Dallas Zoning Regulations: MO-2 Mid-Range Office District 2

The MO-2 Mid-range office district 2 in Dallas supports high-density office and limited service developments with a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 3.0 and a maximum building height of 160 feet or 12 stories. While primarily allowing office, medical, and institutional uses by right, the Dallas MO-2 district strictly limits retail and personal service activities to those that serve building occupants and the surrounding community.

Purpose of the Dallas MO-2 District

The MO-2 district represents a category of land use in Dallas restricted to office and limited service uses designed to serve both community and city-wide needs. The Dallas Development Code intends for these districts to be located adjacent to high-density residential areas or other low-to-medium density commercial and industrial zones [Section 51A-4.121(c)(1)].

Allowed Main Uses

In the MO-2 district of Dallas, main uses are categorized by how they are permitted: by right, with limited conditions [L], requiring Residential Adjacency Review [RAR], requiring Site Plan Review [DIR], or requiring a Specific Use Permit [SUP].

Office and Medical Uses

Most office and medical functions are permitted by right in the MO-2 district to facilitate professional services within the city.

• Office: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(G)].
• Medical clinic or ambulatory surgical center: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(G)].
• Financial institution without drive-in window: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(G)].
• Financial institution with drive-in window: Permitted only with Site Plan Review [DIR] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(G)].
• Medical or scientific laboratory: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(B)].

Institutional and Community Service Uses

The City of Dallas permits various community-centric uses in this district to ensure accessibility to essential services.

• Church, Convent, or Monastery: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(D)].
• Child or adult care facility: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(D)].
• Hospital: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(D)].
• Library, art gallery, or museum: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(D)].
• Public school other than open-enrollment: Permitted only with Residential Adjacency Review [RAR] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(D)].

Retail and Personal Service Uses

Retail uses in the MO-2 district are typically restricted to ensure they remain subordinate to the primary office functions of the building.

• Business school: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].
• Dry cleaning or laundry store: Permitted as a limited use [L] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].
• General merchandise or food store (≤ 3,500 sq. ft.): Permitted as a limited use [L] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].
• Personal service uses: Permitted as a limited use [L] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].
• Restaurant without drive-in/through: Permitted as a limited use [L] and requires Residential Adjacency Review [RAR] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].
• Motor vehicle fueling station: Permitted as a limited use [L] [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(J)].

Other Permitted Uses

• Residential: College dormitory, fraternity, or sorority house is permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(I)].
• Lodging: Short-term rental lodging and overnight general purpose shelters are permitted [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(E)].
• Agricultural: Crop production is permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(c)(2)(A)].

Prohibited and Restricted Uses

The Dallas Development Code explicitly prohibits certain uses in the MO-2 district to maintain the professional character of the zone.

Prohibited Main Uses

Any main use not specifically listed in Section 51A-4.121(c)(2) is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Most industrial and manufacturing uses.
• Wholesale, distribution, and storage uses (except for minor recycling drop-off).
• Vehicle sales or heavy commercial services.

Prohibited Accessory Uses

The following accessory uses are specifically prohibited in the Dallas MO-2 district [Section 51A-4.121(c)(3)(A)]:

• Accessory community center (private).
• Accessory helistop.
• Accessory medical/infectious waste incinerator.
• Accessory outside display of merchandise.
• Accessory outside sales.
• Accessory pathological waste incinerator.

Technical Development Standards

The MO-2 district features more permissive density and height standards than the MO-1 district, allowing for significant vertical development in Dallas.

Standard	Requirement in MO-2 District
Minimum Front Yard	15 feet [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(A)]
Minimum Side/Rear Yard	20 feet if adjacent to residential; 0 feet otherwise [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(B)]
Maximum Floor Area Ratio	3.0 [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(D)]
Maximum Building Height	160 feet [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(E)]
Maximum Lot Coverage	80% [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(F)]
Maximum Number of Stories	12 stories [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(H)]
Dwelling Unit Density	Not Applicable [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(C)]

Height and Setback Exceptions

• Residential Proximity Slope: If a structure in the MO-2 district is over 26 feet in height, it may not be located above a residential proximity slope [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(E)].
• Tower Spacing: If a building is over 45 feet in height, an additional side and rear yard setback of one foot for every two feet in height is required, up to a total setback of 30 feet [Section 51A-4.121(c)(4)(B)].

Sections Cited

• Section 51A-4.101
• Section 51A-4.121(c)
• Section 51A-4.201
• Section 51A-4.202
• Section 51A-4.203
• Section 51A-4.204
• Section 51A-4.205
• Section 51A-4.206
• Section 51A-4.207
• Section 51A-4.208
• Section 51A-4.209
• Section 51A-4.210
• Section 51A-4.211
• Section 51A-4.212
• Section 51A-4.213
• Section 51A-4.217
• Section 51A-4.408