Off-Street Parking Requirements for MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 in the City of Dallas
In the City of Dallas MU-2: Mixed Use District 2, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific use category of the project, with multifamily residential requirements ranging from zero to 1.0 space per unit based on the total number of dwellings. Commercial projects in the MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 typically require one space per 333 square feet for office uses and one space per 200 square feet for retail uses, though certain exemptions exist for the first 2,500 square feet of restaurant space.
Residential Parking Requirements in MU-2
Residential projects within the City of Dallas MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 must provide off-street parking based on the type of residential use and the total scale of the development. For multifamily developments, the City of Dallas utilizes a sliding scale where smaller projects have lower requirements to encourage development density [Sec. 51A-4.301].
| Use Category | Development Size | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family | Any size | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Duplex | Any size | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily | 20 units or fewer | None required |
| Multifamily | 21 to 199 units | 0.5 space per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily | 200 units or more | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily (Guest) | 20 to 99 units | 10% of total required spaces |
| Multifamily (Guest) | 100 units or more | 15% of total required spaces |
All guest parking in the City of Dallas MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 must be clearly marked and available for use by visitors at the driveway entrance or walking gate [Sec. 51A-4.301].
Commercial Parking Requirements in MU-2
Commercial projects in the MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 are governed by the specific use type as defined in the City of Dallas Use Regulations. The following table outlines the standard ratios for common commercial uses in this district [Sec. 51A-4.301].
| Use Category | Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Office | 1 space per 333 square feet of floor area |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area |
| Medical Clinic | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area |
| Personal Service Use | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area |
| Restaurant (no drive-in) | No parking for first 2,500 SF; 1 per 200 SF for area > 2,500 SF |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 space per unit for first 250 units; 0.75 for next 250; 0.5 for units > 500 |
Note that if a commercial project in the City of Dallas MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 includes a mix of uses, the total requirement is the sum of the requirements for each individual use, unless a shared parking agreement is approved [Sec. 51A-4.301(a)(3)].
Parking Reductions and Special Provisions
The City of Dallas provides several avenues for developers to reduce the required off-street parking for projects in the MU-2: Mixed Use District 2.
Mixed Use Project (MUP) Bonuses
Developments that qualify as a "Mixed Use Project" (MUP) in the City of Dallas MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 may be eligible for higher dwelling unit densities and floor area ratios, which indirectly impacts the efficiency of parking placement. To qualify, a project must contain uses in at least two categories (e.g., Office and Residential) that meet minimum floor area percentages [Sec. 51A-4.125(b)].
Administrative Parking Reductions
The director may grant an administrative reduction of up to 50% of the required off-street parking for a use in the MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 if it is determined that the parking demand does not warrant the full requirement. The director considers factors such as the availability of alternative transportation, the impact on adjacent residential uses, and the nature of the occupancy [Sec. 51A-4.313].
Tree Preservation Credits
The City of Dallas encourages the retention of large trees. The number of required off-street parking spaces in the MU-2: Mixed Use District 2 may be reduced by one space for each protected tree retained on-site, up to a maximum reduction of 10% of the total requirement [Sec. 51A-4.312].
Bicycle Parking Reductions
For every six short-term or four long-term bicycle parking spaces provided, the required motor vehicle parking may be reduced by one space, up to a maximum reduction of five percent of the total required parking [Sec. 51A-4.314].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 51A-4.101. NEW ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED.
- Sec. 51A-4.125. MIXED USE DISTRICTS.
- Sec. 51A-4.207. OFFICE USES.
- Sec. 51A-4.209. RESIDENTIAL USES.
- Sec. 51A-4.210. RETAIL AND PERSONAL SERVICE USES.
- Sec. 51A-4.301. OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS.
- Sec. 51A-4.312. TREE PRESERVATION PARKING REDUCTION.
- Sec. 51A-4.313. ADMINISTRATIVE PARKING REDUCTION.
- Sec. 51A-4.314. REDUCTIONS FOR PROVIDING BICYCLE PARKING.