(A) Scope. All off-street parking and loading shall conform with the provisions of this section and any other provisions of the City Code and regulations of the city and shall apply to all buildings and uses of land established after the effective date of this chapter.
(B) Computation. In determining the number of off-street parking and loading spaces a fraction of a space shall be deemed a requirement for an additional whole space. Multiple use facilities shall be required to provide off-street parking for each of its separate and distinct uses. In such cases the number of spaces required shall be the sum total of the individual requirements pursuant to division (G) of this section. The parking requirements for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as a use of similar nature as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(C) Site plan. All plans submitted for a building permit which require parking spaces or loading facilities shall include a site plan approved by the Zoning Administrator. Such site plan shall be a part of the building permit and no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all items shown on the site plan for parking and loading facilities have been completed. The site plan should include at least the following:
(1) Zoning, setbacks, and statement of use;
(2) North point and scale;
(3) All adjacent streets and alleys;
(4) Sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and street trees;
(5) Entire ownership of lot or parcel being developed;
(6) Completely dimensioned parking layouts;
(7) All parking spaces clearly marked;
(8) Owner’s name and current address;
(9) The type and thickness of the paving;
(10) Screening and landscaping;
(11) Stormwater drainage plan.
(D) Parking and storage of certain vehicles. Inoperable or unlicensed automotive vehicles or trailers of any kind or type shall not be parked or stored on any residentially zoned property except in completely enclosed buildings.
(E) Reduction and use of parking and loading areas. Off-street parking facilities existing at the effective date of this chapter shall not subsequently be reduced to less than the requirements of this chapter. Off-street parking facilities provided to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall not subsequently be reduced below the requirements of this chapter. Required parking or loading spaces shall not be used for storage of goods or for storage of vehicles that are inoperable or for sale or rent. In such case where reconstruction enlarges bulk or floor area or other such measurable unit prescribed in this chapter, parking and loading facilities shall be provided by this chapter, for that measurable unit beyond the original use of structure.
(F) Design standards. The following design standards shall apply to all off-street parking and loading required by this chapter.
(1) Lighting. Commercial, industrial and multiple family dwelling off-street parking and loading areas shall be sufficiently illuminated during hours of operation so as to protect the safety of properties, vehicle operators, and pedestrian passersby. Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be directed away from residential properties and public streets in such a way as not to create a nuisance.
(2) Screening and landscaping. All open automobile parking areas containing more than 4 parking spaces shall be effectively screened on each side adjoining or fronting on any property situated in a residence district. However, the Council upon recommendation of the Planning Commission may waive this requirement if the closest point of such parking area is at least 75 feet from the nearest residential property line. The screening and landscaping plan shall show plant materials, bed location, and other necessary information. Plans of such screen or fence shall be submitted for approval as a part of the required site or plot plan and such fence or landscaping shall be installed as a part of the initial construction.
(3) Construction and maintenance.
(a) All residential, commercial and industrial parking areas, driveways and access drives shall be surfaced with either a concrete or a bituminous surface. All parking lots in any zoning district designed to accommodate more than 6 vehicles, shall include B style curb and gutter. The city may approve an alternate curb and gutter style based on project-specific conditions. A drainage plan may be required for review by the Building Official. The owner of the property shall maintain all parking areas, driveways and access drives in a well-kept condition.
(b) After the date of adoption of this revised City Code, property owners who have existing unpaved parking areas or do not meet the minimum parking requirements shall have 3 years to comply with this section. Should a residential, commercial or industrial property not have sufficient size to accommodate additional parking, the property will be exempt from this section.
(4) Minimum size. Each off-street parking space shall contain a minimum area of not less than 250 square feet, including access drive, a width of not less-than 9 feet, and a depth of not less than 20 feet. Each space shall be adequately served by access drives. Each off-street loading space shall contain a minimum area of not less than 500 square feet.
(5) Yard and setback regulations. Off-street parking and loading facilities shall be subject to the front, side, rear, and transitional yard requirements for the district in which said uses are located. Access to said uses may be located in required yard areas except the same shall in no event be used as a parking or loading area.
(6) Access. Parking and loading space shall have proper access from a public right-of-way. The number and width of access drives shall be located to minimize traffic congestion and abnormal traffic hazard. In business districts, direct access shall be provided to a city street or to a related service road. Vehicular access to business or industrial uses across property in residential districts shall be prohibited. No dwelling shall hereafter be erected or altered unless there is direct access to it from a street or highway through an open space at least 20 feet wide. No building shall hereafter be erected or altered so as to close the present means of access or to diminish this means of access to a width less than 20 feet.
(7) Location. Required off-street parking and loading space shall be provided on the same zoning lot as the principal building or use generating said required space, except that the Council may upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, allow said space to be provided within 500 feet thereof.
(G) Table of off-street parking requirements.
Use | Spaces Required |
Use | Spaces Required |
Single family | 2 per dwelling unit |
Two family | 2 per dwelling unit |
Elderly housing | 0.5 per dwelling unit |
Multiple family | 2 per dwelling unit |
Mobile homes | 2 per dwelling unit |
Motel, hotel | 1.25 per dwelling unit |
Nursing home | 1 for each 4 beds plus 1 for each 3 employees on major shift |
Hospital | 1 for each 2 beds plus 1 for each employee on major shift |
Lodging house | 2 per each 3 occupants |
Use | Spaces Required |
Use | Spaces Required |
Churches | 1 for each 4 seats in the largest place of assembly |
Post secondary schools | 1 for each 4 seats in the largest place of assembly plus 1 for each 250 square feet of gross office area |
Other schools | 1 for each classroom plus 1 for each 250 square feet of gross office area |
Theater, hall | 1 for each 6 seats of the design capacity |
Public service buildings | 1 for each 200 square feet of service area (minimum 10) |
Professional offices | 1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area (minimum 6) |
Private recreation | 1 for each 500 square feet of gross floor area (minimum 20) |
Bowling alley | 5 for each bowling lane |
Skating rink, dance hall | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Golf driving range | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Restaurant, tavern | 1 for each 75 square feet of floor area |
Drive-in restaurant | 1 for each 20 square feet of floor area (minimum 20) |
Convenience store | 1 for each 200 square feet (minimum 15) |
Automobile service station | 4 plus 2 for each service stall (minimum 8) |
Shopping center | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Automobile car wash | 5 for each wash lane (minimum 10) |
Auto, marine, furniture sales | 1 for each 500 square feet of floor area (minimum 6) |
Retail, service stores | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area plus 1 for each employee on the major shift |
Research, testing station | 1 for each employee on the major shift |
Wholesale, manufacturing | 1 for each employee on the major shift plus 1 for each vehicle stored on the premises |
Storage, warehouse | 1 for each 2,000 square feet of floor area plus 1 for each vehicle stored on premises |
(H) Required loading areas. Loading and unloading areas for goods, supplies, and services shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of each use. All commercial and industrial uses proposed shall submit the necessary information with respect to the loading and unloading needs generated by the use.
(I) Joint parking. Provision of joint parking areas for several uses in the same block or in the same vicinity is permissible, in which case the number of stalls required shall be the sum total of the individual requirements, provided that where it is found by the Planning Commission and Council, upon application thereto, that the parking demand generated by the different uses included in any joint arrangement to provide parking stalls required herein occurs at distinctly different times. The Council upon recommendation of the Planning Commission may reduce the total number of parking stalls to be jointly provided.
(1975 Code, § 11.21) (Am. Ord. 8, 4th Series, passed 1-16-2007; Am. Ord. 86, 4th Series, passed 4-3-2017; Am. Ord. 160, 4th Series, passed 9-5-2023)