Districts Allowing Financial Institutions and Banks in Dallas
In the City of Dallas, financial institutions without drive-in windows are permitted by right in nearly all nonresidential districts, whereas facilities with drive-in windows are restricted to higher-intensity retail, office, and industrial zones. Alternative financial establishments, such as payday or car title loan businesses, are generally prohibited in neighborhood-scale districts and require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in all other allowed nonresidential areas of the Municipality.
Permitted Districts for Financial Services
The Dallas Development Code categorizes financial services into three distinct types: standard institutions without drive-in windows, those with drive-in windows, and alternative financial establishments. The following table outlines the permissions for each within the Municipality's various zoning districts.
| Use Category | Permitted by Right | Permitted by Specific Use Permit (SUP) | Prohibited Districts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Institution (No Drive-In) | All Nonresidential Districts | None | Parking [P(A)] District [Section 51A-4.207(2)] |
| Financial Institution (With Drive-In) | MO(A), GO(A), CR, RR, CS, Industrial, Central Area, Mixed Use, Multiple Commercial | Limited Office [LO(A)] District | NO(A), NS(A), P(A), MU-1, UC-1 [Section 51A-4.207(3)] |
| Alternative Financial Establishment | None | Office (except NO(A)), Retail (except NS(A)), CS, Industrial, Central Area, MU-2, MU-3, Multiple Commercial, UC-2, UC-3 | NO(A), NS(A), MU-1, UC-1, P(A) [Section 51A-4.207(1)] |
Financial Institutions Without Drive-In Windows
The City of Dallas allows financial institutions without drive-in windows by right in all nonresidential districts except the Parking [P(A)] District [Section 51A-4.207(2)(B)]. These locations typically include bank branches located within office towers or shopping malls where transaction services are handled entirely inside the building.
Financial Institutions With Drive-In Windows
For banks requiring drive-in lanes, the City of Dallas restricts these to the following districts: Mid-range Office [MO(A)], General Office [GO(A)], Community Retail [CR], Regional Retail [RR], Commercial Service [CS], Industrial, Central Area, Mixed Use, and Multiple Commercial districts [Section 51A-4.207(3)(B)]. Within the Limited Office [LO(A)] District, this use requires a Specific Use Permit (SUP). Furthermore, drive-in banks in the City of Dallas are subject to mandatory off-street stacking requirements:
- One window: 5 stacking spaces.
- Two windows: 10 stacking spaces.
- Three windows: 15 stacking spaces.
- Four windows: 18 stacking spaces [Section 51A-4.207(3)(E)].
Alternative Financial Establishments
Under the Dallas Development Code, "Alternative financial establishments" include car title loan businesses and money services (payday loans) but exclude state or federally chartered banks and credit unions [Section 51A-4.207(1)(A)]. To prevent over-concentration, the Municipality imposes strict spacing requirements:
- Establishment Spacing: Must be located at least 1,500 feet from any other alternative financial establishment.
- Residential Spacing: Must be located at least 300 feet from a lot in a residential district [Section 51A-4.207(1)(E)].
Form District and Overlay Regulations
In Dallas Walkable Urban (WMU) and Walkable Urban Residential (WR) districts, financial institutions are classified as "Office" uses. They are permitted in these areas provided they conform to the specific streetscape and design standards of Article XIII [Section 51A-13.306].
Parking Requirements
Minimum off-street parking for financial services in the City of Dallas varies by the specific district and overlay.
| Use and Location | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Financial Institution | 1 space per 333 square feet [Section 51A-13.402] |
| Financial Institution (MD-1 Overlay) | 1 space per 333 square feet [Table 1.2.1] |
| Medical Clinic or Surgical Center | 1 space per 200 square feet [Section 51A-4.207(4)] |
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-2.102
- Section 51A-4.207
- Section 51A-13.306
- Section 51A-13.402
- Table 1.2.1