Off-Street Parking Standards for the AC-N: Activity Center District in Orlando
Off-street parking in the City of Orlando AC-N: Activity Center District is designed to support a pedestrian-oriented environment by requiring parking facilities to be located at the rear or interior sides of principal structures. While general ratios often defer to City-wide standards, specific sub-districts like the Lake Underhill Road Special Plan mandate a ratio of one space per 300 square feet for most uses, while strictly prohibiting parking as a principal use.
General Locational and Access Requirements
In the AC-N: Activity Center District, the City of Orlando prioritizes the continuity of the streetwall and the safety of the pedestrian realm. Consequently, the Orlando Land Development Code mandates that all vehicular use areas must be screened from the street.
Specific locational constraints for the AC-N: Activity Center District include:
- Residential Protection: Off-street parking for activity centers may not be located in or take access from residential areas [Section 58.342].
- Structure Placement: Parking facilities are generally permitted only at the rear or interior side of the principal structure [Section 62.611].
- Prohibited Uses: In specific areas like the Lake Underhill Road Special Plan, using a property for "Parking—principal use" is strictly prohibited within the AC-N district [Section 62.404].
Technical Parking Ratios
While many projects in the City of Orlando refer to the general requirements in Chapter 61, specific overlay districts provided in the code establish unique ratios for the AC-N: Activity Center District.
Lake Underhill Road Special Plan Ratios
For properties within the AC-N: Activity Center District subject to the Lake Underhill Road Special Plan, the following minimum parking requirements apply:
| Use Category | Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Storage & Warehouse | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Office & Warehousing (in the same structure) | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. |
| All Other Uses | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. |
| Stationary Mobile Vendors | 5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. |
[Section 62.404, Section 58.722]
Neighborhood Convenience Store Ratios
When a neighborhood convenience store is established as a mixed-use component in the AC-N: Activity Center District within the Traditional City, specific limitations apply:
| Requirement Type | Standard |
|---|---|
| Maximum Store Parking | 2 spaces total |
| Employee Parking | May be stacked on a driveway |
| Residential Component | Must meet standard residential requirements per Chapter 61 |
[Section 62.606]
Shared Parking and Mixed-Use Incentives
The City of Orlando provides flexibility for mixed-use projects within the AC-N: Activity Center District to reduce the total number of required off-street spaces through shared parking credits. This is particularly prevalent in Special Plans like SODO.
For mixed-use developments, the actual parking required is calculated by adding the total number of spaces required by each separate use and dividing the sum by the appropriate factor from the following matrix:
Shared Parking Factor Matrix
| Use | 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 |
[Section 62.499]
Design and Screening Standards
To ensure that parking lots do not diminish the aesthetic quality of the AC-N: Activity Center District, the City of Orlando requires the installation of streetwalls.
| Feature | Standard |
|---|---|
| Streetwall Height | Minimum 3 feet; Maximum 5 feet |
| Opacity | Walls greater than 3 feet in height must be no more than 50% solid |
| Prohibited Materials | Chain link and wood fences are prohibited for streetwalls |
| Landscaping Strip | Minimum 3-foot wide strip between the parking lot and public right-of-way |
| Setback | Streetwalls must be located within the required maximum setback from the street |
[Section 62.611]
Sections Cited
- Section 58.342 - Rezones and Zoning Map Applications (Activity Center Districts)
- Section 58.722 - Stationary Mobile Vending
- Section 62.404 - Lake Underhill Special Plan
- Section 62.499 - SODO Special Plan
- Section 62.606 - Neighborhood Convenience Stores in Residential and Low Intensity Office Districts
- Section 62.611 - Streetwall and Vehicular Use Areas