Dallas Off-Street Parking Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the City of Dallas generally require a minimum of one dedicated off-street parking space per unit. However, the Dallas Development Code provides a complete exemption for any Dallas ADU located within 1,200 feet of a DART bus or transit stop. Further reductions to these parking mandates may be authorized through a neighborhood petition signed by 75 percent of property owners within an overlay or by a specific recommendation from a neighborhood steering committee to the City Council.
General Parking Mandates for Dallas ADUs
According to the Dallas Development Code, an Accessory Dwelling Unit is defined as a rentable additional dwelling unit that is subordinate to the main unit on a building site with a single-family use [SEC. 51A-4.510]. The City of Dallas defines off-street parking as parking spaces provided for a motor vehicle that are not located on a public right-of-way or a private street [SEC. 51A-2.102]. While the City of Dallas typically requires these units to provide their own parking, the specific quantity depends on proximity to public transportation and neighborhood-specific agreements.
| Condition | Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Requirement | Minimum of 1 space per unit |
| Proximity to DART Bus or Transit Stop (within 1,200 feet) | 0 spaces (Exempt) |
| 75% Neighborhood Petition Approval | Eligible for Reduction |
| Neighborhood Steering Committee Recommendation | Eligible for City Council Reduction |
Exemptions Based on Transit Proximity
The City of Dallas encourages transit-oriented development by relaxing parking requirements for units near public transportation. If a Dallas ADU is located within 1,200 feet of a DART bus or transit stop, the owner is not required to provide any dedicated off-street parking spaces for that unit [SEC. 51A-4.510]. This distance is measured to ensure the unit remains accessible without increasing the demand for on-street parking in residential neighborhoods.
Administrative and Neighborhood Reductions
Beyond the standard transit exemption, the Dallas Development Code allows for the reduction of off-street parking requirements through two primary administrative channels:
- Property Owner Petitions: Off-street parking requirements for a Dallas ADU may be reduced if 75 percent of the property owners within the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay sign a petition agreeing to the reduction [SEC. 51A-4.510].
- Committee Recommendations: The City Council of Dallas has the authority to reduce the off-street parking requirement for ADUs if such a reduction is recommended by a neighborhood steering committee during the authorized hearing process [SEC. 51A-4.510].
Additional ADU Regulations
While parking is a significant factor, the Dallas Development Code also mandates that a Dallas ADU must be located on a lot with at least one existing single-family dwelling and cannot be sold separately from the main building [SEC. 51A-4.510]. Additionally, if the unit is used as rental accommodation, the owner of the property must reside in either the main structure or the ADU during the tenancy [SEC. 51A-4.510].
Sections Cited
- SEC. 51A-2.102 (Definitions)
- SEC. 51A-4.510 (Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay)