P(A) Parking District Regulations in Dallas
The P(A) Parking District in Dallas is a specialized nonresidential designation primarily restricted to surface parking and limited accessory structures. By-right use is limited to surface parking, which must be situated contiguous to or across an alley from the main use it serves, while most institutional, office, and recreational uses are strictly prohibited within the district.
Allowed Primary Uses in the P(A) District
In the City of Dallas, the P(A) Parking District is uniquely defined to support adjacent properties. The primary use permitted by-right in the P(A) Parking District is surface parking [Section 51A-4.210].
Under the specific definition of surface parking in the Dallas Development Code, the following conditions apply:
- The facility must provide parking for passenger vehicles [Section 51A-4.210].
- No structures are permitted on the lot except for required signage and screening [Section 51A-4.210].
- A "Commercial parking lot or garage" (which implies a managed or multi-story facility) is explicitly not permitted under the surface parking use classification for the P(A) Parking District [Section 51A-4.210].
| Use Category | Specific Use | Status | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking | Surface Parking | Permitted by Right | Section 51A-4.210 |
| Parking | Commercial Parking Lot or Garage | Prohibited | Section 51A-4.210 |
Prohibited Main Uses
The Dallas Development Code explicitly excludes the P(A) Parking District from permissions granted to other nonresidential and residential districts. Even if a use is allowed in all other nonresidential zones, it is typically barred from the P(A) designation.
Prohibited Institutional and Community Services
The following uses are not permitted in the P(A) Parking District in Dallas:
- Cemeteries or mausoleums [Section 51A-4.204].
- Churches and places of worship [Section 51A-4.204].
- College, university, or seminary [Section 51A-4.204].
- Temporary construction or sales offices [Section 51A-4.206].
Prohibited Office and Commercial Uses
The City of Dallas prohibits standard commercial activity in this district to preserve its function as a parking utility:
- General offices [Section 51A-4.207].
- Medical clinics or ambulatory surgical centers [Section 51A-4.207].
- Financial institutions (with or without drive-in windows) [Section 51A-4.207].
- Alternative financial establishments [Section 51A-4.207].
Prohibited Recreation and Residential Uses
- Public parks, playgrounds, or golf courses [Section 51A-4.208].
- Country clubs with private membership [Section 51A-4.208].
- All forms of residential living (Single-family, Duplex, Multifamily) [Section 51A-4.110].
Accessory Use Permissions and Restrictions
Accessory uses in the P(A) Parking District are highly restricted compared to other Dallas zoning designations.
Allowed Accessory Uses
- Accessory electric vehicle charging station: Permitted by right in the P(A) Parking District as a nonresidential accessory use [Section 51A-4.217].
- Accessory community center (private): Permitted only via a Specific Use Permit (SUP) [Section 51A-4.217].
Prohibited Accessory Uses
The following common accessory uses are expressly forbidden in the P(A) Parking District [Section 51A-4.217]:
- Accessory game courts (private).
- Accessory helistops.
- Accessory medical/infectious waste incinerators.
- Accessory outside display of merchandise.
- Accessory outside sales.
- Accessory outside storage.
- Home occupations.
- Occasional sales (garage sales).
- Private stables.
- Swimming pools (private).
- Temporary inclement weather shelters.
Yard and Development Standards
The City of Dallas mandates specific setbacks when the P(A) Parking District borders sensitive areas.
| Requirement | Standard | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Front Yard | 10 feet | Required when the P(A) lot is contiguous to Agricultural, Residential, or Manufactured Home districts [Section 51A-4.302]. |
| Minimum Side Yard | 0 feet | Standard requirement unless otherwise specified on a plat [Section 51A-4.410]. |
| Minimum Rear Yard | 0 feet | Standard requirement unless otherwise specified on a plat [Section 51A-4.410]. |
| Surface Level | At-grade | All parking must be provided at grade level [Section 51A-4.210]. |
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.110. Residential District Regulations
- Section 51A-4.204. Institutional and community service uses
- Section 51A-4.206. Miscellaneous uses
- Section 51A-4.207. Office uses
- Section 51A-4.208. Recreation uses
- Section 51A-4.210. Retail and personal service uses
- Section 51A-4.217. Accessory uses
- Section 51A-4.302. Parking [P(A)] district regulations
- Section 51A-4.410. Schedule of yard, lot, and space regulations