(A) Applicability. Off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this section whenever a building or structure is erected, converted, enlarged, or structurally altered, or whenever a use of a building or structure is established, expanded or changed in which a non-residential use requires loading and unloading of materials or goods on a routine basis. This requirement shall not prohibit the owner of an existing building occupied by a conforming use from enlarging or structurally altering said building for the purpose of meeting the minimum requirements of applicable health, fire, and safety regulations.
(B) Location of Loading Areas. All off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use to be served. No off-street loading areas shall be located in a required front or side yard, but off-street loading areas may be located in a required rear yard.
(C) Design Standards for Loading Areas. The requirements in this division shall apply to the design and construction of all loading areas, regardless of whether said area is required loading spaces or in excess of required loading spaces.
(1) All off-street loading areas and access ways shall be paved with a hard surface, including concrete or asphalt, with the work completed in accordance with specifications provided in the most recent version of the "Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction" adopted by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
(2) All loading areas shall be pitched and drained so as to prevent the flow of water from such areas directly onto adjoining property.
(3) All off-street loading areas shall comply with the landscaping and screening provisions of this chapter.
(4) All loading areas shall be served by appropriate means of access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements as determined by the City Engineer.
(D) Required Number of Loading Spaces. Off-street loading spaces shall be required in accordance with Table VI-2 hereinafter set forth. In no case shall off-street loading spaces be considered as part of the area provided to satisfy off-street parking requirements.
(E) Standards for Loading Spaces. Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet in width by 50 feet in length and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet.
Floor Area of Building | Off-street Loading Spaces Required |
1,000 to 19,999 | 1 |
20,000 to 79,999 | 2 |
80,000 to 129,999 | 3 |
Floor Area of Building | Off-street Loading Spaces Required |
130,000 to 189,999 | 4 |
190,000 to 249,999 | 5 |
250,000 to 319,999 | 6 |
320,000 to 399,000 | 7 |
Plus 1 space for each additional 75,000 square feet | |
(Ord. 8612, passed 12-2-08)