Off-Street Parking Requirements for TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District in the City of Charlotte

Within the City of Charlotte, the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District primarily utilizes Tier 3 parking standards, which generally eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements unless a project is located within 400 feet of a Neighborhood 1 Place Type. Most residential and commercial developments in the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District are instead governed by parking maximums, such as two spaces per dwelling unit for standard residential uses or one space per 250 square feet for general commercial uses. These regulations are designed to support the City of Charlotte's goals of encouraging transit-supportive development and adaptive reuse of buildings near rapid transit and streetcar stations [Article 13.1.A].

Vehicle Parking Tier System

The City of Charlotte organizes parking requirements into a three-tier system. The TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District is categorized under Tier 3 [Table 19-1].

Minimum Parking: In Tier 3, most uses do not have a minimum parking requirement. However, for specific residential and high-intensity commercial uses, a minimum requirement applies only if the development is within 400 feet walking distance of a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Section 19.2.A.1.c].
Maximum Parking: Tier 3 establishes strict maximums for both parking lots and parking structures to prevent over-parking and promote walkability [Section 19.2.A.1.c].
Alternative Compliance: Minimum parking requirements in Tier 3 may be reduced or eliminated if the City of Charlotte Planning Director approves a Parking Demand Management Assessment [Section 19.2.A.1.c.i].

Residential Vehicle Parking Requirements

In the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District, the following off-street vehicle parking standards apply to residential projects. If a minimum is required due to proximity (within 400 feet) to a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, it is noted below; otherwise, no minimum is required [Table 19-1].

Use Type	Minimum (Only if <400' from N1)	Maximum (Applies to lots and structures)
Standard Residential Use	1 per dwelling unit	2 per dwelling unit
Dormitory	N/A	1 per dorm room
Dwelling – Duplex	N/A	No limit on enclosed/garage; 2 unenclosed per unit
Dwelling – Live/Work	N/A	2 per unit + 1 per 250sf GFA of commercial
Dwelling – Multi-Family Attached	1 per unit (0.25 for senior)	1 per bedroom/studio unit
Dwelling – Multi-Family Stacked	1 per unit (0.25 for senior)	1 per bedroom/studio unit
Dwelling – Single-Family	N/A	No limit on enclosed/garage; 2 unenclosed per unit
Dwelling – Triplex / Quadraplex	N/A	No limit on enclosed/garage; 2 unenclosed per unit
Group Home	N/A	6 spaces
Manufactured Home	N/A	2 per manufactured home

Commercial Vehicle Parking Requirements

Commercial projects within the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District must adhere to the following maximums. Minimum requirements for commercial uses generally do not apply in Tier 3 unless specifically listed [Table 19-1].

Use Type	Minimum (Only if <400' from N1)	Maximum (Applies to lots and structures)
General Commercial Use	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA
Amusement Facility (Indoor)	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor area
Amusement Facility (Outdoor)	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA + outdoor area
Financial Institution	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA
Hotel / Motel	N/A	1.5 per guest room
Live Performance Venue	1 per 500sf GFA + 50% outdoor area	1 per 250sf GFA + 50% outdoor area
Medical / Dental Office	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA
Nightclub	1 per 500sf GFA + 50% outdoor area	1 per 250sf GFA + 50% outdoor area
Office	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA
Restaurant / Bar	1 per 500sf GFA + 50% outdoor area	1 per 250sf GFA + 50% outdoor area
Retail Goods Establishment	N/A	1 per 250sf GFA

Bicycle Parking Requirements

The City of Charlotte requires bicycle parking for most new construction and major expansions in the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District. These are divided into short-term (visitor) and long-term (secured/employee) spaces [Section 19.4.A].

Use Category	Required Total Bicycle Spaces	Required % of Long-Term Spaces
Multi-Family (Stacked/Attached)	1 per 5 dwelling units	80%
Dormitory	1 per 4 dorm rooms	80%
General Commercial Uses	1 per 1,500sf GFA	25%
Office	1 per 1,500sf GFA	25%
Restaurant / Bar	1 per 1,500sf GFA	25%
Retail Goods	1 per 1,500sf GFA	25%

Flexibilities and Exemptions

The TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District allows for several flexibilities in meeting or calculating parking requirements:

On-Street Parking: Existing or new on-street parking spaces abutting the property in the City of Charlotte may be counted toward any required minimum off-street parking [Section 19.2.D.1].
Public Parking Reduction: If a development site is within 1,000 feet walking distance of a public parking facility, the City of Charlotte may grant a 20% reduction in the minimum parking requirement [Section 19.2.D.2].
Exemptions from Maximums: Certain spaces do not count toward the parking maximums in the TOD-TR: Transit Transition Zoning District, including required accessible spaces, EVSE-installed charging stations, and up to 10% of total units (or 10 spaces) for multi-family visitors [Section 19.2.F].
Permission to Exceed Maximums: A parking maximum may be exceeded by up to 25% if at least 10% of the total spaces are provided for public use 24 hours a day, or if 20% of the spaces are dedicated as shared spaces during specific weekday or evening hours [Section 19.2.G.1].

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