1. In all zoning districts in connection with every industrial, commercial, business, trade, institutional, recreational, or dwelling use, and similar uses, space for parking and storage of vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule.
Use | Parking Space Requirement |
Use | Parking Space Requirement |
Automobile sales and service garages | One (1) parking space for each three hundred (300) square footage of gross floor area and one (1) parking space for each person regularly employed on the premises during the maximum working shift. In addition, paved surface area for each automobile on display for sale shall be provided. |
Banks, business and professional offices | One (1) parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area up to five thousand (5,000) square feet and one (1) space for each two hundred and seventy-five (275) gross square feet of floor area thereafter, or one (1) parking space for each person regularly employed on the premises during the maximum working shift or the maximum number of employees on the premises during a change of shifts, whichever is greater. |
Bowling alley | Five (5) spaces for each alley and one (1) space for each four (4) spectator seats |
Churches | One (1) parking space for each three (3) seats (one {1}parking space for each fifty-four (54) inches of pew space) and one (1) parking space for each classroom. |
Dance halls, assembly halls | one (1) parking space for each one hundred (100) square feet of floor area devoted to patron use, or one (1) parking space for each four (4) seats of maximum seating capacity, whichever is greater. |
Day nursery schools and child care centers (including day nursery for elderly) | Five (5) parking spaces, or one (1) parking space for each five (5) maximum client capacity, whichever is greater, plus additional spaces necessary to accommodate the parking of vans and buses used for client transport by the school or center. |
Drive-thrus | All food and beverage service drive-thrus shall provide a minimum of 11 vehicle queuing spaces per drive-thru, 5 of which must be located ahead of the ordering station if separate from the pick-up window. All other drive-thru and pick-up windows shall have a minimum of 4 vehicle queuing spaces. Queuing spaces shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide and 20 feet long and must be located within any driveway or parking lot drive aisle and cannot block any designated parking spaces. |
Dwellings, residential | a. Single Family and Two Family Dwellings, and One and Two Family Dwellings – Rowhouse/Townhome, and mobile home parks - two (2) parking spaces for each dwelling unit, exclusive of private garages. b. Multi-Family Dwellings - two (2) parking spaces for each 1 to 2-bedroom dwelling unit and two and one-half (2.5) parking spaces for each 3 or greater bedroom dwelling unit. One (1) garage parking space may be counted as a parking space in fulfillment of the parking requirements. |
Funeral homes, mortuaries | Fifteen (15) parking spaces or one (1) parking space for each four (4) seats in the principal auditorium or four (4) parking spaces for each service or viewing room, whichever is greater. In addition, one (1) parking space for each two (2) persons regularly employed on the premises shall be provided. |
Furniture, appliance, and other retail stores displaying large and bulky merchandise | Five (5) parking spaces or one (1) parking space for each four hundred (400) square feet of patron floor area, whichever is greater. The City may require an additional open space area reserved to accommodate parking needed for a future change to another retail use. |
Gas stations, service stations, or convenience stores | Three (3) parking spaces, or one (1) parking space for each one hundred and seventy-five (175) gross square feet of floor area, whichever is greater. One vehicle stopping space for each fuel pump may be counted toward fulfillment of the minimum required parking, provided a minimum of three free-standing parking spaces are located on the site. |
Golf course | Six (6) parking spaces for each golf hole, one (1) parking space for each employee on the premises during the maximum shift, and fifty (50) percent of the parking spaces required for any accessory use (e.g., bars, restaurants) associated with the golf course. |
Golf driving range | One and one half (1½) parking spaces for each driving tee. |
Health and athletic fitness centers or clubs | Ten (10) parking spaces, plus one (1) parking space for each two hundred (200) gross square feet of floor area and swimming pool area in excess of one thousand (1,000) square feet of floor area, plus four (4) spaces for each tennis court, and fifty (50) percent of the parking spaces required for any accessory use (e.g., restaurant, retail store) associated with the center or club. |
Hospitals, sanitariums and nursing homes | One (1) parking space for each four (4) patient beds and one (1) parking space for each person regularly employed on the premises during the maximum working shift or change of shifts, whichever is greater, and one (1) space for each doctor. |
Hotels, motels, boarding houses | One (1) parking space for each guest room or suite of rooms offered for transient guest accommodations, one (1) parking space for each two (2) persons regularly employed on the premises during the maximum working shift, and one (1) parking space per one hundred (100) gross square feet of associated floor area used for accessory uses such as restaurant, tavern, night club, meeting rooms and convention facilities. |
Industrial or manufacturing plants | One and one-half (1-1/2) parking spaces for each two (2) employees on the maximum working shift; or one (1) parking space for each five hundred (500) square feet of gross floor area up to ten thousand (10,000) gross square feet devoted to manufacturing use, and then one (1) parking spaces for each seven hundred fifty (750) square feet devoted to manufacturing use thereafter; whichever is greater. |
Restaurants, taverns, night clubs or similar places dispensing food, drink or refreshments | One (1) parking space for each fifty (50) square feet of floor area devoted to patron use within the establishment. In addition, one (1) parking space must be provided for each person regularly employed or intended to be regularly employed on the premises during the maximum working shift. |
Retail stores, supermarkets, grocery, drug and sundry stores, department stores, etc | One (1) parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area up to two thousand (2,000) square feet, and one (1) parking space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area thereafter; provided, however, there shall not be fewer than five (5) parking spaces. |
Schools and other places of education or instruction | a. Elementary, junior high, middle school, or other places for under driving age students - one (1) parking space for each and every person regularly employed on the premises. In addition, one (1) parking space for each ten (10) student desks or classroom seating capacity.
b. High schools - one (1) parking space for each and every person regularly employed on the premises. In addition, one (1) parking space for each three (3) student desks or classroom seating facilities.
c. Colleges, trade schools and other places of learning - one (1) parking space for each and every person regularly employed on the premises. In addition, one (1) parking space for each three (3) student desks or classroom seating facilities.
d. Accessory sports arenas, stadiums, and auditoriums, etc. - whichever is greater of the parking space required by a, b, and c above or parking space requirements for sports arenas, stadiums, auditoriums, etc. on site, shall be provided. |
Shopping centers, multiple tenant shopping centers | One (1) parking space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area. If a multi-tenant shopping center is occupied by a tenant or tenants which collectively is determined to create a twenty percent (20%) or greater demand for parking by the shopping center in accordance with the schedule within this section, the required parking for said shopping center shall be calculated based upon the collective parking space requirements of all tenants based upon the schedule herein. |
Wholesale establishments or warehouses | One (1) space for each person regularly employed on the premises, and one (1) space for each two thousand (2,000) square feet of floor area. |
2. Change of Use. Any lot with a change of use upon its premise shall provide an adequate number of parking spaces required by the new use in accordance with the standards set forth within this chapter. For buildings which are designed to accommodate a use permitted in the zoning district which can create a greater demand for parking than the initial use of the property, additional open space can be required by the City Council to accommodate additional parking, if a change of use occurs.
3. Mixed Uses. For multiple use buildings and/or sites which are not multi-tenant retail shopping centers, space for parking and storage of vehicles shall be provided in accordance with parking requirements of each use.
4. Uses Not Listed Herein. In case the parking requirement of a building or use is not specifically mentioned herein, the parking space requirements for a use which is listed above and to which said use is similar, shall apply as determined by the Zoning Administrator. If no similar use is listed, the parking space requirements shall be determined based upon other available references or qualified sources of information to adequately determine parking demand.
5. Parking Area Dimensions. A parking stall reserved for the parking of automobiles shall have a dimension of not less than nine (9) feet in stall width and nineteen (19) feet in depth for 90º parking without front-end overhang over an open space area, plus such additional parking bay stall aisle width based on proven traffic engineering standards acceptable to the City of Norwalk and conforming to the minimum standards for parking lot dimensions set forth herein necessary to afford adequate ingress and egress. Where there is front end overhang over an open space area, the minimum stall depth for a parking space may be reduced two (2) feet. The following dimensions are minimum standards for the design of a parking lot for parking stalls without an overhang over an open space area:
Parking Lot Dimensions – Minimum Standards | |||
A | B | C | |
Angle of Parking | Stall Width | Parking Bay Stall Depth | Aisle Minimum Widths (One-Way Traffic) |
Parallel | 23 feet | 10 feet | 12 feet |
30º | 9 feet | 18 feet | 12 feet |
45º | 9 feet | 20 feet | 13 feet |
60º | 9 feet | 21 feet | 18 feet |
75º | 9 feet | 21 feet | 22 feet |
90º | 9 feet | 19 feet | 24 feet |
Two-Way Traffic Parking Bay Aisles and Access Roadways. All two-way traffic parking bay aisles and access roadways shall have a minimum 24' width.
Note: The stall depth is the distance perpendicular to the parking bay aisle from the edge of the aisle to the most distant point of the parking stall, and stall width is the distance between the parking stall lines measured perpendicular to the lines.
6. Performance Standards. Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public or private off-street parking area shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:
A. Setback Requirements. No part of any parking space shall be closer than fifteen (15) feet to any established public street right-of-way or public street easement, except as hereinafter required for the following uses and zoned districts, and as shall be necessary to provide adequate landscaped screening as required by Paragraph D below:
(1) Single family and townhouse residences. Parking on driveways for single family and townhouse residences shall not encroach into the public street right-of-way.
(2) In the PC and IC Zoning Districts: twenty (20) feet.
Greater setbacks for off-street parking lots from public street right-of-ways may be required by the City for parking lots fronting planned arterial streets and collector streets which are proposed to be widened in the future. No part of any parking space shall be closer than eight (8) feet to an established alley line or five (5) feet from an adjoining lot line, unless the parking space adjoining a lot line is part of a common parking lot of joint usage between adjoining lots or within the driveway of a single family residence. Parking on driveways in all zoned districts shall not be permitted within the public street right-of-way or across public sidewalks. Driveways and associated off-street parking areas for single family residences shall not be located closer than one (1) foot from an adjoining residential lot line, unless such driveway is of joint usage by adjoining residential lot owners. Driveway approach returns shall not extend beyond the side lot line as extended, unless such driveway is of joint usage by the adjoining lots.
B. Surfacing Requirements. All off-street parking areas, loading areas, driveways, and access roadways shall have a durable and dustless surface paved with asphaltic or Portland cement concrete pavement in accordance with the latest published version of the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS), with the following exception:
Lots over 3 acres in size that are designated in the A-R, Agricultural Reserve District, shall be allowed granular surface driveways and access roadways that are designed in accordance with the latest published version of SUDAS.
The City may grant special use of other hard surface materials for off-street parking areas, loading areas, driveways, and access roadways provided that the materials are reviewed by City staff for durability and suitability and that the alternative material is approved for use by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. In all zoning districts, off-street parking of automobiles, vans, construction equipment, and any other mobile vehicles equipped for street and highway travel shall be on an asphaltic or Portland cement concrete paved off-street parking area as required herein and not parked or stored within the landscaped open space area of the front yard between the building and public street right-of-way, except however, the storage of a recreational vehicle, a camper, and boat within the rear yard upon an unpaved area shall be permitted. Paved driveways and any associated off-street parking areas within the front yard of a single-family detached residence shall not occupy greater than fifty (50) percent of the area between the building setback line and public right-of-way, and shall not provide greater than one (1) parking space in addition to that provided in the traveled portion of the driveway. Driveways shall not be greater than 20 feet in width between the public street roadway and a point on private property which is setback five (5) feet from the street right-of-way. Driveways shall be so graded and drained to dispose of the surface water to the street or public designated storm water drainage easements or facilities. Parking a vehicle in violation of this Section shall constitute a nuisance and the specific fine for violation of this Section is contained in Chapter 177 Rates and Fees.
(Ord. 22-30 – Dec. 22 Supp.)
C. Lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking or loading area shall be so arranged as to divert the light away from adjoining residential uses or premises, and away from the traveled roadway of public streets.
D. Landscaping, Screening and Open Space Requirements. It is desired that all parking areas be aesthetically improved to reduce obtrusive characteristics which are inherent to their use. Therefore, wherever practical and except for single family detached and townhouse style residential parking in driveways, all new parking areas shall be screened as practical from public street view by incorporating natural landscape and topography with the introduction of permanent earth berming of an adequate height, and additional landscape plantings to accomplish this desire. In any case, all parking areas shall include landscape areas and islands within the boundaries of the paved parking area equal to not less than five (5) percent of the total paved area. Landscaped islands within the parking area shall have ground cover of grass (i.e. sod), shrubs, or other acceptable plant life, unless an alternate ground cover is specifically approved as part of the site plan review by the City. Landscape islands within the parking area shall not be less than a minimum of eight (8) feet in width from back of curb to back of curb, and a minimum area of two hundred fifty (250) square feet, and no parking space shall be greater than seventy-five (75) feet from a landscaped open space. Parking spaces shall be separated from any adjoining roadway, except the roadway or parking bay aisle providing direct access to the parking space, by a landscaped island or elevated separation (i.e. sidewalk) of a minimum of nine (9) feet in width.
E. Off-Street Parking Access to Public Streets and Internal Traffic Circulation. Off-street parking or loading facilities shall be designed so as to permit entrance and exit by forward movement of the vehicle for all uses, except single-family detached or townhouse dwellings which shall be permitted backward movement from a driveway. The backing or backward movement of vehicles from a driveway, off-street parking or loading area onto a major thoroughfare, including all thoroughfares designated as arterial streets or major collector streets on the Major Streets Plan shall be strictly prohibited for all uses. The number of ingress/egress access points to public streets from off-street parking areas shall be approved by the City and located to limit vehicular conflicts, provide acceptable location of driveway accesses to public streets, preserve proper traffic safety and, as possible, not impair movement of vehicular traffic on public streets. The permitted number of ingress/egress driveway approaches to public streets for an off-street parking lot shall be dependent upon the projected future average daily traffic (ADT) for the public street. As possible, public street accesses shall be located in alignment with driveway approaches gaining access to the same public street from property on the opposite side of the street. The design of off-street parking and loading facilities shall provide traffic circulation for the internal forward movement of traffic within the parking lot, so designed, limiting any impairment of vehicular movement on public streets, or backing of vehicles from an off-street parking or loading area to a public street. Single-family residential lots shall be permitted one (1) driveway approach for ingress and egress for each increment of one hundred (100) feet of frontage per street. Landscaped separations between ingress and egress lanes for driveway approaches serving single-family detached residences shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.
F. Handicap Accessible Parking Requirements. Provision of handicapped parking spaces within off-street parking areas shall be in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations, properly identified with signage and provided with accessible ramps and walks in accordance with federal and state regulations and comply with the following parking space minimum requirements:
Total Parking in Lot | Required Minimum Number of Handicap Spaces |
Total Parking in Lot | Required Minimum Number of Handicap Spaces |
1 to 25 | 1 |
26 to 50 | 2 |
51 to 75 | 3 |
76 to 100 | 4 |
101 to 150 | 5 |
151 to 200 | 6 |
201 to 300 | 7 |
301 to 400 | 8 |
401 to 500 | 9 |
501 to 1,000 | 2 percent of total |
1,001 and over | 20 plus 1 for each 100 spots over 1,000 |
Access space or aisle adjacent to a handicap accessible parking space shall be a minimum five (5) feet wide. One in every eight handicap accessible spaces, but not less than one shall be served by an access space or aisle eight (8) feet wide minimum and shall be designated “van accessible.”
G. Satellite Parking Areas. Satellite parking areas shall not be permitted except by special use permit.