Guide to the UC-1: Urban Corridor District 1 in the City of Dallas

The UC-1: Urban Corridor District 1 in the City of Dallas is a low-intensity mixed-use category that requires a minimum of two land uses per building site, one of which must be residential located above the street level. This City of Dallas district emphasizes a highly walkable, urban environment by prohibiting street-level residential units on corridor frontages and mandating a base maximum building height of 30 feet and a minimum density of 10 dwelling units per acre [Section 51A-13.306].

Purpose and Regulatory Intent

The primary objective of the City of Dallas UC-1 District is to foster medium-density mixed-use developments that prioritize pedestrians over automobiles. By requiring an above-grade residential component and a specific urban street character, the City of Dallas aims to increase pedestrian traffic, reduce vehicular reliance, and conserve land through efficient, innovative site design [Section 51A-13.304]. The UC-1 District is specifically intended for segments of streets that are identified as community collectors or four-to-six-lane arterials in the City of Dallas thoroughfare plan [Section 51A-4.127].

Permitted Land Uses

The City of Dallas regulates land use in the UC-1 District through a comprehensive use chart. Development in the UC-1 District must generally include at least two uses, and residential use is mandatory above the street level [Section 51A-4.127].

Mandatory Street-Level Use

In the City of Dallas UC-1 District, residential units are strictly prohibited at the street level along any urban corridor frontage [Section 51A-13.304]. Instead, the street level must be occupied by active nonresidential uses to encourage pedestrian interaction.

Principal Permitted Uses

The following uses are generally permitted by right or by Specific Use Permit (SUP) within the UC-1 District [Section 51A-13.306]:

Residential: Single-family living, multifamily living, and group living (required above street level).
Civic: Community service, social service, places of worship, and government service.
Retail: Restaurant or bar, general retail sales, and vehicle sales.
Service and Entertainment: Commercial amusement (inside), indoor recreation, personal service, and animal care.
Commerce: Overnight lodging, commercial parking (SUP), and self-service storage (SUP).

Technical Development Standards

The City of Dallas applies specific dimensional requirements to the UC-1 District to maintain its low-intensity urban character. These include density minimums, floor area ratio (FAR) maximums, and height limits.

Standard Type	Requirement in UC-1 District
Minimum Dwelling Unit Density	10 units per net acre
Minimum Dwelling Unit Area	500 square feet
Base Maximum Height	30 feet
Height with Parking Bonus	55 feet (for above- or below-grade structures)
Base Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	0.6
FAR with Parking Bonus	1.8 (above-grade) to 2.0 (below-grade)
Minimum Front Yard Setback	None
Minimum Side Yard Setback	5 feet (10 feet if abutting a residential district)
Minimum Rear Yard Setback	10 feet

[Section 51A-13.304]

General Character and Streetscape

The City of Dallas mandates specific design elements in the UC-1 District to ensure a consistent urban feel. The district character is defined by the "Curb-to-Building Area," which includes a required 10-foot width to accommodate both a pedestrian zone and a buffer zone [Section 51A-13.304].

Pedestrian Amenities

To support the pedestrian-friendly intent of the UC-1 District, the City of Dallas requires at least three of the following amenities to be provided within the curb-to-building area [Section 51A-13.501]:

Awnings or Canopies: Minimum 4-foot overhang and 25-foot length per 100 feet of building facade.
Benches: At least two per lot, or one per 100 feet of frontage.
Trash Receptacles: One per 100 feet of frontage.
Bicycle Parking: One five-bicycle unit per 100 feet of frontage.
Pedestrian Lighting: Street lamps at one per 50 feet of frontage.
Enhanced Sidewalks: Constructed with stamped concrete or brick pavers.

Landscaping and Screening

The City of Dallas requires a continuous row of large evergreen shrubs and at least one large tree for every four rows of parking in any surface lot. Small trees must be provided every 50 feet of street frontage [Section 51A-13.304]. Additionally, surface parking must be screened from the street by a brick, stone, or masonry wall at least six feet in height [Section 51A-13.408].

Sections Cited

Section 51A-4.127
Section 51A-13.101
Section 51A-13.302
Section 51A-13.304
Section 51A-13.306
Section 51A-13.408
Section 51A-13.501