Charlotte Has No Plans To End Parking Minimums

“Despite the fact that Charlotte wants to be less car-reliant, the city, in overhauling its development regulations, is still requiring developers to include a minimum number of parking spots in many new projects, especially those near residential neighborhoods.” As Alexandria Sands reports for WBTV, this is in part due to concerns about the city’s public transit system, which doesn’t serve all parts of the city reliably, as well as the availability of parking in residential areas. 

In the city’s latest draft Unified Development Ordinance, “Multi-family housing developments within 400 feet of a low-density housing neighborhood,” which currently have no parking requirements, would require at least one space per housing unit. Certain businesses, such as bars and entertainment venues, within 400 feet of neighborhoods would also have to add parking spots, broadening the requirement from the current 200 feet.

Elsewhere in North Carolina, Raleigh eliminated parking requirements altogether, but uses residential parking permits to regulate non-resident parking in neighborhoods.