When you build on a property—whether it’s for business or residential purposes—you need to account for the parking ratio. The parking ratio, if you don’t already know, can determine the number of parking spaces available for a property. This is achieved by dividing how many parking spaces exist by your property’s square footage.
“So what?” You might respond. “Why should I bother doing that?? Well, find out by reading this article. Here’s why calculating the parking ratio for your business matters.
Are There Enough Spaces?
The first and most obvious reason for figuring out if you have enough parking space is knowing whether there are enough spaces for your employees, clients, and customers to park. (There’s also the potential for renting out space to others as a side business.) When you calculate the parking ratio, you know exactly how many cars can squeeze into your lot right away. This can clue you in on whether you need to expand your space with a garage or other parking facility that provides three-car lifts or other means for building vertically on the space that already exists.
It Can Help Determine If You Need Parking at All
If you’re still wondering why calculating the parking ratio for your business matters, it can help you determine if you need space for parking. Warehouses and other businesses that need more space for storing and distributing have less need for parking spaces. Figure out how many spaces your crew will to park their vehicles and leave more room for storage (or three-car lifts.) You can also consider nearby public transportation stops and whether they influence the situation by allowing your workers to commute.
It’s the Law
Before you build your facility, you’ll have to submit your plans to your town or city for approval. They need to check and see if your building meets with building codes and regulations, and parking is a very big part of that. When you or the architect submit the plans, note the place’s size, footprint, utilities, and parking facilities. They'll check the parking ratio to ensure it aligns with local and zoning requirements and standards. If you don’t provide enough parking, your plans won’t be approved.
Keep Customers in Mind
If you build in a place where there’s little-to-no street parking, ensure you have space for customers. If you have an office or storage facility, the parking ratio may determine that your basic lot needs just enough room for your personal parking space and a few employees’ vehicles. However, if you’re a store, medical facility, or similar place with a high volume of customers, make sure customers find parking when they arrive, otherwise, they’ll go elsewhere.