Dallas Setback Requirements for the CR: Community Retail District
The CR: Community Retail District in Dallas generally requires a minimum front yard setback of 15 feet, which increases to 35 feet for portions of a structure exceeding 45 feet in height. Side and rear yard setbacks in the CR: Community Retail District are mandated at 20 feet when the property is adjacent to or across an alley from most residential districts; otherwise, no minimum side or rear yard is required by the Dallas Development Code.
Front Yard Setback Requirements
The Dallas Development Code establishes specific standards for the front-facing portion of building sites within the CR: Community Retail District. All required front yards must remain open and unobstructed, with exceptions for items such as fences and light poles under 20 feet in height [Section 51A-4.401].
The primary setback is measured from the property line, but additional considerations apply to high-rise structures to maintain a consistent urban form.
| Regulation Type | Requirement for CR District |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Urban Form Setback | Additional 20-foot setback for building portions above 45 feet in height |
Source: [Section 51A-4.122(b)(4)(A)]
Side and Rear Yard Setback Requirements
Setback distances for the side and rear of a property in the CR: Community Retail District are heavily dependent on the zoning of the neighboring parcels. The City of Dallas mandates significant buffers when commercial retail uses interface with residential neighborhoods to protect the environmental quality and character of those areas [Section 51A-4.122(b)(1)].
The following residential districts trigger the 20-foot buffer requirement: R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, and MF(A) [Section 51A-4.122(b)(4)(B)(i)].
| Adjacency Condition | Side Yard Requirement | Rear Yard Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Adjacent to/across an alley from specified Residential Districts | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| All other cases | No minimum | No minimum |
Source: [Section 51A-4.122(b)(4)(B)]
Staff Guide for Yard Regulations
The City of Dallas provides a summary chart in its "Schedule of Yard, Lot, and Space Regulations" to assist developers. While the text of the Dallas Development Code controls in the event of a conflict, the following dimensions are provided as the standard staff guide for the CR: Community Retail District [Section 51A-4.410].
| Adjacency Category | Minimum Side Yard | Minimum Rear Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Abutting Single-Family District | 15 feet | 15 feet |
| Abutting Multifamily or Nonresidential District | 0 or 5 feet | 5 feet |
| Abutting an Alley | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| Abutting a Service Street | N/A | 10 feet |
Source: [Section 51A-4.410]
Additional Setback Provisions
The CR: Community Retail District in Dallas includes specific rules regarding the placement of secondary structures and equipment:
- Off-Street Loading: In the CR: Community Retail District, off-street loading spaces are prohibited from being located within the required front yard [Section 51A-4.122(b)(5)(B)].
- Visual Intrusion: Balconies or openings that face specific residential districts (R, D, TH, CH, or MF) may not penetrate or be located above a residential proximity slope originating in those districts [Section 51A-4.122(b)(8)(B)].
- Mechanical Equipment: Garbage collection and mechanical equipment areas must be located at least 20 feet away from any building site restricted to single-family or duplex uses [Section 51A-4.122(b)(8)(C)].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 51A-4.122. RETAIL 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.