710.1 The intent of this section is to prevent negative impacts on neighboring property from excessive parking, minimize vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, respect the pedestrian environment, foster good urban design, and provide space for active uses to line parking structures.

710.2 Vehicle parking spaces shall be located:

(a) Parking spaces and access to parking spaces in a waterfront setback required pursuant to Subtitle C § 1102 shall comply with the requirements of that section in addition to the other requirements of this subsection;

(b) Within or below a building or structure; except in any zone other than a R, RF, or Subtitle K special purpose zone, parking spaces provided within a structure shall be located at least twenty feet (20 ft.) from all lot lines that abut a public street or a waterfront setback required pursuant to Subtitle C § 1102, unless the surface of the parking spaces is at least ten feet (10 ft.) below grade at all points along the building frontage; and

(c) On an open area of the lot, except:

(1) Between a building restriction line and a front lot line;

(2) In any zone other than a PDR zone, surface parking spaces shall not be located between the front façade of a building, as extended for the full width of the front of the lot, and the front lot line; provided that a building used solely as a parking attendant shelter shall not trigger this restriction;

(3) In a waterfront setback required pursuant to Subtitle C § 1102 or in the MU-11 through MU-14 zones, surface parking spaces shall be permitted only as a special exception pursuant to Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and meeting the application conditions of Subtitle C § 1102.5; or

(4) Within all R and RF zones, any surface parking lot for more than ten (10) parking spaces shall be located a minimum of six feet (6 ft.) from any property line, with the space between the surface parking lot and the property line providing landscaping and screening consistent with Subtitle C §§ 714 and 715.

710.3 The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant full or partial relief from the requirements of this section to locate surface parking spaces anywhere on the lot upon which the building or structure is located if approved as a special exception pursuant to Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and subject to:

1. (a) The applicant's demonstration to the Board's satisfaction that:
2. (1) It is not practical to locate the spaces in accordance with Subtitle C § 710.2 for the following reasons:
   1. (A) Unusual topography, grades, shape, size, or dimensions of the lot;
   2. (B) The lack of an alley or the lack of appropriate ingress or egress through existing or proposed alleys or streets;
   3. (C) Traffic hazards caused by unusual street grades; or
   4. (D) The location of required parking spaces elsewhere on the same lot or on another lot would result in more efficient use of land, better design or landscaping, safer ingress or egress, and less adverse impact on neighboring properties; and
3. (2) The accessory parking spaces shall be located so as to furnish reasonable and convenient parking facilities for the occupants or guests of the building or structures that they are designed to serve; and
4. (b) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose conditions as to screening, coping, setbacks, fences, the location of entrances and exits, or any other requirement it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby property. It may also impose other conditions it deems necessary to assure the continued provision and maintenance of the spaces.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 2712 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 6110 (June 30, 2017); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 11927 (October 26, 2018); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 001561 (February 25, 2022).