Guide to the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 in Dallas
In the municipality of Dallas, the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2 is designated to support moderate-density lodging, office, and retail development while remaining flexible to the needs of the community. Within this Dallas zoning district, properties are prohibited from hosting private stables, and residential development is strictly limited to college-affiliated housing like dormitories and fraternities [Section 51A-4.126(e)].
Allowed Main Uses in the Dallas MC-2 District
The Dallas Development Code permits various categories of uses in the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2. Some uses are permitted by right, while others require a Specific Use Permit (SUP), Residential Adjacency Review (RAR), or Development Impact Review (DIR) [Section 51A-4.105].
Agricultural and Commercial Service Uses
- Agricultural Uses: Crop production is permitted by right.
- Commercial and Business Service Uses: Catering services, custom business services, and electronics service centers are permitted by right. A labor hall or medical/scientific laboratory requires an SUP [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)].
Institutional and Community Service Uses
- Permitted by Right: Child or adult care facilities, churches, colleges/universities/seminaries, convents or monasteries, and libraries, art galleries, or museums.
- Permitted by SUP: Cemeteries or mausoleums, community service centers, and hospitals.
- School Requirements: Public schools (other than open-enrollment) require an RAR; open-enrollment charter schools or private schools require an SUP [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(D)].
Lodging and Residential Uses
- Lodging: Short-term rental lodging is permitted by right. Extended stay hotels or motels and overnight general-purpose shelters require an SUP. Standard hotels or motels require either an RAR or an SUP [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(E)].
- Residential: The only permitted main residential use in the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2 is a college dormitory, fraternity, or sorority house [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(I)].
Office and Retail Uses
- Office Uses: Financial institutions (without drive-in windows), medical clinics, and standard offices are permitted by right. Alternative financial establishments or financial institutions with drive-in windows require an SUP or DIR [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(G)].
- Retail and Personal Service Uses: This district permits a vast array of retail, including liquor stores, furniture stores, and motor vehicle fueling stations. Specific activities like car washes, auto service centers, and restaurants often require an RAR or DIR to ensure they do not negatively impact the Dallas community [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(J)].
Prohibited Uses in the Dallas MC-2 District
The Dallas Development Code explicitly prohibits certain uses within the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2 to maintain the district's character.
- Residential Main Uses: Standard single-family, duplex, and multifamily dwellings are not listed as permitted main uses in this district [Section 51A-4.126(e)(2)(I)].
- Specific Prohibited Accessory Uses: A private stable is expressly prohibited as an accessory use in the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2 [Section 51A-4.126(e)(3)(A)].
- Detached Non-Premise Signs: Generally, the Dallas municipality prohibits detached non-premise signs unless specifically authorized in a sign district [Section 51A-7.306].
Technical Development Standards
Developments in the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2 must adhere to specific space and height regulations to ensure compatibility with the surrounding Dallas urban landscape.
| Standard | MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(A)] |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard | 20 feet if adjacent to or across an alley from a residential district; otherwise no minimum [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(B)] |
| Maximum Structure Height | 90 feet (subject to residential proximity slope) [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(E)] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(F)] |
| Maximum Stories | 7 stories (above grade) [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(H)] |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The Dallas Development Code mandates specific parking ratios for uses in the MC-2: Multiple commercial district 2. These ratios are summarized for common uses below:
| Use | Required Parking Ratio in Dallas MC-2 |
|---|---|
| Office | 1 space per 333 square feet [Table 1.2.1] |
| Medical Clinic | 1 space per 200 square feet [Table 1.2.1] |
| Restaurant (Main Use) | 1 space per 100 square feet [Table 1.2.2] |
| General Merchandise or Food Store | 1 space per 200 square feet [Table 1.2.2] |
| Furniture Store | 1 space per 500 square feet (public area); 1 per 1,000 square feet (storage area) [Table 1.2.2] |
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.105: Interpretation of District Regulations
- Section 51A-4.126: Multiple Commercial Districts
- Section 51A-4.205: Lodging Uses
- Section 51A-4.301: Off-Street Parking Regulations
- Section 51A-7.306: Detached Non-Premise Signs Prohibited Generally
- Table 1.2.1: MD-1 Overlay Requirements
- Table 1.2.2: MD-1 Overlay Requirements