165.35 PARKING AND TRAFFIC STANDARDS.
The parking and traffic standards of this chapter are set forth to insure to the maximum extent possible vehicle movement and parking needs are satisfied in a safe, efficient manner. The purpose of off-street parking standards is to substantially alleviate the parking of vehicles on traveled roadways and to provide adequate, safe and visually acceptable parking on private property.
1.   Access. Access to private property from public right-of-ways may be limited to insure the safe and efficient movement of vehicles. All newly constructed or improved accesses shall conform to access standards set forth by the City Engineer; including location, spacing, numbers, size and type of driveway construction. In addition to the access standards set by the City Engineer the following minimum requirements shall be met:
   A.   Minimum Distance of Access From Street Intersection - 25 feet (measured along right-of-way lines)
   B.   Minimum Access Drive Widths - Total Drive Width
      (1)   Single- and Two-Family Dwellings – 8 feet
      (2)   Three-Family (or More) Residential:
         One-Way Traffic Aisles – 10 feet Two-Way Traffic Aisles – 18 feet
      (3)   Commercial and other Nonresidential Uses:
         One-Way Traffic Aisles – 14 feet
         Two-Way Traffic Aisles – 24 feet
      (4)   Industrial Uses:
         One-Way Traffic Aisles – 18 feet
         Two-Way Traffic Aisles – 28 feet
   C.   Minimum Distance between Drives Located on the Same Property – 25 feet
2.   Traffic Visibility Zone. A Traffic Visibility Zone shall be maintained on each corner of a property at the intersection of two street right-of-ways, a street right-of-way and an alley right-of-way, a street right-of-way and a railroad right-of-way, and also at the point where an access drive to a parking area for more than four vehicles intersects with a public street or alley right-of-way. The Traffic Visibility Zone is measured 25 feet both directions from the point of intersection along the intersecting right-of-ways or access drive to two points that are connected diagonally. The Traffic Visibility Zone is the space in this triangle higher than two and one-half (2½) feet and lower than nine (9) feet. The Traffic Visibility Zone shall contain no fence, structure, earth bank, hedge, parking area, planting, wall, sign or other visual obstruction except the following:
   A.   Public utility poles.
   B.   Traffic control and warning signs and signals.
   C.   Trees trimmed to a height of at least nine (9) feet.
   D.   Signs mounted ten (10) feet or more in height with supports that do not encroach into the Traffic Visibility Zone.
3.   Drives, Aisles and Lanes. All drives, aisles, lanes or other areas devoted to the movement of vehicles on a property shall meet the following requirements:
   A.   Minimum Widths With No Adjacent Parking:
      (1)   One-Way Aisles:
         Residential               10 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   14 feet
         Industrial               18 feet
      (2)   Two-Way Aisles:
         Residential               18 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   24 feet
         Industrial               28 feet
   B.   Minimum Widths With Parallel Parking (0 to 15 Degrees):
      (1)   One-Way Aisles:
         Residential               12 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   16 feet
         Industrial               20 feet
      (2)   Two-Way Aisles:
         Residential               20 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   24 feet
         Industrial               28 feet
   C.   Minimum Widths With Perpendicular Parking (75 to 90 Degrees):
      (1)   One-Way Aisles:
         Residential               22 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   24 feet
         Industrial               28 feet
      (2)   Two-Way Aisles:
         Residential               22 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   24 feet
         Industrial               28 feet
   D.   Minimum Widths With Diagonal Parking (15 to 75 Degrees):
      (1)   One-Way Aisles:
         Residential               16 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   20 feet
         Industrial               24 feet
      (2)   Two-Way Aisles:
         Residential               20 feet
         Commercial and Other Nonresidential   24 feet
         Industrial               28 feet
4.   Parking Spaces. All parking spaces shall meet the following minimum requirements:
   A.   Minimum Width:
      (1)   Parallel Parking Spaces – 10 feet
      (2)   Perpendicular and Diagonal Parking Spaces:
         Standard Parking Spaces   8.5 feet
         Small Car Parking Spaces   7.5 feet
   B.   Minimum Length:
      (1)   Parallel Parking Spaces – 20 feet
      (2)   Perpendicular and Diagonal Parking Spaces:
         Standard Parking Spaces   18 feet
         Small Car Parking Spaces   15 feet
5.   Parking Area Design Standards. The following design principals shall be followed in all parking areas:
   A.   All parking spaces shall be connected to an aisle which shall have a minimum width as described in Section 165.35(3).
   B.   No parking area shall be designed in such a manner that entering or exiting a parking space would require backing up on a public street right-of-way; however parking areas with less than 10 spaces may permit backing into a public alley right-of-way to exit a parking space provided the alley width meets the required aisle widths established in this chapter.
   C.   (Repealed by Ord. 2022-1010- Mar. 23 Supp.)
   D.   No parking space shall encroach into a public right-of-way, aisle, drive, lane, adjoining property or any other vehicle route; or any required yard except as provided in Section 165.18.
   E.   No parking space shall encroach into a required Traffic Visibility Zone.
   F.   All parking spaces shall be visibly delineated on the surface by painted or marked stripes.
   G.   All one way aisles, drives or lanes shall be signed and visibly delineated on the surface by painted or marked arrows.
   H.   All small car spaces shall be individually signed or visibly delineated by painted or marked designation.
   I.   Exits from parking areas to public streets and alleys shall be clearly posted with stop signs. Appropriate entrance, exit and directional signs shall be maintained where required. All signs shall conform with the Iowa Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
   J.   All parking and loading areas shall be designed with adequate areas set aside as snow storage areas. Planting areas, parking spaces, loading spaces and aisles shall not customarily be utilized as snow storage areas.
   K.   (Repealed by Ord. 2022-1010- Mar. 23 Supp.)
6.   Loading Spaces. All loading spaces shall be adequately sized to accommodate the types of uses it will serve, but shall in no case be less than 10 feet in width, 25 feet in length and 14 feet in unobstructed height. All loading spaces shall be adjacent to drives of adequate size to permit a vehicle to access the space. In no circumstances shall a loading space be designed in such a manner that a vehicle to utilize it shall be required to “back up” in a public street right-of-way; however, it shall be permitted from a public alley. Loading spaces may not also be utilized to meet parking space requirements of this chapter.
7.   Surfacing. All parking areas, drives, lanes, aisles, loading spaces and any other spaces to accommodate vehicles shall be hard surfaced with materials such as Portland Concrete Cement or bituminous asphalt. Gravel, crushed stone, dirt, chip seal, oil, sand or other such surfacing materials shall not be permitted.
8.   Parking Setbacks. Parking and loading spaces may be located on a lot according to the following requirements:
   A.   Residential Districts:
      (1)   Rear Yard – Permitted
      (2)   Side Yard – Only permitted where the side yard is at least eight (8) feet wide
      (3)   Front Yard or Side Street Side Yard – On an established driveway providing access to a garage or carport. One additional space may be provided outside of the driveway. Said additional space may extend up to ten (10) feet into the front yard in front of the dwelling provided that any additional space is accessed only from the driveway and not the result of a separate or wider curb cut.
      (4)   Boats and Recreational Vehicles. One boat or recreational vehicle with current registration to the owner or tenant of a property used solely for personal use are allowed to be parked in a side or rear yard provided all parking and drive surfaces are paved to fully accommodate the wheelbase of the vehicle or trailer and said paving must be connected to the driveway. Recreational vehicles and boats, when parked or stored on residential properties, must be maintained in a clean, well-kept state at all times. All covers and tarps or any other material utilized to protect the recreational vehicle or boats from the elements must be secured to the vehicle or boat and be weatherproof. The placement of weighted items does not constitute proper securing of the cover, but ropes, bungee cords, adjustable straps or similar methods must be used to secure the covering. Recreational vehicles and boats may not be used residential purposes on the property and shall not be used for the storage of goods, materials, or equipment not incidental to the customary use of said recreational vehicle or boat.
(Ord. 2022-1010- Mar. 23 Supp.)
   B.   Nonresidential Districts:
      (1)   Rear Yard – Permitted
      (2)   Side Yard – Permitted
      (3)   Front Yard or Side Street Side Yard – Permitted to within seven (7) feet of the right-of-way line. Said 7-foot setback shall be designated as a landscape area, which design shall be approved by the Building Official.
9.   Drainage. All parking areas shall be designed with provisions for the on-site collection of surface water to eliminate sheet flow of such waters onto sidewalks, public right-of-ways and abutting private property. Where a public storm sewer system is located within 200 feet of a parking area it shall be connected to said storm sewer system. Surface water detention within or adjacent to a parking area shall be as required by the City Engineer.
10.   Lighting. All residential parking areas, drives, aisles and other areas for vehicle movement shall be properly lighted for security and safety purposes. All such nonresidential uses shall be lighted according to the needs of the use. Lighting of parking areas shall be directed or deflected so as not to shine directly onto adjacent buildings or cause hazards to motorists on adjacent streets.
11.   Required Parking and Loading Spaces. For all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this chapter, parking and loading spaces shall be provided as set forth below. 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 spaces, such parking or loading spaces shall be provided for said increase in intensity of use in addition to those already provided. Whenever the existing use of a building or structure shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking and loading spaces shall be provided as required for such new use. Parking or loading spaces in existence on the effective date of this chapter shall not be subsequently reduced below, or if already less than the requirements set forth in this chapter shall not be further reduced below, the requirements for a similar new building or use under the provisions of this chapter. Parking spaces shall be provided in the prescribed ratios for the respective uses as follows:
   A.   Automobile sales – one space for 200 square feet of floor area.
   B.   Automobile service and repair – two spaces for each service stall, not including the service stall.
   C.   Banks, savings and loans – one space for 200 square feet of floor area.
   D.   Boarding and rooming houses – one space for each 150 square feet of floor area.
   E.   Bowling alleys – five spaces for each lane.
   F.   Car washes – spaces equal to six times the capacity of the facility.
   G.   Carpet and floor covering sales – one space for each 500 square feet of floor area.
   H.   Churches – parking spaces equal to one-fifth the occupant load of the largest assembly room in the building.
   I.   Clinics, medical or dental – six spaces for each doctor or dentist.
   J.   Contractors – one space for each 200 square feet of floor area plus one space for each vehicle or piece of construction equipment maintained on the premises.
   K.   Convenience store – one space for each 150 square feet of floor area.
   L.   Dwellings, one and two family – two spaces for each dwelling unit and may include garage spaces.
   M.   Dwellings, three or more family – one and one-half spaces for each dwelling unit for dwelling units up to 800 square feet. Two spaces for each dwelling unit greater than 800 square feet.
   N.   Fitness centers, health clubs and gymnasiums – six spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area
   O.   Fraternities and sororities – one space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
   P.   Funeral homes and mortuaries – one space for each three seats in the largest parlor.
   Q.   Furniture and appliance stores – one space for each 500 square feet of floor area.
   R.   Gas stations and fuel stores – one space for each 150 square feet of retail floor area, not including spaces located adjacent to and serving fuel pumps plus two spaces for each automotive service bay, if any.
   S.   Grocery stores and supermarkets – one space for each 180 square feet of floor area.
   T.   Golf course – two spaces for each green (hole).
   U.   Golf driving range – one space for each tee, if provided, or one space for each 20 feet of range width.
   V.   Hospitals and sanitariums – one and three-quarters spaces for each bed.
   W.   Hotels and motels – one and one-quarter spaces for each guest unit.
   X.   Industrial uses not specified – one space for each 800 square feet of floor area.
   Y.   Laundromats – one space for each two laundry and/or dry cleaning machines.
   Z.   Laundries and dry cleaners – one space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
   AA.   Landscape and garden centers – one space for each 500 square feet of total indoor and outdoor display and sales area.
   BB.   Lumber and building supply – one space for each employee plus one space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
   CC.   Lodges and clubs – one space for each three seats in the largest assembly room.
   DD.   Machinery and implement sales – one space for each 800 square feet of floor area.
   EE.   Manufacturing – one space for each employee of the largest shift plus one space for each 200 square feet of non-manufacturing office area.
   FF.   Mobile home parks – two spaces for each mobile home plus one visitor space for each three mobile homes.
   GG.   Moving and storage companies – one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle maintained on the premises.
   HH.   Museums and art galleries – one space for each 1000 square feet of floor area.
   II.   Nursing homes and group care – one space for each three beds.
   JJ.   Offices, professional – one space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
   KK.   Offices, general business – one space for each 200 square feet of floor area.
   LL.   Parcel delivery services – one space for each 100 square feet of office and public reception area plus one space for each vehicle maintained on the premises.
   MM.   Photographic studios – one space for each 100 square feet.
   NN.   Printing and publishing – one space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
   OO.   Rental stores – one space for each 500 square feet of floor area.
   PP.   Research and general labs – one space for each 600 square feet of floor area.
   QQ.   Restaurants and lounges – one space for each 100 square feet of floor area.
   RR.   Restaurant, fast food type – one space for each 100 square feet of floor area.
   SS.   Retail stores – one space for each 200 square feet of floor area.
   TT.   Studios, radio and television – one space for each 400 square feet of floor area.
   UU.   Schools, daycare/preschool – one and one quarter space for each staff member plus one pick-up/drop-off space for each six students.
   VV.   Schools, elementary – one and one-quarter space for each staff member plus one pickup/drop-off parking space for each 20 students.
   WW.   Schools, high school and college – one and one-quarter space for each staff member plus one space for each three full-time students or equivalents.
   XX.   Shopping centers – five and one-half spaces for each 1000 square feet of floor area or the sum total of the parking requirements of the individual tenants/users; whichever is the greater.
   YY.   Sports facilities – one space for each five seats.
   ZZ.   Theaters and auditoriums – one space for each three seats.
   AAA.   Truck stop – one space for each 25 square feet of floor area.
   BBB.   Truck terminals – one space for each 800 square feet of floor area and one space for each vehicle maintained on the premises.
   CCC.   Warehouses and storage – one space for each 1000 square feet of floor area up to 25,000 square feet plus one space for each 5,000 square feet above 25,000 square feet.
12.   Mixed Use. In the case of mixed uses, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.
13.   Loading Spaces. Loading spaces shall be provided for every nonresidential building or structure used for other than residential uses and constructed after the adoption of this chapter. Loading spaces shall be used exclusively for loading and unloading of vehicles. Such spaces shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
Building Floor Area (Square Feet)
Required Loading Space
0 to 8,000
1
8,000 to 25,000
2
25,000 to 40,000
3
40,000 to 100,000
4
100,000 to 250,000
5
250,000 to 400,000
6
For buildings over 400,000 square feet, 6 loading spaces plus 1 additional loading space for each additional 200,000 square feet of floor area.
 
14.   Small Car Parking. Up to one-third of the required parking spaces for residential uses may be designated for small cars. Up to one-half of the parking set aside for employees in nonresidential uses may be designated for small cars. No parking spaces for use by the general public shall be designated for small cars.
15.   Changes to Building. All new construction, substantial improvements and changes of use or enlargement of any building shall be required to fully comply with the parking and traffic standards of this chapter. The only exception shall be in the case where the building is being remodeled or repaired that will result in no increase in the size or intensity of the building or use of the property.
(Ord. 2022-1010- Mar. 23 Supp.)
16.   Off-Site Parking. Where parking is proposed at an off-site location, a conditional use permit shall be secured according to the procedures of Section 165.50. Off-site parking may only be located on a parcel under the same ownership as the owner of the principal property or controlled by a non-cancelable lease for at least ten years. In no case shall off-site parking be permitted to increase the size of an existing nonconforming property. In no case shall off site parking for a nonresidential use be located in a residential zoning district. Off-site parking shall be located within a reasonable walking distance to the principal property or appropriate shuttle service provided by the property owner.
17.   Shared Parking and Drives. Drives, lanes, aisles, parking areas and loading areas may be shared by separate uses, properties or parcels to comply with the parking and traffic standards of this chapter provided a provisional use permit is secured according to the procedures of Section 165.49. The total number of parking spaces provided in a shared parking arrangement must be based upon the types of permitted uses, the standard parking requirements for each permitted use, the hours of operation of each permitted use and the parking utilization rate required for each permitted use during its hours of operation. The utilization rate for each permitted use will be determined and furnished by the City. The total required parking for a shared parking agreement will be determined based upon the parking utilization rate. The total number of parking spaces provided in a shared parking arrangement will be calculated on forms furnished by the City. All such shared arrangements shall be defined by a written contract duly recorded and a copy of which is filed with the City. The contract shall provide that the City must approve all changes to the sharing arrangement and that the contract may not be canceled without the City’s written approval.
18.   Guest Parking. In addition to the parking spaces required under Section 165.35(11), any multi-family or mixed use development consisting of three or more dwelling units shall furnish additional parking spaces for guests. The additional spaces required for guest parking spaces shall be equal to 25% of the parking spaces required under 165.35(11).