MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 Setback Requirements in Dallas
In the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 of Dallas, the minimum front yard setback is 15 feet, with an additional 20-foot "urban form" setback required for any portion of a building taller than 45 feet. Side and rear yard setbacks are 0 feet by default, but a minimum 20-foot setback is mandatory when the property is adjacent to or across an alley from specific residential or agricultural districts.
Front Yard Setbacks in the MC-2 District
The City of Dallas mandates a base front yard setback of 15 feet for all structures in the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(A)(i)].
However, the Dallas Development Code requires an "Urban Form Setback" to prevent excessive building massing at the street level. Any portion of a building that exceeds 45 feet in height must be set back an additional 20 feet from the front property line [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(A)(ii)].
Side and Rear Yard Setbacks
Setback requirements for side and rear yards in the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 are determined by the proximity to residential zoning [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(B)].
Residential Adjacency
A minimum side and rear yard setback of 20 feet is required if the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2 lot is located adjacent to, or is directly across an alley from, any of the following districts in the City of Dallas:
- Agricultural [A(A)]
- Single Family [R, R(A)]
- Duplex [D, D(A)]
- Townhouse [TH, TH(A)]
- Clustered Housing (CH)
- Multifamily [MF, MF(A)]
Standard Cases
In all other instances where the lot does not abut the residential districts listed above, the City of Dallas does not require a minimum side or rear yard setback (0 feet) [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(B)(i)(bb)].
Tower Spacing Requirements
For taller structures in the MC-2: Multiple Commercial District 2, the Dallas Development Code applies a "Tower Spacing" rule. An additional side and rear yard setback of one foot is required for every two feet of building height above 45 feet, up to a maximum total setback of 30 feet [Section 51A-4.126(e)(4)(B)(ii)].
Technical Standards Summary Table
| Setback Category | Minimum Distance Requirement | Applicable Conditions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet | Base requirement for all buildings. |
| Urban Form Setback | +20 feet | Required for building portions above 45 feet in height. |
| Side Yard (Residential) | 20 feet | When adjacent to or across an alley from R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A) districts. |
| Side Yard (Standard) | 0 feet | All other cases. |
| Rear Yard (Residential) | 20 feet | When adjacent to or across an alley from R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A) districts. |
| Rear Yard (Standard) | 0 feet | All other cases. |
| Tower Spacing | 1:2 ratio | 1 foot of extra setback per 2 feet of height above 45 feet (max 30 feet total). |
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.126. MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.126(e). MC-2 district.
- Section 51A-4.126(e)(4). Yard, lot, and space regulations.
- Section 51A-4.410. SCHEDULE OF YARD, LOT, AND SPACE REGULATIONS.