On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Dallas City Council voted to adopt the Dallas Parking Reform, a significant overhaul of the city’s off-street parking regulations. The reform eliminates nearly all rigid minimum parking requirements and replaces them with a more flexible, context-sensitive framework tailored to local needs.
Previously, Dallas required fixed amounts of off-street parking for various land uses, which city officials say often hindered housing development, delayed permitting, and created obstacles for small businesses and walkable neighborhoods.
The approved reform updates Chapters 51 and 51A of the Dallas City Code by removing or reducing mandatory parking requirements across numerous zoning categories. These changes allow developments to determine the appropriate level of parking based on their specific context, rather than following citywide mandates.
"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 City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.
Emily Liu, Director of Planning & Development, added, “This is a momentous occasion. We are continuing to move the needle toward a zoning code in Dallas that is clearer and more predictable.”
Key Highlights of the Reform Include:
REMOVED PARKING MANDATES FOR:
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Downtown and within ½-mile of DART light rail and streetcar stations
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Offices, most retail, and industrial/heavy commercial uses (except near single-family zoning)
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Restaurants and bars under 2,500 sq. ft.
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Institutional and recreational uses (except places of worship over 20,000 sq. ft. and senior high schools)
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Uses located in historically designated properties
REDUCED PARKING MANDATES FOR:
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Residential uses, shifting from a “per bedroom” to a “per dwelling unit” ratio
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Larger multifamily developments now require 1 space per unit, medium developments ½ space per unit, and no minimum for developments under 20 units
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Bars, restaurants, commercial amusement indoor uses
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Single-family and duplex homes in non-single-family zones
NEW ADDITIONS:
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Loading zone requirements for larger multifamily developments
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Guest parking and short-term drop-off zones for medium and large multifamily developments
The Parking Reform only affects off-street parking on private property and does not alter regulations for on-street parking or existing Planned Development (PD) districts. On-street parking remains governed by the city’s 2024 On-Street Parking & Curb Management Policy.
This reform aligns with the city’s broader policy goals, including ForwardDallas, ConnectDallas, and the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). Initiated in 2019 by the City Plan Commission, the reform underwent five years of planning, stakeholder engagement, and interdepartmental coordination.
To learn more about Dallas Parking Reform, visit bit.ly/dallasparkingcodeamend
