Off-Street Parking Standards for the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 in Dallas
In the City of Dallas UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2, specific off-street parking requirements are determined by the project's use category, with residential multifamily projects requiring between 1.15 and 2.0 spaces per unit and general office developments requiring one space per 333 square feet. These baseline requirements are subject to substantial administrative reductions of up to 25% for projects located within 600 feet of a rail transit station. Additionally, the City of Dallas prohibits compact parking on surface lots within the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2, though structured parking may utilize compact spaces for up to 20% of the total requirement.
Baseline Parking Ratios for the UC-2 District
The City of Dallas mandates specific parking ratios for development types within form districts, including the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2. If a specific use is not listed in the specialized form district tables, the general requirements found in the Dallas Use Regulations (Division 51A-4.200) apply [Section 51A-13.402].
Residential Parking Requirements
| Residential Use Category | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Single-family living | 1.50 per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily: Efficiency or 1-bedroom | 1.15 per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily: 2-bedroom | 1.65 per dwelling unit |
| Multifamily: 3+ bedrooms | 2.00 per dwelling unit |
| Retirement housing | 0.70 per dwelling unit |
| Group living | 0.25 per bed plus 1 per 200 SF of office |
Commercial and Retail Parking Requirements
| Commercial Use Category | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| General Office | 1 per 333 square feet |
| Medical Office | 1 per 222 square feet |
| Retail Sales | 1 per 250 square feet |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 per 100 square feet |
| Personal Service | 1 per 250 square feet |
| Hotel or Motel | 1.25 per room plus 1 per 200 SF of meeting room |
| Vehicle Sales | 1 per 200 SF of sales area |
Parking Reductions and Incentives
The City of Dallas provides several avenues for reducing the total number of required spaces in the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 to encourage transit-oriented development and alternative transportation.
Transit Proximity Reductions
Developments in the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 are eligible for a tiered reduction based on the walking distance to a light rail or streetcar station [Section 51A-13.403].
| Walking Distance to Rail Station | Parking Reduction Percentage |
|---|---|
| 600 feet or less | 25% Reduction |
| 601 feet to 1,320 feet | 15% Reduction |
| 1,321 feet to 2,640 feet | 2% Reduction |
Additionally, the building official for the City of Dallas may approve a 5% reduction if the project's main entrance is within 600 feet of an improved bus or trolley transit stop that provides both shade and seating, provided a rail station is not already available [Section 51A-13.403].
Bicycle Parking Credit
Required automobile parking may be reduced by one space for every six short-term bicycle parking spaces provided on the building site. For every four long-term bicycle parking spaces provided, the requirement is reduced by another space. This total reduction for bicycle amenities cannot exceed five percent of the total required off-street parking [Section 51A-4.314].
Design and Placement Regulations
The City of Dallas imposes strict design standards for parking facilities within the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2 to ensure a pedestrian-friendly environment.
- Setbacks: Surface parking is generally prohibited between the building and the street. On-site surface parking must be located behind the parking setback line, which is established at 30 feet from the primary street [Section 51A-13.304].
- Visibility at Grade: The length of any portion of a parking lot or structure that is visible at grade-level from an Urban Corridor street may not exceed 24 feet [Section 51A-13.304].
- Structured Parking: In the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2, structured parking must contain active uses on the ground story for the first 30 feet of the building depth when measured inward from the street-facing facade along any primary street or Shopfront (-SH) overlay [Section 51A-13.304].
- Screening: Surface parking must be screened by a six-foot-high brick, stone, or concrete masonry wall, or a evergreen hedge at least 30 inches in height. Additionally, one large canopy tree is required for every 50 linear feet of the screening wall [Section 51A-13.408].
Development Bonuses for Structured Parking
In the UC-2: Urban Corridor District 2, the City of Dallas allows for increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height when structured parking is provided [Section 51A-13.304]:
- Base Standards: 0.85 FAR and 40 feet (3 stories) maximum height.
- Above-Grade Parking Bonus: 3.0 FAR and 80 feet (6 stories) maximum height.
- Below-Grade Parking Bonus: 3.6 FAR and 100 feet (8 stories) maximum height.
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.200
- Section 51A-4.301
- Section 51A-4.314
- Section 51A-13.304
- Section 51A-13.401
- Section 51A-13.402
- Section 51A-13.403
- Section 51A-13.408