Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-3C Development District in Orlando
Off-street parking for residential and non-residential projects in the R-3C: Development District within the City of Orlando must be primarily located to the side or rear of principal structures, as parking is strictly prohibited between the front of the building and the street. For townhome developments exceeding 20 units, the City of Orlando mandates a guest parking ratio of one space for every five dwellings. Additionally, the City of Orlando allows for a tiered reduction in required parking spaces to facilitate compliance with landscaping and bufferyard regulations.
General Parking Location and Access
In the R-3C: Development District, the City of Orlando emphasizes a pedestrian-oriented environment, which dictates the placement of vehicular use areas. For most residential types, including Multiplexes (3–8 units) and Multi-Family developments (above 8 units), parking is not permitted between the front building façade and the street [Section 58.562, Section 58.572].
For townhome developments, the City of Orlando prohibits "front-loaded" configurations entirely. Driveway and parking access for townhomes in the R-3C: Development District must be provided from the rear of the unit [Section 58.511]. Furthermore, if a residential subdivision in the City of Orlando contains more than 30 dwelling units, it must typically provide a minimum of two access points to the surrounding street network [Section 60.124].
Specific Parking Ratios and Requirements
The City of Orlando establishes the following specific parking requirements for various land uses within the R-3C: Development District:
| Use Type | Parking Requirement / Ratio | Design or Access Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Townhome Development | 1 guest space per 5 dwellings (required for projects with >20 units) | Front-loaded units are prohibited; access must be from the rear [Section 58.511]. |
| Multi-Family (>8 units) | Based on Chapter 61, Part 3C standards | Parking is prohibited between the front building and the street [Section 58.572]. |
| Multiplex (3–8 units) | Based on Chapter 61 standards | Parking must be located to the side or the rear of the building(s) [Section 58.562]. |
| Stationary Mobile Vendor | 5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of total area occupied | Must comply with commercial vehicle parking standards in Section 58.926 [Section 58.722]. |
| Indoor Shooting Range | 1 space per shooting lane plus applicable retail area requirements | Must provide on-site parking for customers [Section 58.862]. |
| Home Occupations | Maximum of 10 vehicle trips per day | Commercial/utility trailers and heavy equipment are prohibited [Section 58.938]. |
Parking Reductions for Landscape Compliance
The City of Orlando provides a mechanism for the Zoning Official to authorize the removal of a limited number of required off-street parking spaces if such action is necessary to achieve compliance with landscaping or bufferyard requirements. In the R-3C: Development District, the maximum number of spaces that may be removed is determined by the total number of spaces provided on the building site [Section 58.1182].
| Number of Required Spaces on Building Site | Maximum Spaces Allowed to 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 total required spaces |
Non-Residential and Commercial Standards
While the R-3C: Development District is primarily focused on medium-intensity residential development, certain non-residential uses are permitted or allowed via Conditional Use. The City of Orlando requires these projects to follow the unified access and circulation requirements of Chapter 61 [Section 60.111]. For non-residential subdivisions, the City of Orlando requires a width-to-depth ratio for building sites that does not exceed 3 to 1 to ensure adequate maneuvering area for loading and vehicular traffic [Section 60.132].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.511 - Townhome Development Standards
- Section 58.562 - Multiplex Development Standards and Building Site Standards
- Section 58.572 - Multi-Family Development Standards and Building Site Standards
- Section 58.722 - Stationary Mobile Vending
- Section 58.862 - Indoor Shooting Range Site Plan
- Section 58.938 - Home Occupations Performance and Design Requirements
- Section 58.1182 - Removal of Parking Spaces to Achieve Compliance
- Section 60.111 - General Requirements and Cross-References for Subdivisions
- Section 60.124 - Residential Subdivision Design
- Section 60.132 - Width-to-Depth Ratio