Off-Street Parking Standards for the Dallas CA-1(A): Central Area District 1
In the CA-1(A): Central Area District 1 of the City of Dallas, there are no minimum off-street parking requirements for any residential or commercial use. While no parking is mandated, all new structures or additions within the City of Dallas CA-1(A) district must comply with specific off-street loading standards and, if parking is provided voluntarily, strict design and screening regulations [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)].
General Parking Ratios
The City of Dallas Development Code explicitly removes the burden of providing off-street parking for developments within the CA-1(A): Central Area District 1. This is intended to encourage high-density development and reduce street congestion in areas of historical and cultural significance [Section 51A-4.124(a)(1)].
| Use Category | Required Off-Street Parking (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| All Residential Uses (Multifamily, Duplex, etc.) | None [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)(A)] |
| All Commercial and Office Uses | None [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)(A)] |
| Institutional and Civic Uses | None [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)(A)] |
Off-Street Loading Requirements
While off-street parking is not required, the City of Dallas mandates off-street loading for new structures or changes in use that increase loading demand. In the CA-1(A) district, a portion of these requirements may be satisfied by on-street loading spaces if approved by the traffic engineer [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)(B)].
| Total Required Spaces or Berths | Minimum Off-Street | Maximum Permitted On-Street |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 1 |
| 8 | 6 | 2 |
| 9 | 6 | 3 |
| 10 or more | 60% of total | 40% of total |
Note: On-street loading spaces must be provided at curbside contiguous to the building site. Medium and large loading spaces must always be provided off-street [Section 51A-4.124(a)(5)(B)(iv)].
Regulations for Commercial Parking Projects
If a project in the CA-1(A): Central Area District 1 consists of a commercial parking lot or garage (as a primary use), the City of Dallas imposes specific aesthetic and safety requirements to maintain the quality of the right-of-way [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)].
Lighting and Visibility
Commercial parking facilities must be lighted from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. The intensity must be an average of at least two footcandles at the surface, with a minimum of 0.6 footcandle initially [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)(F)].
Screening and Fencing
- Screening: Surface parking lots must be screened from the street. If the lot abuts or is across an alley from a residential district, the City of Dallas requires a screening wall or fence at least six feet in height [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)(J)].
- Fencing: Surface parking lots in the middle of a blockface with buildings on both adjoining lots must have wrought iron fencing if they have less than 100 feet of frontage [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)(J)(ii)].
Access Openings
Access openings for surface parking lots are restricted based on the type of drive:
- Two-way drive: Maximum 30 feet in width.
- One-way drive: Maximum 20 feet in width.
- Pedestrian access: Maximum 10 feet in width [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)(I)].
Proximity to Residential Districts
In the CA-1(A) district, if a building or parking structure is erected and a portion of the site abuts or is across an adjoining alley from a residential district (including R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, MF(A), or MH districts), that portion of the building site must be screened from the residential area [Section 51A-4.124(a)(9)(E)]. Additionally, no portion of any balcony or opening that faces such a residential district may penetrate or be located above a residential proximity slope [Section 51A-4.124(a)(8)(B)].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 51A-2.102. DEFINITIONS.
- Sec. 51A-4.124. CENTRAL AREA DISTRICTS.
- Sec. 51A-4.301. OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS.
- Sec. 51A-4.303. OFF-STREET LOADING REGULATIONS.
- Sec. 51A-4.306. OFF-STREET PARKING IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.