(a) Application for Building Permits. An application for a building permit for a new or enlarged building, structure or use shall include therewith a plot plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing any parking or loading facilities to be provided in compliance with this Zoning Code.
(b) Application of Requirements. Off-street parking and loading requirements of this chapter apply as follows:
(1) All buildings and structures erected or enlarged and land uses initiated after the effective date of this Zoning Code shall provide accessory off-street parking or loading facilities as required by this chapter for the use thereof.
(2) When a building or structure erected or enlarged prior to or after the effective date of this Zoning Code undergoes a decrease in the number of dwelling units, the gross floor area, the seating capacity, the number of employees or another unit of measurement specified in this chapter for required parking or loading facilities, and when such decreases would result in a requirement for fewer total parking or loading spaces through application of this chapter, parking and loading facilities may be reduced accordingly. However, existing parking or loading facilities shall be so decreased only when the facilities remaining will at least equal or exceed the parking or loading requirements resulting from application of this Zoning Code to the entire building or structure as modified.
(3) When a building or structure undergoes an increase in the number of dwelling units, the gross floor area, the seating capacity or another unit of measurement specified in this chapter for required parking or loading facilities, and when such increase would result in a requirement for additional total parking or loading spaces through application of this Zoning Code, parking and loading facilities may be increased accordingly. However, existing parking or loading facilities shall be increased so that the facilities will at least equal or exceed the parking or loading requirements resulting from application of this Zoning Code to the entire building or structure as modified.
(c) Existing Parking and Loading Spaces. Accessory off-street parking and loading spaces in existence on the effective date of this Zoning Code may not be reduced in number unless they already exceed the requirements of this chapter for equivalent new construction. In this event, the spaces shall not be reduced below the number required by this chapter for such equivalent new construction.
(d) Service of Existing Uses of Land or Buildings. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the establishment of off-street automobile parking or loading facilities to serve any existing use of land or buildings, subject to full compliance with this chapter, except that off-street parking areas accessory to existing multifamily structures cannot be located off the premises containing the principal use, unless on a lot adjacent thereto, without special authorization from Council.
(e) Damage or Destruction of Buildings and Uses. A building, structure or use which is in existence and is a conforming use on the effective date of this Zoning Code and which is subsequently damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause, may be reconstructed, re-established or repaired, with or without off-street parking or loading facilities, except that parking or loading facilities equivalent to any maintained at the time of such damage or destruction shall be restored or continued in operation. However, it is not necessary to restore or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of those required by this Zoning Code for equivalent new construction.