Zoning Bylaw No. 12375

Sections 8.3 & 8.4 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements

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Last Updated: 
January 8, 2024
Zoning Bylaw - Section 8.3 and 8.4 - offstreet parking and loading header image
Sections 8.3 & 8.4 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
8.3 Required Off-Street Parking Requirements
Table 8.3 - Required Residential Off-Street Parking Requirements .6
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentUrban Centre Zones .5
MF1 Zone .4 , Village Centre Zones, and Zones fronting a Transit Supportive CorridorAll other zones within the Core AreaAll other zones outside the Core Area .3

 

Minimum Visitor Parking Requirement .1 , .2

Apartment Housing

Townhouses

Stacked Townhouses

Residential Security Operator Unit

Min 0.8 spaces & Max 1.25 spaces per bachelor dwelling unitMin 0.9 spaces .4 & Max 1.25 spaces per bachelor dwelling unitMin 1.0 space & Max 1.25 spaces per bachelor dwelling unitMin 1.0 space & Max 1.25 spaces per bachelor dwelling unitMin 0.14 spaces .1 & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Min 0.9 spaces & Max 1.25 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.0 space .4 & Max 1.25 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.2 spaces & Max 1.6 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.25 spaces & Max 1.6 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unit
Min 1.0 space  & Max 1.5 spaces per 2 or more bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.1 spaces .4 & Max 1.6 spaces per 2 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.4 spaces & Max 2.0 spaces per 2 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.5 spaces & Max 2.0 spaces per 2 bedroom dwelling unit
Min 1.4 spaces .4 & Max 2.0 spaces per 3 bedroom dwelling unitMin 1.6 spaces & Max 2.5 spaces per 3 bedroom or more dwelling unitMin 2.0 spaces & Max 2.5 spaces per 3 bedroom or more dwelling unit
Congregate Housing & Supportive Housing

Min 0.35 spaces per sleeping unit; Plus a Min 0.5 spaces per non-resident on-duty employee or a Min of 3.0 spaces (whichever is greater).

Max 2.0 spaces per sleeping unit

Min 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Single Detached Housing , Semi-Detached Housing , & Duplex HousingMin 1.0 space per dwelling unit   &  Max n/aMin 1.0 space per dwelling unit   &  Max n/aMin 2.0 spaces per dwelling unit   &  Max n/aMin 2.0 spaces per dwelling unit   &  Max n/aMin 0.0 .7 spaces & Max n/a

FOOTNOTES (Section 8.3.1):
.1 Visitor parking is to be easily accessible to the access points of the corresponding development and/or buildings. Visitor parking is a separate minimum parking requirement that rounds up or down independent of the basic parking requirement.
.2 Regardless of the parking rate (spaces per unit). The minimum number of dwelling units when the first visitor parking space is required is five (5) dwelling units. For example, a lot with four (4) dwelling units does not require a visitor parking space.
.3 Minimum and maximum parking rates for various Comprehensive Development Zones are outlined in Table 8.3.1a Other Residential Parking. 
.4 MF1 zoned lots with four dwelling units or less shall have a minimum of one (1) parking space per dwelling unit. The parking rate for MF1 lots (identified above) applies to the fifth dwelling unit and any more dwelling units.
.5 All lots in the areas identified as 3 storeys in Map 4.1 within the OCP (UC1 Downtown) shall not be required to meet any vehicle parking space requirements if the height of the buildings on the lot are 4 storeys or less and 15.0 metres or less.

.6 This table provides the minimum and maximum base parking requirements for various residential land uses.
.7 Within a residential strata with five or more dwelling units the visitor parking requirement is 0.14 spaces per dwelling unit.

Table 8.3.1 - Other Residential Parking
GFA = gross floor area
m2 = square meters
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentBase Parking Requirement
(Number of spaces)
Visitor Parking Requirement .1
MinimumMaximum
Bed and Breakfast Homes1.0 space per sleeping unit1.5 spaces per sleeping unitn/a
Boarding or Lodging Houses1.0 space; plus 0.9 spaces per sleeping unit1.5 space; plus 2.0 spaces per sleeping unitn/a
Carriage House 1.0 space .22.0 spacesn/a
Child Care Centre, Major1.0 space per 11 children of capacityn/an/a
Child Care Centre, Minor1.0 spacen/an/a
Group Home1.0 space; plus 0.35 spaces per sleeping unit2.0 spaces; plus 1.0 space per sleeping unitn/a
Home-Based Business, Major1.0 space2.0 spacesn/a
Home-Based Business, Major for Health Services on lots located on Royal Avenue or Christleton Avenue2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA,5.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Home-Based Business, Minorn/an/an/a
Home-Based Business, Rural1.0 spacen/an/a
Mobile Homes2.0 spaces per dwelling unit2.5 spaces per dwelling unitMin 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Residential units within the CD20 Zone1.0 space per dwelling unit, except 0.15 spaces per student only residences1.5 spaces per dwelling unitMin 0.14 spaces per dwelling unit, except 0.05 spaces per student only residences & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Residential units within the CD22 zone1.1 spaces per dwelling unit greater than 2 bedrooms

 

2 spaces per dwelling unit greater than 2 bedroomsMin 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
1.0 space per 2 bedroom dwelling unit1.6 space per 2 bedroom dwelling unit
0.9 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unit1.25 spaces per 1 bedroom dwelling unit
0.75 spaces per bachelor dwelling unit1.0 space per bachelor dwelling unit
Residential units within the CD26 zone1.0 space per dwelling unit1.5 spaces per dwelling unitMin 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Secondary Suites1.0 space .22.0 spacesn/a
Residential Security/Operator Unit1.0 space per dwelling unit2.0 spaces per dwelling unitn/a

Short – Term Rental Accommodation:

No additional parking required (i.e., equivalent to the parking requirements for the principal dwelling unit within that zone).n/an/a

Short-Term Rental Accommodation:

1.0 space per two sleeping unitsn/an/a
FOOTNOTES (Table 8.3.1):
.1 Visitor parking is to be easily accessible to the access points of the corresponding development and/or buildings. Visitor parking is a separate minimum parking requirement that rounds up or down independent of the basic parking requirement.
.2 Parking space can be located in the driveway and in tandem with the single detached dwelling parking as long as two additional off-street parking spaces are provided for the principal dwelling. Notwithstanding Section 8.1.4, parking for secondary suites or carriage houses can be surfaced with a dust-free material.
.3 [deleted]
Table 8.3.2 Commercial
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum

All commercial uses in the UC1 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .3

0.9 spaces per 100 m2GFA3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA
All commercial uses in the UC2, UC3, UC4, UC5 and VC1 zone even if listed separately below .1 1.3 spaces per 100 m2GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA
All commercial uses in the CD22 zone even if listed separately below .1 1.0 spaces per 100 m2net floor area4.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA

All commercial uses in the CD26 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .2

1.75 parking spaces per 100 m2 GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA

Boat Storage

1.0 space per 10 boat storage spaces plus 2 spaces for employees1.25 spaces per 10 boat storage spaces plus 2 spaces for employees
Child Care Centre, Major1.0 space per 11 children of capacity or 2.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA (whichever is more)n/a
Child Care Centre, Minor1.0 spacen/a
Commercial Storage; or Warehousing

0.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA (minimum 2 spaces);

Plus

2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations.

1.0 space per 100 m2GFA

Plus

3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations.

 

Fleet Services1.0 space per 100 m2GFA and 1.0 space per vehicle in fleetn/a
Gas Bar2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFAn/a
Hotels / Motels

0.8 spaces per sleeping units plus requirements of other uses in the UC1 zone;

1.0 space per sleeping unit plus requirements of other uses in all other zones

1.5 spaces per sleeping units, plus requirements of other uses
Residential Security / Operator Unit1.0 space per dwelling unit2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Spectator Sports Establishments1 per 4 seatsn/a
Temporary Shelter Services1.0 space per 10 bedsn/a
All other commercial uses not listed above within a: residential zone, Commercial zone, Village Centre zone, Core Area zone, Urban Centre zone, a Health District zone, or a Comprehensive Development zone with commercial uses (unless the CD zone specifies a parking rate): .1, .2
  • 2.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 1,000 m2
  • 2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 1,000 m2 & 2,000 m2
  • 3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2
  • 4.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m2 
  • 2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 1,000 m2
  • 3.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 1,000 m2 & 2,000 m2
  • 4.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2
  • 5,25 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m
FOOTNOTES (Section 8.3.2):
.1 For shopping centres, calculate the area by adding all the tenant spaces together.
.2  Food Primary Establishment and Liquor Primary Establishment must have a minimum of 3 parking spaces.
.3 All lots in the areas identified as 3 storeys in Map 4.1 within the OCP (UC1 Downtown) shall not be required to meet any vehicle parking space requirements if the height of the buildings on the lot are 4 storeys or less as 15.0 metres or less. 
Table 8.3.3 Agriculture
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Greenhouses and Plant Nurseries6.7 spaces per 100 m2 GFA of retail salesn/a
Farm Retail Sales Stands5.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA, but a minimum of 4 spacesn/a
Table 8.3.4 Industrial
GFA = gross floor area
m2 = square metres 
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Animal Clinics, Major and Minor; or Auctioneering Establishments; or Cultural and Recreation Services; or Food Primary Establishment; or Gas Bar; or Liquor Primary Establishment; or Participant Recreation Services, Indoor; or Recycling Drop-Offs; or Retail Cannabis Sales 

2.5 spaces per 100m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 2,000 m2

3.0 spaces per 100m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2

4.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m2 

3.5 spaces per 100m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 2,000 m2

4.5 spaces per 100m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2

5.25 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m2 

Alcohol Production Facilities; or Automotive & Equipment; or Automotive & Equipment, Industrial; Cannabis Production Facilities; or Emergency and Protective Services; or General Industrial Uses; or Recycling Depots; or Wrecking Yards

1.0 space per 100 m2GFA (includes mezzanine area);
Plus
2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations.
2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA (includes mezzanine area);
plus
3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations.
Boat Storage1.0 space per 10 boat storage spaces. Minimum of 2 spaces1.5 spaces per 10 boat storage space

Bulk Fuel Depot

2.0 spacesn/a
Child Care Centre, Major1.0 space per 11 children of capacity or 2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA (whichever is greater)n/a
Commercial Storage; or Recycling Plants; or Utility Services, Infrastructure; or Warehousing

0.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA (minimum 2 spaces); 

Plus

2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations. 

1.0 space per 100 m2 GFA

Plus

3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations. 

Fleet Services1.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA and 1 space per vehicle in fleetn/a
Residential Security/Operator Unit1.0 space per dwelling unit2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Table 8.3.5 Institutional
GFA = gross floor area
m2 = square metres 
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Child Care Centre, Major1.0 space per 11 children of capacity or 2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA
(whichever is greater)
n/a
Cemetery0.5 space per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Cultural and Recreation Services; or Exhibition and Convention Facilities; or Food Primary Establishment; or Health Services; or Liquor Primary Establishment; or Recycling Drop-Offs; or Retail

2.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 2,000 m2

3.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2

4.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m

3.5 spaces per 100m2GFA for uses with GFA less than 2,000 m2

4.5 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA between 2,000 m2 & 20,000 m2

5.25 spaces per 100 m2GFA for uses with GFA greater than 20,000 m2 

Detention and Correction Services1.0 space per 2 inmates (capacity)n/a
Education Services1.3 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Emergency and Protective Services4.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Hospitals1.0 space per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Participant Recreation Services, Indoor

2.0 spaces per 100 m2GFA; or
2.0 spaces per alley for bowling alleys; or
4.0 spaces per curling sheet for curling rinks; or
3.0 spaces per court for racquet clubs; or
25.0 spaces per 100 m2 of pool water surface for public swimming pools
(whichever is greater)

n/a
Participant Recreation Services, Outdoor2.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA; and 6.0 spaces per hole for golf courses; and
1.0 space per tee for a golf driving range
n/a
Religious Assemblies1.0 space per 5 seats or 6 spaces per 100 m2 of GFA (whichever is greater)n/a
Residential Security/Operator Unit1.0 space per dwelling unit2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Spectator Sport Establishments1 space per 4 seatsn/a
Temporary Shelter Services1.0 space per 3 bedsn/a
Table 8.3.7 Water Uses
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Marinas1.0 space per 2 boat spaces plus 1 per businessn/a
8.4 Off-Street Loading

8.4.1 Where development is proposed, including new development, change of use of existing development, or enlargement of existing development, off-street loading spaces shall be provided by the property owner in accordance with the requirements of this Bylaw. Detention and correction services located within a security fence are exempt from providing off-street loading spaces.

Number of Spaces

8.4.2 The number of off-street loading spaces, including bus loading spaces, required for each use is specified in Table 8.4 Minimum Loading Required. The maximum number of loading spaces required by this section is three (3) spaces.

8.4.3 Where calculation of the total number of loading spaces yields a fractional number, the following counting rules apply (unless specifically defined in Table 8.4 Minimum Loading Required):

  1. any fraction less than one-half (0.5) rounds down to the nearest whole integer (including zero); and
  2. any fraction one-half (0.5) or greater rounds up to the nearest whole integer.

8.4.4 Where gross floor area is used as a unit of measurement for the calculation of required loading spaces, it must exclude all parking and loading areas, secure bicycle parking areas, common stairways and mechanical rooms within the building.

8.4.5 Where Table 8.4 Minimum Loading Required does not clearly define requirements for a particular development, the single use class or combination of use classes is most representative of the proposed development shall be used to determine the loading space requirement.

8.4.6 Where a development consists of a mix of use classes, the total off-street loading requirement shall be the sum of the off-street loading requirements for each use class, unless there is a complementary demand or differences in periods of use for loading that warrants a different requirement.

Location

8.4.7 Off-street loading spaces shall be provided entirely within the lot of the development being served.

8.4.8 Off-street loading spaces shall be oriented away from residential development.

Size and Access

8.4.9 Each off-street loading space shall be of adequate size and accessibility to accommodate the vehicles expected to load and unload, but in no case shall a loading space be less than 28 metres2 in area, less than 3.0 metres in width, or have less than 4.0 metres in overhead clearance.

8.4.10 Each required bus loading space shall be a minimum of 3.6 metres in width, a minimum of 12.2 metres in length, and have a minimum clearance of 4.6 metres.

8.4.11 Access to any loading area shall be provided, wherever possible, internally to the development or from a lane abutting the development.

8.4.12 Access to any loading area shall be arranged such that no backing or turning movement of vehicles going to or from the site causes interference with traffic on the abutting streets or lanes.

Table 8.4 Minimum Loading Requirement
GFA = gross floor area
m2 = square metres 

Type of Development (Use)Required Loading Spaces
Commercial Uses1 per 1,900 m2 GFA
Hotels/Motels1 per 2,800 m2 GFA
Industrial Uses1 per 1,900 m2 GFA
Institutional Uses1 per 2,800 m2 GFA