Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code
Article 13 — Site Development, Chapter 13-4 — PARKING AND LOADING
Code as publishedas of 2025-12-16
Our copylast checked 2026-10-19 · re-check pending
StatusOfficial
§ 13-4-1
Applicability
(a)This chapter applies to all new development and redevelopment.
(b)Before any development permit or building permit is issued, the parking lot layout and area must be found by the Director to comply with all applicable requirements of this Article 13.
(c)The Director may exempt from the permit and site design review requirements of this Code any improvement resulting in 4 or less parking spaces, or the addition of 4 or less parking spaces to an existing parking lot. Such exemption shall not relieve the developer of compliance with other applicable provisions of this ULDC.
(d)The building official shall not authorize occupancy or use of a building until advised by the Director or their designee that parking facilities meet the applicable requirements of this Article.
(e)Prior to the issuance of a business registration, compliance with the requirements of this chapter shall be demonstrated.
(f)This chapter shall not be construed as requiring compliance of parking lots which lawfully existed on the effective date of this ULDC; provided, however, that the Community and Economic Development Director shall ensure parking lots that do not comply with this chapter meet the requirements of this chapter or substantially comply when an existing developed site is planned for redevelopment, or a building permit is required to add additional building space on the site. If substantial redesign of the parking lot is required to comply with this chapter in such cases of redevelopment or building additions, the Community and Economic Development Director may accept substantial rather than complete compliance when the strict application of a requirement of this chapter would pose substantial practical difficulty.
§ 13-4-2
Parking Required
(a)Required vehicle parking spaces must be located on the same lot or site that they are intended to serve, except as provided for in Section 13-4-3.
(b)Calculation of Required Parking Spaces.
(1)Vehicle parking must be provided for different uses as specified in this chapter.
Where a use is not listed, the Director is responsible for categorizing the use as specified in Article 9.
(2)No parking area shall be reduced in capacity to less than the minimum required number of spaces or increased to more than the maximum permitted number of spaces, unless specifically provided for in this chapter.
(3)In determining the required number of parking spaces, fractional spaces are rounded to the nearest whole number.
(4)When a site contains multiple uses, the parking requirements are the sum of the requirements for each use. No parking space for one use may be included in the calculation of parking requirements for another use, except as provided for in Section 13-4-3 for shared or off-site parking.
(c)Unless otherwise specified in this chapter or this ULDC, every use must be served by the minimum number of on-site, off-street parking spaces as specified in Table 13-9. Requirements are based on the gross floor area of the building devoted to the particular use unless otherwise specified.
Table 13-9. Requirements are based on the gross floor area of the building devoted
| USE | MINIMUM PARKING REQUIRED | MAXIMUM PARKING PERMITTED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |||
| All agricultural, except as listed below: | None | None | |
| Equestrian center | 1 per 300 square feet of office space plus 1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 250 square feet of assembly | 1 per 150 square feet of office space plus 1 per 4 fixed seat or 1 per 250 square feet per assembly | |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |||
| All household living, except as listed below: | 2 per unit | 4 per unit | |
| Multi-family dwelling, one and two bedroom | 1.5 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | |
| Multi-family dwelling, three bedroom | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | 3 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | |
| Single-family dwelling, attached | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space for every 5 units | 4 per unit plus 1 guest space for every 3 units | |
| All group living, except as listed below: | 2 per unit | 3 per unit | |
| Group home, rooming house | 1 per 4 living units | 1 per each living unit | |
| Institutionalized residential living | 1 per 4 beds | 1 per 3 beds | |
| PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USES | |||
| All club or lodge, private | 1 per 400 square feet | 1 per 200 square feet | |
| All places of worship | 1 per 4 seats in the largest assembly space or 1 per 100 square feet when no fixed seats are provided | 1 per 3 seats in the largest assembly space or 1 per 50 square feet when no fixed seats are provided | |
| All museum or library, private | 1 per 500 square feet | 1 per 300 square feet |
(d)Off-street parking is not required for any use within the C-B (Central Business) district, unless deemed necessary by the Community and Economic Development Director for new building construction or when included as a condition of special use approval for a density increase by the Governing Body. In such cases the minimum parking required shall also be considered the maximum permitted.
Table 13-9: Minimum and Maximum Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
| USE | MINIMUM PARKING REQUIRED | MAXIMUM PARKING PERMITTED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGRICULTURAL USES | |||
| All agricultural, except as listed below: | None | None | |
| Equestrian center | 1 per 300 square feet of office space plus 1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 250 square feet of assembly | 1 per 150 square feet of office space plus 1 per 4 fixed seat or 1 per 250 square feet per assembly | |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |||
| All household living, except as listed below: | 2 per unit | 4 per unit | |
| Multi-family dwelling, one and two bedroom | 1.5 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | |
| Multi-family dwelling, three bedroom | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | 3 per unit plus 1 guest space per every 10 units | |
| Single-family dwelling, attached | 2 per unit plus 1 guest space for every 5 units | 4 per unit plus 1 guest space for every 3 units | |
| All group living, except as listed below: | 2 per unit | 3 per unit | |
| Group home, rooming house | 1 per 4 living units | 1 per each living unit | |
| Institutionalized residential living | 1 per 4 beds | 1 per 3 beds | |
| PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USES | |||
| All club or lodge, private | 1 per 400 square feet | 1 per 200 square feet | |
| All places of worship | 1 per 4 seats in the largest assembly space or 1 per 100 square feet when no fixed seats are provided | 1 per 3 seats in the largest assembly space or 1 per 50 square feet when no fixed seats are provided | |
| All museum or library, private | 1 per 500 square feet | 1 per 300 square feet |
Also printed with this table — not in the grid, shown as printedverify at source ↗
All parks and open space, except as listed below: 1 per 5,000 square feet of use area 1 per 3,500 square feet of use area Golf course 2 per hole 3 per hole All public use, except as listed below: 1 per 500 square feet 1 per 350 square feet School, public or private 3 per classroom 5 per classroom COMMERCIAL USES All adult entertainment establishments 1 per 500 square feet 1 per 350 square feet All bed and breakfast inn 2 for the owner-operator plus 1 per guest bedroom 2 for the owner-operator plus 1 per guest bedroom All day care centers 1 per 500 square feet 1 per 375 square feet All eating and drinking 1 per 200 square feet 1 per 100 square feet All event facilities 1 per 200 square feet 1 per 150 square feet All hotels, motels, extended stay hotels 1 per guest room plus as required for any eating and drinking or event facility (when provided) 1.5 per guest room plus as required for any eating and drinking or event facility (when provided) All indoor recreation, except as listed below: 1 per 250 square feet 1 per 150 square feet Bowling alley 2 per each lane 4.5 per each lane Concert halls or auditoriums
Health or fitness club 1 per 200 square feet 1 per 150 square feet Theater 1 per 4 fixed seats 1 per 3 fixed seats All medical, except as listed below: 1 per 300 square feet 1 per 150 square feet Hospital 1.5 per bed 2 per bed All office 1 per 400 square feet 1 per 250 square feet All outdoor recreation, except as listed below:
1 per 500 square feet of indoor space plus 1 per 2,000 square feet of outdoor use area 1 per 350 square feet of indoor space plus 1 per 1,500 square feet of outdoor use area Golf driving range 0.5 per tee 1 per tee Miniature golf 2 per hole 3 per hole USE MINIMUM PARKING REQUIRED MAXIMUM PARKING PERMITTED Outdoor event facility, stadium or sports arena 1 per 4 seats or 1 per 250 square feet of event area, whichever is less 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 150 square feet of event area, whichever is less All personal service, except as listed below 1 per 300 square feet 1 per 200 square feet Funeral home or mortuary 1 per 4 seats in largest chapel 1 per 3 seats in largest chapel All retail, except as listed below: 1 per 300 square feet 1 per 220 square feet Open air sales 1 per 250 square feet of indoor floor space plus one per 600 square feet of outdoor sales area 1 per 200 square feet of indoor floor space plus one per 500 square feet of outdoor sales area Retail developments of 50,000 square feet or more 1 per 350 square feet 1 per 225 square feet All self-storage facilities 1 per 40 storage units 1 per 25 storage units All vehicular, as listed below:
Car wash None 6 stacking spaces per wash bay Fuel sales 1 per fuel pump plus 1 per 500 square feet of retail floor area 1 per fuel pump plus 1 per 350 square feet of retail floor area Truck stop 1 per fuel pump plus 1 per 500 square feet of retail floor area 1 per fuel pump plus 1 per 350 square feet of retail floor area Vehicle sales, leasing or rental new or used 1 per 400 square feet of office space plus 1 per employee plus 1 per vehicle inventory plus 1 per vehicle serviced 1 per 250 square feet of office space plus 1 per employee plus 1 per vehicle inventory plus 1 per vehicle serviced Vehicle repair, minor or major 1 per 300 square feet of office space plus 1 per employee plus 1 per vehicle serviced 1 per 150 square feet of office space plus 1 per employee plus 1 per vehicle serviced INDUSTRIAL USES All heavy industrial, except as listed below: 1 per 5,000 square feet 1 per 1,500 square feet Manufacturing 1 per 1.5 employees 1 per 1 employee All light industrial, except as listed below: 1 per 5,000 square feet 1 per 1,500 square feet Brewery, winery, or distillery 1 per 2,500 square feet, plus as required for any eating and drinking or event facility (when provided)
1 per 1,500 square feet, plus as required for any eating and drinking or event facility (when provided)
All storage lots or yards 1 per 300 square feet of office None All warehouse and distribution 1 per 3,000 square feet 1 per 1,500 square feet All wholesale 1 per 2,000 square feet 1 per 750 square feet
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 380) ↗
§ 13-4-3
Parking Reductions
The total number of parking spaces required may be reduced as specified below.
(a)Off-site Parking. Parking spaces required by this chapter may be provided off-site subject to the following:
(1)The property providing the off-site parking must be within 400 feet of the principal use, with pedestrian access provided between the sites.
(2)No required parking may be located across any state or federal highway from the use they are intended to serve.
(3)No more than 30% of the total parking requirement may be provided off-site.
(4)The use of off-site parking spaces will not reduce the required parking for the property providing such off-site parking below the minimum required by this ULDC.
(5)The property containing the off-site parking must:
i.Be under the same ownership as the property to which the parking will serve;
or
ii.Provide written consent in the form of lease agreements to the Director for the off-site parking arrangement.
(b)On-street Parking. When on-street parking exists in the public or private right-of-way, one on-street parking space may be substituted for each required parking space, provided the on-street space immediately abuts the property.
(c)Shared Parking. Parking spaces required by this chapter may be reduced by the Director when the following are met:
(1)The spaces are within 400 feet of the main entrance to the building or use they are intended to serve.
(2)Uses sharing parking have either mutually exclusive or compatibly overlapping normal hours of operation, as determined by the Director.
i.For places of worship, theaters, or other places of assembly in which activities primarily occur on weekends or evenings, up to 50% of all required parking spaces may be utilized by other uses with hours of operation which do not conflict.
(3)The property containing the shared parking must:
i.Be under the same ownership as the property to which the parking will serve;
or
ii.Provide written consent in the form of lease agreements to the Director for the shared parking arrangement.
§ 13-4-4
Parking Lot Layout and Design
The following standards apply to all parking lots with 5 or more parking spaces.
(a)Access.
(1)No parking space may be located within 25 feet of the intersection of a driveway and any public right-of-way. The Director of Public Works may require a greater distance when the driveway is located along an arterial or collector street.
(2)Interior driveways must connect each parking space with a public right-of-way.
(3)On-site parking must be arranged so that no vehicle is forced to back out onto a public street.
(b)Surfacing. Parking lots shall be improved with an asphalt or concrete surface and curb and gutter as approved by the Department of Public Works. Alternative standards for surfacing may be approved when:
(1)The Director of Public Works, or their designee, determines that an alternative surface material will reduce environmental impacts and improve overall water quality.
(2)The Director of Public Works, or their designee, determines that an alternative to traditional curb and gutter will reduce environmental impacts and improve overall water quality.
(3)It is determined by the Community and Economic Development Department that alternative standards within the Historic Preservation Overlay are appropriate to the character of the historic district or landmark site.
(4)A parking lot is proposed containing 75 or more parking spaces or a total paved area greater than one acre.
(c)Parking Space Dimensions. See Table 13-10.
(d)Drive Aisle Dimensions. See Table 13-10. In addition to those standards, the following apply:
(1)No drive aisle may exceed 300 feet in length without a break for vehicular circulation.
(2)Every drive aisle must be clearly marked with directional arrows on the pavement at intersections with other drive aisles, driveways, or street entrances.
(3)Adequate site distance must be provided at any drive aisle intersection with other drive aisles, driveways, or street intersections.
Table 13-10. Parking Lot Layout Standards
| Dimension | 0° Parallel | 45° Diagonal | 60° Diagonal | 90° Perpendicular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Width | 9 ft. | 9 ft. | 9 ft. | 9 ft. |
| Space Length | 20 ft. | 17.5 ft. | 17.5 ft. | 18 ft. |
| One-way Driveway Aisle Width | 12 ft. min. | 18 ft. min. | 18 ft. min. | 22 ft. min. |
| Two-way Driveway Aisle Width | 22 ft. min. | 22 ft. min. | 22 ft. min. | 26 ft. min. |
(e)Compact Parking.
(1)Any parking lot with more than 20 required spaces may use compact parking spaces for up to 20% of the provided parking.
(2)Compact parking spaces must be at least 8 feet in width and 16 feet in length.
(3)All compact parking spaces must be clearly labeled for compact car use only.
(f)Accessible Parking. Accessible parking must be provided as specified in Table 13-11.
(1)Accessible parking spaces must be at least 9 feet in width with an access aisle at least 5 feet in width.
(2)Accessible van spaces must be at least 11 feet wide with an access aisle at least 5 feet in width.
(3)Two adjacent accessible parking spaces may share a common access aisle.
(4)Parking access aisles must be part of an accessible route to the building or facility entrance.
Table 13-11: Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces Required
| Total Required Parking Spaces | Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1000 | 2% of total |
| 1001 and over | 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 |
(g)Lighting. Light poles must be located in landscaped areas. Where this cannot be accomplished, light poles must be placed on a reinforced concrete pedestal to protect them from damage.
(h)Landscaping. See Section 13-2-5.
(i)Pedestrian Circulation.
(1)Pedestrian walkways connecting from the closest street sidewalk to the building entrance shall be provided.
(2)Pedestrian walkways must be at least 5 feet wide and take as direct a path as possible to building entrances.
(3)When multiple buildings are proposed on a single development site, they shall be linked with on-site pedestrian walkways.
(4)Where walkways cross internal driveways, pedestrian walkways must be demarcated with pavement markings, pavers or other material, or be raised to slow traffic and provide safe access.
(5)Pedestrian walkways shall be well defined and separated from vehicular access areas.
(6)Pedestrian walkways on individual properties shall connect to the sidewalk system within public road right-of-way, where such system exists or is planned.
(j)Screening. Parking areas adjacent to any public or private street must be screened from view by low masonry walls, fences, berms or landscaping.
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 384) ↗
§ 13-4-5
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle parking must be provided in accordance with the following:
(a)Nonresidential uses with 20 or more vehicle parking spaces must provide at least 1 bicycle parking space, plus 1 space for each additional 20 required or provided vehicle parking spaces.
(b)Multifamily uses must provide at least 1 bicycle parking space for each 10 dwelling units.
(1)At least 50% of required bicycle parking spaces must be designed for long-term parking.
(2)Long-term parking areas must:
i.Be provided in an enclosed bicycle storage locker, a room within a building, or within a parking structure. Such areas shall be secure, weather resistant, and provided with lighting at all hours.
ii.Be located on the ground floor and accessible to building occupants from public streets, multi-use trails, or public entrances and walkways without the use of stairs or elevators.
(c)No use that is required to provide bicycle parking may provide less than 3 or be required to provide more than 30 spaces.
(d)Bicycle parking must:
(1)Be securely anchored.
(2)Be provided in a well-lit area.
(3)Be spaced in such a way as to provide clear and maneuverable access to all bicycle parking racks.
(4)For exterior bicycle parking, spaces must be as close or closer than the nearest vehicular parking space to the building entrance.
§ 13-4-6
Prohibited Uses of Parking
The following are prohibited in required off-street parking areas:
(a)The display for sale of all types of vehicles, except for private individuals selling one vehicle for a residence or a licensed dealership.
(b)The display, storage or sales of any goods or merchandise, except when part of an authorized temporary event.
(c)The display or storage of any equipment, materials or supplies.
(d)Motor vehicle repair or servicing.
(e)Vehicles, trailers, or equipment used as a mobile sign.
§ 13-4-7
Off Street Loading
Off-street loading spaces must be provided in accordance with Table 13-12. Loading spaces may serve only the designated use and must be on the same lot as the use, unless otherwise authorized in this ULDC.
(a)Design and Arrangement. The following standards apply to all off-street loading areas:
(1)Loading spaces must be at least 14 feet in width and 40 feet in depth with a vertical clearance of 14 feet.
(2)Loading spaces for full-size tractor trailers must be at least 14 feet in width and 60 feet in depth with a vertical clearance of 14 feet.
(3)Maneuvering space for loading areas must not include required parking spaces or any portion of a public right-of-way.
(b)Location Limitations.
(1)Off-street loading spaces and associated maneuvering areas may only be located in those portions of a lot where off-street parking areas are allowed.
(2)Loading spaces may not be located between the building and the street. Instead, loading spaces must be located to the side or rear of the building or use in which it serves.
(c)Screening. All off-street loading areas must be screened as follows:
(1)Any loading space or associated maneuvering areas located adjacent to a residential use or district must provide a 50-foot landscaped buffer between such areas and the adjacent residential use or district.
(2)Any loading space or associated maneuvering areas located adjacent to a public or private street must be screened with a fence or wall at least 8 feet in height and compatible with the principal building in terms of texture, quality, material, and color.
(3)The Director may grant an administrative variance to substitute evergreen material in lieu of a wall when it is demonstrated that such material will provide an equal or greater measure of screening within 3 years of planting.
Table 13-12. Loading Requirements
| Use | Floor Area (in square feet) | Loading spaces required |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresidential | 0 - 19,999 20,000 - 49,999 50,000 - 250,000 250,000+ | None 1 2 3 |
| Industrial | 0 – 10,000 10,000 – 49,9999 50,000+ | 1 2 3 |
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 387) ↗
§ 13-4-8
Administrative Variances
(a)The Director may allow parking at a rate of up to 20% above the maximum or 20% below the minimum required as specified in Table 13-9 on a case-by-case basis based upon the scale and impacts of the request, in accordance with Chapter 20-3 of this Code.
(b)The applicant shall make said request in writing and include documentation from an acceptable industry publication (e.g., Institute of Transportation Engineers, Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, etc.) or by a study prepared by a qualified professional that documents parking requirements.
(c)In approving administrative variances that reduce the minimum parking requirements established in this chapter the Director may, as a condition of approval, require an area to be reserved or set aside for additional parking area for future use if needed.