Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse District 3 Setback and Yard Requirements
In the TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 in Dallas, there is no minimum required front yard setback. While single-family structures have no minimum side or rear yard requirements, other structures such as duplexes and institutional buildings within the Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 must adhere to specific minimum distances ranging from five to 10 feet.
Front Yard Setback Requirements
The Dallas Development Code establishes that there is no minimum front yard requirement for any use within the TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 [Section 51A-4.114(4)(A)]. General provisions for the municipality state that front yard setbacks are typically measured from the front lot line or the required right-of-way as determined by the thoroughfare plan [Section 51A-4.401(a)(2)].
| Structure Type | Minimum Front Yard Setback |
|---|---|
| All Permitted Structures | 0 Feet |
Side Yard Setback Requirements
Side yard requirements in the Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 vary significantly based on the type of structure being developed. While single-family dwellings are exempt from a minimum side yard, duplexes and other permitted structures must maintain a specific buffer [Section 51A-4.114(4)(B)].
Additionally, if a Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 site abuts a district with more restrictive side yard requirements, the more restrictive standards of that neighboring district must be applied to the abutting side yard of the townhouse development [Section 51A-4.114(4)(B)(v)].
| Structure Type | Minimum Side Yard Setback |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Structures | 0 Feet |
| Duplex Structures | 5 Feet |
| Other Permitted Structures | 10 Feet |
Rear Yard Setback Requirements
Similar to side yards, rear yard setbacks in the Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 are determined by the specific use of the structure. Single-family homes are permitted to have a zero-foot rear yard, whereas duplexes and other structures require a 10-foot minimum [Section 51A-4.114(4)(B)].
| Structure Type | Minimum Rear Yard Setback |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Structures | 0 Feet |
| Duplex Structures | 10 Feet |
| Other Permitted Structures | 10 Feet |
Note: While the staff-prepared summary chart in Section 51A-4.410 suggests a 15-foot rear yard for "other" structures, the specific regulatory text for townhouse districts in Section 51A-4.114(4)(B)(iv) mandates 10 feet. Per Section 51A-4.410, the text of the district regulations takes precedence over the summary charts.
Special Exceptions and Proximity Rules
Several factors can modify the standard setbacks in the Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3:
Adjacency to Residential Districts
If a nonresidential use is located in the TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3, it may be subject to a residential proximity slope if it is near certain other residential districts. This slope restricts the height of structures based on their distance from the "site of origination" (the protected residential lot) [Section 51A-4.412].
Projections and Encroachments
The Dallas Development Code allows certain architectural features to project into the required yard. For example, fireplace chimneys may project up to two feet into a required yard if the area of the projection does not exceed 12 square feet. Ordinary projections of window sills, belt courses, and cornices may project up to 12 inches [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
Accessibility Ramps
The building official in Dallas may approve a ramp that projects into a required front or side yard to allow a person with disabilities access to a structure. These ramps must be constructed to applicable accessibility standards and undergo a 10-day initial review [Section 51A-4.401(a)(4); Section 51A-4.402(a)(5)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.114. TOWNHOUSE [TH-1(A), TH-2(A), and TH-3(A)] DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.401. MINIMUM FRONT YARD.
- Section 51A-4.402. MINIMUM SIDE YARD.
- Section 51A-4.410. SCHEDULE OF YARD, LOT, AND SPACE REGULATIONS.
- Section 51A-4.412. RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY SLOPE.