(A) Required number. Off-street parking space (either garage or properly graded open space) shall be provided in accordance with § 157.151. In cases where different parking and/or loading requirements are specified in § 157.135, Provisions for Special Uses, those ratios shall have precedence over the parking requirements specified in this section.
(B) Parking, stacking and loading space required. If a change in use causes an increase in the required number of off-street parking, stacking or loading spaces, such additional spaces shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; except that if the change in use would require an increase of less than 5% in the required number of parking spaces, no additional off-street parking shall be required. If existing land uses are converted to another type of land use or re-classified by this chapter, then the off-street ratios as contained herein must be complied with.
(C) Parking compliance and certificate of occupancy. The certificate of occupancy/compliance for the use of any building, structure or land where off-street parking or loading space is required shall be withheld by the Pasquotank County Building Inspector until provisions of this section are fully met. If at any time such compliance ceases, any certificate of occupancy/ compliance which shall have been issued for the use of the property shall immediately become void and of no effect.
(D) Handicapped spaces. Spaces for the physically handicapped shall be provided as required by the NC Building Code.
(E) Maintenance. All parking, stacking, and loading facilities shall be permanently maintained by the owners or occupants as long as the use they serve exists.
(F) Access. All parking, stacking and loading facilities shall have vehicular access to a public street or approved private street. Where parking or loading areas are provided adjacent to a public street, ingress or egress thereto shall be made only through driveways or openings not exceeding 25 feet in width at the curb line of said street, except where the Administrator or Enforcement Officer finds that a greater width is necessary to accommodate the vehicles customarily using the driveway. Upon the recommendation of the Technical Review Committee, driveways shall not be closer than 100 feet to an existing intersection.
(G) Number of parking spaces and stacking spaces required.
(1) The minimum number of required off-street parking and stacking spaces is indicated in § 157.151.
(2) Whenever the number of parking spaces required by § 157.151 results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction of one-half or less may be disregarded while a fraction in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space.
(3) For any use not specifically listed in § 157.151, the parking and stacking requirements shall be those of the most similar listed use, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(4) The parking spaces required by this chapter may not be used for any purpose other than parking.
(5) Sales, storage, repair, dismantling and service of motor vehicles shall not be permitted within required parking areas, including parking spaces and drive aisles.
(6) Lots containing more than one use must provide parking and loading areas in an amount equal to the total of the requirements for all uses.
(H) Design standards for parking, stacking and loading areas.
(1) Parking facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to:
(a) Allow unobstructed movement into and out of each parking space without interfering with fixed objects or vehicles;
(b) Minimize delay and interference with traffic on public streets and access drives;
(c) Maximize sight distances from parking lot exits and access drives; and
(d) Allow off-street parking spaces in parking lots to have access from parking lot driveways and not directly from streets. No parking, other than those used for residential uses, shall be provided that would necessitate an automobile backing onto any street right-of-way.
(e) Minimize the impact on drainage facilities. No parking space or loading area shall be located within a drainage easement. Driveways may be located across drainage easements where needed to provide access to a right-of-way.
(2) Dimensional requirements.
(a) Parking space dimensions shall be a minimum of ten feet by 20 feet.
(b) Drive aisles shall be a minimum of 12 feet for one-way traffic and 24 feet for two-way traffic.
(c) Stacking spaces shall be 12 feet by 20 feet.
(3) Improvements.
(a) Paving.
1. Required parking spaces, access drives, and loading areas shall be graded, paved and maintained with concrete, asphalt, or similar material of sufficient thickness and consistency to support anticipated traffic volumes and weights. However, upon the approval of the TRC, access drives, and loading areas may be surface with either a permeable (turf block) or semi-permeable gravel, cobble stone or a semi-permeable tar/gravel mixture) material. Such materials shall provide a durable and dustless surface, minimize runoff, and dispose of accumulated water.
a. Where permeable or semi-permeable materials are used, a retaining border, such as concrete curbing or other suitable material, shall be provided around parking lot area edges to aid in stabilizing the surface material.
b. Parking lots shall not drain onto adjacent property except in approved stormwater retention facilities or drainage easements.
2. Paved aprons for access drives shall be installed and maintained from the right-of-way to a point at least ten feet beyond the right-of-way line for all parking and loading facilities, whether paved or unpaved.
3. Paving shall not be required for the following uses provided they are constructed with a permeable (turf block) or semi-permeable(gravel, cobble stone or a semi-permeable tar/gravel mixture) surface:
a. Parking facilities used on an irregular basis for churches, private clubs or other similar nonprofit organizations.
b. Parking facilities for residential uses where six or fewer spaces are required.
c. Parking areas in the I-1 and I-2, Industrial Districts.
d. Parking areas for tracked heavy construction equipment, skid-mounted equipment.
e. Parking areas for agricultural uses in the A-1 or A-2, Agricultural Zoning Districts.
4. Where parking facilities are paved, curb and gutter or an equivalent drainage system shall be provided along the periphery of the parking lot, except where it is determined by the TRC that such system is not practical for storm drainage purposes. Where gravel parking lots are permitted, cross ties shall be provided around the perimeter of the parking lot.
5. All parking facilities shall be graded, properly drained, stabilized, and maintained to minimize dust and erosion.
6. All parking spaces and stacking lanes shall be clearly identified with paint lines, bumper guards, curbs, or similar treatment.
7. All parking spaces shall be provided with wheel guards or curbs located so that no part of the parked vehicle will extend beyond the property line or encroach more than two feet into a required planting area.
8. Concrete pads for stationary refuse containers shall be provided beneath and in the approach to each container.
9. Parking lots shall be designed and constructed such that walkways shall maintain a minimum unobstructed width of four feet (vehicle encroachment is calculated as two feet beyond curb).
(I) Off-site parking. When required off-street parking is permitted to be located off-site, it shall begin within 200 feet of the lot containing the principal use.
(J) Combined parking.
(1) Separate uses. The required parking for separate or mixed uses may be combined in one facility.
(2) Shared parking. A maximum of 50% of the parking spaces required for a church, theatre, auditorium or assembly hall or other similar use may also serve as required spaces for another use located on the same lot. Shared spaces may also be located off-site as allowed in this section. In either case, the Zoning Administrator must determine that the various activities will have peak parking demand at different periods of the day or week. Otherwise, no off-street parking required for one building or use shall be applied toward the requirements of any other building or use.
(3) Reassignment. Required off-street parking spaces shall not be leased or otherwise assigned to another use except as provided in division (2) above.
(K) Loading areas.
(1) Location. Off-street loading areas shall be located on lots with the same zoning classification as the use they serve.
(2) Design standards.
(a) Minimum number of loading spaces required.
1. Retail operations, including restaurant and dining facilities within hotels and office buildings:
Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.)
|
Number of Spaces
|
Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.)
|
Number of Spaces
|
0 - 10,000 | 0 |
10,001 - 40,000 | 1 |
40,001 - 100,000 | 2 |
100,001 - 160,000 | 3 |
160,001 - 240,000 | 4 |
240,001 - 320,000 | 5 |
320,001 - 400,000 | 6 |
For each additional 90,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof | 1 |
2. Office buildings and hotels.
Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.) | Number of Spaces |
0 - 20,000 | 0 |
20,001 - 40,000 | 1 |
40,001 - 75,000 | 2 |
75,001 - 150,000 | 3 |
150,001 - 250,000 | 4 |
For each additional 250,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof | 1 |
3. Industrial and wholesale operations.
Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.) | Number of Spaces |
0 - 100,000 | 0 |
For each 100,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof | 1 |
(b) Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet wide, 65 feet long, and 14 feet in clearance. Loading areas shall be improved in accordance with the requirements of § 157.150(H)(3).
(c) All off-street loading areas shall be arranged and marked to provide for orderly and safe unloading and loading, and shall not hinder the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians. All loading and unloading maneuvers shall take place on private property. No backing in from a street or maneuvering on the street right-of-way shall be permitted.
(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)