GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Dallas City Code ch. 45, art. I

in effect

Dallas City Code § 45-1 PURPOSE.

SEC. 45-1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the operation of temporary shelters during times of inclement weather by entities that assure compatibility of shelter activities with surrounding uses and provide a safe place for individuals and families to obtain temporary shelter. (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-2 DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 45-2. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, (1) APPLICANT means a person or entity who submits a written application to host or operate a temporary inclement weather shelter. (2) INCLEMENT WEATHER means the following weather conditions: (A) COLD WEATHER ADVISORY means an advisory issued: (1) when the minimum nighttime temperature is forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service to be 36 degrees Fahrenheit or below at any point between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (the next day); (2) for any amount of freezing rain or ice; or (3) for two or more inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain). (B) HEAT WEATHER ADVISORY means an advisory issued when the minimum nighttime temperature is forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service to be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at any point between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (the next day). (3) OPERATOR means a person or entity permitted by the city to operate a temporary inclement weather shelter for a specified period. (4) SHELTER PARTICIPANT means a homeless individual or family lodging overnight at a shelter. (5) TEMPORARY INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER or SHELTER means a facility operating as a temporary inclement weather shelter as defined in Sections 51-4.217 and 51A-4.217 and in accordance with this chapter. (6) TEMPORARY INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER COORDINATOR or COORDINATOR means a city employee designated by the city manager to implement, administer, and enforce this chapter or his or her designated representative. (7) TEMPORARY INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER PERMIT means written approval issued by the coordinator to operate a shelter. (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-3 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE COORDINATOR.

SEC. 45-3. AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE COORDINATOR. (a) The coordinator shall implement and enforce this chapter and shall discharge any duty necessary under or to affect the policy of this chapter. (b) The coordinator may assist the applicant or operator in coordinating applications for any required city-issued permit or license in addition to the temporary inclement weather shelter permit. (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-4 OPERATION OF SHELTERS GENERALLY.

SEC. 45-4. OPERATION OF SHELTERS GENERALLY. (a) Shelters may only operate and host shelter participants during times of cold weather advisory and heat weather advisory. (b) Shelters must be operated in compliance with an approved operation plan. (c) Shelters' intake procedures must comply with Chapter 46, "Unlawful Discriminatory Practices Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression." (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-5 SHELTER SPACE.

SEC. 45-5. SHELTER SPACE. (a) Except as provided in this section, shelters must provide a minimum of 40 square feet of space per shelter participant. (b) Each designated sleeping area must provide a walkway of four feet between each row to provide emergency access. (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-6 CHAPTER CUMULATIVE.

SEC. 45-6. CHAPTER CUMULATIVE. The provisions of this chapter are cumulative of all city ordinances. Building, electrical, food establishment, fire safety, and all other permits and licenses required by ordinance or other law for specific activities to be conducted in conjunction with or as part of a temporary inclement weather shelter permit must be applied for separately, in accordance with the applicable city ordinance or state or federal law. (Ord. 31695)

Dallas City Code § 45-7 EXEMPTION.

SEC. 45-7. EXEMPTION. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a shelter established as disaster relief operated by the office of emergency management and crisis response. (Ord. Nos. 31695; 32864)

Source: City of Dallas, Dallas City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dallas/latest/dallas_tx/0-0-0-122506Fetched: 10/26/2026