A. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. In the case of mixed occupancies or uses, the Zoning Administrator shall compute separately the requirements as set forth in this section, for each occupancy or use, and then add the requirements of the individual occupancies or uses to obtain the total parking requirements.
(1) Sexually oriented business or massage parlor: one parking space for every 30 square feet of building floor area that is accessible to customers.
(2) Auto repair and other service establishments: parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of the business plus one parking space for each 1 1/2 employees.
(3) Banks and fiduciary institutions: one space for each 300 square feet of net customer area and one space for each two employees.
(4) Bed-and-breakfast facilities: one space for each guest rental unit plus two additional parking spaces.
(5) Bingo halls: one space for each three permitted seats, based upon legal limits established by the State Fire Code.
(6) Boardinghouse: one space for every two occupants age 18 or older that the building is designed to house.
(7) Bowling alleys: two spaces for each bowling lane, plus spaces for other on-site uses.
(8) Clubs, lodges, social buildings: one space for each three permitted seats, based upon legal limits established by the Fire Code.
(9) Child day-care center or adult day-care center: one parking space for every 12 persons cared for, with these spaces designed for safe and convenient dropoff and pickup, plus one additional parking space for every two employees. [Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]
(10) Fire and ambulance stations: one space for each employee on the largest working shift, in addition to any spaces reserved for City-owned vehicles and apparatus. An additional 20% shall be provided for visitors.
(11) Fire and rescue service operations (other than fire stations): off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of at least one space for every four classroom seats. When located in the Municipal Use District, a common parking area may be delineated.
(12) Funeral homes: one space for each 50 square feet of floor area of the largest viewing room.
(13) Gas station: parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of the business plus four spaces for each vehicle service bay and one space for every 1 1/2 persons employed on the premises at maximum employment on a single shift.
(14) Group or family day-care home: parking for the dwelling unit (unless no parking exists on the lot for an existing dwelling unit) plus one parking space for each nonresident employee. [Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]
(15) Hospitals and similar uses: one space per one and two-tenths employee computed on the basis of the estimated maximum number of employees at any one time and one space for every four beds.
(16) Housing for persons 62 years and older and/or persons with disabilities: one space for every two employees, plus 1 1/2 spaces for every 10 dwelling units.
(17) Laundromats: one space for every three washing machines.
(18) Law enforcement operations: off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of at least one space for every four classroom seats/shooting lanes. When located in the Municipal Use District, a common parking area may be delineated.
(19) Libraries, museums, visitor centers, post offices, civic centers and similar establishments: parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in the operation of such establishment plus four parking spaces for the first 1,000 square feet of total floor area and one additional space for every 250 square feet of floor area.
(20) Manufacturing and industrial establishments: one space for each one and two-tenths employees of the maximum working shift.
(21) Motor vehicle sales and repair: one space for each 250 square feet of building floor area and one space for each service bay.
(22) Motels and hotels: one space per rental unit and an additional one space for each two employees.
(23) Nursing home or life-care retirement facility: one off-street parking space shall be provided per employee computed on the basis of the estimated maximum number of employees at any one time, plus one space for every three patient/client beds.
(24) Offices: one space for each 200 square feet of floor area.
(25) Parking garages, in addition to that provided for parking of customer vehicles: one space for each employee on the maximum work shift.
(26) Places of public assembly, such as auditoriums, arenas, stadiums, theaters:
(a) With fixed seating: one space for every four seats.
(b) Without fixed seating: one space for every four persons who may legally be admitted to the largest room at one time under fire prevention laws.
(27) Places of worship and similar establishments: one space for each four seats or one space for every 10 linear feet of pews.
(28) Public (municipal) buildings: one space for each 200 square feet of total floor area.
(29) Recreation facilities:
(a) Indoor: one space for each 100 square feet of net floor area or one space for each four persons using the facility at the projected peak hour of use.
(b) Outdoor parks, playgrounds, playing fields, and game courts: one space for each 5,000 square feet of outdoor recreation area.
(30) Residential care facility: one off-street parking space shall be provided per employee computed on the basis of the estimated maximum number of employees at any one time, plus one space for every four patient/client beds.
(31) Residential uses:
(a) Conversions: 1 1/2 spaces for each dwelling unit.
(b) Attached dwellings: 1 1/2 spaces for each dwelling unit.
(c) Detached dwellings: two spaces for each dwelling unit.
(d) Multifamily dwellings: 1 1/2 spaces for each dwelling unit.
(32) Restaurants, taverns and nightclubs: one space for each four seats permitted and one space per two employees. All restaurants shall provide an absolute minimum of five spaces. [Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]
(33) Retail stores (except shopping centers): one space for each 250 square feet of floor area. The Zoning Administrator may reduce off-street parking spaces to one space per 500 square feet for neighborhood-oriented retail uses. For retail sales areas of furniture, lumber, carpeting, bedding or floor coverings, only one space per 800 square feet of floor area shall be required.
(34) Schools, primary or secondary:
(a) Elementary, middle, and junior high schools: one space per one and two-tenths employees, and adequate space for buses and deliveries.
(b) High schools and all other types of educational/vocational institutions: one space per one and two-tenths employees, plus one space for every 10 classroom seats designed for students 16 years and older, and adequate space for buses and deliveries.
(35) Shopping center: one space for each 250 square feet of floor area accessible to customers.
(36) Student home:
(a) R-1A and R-1: one space per every occupant which would be permitted to reside in the dwelling up to a maximum of three, plus one additional, subject to the provisions of Part 12.
(b) R-2: one space per every occupant which would be permitted to reside in the dwelling up to a maximum of three, plus one additional, subject to the provisions of Part 12.
(37) Recycling operations: off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of at least one space per employee, if any. Rather, a minimum of two loading spaces, exclusive of driveways and sized according to the largest vehicles permitted, shall be provided for every container placed. When located in the Municipal Use District, a common parking area may be delineated.
(38) Swim clubs: one space per each 400 square feet of water surface.
(39) Trade, vocational or hobby schools: one space per two students age 16 or older on premises during peak times plus one space per 1 1/2 employees.
(40) Treatment center: one space per two residents age 16 or older plus one space per nonresident intended to be treatment at peak times, plus one space per 1 1/2 employees.
(41) Universities and colleges: one parking space for every two persons employed at peak periods at the institution, plus one space for each five nonresident students on the premises at peak times, plus parking for on-campus housing, plus additional space as required by this parking schedule because of any supplementary parking generating activities at the institution. The City may approve the use of off-site parking if the institution provides a regular shuttle service.
(a) Dormitories of a college or university: one space for every three beds, provided that the required number of off-street parking spaces for the dormitory may be located on a separate lot within 500 feet of the building entrance, subject otherwise to the requirements of Section 600-1603-I-(1).
(b) Other dormitories, residence halls, fraternities, sororities: one space for every two beds.
(c) Subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall not apply to dormitories which are located on a college or university campus, and which exclusively house students who are prohibited by the college or university from owning or parking a vehicle on campus. [Amended 3-23-2020 by Ord. No. 32-2020]
(42) Wholesale establishments or warehouses: one space for each one and two-tenths employee of a maximum working shift.
(43) Wastewater treatment operations: off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of at least one space per full-time employee on the largest shift, plus 10% for visitors, inspectors, shift change flexibility, et cetera. When located in the Municipal Use District, a common parking area may be delineated.
B. When a computation of the number of required spaces results in a fraction, such fraction shall be resolved to the next highest whole number.
C. The collective provision for off-street parking by two or more buildings or uses located on adjacent industrial or commercial lots is permitted, provided there is a written agreement between the property owners and that the total number of spaces shall not be less than the sum required when computed separately, except as approved below.
D. For the purposes of this chapter, the number of employees of a use shall be based on the estimated maximum daily or maximum eight-hour shift requirements in a twenty-four-hour period.
E. Structures and uses in existence at the date of adoption of this chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this Part so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed, and provided that any parking facility now serving such structures or uses shall not in the future be reduced below such requirements.
F. Change in requirements and modifications to parking requirements. Whenever there is an alteration of a structure or a change or extension of a use which increases the parking requirements according to the standards of this Part, the total additional parking required for the alteration, change or extension shall be provided within 120 days.
(1) If a nonresidential use expands by an aggregate total maximum of 5% in the applicable measurement (such as building floor area) beyond what existed at the time of adoption of this chapter, then no additional parking is required. For example, if an existing building included 3,000 square feet, and a single minor addition of 150 square feet was proposed, then additional parking would not be required. This addition without providing new parking shall only be allowed one time per lot.
(2) As a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board is authorized to approve modifications to the off-street parking requirements for a lot if the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Hearing Board that such modifications are necessary to allow appropriate adaptive reuse of an existing principal nonresidential building into a new approved use.
(3) Reduction of parking requirements.
(a) Purposes. To minimize the amount of land covered by paving, while making sure adequate parking is provided. To recognize that unique circumstances may justify a reduction in parking.
(b) As a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board may authorize a reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces required to be provided for a use, provided that the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the proposal would not substantially increase traffic congestion along a street, create a traffic safety hazard, or otherwise negatively impact public health or safety. The Zoning Administrator may require that the applicant shall submit a parking and traffic management plan to the Planning Commission for review and comment prior to making an application for such relief to the Zoning Hearing Board. The Zoning Hearing Board shall consider the recommendations and findings of the Planning Commission, if any, before granting a reduction in off-street parking requirements. [Amended 3-23-2020 by Ord. No. 31-2020]
(c) The applicant shall provide evidence justifying the proposed reduced number of spaces, such as studies of similar developments during their peak hours. The applicant shall also provide relevant data, such as numbers of employers, peak excepted number of customers/visitors and similar data.
(d) As part of its parking and traffic management plan, the applicant may provide evidence that parking needs will be reduced or that off-site parking is feasible because the applicant agrees to make a long-term commitment to a shuttle service for residents or employees and/or to subsidize the use of public transit for employees. Such plan shall include sufficient information about the hours and days of operation of transportation services, location of shuttle/bus stops, location of satellite parking areas, emergency ride provisions, and any other information necessary for the Board to determine whether the traffic and parking demands of the proposal would substantially increase traffic congestion along a street, create a traffic safety hazard, or otherwise negatively impact public health or safety. [Amended 3-23-2020 by Ord. No. 31-2020]
(e) Reserved area for additional parking. Under this section, the Zoning Hearing Board may require that a portion of the required parking be met through a reservation of an area for future parking. The Board may require the reservation for a certain number of years or an indefinite period corresponding to the years the buildings are in use.
[1] Such reservation shall be in a form acceptable to the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor that legally binds current and future owners of the land to keep the reserved parking area in open space and then to provide the additional parking if the City determines it is necessary. A deed restriction is recommended.
[2] If approved under this Subsection F(3)(e), the applicant shall present a site plan to the Zoning Administrator that shows the layout that will be used for the additional parking if the parking is required to be provided in the future. The site plan shall show that the additional parking is integrated with the overall traffic access and pedestrian access for the site, and that the additional parking will be able to meet City requirements.
[3] The additional parking that is "reserved" under this subsection shall be required to be kept as landscaped open area, until such time as the Zoning Hearing Board decision may authorize the land's release from the restriction, or until the City may require that the land be developed as parking.
[4] The Zoning Administrator shall periodically review the sufficiency of the parking that is provided. If the Zoning Administrator in the future determines that the reserved parking is needed to meet actual demand, he/ she shall provide written notice to the property owner. The property owner shall then have one year to develop the reserved area into off-street parking in compliance with this chapter.
G. Conflict with other uses. No parking area shall be used for any use that interferes with its availability for the parking need it is required to serve.
H. Joint use.
(1) Two or more uses may provide for required parking in a common parking lot if the total space provided is not less than the sum of the spaces required for each use individually. If a parking area includes principal nonresidential use(s) that all are routinely are not occupied outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and dwelling units, and all of the spaces are shared among all of the uses, then the total number of required off-street parking may be reduced by 20%.
(2) The number of spaces required in a shared parking facility may be also be reduced below the total required by approval by the Planning Commission if it can be demonstrated to the Commission that the hours or days of peak parking needed for the various uses are so different that a lower total will provide adequately for all uses served by the facility.
I. Location of parking spaces. Required off-street parking spaces shall be on the same lot or premises with the principal use served, except as follows:
(1) Required off-street parking spaces may be on a separate lot from the use served by the parking if the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator that a method of providing the spaces is guaranteed to be available during all of the years the use is in operation and will be within 300 feet walking distance from the entrance of the principal use being served. Such distance may be increased to 500 feet for employee parking of a nonresidential use. A written and signed lease shall be provided, if applicable. For customer parking, a sign shall direct persons to the parking spaces. The zoning permit shall be conditioned upon the continued availability of the parking, unless the applicant provides evidence of suitable replacement parking.
J. Parking for persons with disabilities/handicapped parking.
(1) Number of spaces. See requirements under the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act for parking for persons with disabilities. The following is a summary of some of the relevant requirements in effect as of the enactment of this chapter:
Total No. of Parking Spaces on the Lot | Required Minimum No./Percent of ADA-Accessible Parking Spaces |
Total No. of Parking Spaces on the Lot | Required Minimum No./Percent of ADA-Accessible Parking Spaces |
1 to 25 | 1 van-accessible |
26 to 50 | 2, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
51 to 75 | 3, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
76 to 100 | 4, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
101 to 150 | 5, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
151 to 200 | 6, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
201 to 300 | 7, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
301 to 400 | 8, 1 of which must be van-accessible |
401 to 500 | 9, 2 of which must be van-accessible |
501 to 1,000 | 2% of total number of spaces, 1/8 of which must be van- accessible |
1,001 or more | 20 plus 1% of spaces for each 100 over 1,000 spaces, 1/8 of which must be van-accessible |
(2) Location. Handicapped parking spaces shall be located where they would result in the shortest reasonable accessible distance to a handicapped-accessible building entrance. Curb cuts shall be provided as needed to provide access from the handicapped spaces.
(3) Minimum size and slope. See requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act regulations.
(4) Marking. All required handicapped spaces shall be well-marked in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Such signs and/or markings shall be maintained over time.
(5) Paving. Handicapped parking spaces and adjacent areas needed to access them with a wheelchair shall be covered with a smooth surface that is usable with a wheelchair.
K. Bicycle parking. If a use will involve a new principal nonresidential building of 3,000 or more square feet of building floor area or a lot will include 10 or more new multifamily/ apartment dwelling units, then at least one bicycle hitch, rack or locker shall be required. The current landowner shall be responsible to ensure that the hitch, rack or locker continues to be available and is well-maintained and is replaced if damaged or removed. For dwelling units, such facilities may be limited to use by residents. For a commercial use, at least one hitch, rack or locker shall be designed for use by the general public. If the hitch, rack or locker is within a street right-of-way, a City encroachment permit shall be required.
L. Parking of trucks, trailers and recreational vehicles. See Chapter 564, § 564-105, of the Code of the City of Reading. [Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]