On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Dallas City Council approved sweeping changes to the minimum off-street parking requirements under the Dallas Development Code, a process that began in 2019. The City’s imposed off-street requirements were originally adopted in 1965 and have only undergone minor updates since.
In a valiant attempt to modernize parking requirements to better suit today’s needs, the new regulations have reduced or otherwise eliminated minimum parking ratios for certain land uses.
Parking minimums have been scrutinized as arbitrary or based on outdated calculations, which often results in excess parking compared to demand. This excess parking can inhibit growth and redevelopment pursuits, which in turn diminishes economic value and opportunity for landowners and local governments alike. Small-business owners often bear the highest costs of parking requirements, as many Dallas entrepreneurs have had their dreams shattered or put on hold while trying to revitalize neighborhoods, historic buildings, or invest in underserved communities.
While the City’s staff and Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee recommended the complete elimination of off-street parking minimums for all uses, some residents and city leaders expressed concerns that such an approach could cause overcrowding of on-street parking in residential neighborhoods and other unintended effects. The Dallas City Council ultimately adopted an intermediate path: eliminating parking requirements for certain land uses (and in some instances, entire zoning districts) and lowering and simplifying the required parking ratios for others.
It should be noted that these changes may not extend to all zoning or overlay districts, namely Planned Development Districts or the MD-1 Modified Delta Overlay District.
Thanks to the hard work of the City’s dedicated staff, engaged residents, and industry leaders, property owners and developers have more autonomy over how much parking they actually need. And the trickle-down benefit? Cost savings, increased value, efficient use of land, and environmental and social benefits for the entire City!
