Off-Street Parking Standards for the City of Charlotte ML-1 District
The City of Charlotte designates the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District as a Tier 1 parking area, which requires minimum parking counts but does not set a maximum limit on the number of spaces provided. While the City of Charlotte generally prohibits residential uses within the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District, allowed commercial and industrial projects typically adhere to a requirement of one space per 750 square feet of gross floor area (GFA). All parking facilities in this district must be constructed on the same lot as the principal use and satisfy specific surfacing and design standards [Section 19.2.B, Section 19.6.B].
Parking Tier System and Calculation
The City of Charlotte utilizes a three-tier system to manage parking based on the context of different zoning districts. The ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District is categorized under Tier 1 [Table 19-1].
- Tier 1 Requirements: Developments in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must provide a minimum number of off-street parking spaces. However, Tier 1 districts do not have a maximum limit on the number of parking spaces allowed [Section 19.2.A.1.a].
- Calculations: Parking requirements are calculated based on the principal use of the lot. If multiple uses occupy the same lot, the total requirement is the sum of the requirements for each individual use [Section 19.2.B].
Commercial and Industrial Parking Ratios
The following table outlines the minimum off-street parking requirements for nonresidential and industrial uses permitted within the City of Charlotte ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement (Tier 1) |
|---|---|
| Commercial Use (General) | 1 space per 750sf of Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
| Office | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Industrial Use (General) | 1/1,000sf GFA up to 40,000sf; then 1/2,500sf for additional GFA above 40,000sf |
| Warehousing and Distribution | 1/750sf of office area + 1/15,000sf GFA of warehouse |
| Broadcasting Facility | 1/7,000sf GFA + 1/750sf office use |
| Hotel/Motel | 1 space per guest room |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1/750sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating/activity area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1/750sf GFA |
| Vehicle Repair (Major or Minor) | 4 spaces per service bay |
| Animal Care Facility | 1/750sf GFA |
[Table 19-1]
Residential Parking Ratios
According to the City of Charlotte Global Use Matrix, new residential developments are generally prohibited in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District [Table 15-1]. However, the UDO provides the following parking ratios for Tier 1 districts, which would govern any existing or specifically allowed residential components:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement (Tier 1) |
|---|---|
| Residential Use (General) | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Duplex / Triplex / Quadraplex | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached / Stacked | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) |
[Table 19-1]
Design and Surface Requirements
Parking facilities in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District must adhere to the following design standards:
- Surfacing: All parking lots in the City of Charlotte must be improved with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. In the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District, gravel is permitted for parking areas, but any driveways connecting the lot directly to a street must be paved with an improved surface (concrete or asphalt) for a minimum length of 20 feet [Section 19.6.B.1, Section 19.6.B.2].
- Backing into Streets: Nonresidential uses in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District are prohibited from using parking configurations that require vehicles to back directly onto a street [Section 19.5.D].
- Setbacks: No surface parking, driveways, or maneuvering areas may be located within the established setback along a frontage in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District, except for driveways installed nearly perpendicular to the street to provide access to the parking area [Table 19-4].
- Screening: For any parking lot in the ML-1: Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning District containing ten or more spaces, screening is required at the edge of the lot. This typically involves a five-foot wide area with one shrub planted every five linear feet [Section 20.5.A, Section 20.5.B.1].
Sections Cited
- Article 8: Manufacturing & Logistics Zoning Districts
- Section 15.2: Global Use Matrix
- Section 19.2: Vehicle Parking Space Requirements
- Section 19.5: Design of Vehicle Parking Spaces
- Section 19.6: Design of Surface Parking and Parking Lots
- Section 20.5: Required Screening for Parking Lots
- Table 15-1: Use Matrix
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Table 19-4: Surface Parking Area Location and Access