​Commercial motor Vehicles
Code amendment

DCA 223-003

Updates to terminology and standards in Chapters 51 and 51A associated with commercial motor vehicles and commercial trailers.

This code amendment was adopted by City Council on October 23, 2024.
Click here to view the adopted Ordinance 32907.


Summary

This code amendment addresses the parking of oversized vehicles and land uses that primarily serve oversized and commercial vehicles..

The Dallas Development Code has regulations regarding large and commercial motor vehicles that can be difficult to implement and enforce. The Code typically regulates large vehicles based on an outdated system of rated carrying capacity - that is, the weight that a vehicle can carry in addition to its own weight. However, this system is outdated and difficult for Code Compliance staff to ascertain for many common vehicles, like extra-large pickup trucks. This outdated system makes it especially difficult to enforce regulations on which vehicles may be parked in a front driveway, leading to ambiguity for staff and unclear rules for residents and businesses.

This code amendment proposes clear, consistent standards for what constitutes an oversized vehicle that responds to the current personal vehicle market. The proposed amendments will not alter the current interpretations of how uses are regulated and will not create nonconforming uses.

On July 23, 2024, the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee voted unanimously to forward the amendment to the City Plan Commission with a recommendation of adoption with minor revisions. On August 22, 2024, the City Plan Commission voted unanimously to forward the amendment to City Council with a recommendation of adoption. Finally, on October 23, 2024, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt the amendment into the Dallas Development Code.


​Timeline


Study Contact

Chief Planner (I) Michael Wade || Michael.Wade@Dallascityhall.com || 214-671-5470