Off-Street Parking Requirements for the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District
In the City of Charlotte’s N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, off-street vehicle parking is governed by a Tier 1 structure, which requires a minimum number of parking spaces but does not impose a maximum limit on the total number of spaces provided. Residential requirements in the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District generally range from one to two spaces per dwelling unit, while commercial uses permitted within the district, such as neighborhood commercial establishments, typically require one space per 750 square feet of gross floor area [Table 19-1].
Vehicle Parking Ratios
As a Tier 1 district, the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District must comply with minimum off-street parking standards for all new construction, expansions, or changes of use that result in a significant increase in required parking [Section 19.2.C].
Residential Parking Ratios
The following minimum parking requirements apply to residential projects within the City of Charlotte’s N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District:
| Residential Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| 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 (Not on Sublots) | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) |
| Group Home | 1 space per 2 residents |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space per bed |
| Rooming House | 1 space per 2 rooming units |
Commercial and Institutional Parking Ratios
For select nonresidential uses permitted in the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, the following ratios apply:
| Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Commercial Establishment | 1 space per 1,000sf GFA |
| General Commercial Use (unless specified) | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Childcare Center | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Place of Worship | 1 space per 4 seats of largest public assembly area |
| Community Center | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Bed and Breakfast | 1 space + 0.5 per guest room |
Bicycle Parking Requirements
In the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, the City of Charlotte requires bicycle parking primarily for higher-density residential and nonresidential developments.
| Use Category | Required Bicycle Spaces | Required % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (General) | None required | N/A |
| Multi-Family Stacked / Attached (Not on Sublots) | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Neighborhood Commercial Establishment | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Childcare Center | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Place of Worship | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
[SOURCES: 355, 356]
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Requirements
The City of Charlotte requires EV infrastructure for specific development types within the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, such as multi-family stacked dwellings and the residential components of mixed-use developments [Section 19.3].
| Total Provided Off-Street Spaces | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 spaces | None | None |
| 10-25 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | None |
| 26-50 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | 1 space |
| More than 50 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | 2% (rounded up) |
[SOURCES: 354]
Design and Location Standards
Development in the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District is subject to strict locational standards to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood:
- Setback Prohibitions: For all residential dwellings in the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District, parking areas (other than individual driveways) are prohibited within the established front and corner side setbacks [Section 19.6.A.1.a.iii.E].
- Surface Materials: Driveways and parking areas must be improved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. However, the City of Charlotte permits gravel surfaces specifically for single-family dwellings in this district [Section 19.6.A.1.a.iii.A].
- Driveway Configuration: All driveways must have a minimum width of 10 feet. For duplex, triplex, and quadraplex dwellings, the cumulative width of all driveways and parking pads cannot exceed 50% of the total lot width [Section 19.6.A.1.a.ii.D, Section 19.6.A.1.a.iii.B].
- Garage Setbacks: Garages for individual units must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the right-of-way, the back of the sidewalk, or the required zoning district setback, whichever is greater [Section 19.6.A.1.a.iii.D].
Parking Flexibilities
The City of Charlotte provides several options for meeting the minimum requirements in the N1-B: Neighborhood 1 Zoning District:
- On-Street Credit: Existing on-street parking spaces abutting the property may be counted toward the minimum off-street requirement [Section 19.2.D.1].
- Tree Preservation: If the required parking cannot be provided without damaging significant trees or demolishing an existing structure, the Zoning Administrator may authorize a reduction of up to 25% of the required spaces [Section 19.2.D.3].
- Public Parking: A 20% reduction in required spaces may be granted if the development site is located within 1,000 feet of a public parking facility [Section 19.2.D.2].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.1 (Purpose)
- Section 19.2 (Vehicle Parking Space Requirements)
- Section 19.3 (Required Electric Vehicle Charging Stations)
- Section 19.4 (Required Bicycle Parking)
- Section 19.6 (Design of Surface Parking and Parking Lots)
- Table 15-1 (Use Matrix)
- Table 19-1 (Vehicle Parking Requirements)
- Table 19-2 (Required EV Charging Stations)
- Table 19-3 (Bicycle Parking Requirements)
[SOURCES: 67, 339, 340, 342, 343, 345, 348, 354, 355, 356, 358, 359]