you. The same is true for No-answer and Call-waiting. If the phone is answered
by a message recorder, the message will be left on the answering device. If,
after several attempts the call does not successfully go through, the system will
stop attempting to call.

14. I am receiving city notification calls at my fax or my secondary phone line. Can I switch to have the system call my primary phone number?

Yes. Please go to the city website (www.westlakehills.org) or contact us at (512)
327-3628 to change the phone number in our notification database.

15. I was not able to listen to the entire call. Is there a way to repeat the message?

Yes, at the end of the message playback, simply press the star (*) key on your
telephone to have it repeated in its entirety.

16. I answer the phone but the “Hello” message repeats. It then hangs up, calls back, and the same thing happens again. How can I hear the entire message?

Repeating or looping of messages happens when the system detects excessive
noise in the background. This can be caused by loud radio/television volumes,
people talking, or busy traffic noise. When you receive the next call, say “hello”
once and turn down the volume of your radio/television or press the mute button
on your telephone to allow full message delivery.

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1. Can anyone take care of my citation for me?

Only a licensed attorney may appear and handle your citation on your behalf.

2. What forms of payment does the Municipal Court accept for fines?

You may pay in Cash, Money Order, Cashier's Check, Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express (credit card holder must be present to sign). No personal or business checks will be accepted.

3. Is the Municipal Court open during lunch hours?

The court office remains open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including the noon hour.