Off-Street Parking Standards for the IM Industrial/Manufacturing District
In the IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District of the Dallas Development Code, primary residential developments such as single-family or multifamily houses are strictly prohibited, as the district is not intended for residential proximity. For industrial and commercial projects, the Dallas Development Code requires specific parking ratios that range from one space per 200 square feet for high-traffic uses like restaurants to one space per 1,000 square feet for large-scale storage and machinery sales.
Industrial and Manufacturing Parking Requirements
The IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District is designed to accommodate heavy industrial processes and large-scale manufacturing operations. Under the Dallas Development Code, most "inside" industrial activities require a base ratio of one space for every 600 square feet of floor area. If the industrial activity occurs outdoors, additional parking must be provided for the exterior manufacturing space at the same ratio.
| Use Type | Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Industrial (Inside) | 1 space per 600 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
| Industrial (Outside) | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of floor area PLUS 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of outside manufacturing area [Section 51A-4.203(2)(C)] |
| Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area used for retail sales and seating [Section 51A-4.203(b)(0)(C)] |
| Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerator | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
| Metal Salvage Facility | Minimum of 5 spaces [Section 51A-4.203(3)(C)(ii)] |
Commercial and Office Parking Requirements
While the IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District focuses on production, it allows for integrated office and limited retail uses. Retail and personal service uses in the IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District must generally be contained entirely within a building and cannot exceed 10 percent of the total floor area of the building [Section 51A-4.123(d)(2)(J)].
| Commercial Use Category | Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Office | 1 space per 333 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
| Restaurant (with or without drive-in) | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.210(24)(C)] |
| General Merchandise or Food Store | 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.210(13)(C)] |
| Building Repair and Maintenance Shop | 1 space per 500 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
| Machinery, Heavy Equipment, or Truck Sales | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of sales area (inside or outside) [Section 51A-4.202(10)(C)] |
Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Requirements
Logistics and storage projects within the IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District follow the ratios established for wholesale and distribution uses in the Dallas Development Code.
| Use Type | Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Warehouse | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
| Mini-Warehouse | None required for units; see Caretaker's Quarters [Section 51A-4.213(7)(C)] |
| Freight Terminal | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of floor area [Section 51A-4.301(a)(2)(B)] |
Residential Prohibitions and Exceptions
Primary residential uses are not permitted in the IM: Industrial/Manufacturing District [Section 51A-4.123(d)(2)(I)]. However, the Dallas Development Code allows for limited "Caretaker's Quarters" as an accessory use to a mini-warehouse facility. These quarters must provide one parking space per 500 square feet of floor area, with a maximum requirement of two spaces for the unit [Section 51A-4.213(7)(E)(i)].
Sections Cited
- SEC. 51A-4.123. Commercial Service and Industrial Districts.
- SEC. 51A-4.202. Commercial and Business Service Uses.
- SEC. 51A-4.203. Industrial Uses.
- SEC. 51A-4.210. Retail and Personal Service Uses.
- SEC. 51A-4.213. Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage Uses.
- SEC. 51A-4.301. Off-Street Parking Regulations.