Ordinances You Need to Know in Dallas, TX

Local rules that could affect everyday life, property use or a decision to move to Dallas, TX.

Local jurisdiction: City of Dallas, Texas.

Home Occupation Is an Accessory Residential Use

Dallas defines a home occupation as an occupation incidental to the primary residential use and conducted on the residential premises by a resident. No certificate of occupancy is required for a qualifying home occupation.

Source: City of Dallas Building Inspection FAQs
Code section: Dallas Development Code 51A-4.217
Official city page: 2026
NTL verified: September 3, 2026

View official/local ordinance source →

One Nonresident Employee and Three-Person Visitor Limit

Dallas permits no more than one nonresident employee on the premises, limits that employee to four hours of work on the premises in a week, and prohibits more than three nonresident people on the premises at one time.

Source: City of Dallas Home Occupation Declaration
Code section: Dallas Development Code 51A-4.217
Official city form: 2026
NTL verified: September 3, 2026

View official/local ordinance source →

25 Percent or 400 Square Feet Maximum

Dallas limits a home occupation to no more than 25 percent or 400 square feet of the main structure's total floor area, whichever is less.

Source: City of Dallas Home Occupation Declaration
Code section: Dallas Development Code 51A-4.217
Official city form: 2026
NTL verified: September 3, 2026

View official/local ordinance source →

No On-Site Product Sales or Disruptive Traffic

Dallas prohibits selling or offering home-occupation products at the premises and prohibits generated traffic or parking congestion that unreasonably disrupts the surrounding neighborhood.

Source: City of Dallas Building Inspection FAQs
Code section: Dallas Development Code 51A-4.217
Official city page: 2026
NTL verified: September 3, 2026

View official/local ordinance source →

Disclaimer & Due Diligence

NarrowTheList includes only location-specific rules we could tie to the local jurisdiction and source shown with each item. State rules are not included on this page.

Ordinances can be amended, repealed, renumbered or interpreted differently depending on the property, zoning district, permit status or activity involved. These summaries are provided as a starting point for relocation research and may not reflect every exception, permit requirement or later amendment.

Before relying on an ordinance for a home purchase, rental, home business, vehicle, pet, property improvement or other important decision, review the linked source and do your own due diligence. Contact the applicable city clerk, municipal office, town or village hall, county office or other local government department to verify the current ordinance and how it applies to the specific property or activity you are considering.