Allowed and Prohibited Land Uses in the Dallas D(A) Duplex District

The Dallas D(A) Duplex District is a residential zoning designation primarily intended to protect and encourage the development of duplex and single-family dwellings with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. While residential uses are permitted by right, many institutional, utility, and recreational uses in this Dallas municipality district require a Special Use Permit (SUP) or are subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR). All retail, office, and commercial business service uses are strictly prohibited within the D(A) Duplex District.

Main Uses Permitted by Right in the D(A) Duplex District

The Dallas Development Code allows a limited number of "Main Uses" to operate by right within the D(A) Duplex District. These uses do not require special discretionary approval, provided they meet standard building and development codes:

Agricultural Uses: Crop production [Section 51A-4.113(2)(A)].
Miscellaneous Uses: Temporary construction or sales office [Section 51A-4.113(2)(F)].
Recreation Uses: Public park, playground, or golf course [Section 51A-4.113(2)(H)].
Residential Uses: Duplex; Single-family; Handicapped group dwelling unit (as defined in Section 51A-4.209(3.1)) [Section 51A-4.113(2)(I)].
Transportation Uses: Transit passenger shelter [Section 51A-4.113(2)(K)].
Utility and Public Service Uses: Tower/antenna for cellular communication (subject to the provisions in Section 51A-4.212(10.1)) [Section 51A-4.113(2)(L)].
Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses: Recycling drop-off container (subject to Section 51A-4.213(11.2)); Recycling drop-off for special occasion collection (subject to Section 51A-4.213(11.3)) [Section 51A-4.113(2)(M)].

Uses Permitted Only by Special Use Permit (SUP) or Other Authorization

Certain activities are deemed compatible with the D(A) Duplex District only under specific conditions. In Dallas, these require the granting of an SUP or specific authorization from a building official:

Industrial Uses: Gas drilling and production; Temporary concrete or asphalt batching plant [Section 51A-4.113(2)(C)].
Institutional and Community Service Uses: Cemetery or mausoleum; College, university, or seminary; Community service center; Convent or monastery; Foster home; Hospital; Library, art gallery, or museum; Public or private school [Section 51A-4.113(2)(D)].
Miscellaneous Uses: Carnival or circus (temporary), only by special authorization of the Dallas building official [Section 51A-4.113(2)(F)].
Recreation Uses: Country club with private membership; Private recreation center, club, or area [Section 51A-4.113(2)(H)].
Transportation Uses: Private street or alley; Transit passenger station or transfer center [Section 51A-4.113(2)(K)].
Utility and Public Service Uses: Electrical substation; Local utilities (may also require RAR); Police or fire station; Radio, television, or microwave tower; Sewage treatment plant; Utility or government installation other than listed; Water treatment plant [Section 51A-4.113(2)(L)].

Prohibited Uses in the D(A) Duplex District

In accordance with the Dallas Development Code, any use not explicitly listed as permitted is prohibited. Specific categories that are entirely barred from the D(A) Duplex District include:

Commercial and Business Service Uses: No uses in this category, such as catering services, medical laboratories, or tool rentals, are allowed [Section 51A-4.113(2)(B)].
Lodging Uses: Hotels, motels, and boarding houses are strictly prohibited [Section 51A-4.113(2)(E)].
Office Uses: All professional and financial office uses are prohibited [Section 51A-4.113(2)(G)].
Retail and Personal Service Uses: All retail stores, restaurants, and personal service shops are prohibited [Section 51A-4.113(2)(J)].
Specific Accessory Uses: The Dallas Development Code specifically prohibits the following accessory uses in this district: accessory helistop, accessory medical/infectious waste incinerator, accessory outside display of merchandise, accessory outside sales, and accessory pathological waste incinerator [Section 51A-4.113(3)(A)].

Technical Development Standards for the D(A) Duplex District

Developments within the D(A) Duplex District must adhere to strict dimensional and density requirements to maintain the residential character of the Dallas neighborhood.

Regulation	Requirement	Code Reference
Minimum Front Yard	25 feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(A)
Min. Side/Rear Yard (Single-Family)	5 feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(B)(i)
Min. Side/Rear Yard (Duplex)	5 feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(B)(ii)
Min. Side/Rear Yard (Other Uses)	10 feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(B)(iv)
Maximum Building Height	36 feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(E)
Max. Lot Coverage (Residential)	45%	Section 51A-4.113(4)(F)(i)
Max. Lot Coverage (Non-Residential)	25%	Section 51A-4.113(4)(F)(i)
Minimum Lot Size (per unit)	6,000 square feet	Section 51A-4.113(4)(G)(i)

Off-Street Parking Requirements

In the Dallas D(A) Duplex District, off-street parking must be provided at or below ground level [Section 51A-4.113(5)]. Standard residential ratios are as follows:

Duplex: 1 space per dwelling unit [Section 51A-4.301, Table 1.0.1].
Single-Family: 1 space per dwelling unit [Section 51A-4.301, Table 1.0.1].

Sections Cited