N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District Off-Street Parking Standards
In the City of Charlotte, the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District follows the Tier 1 vehicle parking system, which mandates minimum off-street parking requirements but does not impose a maximum limit on the number of spaces provided. Residential requirements vary by dwelling type, generally ranging from 1 space per unit for multi-family dwellings to 2 spaces for single-family homes, while most commercial and nonresidential projects require 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area. All parking areas in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District must use improved surfaces like concrete or asphalt and are subject to strict placement restrictions, particularly regarding front setbacks.
Vehicle Parking Requirements
The City of Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance classifies the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District under Tier 1 for vehicle parking. Parking spaces are calculated based on the principal use of the lot. If a lot contains multiple uses or accessory uses, the total requirement is the sum of the requirements for all uses on the site [Article 19.2.B].
Residential Parking Ratios (Tier 1)
The following table outlines the minimum off-street parking requirements for residential uses within the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District [Table 19-1]:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential use (unless listed below) | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Duplex Dwelling | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Triplex Dwelling | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Quadraplex Dwelling | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached (Units not on sublots) | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family (Senior Living) | 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Live/Work Dwelling | 1 space per unit + 1 per 500sf of commercial space |
| Dormitory | 1 space per 2 dorm rooms |
| Group Home | 1 space per 2 residents |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space per bed |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | 0.2 spaces per rooming unit |
| Manufactured Home | 1 space per home |
Commercial and Nonresidential Parking Ratios (Tier 1)
For commercial and institutional projects permitted within the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, the following Tier 1 minimums apply [Table 19-1]:
| Commercial / Nonresidential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial Use (unless listed below) | 1 space per 750sf of Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
| Institutional/Government Use (unless listed below) | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Medical or Dental Office | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 space per 750sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Childcare Center (All sizes) | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Place of Worship | 1 space per 4 seats of the largest assembly area |
Design and Location Standards
The City of Charlotte enforces specific site layout and construction standards for parking facilities in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District to maintain neighborhood character.
Parking Location and Setbacks
- Residential Dwellings: For single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, parking must be located on a driveway, in a garage, or in an improved parking lot [Article 19.6.A.1.a].
- Nonresidential and Mixed-Use: All surface parking lots are prohibited within the established setback along a primary frontage. However, on arterial streets and parkways within the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District, one double row of parking may be located in the established setback provided it remains outside the required minimum setback [Article 19.6.A.1.b.i].
- Buffer Requirements: In the N2-A and N2-B Zoning Districts, if a minimum 25-foot Class B landscape yard is provided along an arterial street, no parking lots may be located between the landscape yard and the permitted uses [Article 5.3.A.3.b].
Driveway and Surfacing Standards
- Surfacing: All driveways and parking areas in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District must consist of improved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. Dirt or grass parking is prohibited [Article 19.6.B.1].
- Driveway Width: For duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings, the cumulative maximum width of all driveways is limited to 50% of the total lot width [Table 19-3.1].
- Minimum Dimensions: Driveway spaces must be at least 10 feet wide and 20 feet in length, measured from the right-of-way or the back of a sidewalk/shared-use path [Article 19.6.A.1.a.iii].
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Bicycle Parking
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Projects involving multi-family stacked dwellings or the residential component of mixed-use developments in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District must provide EV infrastructure based on the total number of parking spaces provided [Article 19.3.A]:
| Total Off-Street Spaces Provided | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 10-25 spaces | 20% of spaces | None |
| 26-50 spaces | 20% of spaces | 1 space |
| More than 50 spaces | 20% of spaces | 2% of spaces |
Bicycle Parking
The City of Charlotte requires bicycle parking for most new construction or significant expansions in the N2-A Neighborhood 2 Zoning District [Article 19.4.A]:
- Multi-Family Stacked/Attached: 1 space per 5 dwelling units. 80% of these spaces must be "long-term" (secure and weather-protected) [Table 19-3].
- Commercial Uses: Generally 1 space per 1,500 square feet of Gross Floor Area, with 25% designated as long-term spaces [Table 19-3].
Sections Cited
- Article 5. Neighborhood 2 Zoning Districts (5.3)
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.6)
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Table 19-2: Required EV Charging Stations
- Table 19-3: Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Table 19-3.1: Driveway and Parking Standards