Dallas IR: Industrial / Research District Overview
The IR: Industrial / Research District in the City of Dallas is established to facilitate an industrial research park environment characterized by research and development, light industrial, and supporting office or commercial operations. In the City of Dallas, the IR: Industrial / Research District maintains a maximum building height of 70 feet and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.0 for all combined uses, while strictly prohibiting the development of any new residential uses.
Purpose and General Character
The City of Dallas created the IR: Industrial / Research District to provide a dedicated setting for light industrial and research-oriented activities [Section 51A-4.123(c)(1)]. The district is specifically intended for an "industrial research park setting" and is not designed to be integrated into areas characterized by low or medium-density residential development [Section 51A-4.123(c)(1)]. Consequently, the City of Dallas enforces significant setbacks when the IR: Industrial / Research District borders residential areas to preserve the integrity of those neighborhoods [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)].
Technical Development Standards
The City of Dallas has established specific density, height, and setback requirements for the IR: Industrial / Research District to ensure uniform development.
| Standard | IR: Industrial / Research District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Building Height | 70 feet [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(E)(ii)] |
| Maximum Stories | 5 stories (Parking garages are exempt) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(H)] |
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(A)] |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard | 30 feet if adjacent to/directly across an alley from a residential district; 0 feet in all other cases [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(B)] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% (includes aboveground parking; excludes surface/underground) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(F)] |
| Maximum FAR (Retail/Personal) | 0.5 [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(D)(i)] |
| Maximum FAR (Combined Office/Lodging/Retail) | 0.75 [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(D)(ii)] |
| Maximum FAR (Total for All Uses) | 1.0 [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(D)(iii)] |
| Maximum Dwelling Unit Density | Not Applicable (Residential is prohibited) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(4)(C)] |
Permitted Land Uses
The IR: Industrial / Research District in the City of Dallas permits a wide range of nonresidential uses, many of which are subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR), Specific Use Permits (SUP), or Development Impact Review (DIR).
Industrial and Fabrication Uses
- Industrial (inside) for light manufacturing [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(C)].
- Alcoholic beverage manufacturing (subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(C)].
- Medical/infectious waste incinerators, municipal waste incinerators, and pathological waste incinerators (all require SUP) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(C)].
- Temporary concrete or asphalt batching plants (require SUP) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(C)].
Office and Commercial Service Uses
- General office and medical clinics [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(G)].
- Scientific or medical laboratories [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(B)].
- Technical schools and tool/equipment rental [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(B)].
- Financial institutions with drive-in windows (subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(G)].
- Labor halls (SUP may be required) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(B)].
Retail and Personal Service Uses
- Restaurants with or without drive-in/drive-through service (subject to RAR or DIR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(J)].
- Alcoholic beverage establishments (subject to restrictions) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(J)].
- Car wash, auto service center, and vehicle display/sales (all subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(J)].
- General merchandise or food stores, with those 100,000 square feet or more requiring an SUP [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(J)].
Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses
- Mini-warehouse, trade center, and general warehouses (warehouses subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(M)].
- Freight terminals and manufactured building sales lots (both subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(M)].
- Outside storage (subject to RAR) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(M)].
- Recycling buy-back centers and collection centers [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(M)].
Other Uses
- Agricultural: Crop production [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(A)].
- Institutional: Child-care facilities, churches, and colleges [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(D)].
- Transportation: Airport/landing fields (SUP), heliports (RAR), helistops (RAR), and transit passenger stations (SUP) [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(K)].
- Residential: The IR: Industrial / Research District in the City of Dallas permits no residential uses [Section 51A-4.123(c)(2)(I)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.123. Commercial Service and Industrial Districts
- Section 51A-4.201. Agricultural Uses
- Section 51A-4.202. Commercial and Business Service Uses
- Section 51A-4.203. Industrial Uses
- Section 51A-4.204. Institutional and Community Service Uses
- Section 51A-4.205. Lodging Uses
- Section 51A-4.206. Miscellaneous Uses
- Section 51A-4.207. Office Uses
- Section 51A-4.208. Recreation Uses
- Section 51A-4.210. Retail and Personal Service Uses
- Section 51A-4.211. Transportation Uses
- Section 51A-4.212. Utility and Public Service Uses
- Section 51A-4.213. Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses
- Section 51A-4.400. Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations