Off-Street Parking Requirements for the PD: Planned Development District
In the City of Orlando, off-street parking requirements for the PD: Planned Development District are not governed by a single set of fixed ratios but are established individually by the City Council during the approval of each project's specific development plan and ordinance. While these requirements are tailored to promote efficient land use and superior urban design, the City of Orlando requires all such developments to comply with standard municipal building codes and land development regulations unless the specific PD ordinance explicitly provides alternative standards. For residential townhome developments within or analogous to a PD, the City of Orlando mandates a guest parking ratio of one space per five dwellings if the project exceeds 20 units [Section 58.511].
Establishment of Parking Standards
The PD: Planned Development District is intended to provide a flexible, voluntary process for unique developments that may not be feasible under standard zoning districts. Because of this flexibility, the City of Orlando City Council retains absolute authority to establish the limitations and regulations for each specific site.
The Role of the Specific PD Ordinance
The primary source for off-street parking counts, dimensions, and locations is the unique ordinance adopted for that specific property. The City of Orlando utilizes this process to ensure that the impact on the proposed site and surrounding neighborhoods is controlled and that the development encourages uses of land which reduce transportation needs and conserve energy [Section 58.361].
Default to Municipal Regulations
Unless a specific PD ordinance provides a conflict or an alternative standard, all general land development regulations of the City of Orlando apply to the PD: Planned Development District. This includes the general parking design and ratio requirements found in the broader City Code [Section 58.367].
| Category | Standard Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Parking Ratios | As determined by City Council in the approved Development Plan [Section 58.367]. |
| Default Regulations | Orlando City Code applies where the specific PD Ordinance is silent [Section 58.367]. |
| Townhome Guest Parking | 1 space per 5 dwellings (required for sites with 20+ dwellings) [Section 58.511]. |
| Variances | Prohibited unless specifically provided for in the specific PD Ordinance [Section 58.368]. |
Residential Parking Considerations
For residential projects within the PD: Planned Development District, the City of Orlando emphasizes design flexibility. However, specific standards often act as a baseline for the Master Plan review:
- Guest Parking: If a residential development includes more than 20 dwellings, guest parking must be provided at a ratio of one space per five dwellings. These may include on-street parking on new streets being constructed within the development site [Section 58.511].
- Front-Loaded Units: In many residential configurations analogous to PD standards, front-loaded townhomes are prohibited, requiring driveway and parking access from the rear of the unit [Section 58.511].
Commercial and Mixed-Use Parking
Commercial projects in the PD: Planned Development District are evaluated based on their impact on the Major Road Network. The City of Orlando may allow for "Shared Parking" strategies, particularly in mixed-use environments, to reduce the total amount of required pavement.
- Consolidated Parking: The City of Orlando encourages the use of shared or consolidated parking facilities to minimize the number of curb cuts and enhance the pedestrian environment [Section 62.308].
- Parking Garages: If a commercial project in a PD includes a parking structure, it must often be architecturally treated or lined with "active uses" (such as retail or office) to ensure it does not negatively impact the streetscape [Section 62.502].
Modifications and Compliance
Once the specific parking standards for a PD: Planned Development District are established in the approved Development Plan, they are rigid. Modifications to these plans by variance are generally prohibited unless the specific Planned Development Ordinance itself contains provisions for such changes [Section 58.368]. The City of Orlando requires the applicant to provide sufficient evidence of unified control over the development area to ensure that shared parking or access agreements can be legally maintained [Section 58.363].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210, General Requirements
- Section 58.361, Purpose of the District
- Section 58.363, Unified Control
- Section 58.367, Applicability of other ordinances
- Section 58.368, Variances Do Not Apply to Planned Development
- Section 58.511, Development Standards
- Section 62.308, Standards for Office Development
- Section 62.502, Parking Facility Design