Aston Township City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1284
PARKING REGULATIONS
§ 1284.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to adequately provide for the parking needs of all uses in the township, reduce traffic congestion on public streets by getting parking off streets, and allow faster emergency access. The secondary purposes include minimizing development problems with neighboring uses, providing for special parking needs of handicapped drivers, and providing flexibility in meeting the township’s parking problems and needs by methods such as shared parking arrangements.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.02 APPLICABILITY.
(a) Basic requirements. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements in § 1284.03.
(b) Existing structures and uses. No building or use of land lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this Zoning Code shall be subject to the following requirements so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed so as to require additional parking.
(c) Provision and retention of facilities. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the use exists which the facilities were designed to serve. Off-street parking facilities shall not be reduced in total extent except when such reduction is in conformity with this chapter.
(d) Construction or extension of use. No building or structure shall hereinafter be constructed, enlarged, or modified and no use or activity shall be conducted or expanded unless provision is made on the same or approved adjacent lot for off-street parking facilities, either within a structure or in the open, and with proper and safe access from a street, to adequately serve the use(s) within the district according to the provisions of this chapter in its entirety.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.03 REQUIRED PARKING RATIOS.
Spaces for off-street parking shall be provided as required below:
Use | Parking Space Requirements |
Use | Parking Space Requirements |
Agricultural | 1 space for every 200 square feet of sales area and not less than 3 spaces |
Governmental, Institutional and Education | |
Adult day care center | 1 for every 5 clients, plus one for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Auditoriums, churches and other places or public assembly | 1 for every 5 seats, plus 1 for every 150 square feet of meeting room area |
Colleges or universities | 1 for every 2 faculty members and full-time employees plus 1 for every 3 students |
Community center, library or similar use | 1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Continuing care facility | 1 for every dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment |
Convalescent home, nursing home | 1 for every 4 beds, plus 1 for each employee on shift of greatest employment |
Dormitories | 1 for every 2 residents, plus 1 for every 4 units (apartments, rooms and the like) |
Intermediate day care center and group day care center | 1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each adult attendant; this shall be in addition to the parking requirements of the primary use such as a school or church if applicable |
Primary and secondary schools | 1 for each faculty member or other full-time employee, plus 2 for each classroom, plus 1 for every 12 students aged 16 years or older |
Industrial and Other Related Uses | |
Research, development, light manufacturing and assembly | 1 for every 750 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Storage, warehousing, distribution and assembly | 1 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Public and private recreational | |
Bowling alley | 4 for each lane |
Gymnasium, stadium | 1 for every 4 seats |
Indoor commercial recreation | 1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Outdoor commercial recreational | 1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area devoted to such use |
Private clubs | 1 for every 150 square feet of floor area devoted to member or patron use |
Recycling Facilities | |
Large collection facility | 1 for every 400 square feet of area occupied by the facility, but in no case less than 4 |
Processing facility | 1 for every 750 square feet of gross floor areas, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Small collection facility | 2 per facility under 400 square feet |
Residential | |
Community residence facilities | 1 for every 4 residents and 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Mobile homes and mobile home parks | 2 for each dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 4 dwelling units for guests in developments of 16 or more units |
Multi-family dwellings and two-family dwellings | 1 per dwelling unit for 1 bedroom units 2 per dwelling unit for 2 bedroom units, plus 1 for every 4 dwelling units for guests in multi-family development of 16 or more units |
Professional home offices | 1 for every 200 square feet of space devoted to office use or home occupation, plus residential requirements |
Single-family dwelling units | 2 spaces for every unit |
Townhouses | 2 for every dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 4 dwelling units for guests |
Retail, commercial and other business | |
Automobile service and repair | 2 spaces, either within or outside the structure, for every 200 square feet of floor or ground area devoted to repair or service facilities and, in addition, such space as is necessary for vehicles purchasing gasoline or being stored; in no case shall the space for permitted motor vehicle storage in conjunction with a service station be less than 5 spaces |
Banks, credit unions and savings and loans | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Car wash | |
Self service | 4 per bay for stacking, plus 1 for standing between the exit of the facility and the street |
Standard | 10 per bay for stacking, plus 4 for standing between the exit of the facility and the street, plus 1 for each employee on the greatest shift |
Convenience store | 1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area |
Funeral home | 1 for every 75 square feet of floor area in viewing room or parlors, plus 1 for each official funeral care, plus 2 for the resident family, plus 1 for every 2 employees exclusive of the family of residence |
Furniture or appliance store | 1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Health club | 1 for every 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Hotel, motel or inn | 1 for every guest room, plus 1 for every 2 employees exclusive of the resident family members |
Laundromat, self service | 1 for every 2 washing machines or 100 square feet whichever is greater |
Medical, dental or veterinary offices or clinics | 1 for every 100 square feet of waiting room space plus 2 for each practitioner |
Movie theater of place of amusement | 1 for every 4 seats, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Personal service business such as barber shops, beauticians, tailor, shoe repair and similar uses | 1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Professional and other offices | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Restaurant, sit-down without banquet facilities | 1 for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 2 for every 3 employees on shift of greatest employment |
Restaurant with banquet facilities or dinner theater | 1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space for every 2 banquet seats and 2 for every 3 employees on shift of greatest employment |
Restaurant with drive through service or restaurant/retail food service with walkup or counter service | 1 for every 75 square feet of gross floor area, plus 2 for every 3 employees on the shift of greatest employment |
Retail store of shop | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Shopping center | 1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Supermarkets | 1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area |
Temporary places where Christmas trees, flowers, produce and other goods are sold | 1 for every 200 square feet of sales space, but in no case less than 6 spaces |
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011; Ord. 905, passed 7-18-2012)
§ 1284.04 GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING.
(a) Where a use is not specifically listed in this Zoning Code, the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) shall apply the standards of the most similar use listed to determine the number of parking spaces required.
(b) If the computation of the parking ratios listed in § 1284.03 results in a fraction, an additional parking space shall be required.
(c) All parking areas, loading areas and driveways shall be graded and surfaced with asphalt or other suitable materials to prevent dust and erosion. Such areas shall also be drained in conformance with township standards to prevent excessive water flow onto streets or adjoining properties.
(d) In parking areas with five or more spaces, each space shall be clearly line-striped and maintained.
(e) Freestanding establishments located adjacent to shopping centers or strip plazas shall have adequate parking as required in § 1284.03 and will not rely on any common parking to meet the aforementioned requirements.
(f) All parking areas with five or more spaces shall be adequately lighted so as to assist in the safe maneuvering of motor vehicles and to provide security for users of the lot. All lighting shall be arranged to avoid glare on adjacent properties.
(g) No commercial motor vehicle with more than single rear wheels may be stored on a lot in a residential district, unless such vehicle is stored in a private garage. Only one such commercial vehicle may be stored on a lot in a residential district.
(h) Parking or storage of disabled, partially dismantled or junk cars, trucks, boats or other vehicles shall be permitted on a lot for a continuous period of not more than seven days.
(i) Parking of any vehicle in the front yard of all residential districts is prohibited except for emergency parking that will be allowed for a period not to exceed 48 hours for times such as holidays.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.05 DESIGN REGULATIONS.
(a) All parking areas shall be designed in accordance with the township subdivision regulations in addition to this Zoning Code.
(b) The size of a standard parking space shall be nine feet wide and 18 feet long, an area of 162 square feet.
(c) Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be eight feet wide by 18 feet long with a minimum of a five feet wide access aisle on both sides. Access aisles may serve and be located between two adjacent handicapped spaces.
(d) Spaces for the handicapped must be located as close as possible to public entrances and ramps to buildings. Each space must be clearly marked with proper signage including any penalties for noncompliance.
(e) Handicapped spaces shall be provided in the amounts required below:
Total Parking Spaces | Number of Required Handicapped Spaces |
Total Parking Spaces | Number of Required Handicapped Spaces |
1—25 | 1 |
26—50 | 2 |
51—75 | 3 |
76—100 | 4 |
101—150 | 5 |
151—200 | 6 |
201—300 | 7 |
301—400 | 8 |
401—500 | 9 |
501—1,000 | 2% of total |
Plus a minimum of 1 van accessible space is required for every 8 handicapped spaces | |
(f) All parking areas for three or more vehicles shall be designed so that vehicles need not back directly into a public street but can enter and leave the area in a forward motion.
(g) All parking areas shall be accessible from either a street or driveway.
(h) Every parking lot or area with ten or more off-street spaces shall be separated from the street or highway by a raised curb, planting strip, wall or other suitable barrier against unchanneled motor vehicle entrance or exit, except for necessary accessways or exits.
(i) Drive-through establishments such as fastfood order and pick-up, automatic bank teller, drug stores and similar uses shall provide not less than five waiting spaces for each drive-through lane. This is in addition to the space for the car being serviced.
(j) Two-way driveways shall be a minimum of 22 feet wide and a maximum of 36 feet wide. One-way driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.06 COMMON PARKING.
(a) Two or more nonresidential uses may provide for required parking in a common parking area provided such area is on or adjacent to such uses. The number of spaces required in such a common parking area may be reduced below the sum of the total requirements if it can be demonstrated to the Code Enforcement Officer that the hours or days of peak parking demand for the uses are so different that a lower overall total of parking spaces will adequately provide for the uses to be served. In such case sufficient parking shall be provided to meet the minimum needs of the use which requires the greater parking area.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent collective provision of off-street parking facilities for two or more nonresidential buildings or uses, provided that the total of such off-street parking facilities provided collectively shall be not less than the sum of requirements for the various uses compiled separately.
(c) (1) Uses within the Institutional District (Chapter 1279) may satisfy parking requirements by adding parking spaces to other nearby institutional uses, so long as no net decrease in parking results.
(2) The applicant must evidence compliance with this provision by submitting a site plan that shows:
A. The parking requirements of the proposed use;
B. The parking provided on-site of the proposed use; and
C. The specific location at a nearby institutional use where the remaining required parking will be located.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.07 DESIGN LAYOUT OF OFF-STREET LOADING FACILITIES.
(a) In addition to the off-street parking space required in this chapter, any building erected, converted and/or enlarged for any nonresidential use shall provide off-street areas for loading and unloading and commercial vehicle parking spaces.
(b) The minimum size loading space shall be 50 feet long and 12 feet wide, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served. Any overhead canopy should extend a minimum of four feet beyond a loading dock.
(c) All loading space shall have adequate access from a street or way which does not block or interfere with the required parking as specified in § 1284.03. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
(d) In no case shall public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials. Furthermore, no loading dock or space shall be located or arranged in such a way that it is necessary to back any vehicle into or off any public right-of-way or require the use of any public right-of-way for maneuvering space.
(e) All accessory driveways and entrance ways shall be graded, paved and drained to township standards to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance of dust, erosion or excessive water flow across streets and adjoining properties.
(f) All off-street loading berths shall be provided on either the side or rear of the lot. In no case shall off-street loading berths be provided in the front of the lot.
(g) Such facilities shall be designed and used in such a manner as to at no time constitute a nuisance, a hazard or an impediment to traffic.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)
§ 1284.08 SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Screening between any parking area and the street line shall be effective at the time of occupancy, subject to the following provisions.
(1) All off-street parking areas which provide more than five parking spaces shall be screened from any abutting property in a more restrictive zoning district.
(2) Effective screening may be accomplished through the use of the following: plant materials, fencing or walls; and/or mounding through the use of an earthen berm forming a continuous visual buffer.
(3) The area for planting and fencing, walls or earthen berms shall not extend beyond the street line.
(4) When planted visual screens are employed, the following shall apply.
A. A buffer planting strip shall be provided. It shall be a minimum of ten feet in width unless specifically required otherwise in this Zoning Code.
B. Planted visual screens shall be of sufficient height and sufficient density to constitute a continuous visual screen six feet in height at the time of planting except as provided below. The type and spacing of plant materials shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Commissioners.
(5) Whenever fencing or walls are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual buffer shall be not less than five or more than six feet.
(6) Whenever earthen berms are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual buffer shall be not less than five feet.
(7) In the case of a parking lot which is the main use, such lot shall be enclosed, except for entrances and exits, by an ornamental fence or wall or by a compact evergreen hedge not less than four feet high, except when the boundary of such parking lot is an adjoining building.
(b) Landscaping within any parking area which provides 20 or more parking spaces shall be subject to the following provisions.
(1) Off-street parking areas shall be landscaped to reduce wind and air turbulence, heat and noise, and the glare of automobile lights; to reduce the level of carbon dioxide; to provide shade; to improve stormwater drainage problems; to replenish the groundwater table; and to provide for a more attractive setting.
(2) The interior of each parking lot shall have at least one three-inch caliper deciduous shade tree for every ten parking spaces if there are no existing shade trees to satisfy this requirement. Shrubs and other plant materials are encouraged to be used to complement the trees but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping. These trees shall be in addition to those required as an effective screen. Trees selected for landscaping in parking areas shall be of a species proven to be salt and dust resistant.
(3) Landscaped areas at least five feet wide shall be provided around the periphery of parking areas. Such areas shall, at a minimum, extend the full length and width of the parking areas, except for necessary accessways, to prevent the encroachment of moving vehicles into parking areas.
(4) Landscaped islands between every 20 parking spaces or at the end of each parking row, whichever is less, shall be provided and shall be not less than the length and width of the parking spaces.
(5) Existing plant material and trees with a caliper of six inches or more shall be preserved wherever possible during construction. Such existing plants may be credited toward the amount of required plantings.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)