Off-Street Parking Standards for the AC-3A Downtown Metropolitan Activity Core Center District
In the AC-3A district of the City of Orlando, off-street parking is primarily restricted to the rear or interior sides of principal structures and is prohibited between the building and the street. Parking garages within the Downtown Parking Zone A must devote at least 75% of their ground floor frontage to active uses, while garages outside this zone require a 20-foot landscaped pedestrian-oriented setback. Furthermore, the total number of required spaces for mixed-use projects in the AC-3A district is determined by a shared parking matrix to incentivize higher-density development [Sections 62.502, 62.611].
General Location and Design Requirements
The City of Orlando requires that all commercial and residential projects in the AC-3A: Downtown Metropolitan Activity Core Center District adhere to specific placement standards to maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment.
- Prohibited Placement: Off-street parking is strictly prohibited between the principal building and the street, as well as within required front or street side yard setbacks [Section 62.604].
- Permitted Placement: Parking facilities must be located at the rear or the interior side of the principal structure [Section 62.611].
- Architectural Integration: Any parking structure built within the AC-3A district must be designed to achieve architectural unity with the principal structure(s) it serves, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic for the Downtown area [Section 62.502].
Technical Standards for Parking Facilities
The following table outlines the specific design and setback requirements for parking structures and surface lots in the AC-3A district:
| Standard Category | Requirement for AC-3A District |
|---|---|
| Location (General) | Rear or interior side of the principal structure only [Section 62.611]. |
| Ground Floor Frontage (Zone A) | Minimum 75% of frontage must consist of active uses (offices, retail, etc.) [Section 62.502]. |
| Pedestrian Setback (Outside Zone A) | Minimum 20-foot landscaped pedestrian-oriented setback [Section 62.502]. |
| Liner Building Depth | Parking structures must be lined with tenant space at least 18 feet deep [Section 62.505]. |
| Surface Parking Screening | Must be screened by a streetwall (3' to 5' in height) if visible from the street [Section 62.611]. |
Shared Parking and Space Ratios
The City of Orlando allows for the reduction of the total number of parking spaces in mixed-use developments within the AC-3A district through a "Shared Parking Factor." The actual parking required is calculated by adding the total spaces required for each separate use and dividing the sum by the appropriate factor from the matrix below.
Shared Parking Factor Matrix
| Use Category | Residential | Lodging | Office | Retail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Lodging | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Office | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Retail | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Note: When three or more uses share parking, the lowest applicable factor is used to ensure adequate supply [Section 62.505]. |
Specific Use Adjustments
- Eating and Drinking Establishments: Under specific intensity reduction incentives, the maximum number of parking spaces permitted is limited to 12 spaces per 1,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area (GFA) [Section 58.1118].
- Landscape Compliance: The Zoning Official may authorize the removal of existing parking spaces to achieve compliance with bufferyard or landscaping requirements. For building sites with 71 or more spaces, up to 5% of required spaces may be removed [Section 58.1182].
Review and Enforcement
All development projects in the AC-3A district, including those involving parking facilities, are subject to mandatory review by the Appearance Review Board (ARB). This board ensures that the intent of the design criteria—such as the requirement for "active" ground floor uses and the concealment of ramping—is met before a building permit is issued [Sections 62.500, 62.502].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.1118 - Availability of Reductions
- Section 58.1182 - Removal of Parking Spaces to Achieve Compliance
- Section 62.500 - General Requirements (AC-3A)
- Section 62.502 - Parking Facility Design
- Section 62.505 - Street-Level Commercial Use
- Section 62.604 - General Standards
- Section 62.611 - Streetwall and Vehicular Use Areas