§ 152.257 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
   (A)   Reduction of existing off-street parking space or lot area. Off-street parking spaces and loading areas existing upon the effective date of this subchapter hereof shall not be reduced in number or size unless the number or size exceeds the requirements set forth herein for a similar new use.
   (B)   Change of use or occupancy of land. No change of use or occupancy of land already dedicated to a parking area, parking spaces or loading areas shall be made, nor shall any sale of land, division or subdivision of land be made which reduces area necessary for parking, loading or circulation below the minimum prescribed by this chapter.
   (C)   Change of use or occupancy of buildings. Any change of use or occupancy of any building or buildings including additions thereto requiring more parking and loading area shall not be permitted until there is furnished additional parking and loading areas as required by this subchapter.
   (D)   Disability accessible parking. All parking associated with any building, structure or use shall be required to conform to the disability accessible parking standards pursuant to M.S. § 168.021, as it may be amended from time to time.
   (E)   Restrictions on parking.
      (1)   Restrictions. Required accessory off-street parking spaces in any district shall not be utilized for open storage, sale or rental of goods, storage of inoperable vehicles and/or storage of snow. All site plans required by this subchapter shall illustrate the size and location of snow storage space on the property in question.
      (2)   Limitations. Except as may be otherwise allowed by this subchapter, on- and off-street parking facilities accessory to a residential use shall be utilized solely for the parking of licensed and operable motor vehicles not to exceed 22 feet in length and eight feet in height; and recreational vehicles and equipment. Exceptions, for cause and in compliance with the intent and purpose of this subchapter, may be approved by the Zoning Administrator as an administrative permit.
      (3)   Semi-tractor and semitrailer parking. Semi-tractor and semitrailers shall not be permitted within residential zoned districts except for the specific purpose of loading or unloading cargo or freight.
      (4)   Contracting, excavating equipment or other commercial vehicles and equipment. Except where specifically allowed, contracting, excavating equipment or other commercial vehicles and equipment may not be parked or stored on any property in the city unless it is being used in conjunction with a temporary service benefitting the premises.
   (F)   Repair work. No motor vehicle repair work of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with exterior off-street parking facilities, except for temporary (not exceeding eight hours) minor repairs of vehicles owned by the occupant or resident of the principal use for which the parking space is intended. No exterior storage of car parts is allowed at any time.
   (G)   Maintenance. It shall be the joint and several responsibility of the lessee and owner of the principal use, uses or building to maintain in a neat and adequate manner, the parking space, loading areas, accessways, striping, landscaping and required fences/screening.
   (H)   Location. All accessory off-street parking and loading areas required by this subchapter shall be located and restricted as follows.
      (1)   Lot and ownership. Required off-street parking and loading areas shall be on the same lot under the same ownership as the principal use being served, except under the provisions of § 152.262 of this subchapter.
      (2)   Direct access. Except for single-family, two-family, townhouse and quadraminium dwellings, head-in parking, directly off of and adjacent to a public street, with each stall having its own direct access to the public street, shall be prohibited.
      (3)   Boulevard. The boulevard portion of the street right-of-way shall not be used for parking, loading areas or circulation.
      (4)   Setback area. Required accessory off-street parking shall not be provided in required front yards or in required side yards adjacent to a public right-of-way (in the case of a corner lot) in residential districts defined by §§ 152.445 through 152.448 of this chapter.
      (5)   Prohibited in yard. In the case of single-family, two-family, townhouse and quadraminium dwellings, parking shall be prohibited in any portion of the front, side or rear yard, except on designated driveways leading directly into a garage or one open, surfaced space located on the side of a driveway, away from the principal use. The extra space shall be surfaced with paver bricks, concrete or bituminous material.
(Prior Code, § 11-19-3) (Ord. 258, passed 5-4-2006)