Title
Ordinance to Amend and Re-enact the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 11, to Reduce Required Minimum Parking for Single-family Detached, Two-family, Duplex, or Multi-family Uses; and to Add Language Permitting Administrative Reductions in Minimum Requirements
Purpose
Background Statement:
This Zoning Ordinance Amendment is designed to comply with HB 888, passed in the spring of 2026 by the Virginia Legislature and signed by the Governor, which will take effect July 1, 2026. HB 888 mandates all localities in Virginia to reduce parking requirements within 0.5 miles of "designated areas", which are defined as areas around transit stations with enhanced structures. This proposed amendment will achieve this requirement in two ways. First, it will add a new section (11-2.1) to the Zoning Ordinance, defining which transportation facilities will count as a "designated area", and specifying that within these areas, a minimum of one-half of one (0.5) parking spaces will be required for any multi-family dwelling, and one (1) space for every one-family, two-family, and townhouse dwelling. Second, the proposed amendment provides for opportunities to reduce parking requirements for residential and mixed-use properties outside of designated areas, outlining criteria for administrative review.
This amendment, if enacted, would provide additional parking flexibility for developers, while allowing staff to conduct case-by-case analysis of development to ensure adequate parking is provided throughout the city. It will also promote walkable and transit-oriented development. The amendment shall maintain appropriate zoning controls consistent with public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.
Recommendations:
Rec
Staff Recommendation:
Approve
Body
Ordinance To Amend And Re-Enact The Zoning Ordinance Of The City Of Hampton, Virginia By Creating New Section 11-2.1, “Parking Minimums in Designated Areas,” and to Amend Section 11-8, "Parking Credits, Exemptions and Reductions," to Provide Minimum Parking Requirements for Certain Residential Development.
WHEREAS, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice so require;
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that Section 11-2.1 be added to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia, and Section 11-8 thereof be amended, to provide as follows:
CHAPTER 11 - PARKING
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Section 11-2.1. - Parking minimums in designated areas.
(1) Definitions. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) Designated area means any parcel on which single-family residential, multi-family residential, or mixed-use residential development is allowed by right or by administrative or use permit, if any portion of that parcel is within one half-mile of any public transportation facility.
(b) Public transportation means a common carrier for passenger transportation along fixed routes by rubber-tired, rail, or other surface vehicles which are accessible to the general public on a regular or continuing basis.
(c) Public transportation facility means any facility at or from which members of the public board or disembark public transportation vehicles and which has each of the following features:
(i) At least five (5) outdoor boarding areas, each of which must contain seating for no fewer than three (3) people, which are covered from the elements by a canopy or other enclosure; and
(ii) A building or structure which contains restrooms accessible to the general public.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the minimum off-street parking requirement for any single-family residential, multi-family residential, or mixed-use residential development in a designated area shall be as follows:
(a) For mixed-use and multifamily developments other than townhouse dwellings, the minimum off-street parking required shall be no more than one-half of one parking space per each dwelling unit.
(b) For single-family and two-family developments and all townhouse dwellings, the minimum off-street parking required shall be no more than one (1) parking space per each dwelling unit.
(3) Any land use application for single-family residential, multi-family residential, or mixed-use residential development shall disclose whether the development is in a designated area and, if so, identify the public transportation facility or facilities which lie within one half-mile of the project site.
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Section 11-8. - Parking credits, exemptions and reductions.
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(3) Off-street parking for residential developments outside designated areas. The Zoning Administrator may grant a reduction in minimum off-street parking requirements for single-family residential, multi-family residential, and mixed-use residential developments not within the “designated areas” defined in Section 11-2.1 above. If granted, the reduction shall equal no less than 20% of the total minimum off-street parking required for the development after any other reductions, exemptions, or credits have been applied, and rounding the resulting figure to the nearest whole number.
(a) To request the reduction, an applicant shall submit an application containing each of the following:
(i) A narrative statement describing the reason a parking reduction is requested and identifying any amenities or development features intended to alleviate negative parking impacts; and
(ii) A parking impacts study conducted or certified by a licensed Virginia civil engineer which describes existing parking conditions as well as future parking conditions within 500 feet of the project site as if the project was fully developed subject to the requested reduction.
(b) The Zoning Administrator or their designee may grant the parking reduction after considering the following factors:
(i) Whether and to what degree the development would increase parking occupancy at the project site as determined by the parking impacts study. Subject to the criteria below, a study showing post-development parking occupancy of 85% or less is presumed to qualify for the exemption.
(ii) The proximity of the development to existing transportation and parking facilities such as on-street and in-building public parking, public transportation routes, and shared private parking; provided, however, that any applicant claiming shared private parking to qualify for the reduction shall provide a copy of the written agreement with the private parking owner governing the shared parking arrangement.
(iii) Amenities promoting walkable neighborhoods.
(iv) Whether the development would require a reduction in parking in order to avoid encroaching into environmentally sensitive areas, including (without limitation) any subdistrict of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Overlay (O-CBP).
(v) For mixed-use residential developments, the nature of the non-residential use(s) of the property.
c) In no case may the Zoning Administrator grant this parking reduction to any development required by this ordinance to have a minimum number of five (5) or fewer off-street parking spaces.