Definition

A street or an alley whose ownership has been retained privately

• Private streets and alleys must be constructed and maintained to the standards for public rights-of-way and must be approved by the director of public works. Sidewalks are required and must be constructed and maintained to the standards for sidewalks in the public right-of-way. Water and sanitary sewer mains must be installed in accordance with the applicable ordinances
• A legal entity must be created that is responsible for street lighting, street maintenance and cleaning, and the installation and maintenance of interior traffic control devices. The legal instruments establishing the responsibility for a private street or alley must be submitted to the city plan commission for approval, be approved as to legal form by the city attorney, and recorded in the appropriate county
• Private streets and alleys must contain private service easements including, but not limited to, the following easements: utilities; firelane; street lighting; government vehicle access; mail collection and delivery access; and utility meter reading access.
• Street lights comparable with those required on public rights-of-way must be provided. Street lighting design plans must be approved by the director of public works.
• Design plans and location of all traffic control devices must be approved by the traffic engineer. The design, size, color, and construction of all traffic control devices must comply with those required in public rights-of-way
• The fire protection standards in Article XIII of the Dallas fire code must be followed
• A public school, park or other public facility must be accessible from public rights-of-way in accordance with this code
• Private streets must comply with the thoroughfare plan and may not interrupt public through streets
• Private street names and numbers must be approved by the city plan commission
• Private streets and the area they serve must be platted
• Guard houses may be constructed at any entrance to a private street. All guard houses must be at least 25 feet from a public right-of-way
• Any structure that restricts access to a private street must provide a passageway 20 feet wide and 14 feet high.
• One private street entrance must remain open at all times. If an additional private street entrance is closed at any time, it must be constructed to permit opening of the passageway in emergencies by boltcutters or breakaway panels
• A private street serving an area containing over 150 dwelling units must have a minimum of two access points to a public street
• A private street may serve no more than 300 dwelling units
• The city has no obligation to maintain a private street. If a private street is not maintained in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the city, after a public hearing before the city plan commission, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to take those actions necessary to put the private street in compliance. The legal entity responsible for maintaining the private street shall pay the city for the work performed within a period of 180 days from the presentation of the bill, or the private street will become a public street of the city
• A court or plaza may be considered a private street for the purpose of creating a building site if a specific use permit for a private street or alley use is obtained