Dallas UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 Zoning Regulations

In the City of Dallas, the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 designation is designed to facilitate medium-density, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use developments that promote energy efficiency and reduce vehicular traffic. Development within a UC-2 district requires a minimum of two land uses on a single lot, one of which must be residential use located above the street level [Section 51A-4.127]. Factual compliance includes a minimum density of 35 dwelling units per acre and a base structure height limit of 40 feet, which can be doubled if specific parking structure criteria are met [Section 51A-4.127].

Permitted Uses by Right

The following main uses are allowed by right in the Dallas UC-2 district, provided they comply with the mandatory mixed-use requirements and development standards.

Residential and Lodging

• Multifamily: Allowed as a primary use, provided it is part of a mixed-use development [Section 51A-4.127].
• Short-term rental lodging: Permitted subject to standard City of Dallas regulations [Section 51A-4.127].

Office and Professional

• Financial institution without drive-in window: Standard banking and credit services [Section 51A-4.127].
• Medical clinic or ambulatory surgical center: Facilities for outpatient medical care [Section 51A-4.127].
• Office: General professional and business offices [Section 51A-4.127].

Retail and Personal Service

• Alcoholic beverage establishments: Bars or lounges [Section 51A-4.127].
• Animal shelter or clinic: Allowed only without outside runs [Section 51A-4.127].
• Business school: Permitted specifically in the UC-2 and UC-3 districts [Section 51A-4.127].
• Car wash: Standard vehicle washing facilities [Section 51A-4.127].
• Commercial parking lot or garage: Facilities not managed by a main use on the same lot [Section 51A-4.127].
• Dry cleaning or laundry store: Limited to those without drive-in or drive-through service [Section 51A-4.127].
• Furniture store: Retail display and sale of appliances and furniture [Section 51A-4.127].
• General merchandise or food store: Permitted in all sizes, including those greater than 3,500 square feet [Section 51A-4.127].
• Household equipment and appliance repair: Service and maintenance of domestic items [Section 51A-4.127].
• Nursery, garden shop, or plant sales: Growing and display of horticultural items [Section 51A-4.127].
• Personal service uses: Including barbershops, tailors, and studios [Section 51A-4.127].
• Restaurant: Limited to those without drive-in or drive-through service [Section 51A-4.127].
• Temporary retail use: Seasonal or short-term retail operations [Section 51A-4.127].

Civic, Institutional, and Utility

• Child or adult care facility: Standard care operations [Section 51A-4.127].
• Church: Religious worship and related activities [Section 51A-4.127].
• College, university, or seminary: Academic institutions [Section 51A-4.127].
• Convent or monastery: Residential religious facilities [Section 51A-4.127].
• Library, art gallery, or museum: Cultural institutions [Section 51A-4.127].
• Public school: Subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR) [Section 51A-4.127].
• Transit passenger shelter: Basic infrastructure for public transit [Section 51A-4.127].
• Local utilities: Standard utility services [Section 51A-4.127].
• Police or fire station: Municipal safety facilities [Section 51A-4.127].
• Post office: Government mail distribution [Section 51A-4.127].

Uses Permitted by Specific Use Permit (SUP)

Certain uses are only allowed within the City of Dallas UC-2 district if a Specific Use Permit is granted by the City Council.

• Alternative financial establishment: Including payday loans and car title loans [Section 51A-4.127].
• Commercial amusement (inside): SUP required if specific size or proximity to residential triggers are met [Section 51A-4.127].
• Community service center: Multi-functional social service facilities [Section 51A-4.127].
• Hospital: Large-scale medical institutions [Section 51A-4.127].
• Industrial uses: Including gas drilling and production or temporary batching plants [Section 51A-4.127].
• Lodging and Residential: College dormitories, group residential facilities, and retirement housing [Section 51A-4.127].
• Private recreation center, club, or area: Specifically for UC-2 and UC-3 [Section 51A-4.127].
• Retail: General merchandise or food stores 100,000 square feet or more [Section 51A-4.127].

Prohibited Uses and Restrictions

The City of Dallas maintains strict prohibitions on certain activities and configurations within the UC-2 district to protect the corridor's character.

• Street-Level Residential: Residential units are strictly prohibited from being located at the street level along an urban corridor frontage [Section 51A-4.127].
• Ineligible Locations: Urban corridor zoning cannot be applied to segments of interstate highways, freeways, or their frontage roads [Section 51A-4.127].
• Specific Exclusions: "Mounted cellular antennas" are permitted in UC-3 but are not listed as permitted for the UC-2 district [Section 51A-4.127].
• Prohibited Accessory Uses: Accessory helistops, accessory outside storage, private stables, and general waste incinerators are specifically barred [Section 51A-4.127].

UC-2 Development Standards

Developments in the Dallas UC-2 district must adhere to the following technical requirements:

Regulation Type	UC-2 Standard Requirement
Minimum Stories	3 stories [Section 51A-4.127]
Minimum Dwelling Units	35 units per acre [Section 51A-4.127]
Minimum Dwelling Area	500 square feet [Section 51A-4.127]
Base Max Height	40 feet [Section 51A-4.127]
Max Height w/ Parking Bonus	80 feet [Section 51A-4.127]
Base Max Floor Area Ratio	0.85 [Section 51A-4.127]
Max FAR w/ Below-Grade Parking	3.6 [Section 51A-4.127]
Curb-to-Building Buffer	12 feet [Section 51A-4.127]
Max Lot Coverage	80 percent [Section 51A-4.127]

Sections Cited

• Section 51A-4.101
• Section 51A-4.127
• Section 51A-4.210
• Section 51A-4.212
• Section 51A-4.217
• Section 51A-13.302
• Section 51A-13.306