INFOGRAPHIC: Updated York County Parking Standards
Changes include updated parking requirements for residential and commercial development
At their regularly scheduled meeting on July 15, 2025, the York County Board of Supervisors voted to update minimum off-street parking and loading standards for various land uses. The changes, recommended by the Planning Commission and informed by a February 2025 work session, aim to reflect current development patterns, ensure adequate parking, while reducing unnecessary asphalt. Staff emphasized real-world observations, business feedback, and evolving vehicle sizes (e.g., SUVs blocking sidewalks)
Residential parking changes
Townhouses and multiplexes: Visitor parking ratio revised from 1 per 2 units to 1 per 3 units.
Multi-family housing: Resident spaces reduced from 2 to 1.5 per unit, with adjusted visitor parking.
Garage spaces now count as half a parking space, recognizing many are used for storage.
Transitional homes: Parking based on number of bedrooms and on-duty employees.
A new footnote clarifies visitor parking expectations, spurred by issues in developments like Burgesses Quarters.
Other changes to parking standards
Community & Public Facilities
Meeting halls and clubhouses: Removed outdated standard of 1 space per 4 fixed seats; now based on square footage only.
Parks and recreation: Added standard of 80 spaces per sports field, following National Parks and Recreation Association guidance.
Commercial & Business Uses
Freestanding walk-up ATMs: Increased from 2 to 4 spaces per machine.
Fast food/drive-thru restaurants: Expanded stacking space requirements to reduce congestion.
Industrial & Mixed Uses
Microbreweries, distilleries, and cideries: New formulas based on office, production, tasting, and event areas.
Vehicle Services
Car washes: New standards based on employee count and service bays.
Vehicle sales and rentals: Clarified parking based on indoor and outdoor display areas.
A Williamsburg Independent contributor produced this post using AI tools and these primary sources:
Video - York County Board of Supervisors - July 15, 2025
Agenda - York County Board of Supervisors - July 15, 2025
Memorandum from County Administrator re: parking standards
Excerpts from the February 12, 2025, Planning Commission Work Session and June 11, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting
Proposed Ordinance No. 25-17