On Wednesday, May 14, the Dallas City Council passed legislation on a long-debated topic: parking. The city removed nearly all of the current parking minimums in favor of a more flexible framework for businesses and other developments on how much off-street parking is required.

The previous parking codes, which had been in existence for 60 years, required a specific number of parking spaces for housing and other businesses. 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.

The conversation about how much parking is required was initiated by the City Plan Commission in 2019, and has since been a project for the Dallas Planning & Development Department, working with City Hall, boards and commissions, and the public to come up with a policy that allows flexibility while enabling development.

They're following a trend that has been embraced in other cities such as Austin, Minneapolis, and Seattle. The vote was 14-1 with the only opposing vote from District 12 council member Cara Mendelsohn.

Director of Planning & Development Emily Liu called it "a momentous occasion," stating that "we are continuing to move the needle toward a zoning code in Dallas that is clearer and more predictable. Our staff has worked incredibly hard over the past five years to bring this reform to life."

The new Parking Reform policy applies to off-street parking provided on private property. It does not regulate or change the on-street parking provisions or regulate the street right-of-way. (This is covered by On-Street Parking & Curb Management Policy adopted by Dallas City Council in 2024.)

Business parking
Amendments include some notable updates to the city's parking requirements including the removal of these parking mandates:

• in downtown and within 1/2-mile of light rail and streetcar stations
• historically designated/landmarked properties
• offices and most retail uses
• industrial and heavy commercial land uses except when next to a single-family home located in single-family zoning
• bars and restaurants under 2,500 square feet (for larger restaurants, the parking minimums will be reduced)
• institutional and recreation uses

It maintains mandates for places of worship over 20,000 square feet, and senior high schools.

Residential parking
It reduces parking mandates for residential uses, taking a tiered approach for multifamily developments, changing the ratio from a “per bedroom” to a “per dwelling unit” requirement.

• Larger developments (more than 200 units) will be required to provide at least 1 space per dwelling unit.
• Medium developments will be required to provide at least one-half space per dwelling unit.
• Smaller developments (under 20 dwelling units) will have no parking mandates.

Reserved guest parking for medium and large developments is required, as well as areas for short-term parking for drop-off and pick-up.