Off-Street Parking Requirements in the CA-2(A) Central Area District 2
In the City of Dallas, the CA-2(A) Central Area District 2 does not require a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for any permitted residential or commercial use. While off-street parking is not mandatory for projects within this district, any parking that is voluntarily provided must comply with specific municipal design, lighting, and safety standards.
General Parking Requirements
For all development projects located within the CA-2(A) Central Area District 2, the City of Dallas established a baseline requirement of zero mandated off-street parking spaces. This exemption applies to both main uses and accessory uses within the district [Section 51A-4.124(b)(5)].
The following table summarizes the standard parking ratios for the CA-2(A) district:
| Project Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| All Commercial projects | 0 spaces [Section 51A-4.124(b)(5)] |
| All Residential projects | 0 spaces [Section 51A-4.124(b)(5)] |
| All Institutional/Civic projects | 0 spaces [Section 51A-4.124(b)(5)] |
This district-specific regulation takes precedence over the general parking tables found in other sections of the Dallas Development Code because the code expressly excludes central area districts from the standard "by-use" calculation requirements [Section 51A-4.301(b)(3)].
Conditional Requirements for Contiguous Lots
A specific exception exists for properties in the CA-2(A) district that are directly adjacent to residential areas. If a nonresidential use is contiguous to a single-family district containing a single-family or handicapped group dwelling unit use, the following minimum off-street parking requirements may be triggered [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)]:
Commercial and Business Service Use Exceptions (Table 1.1)
| Use Category | Parking Requirement if Contiguous to R District |
|---|---|
| Building repair and maintenance shop | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Catering service | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Commercial cleaning or laundry plant | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Custom business service | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Electronics service center | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Job or lithographic printing | 1 space per 600 square feet |
| Labor hall | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Machine or welding shop | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Machinery or heavy equipment sales | 1 space per 1,000 square feet |
Standards for Voluntarily Provided Parking
If an owner elects to provide off-street parking in the CA-2(A) district despite the zero-minimum requirement, the parking area must adhere to the following City of Dallas standards:
Stall and Surface Requirements
- Stall Width: There is no minimum stall width requirement for non-required off-street parking spaces in the Central Business District [Section 51A-4.306(c)].
- Surface Composition: Parking surfaces for any use other than a single-family or duplex use must be clearly identified by stripes, buttons, tiles, or other methods approved by the building official [Section 51A-4.301(d)(2)].
Lighting Standards
If a parking lot in the CA-2(A) district collects revenue for after-dark use, it must be illuminated from one-half hour after sunset until midnight, or until the last vehicle leaves the lot, whichever is earlier [Section 51A-4.306(b)(2)].
- Intensity: Lighting must maintain an average of at least two footcandles (initial measurement) and a minimum of 0.6 footcandles at any point [Section 51A-4.306(b)(6)].
- Glare and Shielding: Light sources must be indirect, diffused, or covered by shielded-type fixtures to prevent glare on boundary streets [Section 51A-4.306(b)(7)].
- Height: Fixtures on surface parking lots must be at least 20 feet above the lot surface [Section 51A-4.306(b)(9)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-2.102: Definitions
- Section 51A-4.101: New Zoning Districts Established
- Section 51A-4.124: Central Area Districts
- Section 51A-4.301: Off-Street Parking Regulations
- Section 51A-4.305: Handicapped Parking Regulations
- Section 51A-4.306: Off-Street Parking in the Central Business District