Setback Requirements for the Regional Retail (RR) District in Dallas
The City of Dallas requires a minimum front yard setback of 15 feet for all properties within the Regional Retail (RR) district. Side and rear yard setbacks are only required when the Regional Retail (RR) district property is adjacent to or directly across an alley from specific residential districts, in which case a minimum of 20 feet is mandatory; in all other circumstances, the City of Dallas does not mandate a minimum side or rear yard.
Technical Setback Standards for the Regional Retail (RR) District
The Dallas Development Code establishes specific dimensional requirements for the Regional Retail (RR) district to ensure appropriate separation from residential areas and consistent streetscapes. These regulations are detailed in the following table:
| Setback Type | Minimum Distance Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Side Yard (Adjacent to/across alley from Residential Districts*) | 20 feet |
| Side Yard (All other cases) | No minimum |
| Rear Yard (Adjacent to/across alley from Residential Districts*) | 20 feet |
| Rear Yard (All other cases) | No minimum |
*Residential districts for this provision include R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A) districts.
Front Yard Regulations in the Regional Retail (RR) District
The City of Dallas mandates that the 15-foot front yard in the Regional Retail (RR) district must remain open and unobstructed, with specific limited exceptions [Section 51A-4.122(c)(4)(A)]. According to the Dallas Development Code, the following items are permitted to project into the required front yard:
- Fences and light poles that are 20 feet or less in height [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
- Ordinary projections of window sills, belt courses, cornices, and other architectural features, provided they do not project more than 12 inches [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
- Fireplace chimneys that project no more than two feet into the required yard [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
- Cantilevered roof eaves and balconies that project no more than five feet into the required yard [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
Side and Rear Yard Requirements and Residential Adjacency
Setbacks for side and rear yards in the Regional Retail (RR) district are primarily driven by the proximity to residential zoning.
Mandatory 20-Foot Setback
A minimum 20-foot setback is required for any side or rear yard in the Regional Retail (RR) district that is adjacent to or directly across an alley from a "Residential District" [Section 51A-4.122(c)(4)(B)]. For the purposes of this regulation, the Dallas Development Code defines these districts as Agricultural [A(A)], Single Family [R or R(A)], Duplex [D or D(A)], Townhouse [TH or TH(A)], Clustered Housing [CH], or Multifamily [MF or MF(A)].
No Minimum Requirement
If a property in the Regional Retail (RR) district does not border one of the aforementioned residential districts or an alley separating it from such a district, the City of Dallas does not enforce a minimum side or rear yard setback [Section 51A-4.122(c)(4)(B)].
Visual Obstruction and Setback Adjustments
The City of Dallas prohibits the placement of any items, including signs, within a "visibility triangle" as defined in the Dallas Development Code [Section 51A-4.301(a)(8)]. This restriction applies even if the item would otherwise be permitted within the standard setback area.
Furthermore, if a building is located within the Regional Retail (RR) district and its height exceeds 26 feet, it may be subject to additional height-related setbacks known as the "residential proximity slope" if it originates from an adjacent residential district [Section 51A-4.122(c)(4)(E)(i)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.122. RETAIL DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.301. OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS.
- Section 51A-4.401. MINIMUM FRONT YARD.
- Section 51A-4.402. MINIMUM SIDE YARD.
- Section 51A-4.403. MINIMUM REAR YARD.