Guide to the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District in Dallas
The NO(A): Neighborhood office district in Dallas is a low-intensity zoning classification restricted to office uses that serve the immediate needs of a community or neighborhood while preserving environmental quality. Development in this district is limited to a maximum height of 35 feet and two stories, with a floor area ratio of 0.5 and mandatory 15-foot front yard setbacks [Section 51A-4.121].
Purpose and General Character
The City of Dallas established the NO(A): Neighborhood office district to provide a group of uses that predominantly serve neighborhood or community needs. Because of this localized focus, the NO(A) district is designed to be compatible with and located adjacent to single family, duplex, and townhouse neighborhoods [Section 51A-4.121(a)(1)]. The character of the district is defined by its low-intensity nature, limited building heights, and strict requirements for residential adjacency, which act as a buffer between residential zones and more intense commercial areas.
Permitted Land Uses
Land uses in the NO(A): Neighborhood office district are categorized into main uses allowed by right, uses permitted only by Specific Use Permit (SUP), and those subject to residential adjacency review (RAR).
Office and Professional Uses
- Financial institution without drive-in window: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(G)].
- Medical clinic or ambulatory surgical center: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(G)].
- Office: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(G)].
Institutional and Community Service Uses
- Church: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(D)].
- Library, art gallery, or museum: Permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(D)].
- Child or adult care facility: Permitted by right if operated on property previously used by a religious organization, public school, or recreation center; otherwise, an SUP is required [Section 51A-4.204(3)(B)(ii)].
- Public school: Subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR) [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(D)].
- Community service center: Permitted by SUP only [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(D)].
Retail and Personal Service Uses
- Personal service use: Permitted as a limited use [L] up to 1,000 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(J)].
- Restaurant without drive-in or drive-thru service: Permitted by SUP only [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(J)].
- Business school: Permitted by SUP only [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(J)].
Other Permitted Uses
- Agricultural uses: Crop production is permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(A)].
- Recreation uses: Public parks, playgrounds, and golf courses are permitted by right [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(H)].
- Utility and public service: Local utilities are permitted by right, though an SUP or RAR may be required depending on size and height [Section 51A-4.121(a)(2)(L)].
Development Standards
Development in the NO(A): Neighborhood office district must adhere to specific yard, lot, and space regulations to maintain neighborhood compatibility.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard Setback | 15 feet [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(A)] |
| Side and Rear Yard Setback | 20 feet if adjacent to/across an alley from residential; 0 feet otherwise [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(B)] |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.5 [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(D)] |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet for gable, hip, or gambrel roofs; 30 feet for other structures [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(E)] |
| Maximum Number of Stories | 2 stories above grade [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(H)] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 50% (includes aboveground parking structures) [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(F)] |
Off-Street Parking and Loading
Dallas regulations specify that off-street loading spaces in the NO(A): Neighborhood office district may not be located in the required front yard. If they are located in the front yard behind the setback line, they must be screened from the street by a minimum six-foot-high barrier [Section 51A-4.121(a)(5)(B)].
Visual Intrusion and Adjacency
The NO(A): Neighborhood office district in Dallas has strict rules regarding visual intrusion. No portion of any balcony or opening that faces a residential district (R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A)) may penetrate or be located above a residential proximity slope originating in that district [Section 51A-4.121(a)(8)(B)].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 51A-4.101. New zoning districts established.
- Sec. 51A-4.121. Office districts.
- Sec. 51A-4.204. Institutional and community service uses.
- Sec. 51A-4.207. Office uses.
- Sec. 51A-4.209. Residential uses.
- Sec. 51A-4.210. Retail and personal service uses.
- Sec. 51A-4.212. Utility and public service uses.
- Sec. 51A-4.301. Off-street parking regulations.