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SEC. 51A-8.503.   LOTS.
   (a)   Residential lot size. The size of each platted lot must comply with the minimum regulations for the zoning district in which the lot is located. Lots must conform in width, depth, and area to the pattern already established in adjacent areas, having due regard to the character of the area, its particular suitability for development, and taking into consideration the natural topography of the ground, drainage, wastewater facilities, and the proposed layout of streets.
   (b)   Frontage.
      (1)   All lots must front upon either a dedicated public street or a private street, unless this requirement is waived by an ordinance establishing a planned development district in which adequate access is provided by access easement. Platted lots may front upon a private street only if that street has been approved in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
      (2)   For the purposes of this subsection:
         (A)    the frontage of a lot is the length of the lot’s intersection with a public or private street right-of-way line; and
         (B)   all of the property in a shared access development is considered to be one lot.
      (3)   Except in planned development districts, the minimum frontage requirement is 10 feet. The minimum frontage requirement for a planned development district is 10 feet unless otherwise provided in the ordinance establishing the district.
      (4)   If four or more single family, townhouse, and duplex lots share a private driveway, a private driveway easement must be provided. The private driveway easement must provide a minimum access width of 20 feet with a flare to 30 feet at its intersection with the curb line of a minor street, and a flare to 40 feet at its intersection with the curb line of a thoroughfare. The private driveway access easement need not be exclusive to a particular lot, but must be indicated on the plat, and must have direct access to a dedicated public street or a private street approved in accordance with this chapter. No more than four lots may share a private driveway access easement unless, upon recommendation from the director and the chief planning officer, the commission finds that the extraordinary topography or shape of the property unduly limits the development potential of the property, and that the proposed development is consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter. The shared access area in a shared access development is not subject to this paragraph.
      (5)   Single family, duplex, or townhouse lots having frontage on two opposite sides are prohibited unless the commission finds that this design is essential to provide proper orientation of residential lots to thoroughfares. Shared access developments may have frontage on two opposite sides.
   (c)   Residential access to thoroughfares. Where single family, townhouse, or duplex lots abut a divided thoroughfare, driveway access to the thoroughfare is prohibited unless, upon recommendation of the director and the chief planning officer, the commission finds that the extraordinary topography or shape of the property unduly limits the development potential of the property, and the proposed development is consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter. If the commission permits access under this subsection, the traffic barrier otherwise required in Section 51A-8.618 is waived.
   (d)   Municipal boundary lines. Plats divided by municipal boundary lines must be approved by the appropriate body of each affected municipality to be effective. Any building permit issued based on a plat divided by a municipal boundary line is void if the requisite approval has not been obtained.
   (e)   Lot lines and existing structures.
      (1)   No plat may be approved if an existing improvement on the property would encroach upon a proposed lot line or setback line, unless the existing improvement is to be removed or relocated, or unless the encroachment is authorized by the Dallas Building Code.
      (2)   No plat may be approved if the location of a proposed lot line would create a structure not in strict compliance with the Dallas Building Code, as amended, or the Dallas Development Code, as amended, unless the existing structure is to be removed, relocated, or altered to comply.
      (3)   Notwithstanding Paragraphs (1) and (2), dedications for public infrastructure may be accomplished even if a structure encroaches, provided appropriate language is executed to convey an estate in expectancy. (Ord. Nos. 20092; 21186; 23384; 24731; 25047; 28073; 29478 ; 31394)