Dallas Light Industrial (LI) District: Allowed and Prohibited Uses

The LI: Light Industrial district in Dallas provides a zoning environment for light industrial, office, and research and development uses within an industrial park setting. While the district permits an extensive range of commercial and light manufacturing activities, residential living is strictly prohibited, and developments are subject to a maximum floor area ratio of 1.0 and a height limit of 70 feet [Sec. 51A-4.123(b)].

Purpose and Intent of the LI: Light Industrial District

The Municipality of Dallas established the LI: Light Industrial district to accommodate uses that may involve outside storage, service, or display, while remaining compatible with nearby residential communities. It is typically utilized for research-based facilities, supporting commercial services, and "inside" industrial operations that do not produce significant environmental impacts [Sec. 51A-4.123(b)(1)].

Allowed Main Uses in the LI: Light Industrial District

Uses in the LI: Light Industrial district are categorized by their primary activity. Some uses are permitted "by right," while others require Residential Adjacency Review (RAR), Specific Use Permits (SUP), or Development Impact Review (DIR).

Industrial and Manufacturing

Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing: Permitted by right with RAR [Sec. 51A-4.123(b)(2)(C)].
Industrial (Inside) for Light Manufacturing: Permitted by right.
Inside Industrial: Permitted by right with RAR.
Gas Drilling and Production: Permitted only by SUP.
Temporary Concrete or Asphalt Batching Plant: Permitted only by SUP.

Commercial and Business Services

Building Repair and Maintenance Shop: Permitted with RAR.
Bus or Rail Transit Vehicle Maintenance/Storage: Permitted with RAR.
Catering Service: Permitted by right.
Commercial Cleaning or Laundry Plant: Permitted with RAR.
Custom Business Services: Permitted by right.
Electronics Service Center: Permitted by right.
Job or Lithographic Printing: Permitted with RAR.
Labor Hall: Permitted only by SUP.
Machine or Welding Shop: Permitted with RAR.
Medical or Scientific Laboratory: Permitted by right.
Technical School: Permitted by right.

Office and Professional Uses

Office: Permitted by right.
Medical Clinic or Ambulatory Surgical Center: Permitted by right.
Financial Institution: Permitted by right (RAR required if drive-in window is included).
Alternative Financial Establishment: Permitted only by SUP.

Retail and Personal Service Uses

Auto Service Center: Permitted with RAR.
Car Wash: Permitted with RAR.
General Merchandise or Food Store: Permitted by right up to 100,000 square feet; larger stores require an SUP.
Restaurant: Permitted with RAR (without drive-in) or DIR (with drive-in/through service).
Home Improvement Center: Permitted with RAR.
Personal Service Uses: Permitted by right.

Prohibited Uses in the LI: Light Industrial District

The Dallas Development Code explicitly prohibits certain uses to protect the industrial park character and public welfare.

Residential Uses: All primary residential uses, including single-family, duplex, and multifamily, are prohibited in the LI: Light Industrial district [Sec. 51A-4.123(b)(2)(I)].
Potentially Incompatible Industrial Uses: Processes such as asphalt batching, fat rendering, and petroleum refining are generally restricted to the IM: Industrial Manufacturing district [Sec. 51A-4.203(a)].
Specific Accessory Uses: Accessory helistops and accessory medical/infectious waste incinerators are not permitted [Sec. 51A-4.123(b)(3)(A)].

Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations

Developments within the LI: Light Industrial district in Dallas must adhere to specific spatial standards to ensure adequate light, air, and separation from residential areas.

Regulation Type	Standard for LI: Light Industrial District
Front Setback	15 feet
Side/Rear Setback	30 feet (if adjacent to or across alley from residential); Otherwise 0 feet
Max Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	0.5 (Retail); 0.75 (Lodging/Office/Retail combined); 1.0 (Total)
Max Building Height	70 feet
Max Stories	5 stories (above grade)
Max Lot Coverage	80%
Min Lot Size	No minimum

[Sec. 51A-4.123(b)(4)]

Parking and Loading Requirements

Parking ratios in the Dallas LI: Light Industrial district vary depending on the specific use of the structure.

Use Category	Off-Street Parking Requirement
Office	1 space per 333 sq. ft.
Medical Office	1 space per 222 sq. ft.
Manufacturing (Light)	1 space per 600 sq. ft.
Warehouse	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.
Retail (under 3,500 sq. ft.)	1 space per 200 sq. ft.

[Table 1.0.1; Table 1.2.2]

Sections Cited

SEC. 51A-4.123. Commercial Service and Industrial Districts.
SEC. 51A-4.201 through 51A-4.213. Use Regulations.
SEC. 51A-4.217. Accessory Uses.
SEC. 51A-4.301. Off-Street Parking Regulations.
SEC. 51A-4.410. Schedule of Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations.