Dallas, TX Zoning

Single Family Residential Districts (R-1ac(A), R-1/2ac(A), R-15(A), R-13(A), R-10(A), R-7.5(A), R-5(A))

Low-density residential districts intended primarily for detached single-family homes at different lot sizes and neighborhood scales.

Allowed uses: single-family residential uses, customary accessory uses

Duplex District (D)

Residential district intended for duplex housing rather than only detached single-family dwellings.

Allowed uses: duplex residential uses, customary accessory uses

Townhouse Districts (TH-1(A), TH-2(A), TH-3(A))

Residential districts for townhouse development at varying intensities and formats.

Allowed uses: townhouse residential uses, customary accessory uses

Clustered Housing District (CH)

Residential district for clustered housing forms.

Allowed uses: clustered housing, related accessory uses

Multifamily Districts (MF-1, MF-2, MF-3, MF-4)

Residential districts for multifamily housing at increasing intensities.

Allowed uses: multifamily residential uses, customary accessory uses

Office Districts (NO(A), LO(A), MO(A), GO(A))

Office-oriented nonresidential districts that generally allow offices and some institutional uses, with increasing intensity from neighborhood to general office.

Allowed uses: office, banks, medical clinic, church, school

Retail Districts (NS(A), CR, RR)

Retail and service districts ranging from neighborhood-serving to larger retail formats.

Allowed uses: retail stores, personal service uses, office, restaurants, church

Commercial Service and Industrial Districts (CS, LI, IR, IM)

Districts for commercial services, warehousing, heavier business operations, and industrial activity.

Allowed uses: machine or welding shop, auto repair, hospital, hotel, office

Mixed-Use Districts (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3)

Districts intended to accommodate combinations of residential and commercial activity.

Allowed uses: office, retail, personal service, residential

Urban Corridor Districts (UC-1, UC-2, UC-3)

Mixed-use corridor districts intended for more walkable development patterns.

Allowed uses: residential above street level, office, multifamily, retail, personal service uses

Central Area Districts (CA-1(A), CA-2(A))

Central city districts intended for dense urban development and a broad mix of uses.

Allowed uses: commercial uses, office uses, residential uses where allowed by district rules

Planned Development Districts (PDs)

Custom zoning districts tailored to a specific area or site, often replacing standard district rules with bespoke use and development standards.

Allowed uses: varies by PD ordinance

Parking District (P(A))

Special district intended only for surface parking.

Allowed uses: surface parking

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

The provided ADU source is a 2020 staff/ZOAC case report considering whether ADUs should be allowed by right and whether an opt-out process should be created. It confirms that, at that time, there were existing processes to allow ADUs and that the Board of Adjustment had granted two ADUs for rent in January 2020, but it does not prove the current final adopted citywide rule in 2026.

• Verify current adopted ADU rules directly in the current code and with city staff
• Do not rely on the 2020 proposal document as proof that ADUs are now allowed by right citywide
• ADU overlay is described in city educational materials as a zoning tool applicable in areas allowing single-family uses where ADUs are not expressly prohibited

Specific Use Permit (SUP) Uses

Certain uses may be allowed through a specific use permit rather than ordinary by-right zoning, with conditions intended to improve compatibility.

• Use may require site-specific conditions and public-hearing approval
• Examples listed by the city include child-care facility, school, bar, and concrete batch plant

Floodplain Regulations

Article V regulates development in floodplain areas and requires review of development, earthwork, and structures within the regulatory 1% annual chance floodplain.

Escarpment Regulations

Article V also includes escarpment regulations for environmentally sensitive escarpment areas.

Specific Use Permit (SUP)

A use-specific zoning overlay tool that allows certain uses only under site-specific conditions intended to make them compatible with nearby property.

Historic Districts

Historic overlays protect and preserve historic architecture and neighborhood character.

Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay

Neighborhood-specific overlay used to preserve single-family neighborhood character by imposing local yard, lot, and space rules.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay

Overlay that may be placed on areas allowing single-family uses where ADUs are not expressly prohibited.

Conservation Districts

Area-based regulations intended to conserve distinctive physical attributes and architecture.

Form Districts

Special districts focused on walkable, mixed-use development based on scale, building type, and street-front design standards.

Are ADUs allowed in Dallas, TX?

The provided ADU source is a 2020 staff/ZOAC case report considering whether ADUs should be allowed by right and whether an opt-out process should be created. It confirms that, at that time, there were existing processes to allow ADUs and that the Board of Adjustment had granted two ADUs for rent in January 2020, but i…

What zoning districts are in Dallas, TX?

Dallas, TX includes districts such as Single Family Residential Districts (R-1ac(A), R-1/2ac(A), R-15(A), R-13(A), R-10(A), R-7.5(A), R-5(A)), Duplex District (D), Townhouse Districts (TH-1(A), TH-2(A), TH-3(A)), Clustered Housing District (CH), Multifamily Districts (MF-1, MF-2, MF-3, MF-4), Office Districts (NO(A), LO(A), MO(A), GO(A)), Retail Districts (NS(A), CR, RR), Commercial Service and Industrial Districts (CS, LI, IR, IM).

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Dallas, TX?

Environmental constraints are a major development issue in Dallas. The source set directly confirms regulated floodplain areas and escarpment zones in the zoning code, plus broader environmental performance standards, and practical floodplain permitting requirements from Dallas Water Utilities.

Have there been recent zoning changes in Dallas, TX?

Dallas’s publicly posted materials show an active 2026 zoning reform and code amendment program rather than a single recently adopted citywide rezoning. The city states that it is undertaking a complete rewrite of Chapter 51A through the Dallas Zoning Reform process, and 2026 ZOAC meetings and packets are available for…