Off-Street Parking Standards for the DG: Downtown General District in Fayetteville
In the DG: Downtown General district of the City of Fayetteville, there are no minimum off-street parking requirements for non-residential uses, though maximum limits still apply to prevent over-parking. For residential projects, the City of Fayetteville enforces specific minimum and maximum ratios based on the dwelling type, and all parking must be situated to the side or rear of the principal building to support the district's urban form. If a developer in the DG: Downtown General district is granted a parking variance, they may be required to pay a fee-in-lieu of $1,200.00 per space to the city's public parking fund [Section 156.03(C)(5)].
District Intent and General Parking Location
The DG: Downtown General district is a flexible zone intended for a concentrated mix of uses, including various residential types and businesses, designed in a traditional urban form [Section 161.28]. Because the City of Fayetteville prioritizes a walkable, pedestrian-oriented environment in this district, specific location standards apply to all parking facilities:
- Rear or Side Placement: In the DG: Downtown General district, parking spaces, drive-thru lanes, and parking lot drive aisles are prohibited in the front yard directly between a building and the street right-of-way. They must be located to the side or rear of the building [Section 172.04(C)(4)].
- Maneuvering: Parking lots must be designed so that all vehicles enter and exit the lot in a forward motion; no maneuvering is permitted to encroach into sidewalks or streets [Section 172.04(A)].
- Screening: If any portion of a parking lot is located within the build-to zone, it must be screened by a masonry wall between 32 and 42 inches in height that is at least 50% opaque [Section 172.04(C)(1)].
Residential Parking Ratios
The City of Fayetteville requires residential developments within the DG: Downtown General district to adhere to the following minimum and maximum parking ratios:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Spaces Required | Maximum Parking Spaces Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family | 2 per dwelling unit | None |
| Duplex, triplex, or quadplex | 2 per dwelling unit | 4 per dwelling unit |
| Townhouse | 2 per unit or 1 per bedroom (whichever is greater) | 1 per bedroom |
| Multi-family | 1 per bedroom | 1 per bedroom |
[Section 172.05, Table 3]
Non-Residential Parking Requirements
In the DG: Downtown General district, the City of Fayetteville does not require a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for non-residential uses. However, if a developer chooses to provide parking, the total number of spaces cannot exceed the maximum ratios established in the UDC for that specific use [Section 172.05(A)]. Applicants must provide a parking analysis demonstrating that the proposed parking will not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood or create dangerous traffic conditions [Section 172.05(A)].
Parking Variances and Fees-in-Lieu
The Planning Commission of the City of Fayetteville has the specific authority to vary the number of required off-street parking spaces within the DG: Downtown General district [Section 156.03(C)(5)]. When a variance is granted to reduce the number of spaces below the standard requirement, the developer may be subject to a fee-in-lieu:
- Fee Amount: $1,200.00 for each on-site parking space that is waived [Section 156.03(C)(5)(c)(i)(a)].
- Usage: These funds are held in an interest-bearing account by the City of Fayetteville to be used for public parking facilities within the district [Section 156.03(C)(5)(c)(i)(a)].
Accessibility Requirements
All parking lots in the DG: Downtown General district must provide accessible parking spaces for persons with disabilities in accordance with the following City of Fayetteville standards:
| Total Parking Spaces in Lot | Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1—25 | 1 |
| 26—50 | 2 |
| 51—75 | 3 |
| 76—100 | 4 |
| 101—150 | 5 |
| 151—200 | 6 |
| 201—300 | 7 |
| 301—400 | 8 |
| 401—500 | 9 |
| 501—1000 | 2% of total spaces |
| Over 1000 | 20 spaces + 1 space for every 100 spaces over 1000 |
[Section 172.03(E)]
Bicycle Parking
All new construction or expansions in the DG: Downtown General district that require five or more automobile parking spaces must also provide bicycle parking [Section 172.10(A)]:
- Non-Residential: One bicycle parking rack space for every 20 automobile spaces (minimum of one rack) [Section 172.10(C)(1)].
- Residential: One bicycle rack per 30 dwelling units (minimum of one rack) [Section 172.10(C)(2)].
Sections Cited
- Section 156.03 - Development, Parking And Loading (Variances)
- Section 161.28 - District DG, Downtown General
- Section 172.03 - Accessibility
- Section 172.04 - Parking Lot Design Standards
- Section 172.05 - Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use
- Section 172.10 - Bicycle Parking Rack Requirements