Dallas City Hall: Photo by Hilary Schleier.
On Wednesday, May 14, Dallas City Council adopted Dallas Parking Reform for flexible parking regulations, removing nearly all of the current rigid one-size fits all parking minimums and establishing a more flexible context-sensitive framework for off-street parking in Dallas.
Current parking codes mandate a specific number of parking spaces for various developments. These requirements, at times, hindered much-needed new housing and slowed the permitting process. Additionally, the regulations were a barrier for small businesses and creating walkable and accessible neighborhoods.
The new Parking Reform amends Chapter 51 and 51A of the Dallas City Code regarding off-street parking and loading requirements by removing regulations that require certain amounts of parking per property. This allows parking to match what the City of Dallas needs rather than arbitrary mandates and also establishes right-sized regulations helping to make regulations more predictable and transparent.
“This marks a first and major milestone in a broader effort to reform and align the City of Dallas’ zoning code with the evolving needs of our city and with adopted city policies,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “By allowing right-sized parking, we can encourage a safe, walkable city with more room for homes, more opportunity for small businesses, and a more responsible impact on the environment.”
