Charlotte N2-B District Off-Street Parking Standards
In the City of Charlotte N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, projects are governed by Tier 2 vehicle parking regulations, which establish both minimum and maximum parking ratios. Most residential uses require a minimum of 1 space per dwelling unit and are capped at 2 spaces, while nonresidential uses generally require a minimum of 1 space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area (GFA) with a maximum of 1 space per 250 square feet [Table 19-1]. Multi-family and nonresidential developments also face specific requirements for bicycle parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure [Table 19-2, Table 19-3].
Vehicle Parking Ratios
For the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, the City of Charlotte classifies the district under "Tier 2" for the purposes of off-street vehicle parking. This tier ensures that adequate parking is provided while preventing excessive surface parking that could hinder the pedestrian environment.
Residential Vehicle Parking
The following ratios apply to residential developments in the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Maximum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Use (general) | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 1 per dorm room |
| Dwelling – Duplex | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 unenclosed spaces per unit (No limit on enclosed/garage spaces) |
| Dwelling – Live/Work | 1 per unit + 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 2 per unit + 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Multi-Family Attached (Units on Sublots) | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 unenclosed spaces per unit (No limit on enclosed/garage spaces) |
| Multi-Family Attached (Not on Sublots) | 1 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Single-Family, Triplex, Quadraplex | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 unenclosed spaces per unit (No limit on enclosed/garage spaces) |
| Group Home | 1 per 4 residents | 6 spaces total |
| Residential Care Facility | 0.5 per bed | 1.5 per bed |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | 0.2 per rooming unit | 1 per rooming unit |
Commercial and Nonresidential Vehicle Parking
Nonresidential uses within the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District follow these standards:
| Use Category | Minimum Parking Requirement | Maximum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Use (general) | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Restaurant / Bar | 1 per 1,000sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area | 1 per 250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Medical / Dental Office | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Childcare Center (All types) | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 300sf GFA |
| Office | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
[Table 19-1]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Developments in the City of Charlotte N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District must provide bicycle parking based on the type of use. Ratios are divided into "Required Bicycle Spaces" and the percentage of those spaces that must be "Long-Term" (e.g., lockers or indoor racks) [Section 19.4].
| Use Type | Total Required Bicycle Spaces | Required % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Family Stacked/Attached | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 80% |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 per 8 rooms | 25% |
| Commercial Uses (general) | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Office / Medical Office | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
[Table 19-3]
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Standards
For multi-family stacked dwellings and the residential components of mixed-use developments in the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, the City of Charlotte requires the installation of EV infrastructure based on the total number of off-street parking spaces provided [Section 19.3.A].
| Total Off-Street Spaces Provided | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 spaces | None | None |
| 10-25 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | None |
| 26-50 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | 1 space |
| More than 50 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | 2% of spaces (rounded up) |
[Table 19-2]
Design and Siting Regulations
The City of Charlotte imposes specific siting rules for parking within the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District to maintain aesthetic standards:
- Setback Restrictions: Surface parking, driveways, and maneuvering areas are permitted within the established setback along a street, but they are strictly prohibited within the required minimum setback [Table 19-4].
- Arterial Street Buffer: If a minimum 25-foot Class B landscape yard is provided parallel to an arterial street in the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, no parking lots may be located between that landscape yard and the permitted uses [Section 5.3.A.3.b].
- Prohibited Backing: For multi-family stacked and nonresidential developments, parking configurations that require vehicles to back directly onto a street are prohibited [Section 19.5.D].
- Surfacing: All parking lots must be improved with a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt. Pervious paving is encouraged [Section 19.6.B].
Parking Flexibilities
The City of Charlotte provides several options to reduce the required minimum number of off-street spaces in the N2-B: Neighborhood 2 Zoning District:
- On-Street Credit: Existing or new on-street parking spaces abutting the property may be counted toward the minimum requirement [Section 19.2.D.1].
- Public Parking Reduction: A 20% reduction in the minimum requirement is available if the development is within 1,000 feet of a public parking facility [Section 19.2.D.2].
- Tree/Structure Preservation: The Zoning Administrator may authorize up to a 25% reduction to avoid the demolition of an existing structure or damage to significant trees [Section 19.2.D.3].
Sections Cited
- Article 5.3, Dimensional and Design Standards
- Article 19.1, Purpose (Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking)
- Article 19.2, Vehicle Parking Space Requirements
- Table 19-1, Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Section 19.3, Required Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Table 19-2, Required EV Charging Stations
- Section 19.4, Required Bicycle Parking
- Table 19-3, Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Section 19.5, Design of Vehicle Parking Spaces
- Section 19.6, Design of Surface Parking and Parking Lots
- Table 19-4, Surface Parking Area Location and Access