City of Orlando Off-Street Parking Standards: RN Residential Neighborhood District
In the City of Orlando, the RN: Residential Neighborhood District is primarily governed by the specialized land use and design standards established in Chapter 68 of the City Code. While general residential off-street parking must adhere to the regulations of Chapter 61, the RN district emphasizes pedestrian-scaled design, placing strict limits on the parking of commercial and recreational vehicles and prohibiting the use of unimproved surfaces for vehicle storage.
Governing Authority and District Intent
The RN: Residential Neighborhood District is a specific designation within the Southeast Orlando Sector Plan area. The City of Orlando intended this district to accommodate the majority of housing within that sector, specifically designed as low to medium-density areas scaled to the needs of pedestrians [Section 58.499]. Because of its specialized nature, the City of Orlando mandates that all land use and design standards, including specific parking configurations for new residential and commercial projects, must comply with Chapter 68 of the City Code [Section 58.499.2].
Residential Parking Restrictions
For residential properties within the RN district, the City of Orlando enforces general standards regarding the types of vehicles permitted to be parked off-street and the required setbacks for those vehicles.
Commercial and Recreational Vehicles
The parking of commercial vehicles is strictly prohibited on public streets and within privately owned driveways or property in residential districts like the RN district [Section 58.926]. Such vehicles may only be parked within a completely enclosed private garage, provided the vehicle does not exceed a gross vehicle load rating of 20,000 pounds [Section 58.927].
Recreational vehicles (RVs) are permitted on RN district lots only if they meet the following criteria:
- Location: They must be parked in a completely enclosed garage or within a side or rear yard [Section 58.926].
- Yard Setbacks: If parked in a yard, the vehicle must maintain a minimum five-foot setback from the side and rear property lines [Section 58.926(b)].
- Loading: Parking for the purpose of loading or unloading is limited to a maximum of 36 hours [Section 58.926(c)].
Non-Conforming Residential Lots
For existing platted residential lots in the City of Orlando that are considered non-conforming (due to area, width, or depth), specific parking location rules apply to ensure compatibility with the principal structure. All required parking spaces and garage door elevations must be set back a minimum of five feet from the principal facade of the principal building [Section 58.1153].
Home Occupation Parking Requirements
Residential projects in the RN district that include a home occupation must comply with the following City of Orlando standards to prevent neighborhood disruption:
- Traffic Volume: The occupation may not generate vehicular traffic exceeding two vehicles concurrently or more than ten vehicles per day [Section 58.938].
- Permitted Surfaces: Vehicles and trailers associated with the business must be parked in legal parking spaces. Parking on a public sidewalk or on unimproved surfaces (such as grass or dirt) at the residence is prohibited [Section 58.938(C)].
- Equipment Visibility: Heavy equipment, including commercial or agricultural vehicles, must be stored so they are not visible from the street or neighboring properties [Section 58.938(C)].
Summary of Technical Parking Standards
| Category | Requirement / Numeric Limit | Code Section |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Standard | Must comply with Chapter 68 (Southeast Orlando Sector Plan) | [Section 58.499.2] |
| RV Side/Rear Setback | Minimum 5 feet from property lines | [Section 58.926(b)] |
| RV Max Size (in yard) | 10.5 feet in height; 25 feet in length | [Section 58.926(b)] |
| RV Loading Limit | Maximum 36 continuous hours | [Section 58.926(c)] |
| Comm. Vehicle Weight | Maximum 20,000 lbs (must be in enclosed garage) | [Section 58.927] |
| Home Occup. Traffic | Max 2 vehicles concurrently; Max 10 per day | [Section 58.938] |
| Parking Surface | Prohibited on sidewalks or unimproved surfaces | [Section 58.938(C)] |
| Non-conforming Lots | Parking/garage doors must be set back 5 ft from facade | [Section 58.1153(c)] |
Sections Cited
- Section 58.498: RN Residential Neighborhood District.
- Section 58.499: Purpose of the RN District.
- Section 58.499.2: Additional District Requirements.
- Section 58.926: Commercial and Recreational Vehicle Parking.
- Section 58.927: Maximum Weight for Commercial Vehicles.
- Section 58.938: Home Occupation Performance and Design Requirements.
- Section 58.1153: Development of Nonconforming Residential Lots.