Off-street parking and loading regulations in this article shall apply to all buildings and uses of land established after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 12; Code 1997, § 74-1041)

Each off-street parking space shall contain a minimum area of not less than three hundred (300) square feet, including access drives, a width of not less than eight and one-half (8½) feet and a depth of not less than twenty (20) feet. Each space shall be adequately served by access drives. All loading spaces shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of each use and shall provide adequate space for storage and maneuvering of the vehicles it is designed to serve.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 1; Code 1997, § 74-1042)

Off-street parking facilities existing at the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall not subsequently be reduced to an amount less than that required under this chapter for a similar new building or use. Off-street parking facilities provided to comply with this article shall not subsequently be reduced below the requirements of this article. Such required parking or loading space shall not be used for storage of goods or for storage of vehicles that are inoperable or for sale or rent.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 2; Code 1997, § 74-1043)

In computing the number of off-street parking spaces required, the following rules shall govern:

(1)

Floor space shall mean the gross floor area of the specific use.

(2)

Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the nearest whole number.

(3)

For uses not specifically listed in this chapter, uses for which a specific number of spaces have not been defined or for joint parking facilities serving two (2) or more different uses, the planning commission shall determine the number of spaces to be required by utilizing the requirements of the most similar use listed in section 50.0898. Issuance of building permits for this situation shall be subject to approval by the planning commission of all site plans.

(4)

Within the B-3 district, up to one hundred (100) percent of the total required off-street parking spaces may be waived by the planning commission when in the commission's opinion adequate off-street parking capacity exists or will be provided through public parking lots or in parking garages within a distance of one hundred (100) feet of the building line of such use. Council authorization of commission approval is required.

(5)

Within the B-3 central business district, there shall not be a requirement for off-street parking for properties located in parking maintenance district A, B or C. A description of the parking maintenance districts is filed in the office of the city clerk.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 3; Code 1997, § 74-1044)

Off-street parking and loading facilities shall be exempt from the front yard and rear yard regulations for the use district in which the parking is located, except that:

(1)

When off-street parking lots for four (4) vehicles or more adjoin residential zoning districts or residential land uses or are directly across the street or alley from such district or uses, a six-foot minimum setback shall be required.

(2)

Other than on an approved driveway on the property, off-street parking spaces shall not be allowed in the front yard or a side yard adjacent to a street in residential districts.

(3)

The required setback area shall be developed so as to obscure not less than ninety (90) percent of the vision of such area from residence districts by a buffer fence of adequate design or a planting buffer, with trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Plans of such screen or fence shall be submitted for approval as a part of the required site or plot plan, and such fence or landscaping shall be installed as part of the initial construction.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 4; Code 1997, § 74-1045)

(a)

Off-street parking and loading spaces shall have proper access from a public right-of-way through an approved curb cut.

(b)

Curb, gutter, driveway expansion, modification or re-surfacing of any property other than public property requires a permit in writing from the city. Application for such permit shall be made on forms approved and provided by the city and shall sufficiently describe the proposed improvements with an accurate site plan that includes dimensions of existing and proposed construction.

(c)

The number and width of curb cuts and access drives shall be located as to minimize traffic congestion and abnormal traffic hazard. The nearest edge of a curb cut in the R-3, R-P and R-O residence districts and all businesses and industrial districts shall not be less than thirty (30) feet from the intersecting right-of-way lines of a street intersection. The location of a curb cut may be required to be a greater distance from the intersecting right-of-way lines as determined upon approval of the site plan by the zoning administrator. In R-1 and R-2 residence districts, the minimum distance between an intersection right-of-way line and the nearest edge of a curb cut shall be twenty (20) feet.

(d)

In the R-1 and R-2 residential districts, driveway means a proper access for vehicles between a roadway and an attached garage, a primary structure, an accessory structure such as a carport or detached garage, or a parking space. Proper access shall be through an approved curb cut and shall meet all provisions of this section. Regulation of parking in the front yard in the R-1 and R-2 residential districts is provided in article III of this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 5; Code 1997, § 74-1046; Ord. No. 227,18d, § 1, 10-28-2019; Ord. No. 23-094, § 1, 5-22-2023)

Required off-street parking space shall be provided either on the same lot or adjacent lots as the principal building or use is located.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 6; Code 1997, § 74-1047)

Off-street parking of trucks or buses with a gross weight of over nine thousand (9,000) pounds, except for deliveries and unloading, in all residence districts, shall be prohibited.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 7; Code 1997, § 74-1048)

Combined or joint off-street parking facilities may be provided for one (1) or more buildings or uses, provided that the total number of spaces be determined as provided in article V of this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 8; Code 1997, § 74-1049)

(a)

Parking areas, loading areas, outdoor storage and display areas and access drives shall meet the following paving standards per zoning district. Plans for construction shall be included as part of the required site or plot plan:

(1)

In the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-O, R-P, B-2, B-3 and DCD districts, these surfaces shall be covered with asphalt or concrete on a suitable base, designed appropriately to support anticipated load. Pervious concrete, porous asphalt, or permeable interlocking pavers may be substituted when approved by the city engineer. Pavement must be completed prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.

(2)

In B-4, I-1, I-2 and I-3 districts, these surfaces shall be covered as required in subsection (a)(1) of this section, including customer and public parking areas. Exception: Exterior storage lots and staging areas of the business may be surfaced in a material other than that described in subsection (a)(1)of this section. A site plan shall be submitted and approved by the city engineering and development services departments who will determine if the following standards are adequately met:

a.

A stable surface material (for example gravel) with appropriate base able to support vehicles or equipment will be provided.

b.

Screening is provided between the unpaved areas and any public rights-of-way (except alleys).

c.

A drainage plan providing for adequate stormwater management of the site.

d.

All driveway entrances shall be paved and contoured to prevent tracking and stormwater runoff onto the public street.

(3)

In IDD, B-1 and PD districts, paving of surfaces according to subsection (a)(2) of this section will be considered in the site review process. Conditions of site plan approval may allow for a period of time specific to the project prior to paving being required.

(4)

Paving in flood and shoreland overlay districts shall be required per the standards of the underlying district (in subsections (a)(1) through (3) of this section) unless an alternative design is shown to contribute to improving water quality. Such design shall be provided in a site plan submitted and approved by the city engineering and development services departments prior to any construction activity.

(b)

Alternative paving will be considered when shown to allow for more permeability when a plan that provides for adequate drainage and silt management is provided for, subject to approval by the city engineer.

(c)

The operator of the principal building or use shall maintain parking areas, loading areas, access drives and yard areas in a neat and acceptable manner including maintaining adequate drainage for the property.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 9; Code 1997, § 74-1050; Ord. No. 226, 11d, § 4, 6-10-2019)

Lighting of off-street parking facilities shall not be directed upon the public right-of-way and nearby or adjacent properties. Such illumination must be indirect or diffused.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 10; Code 1997, § 74-1051)

Any application for a building permit, a certificate of occupancy or parking lot development for four (4) or more vehicles shall include a site plan or plot plan drawn to scale and dimensioned showing off-street parking and loading space to be provided in compliance with this article.

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 11; Code 1997, § 74-1052)

Off-street parking areas of sufficient size to provide parking for patrons, customers, suppliers, visitors and employees shall be provided on the premises of each use. Table I in section 50.0898 designates the minimum number of parking and loading spaces that are required to be provided and maintained at the time any new use or structure is occupied or any existing use of structure is enlarged or increased in capacity. Uses not specifically listed must provide the number of spaces as required by section 50.0888(3).

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 13; Code 1997, § 74-1053)

Off-street parking and loading requirements for land uses shall be as follows:

Table I: Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements

(Code 1980, § 11.70, subd. 14; Code 1997, § 74-1054)