The number of off-street parking spaces required by this section shall be provided on the same lot with the principal use, except as provided in subsection (j) of section 22-54, and the required number of off-street spaces specified for each use shall be considered as the absolute minimum. Where a fraction of a space is required by this section, the next whole number shall be provided. In addition, a developer shall evaluate his/her needs to determine if they are greater than the minimum specified by this section. The required number of spaces shall be as follows:
Use | Required Parking |
Use | Required Parking |
For Single-family detached residential structures | Permanent parking spaces shall be provided on the same lot as the principal use structure and shall not be located on or within any right-of-way, street, easement or road area. 1. For structures with 5 or less bedrooms or bedroom equivalents as established on the Dare County wastewater improvement permit or other wastewater permitting agency, the following standards shall apply: (Amended on 6-20- 16) a. One parking space for each authorized bedroom or bedroom equivalent shall be provided with 50% of the required parking spaces of an impervious surface. The remainder may be of a pervious surface, however sand shall not be considered an acceptable pervious surface. Minimum dimensions of individual parking spaces: 10’ x 20’. Parking spaces may be provided under the structure. Parking spaces may be allowed in the front yard setback area but cannot be located closer than 2’ from side property lines. Parking spaces shall comply with all applicable setback regulations for wastewater improvements. Parking spaces shall be located on the cite in a manner that allows access by all vehicles. b. Final approval of layout subject to review by Dare County Planning Department based on consultation with Fire Marshal/EMS. Installation of the parking improvements shall be verified by Dare County before the release of the certificate of occupancy and shall be depicted on an as-built survey. c. No parking area shall be altered to preclude its use for parking subsequent to the issuance of an occupancy permit. 2. For structures with 6 or more authorized bedrooms or bedroom equivalents as established on the Dare County wastewater improvement permit or other wastewater permitting agency, the following standards shall apply: (Amended on 6-20-16) a. One parking space for each authorized bedroom or bedroom equivalent shall be provided with 50% of the required parking spaces of an impervious surface. The remainder may be of a pervious surface, however sand shall not be considered an acceptable pervious surface. Minimum dimensions of individual spaces: 10’ x 20’. Parking spaces may be allowed in the front yard setback area but cannot be located closer than 2’ from side property lines. Parking spaces shall comply with all applicable setback regulations for wastewater improvements. |
For Single-family detached residential structures - Cont’d | b. A drive aisle, minimum width of 10’, shall be provided to facilitate emergency vehicle access and vehicle maneuvering. This drive aisle shall be constructed of an impervious surface. One parking space, located at the end of the drive aisle closest to the structure, may be located in the drive aisle. Parallel or perpendicular parking spaces may be provided along the length of this drive aisle area on either side. Parking spaces may be provided under the house outside of the designated drive aisle areas. Parking spaces shall be located on the cite in a manner that allows access by all vehicles. |
c. Final approval of layout subject to review by Dare County Planning Department based on consultation with Fire Marshal/EMS. Installation of the parking improvements shall be verified by Dare County before the release of the certificate of occupancy and shall be depicted on an as-built survey. d. No parking areas shall be altered to preclude its use for parking subsequent to the issuance of an occupancy permit. | |
Single family structure with small child care home (Adopted 11-5-90) | Ability to accommodate two vehicles off site of any right-of-way used as access to a small child- care home in addition to those parking spaces required for a single-family residence. |
Single-family structure with large child care home (Adopted 11-5-90) | Ability to accommodate three vehicles off-site of any right-of-way used as access to a large child-care home in addition to those parking spaces required for a single-family residence. |
Multi-family residences, group housing projects, townhouses and condominiums | 1 parking space for each authorized bedroom proposed in a multi-family structure with 50% of the required parking spaces of an impervious surface. Concrete, asphalt, turf-stone and/or paving block installed over a clay sub-base are considered impervious surfaces. For those properties located in a CAMA area of environmental concern that restricts the use of impervious surfaces, the Dare County requirement for impervious parking may be waived. However, this area shall still be designated as lot coverage. (Amended on 2-1-16) |
Hotel, tourist home, motel, motor court, rooming or boarding house | 1.5 parking spaces for each room to be rented, plus one additional parking space for each three employees. |
Public and semi-public uses Doctor’s or dentist’s office in own residence | Required Parking Three parking spaces per doctor, in addition to residence requirements. |
Professional office, other than doctor or dentist, in own residence | Two parking spaces per office or home occupation, in addition to residence requirements. |
Hospital | One parking space for each two beds intended for patient use, one space for each resident physician and one space for each two employees. |
Clinic | Ten parking spaces minimum, plus five parking spaces for each doctor assigned, plus one parking space for each employee. |
Nursing home | One parking space for each five beds intended for patient use and one space for each three employees. |
Churches | One parking space for each four seats in the sanctuary. |
Elementary school and Junior High School | One parking space for each classroom and administrative office |
Senior high school | One parking space for each five students for which the building was designed, plus one parking space for each classroom and administrative office. |
Stadium | One parking space for each two spectator seats |
Auditorium | One parking space for each two seats in the largest assembly room. |
Public or private clubs | One parking space for each two hundred square feet of gross floor space. |
Public utility buildings | One parking space for each employee. With custom service facilities, a minimum of five additional spaces. |
Child care centers (Adopted 11-5-90) | One space for every three children and one space for each employee. |
Retail and office use General or professional offices and banks, (other than doctors and dentists) (see clinic requirements) | Required Parking One parking space for each two hundred square feet of gross floor space, plus one space for each two employees |
Restaurant, café or eating place | One parking space for every three customer seats, plus one additional parking space for each three employees. |
Drive-in restaurant or refreshment stand | Thirty parking spaces, in addition to the requirements for a restaurant, café or public eating place. |
Fishing piers | A minimum of twenty-five parking spaces, with one additional parking space for each two hundred square feet or gross floor space under cover. |
Indoor recreation except as listed below | One space per three people of occupancy rating plus one space for each two employees. OR if an occupancy rating cannot be determined then a ratio of one space for each two hundred sq. ft. of customer use area plus one space for each two employees shall apply. |
Bowling alley | Three spaces per lane. |
Arena or other indoor assembly with fixed seats | One space per three seats. |
Movie theater or indoor theater | One space per three seats. |
Tennis courts, racquet ball and other racket courts | Two spaces for each court plus one space for each two employees. |
Outdoor recreation except as listed below | One space per three people of occupancy rating plus one space for each two employees plus parking for any indoor building areas associated with the outdoor recreation use. OR if an occupancy rating cannot be determined then a ratio of one space for each two hundred sq. ft. of customer use area plus one space for each two employees plus one space per two hundred sq. ft. for any indoor building areas associated with the outdoor recreation use shall apply. |
Golf course | Four spaces for each golf hole plus 1.2 spaces for each driving range tee. |
Outdoor area or theater | One space per three seats. |
Tennis courts, racquet ball and other racket courts | Two spaces for each court plus one space for each two employees. |
Other standards for indoor and outdoor recreation uses | a. Customer use area is defined as those areas used by patrons of a recreation facility. For indoor recreation facilities this shall not include those portions of an indoor recreation facility that is used for storage and/or office areas for employees/owners of the business. For outdoor recreation facilities, this shall not include areas used for stormwater retention or collection, areas used for wastewater treatment improvements, landscape buffers, and other similar site improvements required by the Zoning Ordinance. Public restroom areas are to be included as customer use areas. b. For any proposed indoor or outdoor recreation use that is not listed, the Planning Director shall determine the appropriate use category most similar to the proposed use and apply appropriate parking standards based on the occupancy rating of the use. The Planning Director may also require the submission of a parking study if other similar uses are not listed in the parking requirements for Dare County. The parking study shall include estimates of parking demand based on standards from the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) or other acceptable estimates as approved by the Planning Director for uses or combination of uses that are the same as or are comparable to the proposed use. c. The maximum occupancy rating shall be as determined by the Dare County Planning Department. In determining the applicable parking ratio, a maximum occupancy rating shall be recommended by a North Carolina engineer or architect and submitted to the Planning Department as part of the site plan review process. The maximum occupancy rating recommendation shall be based on the North Carolina Building Code and Fire Code and on accepted professional standards. All reference material used by the design professional in developing the recommendation for the maximum occupancy rating shall be identified by the design professional. In lieu of the standard ratios in the minimum parking table of Section 22-56, the design professional may recommend the application of alternative parking standards from established professional organizations such as the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) to calculate the minimum required number of parking spaces. The Planning Director, in consultation with the Dare County Fire Marshal and the Dare County Building Inspector, shall review the maximum occupancy rating and parking ratios recommended by the design professional and shall indicate |
Other standards for indoor and outdoor recreation uses (Cont’d) | agreement or disagreement with the design professional’s recommendation. Additional calculations or documentation may be requested by Dare County in its evaluation. Upon review of all information, the determination of the applicable parking ratio and final maximum occupancy rating shall be issued by Dare County and appropriately documented as part of the site plan review process. d. Where a site is used for a combination of indoor and/or outdoor recreational uses, the total number of required parking spaces shall be based on the sum of the requirements for each use and a parking space for one use shall not be included in the designation of parking for any other use. e. A 10% reduction in the total number of required parking spaces as set forth in the minimum parking table above may be authorized if the total required number exceeds fifty spaces. (Adopted 3-2-2015) |
Miniature golf courses (Adopted 3-21-11) | One and one-half parking spaces per hole plus one parking space for each two employees. |
Theaters | One parking space for each three seats in the auditorium. |
Funeral home | One parking space for each four seats in the chapel or parlor. |
Retail uses not otherwise listed | One parking space for each two hundred square feet of floor area. |
Garden Shop – onsite parking | One space for each 200 square feet of total display area. |
Landscape Business | One space for each two employees plus oversize parking area for equipment based on individual needs of business as detailed at the time of Conditional Use Permit review. |
Dog agility training facility (Adopted 1-22-2013) | One parking space per each one member of the facility plus one space per each three employees. |
Food Stand (Adopted 4-15-2013) | Ten parking spaces. |
Wholesale uses and warehouses | Required Parking |
Wholesale uses | One parking space for each employee on the largest shift. |
Industrial uses | Two parking spaces for each three employees on the largest shift. |
(11-20-75, art. 6, 6.01; 9-7-76, 1; 2-6-78, 1)
The following restrictions shall apply to all residential property:
Survey Required: All parking improvements shall be depicted on the survey that is submitted to secure a building permit. The survey should include dimensions of all parking improvements including spaces, turnaround and drive aisles if required; proposed surface materials, and lot coverage. An as-built survey prepared by a NC licensed surveyor depicting all required parking areas and applicable drive aisles shall be provided before release of the certificate of occupancy by the Dare County building inspector.
Construction Standards: Concrete, asphalt, turf-stone and /or paving block installed over a clay sub-base are considered impervious surfaces. Gravel, stone, grassed or sodded areas, or turf-stone and/or paving block installed over a sand sub-base shall be considered pervious surfaces.
Road Frontage: For lots with direct frontage on NC 12, SR 1217 (Colington Road), NC 345 or US 64, sufficient maneuvering area of not less than 10’ x 10’ shall be provided on site to avoid vehicles backing into the public right-of-way of these roadways. This area shall be depicted on the survey submitted to secure the building permit. For structures with five (5) or less authorized bedrooms or bedroom equivalents, this maneuvering area may be of a pervious surface. For structures with 6 or more authorized bedroom or bedroom equivalents, this maneuvering area shall be of an impervious surface. Acceptable pervious surfaces include gravel, grass or similar surfaces that allow for safe vehicular movement.
Flag Lots: Flag lot configurations shall provide access along the elongated or pole portion of the lot with a minimum of 12’ width. This access area shall be improved with gravel, stone, rock, marl, clay, turf-stone, or other surface that will accommodate access by emergency service vehicles.
CAMA Exemption: For those properties located within a CAMA ocean hazard AEC that restricts the use of impervious surfaces, the Dare County requirement for impervious parking and/or drive aisles may be waived. However, this area shall still be designated as lot coverage. (Adopted by the DCBC on April 7, 2003)