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Off-Street Parking Standards for MU-2(SAH) Mixed Use Districts

Jurisdiction: DallasCode Version: March 2025

Qualifying residential projects within the City of Dallas MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district require no off-street parking for multifamily units. Nonresidential uses in the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district are eligible for significant parking reductions, often up to 100%, based on the property's Market Value Analysis (MVA) category and the percentage of affordable units provided. For non-qualifying projects, standard City of Dallas parking ratios apply, such as one space per 333 square feet for office uses and one space per 200 square feet for general retail.

General Off-Street Parking Requirements

In the City of Dallas, the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district generally follows the use-based parking standards established in the Dallas Development Code. However, the "(SAH)" suffix indicates specific provisions for affordable housing that frequently supersede standard requirements.

For projects that do not meet the "Mixed-Income Housing" development bonus criteria, the following baseline ratios apply:

Use Category Standard Parking Requirement
Office 1 space per 333 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.207]
General Retail 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.210]
Medical Clinic 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.207]
Restaurant (No Drive-In) 0 spaces for the first 2,500 sq. ft.; 1 space per 100 sq. ft. thereafter [Section 51A-4.210]
Furniture Store 1 space per 500 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.210]
Hotel or Motel 1 space per unit for the first 250 units; 0.75 per unit thereafter [Section 51A-4.205]

Mixed-Income Housing Development Bonuses

The MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district is classified as a "Type One" development area under the City of Dallas Mixed-Income Housing regulations [Section 51A-4.1102]. When a development project provides the required percentage of reserved affordable units, it becomes eligible for specific parking exemptions.

Multifamily Residential Exemptions

For any qualifying multifamily development within the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district, the City of Dallas mandates that no off-street parking is required [Section 51A-4.1107(c)(2)]. This represents a total exemption from the standard tiered parking requirements usually applied to multifamily housing (which typically range from 0.5 to 1 space per unit).

Nonresidential Parking Reductions

Nonresidential uses (such as retail or office) located within a qualifying mixed-income project in the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district receive a reduction in their total required parking. This reduction is calculated based on the site's Market Value Analysis (MVA) category and the "Tier" of affordability provided by the developer [Section 51A-4.1106(6)].

MVA Category Tier 1 (<= 50% AMFI) Tier 2 (51-80% AMFI) Tier 3 (81-100% AMFI)
Categories A-F 100% Reduction 50% Reduction 20% Reduction
Categories G-I 100% Reduction 70% Reduction 40% Reduction

Design and Administrative Standards

Off-street parking in the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district must adhere to City of Dallas design standards to ensure safety and accessibility.

  • Handicapped Parking: All developments must provide handicapped-accessible parking in compliance with federal and state laws and the Dallas Off-Street Parking and Driveways Handbook [Section 51A-13.401].
  • Bicycle Parking Reductions: The City of Dallas allows for a reduction in required automobile parking if a developer provides high-quality bicycle parking. For every six short-term or four long-term bicycle spaces provided, the required automobile parking may be reduced by one space, up to a maximum reduction of 5% [Section 51A-4.314].
  • Tree Preservation: If a project in the MU-2(SAH): Mixed use district 2 affordable district preserves an existing "protected tree," the board of adjustment may grant a special exception to reduce the required parking by up to 10% [Section 51A-4.311].

Sections Cited

  • SEC. 51A-4.101. NEW ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED.
  • SEC. 51A-4.1102. APPLICABILITY.
  • SEC. 51A-4.1106. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
  • SEC. 51A-4.1107. DESIGN STANDARDS.
  • SEC. 51A-4.205. LODGING USES.
  • SEC. 51A-4.207. OFFICE USES.
  • SEC. 51A-4.210. RETAIL AND PERSONAL SERVICE USES.
  • SEC. 51A-4.301. OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS.
  • SEC. 51A-4.311. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS.
  • SEC. 51A-4.314. REDUCTIONS FOR PROVIDING BICYCLE PARKING.
  • SEC. 51A-13.401. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

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