Off-Street Parking Standards for the Downtown Business (DB) District
In the City of Arlington's Downtown Business (DB) district, off-street parking requirements for non-residential and mixed-use developments are significantly reduced to one-third of the standard ratios required in other zoning districts. Furthermore, the City of Arlington prohibits surface parking between a building and the street within the Downtown Business (DB) district, requiring such lots to be located strictly to the rear or sides of the structure. Developers may also receive a one-to-one reduction in required off-street spaces for every on-street parking space located immediately in front of the property [Section 5.4.4.H.2].
Off-Street Parking Ratios and Reductions
The Downtown Business (DB) district is intended to support a high-density, pedestrian-friendly urban environment. Consequently, the City of Arlington applies a unique "one-third" reduction rule to calculate the minimum required parking for non-residential and mixed-use projects in this area.
Common Parking Requirements (Calculated for DB)
The following table provides standard ratios from the Unified Development Code and applies the mandatory one-third reduction for the Downtown Business (DB) district [Section 5.4.4.H.2.a].
| Use Type | Standard Code Requirement (Arlington) | Effective DB District Requirement (1/3 of Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank or Financial Institution | 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 0.83 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| General Retail Store | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 1.0 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Office (Business/Professional) | 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 0.83 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant | 10 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 3.33 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Bar | 14 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 4.67 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Multi-Family (in Non-Res Zone) | 1 space per dwelling unit | 0.33 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Medical/Dental Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA | 1.33 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Note: For projects utilizing Texas Local Government Code Chapter 218, where parking requirements are already reduced by state law, no further reduction under the DB district standards is provided [Section 5.4.4.H.2.a].
Location and Design Requirements
The City of Arlington enforces strict placement rules for parking facilities within the Downtown Business (DB) district to maintain the urban character and street wall of the central business area.
Surface Parking Placement
- Prohibited Areas: No surface parking lots, off-street parking spaces, or associated driving aisles are permitted between the building and the street [Section 5.4.4.H.2.d].
- Permitted Areas: All surface parking must be located behind and/or on the sides of the building [Section 5.4.4.H.2.d].
- Frontage Limitation: Side parking is limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the width of the street frontage [Section 5.4.4.H.2.d].
Head-In and On-Street Parking
- Head-In Parking: This is permitted in the Downtown Business (DB) district, provided all spaces and sidewalks remain entirely within the right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator. Such parking must be angled and cannot be designed at a 90-degree angle [Section 5.4.9.B.3.a].
- On-Street Credit: The Zoning Administrator may give credit for on-street parking spaces located on the street adjacent to the entry of the building. In the Downtown Business (DB) district, the off-street requirement may be reduced by one space for every one on-street space located between the side lot lines of the property [Section 5.4.4.H.2.c].
Access and Circulation
Where a useable alley exists (public or private), other access drives are not permitted in the Downtown Business (DB) district unless the Zoning Administrator determines the alley is not accessible [Section 5.4.9.E].
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Developments in the Downtown Business (DB) district must also provide bicycle parking to encourage multi-modal transportation.
| Use Type in DB District | Bicycle Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Non-Residential Development | 5% of the number of required automobile spaces |
| Multi-Family & Mixed-Use | 1 space for every 5 residential units |
Additional standards for the DB district require that 10 percent of the required bicycle parking must include e-bike chargers. Bicycle racks must be located in a covered and secured area for multi-family or mixed-use projects [Section 5.4.11.A and C].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.8, Downtown Business | DB
- Section 5.4.3, Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.4, Computation of Parking and Loading Requirements
- Section 5.4.9, Parking Facility Location and Design
- Section 5.4.11, Bicycle Parking
- Table 5.4-1, Off-Street Parking Schedule A
- Table 5.4-4, Required Bicycle Parking