Who approves a charter school charter?

The Texas Education Agency approves and oversees open-enrollment charter schools; the City of McKinney does not grant the charter itself but enforces local permitting and land-use rules.

Can McKinney revoke a charter school?

The city cannot revoke a state-issued charter; revocation authority rests with the Texas Education Agency. The city can enforce local regulations that may prevent a facility from operating if permits or inspections are not satisfied.

Who do I contact to check a site for a new campus?

Contact City of McKinney Planning & Development Services to confirm zoning, site-plan needs, and pre-application steps.

McKinney Charter School Approval & Revocation Rules

Education Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 21, 2026

In McKinney, Texas the municipal role in charter schools is primarily limited to land use, building permits, inspections and local compliance; formal charter authorization and charter revocation are handled at the state level. Boards planning a charter facility in McKinney must coordinate with the Texas Education Agency for charter approval and oversight, then follow City of McKinney zoning, permitting and building rules before opening a campus.^[1] Contact Planning and Development Services early to confirm allowed sites and site-plan requirements.^[2]

Municipal rules govern the facility, not the state charter grant itself.

What municipal rules apply

Key municipal controls are zoning designation, site plan review, building permits, certificate of occupancy, fire and life-safety inspections, and routine code compliance. School boards should confirm whether the chosen parcel is zoned for institutional or educational use and whether special use permits or conditional approvals are required.

Confirm zoning and allowable uses via the City of McKinney Planning & Development Services pages and zoning maps.^[2]
Obtain building permits for new construction, tenant improvements, and major alterations; submit engineered plans where required.
Submit site plans and attend any required pre-application or plan-review meetings with city staff.
Schedule inspections (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire) and secure a Certificate of Occupancy before opening.

Penalties & Enforcement

Municipal enforcement covers zoning, building-code, and local ordinance violations related to school facilities. Specific monetary penalties and escalation steps vary by code section and case; where an explicit fine amount or escalation process is not stated on the cited municipal page, the text below notes that fact and cites the source.

Failure to obtain required permits or occupancy certificates can delay opening and trigger enforcement actions.

Fines: not specified on the cited municipal code page for school-specific violations; see the municipal code for general penalty provisions.^[3]
Escalation: first notices, follow-up orders, and potential court action are typical, but specific escalation timeframes are not specified on the cited permit pages.
Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, orders to correct violations, withholding or revocation of certificate of occupancy, and referral to municipal court.
Enforcer and complaint pathway: Planning & Development Services and Building Safety enforce land-use and building rules; code compliance handles other local ordinance issues. Use official department contact pages to file complaints or request inspections.^[2]
Appeals and review: administrative appeal processes or municipal court review may be available; exact appeal time limits are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the enforcing department.^[3]

Applications & Forms

The common applications for a charter school facility include building permit applications, site-plan applications, and Certificate of Occupancy requests. Specific form names and fee schedules are available from the City of McKinney permit portal or Planning & Development Services; if a form number or fee is not listed on the cited page, it is noted as not specified.

Building permit application: submit construction documents to the City of McKinney Building Safety division via the official portal (fee schedules and form numbers are published on the city site or permit portal).
Site-plan application: required when site alterations, parking, or access changes are involved; check Planning & Development Services for submittal checklists.^[2]
Fees: project-specific and not universally listed on the cited pages; consult the city fee schedule or contact the department.

Common violations and typical responses

Operating without a Certificate of Occupancy — may trigger stop-work and closure orders until corrected.
Unpermitted construction or tenant improvements — require permit retroactive applications and possible fines.
Failure to meet fire and life-safety codes — immediate correction orders and refusal of occupancy.

FAQ

Who approves a charter school charter?: The Texas Education Agency approves and oversees open-enrollment charter schools; the City of McKinney does not grant the charter itself but enforces local permitting and land-use rules.^[1]
Can McKinney revoke a charter school?: The city cannot revoke a state-issued charter; revocation authority rests with the Texas Education Agency. The city can enforce local regulations that may prevent a facility from operating if permits or inspections are not satisfied.
Who do I contact to check a site for a new campus?: Contact City of McKinney Planning & Development Services to confirm zoning, site-plan needs, and pre-application steps.^[2]

How-To

Confirm charter authorization with the Texas Education Agency and secure any required state approvals.^[1]
Verify zoning and site eligibility with City of McKinney Planning & Development Services; request a pre-application meeting if available.^[2]
Prepare and submit site plans and building permit applications through the city permit portal; include required engineered plans and documentation.
Complete required inspections and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before opening.
If cited for a violation, follow the city enforcement directions, file administrative appeals if available, and address corrective orders promptly.

Key Takeaways

State (TEA) authorizes charters; McKinney enforces local permits and codes.
Early coordination with Planning & Development Services reduces delays.