General Regulations.

Austin City Code tit. 25, ch. 25-6, art. 7, div. 1

in effect

Austin City Code § 25-6-471 OFF-STREET PARKING.

§ 25-6-471 - OFF-STREET PARKING. (A) Except as provided in Subsection (B), off-street motor vehicle parking is not required. This article shall govern over a conflicting provision of this title or other ordinance, unless the conflicting provision is less restrictive. This article applies to all uses and to specific regulating plans, Transit Oriented Development areas (TODs), and Neighborhood Conservation Combining Districts (NCCDs) that incorporate this chapter by reference. A planned unit development (PUD) that includes specific off-site parking requirements controls over this article. (B) A minimum of one on-site accessible space is required. The minimum number of accessible spaces is calculated by taking 100 percent of the parking previously required for the use under Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements) and using that result to determine the number of accessible parking spaces required under the Building Code. (C) If an applicant provides an off-street parking facility for a building or use, accessible spaces must be provided on-site. (D) If an applicant provides only accessible spaces for a use: (1) Accessible spaces may be located on- or off-site, within 250 feet of the use, and must be on an accessible route. (2) An off-site or on-street accessible space that is located within 250 feet of a use may be counted towards the number of required accessible spaces under Subsection (B). (3) The director may waive or reduce the number of accessible space required if no accessible spaces can be provided consistent with the requirements of Paragraph (D)(1). (E) The accessible space parking requirement for a site with more than one use or for adjacent sites served by a common parking facility is the cumulative total of spaces required for each site or use. (F) In this section: QUALIFYING DEVELOPMENT means a development certified under Section 25-1-724 (Certification) and participating in the Affordability Unlocked Bonus Program. (G) A qualifying development is not required to comply with Appendix A of Chapter 25-6 (Transportation) but must comply with this section. (1) The minimum number of required off-street accessible spaces is the greater of: (a) one accessible parking space; (b) the number of accessible spaces required under the Building Code based on 100 percent of the parking previously required for the use under Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements); or (c) the number of accessible spaces required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Fair Housing Act Amendments (FHAA), as appropriate. (2) An accessible space must be adjacent to the site and on an accessible route. (3) An accessible parking space must comply with design, accessibility, and location requirements imposed by the ADA and the FFHA, as appropriate. (4) Accessible parking detailed in Subsection (G)(1) must be provided off-street except insofar as on-street or off-site parking is allowed elsewhere in this title. Source: Section 13-5-96(a), (c), (d), (f) and (g); Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190509-027, Pt. 5, 5-20-19; Ord. No. 20221201-056, Pt. 4, 12-12-22; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 39, 11-13-23; Ord. No. 20240229-070, Pt. 1, 3-11-24.

Austin City Code § 25-6-472 PARKING FACILITY STANDARDS.

§ 25-6-472 - PARKING FACILITY STANDARDS. (A) Except as provided in Section 25-6-473 (Modification of Parking Requirement), a parking facility for a use must comply with the requirements in Section 25-6-471 (Off-Street Parking) and Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements), as applicable. (B) A parking facility must: (1) be maintained for the duration of the use or existence of the building requiring the facility; and (2) be used exclusively for the temporary parking of passenger automobiles, motor vehicles, or light trucks not exceeding one ton in capacity. (C) A parking facility requirement is based on gross floor area of a building or use served by the facility. For the purpose of calculating parking requirements, gross floor area does not include enclosed or covered areas used for off-street parking or loading, bicycle storage rooms or shower facilities. (D) The parking facility requirement for a general retail service use in a shopping center is based on the gross floor area of the entire shopping center, including portions not used for a general retail use. The parking requirement for a use in a shopping center other than a general retail service use is based on the rate for the use. (E) Except in the central business district (CBD) or a downtown mixed use (DMU) zoning district, an outdoor seating area for a restaurant (general) or a cocktail lounge use must be included with the gross floor area to determine the parking requirement. (F) If a calculation under Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements) results in a fractional requirement, a fraction of 0.5 or greater is rounded to the next larger whole number. (G) If a parking facility requirement is based on seating or capacity, occupancy is determined as prescribed in Chapter 25-12 (Uniform Building Code). (H) Head-in parking is prohibited in a townhouse and condominium residential (SF-6) or less restrictive zoning district. Source: Sections 13-5-96(b), (e) and (h) and 13-5-97(a), (b), (c), (d) and (h); Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20130523-104; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 40, 11-13-23.

Austin City Code § 25-6-473 MODIFICATION OF PARKING REQUIREMENT.

§ 25-6-473 - MODIFICATION OF PARKING REQUIREMENT. (A) The director may modify the number of queue spaces required by Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements) and may establish queue space requirements for drive-in services not listed in Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements). (B) The director may reduce the parking space requirement for an existing developed site or for a site covered by a released, unexpired site plan on March 11, 1996, if the director determines that a reduction of the parking requirement is necessary to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility standards or the Uniform Building Code accessibility standards. (C) The director may reduce a parking space requirement as needed to be consistent with the elimination of the minimum number of motor vehicle parking space requirements, except those related to accessible spaces. Source: Section 13-5-97(f), (g) and (i); Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 41, 11-13-23.

Austin City Code § 25-6-474 PARKING FACILITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

§ 25-6-474 - PARKING FACILITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. (A) A site must have: (1) a parking facility that is accessible to a person with disabilities; (2) routes of travel that connect the accessible elements of the site; and (3) the number of accessible parking spaces required by the Uniform Building Code that is based on a calculation that uses 100 percent of the parking spaces previously required for the use under Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Loading Requirements and Former Off-Street Parking Requirements). (B) A minimum of one on-site accessible space is required on an accessible route. If no driveway is provided, a minimum of one on-street or off-site accessible space is required on an accessible route per Subsection 25-6-471(D)(2). Sites that do not have dedicated motor vehicle parking spaces and no driveway access to, from, or through the site are exempt from providing on-site accessible spaces. (C) A person may appeal the requirements of this section to the Board of Adjustment. (D) A variance granted under Subsection (C) applies only to the use for which the variance was granted and does not run with the land on which the use is located. (E) A variance granted under Subsection (C) must specify whether it includes bicycle parking and the amount of bicycle parking required. An applicant may also seek a waiver pursuant to Subsection (G) of Section 25-6-477 (Bicycle Parking) to waive bicycle parking. Source: Section 13-5-101; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20130523-104; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 42, 11-13-23; Ord. No. 20240201-035, Pt. 2, 2-12-24.

Austin City Code § 25-6-475 PARKING FOR COMPACT CARS.

§ 25-6-475 - PARKING FOR COMPACT CARS. (A) The owner of a parking facility containing 12 or more parking spaces may reserve not more than 30 percent of the spaces for small or compact cars. Compact parking spaces must be located in groups of not less than three contiguous spaces and must be identified by directions and markings. (B) The owner of a developed property or a property with an approved site plan that is the subject of a right-of-way condemnation may reserve not more than 40 percent of the allowed parking spaces for compact parking spaces if the increase is necessary to replace parking spaces that are lost as a result of condemnation. (C) The owner of a developed property or property with a released unexpired site plan on March 11, 1996, may reserve not more than 40 percent of the allowed parking spaces for compact parking spaces if the director determines that the increase is necessary to comply with the accessibility standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act or the accessibility standards of the Uniform Building Code. Source: Section 13-5-98; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 25-6-476 BICYCLE PARKING FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS.

§ 25-6-476 - BICYCLE PARKING FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS. (A) The bicycle parking requirement for a site with more than one use or for adjacent sites served by a common parking facility is the cumulative total of spaces required for each site or use, unless otherwise provided by this section. (B) A person may request an adjustment to the bicycle parking requirement for separate uses located on one site or for separate uses located on adjoining or nearby sites and served by a common parking facility. (C) To apply for an adjustment under this section, an applicant must submit to the director a site plan and transportation engineering report addressing the following: (1) the characteristics of each use and the differences in projected peak parking demand, including days or hours of operation; (2) potential reduction in vehicle movements resulting from the multi-purpose use of the parking facility by employees, customers, or residents of the uses served; (3) potential improvements in parking facility design, circulation, and access resulting from a joint parking facility; (4) compliance with shared parking guidelines in the Transportation Criteria Manual; and (5) detail the amount of bicycle parking to be provided. (D) In determining whether to approve an adjustment under Subsection (B), the director shall consider the factors included in Subsection (C). (E) A decision of the director under this section may be appealed to the Land Use Commission. The decision of the Land Use Commission may be appealed to the city council. (F) A parking space subject to adjustment under this section must be located in a parking facility that provides similar use availability for all uses that the parking facility is intended to serve. (G) The director shall determine the type and number of bicycle spaces required for a mixed use development at the time that the director determines the bicycle parking requirement under this section, or at the time a request for an adjustment is made under this section. Source: Sections 13-5-100 and 13-5-102(a)(2); Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 010607-8; Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20130523-104; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 43, 11-13-23.

Austin City Code § 25-6-477 BICYCLE PARKING.

§ 25-6-477 - BICYCLE PARKING. (A) Off-street parking facilities for bicycles must be provided for each use on a site. (B) Any addition or enlargement of an existing building or use or any change of occupancy or operation shall require a proportional increase in bicycle parking adhering to the requirements of this section for the new use or expanded use or change in occupancy. (C) The number of bicycle parking spaces shall be determined based on the requirements in this subsection. (1) For Commercial Uses as described in Section 25-2-4 (Commercial Uses Described), a minimum of two bicycle parking spaces or 10 percent of the proposed motor vehicle parking spaces, whichever is greater. (2) For Multifamily Residential Use as described in Section 25-2-3(7), a minimum of five bicycle parking spaces or 10 percent of the proposed motor vehicle parking spaces, whichever is greater. (3) For Single-Family Use as described in Section 25-2-3(12) or Two-Family Residential Use as described in Section 25-2-3(15), no requirements. (4) For uses as described in Section 25-2-5 (Industrial uses Described), Section 25-2-6 (Civic Uses Described), and Section 25-2-7 (Agricultural Uses Described), a minimum of one bicycle parking space or 10 percent of the proposed motor vehicle parking spaces, whichever is greater. (D) A required bicycle space must comply with the requirements of the Transportation Criteria Manual. (E) The location of an off-street bicycle parking facility shall comply with the following requirements: (1) A minimum of 50 percent of all required bicycle parking shall be located within 50 feet of the principal building entrance which shall not be obscured from public view; and (2) The remaining required bicycle parking may be located as follows: a. in a secure location within 50 feet of other building entryways other than the principal building entrance; b. at employee only entrances; c. within a building; or d. in a covered motor vehicle parking facility within 50 feet of a street level entrance. (3) The closest bicycle parking facility must be no farther than the closest motor vehicle parking space, excluding accessible parking spaces. (F) A provision of this article that is applicable to off-street motor vehicle parking also applies to bicycle parking, unless the provision conflicts with this section. (G) The city manager may waive a requirement relating to the number or type of bicycle spaces or approve an alternate method of compliance after considering the characteristics of the use, the site, and the surrounding area. A waiver may not reduce the number of required bicycle spaces to less than two. (H) A site or development subject to Subsection 2.3.1.B.2. of Article 2 (Site Development Standards) of Subchapter E of City Code Chapter 25-2 that chooses to provide shower and changing facilities as an option under Table B (Additional Measures to Improve Connectivity) shall provide facilities as follows: (1) For buildings with less than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, a minimum of two single-user shower-and-changing facilities. (2) For buildings with 100,000 or more square feet of gross floor area, a minimum of four single-user shower-and-changing facilities. Source: Ord. 031120-44; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20060504-039; Ord. 20130523-104; Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 44, 11-13-23; Ord. No. 20240201-035, Pt. 3, 2-12-24.

Austin City Code § 25-6-478 PARKING FACILITIES, CIRCULATION AREAS, AND QUEUE LINES AFTER JANUARY 1, 1985.

§ 25-6-478 - PARKING FACILITIES, CIRCULATION AREAS, AND QUEUE LINES AFTER JANUARY 1, 1985. A parking facility, circulation area, or queue line constructed or substantially reconstructed after January 1, 1985, must comply with the design standards prescribed in Division 4 (Design and Construction Standards for Parking and Loading Facilities), the Transportation Criteria Manual, and the landscape standards prescribed in Chapter 25-2, Subchapter C, Article 9 (Landscaping). Source: Ord. No. 20231102-028, Pt. 45, 11-13-23

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT25LADE_CH25-6TR_ART7OREPALO_DIV1GEREFetched: 10/27/2026