1. Number of Parking Spaces Required.
A. All developments in all zoning districts other than the C-2A district shall provide a sufficient number of off-street parking spaces to accommodate the number of vehicles that ordinarily are likely to be attracted to the development in question.
B. The presumptions established by this section are that: (i) a development must comply with the parking standards set forth in paragraph E of this section to satisfy the requirement stated in paragraph A; and (ii) any development that does meet these standards is in compliance. However, the table of parking requirements is only intended to establish a presumption and should be flexibly administered as provided in subsection 2.
C. In determining the number of parking spaces required by the table of parking requirements, if a fractional space results, any fraction less than one-half may be disregarded while fractions in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space.
D. The City Council recognizes that the table of parking requirements set forth in paragraph E of this section cannot and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Therefore, in cases not specifically covered, the Department Director is authorized to determine the parking requirements using this table as a guide.
E. Table of Parking Requirements.
Use | Parking Requirement |
Residential: | |
Single-family | 2 spaces per dwelling unit plus one space per room rented out |
Two-family | 2 spaces for each dwelling unit, except that one-bedroom units require only one space |
Multifamily | With respect to multifamily units located in buildings where each dwelling unit has an entrance and living space on the ground floor, the requirement shall be 1½ spaces for each one bedroom unit and 2 spaces for each unit with 2 or more bedrooms. Multifamily units limited to persons of low or moderate income or the elderly require only 1 space per unit. All other multifamily units require 1 space for each bedroom in each unit plus 1 additional space for every 4 units in the development. |
Homes emphasizing special services, treatment, or supervision | 3 spaces for every five beds except for uses exclusively serving children under 16, in which case 1 space for every 3 beds shall be required |
Miscellaneous, Rooms-For-Rent Situations: | |
Boardinghouses, rooming houses | 1 space for each bedroom |
Tourist homes and other temporary residences renting by the day or week | 1 space for each room to be rented plus additional space (in accordance with other sections of this table) for restaurant or other facilities |
Hotels, motels and similar businesses or institutions providing overnight accommodations | 1 space for each room to be rented plus additional space (in accordance with other sections of this table) for restaurant or other facilities |
Home occupations | Demand established by particular home occupation authorized |
Sales and Rental of Goods, Merchandise and Equipment: | |
No Storage or Display of Goods Outside Fully Enclosed Building: | |
Storage – Miscellaneous | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Convenience stores | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Low-volume traffic | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Wholesale sales | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Storage and Display of Goods Outside Fully Enclosed Building Allowed: | |
High-volume traffic generation | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Low-volume traffic generation | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Wholesale sales | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Use | Parking Requirement |
Office, Clerical Research and Services Not Primarily Related to Goods or Merchandise: | |
All Operations Conducted Within Fully Enclosed Building: | |
Operations designed to attract and serve customers or clients on the premises, such as the offices of attorneys, physicians, other professions, insurance and stock brokers, travel agents, government office buildings, etc. | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations designed to attract little or no customer or client traffic other than employees of the entity operating the principal use | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Office or clinics of physicians or dentists with not more than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations Conducted Within or Outside Fully Enclosed Building: | |
Operations designed to attract and serve customers or clients on the premises | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations designed to attract little or no customer or client traffic other than the employees of the entity operating the principal use | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Banks with drive-in windows | 1 space per 200 square feet of area within main building plus reservoir land capacity equal to 5 spaces per window (10 spaces if window serves 2 stations) |
Manufacturing, Processing, Creating, Repairing, Renovating, Painting, Cleaning, Assembly of Goods, Merchandise and Equipment | |
All Operations Conducted Entirely Within a Fully Enclosed Building: | |
Majority of dollar volume of business done with walk-in trade | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Majority of dollar volume of business not done with walk-in trade | 1 space for every 2 employees on the maximum shift except that, if permissible in the commercial districts, such uses may provide 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations conducted within or outside fully enclosed building | Same as above |
Educational, Cultural, Religious, Philanthropic, Social, Fraternal Uses | |
Schools: | |
Elementary, middle, and junior high schools (including associated grounds and other facilities) High School (including associated grounds and other facilities) | 2. spaces per classroom 5 spaces per classroom |
Trade or vocational schools | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Use | Parking Requirement |
Colleges, universities, community colleges (including associated facilities such as dormitories, office buildings, athletic fields, etc.) | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Churches, synagogues, and temples | 1 space for every 80 square feet of worship area plus one space for every 2 employees with sufficient space for safe and convenient loading and unloading |
Libraries, museums, art galleries, art centers, and similar uses (including associated educational and instructional activities) | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Social, fraternal clubs and lodges, union halls, and similar uses | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Recreation, Amusement, Entertainment | |
Activity Conducted Entirely Within Building or Substantial Structure: | |
Bowling alleys, skating rinks, indoor tennis and squash courts, billiard and pool halls, indoor athletic and exercise facilities and similar uses | 1 space for every 3 persons that the facilities are designed to accommodate when fully utilized (if they can be measured in such a fashion—for example, tennis courts or bowling alleys) plus 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area used in a manner not susceptible to such calculation |
Movie theaters | 1 space for every 4 seats |
Coliseums, stadiums, and all other facilities listed in the “Activity Conducted Entirely Within Building or Substantial Structure” classification above designed to seat or accommodate simultaneously more than 1,000 people | 1 space for every 4 seats |
Activity Conducted Primarily Outside Enclosed Buildings or Structures: | |
Privately owned recreational facilities such as golf and country clubs, swimming or tennis clubs, etc., (not constructed as an amenity only for the residents of a residential development) | 1 space per 200 square feet of area within enclosed buildings, plus 1 space for every 3 persons that outdoor facilities are designed to accommodate when used to the maximum capacity |
Publicly owned and outdoor recreational facilities such as athletic fields, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, parks, etc. not constructed pursuant to a permit authorizing the construction of another use such as a school | Same as above |
Miniature golf course, skateboard park, water slide and similar uses | 1 space per 300 square feet of area plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Driving range | 1 space per tee plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Par three course | 2 spaces per golf hole plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Horseback riding stables (not constructed as an amenity only for the residents of a residential development) | 1 space per horse that could be kept at the stable when occupied to maximum capacity |
Automobile and motorcycle racing tracks | 1 space for every 3 seats |
Drive-in movie theaters | 1 space per speaker outlet |
Use | Parking Requirement |
Institutional Residence or Care or Confinement Facilities | |
Hospitals, clinics, other medical (including mental health) treatment facilities in excess of 10,000 square feet of floor area | 2 spaces per bed or 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
Nursing care institutions, intermediate care institutions, handicapped or infirm institutions Child-care institutions serving children under 16 years of age exclusively | 3 spaces for every 5 beds. 1 space for every 3 beds |
Institutions (other than halfway houses where mentally ill persons are confined) | 1 space for every 2 employees on maximum shift |
Penal and correctional facilities | 1 space for every 2 employees on maximum shift |
Restaurants, Bars, Nightclubs | |
No substantial carry-out or delivery service, no drive-in service, no service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space for 100 square feet of gross floor area |
No substantial carry-out or delivery service, no drive-in service, service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | Same as above, plus 1 space for every 4 outside seats |
Carry-out and delivery service, consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | Same as above |
Carry-out and delivery service, drive-in service, service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | Same as above plus reservoir lane capacity equal to 5 spaces per drive-in window |
Motor Vehicle Related Sales and Service Operations | |
Motor vehicle sales or rental; mobile home sales | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Sales with installation of motor vehicle parts or accessories (e.g., tires, mufflers, etc.) | Same as above |
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance, not including substantial body work | Same as above |
Motor vehicle painting and body work | Same as above |
Gas sales | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area of building devoted primarily to gas sales operation, plus sufficient parking area to accommodate vehicles at pumps without interfering with other parking spaces |
Carwash | |
Conveyor type | 1 space for every 3 employees on the maximum shift plus reservoir capacity equal to 5 times the capacity of the washing operation |
Self-service type | 2 spaces for drying and cleaning purposes per stall plus two reservoir spaces in front of each stall |
Use | Parking Requirement |
Storage and Parking | |
Storage of Goods Not Related To Sale or Use of Those Goods on the Same Lot Where They Are Stored | |
All storage within completely enclosed structures | 1 space for every 2 employees on the maximum shift but not less than 1 space per 5,000 square feet of area devoted to storage (whether inside or outside) |
Storage inside or outside completely enclosed structures | Same as above |
Scrap materials, salvage yards, junkyard, automobile graveyards | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Services and enterprises related to animals | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Emergency services | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Agricultural, silvicultural, mining, quarrying operations | 1 space for every 2 employees on maximum shift |
Miscellaneous Public and Semi-Public Facilities | |
Post office | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Airport | Same as above |
Sanitary landfill | 1 space for every 2 employees on maximum shift |
Military reserve, National Guard centers | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Dry cleaner, Laundromat | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Open air markets and horticultural sales | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of lot area used for storage, display, or sales |
Funeral home | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Cemetery | No requirement |
Crematorium | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Nursery Schools and Day Care Centers | |
Nursery schools/Preschool | 1 space per employee plus 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Day care centers | Same as nursery schools, plus 1 space per 5,000 square feet of gross floor area or any portion thereof |
Bus station, train station | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Commercial greenhouse operations | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
2. Flexibility in Administration.
A. The Council recognizes that, due to particularities of any given development, the inflexible application of the parking standards set forth in paragraph E of subsection 1 may result in a development either with inadequate parking space or parking space far in excess of its needs. The former situation may lead to traffic congestion or parking violations in adjacent streets as well as unauthorized parking in nearby private lots. The latter situation wastes money as well as space that could more desirably be used for valuable development or environmentally useful open space. Therefore, the Department Director may permit deviations from the presumptive requirements of paragraph E and may require more parking or allow less parking whenever such deviations are more likely to satisfy the standard set forth in paragraph 1(A) of this section.
B. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Department Director may allow deviations from the parking requirements set forth in paragraph 1(E) of this section when: (i) a residential development is irrevocably oriented toward the elderly; or (ii) a business is primarily oriented to walk-in trade.
C. Whenever the Department Director allows or requires a deviation from the presumptive requirements set forth in paragraph 1(E) of this section, the Director shall enter on the face of the permit the information indicating the requirement to be imposed and the reasons for allowing or requiring the deviation.
D. If the Department Director concludes, based upon information received in the consideration of a specific development proposal, that the presumption established by paragraph 1(E) of this section for a particular use classification is erroneous, the Director shall initiate a request for amendment to the table of parking requirements in accordance with appropriate procedures.
E. Any person aggrieved by the actions of the Department Director may, within ten days of such decision, file with the Clerk a notice of appeal specifying the reasons therefor. The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall thereupon fix a reasonable time for the hearing on such appeal, and notify the parties accordingly. At such hearing the Zoning Board of Adjustment may affirm the decision of the Department Director, or may modify said decision by requiring more or less parking spaces, if necessary, to insure compliance with the intent of this section.
3. Off-Street Display and Storage Areas. In all districts in connection with every industrial, commercial, business, trade, institutional, recreational, or dwelling use, and similar uses, space for the storage and/or display area of vehicles and equipment when required and/or provided shall have driveways and access drives permanently surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement and where possible be part of a storm water detention area.
4. Off-Street Parking, Display and Storage – Unmentioned Uses. In case of any building, structure or premises, the total of which is not specifically mentioned in this Zoning Ordinance, the provisions for a use which is so mentioned and to which such use is similar in its demand for parking shall apply.
5. Off-Street Parking – ––––Access Drive–– Required. Where a parking area does not abut a public or private alley or easement of access, there shall be provided a permanently surfaced access drive, not less than eight feet in width in case of a dwelling and not less than sixteen feet in width in all other cases, leading to the loading or unloading spaces and parking or storage areas required under the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance in such manner as to secure the most appropriate development of the property in question; provided, however, such easement of access or access drive shall not be located in any residence district, except where serving a permitted use in a residence district.
6. Off-Street Parking – Requirements Generally. Every parcel of land used as a public or private parking area after the effective date of the Zoning Ordinance shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:
A. No part of any parking area shall be closer than five feet to any established street right-of-way, alley, or property line. In case the parking area adjoins any R district, it shall be effectively screened in accordance with the standard for an opaque screen, type “C” as described in Section 194.02(3)(C). In case the parking area adjoins a street right-of-way or is located within a front yard it shall be effectively screened through the use of earthen berms and/or landscaping to a height of thirty inches.
B. All parking space, driveways and access drives shall be surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement, or such other surfaces as shall be approved by the building official or inspector, so as to provide durable and dustless surface; shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulations within the area; and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading or unloading and parking and storage of self-propelled vehicles.
C. Any lighting used to illuminate any parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any R district or residential use. Any such lighting arrangement shall prevent nuisance and provide safety to the public.
D. Parking Area Layout Criteria. Parking areas are encouraged to be located in side and rear yards. Parking areas shall be designed to accommodate traffic volumes and consideration should be given to pedestrian circulation through the parking area. The use of islands, medians, and curbing is encouraged to delineate parking spaces from traffic and pedestrian circulation areas. Where the code specifies parking space that space size shall be determined in accordance with the layout criteria and the table of standard dimensions. Stalls for persons with disabilities shall be provided as required by the Code of Iowa. The spaces shall be delineated to define their boundaries exclusive of driveways, except for one and two family dwelling units, and shall be shown as a part of the parking lot plan on the site plan drawing. The schedules of standard parking stall dimensions in Exhibits A and B set out following this section are adopted.
E. Parking Area Landscaping. Parking areas shall be required to provide natural shading, through the use of deciduous trees, in an amount equal to twenty percent of the parking area. Trees used for this purpose should be those encouraged as street trees and will be presumed to shade a circular area having a radius of fifteen feet. New trees used for this purpose shall be located so that they are surrounded by at least one hundred ninety square feet of unpaved area. New and existing trees should be protected from damage by vehicles.
EXHIBIT “A”
SCHEDULE OF STANDARD DIMENSIONS
SCHEDULE OF STANDARD DIMENSIONS
PARALLEL PARKING
EXHIBIT “B”
SCHEDULE OF STANDARD DIMENSIONS
SCHEDULE OF STANDARD DIMENSIONS
7. Off-Street Parking – Residential Districts. Off-street parking areas in residential districts shall be provided on the same lot with the principal use. No such off-street parking area shall be located in any required front yard of a multiple dwelling or project in front of the required building setback line of that zone or the zoning of any adjacent front yard of adjoining property.
8. Off-Street Loading – Spaces Required. In any district in connection with every building or part thereof erected after the effective date of the Zoning Ordinance, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with such building at least one off-street loading space, plus one additional such loading space for each 10,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area so used.