Off-Street Parking Standards for the I-2 Industrial-2 Legacy District
The I-2 Industrial-2 district is classified as a Legacy District within the City of Raleigh, meaning it exists under the previous zoning code and will eventually be replaced by current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) designations. While the I-2 Industrial-2 district is not explicitly listed as a standalone category in modern UDO parking tables, the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance mandates that its general off-street vehicle and bicycle parking standards apply to all land, buildings, and structures within the municipality's jurisdiction [Sec. 1.1.2, Sec. 1.3.4].
Regulatory Framework for Legacy Districts
Under the City of Raleigh's rules of interpretation, when a property is subject to legacy zoning conditions (such as those in the I-2 Industrial-2 district), the UDO standards for parking, height, and setbacks are controlling if they are more stringent than the original legacy requirements [Sec. 1.2.3]. Furthermore, the City of Raleigh Development Services Department requires that no building or land be occupied or used until parking is provided in accordance with the UDO's specific use-based requirements [Sec. 7.1.1].
Vehicle Parking Requirements
In the City of Raleigh, vehicle parking is regulated by "maximums" rather than "minimums" for most non-residential uses to manage development intensity. For properties in the I-2 Industrial-2 district, the following vehicle parking maximums apply based on the specific residential or commercial use of the project:
Residential Use Parking Maximums
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Single-unit living | No maximum |
| Two-unit living | 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 |
Commercial Use Parking Maximums
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Office (General) | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Retail Sales (General) | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area + 1.5 spaces per 600 SF of outdoor display area |
| Eating Establishment | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area |
| Medical, dental office | No maximum |
| Personal Service | 1 space per 250 SF of gross floor area |
[Sec. 7.1.2.C]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Raleigh requires both short-term (visitor) and long-term (employee/resident) bicycle parking for most new developments. Short-term spaces must be located within 100 feet of the primary entrance, while long-term spaces must be covered and weather-resistant [Sec. 7.1.6].
Residential Bicycle Parking (Minimums)
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle (min) | Long-Term Bicycle (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Single or Two-unit living | None | None |
| Multi-unit (Apartment) | 1 space per 20 units (min. 4) | 1 space per 7 bedrooms* |
*Applies to developments with 10 or more bedrooms.
Commercial Bicycle Parking (Minimums)
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle (min) | Long-Term Bicycle (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Office (General) | 1 space per 10,000 SF (min. 4) | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) |
| Retail Sales (General) | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) | None |
| Eating Establishment | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) | None |
| Personal Service | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) | None |
[Sec. 7.1.2.C]
Additional Parking Layout and Surface Standards
For projects within the I-2 Industrial-2 district, the City of Raleigh enforces strict design standards for the physical construction of parking areas:
- Surfacing: All off-street parking and driveways must be constructed of permanent non-erodible materials, such as poured concrete, asphalt, masonry/concrete pavers, or a minimum of 4 inches of crushed stone [Sec. 7.1.9].
- Maneuvering: On-site parking must be arranged so that no vehicle is forced to back out into a public street (excluding alleys) to gain access from one aisle to another [Sec. 7.1.6].
- Loading: If the City of Raleigh Development Services Director determines it is necessary, adequate space for the unloading and loading of goods must be provided on-site and screened from view [Sec. 7.1.8].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.1.2. Applicability
- 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. 7.1.2.C. Parking Requirements by Use
- Sec. 7.1.6. Vehicle Parking Location and Layout
- Sec. 7.1.8. Vehicle Loading Areas
- Sec. 7.1.9. Parking Surface Standards