Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-3B: Development District in Orlando
Residential projects within the City of Orlando R-3B: Development District are strictly prohibited from placing off-street parking areas between the front of the building and the street, requiring all such areas to be located in the side or rear yards. Home occupations in the R-3B: Development District are limited to a maximum of two vehicles at the property concurrently and may not utilize unimproved surfaces for parking. For existing developments in the City of Orlando, the Zoning Official may authorize the removal of up to 5% of required parking spaces to facilitate the installation of mandatory landscaping or bufferyards [Section 58.1182].
Residential Parking Location and Configuration
In the City of Orlando, the R-3B: Development District is classified as a "High Intensity Development District" designed to provide high-density residential options and a transition to Activity Centers [Section 58.241]. Because of this urban context, the Municipality imposes specific locational restrictions on vehicular use areas.
Locational Restrictions
For both medium-scale and large-scale residential projects in the R-3B: Development District, the following location standards apply to off-street parking:
| Residential Category | Parking Location Requirement |
|---|---|
| Multiplex (3—8 units) | Parking is not permitted between the front building(s) and the street. It is permitted only on the side and the rear of the building(s) [Section 58.562]. |
| Multi-Family (>8 units) | Parking is not permitted between the building and the street. It must be located in the side or rear of the building [Section 58.572]. |
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking
Within the City of Orlando, recreational vehicles may be parked in the R-3B: Development District under specific conditions. They are generally permitted in common recreational vehicle parking areas of multi-family dwellings, provided the area is approved by the Zoning Official, is not adjacent to a single-family zoning district, and is screened from public view by a solid wall or fence at least six feet in height [Section 58.926].
Commercial and Mixed-Use Parking Standards
While the R-3B: Development District is primarily residential, the City of Orlando allows for certain home-based businesses and support uses that have specific parking limitations.
Home Occupations
For individuals operating a business from a residence in the R-3B: Development District, the following traffic and parking standards must be maintained:
- Concurrent Vehicle Limit: A home occupation shall not generate vehicular traffic in excess of two vehicles concurrently.
- Daily Limit: Total traffic shall not exceed ten vehicles per day.
- Surface Requirements: Vehicles and trailers must be parked in legal parking spaces and may not be parked on unimproved surfaces (such as grass or dirt).
- Prohibited Equipment: Commercial or utility trailers and heavy equipment may not be parked at the home occupation site for more than 36 continuous hours [Section 58.938].
Caretakers Quarters
If a project includes caretakers quarters as an allowable accessory use, the off-street parking must be provided in accordance with the standards for one-family dwellings as found in Chapter 61, Part 3 of the City Code [Section 58.924].
Reductions for Landscape Compliance
The City of Orlando allows for the reduction of existing off-street parking spaces in the R-3B: Development District if the removal is necessary to bring the building site into compliance with modern landscaping and bufferyard requirements. The number of spaces that may be removed is capped based on the size of the original parking lot.
Maximum Parking Space Removal for Compliance
| Number of Required Spaces on Building Site | Maximum Spaces That May Be Removed |
|---|---|
| 1—6 spaces | None |
| 7—15 spaces | 1 space |
| 16—35 spaces | 2 spaces |
| 36—70 spaces | 3 spaces |
| 71+ spaces | 5% of required spaces |
| (Source: Section 58.1182) |
Sections Cited
- Section 58.241 - Purpose of the Districts (Development Districts)
- Section 58.562 - Development Standards and Building Site Standards (Multiplex)
- Section 58.572 - Development Standards and Building Site Standards (Multi-family)
- Section 58.924 - Parking (Caretakers Quarters)
- Section 58.926 - General Requirement (Commercial and RV Parking)
- Section 58.938 - Performance and Design Requirements (Home Occupations)
- Section 58.1182 - Removal of Parking Spaces to Achieve Compliance