Off-Street Parking Standards for the Neighborhood Business (NB) District in Raleigh
The NB: Neighborhood Business district is a legacy zoning classification in the City of Raleigh that is governed by the general parking standards set forth in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). These regulations primarily establish maximum limits for vehicle parking, such as 1.5 spaces per unit for one-bedroom apartments and one space per 200 square feet for general office uses. Per the City of Raleigh UDO, the calculation and design of all parking facilities in legacy districts must comply with current ordinance requirements [Sec. 1.2.3].
Status of the NB: Neighborhood Business District
In the City of Raleigh, the NB: Neighborhood Business district is categorized as a "Legacy District." These districts originated in the older Part 10 Zoning Code and remain active on the Official Zoning Map until they are eventually replaced by modern UDO zoning districts [Sec. 1.3.4]. Although they are legacy classifications, the City of Raleigh mandates that UDO parking, landscaping, and height regulations control development within these areas, particularly when the UDO standards are more stringent than those in the original conditional zoning ordinance [Sec. 1.2.3].
Off-Street Vehicle Parking Ratios
Parking requirements in the City of Raleigh are determined by the specific use category of the project. The following table outlines the maximum allowable off-street vehicle parking for common residential and commercial uses typically found in a Neighborhood Business environment.
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Residential Uses | |
| Single-unit living | No maximum |
| Two-unit living | 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 |
| Commercial Uses | |
| Office, except as listed below | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Retail Sales, except as listed below | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area* |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 100 SF of gross floor area |
| Day care center | No maximum |
| Medical (Hospital or Dental Office) | No maximum |
| Indoor Recreation | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
* Plus 1.5 spaces for every 600 square feet of outdoor display area [Sec. 7.1.2.C].
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Raleigh requires both short-term and long-term bicycle parking for most residential and commercial developments to encourage alternative transportation.
| Use Category | Short-Term Bicycle Parking (Min) | Long-Term Bicycle Parking (Min) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-unit living | 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 |
| Restaurant/Bar | 1 space per 50,000 SF (min. 4) | 1 space per 25,000 SF (min. 4) |
** Long-term requirement for multi-unit living applies only to developments with 10 or more bedrooms [Sec. 7.1.2.C].*
General Design and Surface Standards
All off-street parking and driveway areas within the City of Raleigh must adhere to specific construction and layout standards to ensure safety and environmental protection.
Parking Surfaces
All parking and driveway areas must be constructed of permanent, non-erodible surface treatments. Approved materials include:
- Poured concrete or asphalt;
- Masonry or concrete pavers;
- Porous or semi-porous monolithic/paver materials;
- Crushed stone or "crush and run" (minimum 4-inch depth), provided it is delineated with anchored landscape edging [Sec. 7.1.9].
Vehicle Loading Areas
If the Development Services Director determines it is necessary, a project must provide adequate on-site space for the loading and unloading of goods. These areas must be located to the side or rear of buildings and must be screened from view [Sec. 7.1.8].
Parking Lot Landscaping
For on-site surface parking areas with more than 10 spaces, the City of Raleigh requires specific landscaping elements. This includes at least one shade tree for surface parking areas and the installation of "Perimeter Islands" (minimum 5 feet wide) along primary internal access drives [Sec. 7.1.7].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.2.3. Rules of Interpretation
- Sec. 1.3.4. Legacy Districts
- Sec. 7.1.2. Required Parking
- Sec. 7.1.2.C. Parking Requirements by Use
- Sec. 7.1.7. Vehicle Parking Lot Landscaping
- Sec. 7.1.8. Vehicle Loading Areas
- Sec. 7.1.9. Parking Surface Standards