(A) Scope of regulations.
(1) For all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this chapter, accessory parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required by the regulations of the districts in which such buildings or uses are located. However, where a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this chapter, and provided that construction is begun within six months of such effective date and diligently prosecuted to completion, parking and loading facilities in the amounts required for issuance of said building permit may be provided in lieu of any different amounts required by this chapter.
(2) When the intensity of use of any building, structure or premises shall be increased through the addition of dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity or other units of measurement specified herein for required parking or loading facilities, parking and loading facilities as required herein shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use. However, no building or structure lawfully erected or use lawfully established prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be required to provide such additional parking or loading facilities unless and until the aggregate increase in units of measurement shall equal not less than 15% of the units of measurement existing upon the effective date of this chapter, in which event parking or loading facilities as required herein shall be provided for the total increase. However, in the case of expansion or alteration of residential buildings, required parking or loading facilities shall be provided on the basis of the total required units of measurement for the entire capacity of such buildings.
(3) Whenever the existing use of a building or structure shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking or loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if said building or structure was erected prior to the effective date of this chapter, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use would exceed those for the existing use if the latter were subject to the parking and loading provisions of this chapter.
(B) Existing parking facilities. Accessory off-street parking facilities in existence on the effective date of this chapter and located on the same lot as the building or use served shall not hereafter be reduced below, or if already less than, shall not be further reduced below the requirements for a similar new building or use under the provisions of this chapter.
(C) Permissive parking and loading facilities. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the voluntary establishment of off-street parking or loading facilities to serve any existing use of land or buildings, provided all regulations herein governing the location, design and operation of such facilities are adhered to.
(D) Damage or destruction. For any conforming or legally non-conforming building or use which is in existence on the effective date of this chapter, which subsequently thereto is damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause, and which is reconstructed, reestablished or repaired, off-street parking or loading facilities need not be provided; except that, parking or loading facilities equivalent to any maintained at the time of such damage or destruction shall be restored or continued in operation. However, in no case shall it be necessary to restore or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of those required by this chapter for equivalent new uses or construction.
(E) Parking allowance. In all residential, commercial, and industrial zones, off-street parking shall be provided for all uses in accordance to the table of land uses. However, off-street parking shall be waived for the first 2,000 square feet of commercial space within the C-1 (Central Area Commercial) District and the UTOD (Uptown Transit Oriented Development) District. Also, on-street parking directly in front of a business (or the two fronts on a corner lot) shall count towards meeting the off-street parking requirements. A length of 23 feet per on-street parking space shall be used in calculating the number of available on- street parallel parking spaces.
(F) Parking requirements. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following standards:
(1) Availability of spaces. All parking spaces approved as part of the issuance of an occupancy permit shall be made available to the residents, customers, employees, guests, and/or other users of the principal use. Spaces shall not be utilized for long-term storage, display of vehicles, materials, or goods.
(2) Accessible parking. Per state requirement, accessible parking spaces shall be designed and provided as required by the Illinois Accessibility Code, as amended from time to time, and all additional applicable laws. Accessible parking shall be provided for all off-street parking lots that provide parking for employees, visitors, or both, with the exception of single-family, two-family, and three- family dwellings. The number of accessible parking spaces may be counted toward the total number of off- street parking spaces required.
(3) Off-premises parking facilities. Parking facilities for land uses other than a single-family, two-family, and three-family dwellings may be provided off-premises with the appropriate written Zoning Administrator approval, provided that the following conditions are met.
(a) Location. For residential uses, any off-premises parking facility must be located within 300 feet, along a pedestrian route or public sidewalk, of the nearest principal entrance for the building being served. For non-residential uses, any off-premises parking facility must be located within 600 feet, along a pedestrian route or public sidewalk, of the nearest principal entrance of the building for which the parking is required.
(b) Parking agreement. A written agreement between the lessor and lessee in a manner satisfactory to the City Attorney shall be executed and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County. The agreement shall include a guarantee among the lessor and lessee for access to and use of the parking facility, and a guarantee that the parking spaces will be provided, maintained, and reserved for the land uses served for as long as such users are in operation.
(4) Parking for places of worship. The number of required off-street parking spaces may be eliminated or reduced if there exists, within 600 feet of the place of worship, public or private parking lots containing a sufficient number of off-street parking spaces to satisfy the table of off-street parking requirements. The place of worship must provide the difference if the number of parking spaces in the private or public lots is below the number required. Any space provided in public or private lots must be shown to be available for worshippers on the day or days of greatest use.
(5) Parking space dimensions. Each required off-street parking space shall be at least nine feet in width and at least 20 feet in length. For parallel parking, the length of a parking space shall be 23 feet, A commercial parking lot aisle or driveway shall be unobstructed and allow for the passage of emergency vehicles at all times. There shall be adequate provision for ingress and egress to all parking spaces.
(6) Location. Off-street parking spaces for uses in R-Zones shall not be located between the front building line and street line. On corner lots in R-Zones, this restriction shall also apply to the space between the side street line and the side building line.
(G) Development and maintenance of parking and loading facilities. Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public or private parking facility for five or more motor vehicles, or as a loading area, including a commercial parking lot, shall be developed and maintained in accordance to the following requirements:
(1) Screening and landscaping. Off-street parking areas for five or more motor vehicles, and off-street loading areas, shall be effectively screened on each side adjoining or fronting on property situated in a residential district, or any commercial or industrial districts, by a fence and/or densely planted compact hedge, not more than four feet in height. The fence will be 75% open in design, and it will be made of aluminum, wrought iron, or a combination of wood and stone materials. A vinyl privacy fence will not be allowed as a substitute fence.
(2) Minimum distances and setbacks. No off-street parking facilities, loading areas, or a part thereof, for five or more motor vehicles shall be closer than ten feet to any dwelling, school, hospital, or other institution for human care located on an adjoining lot, or five feet from any lot line, A parking facility or loading area fence shall be erected no closer than five, four, or three feet from any lot line. A lot line for this parking section means the front yard, the side yard, and the rear yard.
(3) Surfacing. Off-street parking or loading facilities shall be paved with an impervious surface, either in asphalt or concrete. An impervious surface can also be used as a substitute for asphalt or concrete. Impervious surface can include permeable pavers, permeable concrete, or permeable asphalt, or a combination of impervious materials or techniques. Grindings, crushed stones, or gravel are not permitted for any off-street parking or loading areas.
(4) Lighting. Lighting used to illuminate off-street parking or loading facilities shall be arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises. Off-street parking facilities for multiple-family dwellings shall be adequately lighted.
(5) Drainage. Off-street parking or loading areas shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of all surface water without detriment to surrounding areas. It is highly encouraged that these areas incorporate vegetated swales, infiltration/flow-through planters, or rain gardens.
(6) Repair and service.
(a) No storage of any kind, nor any repair, dismantling, or servicing of any motor vehicles, equipment, materials, or supplies shall be permitted with any required off-street parking or loading facilities.
(b) This division shall be enforced for the creation of a new parking or loading area, or for the resurfacing, recoating, and restriping of an existing parking or loading facility. This section is solely intended for residential, commercial, or industrial properties.
[Chapter 162, Landscaping and Screening, from the Blue Island Code of Ordinances shall be invoked for the development of new properties, or properties going through a planned development process.]
(H) Residential garage and driveway combination. Each garage car space shall be counted as one off-street parking space. Access drives or driveways shall not be less than nine feet in width. No access drive or driveway shall be located in any residential district to provide access to uses other than those permitted in a residential district.
(1) A one-car garage. A one-car garage and driveway combination shall count as two off-street parking spaces provided that a paved driveway measures a minimum of 18 feet in length between the face of the garage door and the right-of-way.
(2) A two-car garage. A two-car garage and driveway combination shall count as three off-street parking spaces provided a minimum parking area width of 20 feet is given for a minimum length of 18 feet as specified for a one-car garage and driveway combination.
(I) Submission of plot plan. Any application for a building permit or certificate of occupancy where no building permit is required shall include therewith a plot plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing any parking or loading facilities to be provided in compliance with this division.
(J) Number of parking spaces required. The required number of parking spaces for any use shall be as set forth in the following table:
Table: Off-Street Parking Requirements | |
Use Category | Number of Spaces Required |
Table: Off-Street Parking Requirements | |
Use Category | Number of Spaces Required |
RESIDENTIAL | |
Household Living | |
Above the Ground Floor Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Community Residence | 0.50 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
Single-Family Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Two-Family Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Three-Family Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Multifamily Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Townhouse Dwelling | 1 per dwelling unit |
Residential Care Facility | |
Assisted Living Facility | 0.50 per dwelling unit or 0.25 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
Congregate Care Facility | 0.50 per dwelling unit or 0.25 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
Independent Living Facility | 1 per dwelling unit + 1 per 2 employees |
Nursing Home | 0.50 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
Senior Housing | 1 per dwelling unit |
Temp. Overnight Shelter (Church Only) | 0.25 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
Transitional Housing | 0.25 per bed + 1 per 2 employees |
PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC | |
Club, Lodge, or Fraternal Organization | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per 2 employees |
Cultural Institution (Library, Museum) | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft.; first 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Daycare Center, Adult or Children | 1 per 3 employees + 1 per 10 seats + drop-off spaces (as determined by the Zoning Administrator) |
Daycare, Home (Home Occupation Use) | 1 per 3 children |
Educational Use | |
Community College University Trade school K-12 school Preschool | 1 per 400 sq. ft. + 1 per 3 employees + additional spaces as required by this parking table for residential facilities or auditoriums, if present on campus + drop-off spaces (as determined by the Zoning Administrator) |
Governmental Facility, Office Use | 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
Hospital | 1 per 2 staff doctors/employees + 1 per 3 beds |
Parks and Recreation, Outdoor | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. activity area; minimum of 4 (accommodate passive recreation areas) |
Places of Worship, Religious Assembly | 1 per every 8 fixed seats + 1 per 100 sq. ft. of public assembly area not containing fixed seats, or 1 space per 80 sq. ft. of floor area of all auditoria and public assembly area not containing fixed seats |
Public Safety Services | 1 per 3 employees (or 1 per 600 sq. ft.), whichever is better |
COMMERCIAL | |
Adult-Use Business | Please see retail or warehouse requirements |
Animal Boarding, Shelter or Kennel | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Animal Hospital, Veterinary Clinic | 1 per exam room + 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Art Studio, Gallery | 1 per 800 sq. ft. |
Auction House | 1 per employee + 1 per 5 seats |
Banquet Hall | 10% of maximum capacity or 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Books, Magazines, Music, etc. | 1 per 500 sq. ft.; first 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Bowling Alley | 2 per lane + additional spaces required for restaurant and/or bar |
Business Support Service | 1 per 500 sq. ft.; first 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Clothing, Jewelry, Luggage, Shoes | 1 per 500 sq. ft.; first 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Drug Store, Pharmacy | 1 per 350 sq. ft. |
Dry Cleaning | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Eating and Drinking Establishment | First 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Bar, Tavern or Wine Bar | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. of up to 2,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 300 sq. ft. or 1 per 3 seats + 1 per employee |
Restaurant, full service with seating | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of up to 2,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
Restaurant, Fast-food or Carry-out | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. of up to 2,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
Restaurant, Drive-Thru | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. of up to 2,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 300 sq. ft. (vehicles in queue are counted) |
Eating and Drinking (Food Services) | First 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Bakery | 1 per 350 sq. ft. |
Café, Coffee Shop | 1 per 200 sq. ft. or 1 per 50 sq. ft. of public service area |
Candy Store, Nuts, Butcher, Fish | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Caterer, Catering Service | 0.60 per employee or 1 per employee + 0.50 per delivery truck or 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
Doughnut Shop | 1 per 350 sq. ft. |
Ice Cream Parlor, Soft Serve, Gelato | 1 per 150 sq. ft. |
Shared Kitchen | 1 per 150 sq. ft. of shared kitchen area + 1 per 2 employees |
Entertainment, Recreation and Sport | First 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Arcades (video games) | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Health/Fitness Club | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per 200 sq. ft. of exercise area |
Indoor Commercial | 10% of maximum capacity |
Marina | 1 per 3 boat slips |
Outdoor Commercial | 10% of maximum capacity |
Swim School (private) | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per 2 swimmers |
Entertainment and Spectator Sport | First 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Small Venue (<149 persons) | 10% of maximum capacity |
Large Venue (>150 or more persons) | 15% of maximum capacity |
Flower Shop | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per delivery truck |
Funeral Service | 10 per parlor or chapel + 1 per business vehicle |
General Retail | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Grocery Store | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Laundromat | 1 per 4 washing and/or drying machines |
Lodging/Accommodation | |
Bed and Breakfast, Short-term rental | 1 per 3 rooms + owner’s parking requirement |
Hotel or Motel | 1 per room + additional spaces required for office, restaurant/bar, meeting rooms, and general retail |
Motor Vehicle Use | |
Car Wash | 1.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. + 1 per bay |
Gas Station with Mini-Mart | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of any accessory convenience retail/food service + number of pumps |
Gas Station with Service Bay | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 2 per service bay |
Gas Station with Car Wash | 1.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. + 1 per bay |
Heavy Equipment Sales and Rental | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. in excess of 4,000 sq. ft. (minimum of 4 spaces) |
Light Equipment Sales and Rental | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. in excess of 2,000 sq. ft. (minimum of 4 spaces) |
Motorcycle, Scooters, ATV Sales and Rental | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 2 per bay |
Motor Vehicle Parts (AutoZone, etc.) | 1 per 500 sq. ft. (same as general retail) |
Motor Vehicle Service and Repair | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 2 per service bay + additional outdoor spaces for parking |
Motor Vehicle Sales and Service | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 2 per service bay + additional outdoor spaces for viewing |
Truck Rental, Semis (include U-Haul) | 1 per 500 sq. ft. for office + 1 per 2 employees (if provided) |
Office Use | First 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
General Office | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Medical and Dental Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 2 doctors, up to 4 drop off spaces (either off-street or on-street by permission of Zoning Administrator) |
Personal Service | 1 per 500 sq. ft.; first 2,000 sq. ft. waived in C-1, UTOD districts |
Residential-to-Office Conversion | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft., 2 minimum |
Super Market | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Tattoo Parlor | 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
INDUSTRIAL | |
Baking Plant | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Contractor’s Service | |
Office | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Yard | 1 per vehicle + 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor area |
Equipment, Sales and Rental | 1 per 600 sq. ft. + 1 per employee |
Food Processing Establishment | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 500 sq. ft. of office area |
Lumber Yard | 1 per 150 sq. ft. of sales area + 1 per warehouse employee |
Machine Shop, Welding Operation | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outside storage |
Manufacturing, Production and Industrial Services | 1 per 2 employees + 1 for each vehicle used in the conduct of the business |
Microbrewery, Micro Distillery | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. + 1 per 300 sq. ft. of any public tasting area |
Recycling Facility | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 space per 2,500 sq. ft. of outside storage area |
Research Laboratory | 1 per 500 sq. ft. |
Self-Storage, Residential | 1 per 100 storage units |
Storage or Warehouse (commercial) | 1 per 2 employees + 1 for each vehicle used in the conduct of the business |
Substation/Distribution Equipment, Indoor or Outdoor | 1 per 500 sq. ft. + 1 per employee during peak shift |
Truck Terminal, Truck Parking | 1 per 2 employees + 1 for each vehicle used in the conduct of the business |
Utility | 1 per 3 employees |
Wholesale Establishment | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of office + 1 per 600 sq. ft. of wholesale space |
OTHER USES | |
Temporary Use | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of public use area |
Community Garden | None |
Plant Nursery | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of combined total square footage and outdoor sales/display areas |
Maximum Capacity: 100 SF ÷ 7 (dance floor), 100 SF ÷ 12 (fixed tables) and 100 SF ÷ 15 (worst case scenario, may include folding chairs and tables) | |
(K) Off-street loading. In all zones, in connection with buildings occupied by industrial, commercial and certain uses, there shall be provided and maintained, on the same lot with such building, off-street loading berths in accordance with the requirements of the following table:
(1) Dimensions. Each loading space shall be not less than 12 feet in width, 35 feet in length and have a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet, and may occupy all or any part of any required yard.
(2) Required number. The required number of off-street loading spaces shall be as follows:
Uses | Square Feet of Gross Floor Area | Required Off- Street Loading Spaces |
Uses | Square Feet of Gross Floor Area | Required Off- Street Loading Spaces |
Funeral home | - | 1 |
Hospital | Under 30,000 | 1 |
For each additional 30,000 or major fraction thereof | 1 additional | |
Office, motel, service, wholesale, manufacturing, processing, or repairing | Under 25,000 | 1 |
From 25,001 - 100,000 | 2 - 4 | |
For each additional 50,000 or major fraction thereof | 1 additional | |
School | - | 1 |
(L) Additional regulations. Off-street parking and loading facilities for separate uses may be provided jointly if the total number of spaces so provided is not less than the sum of the separate requirements for each use, all regulations governing the location of the accessory spaces in relation to the use served are adhered to, and no accessory space or portion thereof serves as a required space for more than one use.
(Prior Code, § 166.029) (Ord. 2151, passed 6-28-1971; Ord. 2021-043, passed 9-14-2021; Ord. 2024-001, passed 1-23-2024)