(A) Purpose. The regulation of off street parking spaces, loading areas, and site access is to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public rights-of-way and to promote the safety and general welfare of the public by establishing minimum requirements for off street parking and loading areas for motor vehicles in accordance with the intensity of utilization of various parcels of land or structures.
(B) Application of provisions. The regulations and requirements set forth in this chapter shall apply to the required and non-required off street parking facilities and areas in all use districts.
(C) General parking and loading provisions.
(1) Site plan requirements. All applications for a building permit or a certificate of occupancy in all zoning districts shall be accompanied by a site plan, indicating the location and number of off street parking and loading spaces meeting the requirements set forth in this chapter.
(2) Reduction of existing parking and loading spaces. Off street parking spaces and loading spaces existing upon the effective date hereof shall not be reduced in number unless the number exceeds the requirements set forth herein for a similar new use.
(3) 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 spaces shall be made, nor shall any sale of land, division or subdivision of land be made, which reduces area necessary for parking, parking stalls, or parking requirements below the minimum prescribed by this chapter.
(4) Change of use or occupancy of buildings. Any change of use or occupancy of any building or buildings including additions thereto requiring more parking area shall not be permitted until additional parking spaces are provided as required by this chapter.
(5) Off site parking facilities. When required accessory off street parking facilities are provided elsewhere than on the lot in which the principal use served is located, they shall be in the same ownership or control, either by deed or long term lease, as the property occupied by such principal use.
(6) Use of parking areas. All parking lot designs shall be well planned to minimize conflicts between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Required off street parking spaces in any district shall not be utilized for vehicle repair, open storage, stockpiling of snow, debris, materials or goods, or for the storage of vehicles which are inoperable or for sale or for lease. Disability accessible parking spaces shall comply with current state and federal requirements.
(7) Computation of required spaces. In computing the number of parking or loading spaces required, the following rules shall govern:
(a) The term FLOOR AREA, for the purpose of calculating the number of off street parking spaces, shall be the net usable floor area of the various floors, exclusive of hallways, utility space, restrooms, window showcases, and ornamental space not used for assembly;
(b) Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the nearest whole number;
(c) The parking space requirement for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a similar use as determined by the City Administrator or his/her designee; and
(d) When computing total number of parking spaces required for a use, individual activities within the use will be calculated separately and added together to arrive at the total required parking spaces for each specific use proposed.
(8) Disability accessible parking. Accessible parking spaces for disabled persons shall be provided as applicable pursuant to M.S. §§ 168.021, 168.345, and 169.346 as may be amended.
(D) Dimensional parking and access standards.
(1) All off street parking facilities shall comply with the following dimensional standards:
Parking Lot Dimensions Table
Angle Of Parking | Stall Width | Curb Length Per Car | Stall Depth | Aisle Width |
Angle Of Parking | Stall Width | Curb Length Per Car | Stall Depth | Aisle Width |
0° | 9' 0" | 23' 0" | 9' 0" | 12' 0" |
9' 6" | 23' 0" | 9' 6" | 12' 0" | |
10' 0" | 23' 0" | 10' 0" | 12' 0" | |
20° | 9'0" | 26 ‘4" | 15'0" | 11 ‘0" |
9' 6" | 27' 10" | 15' 6" | 11' 0" | |
10' 0" | 29' 3" | 15' 11" | 11' 0" | |
30° | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 17' 4" | 11' 0" |
9' 6" | 19' 0" | 17' 10" | 11' 0" | |
10' 0" | 20' 0" | 18' 3" | 11' 0" | |
40° | 9' 0" | 14' 0" | 19' 2" | 12' 0" |
9' 6" | 14' 10" | 19' 6" | 12' 0" | |
10' 0" | 15' 8" | 19' 11" | 12' 0" | |
45° | 9' 0" | 12' 9" | 19' 10" | 13' 0" |
9' 6" | 13' 5" | 20' 2" | 13' 0" | |
10' 0" | 14' 2" | 20' 6" | 13' 0" | |
50° | 9' 0" | 11' 9" | 20' 5" | 12' 0" |
9' 6" | 12' 5" | 20' 9" | 12' 0" | |
10' 0" | 13' 2" | 21' 0" | 12' 0" | |
60° | 9' 0" | 10' 5" | 21' 0" | 18' 0" |
9' 6" | 11' 0" | 21' 3" | 18' 0" | |
10' 0" | 11' 6" | 21' 6" | 18' 0" | |
70° | 9' 0" | 9' 8" | 21' 0" | 19' 0" |
9' 6" | 10' 2" | 21' 3" | 18' 6" | |
10' 0" | 10' 8" | 21' 3" | 18' 0" | |
80° | 9' 0" | 9' 2" | 20' 4" | 24' 0" |
9' 6" | 9' 8" | 20' 5" | 24' 0" | |
10' 0" | 10' 3" | 20' 6" | 24' 0" | |
Note: This table pertains to a wall to wall situation. In calculating dimensions, 2 feet may be subtracted from each stall depth for each overhang and overlap provided that a minimum sidewalk width of 3 feet is maintained. No subtraction for overlap is allowed for angles other than 90 degrees.
(2) Driveways and private roadway requirements.
(a) Two-way traffic: twenty four feet (24') minimum.
(b) One-way traffic: twenty foot (20') minimum, if for fire truck access.
(c) Drive-up window lanes: fourteen feet (14') minimum, if for fire truck access.
(d) All driveways shall have a minimum width of ten feet (10') with pavement strength capable of supporting emergency and fire vehicles.
(e) All lots or parcels shall have direct adequate physical access for emergency vehicles along the frontage of the lot or parcel from either an existing dedicated public roadway or an existing private roadway approved by the city.
(E) Joint parking requirements. Required parking facilities serving two or more uses may be located on the same lot or in the same structure except in residential zoned districts; provided, that the total number of parking spaces furnished shall not be less than the total sum of the separate requirements for each use during any peak hour parking period when the parking facility is used at the same time by two or more uses. Conditions required for joint uses are:
(1) The proposed joint parking space is within 400 feet of the use it will serve.
(2) The applicant shall demonstrate that there is not substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the two or more buildings or uses for which joint use of off street parking facilities is proposed.
(3) A properly drawn legal instrument executed by the parties concerned for joint use of off street parking facilities shall be filed as a deed restriction on both properties in the county recorder’s office.
(F) Off site parking.
(1) Any off site parking which is used to meet the requirements of this chapter may, as applicable, be allowed by a conditional use permit for long term off site parking facilities or an interim use permit for short term temporary off site parking facilities, and shall be subject to the conditions of this section.
(2) Off site parking shall be developed and maintained in compliance with all requirements and standards of this chapter.
(3) Reasonable access from off site parking facilities to the use being served shall be provided.
(4) Except as allowed by a lease agreement approved by the city, the site used for meeting the off street parking requirements shall be under the same ownership as the principal use being served or under public ownership.
(5) Off site parking for multiple-family dwellings shall not be located more than 250 feet from any normally used entrance of the principal use served.
(6) Off site parking for nonresidential uses shall not be located more than 500 feet from the main public entrance of the principal use being served. Off site parking located more than 500 feet from the main entrance may be allowed with the provision of a private shuttle service.
(7) Any use which depends upon off site parking to meet the requirements of this chapter shall maintain ownership and parking utilization of the off site location until such time as on site parking is provided or a site in closer proximity to the principal use is acquired and developed for parking.
(G) Reduction in parking requirements. The city may allow reductions in the number of required parking spaces to be installed under one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) The unique characteristics of the proposed use are such that it will generate a need for less parking than the standard of this chapter; or
(2) All requests for reductions in the amount of required parking to be installed shall be accompanied by a plan showing where the total required parking spaces can be added on the lot, if necessary, up to the total amount required by this chapter (meeting green area requirements) without requiring a variance.
(H) Design, maintenance, and location of parking areas.
(1) Driveway access and curb cuts:
(a) Width: no driveway access or curb cut within the public right-of-way shall be less than 12 feet in width or exceed the following widths:
1. Single-family residential dwellings: twenty-eight feet (28').
2. Multi-family residential buildings/complexes: thirty-two feet (32').
3. Commercial/industrial: thirty-two feet (32').
4. Public/institutional: thirty-two feet (32').
5. All other uses: twenty-four feet (24').
(b) Number allowed. Each property shall be allowed one driveway access or curb cut for each 125 feet of street frontage. All property shall be entitled to at least one curb cut. Single-family uses shall be limited to one driveway access or curb cut per property unless a right-of-way permit application is submitted, paid according to the fee schedule, and approved by the City Engineer, or his/her designee. The City Engineer shall grant such permits subject to the following criteria:
1. The additional access is necessary to provide adequate on site circulation.
2. The additional access shall create a minimum of conflict with through traffic movement and shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(c) Setbacks: curb cuts may not be placed closer than five feet to any side or rear lot line unless approved by the City Engineer or his/her designee.
(d) County roads. Curb cuts onto county roads shall be referenced to the Rice County Highway Department.
(e) Sensitive areas. Curb cuts to principal structures which traverse wooded, steep, or open field areas shall be constructed and maintained to a width and base material depth sufficient to support access by emergency vehicles as determined by the City Engineer or his/her designee.
(2) Signs. Signs shall not be located in a parking area except as necessary for disability accessibility and for the orderly operation of traffic movement. Such signs shall not be a part of the permitted advertising space.
(3) Curbing. All open off street parking shall have a perimeter concrete curb barrier around the entire parking lot. Exceptions: 1) residential single-family, two-family, townhouse dwellings; or 2) special parking situations approved by the City Engineer or his/her designee.
(4) Striping. Except for single-family, two-family, and townhouse dwellings, all parking stalls shall be marked with white or yellow painted lines not less than four inches wide.
(5) Surfacing. All parking spaces and driveways shall be surfaced with concrete, bituminous/asphalt, or pavers. Exceptions: 1) surfaces allowed per City Code § 153.007; or 2) special parking situations approved by the City Engineer or his/her designee. Other materials such as decorative rock, gravel, sand, or bare soil are prohibited. This requirement also applies to open sales lots, open rental lots, and outdoor storage or display areas. All driveways and parking areas shall be regularly maintained to prevent grass/weed growth, surface deterioration, and edging damage.
(6) Lighting. Lighting in an off street parking area shall be shaded or diffused so as to reflect the light away from adjoining property and adjacent traffic areas. All light fixtures shall be a downcast style.
(7) Maintenance of off street parking areas. It shall be the joint responsibility of the operator and owner of the principal use, uses and/or building to maintain, in a neat and adequate manner, the parking space, accessways, landscaping and required fencing.
(8) Location. All accessory off street parking facilities and areas shall be located as follows:
(a) Spaces accessory to one- and two-family dwellings shall be on the same lot as the principal use served unless guest parking is provided elsewhere;
(b) There shall be no off street parking space within five feet of any property line. Exceptions: 1) Setbacks allowed per City Code § 153.077; 2) properties having zero lot line setbacks, shared access, and/or joint parking; or 3) special parking situations approved by the City Engineer or his/her designee;
(c) When parking stalls abut a sidewalk, the minimum sidewalk width shall be six feet;
(d) Parking stalls shall not be located where they obstruct doorways, driveways, or pedestrian walkways; and
(e) All disability accessible stalls shall be located in close proximity to entrance areas and shall not be hindered by inappropriately located curb cuts, catch basins, and the like.
(I) Miscellaneous parking restrictions and prohibitions.
(1) Parking and storage of unlicensed vehicles. Automotive vehicles (operative or inoperative) or trailers that are of any kind or type without current license plates shall not be parked or stored on any residentially zoned property other than in completely enclosed buildings.
(2) Use of parking area. Required off street parking spaces in all districts shall not be used for open storage, or sale of goods, or for the storage of vehicles which are inoperable, for lease, rent or sale, or for the stockpiling of snow.
(3) Parking and storage of recreational vehicles. The parking and storage of recreational vehicles shall be regulated in accordance with § 153.077.
(J) Number of parking spaces required.
Uses | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
Uses | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
Commercial: | |
Automobile repair (associated with motor fuel station) | 2 for each service stall, plus motor fuel requirements |
Automobile repair, major | At least 2, plus 4 for each service stall |
Automobile repair, minor | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area |
Automobile sales | 1 per 500 square feet of showroom, plus 1 for each 3,000 square feet of outdoor sales lot |
Bank | 1 for each 300 square feet of floor area, plus 5 stacking spaces for each drive-up window |
Bar, tavern, nightclub | At least 1 per 3 patron seats, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Beauty shop or barbershop | 2 per chair, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Boarding house | At least 1 for each person for whom accommodations are provided for sleeping |
Bowling alley | 5 for each alley, plus additional spaces as may be required herein for related uses contained within the principal structure |
Car wash (accessory to motor fuel station) | 4 off street stacking spaces per drive-through car wash. The bay inside the car wash shall not be considered a stacking space |
Car wash (drive-through) as principal use | A minimum of 10 or 1 for each employee on the maximum shift, whichever is greater |
Community center, private club, lodge, museum, art gallery | 10, plus 1 for each 150 square feet in excess of 2,000 square feet of floor area in the principal structure |
Convenience grocery | 1 per 100 square feet of floor area. Parking areas at pump islands may be counted as parking spaces |
Fitness center | 1 per exercise station (e.g., strength machine or cardiovascular), plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift, plus additional parking spaces required for ancillary uses |
Funeral home | 20 per chapel or parlor, plus 1 for each company vehicle maintained on site. Adequate stacking space shall also be provided for staging funeral processions |
Grocery or supermarket | 1 per 100 square feet of floor area of customer sales and service, plus 1 per 200 square feet of floor area of storage |
Hotel or motel | At least 1 for each dwelling unit or lodging room, plus 1 additional for each 8 units. Additional spaces shall be required for liquor or restaurant facilities |
Instructional studio (dance, karate, music, and similar uses) | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Laundromat | ½ per machine |
Ministorage | 2 per dwelling unit or employee area, plus 1 per 6,000 square feet of indoor storage area |
Motor fuel station | 1 per pump, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift. With convenience grocery, include 1 per 100 square feet of floor area. Parking areas at pump islands may be counted as parking spaces |
Outdoor storage and/or display of retail merchandise | 1 per 2,000 square feet of outdoor storage or display area in addition to the total parking required on the site for the individual use |
Pool hall and arcade | 1 per 4 patrons at the maximum occupancy load of the facility, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift, plus 1 per 100 square feet of kitchen, dining, or snack bar area |
Religious institution, theater, auditorium | 1 for each 3 seats, based upon maximum design capacity, plus additional spaces as may be required herein for related uses contained within the principal structure |
Restaurant (fast food) | 1 per 50 square feet of floor area, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Restaurant (sit down) including outdoor seating | 5 per 1,000 square feet of floor area |
Restaurant, take out (no seating) | 1 per 100 square feet of floor area |
Retail sales and multiple occupancy retail service building | 1 per 250 square feet of floor area and outdoor sales space |
Retail sales/service and storage | 1 per 200 square feet of floor area of retail space and 1 per 500 square feet of storage area |
Industrial: | |
Industrial | A minimum of 1 per employee on the largest work shift, plus 1 per company vehicle regularly stored on premises, plus additional spaces that may be required depending upon the specific use |
Manufacturing, fabricating or processing of a product | 1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area, plus 1 for each company owned truck (if not stored inside the principal structure) |
Manufacturing, office | 1 per 350 square feet of floor area, plus 1 per company vehicle not stored within the principal structure |
Warehouse: | |
Office area | 1 per 200 square feet of office area |
Warehouse area | 1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area, plus 1 per company vehicle not stored within the principal structure |
Institutional: | |
Cemetery | 1 per employee |
Church | 1 per 3 seats of maximum capacity |
Community recreation center | 1 per 250 square feet of floor area, or 1 per 4 patrons at the maximum occupancy load, whichever is greater, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Hospital | 2 per 3 patient beds, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Library | 1 per 250 square feet of floor area or 1 per 4 seats at the maximum occupancy load, whichever is greater, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
School, college or trade | 1 per staff member on the largest work shift, plus 1 per 2 students of the largest class attendance period |
School, elementary and junior high | 1 per 7 students based upon building design |
School, high school and post-high school facilities | 1 per 3 students based upon building design capacity, plus 1 per classroom |
Office: | |
Medical, dental, or chiropractic office or clinic | 5 per doctor or dentist, plus 1 for each employee on the largest work shift |
Office (business and professional) | 1 for each 400 square feet of floor space |
Veterinary office (with or without kennels) | 3 per doctor, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Recreational: | |
Athletic field (private or private nonprofit) | 1 per 8 seats of design capacity |
Athletic stadium/auditorium/indoor sports area | 1 per 4 seats |
Golf course | 4 per hole, plus 50 percent of the requirements for any other associated use, except in planned residential, resort, or commercial developments, which have otherwise adequate provisions for parking |
Golf driving range, miniature golf, archery range | 10, plus 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area |
Skating rink, ice or roller | 1 per 300 square feet of floor area, plus 1 per employee on largest work shift |
Tennis, racquet, handball court | 4 per court, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
Residential: | |
Assisted living facility | ½ per unit |
Daycare nursery | 1 per teacher/employee on the largest work shift, plus 1 off street loading space per 6 students |
Elderly (senior citizen) housing (uses with occupancy limited to persons age 55 and over) | 1 per unit; ½ of required stalls may be provided at initial development for projects with occupancy restricted to persons age 55 and older. The development shall include a proof of parking area sufficient to meet the parking requirements |
Group home (dwelling) | 1 per sleeping room or 1 for every 4 beds |
Manufactured home | 2 per manufactured home (a minimum of 1 shall be enclosed) |
Multiple-family (apartment) dwelling (see also Multiple-family guest parking herein) | 1 ½ for each efficiency and 1-bedroom unit and 21/4 for units with 2 or more bedrooms. A minimum of 1 of the required parking spaces per unit shall be an enclosed garage space. A land area requirement credit of 300 square feet toward the satisfaction of lot area requirements shall be given for each garage under the principal building |
Multiple-family guest parking | ½ per townhouse or apartment unit, distributed throughout the development, in addition to the required parking per unit |
Nursing home other than assisted living facility | 1 per 6 patient beds, plus 1 per employee on the largest work shift |
One- and two-family residence | A 440 square foot attached garage shall be constructed at the same time as the principal structure. For lots of record established after the effective date hereof, all site plans for single-family homes shall provide for the location of a 3 stall attached garage, whether or not construction is intended |
Townhome dwelling unit (see also Multiple-family guest parking herein) | Each dwelling unit shall have an attached garage with a minimum of 2 garage spaces and 2 driveway spaces per unit. The minimum garage shall be 220 square feet for dwellings with basements and 540 square feet for dwellings without basements. Garages shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width |
Uses not listed | The parking requirement for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a similar use as determined by the Zoning Administrator |
(K) Additional off street loading requirements.
(1) Any of the following uses with a gross floor area of 6,000 square feet or more which requires deliveries or shipments shall provide off street loading facilities in accordance with the requirements specified below unless a conditional use permit is granted:
(a) Every retail establishment, industrial or manufacturing use, warehouse, or wholesale use having a gross floor area of 6,000 square feet or more shall provide off street loading facilities/areas as follows:
Gross Floor Area In Square Feet | Number Of Loading Spaces |
6,000 - 24,999 | 1 |
25,000 - 74,999 | 2 |
75,000- 150,000 | 3 |
For each additional 100,000 square feet (or fraction thereof) of gross floor area | 1 additional off street loading space shall be provided |
(b) Every public assembly use, such as auditoriums, convention halls, exhibition halls, stadiums or sports arenas, with a gross floor area of greater than 100,000 square feet shall be provided a minimum of one off street loading space.
(c) Funeral homes, restaurants and hotels with a gross floor area of greater than 30,000 square feet and offices with a gross floor area of 100,000 square feet or more shall provide a minimum of one off street loading space.
(2) Minimum size. Off street loading spaces shall be at least ten feet by 25 feet (10' x 25'), excluding area for maneuvering vehicles.
(3) Location.
(a) At no time shall any part of a truck or van be allowed to extend into the right of way of a public street or alley while the truck or van is being loaded or unloaded.
(b) Any commercial/industrial off street spaces shall be located at least 100 feet from any residential district.
(c) All loading spaces shall be located in side or rear yard.
(Ord. passed 2-29-1996; Am. Ord. 2017-275, passed 4-13-2017; Am. Ord. 2022-310, passed 3-31- 2022)