Off-Street Parking Standards for the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District
In the City of Charlotte, the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District is governed by Tier 1 parking standards, which establish mandatory minimum parking ratios without imposing a maximum limit on the number of spaces provided. Residential requirements within this district typically range from one to two spaces per dwelling unit, while most commercial and office developments must provide at least one parking space for every 750 square feet of gross floor area (GFA). Various flexibilities exist, such as counting on-street parking or proximity to public parking facilities, to help developers meet these minimum requirements.
Vehicle Parking Tier System
The City of Charlotte utilizes a three-tier system to manage off-street vehicle parking. The OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District is specifically assigned to Tier 1 [Table 19-1]. Under Tier 1 regulations, projects must meet minimum parking space counts, but there is no maximum number of parking spaces allowed for a development [Section 19.2.A.1].
Minimum Parking Requirements: Residential
For residential projects within the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District, the following minimum parking ratios apply:
| Residential Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential Use (unless listed below) | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Duplex, Triplex, and Quadraplex Dwellings | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached (On or Not on Sublots) | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached/Stacked (Senior Living) | 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Dormitory | 1 space per 2 dorm rooms |
| Live/Work Dwelling | 1 space per unit + 1 space per 500sf of commercial GFA |
| Group Home | 1 space per 2 residents |
| Rooming House | 1 space per 2 rooming units |
[Source: Table 19-1]
Minimum Parking Requirements: Commercial and Office
Commercial and office projects in the City of Charlotte's OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District are generally subject to a base ratio of one space per 750 square feet of gross floor area (GFA), with specific exceptions for high-intensity uses.
| Commercial/Office Use Type | Tier 1 Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial Use (unless listed below) | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Office (Standard) | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Medical or Dental Office | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Financial Institution | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 space per 750sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Specialty Food Service | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Personal Service Establishment | 1 space per 750sf GFA |
| Bed and Breakfast | 1 space + 0.5 spaces per guest room |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 space per guest room |
[Source: Table 19-1]
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Bicycle Parking
The City of Charlotte requires the integration of alternative transportation infrastructure for specific project types within the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
EV stations are required for multi-family stacked dwellings, the residential component of mixed-use developments, hotels, and standalone parking facilities [Section 19.3.A].
| Total Off-Street Spaces Provided | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 spaces | None | None |
| 10-25 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | None |
| 26-50 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | 1 space |
| More than 50 spaces | 20% of spaces (rounded up) | 2% of spaces (rounded up) |
[Source: Table 19-2]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Bicycle parking is mandatory for new construction or significant expansions in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District [Section 19.4.A].
| Use Category | Required Bicycle Spaces | Required % Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (MF Stacked/Attached) | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Commercial/Office (Standard) | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Restaurant or Bar | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
[Source: Table 19-3]
Parking Flexibilities and Reductions
To assist with compliance in the OFC: Office Flex Campus Zoning District, the City of Charlotte allows for several reductions to the required minimum off-street parking counts:
- On-Street Parking: Existing or new on-street parking spaces abutting the property may be counted toward the minimum requirement [Section 19.2.D.1].
- Public Parking Reduction: A 20% reduction in the minimum required parking may be granted if the development site is within 1,000 feet walking distance of a public parking facility [Section 19.2.D.2].
- Tree Preservation: If providing the full amount of required parking would require the removal of significant trees, the Zoning Administrator may authorize a reduction of up to 25% [Section 19.2.D.3].
Sections Cited
- 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