Permitted and Prohibited Uses in Dallas WMU: Walkable Urban Mixed Use Districts

WMU: Walkable urban mixed use districts in Dallas are designed to foster high-density, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that integrate residential, commercial, and office functions. While the Dallas Development Code permits most retail and multifamily uses by right within these zones, specific activities such as industrial fabrication and drive-through facilities typically require a Specific Use Permit or are restricted to certain development types.

Overview of WMU: Walkable Urban Mixed Use Districts

The City of Dallas establishes WMU: Walkable urban mixed use districts to implement the "forwardDallas!" plan, aiming to create environments that reduce automobile dependence through the judicious mapping of permitted districts [Section 51A-13.101]. These districts are divided into six levels of intensity: Low (WMU-3, -5), Medium (WMU-8, -12), and High (WMU-20, -40) [Section 51A-13.301].

The specific uses allowed depend on the "Development Type" assigned to the building on the lot. Common development types in the Dallas WMU: Walkable urban mixed use district include Mixed Use Shopfront (Mu), General Commercial (Gc), and Apartment (Apt) [Section 51A-13.304].

Permitted Uses by Category

The following uses are generally permitted in Dallas WMU: Walkable urban mixed use districts, subject to the building's development type. A "." indicates the use is permitted by right, while "[]" indicates a Specific Use Permit (SUP) is required [Section 51A-13.306].

Residential Uses

Single-family living: Permitted by right in the Manor House development type (restricted to WMU-3 and WMU-5) [Section 51A-13.306].
Multifamily living: Permitted by right in Mixed Use Shopfront, General Commercial, Apartment, Townhouse Stacked, and Manor House types [Section 51A-13.306].
Group living: Permitted by right in General Commercial, Apartment, Townhouse, and Manor House types [Section 51A-13.306].

Office and Retail Uses

Office and Medical Clinic: Permitted by right in most WMU development types [Section 51A-13.306].
Retail Sales and Restaurants/Bars: Permitted by right in Mixed Use Shopfront, Single-Story Shopfront, and General Commercial types [Section 51A-13.306].
Drive-thru facility: Requires a Specific Use Permit ([]) and must be contained within the ground story of a parking structure [Section 51A-13.306(c)(9)].

Civic and Service Uses

Place of Worship: Permitted by right in most development types [Section 51A-13.306].
Transit Station: Permitted by right [Section 51A-13.306].
Personal Service and Indoor Recreation: Permitted by right in commercial and apartment development types [Section 51A-13.306].
Animal Care: Permitted by right, provided there are no outdoor runs [Section 51A-13.306(c)(6)].

Prohibited and Restricted Uses

In the City of Dallas, if a use is not listed in the Use Chart or is represented by a blank cell, it is generally prohibited in that specific development type [Section 51A-13.306].

Specifically Prohibited Uses

Bail Bonds: Prohibited as an office use in WMU districts [Section 51A-13.306(d)(4)(B)].
Check Cashing and Pawnshops: Specifically prohibited as retail uses in the Dallas WMU: Walkable urban mixed use designation [Section 51A-13.306(d)(5)(C)].
Industrial and Heavy Fabrication: Most heavy industrial uses, such as those found in the "Fabrication" category (except light manufacturing in Gc types), are prohibited [Section 51A-13.306].
Agricultural Uses: Traditional agricultural uses like animal raising or crop production are generally prohibited in WMU zones [Section 51A-13.306(d)(9)].

Uses Requiring a Specific Use Permit (SUP)

Detention center, jail, or prison: Requires an SUP in Civic and General Commercial types [Section 51A-13.306].
Helistop: Requires an SUP and is only considered in Single-Story Shopfront or General Commercial types [Section 51A-13.306].
Self-service storage: Requires an SUP in Single-Story Shopfront or General Commercial types [Section 51A-13.306].

Technical Standards: Parking Requirements

The City of Dallas mandates specific parking ratios for uses within the WMU: Walkable urban mixed use district. These ratios are lower than standard districts to encourage walkability.

Use Category	Required Parking Spaces
Multifamily (20 units or less)	None required
Multifamily (21 to 199 units)	0.5 space per dwelling unit
Multifamily (200+ units)	1 space per dwelling unit
Office	1 per 333 square feet
Retail Sales	1 per 250 square feet
Restaurant or Bar	1 per 100 square feet
Medical Clinic	1 per 222 square feet
Hotel/Motel	1.25 per room plus 1 per 200 SF of meeting room

[Section 51A-13.402]

Sections Cited

Section 51A-13.101
Section 51A-13.201
Section 51A-13.301
Section 51A-13.304
Section 51A-13.306
Section 51A-13.402