Dallas City Council to consider allowing denser housing in single-family zones

Dallas City Council is slated to consider reducing the amount of land required to build a single-family home and allowing denser housing to be built on residential lots across the city.

The topic is expected to be added to a City Council agenda in the next 30 days after council member Chad West, whose district includes north Oak Cliff, filed a memo requesting a briefing on the matter that included the signatures of four other council members. The memo was signed by council members Paula Blackmon, who represents Lakewood and part of Lake Highlands; Jaynie Schultz, who represents north Dallas; Adam Bazaldua, who represents southeast Dallas; and Jaime Resendez, who represents parts of southeast and south Dallas.

The gist

West requested the briefing discuss the process and potential effects of allowing triplexes and quadplexes in land areas that are zoned for single-family and duplex use. The briefing will also discuss reducing the amount of land required to build residential housing. Currently, the minimum lot size for residential use in Dallas is 7,500 square feet, according to the city’s website.

The purpose of the council briefing is to understand the process for amending construction codes and the Dallas Development Code to allow additional housing units to be built, according to West’s memo.

Notable quote

“Housing in the city of Dallas is becoming unaffordable for many would-be residents due to a lack of available housing units,” the memo stated. “Reducing minimum lot sizes and increasing the number of residential dwelling units allowed on a lot will allow for the development of additional dwelling units in residentially zoned areas.”

Related highlights

In July, Austin City Council voted to increase the number of housing units allowed on many single-family properties to three and reduce the amount of land required to build residential housing by about 50%.

Council members there could advance the unit cap increase before the end of 2023, but they plan to tackle minimum lot size separately in early 2024.

Stay tuned

The next council briefings are scheduled for Nov. 15 and Dec. 6. Council must hear the briefing on reducing lot sizes during one of those meetings to meet the 30-day deadline.