Ashland City Zoning Code
OFF-STREET LOADING
REQUIREMENTS
§ 157.125 PURPOSE.
Off-street loading requirements are established in order to assure the proper and uniform development of loading areas throughout the city to relieve traffic congestion in the streets and to minimize any detrimental effects of off-street loading areas on adjacent properties.
(Prior Code, § 157.130) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986)
§ 157.126 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Each application for a building permit or certificate of occupancy shall include plans and other information of sufficient detail to enable the Zoning Administrator to determine whether or not the requirements of this subchapter have been met. Plans for off-street loading areas shall include information as to:
(1) The location and dimensions of driveway entrances, access aisles, loading spaces;
(2) The provisions for vehicular and pedestrian circulation;
(3) The location of sidewalks and curbs;
(4) Typical cross-section of pavement;
(5) Storm drainage facilities, utilities; and
(6) Such other information or plans as circumstances may warrant.
(B) A building permit or certificate of occupancy for the construction or use of any building, structure or land where off-street loading space is required shall be withheld by the Zoning Administrator until the provisions of this subchapter have been met. If at any time such compliance ceases, any certificate of occupancy which shall have been issued for the use of the property shall become void.
(Prior Code, § 157.131) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986) Penalty, see § 157.999
§ 157.127 LOCATION OF OFF-STREET LOADING SPACE.
The off-street loading space required by this subchapter shall be provided for standing, loading and unloading operations either inside or outside a building and on the same lot with the use served.
(Prior Code, § 157.132) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986)
§ 157.128 INTERPRETATION AND MODIFICATION.
Where uncertainty exists as to the application of the requirements of this subchapter, or where the applicant for a permit for a building or use finds that the required off-street loadings is in excess of the needs of the use or building proposed, the following rules shall apply.
(A) Where other provisions of this chapter impose additional or greater requirements than those set forth in § 157.130, the greater shall apply.
(B) Loading requirements for a use not listed in § 157.130 shall be the same as for a listed use of the same general characteristics.
(C) Where more than one use occupies a building or premises, the loading requirements shall be equal to the sum of the requirements of each use.
(D) If the applicant for a building permit or certificate of occupancy finds that the off-street loading requirements is in excess of the needs of the proposed building or use, the Board of Adjustment may reduce the number of spaces required and the extent of the loading area to be improved, upon finding that any proposed modification shall be sufficient to serve the building or use, and that no hazard or traffic congestion shall result. If the building or premises for which the modification is requested is thereafter occupied by a use which requires a greater number of off-street loading spaces, the use and/or building shall not be continued or occupied until the requirements of this subchapter have been met.
(Prior Code, § 157.133) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986) Penalty, see § 157.999
§ 157.129 DESIGN STANDARDS.
All off-street loading areas required by this subchapter shall conform with the following design standards.
(A) For uses containing a gross floor area of less than 20,000 square feet, each off-street loading space shall have minimum dimensions of 13 feet in width and 45 feet in length.
(B) For uses containing a gross floor area of 20,000 square feet or more, each off-street loading space shall be 15 feet in width and 55 feet in length as a minimum.
(C) All off-street loading spaces shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 15 feet.
(D) Access aisles or apron spaces shall be of sufficient width to allow for proper backing and/or turning movements.
(E) Required off-street loading areas including drives and access aisles shall be paved with an all-weather hard surface material.
(F) Loading spaces and access ways shall be located in such a way that no truck or service vehicle using such area shall block or interfere with the free, normal movement of other vehicles on a service drive or on any off-street parking area, public street, aisle or pedestrian area used for general circulation.
(G) Loading area edges shall be protected by suitable curbing to prevent vehicular encroachment on a public right-of-way or on adjacent property, and to protect the public right-of-way and adjoining properties from the damaging effects of surface drainage from off-street loading areas.
(H) Driveways shall be provided as required in § 157.109(H) and (I).
(I) Any lighting of loading areas shall be shielded so as to cast no glare upon adjacent properties and streets.
(Prior Code, § 157.134) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986) Penalty, see § 157.999
§ 157.130 SCHEDULE OF OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS.
Off-street loading shall be provided and maintained as specified in the following schedule. These requirements shall apply to all buildings and uses in all districts except the B-3 Downtown Business District where development is at such density that they cannot reasonably be imposed.
(A) Uses which normally handle large quantities of goods, including, but not limited to, industrial plants, wholesale establishments, storage warehouses, freight, terminals, hospitals or sanitariums, and retail sales establishment shall provide off-street loading facilities in the following amounts:
Gross Floor Area (Square Feet) | Minimum Number of Spaces Required |
5, 000—20,000 | 1 |
20,001—50,000 | 2 |
50,001—80,000 | 3 |
80,001—130,000 | 4 |
For each additional 50,000 | 1 additional |
(B) Uses which do not handle large quantities of goods, including, but not limited to, office buildings, restaurants, funeral homes, hotels, hospitals and places of public assembly, shall provide off-street loading facilities in the following amounts:
Gross Floor Area (Square Feet) | Minimum Number of Spaces Required |
5,000—80,000 | 1 |
80,001—200,000 | 2 |
200,001—320,000 | 3 |
320,001—520,000 | 4 |
For each additional 200,000 | 1 additional |
(Prior Code, § 157.135) (Ord. 101-1986, passed 10-7-1986)