1. What Are Parking Requirements?

Parking requirements are the minimum number of parking spaces needed for a development based on local zoning codes. These standards vary by municipality and depend on the type and size of the building use.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the parking requirements formula:

Where:

• Building Use — The size of the development in square feet or number of units
• Local Code Rate — The required parking spaces per unit as defined by local zoning

Explanation: The calculation multiplies the building size by the local code's parking ratio to determine minimum required spaces.

3. Importance of Parking Calculations

Details: Accurate parking calculations are essential for development approval, ensuring adequate parking while not overbuilding spaces which wastes land and resources.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the building size in appropriate units (sqft for commercial, units for residential) and the local code parking ratio. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where do I find local parking ratios?
A: Check your municipal zoning code or planning department website for parking requirements specific to your area and building type.

Q2: Do parking requirements vary by building type?
A: Yes, requirements differ for residential, commercial, retail, office, and other uses. Some uses may have different ratios for different components.

Q3: Can parking requirements be reduced?
A: Some municipalities allow reductions for transit-oriented developments, shared parking agreements, or through special permits.

Q4: How are mixed-use developments calculated?
A: Typically, each use is calculated separately then summed, though some jurisdictions allow shared parking credits for complementary uses.

Q5: What about accessible parking requirements?
A: Accessible spaces are calculated separately based on ADA or local accessibility requirements, usually as a percentage of total required spaces.