Authorized Zoning Districts for Banks and Financial Institutions in Fort Worth
Banks and financial institutions are widely permitted across the City of Fort Worth, primarily within commercial, industrial, and form-based mixed-use districts. While these uses are generally prohibited in purely residential zones, they are authorized by right in most business-oriented areas, though a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for any facility featuring a drive-through component.
Permitted Districts for Banks and Financial Institutions
In the City of Fort Worth, the "Bank, financial institution" use is categorized under the Office classification for zoning purposes. The following table outlines the districts where this use is permitted according to the City of Fort Worth Nonresidential District Use Table [Section 4.803].
| District Group | Specific District Name | Permission Status |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | ER (Neighborhood Commercial Restricted) | Permitted or CUP* |
| E (Neighborhood Commercial) | Permitted | |
| FR (General Commercial Restricted) | Permitted | |
| F (General Commercial) | Permitted | |
| G (Intensive Commercial) | Permitted | |
| H (Central Business) | Permitted | |
| Industrial | I (Light Industrial) | Permitted |
| J (Medium Industrial) | Permitted | |
| K (Heavy Industrial) | Permitted | |
| IP (Industrial Park) | Permitted | |
| Special/Inactive | O-M (Office Midrise) | Permitted (Accessory) |
| E-P (Planned Commercial) | Permitted | |
| Form-Based | MU-1 (Low Intensity Mixed-Use) | Permitted |
| MU-2 (High Intensity Mixed-Use) | Permitted | |
| NS (Near Southside Districts) | Permitted | |
| PI (Panther Island Districts) | Permitted | |
| CB (Camp Bowie Districts) | Permitted | |
| TL (Trinity Lakes Districts) | Permitted | |
| BU (Berry/University Districts) | Permitted | |
| SY (Stockyards Districts) | Permitted |
*Note: Any bank or financial institution in the City of Fort Worth that includes a drive-through window must obtain a Conditional Use Permit [Section 4.803, Section 5.112].
Supplemental Development Standards
Drive-In and Drive-Through Services
For banks in the City of Fort Worth "MU-1" and "MU-2" districts, drive-through windows and stacking lanes must be located along the facades of buildings that do not face a street, and preferably at the rear of the building. These facilities must not impede vehicular traffic flow or pedestrian movement. A site plan demonstrating compliance with these standards must be submitted to the City of Fort Worth development services director [Section 5.112].
Office Midrise (O-M) District
In the City of Fort Worth "O-M" Office Midrise District, banks are specifically allowed as an accessory use to an office building. This allows financial services to support the primary office functions of the structure [Section 4.1102].
Industrial Park (IP) District
The City of Fort Worth "IP" Industrial Park District allows any use permitted in the "H" Central Business District. Because banks are permitted by right in the "H" district, they are also permitted in the "IP" district, provided they are not residential structures [Section 4.1104].
Parking Requirements
The City of Fort Worth mandates specific off-street parking ratios for financial institutions to ensure adequate access for customers and employees.
| Use | City of Fort Worth Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bank, financial institution | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area |
If the bank is located within a multi-tenant commercial development or a more restricted use zone, a 25% reduction in parking may be applicable for the conversion of the use [Section 6.201].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.803 Non-Residential District Use Table
- Section 4.1102 Office Midrise (O-M) District
- Section 4.1103 Planned Commercial (E-P) District
- Section 4.1104 Industrial Park (IP) District
- Section 4.1203 Form-Based Code Districts Use Table
- Section 5.112 Drive-In Business
- Section 6.201 Off-Street Parking Requirements