(8) Adjustments and Alternatives.

The minimum parking requirements listed in this Chapter 14-800 may be adjusted as follows:

(a)   Sharing of Parking Spaces. 888

(.1)   Where two land uses listed in separate use categories in § 14-601 (Use Categories) share a parking lot, parking lots, or structure, the total off-street parking required for those uses may be reduced by the factors shown in Table 14-802-6. Total off-street parking required shall be the sum of the two parking requirements for the two uses divided by the factors in Table 14-802-6. For example, where a development includes both (a) public, civic, and institutional uses and (b) retail sales uses, the amount of parking required is the sum of the parking required for the two uses divided by 1.3.

(.2)   Only those use categories shown in Table 14-802-6 shall be eligible for a reduction under § 14-802(8)(a)(.1).

(.3)   Where more than two land uses shown in Table 14-802-6 share a parking lot, parking lots, or structure, only the two uses with the greatest off-street parking requirement shall be eligible for a reduction under § 14-802(8)(a)(.1).

Table 14-802-6: Shared Parking Reduction Factors

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

Add the two parking requirements and divide by these factors

 

Property Use (as stated in § 14-601 (Use Categories))	Multi-Family or Group Living	Public, Civic, and Institutional	Eating & Drinking, Assembly & Entertainment, or Visitor Accommodation	Retail Sales	Office or Commercial Services
Multi-Family or Group Living	–	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.3
Public, Civic, and Institutional	1.1	–	1.2	1.3	1.3
Eating & Drinking, Assembly & Entertainment, or Visitor Accommodation	1.1	1.2	–	1.3	1.7
Retail Sales	1.2	1.3	1.3	–	1.2
Office or Commercial Services	1.3	1.5	1.7	1.2	–

 

(b)   Auto-Share Parking Spaces.

The required minimum number of off-street parking spaces for a residential use may be reduced by four spaces for each automobile parking space reserved as an auto-share parking space, up to a maximum of a forty percent (40%) reduction in the required minimum number of parking spaces in any one surface parking lot or parking garage. The calculation of maximum surface parking spaces shall not be affected by this reduction.

(c)   Reduced Need Populations.

(.1)   The required minimum number of off-street parking spaces may be reduced by thirty-three percent (33%) for any group living use or multi-family use in which occupancy of at least eighty percent (80%) of the units is restricted for use by those 60 years of age or older. In making the determination as to whether this reduction is available, L&I may rely on an affidavit from the applicant as presumptive evidence, absent evidence to the contrary.  889

(.2)   The required minimum number of off-street parking spaces may be reduced by fifty percent (50%) for any group living use or multi-family use in which occupancy of more than eighty percent (80%) of the units is restricted for use by those meeting the definition of "handicapped" individuals under the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments

(d)   Proximity to Transit. 890

In addition to the parking adjustments permitted in subsections (a) through (c), above, a reduction in the required minimum number of off-street parking spaces is available under § 14-513 (/TOD, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District).

(e)   Provision of Bicycle Parking.

For every five Class 1 bicycle parking spaces that are provided on a lot, the number of required off- street automobile parking spaces may be reduced by one space, up to a maximum reduction of ten percent (10%) of the required automobile parking spaces, provided that the bicycle parking spaces comply with § 14-804(2) (Location of Bicycle Parking Spaces) and § 14-804(3) (Security).

 

Notes

888	Amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
889	Amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
890	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(9) Off-Site Parking. 891

Required accessory parking for any lot in an RMX-1, RMX-2, RMX-3, CMX-3, CMX-4, or CMX-5 zoning district, and for any building or structure that meets the conditions of § 14-801(2)(d) (Historic Structures) may be provided on a lot separate from the lot on which the principal use is located; provided that the parking complies with all of the following standards.

(a)   Off-site accessory parking must be within 1,000 ft. of an entrance to the principal use that the parking serves, as measured along the shortest legal pedestrian route.

(b)   Off-site accessory parking must be located in a district where either non-accessory parking is a permitted use or the proposed location has zoning approval for non-accessory parking, except in the RMX-1 or RMX-2 district where off-site accessory parking must be located within the RMX-1 or RMX-2 district. 892

(c)   Off-site parking shall only serve occupants of or visitors to the principal use.

(d)   In the event that the off-site parking is not under the same ownership as the principal use served, a written agreement between the record owners shall be submitted to L&I with the zoning permit application.

(e)   If any parking is provided on-site, it shall include required accessory parking for persons with disabilities, in accordance with § 14-802(5), before providing other parking spaces. 893

(f)   Any parking provided pursuant to this section shall be reviewed under the standards for accessory parking in the zoning district and overlay districts of the lot on which it is provided. 894

 

Notes

891	Added, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013); amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015); amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017); amended, Bill No. 210637 (approved November 17, 2021); amended, Bill No. 220358 (approved August 31, 2022); amended, Bill No. 240421 (approved September 4, 2024).
892	Amended, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013); amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
893	Added, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
894	Added, Bill No. 220358 (approved August 31, 2022).

§ 14-803. Motor Vehicle Parking Standards.

(1) Accessory Parking Standards.

(a)   Permitted Types.

Accessory parking may be provided as follows:

(.1)   A surface parking lot, provided that mechanical access surface parking lots are prohibited in all zoning districts.

(.2)   A parking garage, including a mechanical access parking garage.

(.3)   Private residence parking garages and carports, provided that: 895

(.a)   Private residence garages and carports may not exceed a maximum depth of 25 ft. and a maximum width of 35 ft.

(.b)   Private residence garages and carports with flat or shed roofs are subject to a maximum height limit of 10 ft. Private residence garages and carports with gable, hip or gambrel roofs are subject to a maximum height limit of 15 ft.

(b)   Location of Accessory Parking.

(.1)   Residential and Commercial Districts.

(.a)   General.

Except as specified in § 14-803(1)(b)(.1)(.b) (Exceptions) below, accessory parking in Residential and Commercial Districts must comply with the requirements in this § 14-803(1)(b)(.1)(.a).

(i)   Garages and carports which are attached to the principal building shall be governed by the same setback and yard provisions as the building itself. 896

(ii)   Surface parking spaces and detached garages and carports are prohibited in required front, side, and rear yards.

(iii)   Driveways that provide vehicular access to accessory parking spaces may be located in required front, side, or rear yards.

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

(.b)   Exceptions.

(i)   Residential parking shall be permitted in the required rear yard of an attached building where the parking is accessed by a rear alley or shared driveway with a minimum width of 12 ft. 897

(ii)   Private residence garages and carports are permitted in any part of the rear yard provided that:

(A)   The permitted occupied area of the lot is not exceeded;

(B)   Any private residence garage or carport shall maintain a minimum setback of 3 ft. between the garage or carport and any property line; and  898

(C)   Any private residence garage or carport shall be set back at least 18 ft. from the edge of the sidewalk (or if there is no sidewalk, then the street) closest to the residence. 899

(iii)   Reserved. 900

(iv)   In Commercial districts, where a building with a primary use in the public, civic, and institutional, office, retail sales, or commercial services use categories is located on a lot whose side or rear lot line is abutting a Residential district, no more than one driving aisle with parking spaces on both sides of the aisle may be located between the primary structure and any lot line boundary abutting the Residential district.

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

(.2)   Industrial Districts.

Surface parking lots or parking structures in any Industrial district may be located anywhere upon the lot, except in required front yards in the IRMX, ICMX, and I-1 districts.

(c)   Additional Regulations Applicable to Specific Zoning Districts. 901

The regulations of this § 14-803(1)(c) apply to the specified zoning districts. Should these regulations conflict with any other standard of this § 14-803, the stricter provision shall apply.

(.1)   Additional Regulations for RSA-5, RSA-6, RM-1, and CMX-2 Districts. 902

In the RSA-5, RSA-6, RM-1, and CMX-2 districts, accessory parking for any single-family, two-family or multi-family use in an attached or semi-detached building shall be prohibited unless it can be accessed from a shared driveway, alley, or rear street on which no on-street parking is permitted on the side of the rear street directly abutting the lot. In making a determination of whether on-street parking is permitted, L&I may rely on certification and documentation from the applicant.

(.2)   Additional Regulations for the CMX-2.5 District.

In the CMX-2.5 district:

(.a)   Accessory parking for any single-family, two-family, or multi-family use in an attached or semi-detached building shall be prohibited unless it can be accessed from a shared driveway, alley, or a rear street on which no on-street parking is permitted on the side of the rear street directly abutting the lot. In making a determination of whether on-street parking is permitted, L&I may rely on certification and documentation from the applicant. 903

(.b)   Accessory parking is not permitted between the building line and the street line.

(.3)   Additional Regulations for the CMX-3 District. 904

In the CMX-3 district:

(.a)   The vehicular entryways of private residence parking garages and carports shall be prohibited from fronting on any street.

(.b)   Accessory surface parking shall be prohibited for any single-family or two-family use unless it can be accessed from a shared driveway or alley.

(.c)   Accessory surface parking between the building line and the street line shall require special exception approval for lots less than 75,000 sq. ft. in area.

(.4)   Additional Regulations for RMX-3, CMX-4, and CMX-5 Districts. 905

In the RMX-3, CMX-4, and CMX-5 districts, special exception approval is required for the following:

(.a)   Surface accessory parking lots.

(.b)   Aboveground accessory parking garages, except that: 906

(i)   in the area bounded by Cherry Street, 23rd Street, John F. Kennedy Boulevard and the right-of-way of CSX Railroad, aboveground accessory parking garages are permitted. 907

(.c)   New accessory parking areas, except for underground parking garages.

(.d)   Additions to existing accessory parking areas, except for underground parking garages.

 

Notes

895	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013); amended, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 14, 2013).
896	Amended, Bill No. 130764 (approved December 18, 2013).
897	Amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
898	Amended, Bill No. 130764 (approved December 18, 2013); amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
899	Amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
900	Deleted, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
901	Amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
902	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013); amended, Bill No. 120656-AA (approved February 6, 2013); amended, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015); amended, Bill No. 190380 (approved July 24, 2019); amended, Bill No. 210078-A (approved April 28, 2021).
903	Amended, Bill No. 190380 (approved July 24, 2019).
904	Added, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
905	Amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
906	Amended, Bill No. 170306-A (approved July 11, 2017). Section 4 of Bill No. 170306-A provides: "Sunset Provision. This Ordinance shall lapse on December 31, 2020, except as to any building permit then in effect."
907	Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (.a); renumbered by Code editor.

(2) Parking Space, Drive Aisle, and Reservoir Space Standards.

The standards of this section apply to all accessory and non-accessory parking areas, regardless of whether such parking is provided to meet minimum off-street parking requirements.

(a)   Minimum Area for Driveways and Aisles.

Parking lots and garages, except for those accessory to single-family and two-family uses, must provide an additional area of the parking lot or parking garage equal to not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of the lot or garage for access driveways and aisles.

(b)   Parking Space and Drive Aisle Dimensions. 908

Off-street parking spaces shall comply with the dimensional standards shown in Table 14-803-1 based on the angle of parking and/or parking space type.

Table 14-803-1: Dimensional Standards for Parking Spaces and Aisles 909

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

Parking Angle/Type	Min. Stall Width (ft.) [1]	Min. Stall Depth (ft.) [2]	Minimum Aisle Width (ft.) [5]
Regular Space – Parallel	8.5	20 for end spaces, 22 for interior spaces	10 ft. for one way traffic 20 ft. for two way traffic
Regular Space – 45 degrees	8.5	18	12 ft. [3]
Regular Space – 60 degrees	8.5	18	15 ft.
Regular Space – 90 degrees	8.5	18	18 ft.
Compact Parking Spaces [4]	8	16	Same as for regular spaces
Spaces for Buildings where occupancy is age-restricted to those 60 years of age or older	10	Same as for regular spaces	Same as for regular spaces
Handicapped Spaces	Shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.)
Table Notes: [1]   As measured by a line perpendicular to the stall line at a point on the outside end of the stall, except when the stall is on the inside edge of a curve, in which case the point of measurement shall be on the inside end of the stall. [2]   As measured from required curb on the inside edge of the stall. [3]   20 ft. minimum is required where needed as a fire line. [4]   Limited to 25% of all parking spaces in lots and garages with more than 25 spaces. All compact spaces must be clearly identified. [5]   Residential uses with 10 or fewer dwelling units are exempt from this provision.

 

(c)   Reservoir Space.

All surface parking lots and garages in RMX-3, CMX-3, CMX-4, and CMX-5 districts shall provide the number of off-street reservoir spaces required by Table 14-803-2 between the street line and valet pick-up point, or the ticket issuing mechanisms or booths. If the parking lot or garage has two or more points of ingress, the total number of reservoir spaces required at all points of ingress together shall be at least the number required by Table 14-803-2, and there shall be at least one reservoir space at each point of ingress:

Table 14-803-2: Required Reservoir Space 910

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

 

Number of Parking Spaces Provided	Off-Street Reservoir Space Required (7 ft. by 15 ft.)
1 to 50	2
51 to 100	3
101 to 200	5
Over 200 spaces	6 + 1 additional for every 100 spaces over 200

 

 

Notes

908	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).
909	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013); amended, Bill No. 130764 (approved December 18, 2013); amended, Bill No. 130448 (approved January 8, 2014); amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015); amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
910	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(3) Mechanical Access Parking.

(a)   Mechanical access parking lots are prohibited in all zoning districts.

(b)   Mechanical access parking garages must provide required reservoir spaces.

(c)   Automated valet-type mechanical access parking garages are exempt from any aisle, driveway width, and parking space size requirements.

(d)   Self park-type and tandem parking-type mechanical access parking garages are exempt from parking space size requirements, but must meet any aisle and driveway width requirements.

(4) Parking Design Standards.

(a)   Design Requirements for Surface Parking Lots.

Surface parking lots, except those accessory to single-family and two-family uses, shall comply with the requirements of this § 14-803(4)(a) (Design Requirements for Surface Parking Lots).

(.1)   Grades.

All surface parking spaces shall be situated on ground that does not contain any grades in excess of ten percent (10%).

(.2)   Materials.

Surface parking lots shall be covered with a hard top surface of cement concrete, bituminous concrete, asphalt, or pervious pavement, including all accessways and/or driveways from the street. If parking is provided in a surface parking lot and the applicant provides more than 20 spaces beyond the minimum off-street parking required by this Zoning Code, all surface spaces beyond the minimum required shall be surfaced with pervious paving materials that meet the design standards of the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual.

(.3)   Approval by the Streets Department.

Surface parking lots that provide more than three vehicle parking spaces shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 9-601 of The Philadelphia Code and shall be approved by the Department of Streets before L&I may issue a zoning permit.

(.4)   Walkways.

Except in Industrial districts, where a parking lot contains more than 25 spaces and is located between a building and a public street, pedestrian walkways at least five ft. wide shall be provided and shall comply with the following standards:

(.a)   Each walkway shall be located within or along the edge of the parking lot and shall connect the street and the building.

(.b)   One pedestrian walkway meeting these standards shall be provided for each 300 ft. of street frontage.

(.c)   Where a walkway crosses a driveway or aisle, the driveway or aisle shall be clearly marked and signed so as to indicate the location of the walkway and to require vehicles to stop for individuals using the walkway.

(.5)   Vehicle Access Points. 911

Along any street frontage in a Residential district, a surface parking lot shall have no more than one curb cut for both ingress and egress, the maximum width of which shall not exceed 24 ft., or two one-way curb cuts the maximum width of which shall not exceed 12 ft., provided that the curb cuts shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the street frontage.

(.6)   Delineation. 912

Parking spaces shall be clearly delineated on the lot.

(b)   Design Standards for Garage Structures. 913

Accessory and non-accessory parking in garage structures on lots in or adjacent to any Residential district or any Commercial district, except private residence parking garages or those accessory to single-family and two-family uses, shall meet the following standards.

(.1)   Vehicle Access Points.

(.a)   Along any street frontage, a parking garage shall have no more than one curb cut for both ingress and egress, the maximum width of which shall not exceed 24 ft., or two one-way curb cuts the maximum width of which shall not exceed 12 ft., provided that the curb cuts shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the street frontage.

(.b)   Driveways that cross the public sidewalk must be at the same level as the sidewalk. The driveway material must change at the building line to demarcate the transition to the sidewalk. Sidewalks should be visually continuous across driveways to indicate pedestrians have the right-of-way.

(.2)   Facades.

All above ground portions of accessory or non-accessory parking garages or portions of structures occupied by automobile parking shall meet the following standards:

(.a)   Facade openings that face any public street or publicly accessible open space shall be vertically and horizontally aligned and all floors fronting on those facades shall be level (not inclined).

(.b)   At least thirty percent (30%) of each facade facing a public street or publicly accessible open space shall be occupied by doors (on the ground floor), windows, screens, grills, louvers, or other non-opaque facade elements that resemble those features.

(.c)   The remainder of each facade facing a public street or publicly accessible open space shall be designed to conceal the view of all parked cars and internal light sources when viewed from the public street or publicly accessible open space.

(.3)   Ground Floor Use.

(.a)   In the RMX-3 district and commercial districts any portion of the ground floor facade that abuts a sidewalk or a public space and that is not occupied by entrances, exits, or waiting areas shall be designed and constructed to permit a finished ceiling height of at least 10.5 ft. in order to allow occupancy by a use in the office, retail sales, commercial services, or public, civic, and institutional use category.  914

(.b)   Uses in the office, retail sales, commercial services, or public, civic, and institutional use category, except the regulated uses that are listed in § 14-603(13) (Regulated Uses), are allowed as accessory uses in parking garages that are subject to the ground floor use provisions of § 14-803(4)(b)(.3)(.a). 915

(.4)   Delineation. 916

Parking spaces shall be clearly delineated in the garage.

(.5)   Parking Garage Review. 917

Parking garages in the RMX-3, CMX-3, CMX-4, and CMX-5 districts, in the /CDO, Central Delaware Riverfront Overlay District, and parking garages of at least 250 parking spaces on lots in or adjacent to any other residential or commercial district, shall be subject to the following review:

(.a)   L&I shall not issue any building permits for parking garages unless the facade of the proposed garage has been reviewed and approved by the Commission. The Commission shall have 30 days upon receipt of an application to review the proposed parking garage; after the 30-day review period has passed, the approval of the Commission shall be presumed.

(.b)   L&I shall not issue any building permits for parking garages unless the internal circulation patterns and points of ingress and egress have been reviewed and approved by the Streets Department. The Streets Department shall have 30 days upon receipt of an application to review the proposed parking garage; after the 30-day review period has passed, the approval of the Streets Department shall be presumed.

 

Notes

911	Amended, Bill No. 130137-A (approved May 8, 2013); amended, Bill No. 130242 (approved May 21, 2013); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
912	Added, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
913	Amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
914	Amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
915	Amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015). Incorrect reference to § 14-802(4)(b)(.3)(.a) revised by Code editor.
916	Added, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
917	Amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015); renumbered, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021); amended, Bill No. 220418 (approved November 30, 2022).