The off-street parking and loading requirements of this chapter are established to prevent congestion on the public streets, remove the hazard to all beings of emerging from between parked vehicles onto a public street, to facilitate proper storm water runoff, prevent the generation of dust into the air and make clear the availability and arrangement of spaces to all users.
(A) Off-street parking facilities. It shall be the duty of both the owner and occupant of any premises to provide off-street parking space as required in this section. Off-street parking lots shall comply with the following standards and regulations.
(1) Any existing off-street parking facilities being used upon the effective date of this chapter shall not hereafter be reduced below the requirements hereof for the use or a similar structure or land use. Whenever a use or an activity requiring off-street parking is created or increased in floor area, intensity of activity in some other manner, the number of off-street parking spaces shall be provided and maintained as required in this chapter.
(2) When units or measurements determining the number of required parking spaces result in requirement of a fractional space, any fraction shall require one parking space.
(3) All spaces shall be laid out in accordance with the following schedule. Plans for the layout of off-street parking facilities must be approved by the Planning Commission and shall be in accordance with the following minimum requirements, except that the dimension of spaces for the disabled shall be as set forth by the State Building Code:
Total Width | Total Width | ||||
Parking Pattern | Maneuvering Lane Width | Parking Space Width | Parking Space Length | ...of One Tier of Spaces Plus Maneuvering Lane | ...of Two Tiers of Spaces Plus Maneuvering Lane |
0 degrees (parallel) | 12 feet | 8 feet | 23 feet | 20 feet | 28 feet |
30 to 53 degrees | 12 feet | 8.5 feet | 20 feet | 32 feet | 52 feet |
54 to 74 degrees | 15 feet | 8.5 feet | 20 feet | 37 feet | 58 feet |
75 to 90 degrees | 25 feet | 9 feet | 19 feet | 44 feet | 63 feet |
(a) All parking spaces shall be clearly striped to facilitate movement and to help maintain an orderly parking arrangement.
(b) Parallel parking spaces shall be 23 feet in length with a six-foot maneuvering space between every group of two parking spaces. (See illustration below.)
(c) All parking lots shall have access from a clearly limited and defined driveway not less than 15 feet in width for one-way traffic and 24 feet in width for two-way traffic. A driveway shall not exceed 30 feet in width.
(d) All parking spaces shall have access from an aisle on the site to minimize backing onto a street and having a potential traffic hazard.
(e) Vehicular access to a parking lot shall not be across any zoning district that would not permit the principal use or parking lot.
(4) For the purpose of meeting off-street parking requirements for offices, merchandising, service or industrial uses, FLOOR AREA shall mean the gross floor area of the entire building.
(5) In the case of hospitals, bassinets shall not be counted as beds. In the case of stadia, sports arenas, churches and other uses where spectators occupy benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, each 20 inches of the seating shall be considered as one seat for the purpose of determining off-street parking requirements.
(6) Parking plans shall be submitted for review and approval of layout and points of access by the Planning Commission.
(7) In the case of a use not specifically mentioned, the requirement for off-street parking facilities for the use shall be that for a listed use which is most similar as determined by the Planning Commission.
(8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent collective provisions of off-street parking facilities for two or more buildings or uses, provided collectively the facilities shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the various individual uses computed separately. Any such provisions or agreements for collective parking shall be set forth in a recordable instrument and recorded in the Register of Deeds, describing the lands affected by this agreement or easement.
(9) The amount of required off-street parking space for new uses of buildings, additions thereto and additions to existing buildings as specified above shall be determined in accordance with this chapter, and the space so required shall be stated in the application for a building permit and shown on the plot plan or site plan and shall be irrevocably reserved for the use.
(10) The off-street parking facilities required for all uses shall be located on the lot or on property within 300 feet of the permitted use requiring the off-street parking, the distance to be measured along lines of public access to the property between the nearest point of the parking facility and the building to be served, provided that the off-street parking facility shall not be separated from the building to be served by a major thoroughfare as may be designated in the Township Master Plan.
(11) In the GB Business Districts within the plat of the Village of Lakeport, the required number of on-site parking spaces for a subject use may be reduced by the Planning Commission, if adequate parking lanes and/or sufficient parking areas are available to the public in the business district(s) within 300 feet of the permitted use.
(12) Except for single-family detached dwelling units or farm uses located in the residential or agricultural districts, all parking areas required shall be paved with concrete or plant mixed bituminous material in accordance with plans approved by the Building Inspector. Pavement design shall meet or exceed the following standards.
(a) The compressive strength of concrete at 28 days after pouring shall be at least 3,500 pounds per square inch.
(b) Asphalt pavement shall consist of MDOT Specifications Series 1100 bituminous mixture or approved equal (260 pounds per square yard) surfacing over an approved sub-base adequately designed for sufficient thickness (minimum of six inches) and type to be compatible with expected loading and subsoil conditions.
(c) All parking areas (other than driving lanes described below) shall be paved with either six inches minimum thickness of concrete or six inches minimum thickness of stone aggregate, topped with 260 pounds per square yard of bituminous aggregate surface course.
(d) All driving lanes (not including parking lot aisles) in parking lots and multiple-family housing sites shall be constructed of either:
1. Concrete pavement of six-inch minimum thickness; or
2. “Deep strength” asphalt pavement nine inches thick with the bottom five and one-half inches constructed of bituminous base mixture material and the top three and one-half inches constructed of bituminous surface mixture material.
3. A combination asphalt pavement and aggregate base, with the bottom aggregate base constructed of a minimum of nine inches deep, 21A or 22A aggregate, with a two and one-half-inch minimum layer of 1100L 2AA (275 pounds per square yard) asphalt and a one and one-half- inch minimum layer of 1100T 20 AA (165 pounds per square yard) asphalt.
(e) Culverts and bridges shall have a minimum design loading capacity (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AASHTO, standard HS20 or greater) to provide for safe passage of emergency vehicles.
(e) In medium- to high-traffic volume settings, the Planning Commission may require that a six-inch high concrete curb be placed around the entire perimeter of the paved parking area where adjacent to grass or sidewalk areas.
(f) Alternate materials: the Planning Commission, after review and approval of design plans, may permit the use of brick, paving blocks or other similar material of adequate load-bearing nature if, in the determination of the Planning Commission, the use is appropriate in the setting proposed.
(g) Possible exception; seasonal use: for uses located in the RCC, A/R, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, MHR and RM Residential Districts that in the opinion of the Planning Commission are primarily of a seasonal nature or are likely to have very low volumes of traffic, the Planning Commission may permit gravel parking and maneuvering areas to be installed, upon a determination by the Commission that waiver of hard surfacing requirements would not be contrary to the public interest, subject to review and approval of a site plan and construction design details. The Planning Commission may impose conditions of approval requiring installation of hard-surfaced paving if traffic volumes increase beyond a suitable level or if the use no longer operates primarily on a seasonal basis.
(13) All spaces shall be provided adequate access by means of paved maneuvering lanes.
(14) The Planning Commission may require an access easement to provide for vehicle access to adjacent parking lots to minimize the need for driveways to each facility and thereby decreasing hazards to vehicular traffic.
(15) Parking may be permitted in a required front yard except as provided in division (B)(5) below provided that a landscaped area ten feet in width extending the full width of the lot shall be provided between the parking lot and any lot line abutting a public street. The landscaped area shall be continuous except where pierced by approved access drives. The landscaped area shall be continuously maintained in good condition. The Planning Commission shall approve the design and plant materials to be utilized.
(B) Off-street parking development regulations. An approved off-street parking area as permitted under this section shall be subject to the following regulations.
(1) No repairs or service to vehicles and no display of vehicles for purpose of sale shall be carried on or permitted upon the premises.
(2) All land between the lot boundaries of the lot on which is located a parking area and the barriers hereinafter referred to, as well as the surface of the parking area, shall be kept free from tall grass, weeds, rubbish, refuse and debris, and shall be landscaped to conform with the general character of the district.
(3) When lighting facilities are used, reflectors shall be installed to reflect the light away from residential areas and uses and the public right-of-way.
(4) Side yards shall be maintained for a space of not less than ten feet between the side lot lines adjoining residential lots and the parking area.
(5) Whenever the parking area adjoins residential property and/or residential street or alley, a protective wall or greenbelt shall be erected and maintained between the required yard space and area to be used for parking. On other locations where a protective barrier is required, there shall be no advertising whatsoever. Bumper guards, comprising either a curb at least six inches high or steel posts 24 to 30 inches high and not more than five feet apart, set three feet in concrete, shall be provided to prevent vehicles striking the wall or shrubbery.
(6) Entrance to the parking areas shall be only from adjoining principal use or adjoining street as approved by the Planning Commission.
(7) A site plan review (except in the case of a single-family or two-family dwelling or farm uses) shall be required for the construction of any parking area whether or not the parking area is in conjunction with the construction of a structure or is a separate land use not connected with any structure. The applicant shall submit a written plan to the Planning Commission along with application for a site plan review. The plan shall show in detail at a scale of not more than 50 feet to the inch, the boundary lines of the property involved, the location and size of any structures or proposed structures thereon, parking spaces, entrances and exits, drainage structures, if any required, boundary wall; and landscaping, if required, and the proposed use of the property.
(8) Except for vehicles accessory to the principal use, it shall be unlawful to park or store a vehicle in a parking lot as permitted in this division for longer than 18 hours and it shall be unlawful to permit a person to do so.
(9) All parking areas shall offer side-by-side parking, except for individual driveways serving residential dwelling. Tandem parking, meaning vehicles parked bumper to bumper, shall be prohibited.
(C) Paving schedule.
(1) All paving required by this chapter shall be completely installed prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit for the use of the premises, except as provided hereinafter.
(2) In any case where the development of the land and/or buildings has been fully completed and an occupancy permit would otherwise be issued, and the complete installation of the paving required is prevented by inclement weather or acts of nature beyond the control of the owner, then, in that event the owner may obtain a temporary occupancy permit for a period not exceeding six months from the Building Inspector upon written request therefor, provided the owner shall:
(a) Deposit an adequate performance guarantee in accordance with § 154.152;
(b) Complete the installation of the required paving in the time required by the terms of the temporary occupancy. Upon complete installation in that event, the security deposit required hereunder shall be canceled and returned to the depositor upon demand. Upon failure to completely install the paving as required herein, the security deposit required above shall be forfeited as liquidated damages, the same hereby being declared to be reasonable in view of the difficulty of more exact ascertainment of the damage incurred as a result of the failure; and
(c) If the security deposit is forfeited as provided in division (C)(2)(b) above:
1. The Township Engineer, after specific authorization by the Township Board, shall expend such amount as has been authorized by the Township Board not exceeding the total amount of the security deposit to cause the required paving installation to be made;
2. The Building Inspector shall not issue a regular occupancy permit until the paving required is completely installed; and
3. Use or occupancy of the premises after the expiration of the temporary occupancy permit and before the issuance of a regular occupancy permit shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter.
(D) Location and design of driveways.
(1) All parking areas shall be provided with a safe entrance and exit from an abutting major thoroughfare. The proposed entrance and exit shall be in accordance with the installation specifications and procedures of the County Road Commission or State Department of Transportation, whichever has jurisdiction.
(2) In the cases of multiple-family, office, commercial or industrial uses accessing a private road(s), the entrance and exit for a one-way traffic flow system shall be at least 15 feet in width, and may in the case of a two-way traffic flow system be combined as one, which shall in no event be less than 30 feet in width.
(3) Any single-family or two-family residential use or farm use accessing a private road shall meet standards equivalent to those of the County Road Commission. Provided, however, in no case shall there be more than one separate exit and one separate entrance to and from a single street. The location of each entrance and exit shall be submitted for approval of the County Road Commission or the State Department of Transportation, as the case may be, and the Township Planning Commission.
(E) Off-street waiting area for drive-through facilities. On the same premises with every building, structure or part thereof, erected and occupied for the purpose of serving customers in their automobiles by means of a service window, washing bay or similar arrangement, there shall be provided six off-street waiting spaces for each service window or service bay not blocking parking spaces, in addition to the use requirement. A waiting space shall be 23 feet long by ten feet wide.
(F) Minimum number of off-street parking spaces. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces by type of use for the storage or parking of motor vehicles for the use of owners, occupants, employees, customers or visitors of buildings or uses shall be irrevocably provided and maintained on the premises occupied by the structure of the basis of the following schedule.
(1) Residential use.
(a) The off-street parking facilities required for one- and two-family dwellings shall be located on the same lot or plot of ground of the building they are intended to serve and shall consist of a driveway, parking apron, carport and/or garage on the basis of two parking spaces for each dwelling unit.
(b) Multiple-family residential dwellings shall have two paved off-street parking spaces for each one bedroom dwelling unit. For each additional bedroom over two per unit, one-half additional parking space shall be provided.
(c) Housing for the elderly: two for each three units, and one for each employee. Should units revert to general occupancy, then two spaces per unit shall be provided and space shown on the site plan to accommodate the requirement.
(2) Institutional uses.
Institutional Uses | Number of Spaces |
Institutional Uses | Number of Spaces |
Churches or temples | 1 for each 3 seats in the main unit of worship |
Golf courses open to the general public, except miniature or “par 3" courses | 6 for each 1 golf hole and 1 for each 1 employee |
Hospitals | 1 for each 600 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each 2 employees |
Homes for the aged and convalescent homes | 2 for each 3 beds or occupants and each 2 staff members |
Elementary and junior high schools | 1 for each 1 teacher, employee and administrator, in addition to the requirements of the auditorium |
Private clubs or lodge halls | 1 for each 3 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by Township, County or State Fire, Building or Health Codes |
Private golf clubs, tennis clubs or other similar uses | 1 for each 2 member families or individuals |
Private parks | 1 for each 2 individual members |
Public recreation | 1 for every 2 users at maximum capacity, plus 1 space for each employee |
Senior high schools | 1 for each 1 teacher, employee and administrator, plus 1 for each 10 students in addition to the requirement of the auditorium |
Stadium, sports arena or similar places of outdoor assembly | 1 for each 3 seats or 60 inches or benches |
Theaters and auditoriums (includes commercial theaters and movie houses) | 1 for each 3 seats, plus 1 for each 2 employees. If no seats, one for each 50 square feet of floor area |
(3) Business/commercial.
Business/Commercial Uses | Number of Spaces |
Business/Commercial Uses | Number of Spaces |
Agricultural sales, greenhouses and nurseries, fish farm operations | 1 for each 1 employee, plus 1 for each 100 square feet of actual permanent or temporary area devoted primarily to sales, plus 1 for each 1,500 square feet devoted primarily to indoor plant growing areas which are also used for display |
Airports, runways and the like | 1 for every 3 airplanes to be stored on the site, plus 1 for each employee |
Automobile repair | 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area. Wrecked vehicles shall not occupy spaces reserved for the purpose of meeting the off-street parking requirement |
Automobile service stations | 2 for each lubrication stall, rack or pit, and 1 for each gasoline pump |
Auto wash; self-service | 4 spaces for each establishment, plus 4 waiting spaces for each washing stall |
Auto wash; other than self-service | 4 spaces for each establishment, plus 20 waiting spaces for each washing stall or line. A properly drained drying lane 50 feet long shall also be provided at the exit of each washing stall or line in order to prevent undue amount of water from collecting on the public street and thereby creating a traffic hazard |
Beauty parlor or barber shop | 3 spaces for each of the first 2 beauty or barber chairs, and 1-1/2 spaces for each additional chair |
Boat berthing, in-and-out storage and in-water storage | 1 space for every 2 boat berths and 1 off-street parking space for each boat available for rent. Where launching from a boat trailer is permitted, adequate space shall also be provided for the storage of boat trailers as part of any parking plan. Launching shall be limited to the number of parking spaces available to the general public for the parking of vehicles and boat carriers at that location |
Bowling alleys | 6 for each 1 bowling lane |
Dance halls, arcades, pool or billiard parlors, roller or ice skating rinks, indoor tennis facilities, exhibition halls and assembly halls without fixed seats | 1 for each 2 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by the Township, County or State Fire, Building or Health Codes |
Dry cleaners | 1 parking space for each 2 employees, with a minimum of 3 spaces |
Establishments for sale and consumption on the premises of beverage, food or refreshments | 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area or 1 for each 2 persons allowed within maximum occupancy, whichever is greater |
Fast food, drive-in and carry-out restaurants | 1 space for each 2 employees, plus 1 parking space for each 2 seats intended for patrons within the restaurant building, and 1 space for each 20 square feet of building floor area available in the order-waiting area |
Furniture and appliance, household equipment, repair shops, showroom of a plumber, decorator, electrician or similar trade, shoe repair and other similar uses | 1 for each 500 square feet of floor area. For that floor area used in processing or storage, 1 additional space shall be provided for each 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater |
Laundromats and coin operated dry cleaners | 1 for each 2 machines |
Miniature, “par 3" golf courses | 3 for each 1 hole, plus 1 for each 1 employee |
Mortuary establishment | 1 for each 50 square feet of assembly room floor space, parlors and slumber rooms |
Motel, hotel or other commercial lodging establishments | One for each occupancy unit, plus 1 for each 1 employee, in addition to the requirements for ancillary facilities such as restaurants, ballrooms and the like |
Motor vehicle sales and service establishment | 1 for each 300 square feet of floor space of sales room, and 1 for each 1 auto service stall in the service room |
Museum or art gallery | 1 for each 400 square feet of floor space |
Open air businesses | 1 for each 500 square feet of lot area for retail sales, uses and services |
Retail stores except as otherwise specified herein | 1 for each 250 square feet of floor space |
Specialty shops | 1 for each 300 square feet of floor space specified herein |
(4) Offices.
Office Uses | Number of Spaces |
Banks and post offices | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor space, plus 1 space for each 2 employees |
Business offices or administrative offices except as indicated below | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor space |
Clinics, medical, dental, veterinary | 1 space for each employee, plus 1 space for each 150 square feet of floor space |
Professional offices or doctors, dentists or similar professions | 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area or 1 for each 25 square feet in waiting rooms, and 1 for each examining room dental chair, or similar use area, whichever is greater |
(5) Industrial.
Industrial Uses | Number of Spaces |
Industrial, wholesale or warehouse establishments (except for “mini-warehouses” below) | 5, plus 1 for every 1-1/2 employees in the largest working shift, or 1 for every 400 square feet of floor space, whichever is determined to be the greater. Space on site shall also be provided for all construction workers during periods of plant construction |
Mini-warehouses | Unobstructed parking area equal to 1 space for every 10 door openings |
(G) Off-street loading requirements.
(1) On the same premises with every building, structure or part thereof, erected and occupied for manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, department store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other uses similarly involving the receipt or distribution of vehicles, materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services in order to avoid undue interference with public use of the streets and alleys.
(2) The loading and unloading space, unless otherwise adequately provided for, shall be an area ten feet by 50 feet, with 15-foot height clearance, and shall be provided according to the following schedule.
Gross Floor Area in Square Feet | Spaces Required |
0 to 1,400 | None |
1,401 to 20,000 | 1 space |
20,001 to 100,000 | 1 space plus 1 space for each 20,000 square feet |
100,000 to 500,000 | 5 spaces plus 1 space for each 40,000 square feet in excess of 100,000 square feet |
Over 500,000 | Fifteen spaces plus 1 space for each 80,000 square feet in excess of 500,000 square feet |
(Ord. passed 6-28-2006; Ord. passed 1-22-2009) Penalty, see § 154.999