Off-Street Parking Requirements for the RS-5 Residential Single-Family 5 District in Arlington, Texas
Residential projects within the City of Arlington RS-5: Residential Single-Family 5 district are primarily required to provide two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit, which must be housed in an enclosed two-car garage of at least 390 square feet. Commercial and institutional projects allowed in the RS-5 district, such as day care centers or country clubs, must meet specific ratios ranging from 2.5 to 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area depending on the specific use type.
Residential Parking Requirements in the RS-5 District
The City of Arlington RS-5: Residential Single-Family 5 district is intended for single-family detached residential uses at medium densities [Section 2.2.6.A]. For the majority of household living uses in the RS-5 district, the City of Arlington establishes a flat ratio per dwelling unit.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, single-family detached | 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Table 5.4-1] |
| Assisted living facility (≤6 residents) | 2.0 spaces per dwelling unit (not to exceed 1 per bedroom) [Table 5.4-1] |
| Boarding home facility | As required for the principal use (not to exceed 1 per bedroom) [Table 5.4-1] |
| Community home for disabled persons | As required for the principal use (not to exceed 1 per bedroom) [Table 5.4-1] |
| Foster family home | As required for the principal use [Table 5.4-1] |
| Foster group home | As required for the principal use plus 1 space per 2 residential beds [Table 5.4-1] |
Commercial and Institutional Parking Requirements in the RS-5 District
While the RS-5 district is primarily residential, certain commercial, recreational, and institutional uses are permitted either by-right or through a Specific Use Permit (SUP). These developments must adhere to the following parking ratios:
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bed and breakfast inn | 1 space per guest room, in addition to those required for the principal residence [Table 5.4-1] |
| Day care center | 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area (GFA) [Table 5.4-1] |
| Country club | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA [Table 5.4-1] |
| Golf course | 4 spaces per green [Table 5.4-1] |
| Public or private school | Elementary/Middle: 2 per classroom; High Schools: 6 per classroom plus 1 per 300 sf of admin office [Table 5.4-1] |
| Religious assembly | 1 space per 4 seats (or 25% of max capacity of assembly area if seating is not fixed) [Table 5.4-1] |
Mandatory Garage Standards for RS-5 Dwellings
In the City of Arlington, off-street parking for single-family detached dwellings in the RS-5 district must be provided in a specific format.
- Enclosed Garage Required: An enclosed two-car garage is mandatory for all single-family detached homes [Section 5.4.9.B.2.a].
- Minimum Size: The required garage must be at least 390 square feet in area [Section 5.4.9.B.2.a].
- Historical Exception: Dwellings constructed prior to January 31, 1984, are not required to have a garage [Section 5.4.9.B.2.b].
- Conversion Limitations: A garage in the RS-5 district may not be converted into living space unless another two-car garage is constructed on the same lot. For homes built before 1984, a conversion is allowed if a driveway at least 20 feet long (from the front property line) is constructed to accommodate the same number of vehicles [Section 5.4.9.B.2.c].
Parking Facility Location and Design Standards
All off-street parking facilities in the City of Arlington RS-5 district must comply with the following design criteria:
- Space Dimensions: Standard parking spaces must be at least 18 feet in length and 9 feet in width. Length may be reduced if a tire-stop curb is installed 16 feet from the maneuvering lane, provided there is a two-foot clear space for overhang [Section 5.4.9.A].
- Prohibited Locations: No off-street parking may be located within a public street, sidewalk, parkway, alley, or any other public right-of-way [Section 5.4.9.B.1.a].
- Compact Car Spaces: Up to 20 percent of required parking for non-single-family projects may be designed for compact cars (8 feet by 16 feet) if clearly identified by signage or markings [Section 5.4.9.A.3].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.2.6 Residential Single-Family-5 | RS-5
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 5.4.1 Off-Street Parking and Loading Purpose
- Section 5.4.3 Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.9 Parking Facility Location and Design
- Table 5.4-1 Off-Street Parking Schedule A