LI: Light Industrial District Setback Requirements in Dallas
In the LI: Light Industrial District within the municipality of Dallas, developers are required to maintain a minimum front yard setback of 15 feet. Side and rear yard setbacks of 30 feet are only mandatory when the industrial site is adjacent to or directly across an alley from specific residential districts; otherwise, there is no minimum requirement for side or rear yards in this district [Section 51A-4.123(b)(4)].
Primary Yard Requirements for the LI District
The Dallas Development Code establishes specific spatial constraints for the LI: Light Industrial District to ensure appropriate buffering between industrial operations and the public right-of-way or neighboring properties. These regulations must be read in conjunction with the general yard, lot, and space regulations found in Division 51A-4.400 [Section 51A-4.123(b)(4)].
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement in the LI District |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Side Yard (Residential Adjacency) | 30 feet |
| Side Yard (All Other Cases) | No minimum |
| Rear Yard (Residential Adjacency) | 30 feet |
| Rear Yard (All Other Cases) | No minimum |
Front Yard Regulations
For any structure located within the Dallas LI: Light Industrial District, the minimum front yard setback is 15 feet [Section 51A-4.123(b)(4)(A)]. According to the general provisions of the Dallas Development Code, this area must remain open and unobstructed, though certain minor exceptions apply:
- Fences and light poles 20 feet or less in height are permitted [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
- Ordinary projections such as window sills, belt courses, and cornices may project up to 12 inches into the required front yard [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
- Fireplace chimneys may project up to two feet into the required front yard if the area of projection is 12 square feet or less [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
Side and Rear Yard Regulations
The Dallas LI: Light Industrial District utilizes a conditional approach to side and rear setbacks based on the zoning of neighboring properties.
Residential Adjacency
A 30-foot setback is required for both the side and rear yards if the LI: Light Industrial District property is located adjacent to or directly across an alley from any of the following Dallas residential districts [Section 51A-4.123(b)(4)(B)(i)]:
- R or R(A) (Single Family)
- D or D(A) (Duplex)
- TH or TH(A) (Townhouse)
- CH (Clustered Housing)
- MF or MF(A) (Multifamily)
Non-Residential Adjacency
In all other cases where the LI: Light Industrial District property does not abut the residential districts listed above, there is no minimum requirement for side or rear yard setbacks [Section 51A-4.123(b)(4)(B)(ii)].
Additional Setback Considerations
- Visual Intrusion: In the Dallas LI: Light Industrial District, no portion of a balcony or opening that faces a residential district may penetrate or be located above a residential proximity slope originating in that district [Section 51A-4.123(b)(8)(B)].
- Buffer Strips: If an LI: Light Industrial District building is erected and the side or rear yard abuts a residential district, any portion of the building site directly across from that district must be screened [Section 51A-4.123(b)(5)(E)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.105
- Section 51A-4.123
- Section 51A-4.401