Dallas GO(A) General Office District Regulations
The Dallas GO(A) General Office District is designed for high-intensity, sophisticated office developments that serve city-wide needs and can reach a maximum height of 270 feet or 20 stories. This district allows a high floor area ratio of 4.0 and a maximum lot coverage of 80 percent, while restricting residential and retail components to minor percentages of a building's total floor area [Section 51A-4.121].
Purpose and General Character of the GO(A) District
The GO(A) General Office District in the City of Dallas represents a zoning classification intended for professional and sophisticated office environments [Section 51A-4.121]. These districts are typically situated near other high-density areas to accommodate large-scale office needs for the entire municipality.
The general character of the Dallas GO(A) district is defined by its ability to host significant employment centers while maintaining a minimal negative impact on surrounding low-density residential communities. While primarily focused on office use, the district allows for a limited mix of residential and retail services as complementary, minor components of the development [Section 51A-4.121].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Dallas permits a variety of uses within the GO(A) district, though many are subject to specific restrictions such as Limited Use [L], Specific Use Permits [SUP], or Residential Adjacency Review [RAR] [Section 51A-4.105].
Residential and Office Uses
Residential uses in the Dallas GO(A) district, including single-family, duplex, and multifamily, are limited and may only occupy up to five percent of the total floor area of any building [Section 51A-4.121].
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Office | Permitted by right |
| Medical clinic or ambulatory surgical center | Permitted by right |
| Financial institution without drive-in window | Permitted by right |
| Financial institution with drive-in window | DIR required |
| Alternative financial establishment | SUP required |
| Single family, duplex, or multifamily | Restricted to 5% of total floor area |
Retail and Personal Service Uses
In the Dallas GO(A) district, retail and personal service uses must be contained entirely within a building. Additionally, the combined floor area of these uses cannot exceed 10 percent of the total floor area of the building [Section 51A-4.121].
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic beverage establishments | SUP required |
| Business school | Permitted by right |
| Dry cleaning or laundry store | Permitted by right |
| General merchandise or food store (≤ 3,500 sq. ft.) | Permitted by right |
| Motor vehicle fueling station | Limited Use [L] |
| Restaurant without drive-in or drive-through | RAR required |
| Theater | SUP required |
Institutional and Community Service Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Child or adult care facility | Permitted by right |
| Church | Permitted by right |
| College, university, or seminary | Permitted by right |
| Hospital | RAR required |
| Library, art gallery, or museum | Permitted by right |
| Public school other than open-enrollment | RAR required |
Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations
The following technical standards apply to all developments within the GO(A) General Office District in Dallas [Section 51A-4.121].
| Regulation Type | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard (Adjacent to Residential) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard (Other Cases) | No minimum |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 4.0 |
| Maximum Height | 270 feet |
| Maximum Number of Stories | 20 stories |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% |
Buildings in the Dallas GO(A) district that exceed 26 feet in height are also subject to a residential proximity slope if they are located near certain residential districts [Section 51A-4.121].
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The Municipality of Dallas specifies the following parking ratios for common uses in the GO(A) district [Section 51A-13.402].
| Use | Parking Space Requirement |
|---|---|
| Office | 1 space per 333 square feet |
| Medical Office | 1 space per 222 square feet |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 space per 100 square feet |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 250 square feet |
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.105. Interpretation of District Regulations.
- Section 51A-4.121. Office Districts.
- Section 51A-13.302. Height.
- Section 51A-13.402. Required Parking.