Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-15: Residential-15 District
In the City of Raleigh, the R-15: Residential-15 district is classified as a legacy district that follows the parking standards established in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) based on the specific use of the property. Under current City of Raleigh regulations, there are no minimum off-street vehicle parking requirements for most residential and commercial projects; instead, the City enforces maximum vehicle parking limits and minimum bicycle parking requirements [Section 1.3.4, Section 7.1.2].
R-15 as a Legacy District
The R-15: Residential-15 district is designated as a "Legacy District" within the City of Raleigh. These districts originated in the previous Part 10 Zoning Code and remain in effect until the property is rezoned to a modern UDO district. Per the rules of interpretation for the City of Raleigh, the calculation of parking for any project within a legacy district must be performed in accordance with the current UDO standards [Section 1.2.3, Section 1.3.4].
Vehicle Parking Maximums
The City of Raleigh does not mandate a minimum number of off-street vehicle parking spaces for residential or commercial uses in the R-15: Residential-15 district. However, it does set "ceilings" or maximums on the number of spaces that can be provided. For typical single-unit and two-unit residential projects, there is no maximum limit, allowing property owners to determine their own parking needs. Multi-unit residential and commercial uses are subject to specific caps based on the size or intensity of the use [Section 7.1.2.C].
Vehicle Parking Standards for R-15 Uses
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Limit) |
|---|---|
| Single-unit living | No maximum |
| Two-unit living | No maximum |
| Townhouse | No maximum |
| Multi-unit living (0-1 bedroom) | 1.5 spaces per unit |
| Multi-unit living (2 bedrooms) | 2.25 spaces per unit |
| Multi-unit living (3+ bedrooms) | 3 to 5 spaces per unit |
| Office | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area* |
| Day Care Center | No maximum |
*Plus 1.5 spaces for every 600 square feet of outdoor display area [Section 7.1.2.C].
Bicycle Parking Minimums
While vehicle parking is restricted by maximums, the City of Raleigh requires minimum levels of bicycle parking for multi-unit residential and commercial developments within the R-15: Residential-15 district to promote alternative transportation [Section 7.1.2.C].
Bicycle Parking Standards for R-15 Uses
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle (Minimum) | Long-Term Bicycle (Minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-unit / Two-unit living | None | None |
| Multi-unit living (10+ units) | 1 space per 20 units (min. 4) | 1 space per 7 bedrooms |
| Office | 1 space per 10,000 SF (min. 4) | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) | None |
| Day Care Center | None | 1 space per 10,000 SF (min. 4) |
Surface and Layout Requirements
Any off-street parking provided in the City of Raleigh R-15: Residential-15 district must adhere to specific technical standards regarding its construction and location:
- Parking Surfaces: All off-street parking and driveways must be constructed of permanent, non-erodible materials. This includes asphalt, poured concrete, masonry/concrete pavers, or a minimum of 4 inches of crushed stone/run [Section 7.1.9].
- Front Yard Restrictions: For detached, attached, or tiny houses used for residential purposes, the combined area of parking and driveways cannot occupy more than 40% of the area between the front building facade and the front property line [Section 1.5.5.D].
- Maneuvering: All on-site parking must be arranged so that no vehicle is forced to back out onto a public street to gain access from one parking aisle to another [Section 7.1.6.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.1.2 Applicability
- Section 1.2.3 Rules of Interpretation
- Section 1.3.4 Legacy Districts
- Section 1.5.5 Parking Setbacks
- Section 7.1.2 Required Parking
- Section 7.1.6 Vehicle Parking Location and Layout
- Section 7.1.9 Parking Surface Standards