Off-Street Parking Requirements for the Walkable Urban Mixed Use (WMU) District in Dallas
In the City of Dallas Walkable Urban Mixed Use (WMU) District, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific use of the property, with multifamily residential ratios ranging from 1.15 to 2.00 spaces per dwelling unit based on bedroom count. Commercial projects in the WMU District must generally provide 1 space per 333 square feet for office uses and 1 space per 250 square feet for retail uses, though cumulative reductions of up to 50 percent are available for developments located near transit stations or those providing enhanced bicycle facilities. Surface parking in the WMU District is strictly regulated and cannot exceed 125 percent of the minimum required number of spaces [Section 51A-13.401].
General Parking Standards for the WMU District
The Dallas Development Code requires that all off-street parking for a primary use in the WMU District be provided on the same building site as the main use [Section 51A-13.401]. For projects with a mix of different uses, the total requirement is the sum of the requirements for each individual use, and no parking space can be counted toward the requirements of more than one use simultaneously [Section 51A-13.401].
The City of Dallas also imposes a surface parking cap in the WMU District, stipulating that surface parking lots may not exceed 125 percent of the required parking specified for that use [Section 51A-13.401].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential projects within the Walkable Urban Mixed Use District must adhere to the following ratios:
| Residential Use Category | Number of Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| Single-family living unit | 1.50 per unit |
| One-bedroom or smaller multifamily unit | 1.15 per unit |
| Two-bedroom multifamily unit | 1.65 per unit |
| Three-bedroom or larger multifamily unit | 2.00 per unit |
| Retirement housing living unit | 0.70 per unit |
| Group living | 0.25 per bed PLUS 1 per 200 SF of office (min. 4) |
For multifamily uses in the WMU District, all guest parking must be clearly marked and must be provided at a rate of 10 percent of the required spaces for developments with 20 to 99 units, and 15 percent for those with 100 or more units [Section 51A-13.402].
Commercial and Civic Parking Requirements
Commercial and nonresidential developments in the Walkable Urban Mixed Use District are subject to requirements based on the square footage (SF) of the structure:
| Commercial/Civic Use Category | Number of Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| Office | 1 per 333 SF |
| Medical Clinic | 1 per 222 SF |
| Retail Sales | 1 per 250 SF |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 per 100 SF |
| Personal Service | 1 per 250 SF |
| Commercial Amusement (inside) | 1 per 200 SF |
| Vehicle Sales | 1 per 200 SF of sales area |
| Light Manufacturing | 1 per 600 SF |
| Research & Development | 1 per 300 SF |
| Community Service | 1 per 200 SF |
| Day Care | 1 per 500 SF |
Maximum Reserved Parking Limits
In the City of Dallas WMU District, surface parking spaces may be reserved for specific tenants or dwelling units, provided they do not exceed these maximums:
- Residential: 1.5 per single-family unit; 1.0 per one- or two-bedroom multifamily unit; 2.0 per three-bedroom or larger multifamily unit [Section 51A-13.401].
- Nonresidential: 1.2 spaces per 1,000 square feet [Section 51A-13.401].
Parking Reductions and Credits
The City of Dallas encourages the use of alternative transportation in the Walkable Urban Mixed Use District by allowing several parking reductions. The total maximum cumulative reduction from all sources is capped at 50 percent of the standard requirement [Section 51A-13.403].
Transit Proximity Reductions
Reductions are granted based on the walking distance from the primary entrance of the use to a rail transit station platform [Section 51A-13.403]:
- 0 – 600 feet: 25 percent reduction.
- 601 – 1,320 feet: 15 percent reduction.
- 1,321 – 2,640 feet: 2 percent reduction.
Additionally, a 5 percent reduction is available for uses with a main entrance within 600 feet of an improved bus or trolley stop providing both shade and seating, provided a rail station is not already available [Section 51A-13.403].
Bicycle and Amenity Credits
The Dallas Development Code allows for further reductions when specific amenities are provided on the building site:
- Bicycle Parking: Minimum required parking may be reduced by one space for every six short-term bicycle spaces or every four long-term bicycle spaces provided, up to a maximum of 5 percent of the total requirement [Section 51A-4.314].
- Showers and Lockers: An additional 5 percent reduction is available for nonresidential and non-retail uses that provide showers, lockers, and changing facilities for bicycle riders [Section 51A-4.314].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-13.401. General Provisions.
- Section 51A-13.402. Required Parking.
- Section 51A-13.403. Parking Reductions.
- Section 51A-4.314. Reductions for Providing Bicycle Parking.