Off-Street Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Requirements for the TOD-UC District in the City of Charlotte
Within the City of Charlotte's TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District, most developments have no minimum off-street vehicle parking requirements unless the project is located within 400 feet of a Neighborhood 1 Place Type. The City of Charlotte enforces strict parking maximums in this district, typically limiting residential projects to two spaces per unit and commercial projects to one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area. Additionally, the City of Charlotte requires specific ratios for short-term and long-term bicycle parking based on the type of use.
Vehicle Parking Tier System
The City of Charlotte utilizes a tiered system to manage off-street parking. The TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District is classified as Tier 3 [Table 19-1]. Under Tier 3, minimum parking requirements are largely eliminated to encourage transit use, while maximum limits are strictly applied to both parking lots and parking structures [Section 19.2.A.1.c].
If a TOD-UC project is located within 400 feet walking distance of a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, specific minimum parking requirements apply as detailed in the tables below [Table 19-1].
Residential Vehicle Parking Requirements
The following standards apply to residential developments within the City of Charlotte TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District.
| Use | Minimum Parking (Only if within 400’ of Neighborhood 1) | Maximum Parking (Applies to lots and structures) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Use (unless listed below) | None | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Attached (Units not on Sublots) | 1 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Multi-Family Attached (Units on Sublots) | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 unenclosed spaces per unit (no limit on garage spaces) |
| Multi-Family Stacked | 1 per dwelling unit (0.25 for senior living) | 1 per bedroom/studio unit |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 1 per dorm room |
| Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex | None | 2 unenclosed spaces per unit (no limit on garage spaces) |
| Group Home | 6 spaces | 6 spaces |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) | None | 1 per rooming unit |
[Table 19-1]
Commercial Vehicle Parking Requirements
Commercial projects in the TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District generally have no minimum parking requirements but must adhere to the following maximums.
| Use | Minimum Parking (Only if within 400’ of Neighborhood 1) | Maximum Parking (Applies to lots and structures) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Use (unless listed below) | None | 1 space per 250sf GFA |
| Amusement Facility (Indoor) | None | 1/250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Hotel/Motel | None | 1.5 spaces per guest room |
| Medical/Dental Office | None | 1 space per 250sf GFA |
| Office | None | 1 space per 250sf GFA |
| Restaurant/Bar | None | 1/250sf GFA + 50% of outdoor seating area |
| Retail Goods Establishment | None | 1 space per 250sf GFA |
| Vehicle Dealership (Enclosed) | None | 1/250sf GFA + 6 per service bay |
[Table 19-1]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Charlotte requires both short-term and long-term bicycle parking for most uses in the TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District. Short-term spaces are for visitors and must be within 120 feet of the primary entrance, while long-term spaces must be fully covered and offer protection from the elements [Section 19.9.B-C].
| Use Category | Required Bicycle Spaces | Percentage Required as Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Family Stacked or Attached | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 80% |
| Dormitory | 1 per 4 dorm rooms | 80% |
| Standard Commercial Use | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Office | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Retail Goods Establishment | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
| Institutional/Governmental Use | 1 per 1,500sf GFA | 25% |
[Table 19-3]
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Requirements
In the City of Charlotte TOD-UC Transit Urban Center Zoning District, the following residential and commercial projects must provide EV charging infrastructure:
- Multi-family stacked dwellings.
- Residential components of mixed-use developments.
- Hotels.
- Parking lots and structures as a principal use.
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | EV-Capable Spaces | EVSE-Installed Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 spaces | None | None |
| 10-25 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | None |
| 26-50 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | 1 space |
| More than 50 spaces | 20% (rounded up) | 2% (rounded up) |
[Section 19.3, Table 19-2]
Exemptions and Flexibilities
- Maximum Exemptions: Accessible parking spaces, EVSE-Installed stations, and specific ride-hailing or delivery pick-up spaces are not counted toward the City of Charlotte’s parking maximums [Section 19.2.F].
- Proximity to Transit: Any property in the City of Charlotte within one-half mile walking distance of an existing rapid transit station may use the Tier 3 standards, provided the property is not in a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Section 19.2.H].
- Public Parking Reduction: A 20% reduction in minimum parking requirements may be granted if the development is within 1,000 feet of a public parking facility [Section 19.2.D.2].
Sections Cited
- Article 13, Transit Oriented Development Zoning Districts
- Article 19, Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking
- Section 16.6, On-Site Pedestrian Connectivity
- Table 19-1, Vehicle Parking Requirements
- Table 19-2, Required EV Charging Stations
- Table 19-3, Bicycle Parking Requirements