Parking Requirements

Detroit Parking Requirements

Specific Land UseOff-Street Parking Spaces Required, minimum. (References are to square feet of gross floor area unless otherwise indicated.)Maximum Distance (feet)
Adult foster care facility One (1) space per each four (4) persons based on maximum capacity as specified in State license 100
Assisted Living Facility 0.50 per dwelling unit plus one per 2 employees Same lot
Convalescent, nursing, or rest home 1 per 4 beds 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Emergency shelter1 per 2 employees100
Fraternity or sorority house; dormitory1 per 3 beds100
Religious residential facility2 per rectory or parsonage; 1 per convent or monastery plus one for each 10 residentsSame lot
Residential Substance Abuse Facility1 per 2 employees 100
Rooming house2 per 3 guestrooms or 1 per 4 residents, whichever is greater + 1 per dwelling unit100
Shelter for victims of domestic violence1 per 2 employees100
Loft 1.25 per dwelling unit 100
Multiple-family dwelling 1.25 per dwelling unit; 0.75 per dwelling unit for multiple-family dwelling for the elderly as defined in Sec. 61-16-134; see also Sec. 61-14-63. On land zoned SD1 or SD2: 1.0 per dwelling unit or 0.75 per dwelling unit if located within 0.25 miles of a bus rapid transit, street car/trolley or light rail line. 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot; and except on land zoned SD1 or SD2: 1,320 where a “district approach” to parking as provided in Sec. 61-14- 7(2) (a),(b), and (c) has been recognized by the Planning and Development Department.
Mobile home park 2 per dwelling unit same lot
Single Room Occupancy Housing (Nonprofit)1 per 2 employees + 1 per 10 residents100
Single-family detached dwelling2 per dwelling unitsame lot
Town house1.5 per dwelling unit100
Two-family dwelling1.5 per dwelling unitsame lot
Boarding school 1 per 5 beds or as required for schools, whichever is greater. 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Child caring institution1 per 4 beds100
Penal or correctional institution2 per 3 employeessame lot
Pre-release adjustment center2 per 3 employees500
Armory 1 per 100 square feet or Schedule C, as determined by the Planning and Development Department 100
Race track, motor vehicleSee Schedule C
Stadium or sports arena1 per 6 seats1000
All other Auditorium or Stadium1 per 4 seats 500
Court house15 per court room or 1 per 150 square feet, whichever is less100
Customs office1 per 150 square feet100
Fire station2 per 3 employees100
Police station1 per 160 square feet100
Governmental service agency 1 per 150 square feet 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Neighborhood center, nonprofit1 per 100 square feet100
Substance abuse service facility1 per 100 square feet100
All other Community Service1 per 150 square feet100
Adult day care center 1 per 2 employees 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Child care center 1 per 2 employees plus one space for each 10 children based on maximum licensed capacity 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Family day care home1 per 2 employees100
Group day care home1 per 2 employees100
All other1 per 2 employees100
Hospital or hospice 2 per in-patient bed + 1 per 200 square feet of out-patient clinic area 100
Library 1 per 400 square feet 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Museum or public aquarium 1 per 400 square feet 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Cemeteries (including mausoleums, crematories, or columbaria)1 per 2 employees100
Golf course3 per hole or 1 per 100 square feet in clubhouse, whichever is greater100
Ice skating rink1 per 400 square feet100
Park, playfield, and playgroundSchedule C; interior roadways may be used to satisfy parking requirementsN/A
Swimming pool1 per 200 square feet of water surface area + 1 per 6 seats spectator seating area500
Tennis court1 per 2 employees + 2 per court100
All Other Park and Open SpaceAs required for most similar use type or Schedule CAs required for most similar use type or Schedule C
Church, chapel, mosque, synagogue, temple 1 per 6 seats in main worship area or auditorium or 1 per 100 square feet in largest assembly area without fixed seats, whichever is greater 100
Educational institution 1 per each employee plus 1 for each 5 students based on the maximum number of students that can be accommodated at one time 500; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
School (public or parochial elementary) 3 per 2 instructional rooms or 1 per 4 seats in main auditorium whichever is greater same lot
School (public or parochial junior high) 3 per 2 instructional rooms or 1 per 3 seats in main auditorium whichever is greater same lot
School (public or parochial or senior high) 5 per instructional room or 1 per 2 seats in main auditorium whichever is greater same lot
Educational: All other As required for most similar use type or Schedule CAs required for most similar use type or Schedule C
Utility, Basic 1 per 3 employees 500
Utility, Major 2 per 3 employees 500
Retail, service, and commercial uses located on land zoned SD1 or SD2 Where the use is located within 0.25 miles of a bus rapid transit, street car/trolley or light rail line: 0.75 of the minimum required offstreet spaces specified in Sec. 61- 14-40 through Sec. 61-14-50. As specified in Sec. 61-14-40 through Sec. 61-14-50 or Sec. 61-14- 7(2) where applicable.
Assembly hall 1 per 100 square feet (if no fixed seats) 100
Assembly: All Other 1 per 100 square feet 100
Brewpub or microbrewery or small distillery with “consumption on the premises” 3 (minimum) + 1 per 100 square feet for each 100 square feet in excess of 1,000 100
Establishment for the sale of intoxicating beverages on the premises 3 (minimum) + 1 per 100 square feet for each 100 square feet in excess of 1,000 100
Microbrewery or small distillery without “consumption on the premises” 1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees whichever is greater 100
Restaurant, carry-out or fast-food 1 per 100 square feet of restaurant building and designated outdoor seating area + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H (if a drive-through window exists) 100
Restaurant, standard 3 for the first 500 square feet of building and designated outdoor seating area + 1 per 100 square feet of building and outdoor seating area in excess of the first 500 square feet + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H (if a drive-through window exists) 100
Medical or dental clinic, physical therapy clinic, or massage therapy clinic 1 per 200 square feet or 5 per doctor, dentist or therapist, whichever is greater 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Office, business or professional 1 per 400 square feet 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Radio or television station 2 per 3 employees + 1 per 4 (fixed or moveable) seats in studio having greatest seating capacity 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Recording studio or photo studio or video studio 2 per 3 employees + 1 per 4 (fixed or moveable) seats in studio having greatest seating capacity 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Parking lots, parking structures None N/A
Bed and Breakfast Inn 3 per 4 guestrooms + 2 per dwelling unitN/A
Hotel or motel 3 per 4 guestrooms + 1 per dwelling unit 100
Lodging house, public 2 per 3 employees 100
Youth hostel/hostel 1 per 1 employee 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
All other Public Accommodation 3 per 4 guestrooms + 1 per dwelling unit 100
Arcade 1 per 100 square feet 100
Cabaret1 per 100 square feet feet for each 100 square feet in excess of 1,000100
Casino or casino complexSee provisions for SD5 District in Sec. 61-11-267.300
Firearms target practice range, indoor1 per 2 employees + 1 per target
lane
100
Pool or billiard hall1 per 250 square feet or 1 per pool table and billiard table, whichever is greater100
Recreation, indoor commercial and health club Schedule C, where 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area is deemed by the Planning and Development Department to be inappropriate Where Schedule C does not apply, 100; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Theater and concert café 1 per 4 seats 500
All other Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor1 per 100 square feet 100
Amusement park1 per 200 square feet of public activity area1000
Go-cart track15 per track100
Golf driving range1 per 2 employees + 1 per tee100
Golf course, miniature2 per hole100
Rebound tumbling center1 per tumbling apparatus100
Retail sales and service in multipleresidential structures None N/A
Retail sales and service in business and professional officesNone N/A
Bake ShopSee Schedule B100
Firearm's dealershipSee Schedule B100
Kennel, commercialSchedule B100
Motor vehicles, new or used, salesroom or sales lot 2 spaces + 1 per 800 square feet of floor area over 1,600 square feet, or 2 spaces + 1 per 2,400 square feet of lot area, whichever is greater 100
Motorcycles, retail sales, rental or service 2 spaces + 1 per 800 square feet of floor area over 1,600 square feet 100
PawnshopSchedule B100
Pet shopSchedule B100
Secondhand stores and secondhand jewelry storesSchedule B100
Specially designated distributor's (SDD) or specially designated merchant's (SDM)Schedule B100
Stores of a generally recognized retail nature whose primary business is the sale of new merchandise Schedule B 100
Trailer coaches or boat sale or rental, open air display 2 spaces + 1 per 800 square feet of floor area over 1,600 square feet 100
Trailers, utility, or cement mixers, pneumatic-tired, sales, rental, or service; moving truck/trailer rental lots 2 spaces + 1 per 800 square feet of floor area over 1,600 square feet 100 100
All other Retail Sales and Service (SalesOriented)See Schedule B 100
Animal-grooming shopSee Schedule B100
Automated teller machine (without drive-in facilities)NoneN/A
Automated teller machine (with drive-in facilities)None; stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H)N/A
Bank (without drive-in facilities)1 per 200 square feet100
Bank (with drive-in facilities)1 per 200 square feet + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H)100
Barber shopSee Schedule B100
Beauty shop1 per 100 square feet 500 100
Business college or commercial trade school 1 per employee + 1 per 3 students based on maximum number of students that can be accommodated at one time 500; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Customer service center (with drive through window)1 per 100 square feet + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division Subdivision H100
Dry cleaning or laundry pick-up stations See Schedule B1 per 400 square feet100
Employee recruitment center1 per 200 square feet100
Financial services center (without drive through)1 per 200 square feet + stacking100
Financial services center (with drive- through)1 per 200 square feet + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H 100100
Food stamp distribution center (no drivethrough window)1 per 200 square feet100
Food stamp distribution center (with drive-through window) 1 per 200 square feet + stacking spaces per Article XIV, Division 1, Subdivision H 100
Laundromat 1 per 200 square feet 100
Laundromat 1 per 200 square feet 100
Mortuary or funeral home 1 per 100 square feet + 1 per dwelling unit same lot
Nail Salon 1 per 100 square feet 100
Photocopying and computing self-service establishment See Schedule B for the area accessible to customers + 1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees (whichever is greater) for that portion of building not accessible to customers 100
Piercing Parlor see Schedule B 100
Printing or engraving shops 1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees whichever is greater 500
Radio, television, or household appliance repair shop 2 spaces + 1 per 800 square feet of floor area over 1,600 square feet 100
School or studio of dance, gymnastics, music, art, or cooking 1 per employee + 1 per 5 students based on maximum number of students that can be accommodated at one time 500; except where developed under the “School building adaptive reuses” provision as defined in Sec. 61-16-171 of this Code: same lot
Shoe repair shopSee Schedule B100
Shoeshine parlorSee Schedule B100
Tattoo parlorSee Schedule B100
Veterinary clinic for small animalsSee Schedule B100
All other Retail Sales and Service (Serviceoriented)See Schedule B100
Motor vehicle services, major1 per 300 square feet (all required spaces shall be outside principal building)100
Motor vehicle services, minor1 per 300 square feet (all required spaces shall be outside principal building);same lot
Motor vehicle washing and steam cleaning2 per 3 employees at
Motor vehicles, new or used: storage lots accessory to salesroom or sales lot for new or used motor vehicles None N/A
Blueprinting shop 1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees (whichever is greater) 100
Contractor yard, landscape or construction 2 per 3 employees 500
Crushing, grading and screening of rock, stone, slag, clay or concrete 2 per 3 employees 500
Junkyard 2 per 3 employees same lot
Towing service storage yard 1 per 2,400 square feet of lot area or 2 per 3 employees, whichever is less 500
All other : Industrial Service or Manufacturing and Production 1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees, whichever is greater 500
Coal or coke yards 2 per 3 employees 500
Containerized freight yard 2 per 3 employees same lot
Intermodal freight terminalNoneN/A
Railroad transfer or storage tracks NoneN/A
Tank storage of bulk oil or gasoline 2 per 3 employees 5002 per 3 employees 500
Trucking terminal, transfer buildings, truck garages, recreational vehicle storage lots and open areas for the parking of operable trucks. 2 per 3 employees 500
Sewage disposal plant 2 per 3 employees same lot
Scrap tire storage, processing or recycling facility 2 per 3 employees same lot
Transfer station for garbage, refuse, or rubbish 2 per 3 employees same lot
All Other Waste-Related Use1 per 800 square feet or 1 per 3 employees, whichever is greater 500
Adult bookstore or adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motion picture theater, semi-nude model studio 3 (minimum) + 1 per 100 square feet for each 100 square feet in excess of 1,000 Same lot
Aircraft landing areas for winged aircraft Schedule CN/A
Heliports 2 per 3 employees 500
Passenger Transportation Terminal Schedule CN/A
Tunnel or Bridge Plaza and Terminal, Vehicular 2 per 3 employees same lot 2 per 3 employees same lot
Medical Marihuana Caregiver Center 1 per 200 square feet same lot
Railroad right-of-way, not including storage tracks, yards, or buildings NoneN/A
Telecommunications building, private 2 per 3 employees 500
Boat terminal, passenger Schedule CN/A
Docks, waterway shipping/freighters2 per 3 employees same lot
Ferry terminal 2 per 3 employees same lot
Marinas 1 per boat slip 100

Off-Street Parking Schedule “A”

Schedule “B” off-street parking for General Retail Uses.

Gross Floor Area
(Sq. Ft.)
Gross Floor Area
(Sq. Ft.) Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
Less than 50,0001 per 200 square feet of gross floor area
50,001-100,0001 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
100,001-400,0001 per 350 square feet of gross floor area

Off-street parking spaces for Schedule B uses shall be provided in accordance with the
following standards. The nearest point of the off-street parking facility shall not be more
than one hundred (100) feet from the building or use to be served:

Schedule “B” off-street parking for Shopping center Retail Uses.

Gross Floor Area
(Sq. Ft.)
Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
Less than 400,000 1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
400,001-600,0001 per 220 square feet of gross floor area
More than 600,0001 per 200 square feet of gross floor area

Shopping center retail (2 or more stores organized or operating as a unit, and
consisting of not less than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of gross floor area).

Off-street parking spaces for Schedule B uses shall be provided in accordance with the
following standards. The nearest point of the off-street parking facility shall not be more
than one hundred (100) feet from the building or use to be served:

Schedule C.


Because Schedule C uses have widely varying parking demands, it is difficult to specify a single requirement. The off-street parking requirement for such uses shall be established by the Planning and Development Department based on estimates of parking demand, which may include recommendations of the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE), data collected from uses that are the same or comparable to the proposed use, or other relevant information. The Planning and Development Department may require that a parking study be prepared at the applicant’s expense. Said study shall provide analysis and justification for the proposed number of spaces to be provided. Parking studies shall document the source of data used to develop the recommendations. The Planning and Development Department shall review the submitted study along with any other traffic engineering and planning data that are appropriate and establish the off-street parking or loading requirements for the use proposed.


The parking requirements shown here are the typical required parking standards for the city of Detroit.  Variance or exclusions to the parking count requirements could be allowed by the code for a specific project.  The city of Detroit parking requirements are for general information.  The Detroit standard parking requirements for an area can be modified by zoning overlays or other Detroit parking code requirements specific to each project.