MC-3 Multiple Commercial District 3 Zoning Guide for Dallas
The MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 in Dallas is a nonresidential zoning designation tailored for medium-density lodging, office, and retail uses while expressly prohibiting all standard residential housing types. Developments in the Dallas MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 are limited to a maximum height of 115 feet and nine stories, with floor area ratios ranging from a base of 1.2 up to 1.5 for qualifying multiple commercial projects [Section 51A-4.126].
Permitted Uses in the Dallas MC-3 District
The Dallas Development Code categorizes uses in the MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 as being permitted by right, subject to Residential Adjacency Review (RAR), subject to Development Impact Review (DIR), or requiring a Specific Use Permit (SUP).
Agricultural and Industrial Uses
- Agricultural Uses: Crop production is permitted by right [Section 51A-4.126].
- Industrial Uses (SUP Required): Gas drilling and production; Temporary concrete or asphalt batching plant [Section 51A-4.126].
Institutional and Community Service Uses
The following uses are permitted in the MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 of Dallas:
- Permitted by Right: Child or adult care facility; Church; College, university, or seminary; Convent or monastery; Library, art gallery, or museum.
- RAR Required: Public school other than an open-enrollment charter school.
- SUP Required: Cemetery or mausoleum; Community service center; Hospital; Open-enrollment charter school or private school [Section 51A-4.126].
Lodging and Office Uses
- Lodging Uses: Short-term rental lodging and overnight general purpose shelters are permitted by right. Hotels or motels are permitted subject to RAR (or SUP if the facility has 60 or fewer guest rooms). Extended stay hotels or motels require an SUP [Section 51A-4.126].
- Office Uses: Alternative financial establishments require an SUP in the Dallas MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 [Section 51A-4.126].
Retail and Personal Service Uses
- Permitted by Right: Business school; Dry cleaning or laundry store; Furniture store; General merchandise or food stores (various sizes); Household equipment and appliance repair; Liquor store; Mortuary or funeral home; Motor vehicle fueling station; Nursery or garden shop; Personal service use; Taxidermist; Temporary retail use; Theater.
- RAR Required: Ambulance service; Animal shelter or clinic (without outside runs); Auto service center; Car wash; Commercial parking lot or garage; Restaurant without drive-in or drive-through service; Vehicle display, sales, and service.
- DIR Required: Restaurant with drive-in or drive-through service.
- SUP Required: Commercial amusement (outside); Convenience store with drive-through; Swap or buy shop; Truck stop. Note that commercial amusement (inside) may be permitted by right or require an SUP depending on its proximity to residential districts [Section 51A-4.126].
Prohibited Uses in the Dallas MC-3 District
The City of Dallas strictly prohibits certain uses in the MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 to maintain its commercial character.
- Residential Uses: All residential uses are prohibited, including single-family, multifamily, and duplex living [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(I)].
- Accessory Uses: The following accessory uses are explicitly not permitted in the Dallas MC-3 district:
- Accessory community center (private)
- Home occupation
- Private stable [Section 51A-4.126(f)(3)(A)]
Development Standards for the MC-3 District
Technical standards for the Dallas MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 govern the density and placement of structures.
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard | 20 feet (if adjacent to R, D, TH, CH, or MF districts); otherwise 0 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 115 feet |
| Maximum Stories | 9 stories |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (Base) | 1.2 |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (MUP/3) | 1.5 (with a mix of 3 or more categories) |
| Urban Form Setback | 20 feet additional setback for portions of a building over 45 feet in height |
[Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)]
Multiple Commercial Project (MCP) Incentives
In Dallas, the MC-3: Multiple Commercial District 3 allows for increased density through the MCP program. To qualify, a project must contain a mix of uses (Lodging, Office, and Retail/Personal Service). If a project includes at least three categories meeting floor area percentages, the maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) increases to 1.5 [Section 51A-4.126].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.126: Multiple Commercial Districts
- Section 51A-4.126(f): MC-3 and MC-4 Districts
- Section 51A-4.205: Lodging Uses
- Section 51A-4.210: Retail and Personal Service Uses
- Section 51A-4.213: Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses