MF-2(A) Multifamily District Setback Requirements in Dallas
In the MF-2(A) Multifamily District in the City of Dallas, the minimum front yard setback is 15 feet for all structures. Side and rear setbacks vary by the type of building, ranging from no minimum for single-family homes to 15 feet for multifamily developments. Additionally, structures exceeding 26 feet in height are subject to the residential proximity slope, which may require further building recession when adjacent to low-density residential districts.
Minimum Yard Requirements
Setbacks in the MF-2(A) Multifamily District are categorized by structure type. While the front yard is uniform across the district, side and rear requirements increase as the density of the specific use increases [Section 51A-4.116].
| Setback Type | Single-Family Structures | Duplex Structures | Multifamily & Other Permitted Structures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet |
| Side Yard | No minimum | 5 feet | 10 feet |
| Rear Yard | No minimum | 10 feet | 15 feet* |
*Note: The minimum rear yard for multifamily or other permitted structures may be reduced to 10 feet if the building site backs onto specific nonresidential or high-density districts, including office, retail, commercial, industrial, or other multifamily districts [Section 51A-4.116(b)(4)(B)(v)].
Front Yard Regulations
In the City of Dallas MF-2(A) Multifamily District, the front yard must be at least 15 feet [Section 51A-4.116(b)(4)(A)]. According to general provisions, the following rules apply:
- The front yard must be open and unobstructed, with specific exceptions for items like fences (under 4 feet) and ordinary building projections like window sills or cornices [Section 51A-4.401].
- If a building site in an MF-2(A) district has multiple frontages (such as a corner lot), the continuity of the established setback along the street frontage must be maintained [Section 51A-4.401].
Side and Rear Yard Regulations
For multifamily and non-residential buildings, the side setback is 10 feet and the rear setback is 15 feet. However, the City of Dallas provides a specific list of neighboring zones that allow the rear yard to be reduced to 10 feet. These include building sites that back onto [Section 51A-4.116(b)(4)(B)(v)]:
- Any Multifamily (MF) or MF(A) district.
- Office, Retail, or Neighborhood Service districts.
- Commercial Service (CS), Industrial (I), or Mixed Use districts.
- Central Area (CA) or Multiple Commercial districts.
Residential Proximity Slope and Visual Intrusion
The City of Dallas enforces a "Residential Proximity Slope" to protect lower-density residential areas from the shadow and bulk of larger developments.
Height and Setback Interplay
If any portion of a structure in the MF-2(A) district exceeds 26 feet in height, that portion must not be located above a proximity slope originating from a "site of origination" (typically an R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, or TH(A) district) [Section 51A-4.116(b)(4)(E)(i)].
- Angle of Projection: For the MF-2(A) district, the slope is projected at a 45-degree angle (1 to 1 slope) [Section 51A-4.412(c)].
- Extent: This slope terminates at a horizontal distance of 50 feet from the site of origination [Section 51A-4.412(c)].
Visual Intrusion Restrictions
No portion of a balcony or opening (such as a window or transparent door) that faces a single-family, duplex, or townhouse district may penetrate the residential proximity slope. This ensures visual surveillance is not directed into the private yards of adjacent low-density residential properties [Section 51A-4.116(b)(8)(B)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.116. MULTIFAMILY DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.401. MINIMUM FRONT YARD.
- Section 51A-4.402. MINIMUM SIDE YARD.
- Section 51A-4.403. MINIMUM REAR YARD.
- Section 51A-4.412. RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY SLOPE.