Off-Street Parking Standards for the City of Charlotte CG: General Commercial Zoning District
Projects located within the City of Charlotte CG: General Commercial Zoning District are governed by the Tier 2 vehicle parking system, which establishes both minimum and maximum off-street parking requirements. While residential uses typically require one space per dwelling unit, commercial developments generally must provide a minimum of one space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, with specific maximums that are often more permissive for retail and restaurant uses within this specific district.
Vehicle Parking Tier System
The City of Charlotte utilizes a three-tier system to manage off-street parking based on the intensity and context of different areas. The CG: General Commercial Zoning District is designated as a Tier 2 district [Table 19-1]. In Tier 2, developments are required to provide a minimum number of spaces to meet basic demand while adhering to a maximum limit to prevent excessive surface parking and support the City of Charlotte's multi-modal transportation goals [Section 19.2.A.1].
Residential Parking Requirements in the CG District
For residential components within the CG: General Commercial Zoning District, the following minimum and maximum standards apply:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Use (unless listed below) | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dwelling – Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, or Quadraplex | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 per dwelling unit (unenclosed) |
| Dwelling – Multi-Family Attached or Stacked | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Senior Living (within Multi-Family) | 0.25 per dwelling unit | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Live/Work Dwelling | 1 per unit + 1 per 1,000sf GFA (comm.) | 2 per unit + 1 per 250sf GFA (comm.) |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 1 per dorm room |
Note: For Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, and Quadraplex dwellings, there is no maximum limit on the number of enclosed or garage parking spaces provided [Table 19-1].
Commercial Parking Requirements in the CG District
Commercial projects in the City of Charlotte CG: General Commercial Zoning District follow a standardized ratio for most uses, with adjusted maximums for high-intensity businesses.
| Commercial Use Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| General Commercial (unless listed below) | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 125sf GFA |
| Financial Institution | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 125sf GFA |
| Restaurant / Bar | 1 per 1,000sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area | 1 per 125sf GFA + 75% of outdoor seating area |
| Medical / Dental Office | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Hotel / Motel | 0.5 per guest room | 1.5 per guest room |
| Animal Care Facility | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
Design and Location Standards
In the CG: General Commercial Zoning District, the placement and surfacing of parking are strictly regulated to maintain the aesthetic and functional standards of the City of Charlotte.
Surface Parking Placement
- Setback Restrictions: Surface parking, driveways, and maneuvering areas are prohibited within the established setback along any frontage in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District. Driveways may only cross this area to provide access and should be installed as perpendicular to the street as possible [Table 19-4].
- Main Street Frontage: If a project in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District includes surface parking in the established setback along a Main Street, that parking must be removed if there is a change of use or a building addition exceeding 25% of the gross floor area or 1,000 square feet [Table 19-4].
Surfacing and Striping
All parking lots in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District must be improved with a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt. Gravel is generally prohibited except in very specific circumstances, and any lot with ten or more spaces must have clearly painted or permanent striping [Section 19.6.B and 19.6.C].
Bicycle and Electric Vehicle (EV) Requirements
The City of Charlotte requires modern infrastructure for alternative transportation in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District.
Bicycle Parking
Developments must provide both short-term (racks) and long-term (lockers or secure rooms) bicycle spaces [Section 19.4].
| Use Category | Required Bicycle Spaces | Long-Term Space % |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (Multi-Family) | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Commercial (Standard) | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Retail / Showroom | 1 per 3,000sf GFA | 25% |
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
EV stations are required for multi-family stacked dwellings, hotels, and parking structures in the CG: General Commercial Zoning District [Section 19.3].
- 10-25 Spaces: 20% of spaces must be EV-Capable.
- 26-50 Spaces: 20% must be EV-Capable and 1 space must be EVSE-Installed.
- More than 50 Spaces: 20% must be EV-Capable and 2% must be EVSE-Installed [Table 19-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 19.1: Purpose
- Section 19.2: Vehicle Parking Space Requirements
- Table 19-1: Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Section 19.3: Required Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Table 19-2: Required EV Charging Stations
- Section 19.4: Required Bicycle Parking
- Table 19-3: Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Section 19.6: Design of Surface Parking and Parking Lots
- Table 19-4: Surface Parking Area Location and Access