Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Parking Requirements in the City of Charlotte
The City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance does not require dedicated off-street vehicle or bicycle parking spaces for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Under the City of Charlotte parking tier system, the requirement for ADUs is listed as a shaded blank cell, which signifies that no minimum or maximum parking standards apply [Section 19.2.A.3 and Table 19-1]. Furthermore, City of Charlotte regulations generally prohibit an ADU from having a separate driveway from the principal dwelling unless the property is a corner lot, a through lot, or abuts an alley [Section 15.6.F.5].
Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Standards
The City of Charlotte organizes parking requirements into a three-tier system based on the underlying zoning district. For the "Dwelling – Accessory Unit (ADU)" use category, the City of Charlotte has established that no off-street parking is required across all tiers.
Off-Street Vehicle Parking Requirements for ADUs
| Parking Tier | Applicable Zoning Districts (Examples) | Minimum Required | Maximum Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Neighborhood 1, N2-A, MHP, ML-1, ML-2, IC-1, OFC, OG | None Required | No Limit |
| Tier 2 | N2-B, N2-C, IMU, IC-2, RC, NC, CAC-1, CG, CR | None Required | No Limit |
| Tier 3 | CAC-2, TOD-UC, TOD-NC, TOD-CC, TOD-TR, RAC, UC, UE | None Required | No Limit |
Note: A shaded blank cell in the City of Charlotte UDO indicates that no minimum and/or maximum parking is required [Section 19.2.A.3].
Bicycle Parking Requirements for ADUs
| Use Category | Required Bicycle Spaces | Required % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory Uses (including ADUs) | None Required | N/A |
[Table 19-1, Table 19-3]
Driveway and Access Regulations
While the City of Charlotte does not require parking spaces for an ADU, it does regulate how an ADU may be accessed if the property owner chooses to provide parking. The City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance maintains strict "one-driveway" rules to preserve neighborhood character and limit curb cuts.
General Driveway Restriction
In the City of Charlotte, an ADU must be served by the same driveway that serves the principal dwelling [Section 15.6.F.5]. The creation of a second, dedicated driveway specifically for an ADU is prohibited in most circumstances.
Exceptions to the Separate Driveway Prohibition
A separate driveway for a City of Charlotte ADU may only be provided if the lot meets one of the following criteria:
- The ADU is located on a corner lot [Section 15.6.F.5].
- The ADU is on a through lot that abuts two parallel local public streets [Section 15.6.F.5].
- The lot abuts an alley [Section 15.6.F.5].
Additional ADU Siting and Development Conditions
In addition to parking and access rules, the City of Charlotte imposes several prescribed conditions on ADUs to ensure they remain subordinate to the primary residence:
- Subordination: The ADU must be clearly subordinate to the principal residential use [Section 15.6.F.1].
- Ownership: Both the ADU and the principal dwelling must remain under the same ownership [Section 15.6.F.4].
- Quantity: Only one ADU is permitted per lot in the City of Charlotte [Section 15.6.F.3].
- Size Limits: If an ADU is located within an accessory structure, the heated floor area cannot exceed 600 square feet or 70% of the total floor area of the principal residence, whichever is greater, up to a maximum cap of 1,000 heated square feet [Section 15.6.F.6.a].
Sections Cited
- Section 15.6.F (Accessory Uses: Prescribed Conditions, Dwelling – Accessory Unit)
- Section 19.2.A (Vehicle Parking Space Tier System)
- Table 19-1 (Vehicle Parking Requirements)
- Table 19-3 (Bicycle Parking Requirements)