Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-2A: Residential District in Orlando
In the City of Orlando’s R-2A: Residential District, residential projects must maintain at least one compliant parking space for the principal structure, while Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) exceeding 500 square feet require an additional independently accessible space. Commercial activity is strictly limited to Home Occupations, which may not generate more than two concurrent vehicles or ten total vehicle trips per day.
Residential Parking Requirements in R-2A
The R-2A: Residential District is designated as a 1—2 Family District, primarily intended for single-family homes, duplexes, and houses with accessory or garage apartments [Section 58.231]. Parking for these residential uses must comply with specific design and quantity standards.
Primary Residential and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
For all residential building sites in the City of Orlando R-2A district, the developer must maintain the parking that was required at the time the principal structure was originally constructed [Section 58.501 F.1]. Additional requirements apply when adding an ADU.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Location/Access Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Structure | 1 space and 1 driveway | Must comply with standards at the time of construction [Section 58.501] |
| ADU (≤ 500 sq. ft.) | 0 additional spaces | No additional space required if the principal parking is compliant [Section 58.501] |
| ADU (501–1,000 sq. ft.) | 1 additional space | Must be behind the front yard setback; at least 20 ft. from street side lot line; must be independently accessible and not enclosed [Section 58.501] |
Tandem and Duplex Development Standards
In the R-2A: Residential District, tandem and duplex dwellings have specific maneuvering and driveway requirements to ensure safe traffic operations.
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clear Pavement | Minimum 22 feet of clear pavement required behind each parking space [Section 58.511] |
| Driveway Width (1-4 units) | Max 24 feet at property line; narrowing to 12 feet at a point 15 feet from the property line [Section 58.511] |
| Driveway Width (5+ units) | 14 feet for one-way (accessing two streets); 20 feet for two-way [Section 58.511] |
| Garage Door Width | Combined width of garage doors facing a street shall not exceed 50% of the combined width of all building elevations [Section 58.1153] |
Commercial Activity and Parking Restrictions
The City of Orlando generally prohibits the conduct of business or commercial activity within the R-2A: Residential District [Section 58.1202]. The primary exception is for Home Occupations, which are subject to strict parking and traffic generation limits to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood.
Home Occupation Standards
Home occupations in the R-2A: Residential District are permitted as an accessory use provided they adhere to the following:
- Traffic Volume: The occupation shall not generate more than ten vehicles per day [Section 58.938].
- Concurrent Parking: No more than two vehicles related to the home occupation may be present on-site concurrently [Section 58.938].
- Prohibited Vehicles: Commercial or utility trailers and heavy equipment (agricultural or industrial vehicles) may not be parked or operated at the site for more than 36 continuous hours [Section 58.938].
- Location: All business-related vehicles and trailers must be parked in legal parking spaces. Parking on unimproved surfaces, public sidewalks, or within the right-of-way is strictly prohibited [Section 58.938].
Recreational and Commercial Vehicle Parking
Specific regulations apply to the storage of non-standard vehicles within the City of Orlando R-2A: Residential District to mitigate visual impacts on neighbors.
- Prohibited Parking: Commercial vehicles are prohibited from parking on public streets or within privately owned driveways in the R-2A: Residential District [Section 58.926].
- RV Setbacks: Recreational vehicles (RVs) parked in side or rear yards must be set back at least five feet from the side and rear property lines [Section 58.926].
- RV Size Limits: To be parked outside of a completely enclosed garage, an RV must be 10.5 feet or less in height and 25 feet or less in length [Section 58.926].
- Loading Duration: RVs may be parked on-site for the purpose of loading or unloading for a maximum of 36 hours [Section 58.926].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.231 - Purpose of the Districts
- Section 58.501 - Design Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units
- Section 58.511 - Development Standards (Townhomes/Tandem)
- Section 58.926 - General Requirement (Commercial and Recreational Vehicle Parking)
- Section 58.938 - Performance and Design Requirements (Home Occupations)
- Section 58.1153 - Development of Nonconforming Residential Lots
- Section 58.1202 - General Requirements (Commercial Activity Prohibited)
- Section 60.127 - Lot and Block Design on Major Thoroughfares
- Section 60.213 - Permitted Activities Within the Undisturbed Area