Off-Street Parking Requirements for the O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 District
The O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 district is classified as a legacy district within the City of Raleigh, and its parking requirements are governed by the use-based standards of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). For both residential and commercial projects in the City of Raleigh, the UDO sets specific maximum vehicle parking limits and minimum bicycle parking requirements based on the proposed use category rather than the zoning district alone. [Sec. 1.3.4, Sec. 7.1.1, Sec. 7.1.2].
Status of O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 as a Legacy District
In the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, the O&I-3 district is designated as a "Legacy District." These districts are part of the older Part 10 Zoning Code and are slated for eventual replacement by current UDO zoning designations. While these districts exist, the City of Raleigh stipulates that the calculation of parking shall be conducted in accordance with the UDO [Sec. 1.2.3.B, Sec. 1.3.4]. No new land may be added to an O&I-3 designation, nor may existing boundaries be modified [Sec. 1.3.4].
Vehicle Parking Requirements for O&I-3 Projects
The City of Raleigh UDO regulates off-street vehicle parking by establishing maximum allowable limits for most uses. If a specific use is not listed in the O&I-3 developer's plans, the Zoning Administrator is responsible for determining the appropriate category [Sec. 7.1.2.A].
Residential Vehicle Parking Standards
For residential developments within the O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 district, parking requirements vary by the specific housing type and the number of bedrooms.
| Residential Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum) | Site Plan Group |
|---|---|---|
| Single-unit living | No maximum | Group A |
| Two-unit living | No maximum | Group A |
| Multi-unit living: Townhouse | No maximum | Group A |
| Multi-unit: 0 - 1 bedroom | 1.5 spaces per unit | Group A |
| Multi-unit: 2 bedrooms | 2.25 spaces per unit | Group A |
| Multi-unit: 3 bedrooms | 3 spaces per unit | Group A |
| Multi-unit: 4 bedrooms | 4 spaces per unit | Group A |
| Multi-unit: 5+ bedrooms | 5 spaces per unit | Group A |
| Accessory dwelling unit | No maximum | Group A |
Commercial and Institutional Vehicle Parking Standards
Commercial and institutional projects in the O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 district must adhere to the following maximums. If a site contains a combination of uses, the total requirement is the sum of the requirements for each individual use [Sec. 7.1.2.A.2].
| Commercial/Institutional Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum) | Site Plan Group |
|---|---|---|
| Office (General) | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area | Group B |
| Medical or Dental Office | No maximum | Group B |
| Retail Sales (General) | 1 space per 200 SF GFA + 1.5 spaces per 600 SF of outdoor display | Group C |
| Eating Establishment (Restaurant/Bar) | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area | Group C |
| Day Care Center | No maximum | Group B |
| Hospital | No maximum | Group B |
| School, Public or Private (K-8) | No maximum | Group B |
| Personal Service (e.g., Beauty Salon) | 1 space per 250 SF of gross floor area | Group C |
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Raleigh requires both short-term and long-term bicycle parking for most non-residential and multi-unit residential developments in the O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 district [Sec. 7.1.2.C].
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle (Minimum) | Long-Term Bicycle (Minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-unit Living (10+ units) | 1 space per 20 units (min. 4) | 1 space per 7 bedrooms |
| Office (General) | 1 space per 10,000 SF GFA (min. 4) | 1 space per 5,000 SF GFA (min. 4) |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 5,000 SF GFA (min. 4) | None |
| Eating Establishment | 1 space per 50,000 SF GFA (min. 4) | 1 space per 25,000 SF GFA (min. 4) |
Specialized Vehicle Parking Provisions
Projects in the O&I-3: Office and Institution-3 district may utilize specific layout options to meet their parking needs:
- Shared Parking: Parking lots or structures may have vehicle spaces available to the general public or shared with another property [Sec. 7.1.5.A].
- Tandem Parking: Allowed for single-unit, two-unit, and multi-unit living. Spaces must have a combined minimum dimension of 8.5 feet by 36 feet and be assigned to the same dwelling unit [Sec. 7.1.5.D].
- Parking Mitigation: For large-scale projects (more than 16 residential units or 10,000 square feet of nonresidential GFA), if the developer provides more than the maximum number of vehicle spaces allowed, they must implement mitigation measures such as utilizing parking structures or providing 50% more electric vehicle-ready spaces than standard requirements [Sec. 7.1.4].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 7.1.1. Applicability
- Sec. 7.1.2. Required Parking
- Sec. 7.1.4. Vehicle Parking Mitigation
- Sec. 7.1.5. Additional Vehicle Parking Provisions