By Site Plan Creator Team • March 6, 2026

Dallas Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Dallas, Texas requires meeting specific requirements set by the Building Inspection Division within the Department of Sustainable Development and Construction. The Dallas Development Code (Chapter 51A) governs zoning, setbacks, parking, and landscaping standards throughout the city.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Dallas Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Building Inspection Division requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the Dallas Development Code. You can look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS Interactive Map at dallasgis.com or request a zoning verification letter from the Department of Sustainable Development.

Required Site Plan Elements

The Building Inspection Division requires the following elements on all site plans:

• Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
• Setbacks from all property lines per Development Code Section 51A-4.400
• Location of all existing structures with square footage, height, and use
• Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing structures
• Lot coverage calculation showing building footprint as percentage of lot area
• Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for applicable districts
• Parking spaces per Development Code Section 51A-4.200 (including ADA, bicycle)
• Driveways and access points with dimensions and sight triangles
• Landscaping plan per Article X (commercial and multi-family required)
• Screening and fencing requirements between incompatible uses
• Floodplain boundaries if applicable
• North arrow and scale
• Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) account number

Dallas Zoning and Setback Requirements

Dallas uses the Development Code to establish residential and commercial districts with specific setbacks:

• R-7.5(A) (Single-Family, 7,500 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet minimum, rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 45%. Height max 36 feet.
• R-5(A) (Single-Family, 5,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 55%.
• R-10(A) (Single-Family, 10,000 sq ft lot): Front 30 feet, side 8 feet, rear 8 feet. Lot coverage max 40%.
• MF-1 (Multi-Family, low density): Front 15 feet, side 10 feet, rear 10 feet.
• Corner lots: Street-side setback follows the adjacent zone's front setback.
• Garage setback from alley: 2 feet minimum from the alley right-of-way.

Many Dallas neighborhoods have Planned Development (PD) districts or Conservation Districts (CD) with custom standards that override the base code. Always check through the GIS Interactive Map.

Floodplain Management Requirements

Dallas has significant flood risk areas along the Trinity River and its tributaries. Article V (Flood Damage Prevention) of the City Code requires:

• Floodplain determination: All permits require flood zone verification using current FEMA maps and the city's regulatory floodplain maps
• Elevation requirements: New residential construction must be elevated at least 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
• Floodway restrictions: No development permitted within the regulatory floodway
• Substantial improvement: Improvements exceeding 50% of market value trigger full floodplain compliance
• Your site plan must show flood zone boundaries, BFE, proposed finished floor elevations, and any proposed filling or grading

Landscaping and Screening Requirements

Dallas has detailed landscaping requirements under Article X of the Development Code:

• Street trees: Required for all new development along public streets (1 tree per 50 linear feet of frontage)
• Parking lot landscaping: Required interior islands (1 per 20 spaces) and perimeter landscaping
• Buffer plantings: Required between residential and non-residential uses per Section 51A-4.602
• Screening: 6-foot solid fence or wall required where commercial/industrial abuts residential
• Permeable surface: Minimum percentage of permeable surface required based on district

Historic District Requirements

Dallas has over 20 designated historic and conservation districts:

• Historic districts: Require a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) from the Landmark Commission for exterior changes, new construction, additions, and demolition
• Conservation districts: Require a Certificate of Appropriateness with less restrictive standards than full historic districts
• Individual landmarks: Protected structures requiring Landmark Commission review for any exterior modifications
• Review adds 30-60 days to the permit timeline

ADU Requirements in Dallas

Dallas permits Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in most residential districts:

• ADUs permitted in all single-family districts on lots meeting minimum size requirements
• Setbacks: Must comply with the base district's setback requirements
• Size limits: ADU cannot exceed 1,000 sq ft or 30% of the primary dwelling's floor area, whichever is less
• Height: Limited to the height of the primary dwelling or the district maximum, whichever is less
• Parking: One additional off-street parking space required
• Owner occupancy: The property owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the ADU

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Posse Online Portal

Submit through the Posse online portal for electronic plan review. Create an account, upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track your application status in real-time.

In-Person Submission

Walk-in service is available at the Oak Cliff Municipal Center at 320 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 118, Dallas, TX 75203. Express plan review is available for qualifying residential projects.

Permit Fees and Timeline

• Plan review fees: Based on project valuation per the Building Inspection fee schedule
• Building permit fees: Calculated from construction valuation and square footage
• Development fees: Impact fees for water, wastewater, and transportation for new construction
• Timeline: Residential plan review 10-15 business days. Express residential review available for qualifying projects. Commercial 20-30 business days. Landmark Commission review adds 30-60 days.

Creating Your Dallas Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Dallas property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Building Inspection submission.