David Lehde

Dallas Officials Are Gearing Up for Zoning Reform

By Charles Grand / June 5, 2025 /

After several painstaking years reimagining parking minimums and devising an update to the city’s comprehensive land use plan, Dallas officials are embarking on their next great effort: zoning reform. The city is putting out a call for residents and stakeholders to get involved in the process, scheduling a number of public engagement events this month…

Is the Lot Half-Full or Half-Empty? Housing Advocates Rally to Eliminate Parking Minimums

By April Towery / December 10, 2024 /

Some Dallasites have been waiting five years for the City’s parking code to be overhauled, so what’s another month or two, right? The City Plan Commission last week heard from 21 residents — all but two of whom voiced support for eliminating minimum parking requirements for new development — and determined they’d take up the…

Dallas’ New Building Permit Fee Schedule Released, Hikes Take Effect May 1

By April Towery / April 23, 2024 /

Some Dallas permit fees will double or triple starting May 1, and industry leaders say those rate hikes will be passed on to home buyers. Dallas Development Services officials say the increased fees were necessary to prevent the department from hemorrhaging money.   The Dallas Development Services Department collects about $28 million in revenue each year,…

Builder Permit Fee Increases Delayed as Stakeholders Push Back on Development Services Department Inefficiencies

By April Towery / December 16, 2023 /

Dallas Development Services is looking to increase the builder permit fee in an effort to recoup a $22 million departmental deficit.  The department collects about $28 million in revenue each year, but has an operating cost of about $50 million, Development Services Director Andrew Espinoza told the Dallas City Council’s Economic Development Committee on Dec.…

Dallas Builders Association Says These Four New Laws Make Construction More Efficient And Affordable

By April Towery / September 6, 2023 /

If the City of Dallas has a backlog, should developers be able to hire their own inspector to review building permits? David Lehde, Dallas Builders Association director of government affairs, says he supports the city’s Development Services Department in its efforts to expedite permits, but new state legislation allowing developers to take matters into their…