MC-4: Multiple Commercial District 4 Regulations in Dallas
Jurisdiction: Dallas•Code Version: March 2025
The MC-4 Multiple Commercial District 4 in Dallas is a high-intensity zoning designation permitting a maximum structure height of 135 feet and a floor area ratio up to 2.0 for multiple commercial projects. While it allows for a diverse range of retail, office, and wholesale uses—including trade centers specifically for the MC-4 subdistrict—residential living of any kind is strictly prohibited by the Dallas Development Code.
Development Standards for MC-4 Districts
The Dallas Development Code establishes specific density, height, and setback requirements for the MC-4 designation to ensure consistency with high-intensity commercial character.
| Standard | Requirement in MC-4 District |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 135 feet [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(E)] |
| Maximum Stories | 10 stories [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(H)] |
| Floor Area Ratio (Base) | 1.6 [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(D)] |
| Floor Area Ratio (Maximum) | 2.0 (with 3 or more use categories) [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(D)] |
| Minimum Front Yard | 15 feet [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(A)] |
| Minimum Side/Rear Yard | 20 feet if adjacent to a residential district; 0 feet otherwise [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(B)] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80 percent [Section 51A-4.126(f)(4)(F)] |
Allowed Uses in the Dallas MC-4 District
Uses in the MC-4 district are categorized by their level of impact. Some are permitted by right, while others require specific reviews such as a Specific Use Permit (SUP), Development Impact Review (DIR), or Residential Adjacency Review (RAR).
Agricultural and Commercial Service Uses
- By Right: Crop production; Catering service; Custom business services; Electronics service center; Medical or scientific laboratory; Tool or equipment rental [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)].
- By SUP Only: Labor hall [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(B)].
Institutional and Community Service Uses
- By Right: Child or adult care facility; Church; College, university, or seminary; Convent or monastery; Library, art gallery, or museum [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(D)].
- By RAR: Public school other than open-enrollment charter [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(D)].
- By SUP Only: Community service center; Hospital; Open-enrollment charter school or private school; Cemetery or mausoleum [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(D)].
Lodging and Office Uses
- By Right: Overnight general purpose shelter; Short-term rental lodging; Financial institution without drive-in window; Medical clinic or ambulatory surgical center; Office [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(E)&(G)].
- By RAR/SUP: Hotel or motel (RAR required if no SUP is necessary) [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(E)].
- By DIR: Financial institution with drive-in window [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(G)].
- By SUP Only: Extended stay hotel or motel; Alternative financial establishment [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(E)&(G)].
Retail and Personal Service Uses
- By Right: Business school; Dry cleaning or laundry store; Furniture store; General merchandise or food store (under 100,000 SF); Household equipment repair; Liquor store; Mortuary or commercial wedding chapel; Motor vehicle fueling station; Nursery or plant sales; Personal service use; Taxidermist; Temporary retail use; Theater [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(J)].
- By RAR: Ambulance service; Animal shelter (no outside runs); Auto service center; Car wash; Commercial parking lot or garage; Restaurant without drive-in/through; Vehicle display, sales, and service [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(J)].
- By DIR: Restaurant with drive-in or drive-through service [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(J)].
- By SUP Only: Commercial amusement (inside or outside); Convenience store with drive-through; General merchandise or food store (100,000 SF or more); Swap or buy shop; Truck stop [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(J)].
Wholesale, Storage, and Transportation
- By Right: Trade center (Permitted in MC-4 district only); Transit passenger shelter [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(K)&(M)].
- By SUP Only: Mini-warehouse; Heliport; Helistop; Railroad passenger station; Transit passenger station or transfer center [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(K)&(M)].
Prohibited Uses in the MC-4 District
The Dallas Multiple Commercial District 4 is strictly non-residential. The following are expressly prohibited:
- Residential Uses: All residential uses, including single-family living, multifamily living, and group living, are designated as "None permitted" [Section 51A-4.126(f)(2)(I)].
- Industrial/Heavy Manufacturing: Specifically excluded are metal salvage facilities, mining, and animal production uses which are not listed in the allowed categories for MC-4 [Section 51A-4.201; Section 51A-4.203].
Sections Cited
- SEC. 51A-4.126: Multiple Commercial Districts
- SEC. 51A-4.201: Agricultural Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.203: Industrial Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.205: Lodging Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.210: Retail and Personal Service Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.212: Utility and Public Service Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.213: Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses
- SEC. 51A-4.401: Minimum Front Yard
- SEC. 51A-4.408: Maximum Building Height