Off-Street Parking Requirements for the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 District in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 district is classified as a Legacy District, meaning it is governed by the Part 10 Zoning Code but must comply with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) standards for parking where they are more stringent [Section 1.3.4, Section 1.2.3]. Off-street vehicle parking in this district is generally regulated by maximum allowances rather than minimum requirements for most uses, while specific minimums are strictly enforced for short-term and long-term bicycle parking [Section 7.1.2].
Regulatory Framework for Legacy Districts
The City of Raleigh identifies the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 district as a "Legacy District." These districts exist within the older Part 10 Zoning Code and are intended to be eventually replaced by modern UDO zoning designations [Section 1.3.4]. According to the City of Raleigh's rules of interpretation, the UDO's parking regulations are controlling for these properties when they are more stringent than those found in the original conditional or legacy zoning [Section 1.2.3]. All development within the City of Raleigh, including within the SpR-30 district, must provide parking in accordance with the use-based standards of the UDO [Section 7.1.1].
Vehicle Parking Ratios (Maximums)
The City of Raleigh does not typically mandate a minimum number of vehicle parking spaces for residential or commercial projects; instead, it establishes maximum limits to prevent excessive land coverage. In the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 district, requirements depend entirely on the specific use of the property [Section 7.1.2].
Residential Vehicle Parking Standards
| Residential Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Single-unit living (all parking on lot) | No maximum |
| Two-unit living (all parking on lot) | No maximum |
| Multi-unit living: 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 spaces per unit |
| Multi-unit living: 4 bedrooms | 4 spaces per unit |
| Multi-unit living: 5+ bedrooms | 5 spaces per unit |
| Accessory dwelling unit | No maximum |
Commercial and Institutional Vehicle Parking Standards
If commercial uses are permitted within the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 district (typically through specialized use standards or legacy allowances), the following maximums apply:
| Commercial/Public Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Office (except Call Centers) | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Call Center | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area |
| Retail Sales | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area |
| Day Care (Center or Home) | No maximum |
| Medical (Dental or Office) | No maximum |
Bicycle Parking Ratios (Minimums)
While vehicle parking is limited by maximums, the City of Raleigh requires minimum bicycle parking for most multi-unit and commercial developments in the SpR-30 district [Section 7.1.2.C].
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle Parking (Min) | Long-Term Bicycle Parking (Min) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-unit living (non-townhouse) | 1 space per 20 units (Min 4) | 1 space per 7 bedrooms* |
| Office (General) | 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 |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 50,000 SF (Min 4) | 1 space per 25,000 SF (Min 4) |
*Long-term bicycle parking for multi-unit living is only required for developments with 10 or more bedrooms [Section 7.1.2.C].
General Design and Surface Standards
All off-street parking and driveway areas within the City of Raleigh and the SpR-30: Special Residential-30 district must adhere to specific design and surfacing criteria:
- Surfacing: Parking areas must be constructed of permanent non-erodible materials, such as asphalt, poured concrete, masonry/concrete pavers, or a minimum of 4 inches of crushed stone/crush-and-run [Section 7.1.9].
- Maneuvering: All on-site parking must be arranged so that no vehicle is forced to back onto a public street to gain access from one parking aisle to another [Section 7.1.6].
- Landscaping: Surface parking areas with more than 10 spaces require interior and perimeter landscaping, including at least one shade tree per 10 spaces [Section 7.1.7].
- Residential Limitations: For detached, attached, or tiny houses, the combined parking and driveway area cannot exceed 40% of the area between the front building facade and the front property line [Section 1.5.5.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.2.3 Rules of Interpretation
- Section 1.3.4 Legacy Districts
- Section 1.5.5 Parking Setbacks
- Section 7.1.1 Applicability
- Section 7.1.2 Required Parking
- Section 7.1.6 Vehicle Parking Location and Layout
- Section 7.1.7 Vehicle Parking Lot Landscaping
- Section 7.1.9 Parking Surface Standards