Dallas R-1/2ac(A) Single-Family District Setback Requirements
In the City of Dallas R-1/2ac(A): Single Family District, the minimum front yard setback is 40 feet. For single-family structures, the minimum side and rear yard setbacks are 10 feet, while all other permitted structures within the district require a minimum side and rear yard of 20 feet [Section 51A-4.112].
Minimum Setback Standards for R-1/2ac(A) District
The City of Dallas established the R-1/2ac(A) district to conserve the character of residential neighborhoods with half-acre lots [Section 51A-4.112]. Development within this district must adhere to specific yard regulations to ensure proper spacing and building character.
| Setback Type | Single-Family Structures | Other Permitted Structures |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 40 Feet | 40 Feet |
| Minimum Side Yard | 10 Feet | 20 Feet |
| Minimum Rear Yard | 10 Feet | 20 Feet |
[Section 51A-4.112(b)(4)]
General Provisions and Exceptions
The Dallas Development Code provides several general rules regarding how setbacks are measured and what may occupy these spaces in the R-1/2ac(A) district.
Front Yard Regulations
The front yard setback for the R-1/2ac(A) district is measured from the front lot line or the required right-of-way as determined by the City of Dallas thoroughfare plan [Section 51A-4.401]. If a blockface is divided by two or more zoning districts, the front yard for the entire blockface must comply with the requirements of the district with the greatest front yard requirement [Section 51A-4.401].
Side and Rear Yard Regulations
While the standard side and rear setbacks for a single-family structure in this Dallas district are 10 feet, certain conditions apply:
- Corner Lots: If a corner lot has two street frontages of equal distance, one frontage is governed by front yard regulations and the other by side yard regulations. If the frontages are unequal, the shorter frontage is the front yard [Section 51A-4.401].
- Accessory Structures: In the R-1/2ac(A) district, a resident may place certain accessory structures (such as a generator) without a side yard setback if the structure does not exceed 15 feet in height and is located in the rear 30 percent of the lot [Section 51A-4.402].
Permitted Encroachments
The City of Dallas allows specific building elements to project into the required R-1/2ac(A) yard setbacks:
- Window Sills and Cornices: May project up to 12 inches into any required yard.
- Fireplace Chimneys: May project up to two feet into the required front yard.
- Roof Eaves: May project up to three feet into the required side or rear yard [Section 51A-4.401; Section 51A-4.402; Section 51A-4.403].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 51A-4.101. New Zoning Districts Established.
- Sec. 51A-4.112. Single Family Districts.
- Sec. 51A-4.401. Minimum Front Yard.
- Sec. 51A-4.402. Minimum Side Yard.
- Sec. 51A-4.403. Minimum Rear Yard.
- Sec. 51A-4.410. Schedule of Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations.