City of Georgetown Texas > Georgetown Planning Department > Special Purpose Districts

Special Purpose Districts

Special Purpose Districts (SPD) are independent governmental entities that exist locally and provide infrastructure and deliver specific services, like firefighting, road construction, and water treatment. Districts can be created by local government bodies, the Texas Legislature, or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Generally, SPDs are governed by the commissioner’s court of the county of their origin or by a board of directors. In the City of Georgetown, they are governed by a board of directors.

At the City of Georgetown, the City Manager’s Office oversees the creation and amendments of Special Purposes Districts which are, for the City of Georgetown, Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) and Public Improvement Districts (PID).

Read more about additional development applications, that do not pertain to Special Districts.

View more information pertain to building permits, including Special Districts.

Municipal Utility District Policy

Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) are governmental entities created under State law. The City of Georgetown finds that the purpose of a MUD is to assist in closing the financial gap when a development is seeking to exceed minimum City standards, provide a robust program of amenities, and/or where substantial off-site infrastructure improvements are required that would serve the MUD and surrounding properties.

View Georgetown’s complete MUD policy.

Public Improvement District Policy

Public Improvement Districts (PID) provide a development tool that allocates costs according to the benefits received. A PID can provide a means to fund improvements to meet community needs which could not otherwise be constructed or provided and be paid by those who most benefit from them.

City of Georgetown Active PIDs

Georgetown Village PID
Cimarron Hills PID
Parks at Westhaven PID

For additional information regarding active PIDs, please contact the City’s PID Administrator P3Works, at admin@p3-works.com or (817) 393-0353.

Unified Development Code

The Unified Development Code (UDC) is the primary tool used to regulate land development in Georgetown. The Code was adopted to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens, and to regulate the safe, orderly and healthful development of the City and the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The Code was originally adopted in 2003 and contains zoning and subdivision regulations along with related development standards. The UDC adheres to a regular review of its provisions to ensure its compatibility with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and current building and development patterns. All regulations in the UDC apply to land within the Georgetown City Limits. Land within Georgetown’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) are subject to the subdivision, tree preservation, signage, environmental protection (impervious cover, stormwater, water quality, etc.), and public improvements (utilities and parks).

View the UDC Library.

View the full Development Manual.

Requesting Creation of Special District

A request for the creation of a Special District, in accordance with State Law, to provide utilities and allow development. UDC Reference: Section 13.10.

Below are the steps to begin the process:

- MUD Declaration of Intent Form
- PID Declaration of Intent Form

After the above form has been approved through the City’s Special Purpose District process, the next step is to formally apply through My Government Online.