ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District Off-Street Parking Guide
The ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is classified under the Tier 1 parking system, which mandates minimum off-street parking ratios while imposing no maximum limits on the number of spaces provided. General commercial and industrial uses typically require one space per 750 square feet of gross floor area, while residential requirements vary from 0.2 spaces per unit for single-room occupancy to 2 spaces for single-family homes. Projects in the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must also provide specified levels of bicycle parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure based on the project size and type [Section 19.2.A and Table 19-1].
Vehicle Parking Tier System
In the City of Charlotte, the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is governed by Tier 1 vehicle parking requirements. Under this tier, the City of Charlotte specifies the minimum number of off-street parking spaces that must be provided for a development [Section 19.2.A.1]. Unlike Tiers 2 and 3, the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District does not have a cap on the maximum number of parking spaces allowed on a lot [Table 19-1].
The parking requirements apply to the City of Charlotte developments when there is new construction, the establishment of a new use, or an expansion of an existing use that results in the addition of 10 or more spaces [Section 19.2.C.1].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential projects within the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must meet the following minimum standards per dwelling unit or room:
| Residential Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Duplex Dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling unit |
| Triplex Dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling unit |
| Quadraplex Dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached (Not on Sublots) | 1.5 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) |
| Multi-Family Attached (On Sublots) | 1.5 per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1.5 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) |
| Multi-Dwelling Development | Based on dwelling types in development |
| Live/Work Dwelling | 1 per unit + 1 per 500sf of commercial space |
| Dormitory | 1 per 2 dorm rooms |
| Group Home | 1 per 2 residents |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 per bed |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | 0.2 per rooming unit |
[Table 19-1]
Commercial and Industrial Parking Requirements
For the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District, the City of Charlotte generally requires commercial and industrial uses to provide parking based on the Gross Floor Area (GFA).
| Commercial/Industrial Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Commercial Use (unless listed below) | 1 per 750sf GFA |
| General Industrial Use (unless listed below) | 1 per 1,000sf GFA up to 40,000sf; 1 per 2,500sf thereafter |
| Office | 1 per 750sf GFA |
| Medical/Dental Office | 1 per 750sf GFA |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 750sf GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 per 750sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Hotel/Motel | 1 per guest room |
| Heavy Rental and Service Establishment | 1 per 750sf GFA + 1 per 10,000sf outdoor sales area |
| Self-Storage (Climate-Controlled or Outdoor) | 1 per 25 storage units |
| Vehicle Repair (Major or Minor) | 4 per service bay |
| Warehouse and Distribution Center | 1 per 750sf office area + 1 per 15,000sf GFA warehouse |
[Table 19-1]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Charlotte requires developments in the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District to provide bicycle parking. These are divided into short-term (for visitors) and long-term (secured for employees/residents) spaces.
| Use Type | Required Bicycle Spaces | Required % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Uses (General) | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Industrial Uses (Craft, Light) | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Office | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
[Table 19-3]
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure
Developments in the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must provide EV-charging stations if they include multi-family stacked dwellings, hotels, or stand-alone parking lots/structures.
- 10-25 Spaces Provided: 20% of spaces must be EV-Capable [Table 19-2].
- 26-50 Spaces Provided: 20% must be EV-Capable and 1 space must be EVSE-Installed [Table 19-2].
- More than 50 Spaces: 20% must be EV-Capable and 2% must be EVSE-Installed [Table 19-2].
Design and Surfacing Standards
Parking facilities in the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must adhere to the following City of Charlotte design rules:
- Surfacing: All parking lots must be improved with a hard surface like concrete or asphalt. However, in the ML-2: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District, gravel is permitted for parking areas, provided the driveways connecting the lot to the street are paved (concrete or asphalt) for a minimum length of 20 feet [Section 19.6.B].
- Compact Spaces: In parking lots with 20 or more spaces, up to 25% of the required spaces may be designated for compact vehicles [Section 19.5.B].
- Dimensions: Every vehicle parking space must meet the minimum dimensional requirements specified in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM) [Section 19.5.A].
- Striping: Any hard-surfaced parking lot with 10 or more spaces must have clearly painted or permanent striping to delineate spaces [Section 19.6.C].
Sections Cited
- Section 8.1.B
- Section 16.1.B
- Section 19.2.A
- Section 19.2.C
- Section 19.3.A
- Section 19.4
- Section 19.5.A
- Section 19.5.B
- Section 19.6.B
- Section 19.6.C
- Section 19.11
- Table 19-1
- Table 19-2
- Table 19-3