Dallas R-1ac(A) Single Family District 1 Acre Zoning Guide

The R-1ac(A) Single Family District in the municipality of Dallas is an estate-type residential zone requiring a minimum lot area of one acre per dwelling unit. This district is primarily restricted to single-family dwellings and compatible institutional uses such as churches and parks, while strictly prohibiting all commercial, office, and lodging activities. Development within the R-1ac(A) district is governed by specific yard requirements, including a 40-foot front yard setback and a maximum structure height of 36 feet [Section 51A-4.112(a)].

Main Uses Permitted in the R-1ac(A) District

The Dallas Development Code categorizes uses within the R-1ac(A) district as being permitted by right, permitted by Specific Use Permit (SUP), or subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR).

Residential and Recreational Uses

Single Family: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(I)].
Handicapped Group Dwelling Unit: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.209(3.1)].
Public Park, Playground, or Golf Course: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(H)].
Country Club with Private Membership: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(H)].
Private Recreation Center, Club, or Area: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(H)].

Institutional and Community Service Uses

Church: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Child or Adult Care Facility: Permitted by right when operated on property previously used by a religious organization, school, or recreation center; otherwise, an SUP is required [Section 51A-4.204(3)].
Cemetery or Mausoleum: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
College, University, or Seminary: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Community Service Center: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Convent or Monastery: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Foster Home: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Library, Art Gallery, or Museum: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].
Public or Private School: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(D)].

Utilities and Transportation

Transit Passenger Shelter: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(K)].
Tower/Antenna for Cellular Communication: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(L)].
Electrical Substation: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(L)].
Police or Fire Station: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(L)].
Radio, Television, or Microwave Tower: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(L)].
Private Street or Alley: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(K)].

Agricultural and Industrial (Limited)

Crop Production: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(A)].
Gas Drilling and Production: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(C)].
Temporary Concrete or Asphalt Batching Plant: Permitted only by SUP [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)(C)].

Accessory Uses in the R-1ac(A) District

Accessory uses are permitted in the R-1ac(A) district if they are customarily incidental to the main use. However, the Dallas Development Code explicitly prohibits certain accessory uses in this district [Section 51A-4.112(a)(3)]:

Prohibited Accessory Uses: Accessory helistop, accessory medical/infectious waste incinerator, accessory outside display of merchandise, accessory outside sales, and accessory pathological waste incinerator.
Limited Accessory Use: An accessory community center (private) is permitted only by SUP.

Prohibited Main Uses

The Dallas Development Code defines several categories of use that are completely barred from the R-1ac(A) district [Section 51A-4.112(a)(2)]:

Commercial and Business Service Uses: All uses prohibited.
Lodging Uses: All uses (hotels, motels, boarding houses) prohibited.
Office Uses: All uses prohibited.
Retail and Personal Service Uses: All uses prohibited.

Technical Development Standards

The municipality of Dallas enforces the following yard, lot, and space regulations for the R-1ac(A) district to maintain its low-density, one-acre character:

Regulation	Single Family Structure Requirement	Other Permitted Structure Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	1 Acre [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(G)]	N/A
Minimum Front Yard	40 Feet [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(A)]	40 Feet
Minimum Side Yard	10 Feet [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(B)]	20 Feet
Minimum Rear Yard	10 Feet [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(B)]	20 Feet
Maximum Height	36 Feet [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(E)]	36 Feet
Maximum Lot Coverage	40% [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(F)]	25%
Maximum Stories	No Maximum [Sec. 51A-4.112(a)(4)(H)]	No Maximum

Additional District Provisions

Off-Street Parking: For the R-1ac(A) district, off-street parking must be provided at or below ground level [Section 51A-4.112(a)(5)].
Electrical Service: A lot for a single-family use in Dallas may be supplied by no more than one electrical utility service and metered by no more than one electrical meter, unless a special exception is granted by the board of adjustment [Section 51A-4.112(a)(8)(A)].

Sections Cited

SEC. 51A-4.112. SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICTS.
SEC. 51A-4.204. INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE USES.
SEC. 51A-4.209. RESIDENTIAL USES.
SEC. 51A-4.101. NEW ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED.
SEC. 51A-1.102. APPLICABILITY AND PURPOSE.