Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-30: Residential-30 District in Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, the R-30: Residential-30 district is classified as a legacy zoning district that remains from the previous Part 10 Zoning Code and will eventually be replaced by new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) categories [Section 1.3.4]. Off-street parking for projects within this district is governed by the City of Raleigh UDO's use-based standards, which establish maximum limits for vehicle parking to manage development intensity and specific minimum requirements for bicycle parking [Section 7.1.2.C].
R-30 District Application of UDO Standards
While the R-30: Residential-30 district is a legacy category, the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance specifies that UDO parking regulations are controlling, particularly when they are more stringent than older standards [Section 1.2.3]. Because the UDO calculates parking requirements based on the specific "Use Category" (e.g., Household Living, Commercial Uses) rather than exclusively by the zoning district name, the standards found in Article 7.1 apply to any residential or commercial activities occurring on land zoned R-30 [Section 7.1.1].
Vehicle Parking Maximums
The City of Raleigh UDO emphasizes maximum vehicle parking limits to prevent the over-paving of lots and to encourage alternative transportation. For residential uses, single-unit and two-unit living do not have a maximum limit, while multi-unit living is restricted based on the number of bedrooms per unit.
Residential Vehicle Parking (Maximums)
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Multi-unit living: 4 bedrooms | 4 spaces per unit |
| Multi-unit living: 5+ bedrooms | 5 spaces per unit |
Commercial and Public Use Vehicle Parking (Maximums)
If a project includes commercial components (such as those permitted via Residential Accessory Services), the following maximums apply:
| Use Category | Vehicle Parking (Maximum Allowed) |
|---|---|
| General Commercial Uses | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Personal Service | 1 space per 250 SF of gross floor area |
| Office | 1 space per 200 SF of gross floor area |
| Medical | No maximum |
| Civic / Day Care | No maximum |
[Section 7.1.2.C]
Bicycle Parking Minimums
The City of Raleigh requires minimum bicycle parking for multi-unit residential and commercial developments to support non-vehicular transit.
| 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* |
| Commercial / Retail | 1 space per 5,000 SF (min. 4) | None |
| Office / Medical | 1 space per 10,000 SF (min. 4) | 1 space per 5,000 - 10,000 SF |
*Applies to developments with 10 or more bedrooms. [Section 7.1.2.C]
Layout and Surface Requirements
All off-street parking in the City of Raleigh must adhere to specific design and durability standards:
- Location: All on-site parking must be arranged so that no vehicle is forced to back onto a public street (excluding alleys) to gain access from one parking aisle to another [Section 7.1.6].
- Surface Standards: All off-street parking and driveway areas must be constructed of permanent, non-erodible materials such as asphalt, poured concrete, masonry/concrete pavers, or a minimum depth of 4 inches of crushed stone/crush-and-run [Section 7.1.9].
- Front Setback Limits: For detached, attached, or tiny houses used for residential purposes, 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 7.1.2.C. Parking Requirements by Use
- Section 7.1.6. Vehicle Parking Location and Layout
- Section 7.1.9. Parking Surface Standards