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Dallas amends building and residential codes to allow 1–8 family dwellings under residential rules, aiming to spur small-scale housing
Summary
The Dallas City Council on April 23 adopted code amendments that let structures of up to eight dwelling units be treated as residential under the city’s building and residential codes, a move officials said is intended to lower barriers for small-scale housing and neighborhood infill.
The Dallas City Council voted on April 23 to amend chapters of the city’s construction and residential codes to allow structures with up to eight dwelling units to be considered residential for permitting purposes, an update city staff said will help streamline small-scale multifamily and infill housing development.
The ordinance package (PH1) changes multiple chapters of the Dallas City Code, renames the Dallas 1-and-2-family dwelling code to the Dallas 1-to-8-family dwelling code and adjusts administrative provisions across building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical chapters so that smaller multifamily buildings can proceed under a residential code path rather than the more complex commercial multifamily rules.
Supporters — including city staff, the Dallas Builders Association and the American Institute of Architects Dallas chapter — said the change reduces regulatory cost and complexity for small, neighborhood-scale infill projects and will help produce attainable housing at a scale that better fits many established neighborhoods.
Dallas Fire-Rescue officials, represented by Section Chief Dwight Freeman, told council the department supported the ordinance’s overall approach but emphasized the fire marshal’s preference for sprinkler protection when feasible. Freeman said the package includes passive protections — rated corridors and rated assemblies — and that the city’s approach preserves key fire-safety elements while enabling the code reform.
Council members who sponsored and supported the measure said the existing code treated a small four-unit building the same as a 200-unit apartment complex, driving construction costs and discouraging smaller projects. Backers noted letters of support from AIA Dallas and the Greater Dallas Planning Council and commended staff for months of technical work.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously; staff and external stakeholders said implementation will include a transition and training period for permit reviewers and developers.
