The provision of adequate parking facilities in residential subdivision projects is a critical component of sustainable urban development in the Philippines. Parking regulations are designed to ensure road safety, prevent street congestion, facilitate emergency vehicle access, reduce on-street parking, and protect property values. These rules are primarily enforced through the subdivision approval process and building permit stage, with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD, formerly HLURB) as the primary regulatory body for subdivision development permits, and local government units (LGUs) through their building officials for individual building permits.
Primary Governing Laws and Regulations
- Presidential Decree No. 957 (1976) – The Subdivision and Condominium Buyers’ Protective Decree and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (as amended up to the latest DHSUD issuances).
- Batas Pambansa Blg. 220 (1982) – Authorizing the Ministry of Human Settlements to Establish and Promulgate Different Levels of Standards for Economic and Socialized Housing Projects and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (2008, as amended).
- Presidential Decree No. 1096 (1977) – The National Building Code of the Philippines and its 2004 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, particularly Rule VII (Off-Street Parking Requirements) and Rule VIII (PWD Accessibility).
- Relevant DHSUD/HLURB Board Resolutions and Memorandum Circulars on design standards, clustered parking, and parking slot allocation.
- Local Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP), Zoning Ordinances, and Traffic Management Codes of LGUs (which may impose stricter requirements).
Classification of Projects and Applicable Standards
Subdivision projects are classified into two main categories with different parking standards:
| Category | Governing Law | Target Market | Minimum Lot Sizes (typical) | Parking Requirement Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Market Subdivision | PD 957 | Middle to high-income | Single-detached: 120 sqm Duplex: 90 sqm Rowhouse: 60 sqm (end), 40 sqm (inner) |
High – generally 1 slot per unit |
| Economic & Socialized Housing | BP 220 | Low to lower-middle income | Single-detached: 72/54 sqm Duplex: 54/42 sqm Rowhouse: 36/28 sqm |
Lower – optional or reduced ratio |
Parking Requirements under PD 957 (Open Market Subdivisions)
PD 957 projects are held to the highest design standards.
Single-Detached and Duplex/Single-Attached Units
- Minimum lot sizes (120 sqm and 90 sqm respectively) are deemed sufficient to accommodate at least one covered or open parking slot within the lot.
- The site development plan submitted to DHSUD must show that each lot can physically accommodate a standard 2.5 m × 5.0 m parking slot plus maneuvering space.
- House models sold as “house-and-lot packages” must include a carport/garage in the design; failure to do so is a common cause of non-issuance of Certificate of Registration and License to Sell.
Rowhouse/Townhouse Projects
- Each dwelling unit must be provided with at least one (1) parking slot.
- The parking slot may be:
a. Individual (attached carport in front or at the rear)
b. Clustered (grouped parking area) – allowed when lot frontage or configuration makes individual parking impossible. - When clustered parking is used, the ratio shall not be less than one (1) parking slot per dwelling unit, and the clustered area must be allocated proportionally to the units (usually through annotation on the title or homeowners’ association deed of restrictions).
Visitor Parking
- Although not explicitly mandated in the IRR, DHSUD commonly requires additional visitor parking at approximately 5–10% of total residential slots or one (1) visitor slot for every 8–10 units in medium- to high-density projects.
Parking Requirements under BP 220 (Economic and Socialized Housing)
BP 220 prioritizes affordability; hence parking standards are significantly relaxed.
Socialized Housing Projects
- Provision of parking spaces is entirely optional.
- If provided, developers may opt for clustered parking at reduced ratios (commonly accepted by DHSUD at 1 slot per 8–10 units in practice).
Economic Housing Projects
- Parking is required but at a reduced ratio.
- Standard requirement accepted by DHSUD: one (1) parking slot for every eight (8) saleable dwelling units/lots (clustered or individual).
- Some DHSUD regional offices accept 1:10 ratio provided the LGU zoning ordinance allows it.
Rowhouse/Multi-Level Buildings under BP 220
- At least one (1) parking slot per unit is encouraged, but clustered parking at 1:4 or 1:5 is routinely approved to maintain affordability.
Clustered Parking Guidelines (Applicable to Both PD 957 and BP 220)
When individual parking within the lot is not feasible, DHSUD allows clustered parking subject to the following rules (consolidated from various HLURB/DHSUD resolutions):
- Minimum ratio: 1 parking slot per dwelling unit (PD 957) or the reduced ratios above (BP 220).
- Location: Preferably within 100 meters walking distance from the farthest unit served.
- Allocation: The clustered parking area must be:
a. Designated as common area under the homeowners’ association, or
b. Subdivided into individual parking lots and sold/assigned exclusively to specific units (with separate titles or annotated on the mother title). - Area allocation: Clustered parking areas may be charged against the mandatory open space requirement only up to a maximum of 10% of the required parks/playgrounds/community facilities area.
- Visitor slots in clustered areas are encouraged.
Parking Slot Dimensions and Design Standards
| Type of Slot | Dimensions (minimum) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Standard car slot | 2.50 m × 5.00 m | Perpendicular or angled parking |
| Parallel car slot | 2.15 m × 6.00 m | Allowed only in low-density projects |
| PWD accessible slot | 3.70 m × 5.00 m | Minimum 1 slot or 2% of total slots (whichever is higher) with access aisle |
| Truck/Bongo truck slot | 3.00 m × 12.00 m | Required in some industrial-residential subdivisions |
All parking areas must be paved (concrete or asphalt) and provided with adequate lighting and drainage.
Application of the National Building Code (PD 1096) Parking Requirements at Building Permit Stage
Even if the subdivision plan is approved by DHSUD with clustered or reduced parking, the individual building permit issued by the LGU building official must still comply with Rule VII of the National Building Code IRR.
Relevant provisions for residential occupancies:
- R-1 (single-detached/custom house on individual lot): 1 car parking slot per dwelling unit (carport or garage required).
- R-2 (townhouses, low- to medium-rise apartments): Generally 1 slot per unit; however, some LGUs apply the old HLURB table:
– Up to 50 sqm floor area: 1 slot per 8 units
– 50–100 sqm: 1 slot per 4 units
– Above 100 sqm: 1 slot per unit - R-3 (medium-rise condominiums within subdivision-condo projects): 1 slot per unit is the prevailing requirement in practice.
Non-provision of the required parking slot at building permit stage is a ground for denial or revocation of the building permit.
Additional Requirements and Best Practices
PWD Parking – Mandatory under Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (Accessibility Law) and RA 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons): at least one accessible slot or 2% of total parking slots, whichever is higher, located nearest the entrance.
No On-Street Parking Policy – Most subdivision deeds of restrictions and homeowners’ association by-laws prohibit permanent on-street parking. Road right-of-way designs under both PD 957 and BP 220 (minimum motorcourt carriageway of 6–8 meters for minor roads) are intended primarily for circulation and emergency access, not parking.
Electric Vehicle Charging – Recent DHSUD guidelines (2022–2024) encourage or require (in new high-end projects) at least 5–10% of parking slots to be EV-ready.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Failure to provide required parking: revocation of License to Sell, cease-and-desist order, administrative fines up to ₱200,000 per violation (under DHSUD rules).
- Unauthorized conversion of parking areas to other uses: fines and mandatory restoration imposed by DHSUD and/or the homeowners’ association.
Conclusion
Parking regulations in Philippine subdivisions represent a careful balance between livability, affordability, and traffic management. Open-market projects under PD 957 are required to provide essentially one parking slot per dwelling unit (individual or clustered), while BP 220 projects enjoy significant relaxation, with parking often optional in socialized housing and reduced to 1:8 or 1:10 in economic housing. Developers, designers, and homeowners’ associations must work within these rules from the master planning stage through turnover to ensure long-term compliance and community harmony.
Compliance with both national standards (DHSUD and National Building Code) and local ordinances is mandatory, and any proposed deviation requires prior written approval from the appropriate authority.