The following standards apply to all new or expanded drive-thrus, and the addition of drive-thru facilities on existing properties:
(a) Drive-thrus may not be located within 100 feet of a district that allows single-family dwellings.
(b) If within 200 feet of a district that allows single-family residential dwellings, drive-thrus may not operate between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
(c) The entire drive-thru lane, including stacking areas, must be paved with concrete.
(d) Drive-thru stacking space requirements are intended to provide for queuing of vehicles in line for drive-thru services provided by an establishment where drive-thrus are permitted in this Code.
(e) Stacking spaces are measured in 20 foot increments to provide for adequate space between vehicles and to ensure that queuing vehicles are not spilling into public rights-of-way or easements and causing congestion therein. All queuing vehicles at all times shall be located on the lot on which the drive-thru services are being provided and shall not interfere with on-site parking or circulation.
(f) The following table provides the required minimum number of vehicle stacking spaces that must be provided behind the menu board, if applicable and based on the number of pick-up/service windows following the menu board, or a pick-up/service window/opening if no menu board is in use:
Drive-Thru Configuration | Minimum Number of Vehicle Stacking Spaces |
Before Menu Board Ahead of One Pick-Up/Service Window (if applicable) | 5 |
Before Menu Board Ahead of Two Pick-Up/Service Windows (if applicable) | 6 |
Before Pick-Up/Service Window/Opening (if no menu board) | 4 |
Table 5: Vehicle stacking spaces regulations.
(g) Drive-thru stacking lanes shall adhere to the following standards:
(1) All stacking spaces must have a minimum width of ten feet along straight segments, 12 feet along curved segments, and the stacking space length must be a minimum of 20 feet.
(2) Drive-thru lanes must be separated by striping and may not interfere with off- street parking or the lanes utilized for maneuvering in and out of off-street parking spaces.
(3) Establishments with drive-thrus must provide a by-pass lane whereby vehicles may circulate around drive-thru lanes.
(4) There must be one trash receptacle provided per drive-thru lane.
(5) Pedestrian walkways shall be clearly visible and be emphasized by enhanced paving or markings where they intersect drive-in or drive-thru aisles.
(6) The following regulations shall apply to menu boards and directional signage within drive-thru facilities:
A. A maximum of two menu boards per drive-thru aisle are permitted.
B. Associated directional signage that gives directions to vehicles through the parking lot and drive-thru is permitted and may not be used for advertising purposes.
C. Drive-thru directional signs may not be larger than five square feet and internally illuminated only.
D. Menu boards may internally illuminate for the sole purpose of lighting menu writing or graphics and may not flash or have any visible bulbs or LED lighting. External lighting is prohibited.
E. All menu boards must be oriented toward the drive-thru aisle that it is serving.
F. Drive-thru speakers shall not emit more than 50 decibels and shall not be audible above ambient noise from adjacent properties.
G. Drive-thru speakers shall not be used for outdoor music.
(Ord. A-3075. Passed 1-24-22.)