Zoning Bylaw No. 12375

Sections 8.3 & 8.4 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements

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Last Updated: 
September 26, 2022
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 8.3.1 Residential Multi-Dwelling Parking
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentBase Parking Requirement
(Number of spaces)
Minimum Visitor Parking Requirement .1 , .2
Urban Centre and Health District ZonesMF1 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

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
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 For MF1 zoned lots, the first four dwelling units shall have a minimum of one (1) parking space per dwelling unit. The parking rate identified above applies to the fifth dwelling unit and any more dwelling units.
Table 8.3.1a Other Residential Parking
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 stalls per sleeping unit1.5 space; plus 2.0 spaces per sleeping unitn/a
Carriage House or
Secondary Suites
1.0 space .22.0 spacesn/a
Congregate Housing & Supportive Housing0.35 spaces per sleeping unit; plus 0.5 spaces per non-resident on-duty employee or 3.0 spaces (whichever is greater)n/aMin 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit
Group Home1.0 space; plus 0.35 stalls per sleeping unit2.0 spaces; plus 1.0 stall 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 Avenue3.0 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
Residential Security/Operator Unit1.0 space per dwelling unit2.0 spaces per dwelling unitn/a
Short-Term Rental Accommodations: 
Multi-Dwelling Zones and Core Area and Other ZonesNo additional parking required (i.e., equivalent to the parking requirements for the principal dwelling unit within that zone)n/an/a
Agriculture & Rural Zones and Single & Two Dwelling Zones1.0 space per two sleeping unitsn/a
Agriculture & Rural Zones and Single & Two Dwelling Zones2.0 spaces per dwelling unitn/a0.0 spaces or Min 0.14 spaces & Max 0.2 spaces per dwelling unit .3
FOOTNOTES (Section 8.3.1a):
.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 Within residential strata (non-MF1 zoned developments) with three (3) or more dwelling units the visitor parking requirement is 0.14 spaces per dwelling unit.
Table 8.3.2 Commercial
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum

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
Hotels / Motels0.8 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 zones1.5 spaces per sleeping units, plus requirements of other uses
All commercial uses in the UC1 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .20.9 spaces per 100 m2 GFA3.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
All commercial uses in the UC2, UC3, UC4, UC5, and VC1 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .21.3 spaces per 100 m2 GFA .34.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
All commercial uses in the CD22 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .21.0 spaces per 100 m2 net floor area4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
All commercial uses in the CD26 zone even if listed separately below .1 , .21.75 parking spaces per 100 m2 GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
Animal Clinics, Major and Minor
Health Services (includes dental offices, surgeries, and similar uses)
3.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA5.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
Food Primary Establishment
Liquor Primary Establishment
2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA or 5.0 spaces (whichever is greater)4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
Fleet Services2.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA; or 1 spaces per vehicle in fleet plus 1 per employee on duty (whichever is greater)2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA; or 1.25 spaces per vehicle in fleet plus 1.25 spaces per employee on duty (whichever is greater)
Personal Service Establishment2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
Warehousing0.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA (minimum 2 spaces);
plus
2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA 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 m2 GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations
Financial Services
Offices
2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
All other commercial uses not listed above and for commercial zones not list above: .1 
GFA less than 1,000 m22.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
GFA 1,000 m2 to 2,000 m22.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA3.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
GFA 2,000 m2 to 20,000 m23.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA4.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
GFA greater than 20,000 m24.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA5.25 spaces per 100 m2 GFA
FOOTNOTES (Section 8.3.2):
.1 For shopping centres, calculate the area by adding all the tenant spaces together.
.2  This rule only applies to land use categories that are based on a number of parking spaces per GFA. 
.3 The minimum parking requirement may be affected by Figure 8.3 Parking Exception Areas. 
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
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Bulk Fuel Depot2.0 spacesn/a

General Industrial Uses

1.0 space per 100 m2 GFA (includes mezzanine area);
plus
2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA 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 m2 GFA (includes mezzanine area);
plus
3.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations
Warehousing0.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA (minimum 2 spaces);
plus
2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFA 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 m2 GFA for all floor area devoted to accessory activities such as any indoor display, office, administrative or technical support, or retail sale operations
Table 8.3.5 Institutional
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Cemetery0.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Detention and Correction Services1.0 space per 2 inmates (capacity)n/a
Emergency and Protective Services4.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Hospitals1.0 space per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Education Services1.3 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Temporary shelter services1.0 space per 3 bedsn/a
Table 8.3.6 Community, Recreational, and Cultural
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentParking Requirement
MinimumMaximum
Bowling Alley2.0 spaces per alleyn/a
Campsite1 per camping spacen/a
Child Care Centre, Major (includes preschool)1.0 space per 11 children (capacity)n/a
Child Care Centre, Minor1.0 space plus 1.0 more space if the child care centre contains employees from offsite 
Cultural and Recreation Services
Exhibition and Convention Facilities:
 
GFA less than 1,000 m22.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
GFA 1,000 m2 to 2,000 m22.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
GFA 2,000 m2 to 20,000 m23.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
GFA greater than 20,000 m24.0 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Cultural Facility (e.g., Museum, Art Gallery)2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Curling Rink4.0 spaces per curling sheetn/a
Golf Course6.0 spaces per hole; plus, the parking required for other secondary usesn/a
Golf Driving Range2.0 spaces per teen/a
Library2.5 spaces per 100 m2 GFAn/a
Participant Recreation Services, Outdoor (except golf courses)
Participant Recreation Services, Indoor (except curling rinks, swimming pools, and racquet clubs)
1.0 space per 100 m2 GFA, plus 1.0 space per 3 users (capacity)n/a
Racquet Clubs3 spaces per courtn/a
Recycling Drop-Offs1 per recycling container, (minimum of 2 spaces)n/a
Religious Assemblies1 per 5 seats or 10 per 100 m2 of GFA (whichever is greater)n/a
Spectator Entertainment Establishments1 per 4 seatsn/a
Spectator Sports Establishments1 per 4 seatsn/a
Swimming Pool (Public)25.0 per 100 m2 of pool water surfacen/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
Figure 8.3 - Parking Exceptions Area
Zoning Bylaw - Figure 8.3 - Map of parking exception areas

1. Notwithstanding Table 8.3.2 Commercial Parking Requirements, the minimum parking requirement for all UC1 zoned lots in Area 1 & 2 shown in Figure 8.3 shall be 0.9 stalls per 100 metre2 of Gross Floor Area (GFA). This rule only applies to land use categories that are based on a number of parking spaces per GFA.

2. All lots in Area 2 shown in Figure 8.3 shall not be required to meet any vehicle parking space requirements if the height of the buildings on the lot are:
15.0 metres or less and 4 storeys or less.

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 Required
m2 = square metres / 
GFA = gross floor area
Land Use / Type of DevelopmentRequired Loading Spaces
Child Care Centre, MajorFor 1 – 25 children0 loading spaces
For 26 or more children1 loading space
Commercial Uses and Industrial Uses1 per 1,900 m2 GFA
Cultural and Recreation Services and Institutional Uses (except Education Services listed below)1 per 2,800 m2 GFA
Food Primary Establishment1 per 2,800 m2 GFA
Hotels/Motels1 per 2,800 m2 GFA
Liquor Primary Establishment1 per 2,800 m2 GFA
Education Services1.5 car loading spaces per 100 students, minimum 5; plus 3 bus loading spaces