Off-Street Parking Standards for the IC-2 Institutional Campus Zoning District
In the City of Charlotte, the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District is governed by a Tier 2 parking system, which mandates both minimum and maximum off-street vehicle parking ratios. Residential developments typically require a minimum of one space per dwelling unit and a maximum of two, while most commercial uses require one space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area (GFA) as a minimum and one space per 250 square feet of GFA as a maximum. Furthermore, projects within the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District must comply with specific bicycle parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging station requirements based on the scale of the development.
Vehicle Parking Requirements
The City of Charlotte classifies the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District under Tier 2 for vehicle parking [Section 19.2.A.1.b]. Unlike Tier 1, which only has minimums, or Tier 3, which has few minimums, Tier 2 requires developers to stay within a specific range for most uses.
Residential Use Ratios
For residential projects in the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District, the following off-street parking requirements apply:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Use (unless listed below) | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 1 per dorm room |
| Dwelling – Duplex | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 unenclosed per unit (no limit on garage) |
| Dwelling – Live/Work | 1 per unit + 1/1,000sf GFA | 2 per unit + 1/250sf GFA |
| Multi-Family Attached (units not on sublots) | 1 per dwelling unit* | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1 per dwelling unit* | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Residential Care Facility | 0.5 per bed | 1.5 per bed |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | 0.2 per rooming unit | 1 per rooming unit |
*The minimum for senior living is reduced to 0.25 per dwelling unit [Table 19-1].
Commercial and Institutional Use Ratios
Commercial projects in the City of Charlotte's IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District are generally subject to the following standards:
| Commercial/Institutional Use Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Use (unless listed below) | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Financial Institution | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Hotel/Motel | 0.5 per guest room | 1.5 per guest room |
| Medical/Dental Office | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Office | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 per 1,000sf GFA + 50% of outdoor area | 1 per 250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,000sf GFA | 1 per 250sf GFA |
[Table 19-1]
Bicycle Parking Standards
Bicycle parking is required in the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District for new constructions or substantial expansions [Section 19.4.A]. Requirements are split between short-term and long-term (covered and secure) spaces.
| Use Type | Total Bicycle Spaces Required | % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Family Stacked/Attached | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Office | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Educational Facility (Primary/Secondary) | 1 per 4 classrooms | 25% |
[Table 19-3]
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
The City of Charlotte requires EV infrastructure for multi-family stacked dwellings, the residential component of mixed-use developments, hotels, and standalone parking lots/structures in the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District [Section 19.3.A].
| Total Off-Street Parking Spaces Provided | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 spaces | None | None |
| 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 |
[Table 19-2]
Parking Design and Flexibilities
On-Street Parking Credit
In the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District, existing or new on-street parking spaces abutting the property may be counted toward the required minimum off-street parking [Section 19.2.D.1]. Unmarked spaces are calculated based on the standard length for a parallel parking space defined in the Charlotte Land Development Standards Manual (CLDSM) [Section 19.2.D.1.a].
Public Parking Reduction
Development sites within the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District that are located within 1,000 feet walking distance of a public parking facility may be granted a 20% reduction in their minimum parking requirement [Section 19.2.D.2].
Structured Parking Design
Parking structures in the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District must adhere to specific design options to ensure they contribute to a pedestrian-oriented environment. On most frontages, the IC-2: Institutional Campus Zoning District permits Design Options A, B, and C, which involve ground floor activation (retail or residential uses) and/or stepping back the upper floors of the structure [Section 19.7.C.2, Table 19-5].
Sections Cited
- Article 7, Section 7.1.B (IC-2 Purpose)
- Article 19, Section 19.2 (Vehicle Parking Space Requirements)
- Article 19, Table 19-1 (Vehicle Parking Requirements)
- Article 19, Section 19.3 (Required EV Charging Stations)
- Article 19, Table 19-2 (Required EV Charging Stations)
- Article 19, Section 19.4 (Required Bicycle Parking)
- Article 19, Table 19-3 (Bicycle Parking Requirements)
- Article 19, Section 19.7.C (Parking Structure Design)