Off-Street Parking Standards for the TH-3(A) Townhouse District in Dallas
Residential projects within the City of Dallas TH-3(A): Townhouse district 3 require one off-street parking space per dwelling unit for both single-family and duplex developments. Commercial, retail, and office uses are generally prohibited in the TH-3(A) district, and most permitted institutional or civic uses require no off-street parking. Furthermore, the City of Dallas mandates that all required off-street parking in this district must be provided at or below ground level [Section 51A-4.114].
Residential Parking Requirements
The City of Dallas classifies the TH-3(A) district primarily for single-family and duplex residential uses. The parking ratios are standardized across the townhouse categories to ensure adequate space while maintaining the residential character of the neighborhood.
| Residential Use Category | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Living | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Duplex | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Handicapped Group Dwelling Unit | None |
Note: Parking requirements for single-family and duplex uses in the TH-3(A) district are defined in the general parking requirements table [Section 51A-4.301, Table 1.0.1].
Commercial and Business Service Restrictions
The TH-3(A) district in the City of Dallas is highly restrictive regarding non-residential activity. According to the "Main uses permitted" section of the Dallas Development Code, the following use categories are entirely prohibited in the TH-3(A) district:
- Commercial and business service uses [Section 51A-4.114(2)(B)]
- Office uses [Section 51A-4.114(2)(G)]
- Retail and personal service uses [Section 51A-4.114(2)(J)]
Because these commercial projects are not permitted to operate within the TH-3(A) district, no specific commercial parking ratios are assigned to this zone.
Institutional and Civic Parking Requirements
While commercial projects are prohibited, the City of Dallas does allow certain institutional and community service uses within the TH-3(A) district, often by right or through a Specific Use Permit (SUP). Most of these uses have a zero-requirement for off-street parking, with the notable exception of religious institutions.
| Institutional/Civic Use Category | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Church / Religious Institution | None if ≤ 20,000 sq. ft.; if > 20,000 sq. ft., 1 space per 4 fixed seats or 1 space per 28 sq. ft. of seating area |
| Child or Adult Care Facility | None |
| Community Service Center | None |
| College, University, or Seminary | None |
| Library, Art Gallery, or Museum | None |
Note: Specific institutional parking requirements are found under the individual use regulations in Division 51A-4.200 and the general parking tables [Section 51A-4.301].
Design and Location Standards
The City of Dallas applies specific design constraints to parking within the TH-3(A) district to preserve the visual environment and pedestrian safety.
Vertical Placement
A unique requirement for the TH-3(A) district is that all off-street parking must be provided at or below ground level [Section 51A-4.114(5)]. This prevents the construction of above-ground multi-level parking structures that would be inconsistent with the townhouse scale.
Setbacks and Placement
In the City of Dallas, required off-street parking for residential uses in the TH-3(A) district must generally be located behind the required front building line [Section 51A-4.301(a)(4)(F)]. Additionally, if a parking space is located within an enclosed structure (such as a garage) and faces the street, it must be set back at least 20 feet from the right-of-way line [Section 51A-4.301(a)(4)(B)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.114. TOWNHOUSE [TH-1(A), TH-2(A), and TH-3(A)] DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.204. INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE USES.
- Section 51A-4.209. RESIDENTIAL USES.
- Section 51A-4.301. OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS.