Aurora City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1163
Parking and Loading Regulations
1163.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the quantities, dimensions, locations, and construction of parking and loading areas required for the uses of land and buildings in the districts with the intent of:
(a) Ensuring that parking and loading facilities are sufficient for the uses and buildings;
(b) Ensuring that the requirements for parking and loading facilities do not promote unnecessary consumption of land and other resources and do not generate avoidable environmental impacts; and
(c) Preventing undue negative impacts on public roads and upon the value and appearance of properties.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
1163.02 GENERAL STANDARDS.
(a) In all districts, in connection with every use, building or part thereof hereafter created or increased in floor area or intensity of use, off-street parking and loading facilities shall be provided as prescribed by this chapter.
(b) Site Plan Review Required. Prior to the construction of any new parking lot or loading facility (including the improvement with permanent pavement of an existing gravel-surface parking lot, loading facility, or access drive), the plan for parking and loading, landscaping, curb cuts, access drives, and other associated construction shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval in conformance with the provisions of the Subdivision and Site Development Regulations.
The expansion of an existing paved parking lot which has been constructed and maintained in compliance with all applicable permits may be approved by the Director of Planning and Zoning and the City Engineer provided that:
(1) The additional paved area does not exceed 10% of the area of the existing lot and does not exceed three thousand (3000) square feet; and
(2) Construction plans are submitted documenting compliance with all applicable parking regulations and standards
(c) Locations of Parking and Loading.
(1) Parking and loading areas required by this Code for a use or structure shall be provided on the same lot as the use or structure unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission may approve the location of required parking or loading on another lot, subject to conditions approved by the Director of Law.
(2) Joint use. The Planning Commission may approve joint use of parking or loading spaces by two or more uses whose parking or loading demand patterns do not overlap, subject to conditions approved by the Director of Law. The approved parking or loading facility may be smaller than the sum of the facilities required for the uses individually provided that facilities otherwise comply with the provisions of this Code.
(3) Exclusive areas. Required parking and loading spaces shall be designed and constructed exclusively for such purposes. No parking or loading space shall include areas otherwise required for parking, loading, aisles, pedestrian areas, or access drives.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
(4) Off-street parking facilities shall not be located in a front yard in any zoning district, except that the Planning Commission may approve off-street parking facilities in a front yard which abuts a major road or a secondary road in a lot in a C1, C2, C3, or I1 District if the parking facilities are located at least fifty (50) feet from the road right-of-way. Off-street parking facilities shall not be located in that part of a side yard between a road right-of-way and the setback line.
(Ord. 2001-052. Passed 3-12-01.)
(5) Loading space. Truck loading and unloading spaces and docks or doors other than for pedestrian traffic shall not be located in a yard facing any road, with the following exceptions. Where a building is located on a lot which has frontage on a secondary road or local road:
A. Not more than two (2) loading docks may be located on the front of the building if such loading docks are set back eighty (80) feet from the road right-of-way;
B. Two (2) loading doors may be situated on the front of the building at less than an eighty-foot (80') setback from the road right-of-way if the loading docks themselves are located inside the building at this point and sufficient space is provided so that all loading/unloading will be performed with the doors closed. These doors shall not be opened except when a truck is entering or leaving.
(d) Dimensions.
(1) Parking space and aisle dimensions. Parking spaces and aisles shall comply with the dimensions in the following table. Each parking space shall have a minimum area of two hundred (200) square feet.
Dimensions for Parking Spaces and Aisles | ||||
Angle of Parking | ||||
90 degrees | 60 degrees | 45 degrees | Parallel Parking | |
Minimum Width of Space | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 9 ft. |
Minimum Length of Space | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 23 ft. |
Minimum Aisle Width: One Way | 22 ft. | 18 ft. | 13 ft. | 13 ft |
Minimum Aisle Width: Two Way | 22 ft. | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 24 ft. |
(2) Loading space dimensions. Each loading space shall be not less than twelve (12) feet in width, forty (40) feet in length, and fourteen (14) feet in vertical clearance.
(e) Grading and Drainage. Parking and loading areas shall be graded and drained and provided with adequate drainage facilities so that the adjacent properties and rights-of-way shall not receive surface runoff water from the proposed parking area. Underground storm water connections to storm water facilities in the right-of-way shall be installed as approved by the City Engineer.
(f) Lighting. All lighting used to illuminate parking and loading areas shall be arranged to direct the light away from adjoining premises or road. Only cutoff fixtures, as approved by the City Engineer, shall be installed to illuminate parking and loading areas. No open light sources such as the stringing of light bulbs shall be permitted.
(g) Landscaping. Landscaping of parking and loading areas shall conform to the provisions of the Subdivision and Site Development Regulations.
(h) Pavement and Pavement Markings.
(1) All parking and loading spaces, aisles, and drives shall be improved with bituminous, concrete or equivalent surfacing, as approved by the City Engineer, except that:
A. In taking action on a site plan or subdivision in a residential district according to the provisions of the Subdivision and Site Development Regulations, the Planning Commission may recommend that gravel driveways be permitted.
B. The City Engineer may approve gravel driveways for existing lots where they are consistent and compatible with the existing and planned character of drives in the surrounding area.
(2) Striping and other pavement markings shall be installed and maintained in all parking and loading facilities, except those provided in conjunction with one and two family dwellings, as required by the City Engineer.
(i) Protective devices. As required by the City Engineer, wheel guards, including bumper guards as may be necessary, shall be provided in connection with any off-street parking area, to contain the cars on sloping surfaces and to prevent bumper overhang or other encroachment into the required or specified setback spaces.
(j) Access.
(1) Access drives and curb cuts shall be located to minimize traffic congestion and avoid undue interferences with pedestrian access at road intersection corners. On a corner lot, curb cuts shall be separated as far from the intersection of the roads as possible, unless otherwise approved in site plan review.
(2) No more than two (2) curb cuts shall be constructed for one lot, unless otherwise approved in site plan review. Curb cuts shall be designed and constructed according to the provisions of the Public Works Standards.
(3) Unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer, access drives shall comply with the following minimum and maximum widths:
Dimensions for Access Drives | |||
Use of Lot | Drive Width at the Right-of-Way Line (feet) | Minimum Setback from Lot Line (feet) | |
Minimum | Maximum | ||
Single-family | 10 | 16 | 3 |
Two-family (combined drive only) | 10 | 16 | 3 |
All other uses: one-way access | 10 | 14 | 5 |
All other uses: two-way access | 20 | 24 | 5 |
(4) Access to parking and to truck loading and unloading spaces shall be provided directly from a public road or alley or from any right-of-way that will not interfere with public convenience and that will permit the orderly and safe movement of such trucks. All parking and loading spaces shall be designed and located so that vehicles using such spaces: (1) enter and exit the lot in a forward-facing direction and (2) have sufficient space to be parked or loaded/unloaded on the lot and completely outside of the right-of-way.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
1163.03 PARKING SPACES REQUIRED.
(a) Accessory off-street parking facilities shall be provided in quantities not less than set forth in Table 1163.03 except that less spaces may be approved, by site plan review, based on findings that the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission that the parking demand will be less than the quantity required by Table 1163.03. Approval of the lesser amount of parking may be conditioned upon a site plan which reserves the space required for future construction of parking complying with the requirements of the Table and provisions allowing the City to order such construction.
(b) The quantity of parking spaces constructed on a lot shall not be more than ten percent (10%) greater than the amount required by Table 1163.03 unless approved by site plan review or unless required by site plan review based on findings by the Planning Commission that a greater amount is necessary.
(c) When the calculation of parking spaces results in a fractional number, it shall be increased to the next whole number.
(d) The parking required for multiple or mixed uses on a lot shall be the sum of the parking required for each use considered separately. If the uses on the lot have varying peak parking demands, a lesser number of spaces may be approved by site plan review.
(e) For specific buildings or uses not listed in Table 1163.03, the Planning Commission shall apply the unit of measurement set forth in Table 1163.03 which is deemed to be most similar to the proposed building or use.
(f) All standards set forth in this chapter anticipate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other applicable regulation for provision of handicapped parking.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
Minimum Required Parking Spaces | |||
Use | Minimum Parking Space Required | ||
Residential Uses | |||
One family dwelling | 2 | per dwelling unit in an enclosed garage (1) | |
Two family dwelling | 2 | per dwelling unit in an enclosed garage (2) | |
Multi-family dwelling | 2 | per dwelling unit in an enclosed garage (4) | |
Rented rooms | plus | 1 2 | per rented room per resident family |
Hotel, motel, bed and breakfast | plus | 1 1 | per guest room each employee |
Community Facilities | |||
Governmental, municipal, county, or state, principally administrative offices | plus | 1 1 | per 300 sf of floor area used by the public each 2 employees |
Civic: art galleries, libraries, museums, churches, clubs, and community centers | 1 | per 500 sf (5) | |
Educational: primary and secondary public; private schools | 1 | per 1000 sf (5) | |
Places of assembly: such as Auditoriums, halls, gymnasiums, stadiums and theaters | 1 | per 4 seats based on maximum seating capacity | |
Health and welfare Hospitals Nursing homes Health clinic or medical centers | plus | 1 1 1 5 | per each 2 beds per employee on each of two largest successive shifts per 1000 sf per 1000 sf gross floor area |
Recreation: Skating rink, swimming pool Open commercial amusement Bowling alleys Indoor tennis facility | or plus | 1 1 1 7 1 5.5 | per 50 sf devoted to the activity per 2 members per 500 sf per 1000 gross floor area per 2 employees per court |
Business and Offices | |||
Retail stores, services | 4.5 | per 1000 sf | |
Community shopping centers | 4.5 | per 1000 sf | |
Drive-in restaurant | 36 | per 1000 sf gross floor area | |
Carry-out restaurant | 12 | per 1000 sf gross floor area | |
Sit-down restaurant | 1 | per 2 seats of seating capacity | |
Food stores | 5 | per 1000 sf gross floor area | |
Office: Medical and dental | 1 | per 200 sf | |
Mortuaries or funeral homes | plus | 40 1 | per 200 sf |
Service and Manufacturing | |||
Wholesale, distribution, laboratories, general services, metal processing and similar establishments | 1 | each 750 square feet of floor area | |
Manufacturing plants | 1 | each 750 square feet of floor area | |
Notes: (1) Except that only one (1) space shall be required per dwelling unit in the R5 District. (2) Except that only one (1) space shall be required per dwelling unit in the R5 District (4) Additional guest off-street parking shall be provided as determined by the Planning Commission (5) For the assembly parts of the building, one space per each four seats, or one space for each forty-eight (48) square feet of assembly floor area, shall be added. | |||
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
1163.04 LOADING AND UNLOADING SPACES REQUIRED.
Every building used for manufacturing, storage, warehousing, department store, wholesale store, retail store, market, hotel, hospital, laundry, dry cleaning, dairy, mortuary and other uses similarly and customarily receiving or distributing goods by motor vehicle, shall provide space on the premises for loading purposes in compliance with all provisions of this Code.
Every building occupied by a use referred to in the preceding paragraph and having over 5,000 square feet of gross floor area shall be provided with at least one (1) truck loading and unloading space. One (1) additional truck space of these dimensions shall be provided for every additional 20,000 square feet, or fraction thereof, of gross floor area in the building.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)
1163.05 PARKING COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
(a) General. A commercial vehicle or a recreational vehicle, as defined by this Code, may be parked upon a lot in a residential district only in compliance with the following provisions:
(1) Any commercial vehicle which is designed to carry a load of more than one (1) ton or a recreational vehicle which exceeds twenty-eight (28) feet in overall length, eight (8) feet in width, and eleven (11) feet in height shall only be stored within a completely enclosed building.
(2) A commercial vehicle or a recreational vehicle shall not be parked or stored on a lot unless a dwelling has been constructed on the lot.
(3) A recreational vehicle shall only be parked upon a lot if the vehicle is titled or leased in the name of a person whose permanent residence is located on the same lot, except that a recreational vehicle which is not owned by a resident person may be parked on the lot for not more than five (5) consecutive days.
(4) All commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles shall at all times be operable, maintained in good repair, and shall bear current license and registration as required by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(5) Major repairs (including but not limited to body or frame repairs, major overhaul of engine involving engine or removal of engine), alterations, or conversions shall not be made to a commercial vehicle or recreational vehicle on a lot in a residential district except in a completely enclosed building.
(6) No more than two (2) vehicles which are commercial vehicles or recreational vehicles shall be stored on a lot at any one time.
(7) No provision of this Section 1163.05
shall be interpreted or construed or enforced in a manner which prevents the normal delivery, construction, or other service to a legal lot, use, or building by a commercial vehicle.
(8) For purposes of loading or unloading, for a period of not more than forty- eight (48) hours in any one week, a recreational vehicle may be parked on a driveway in the front yard, but as close to the front setback line as possible.
(b) Outside Storage Permitted. A commercial vehicle which is designed to carry a load of no more than one (1) ton, or a recreational vehicle which does not exceed twenty-eight (28) feet in overall length, eight (8) feet in width, and eleven (11) feet in height, may be parked upon a lot in a residential district outside of a completely enclosed building only in compliance with the provisions of subsection (a) hereof and in compliance with the following provisions:
(1) A commercial vehicle or a recreational vehicle shall only be parked on an area of the lot which is:
A. Not closer to the front line of the lot than the front setback line.
B. Not closer to the side or rear line of the lot than the side or rear setback line.
(2) Where a recreational vehicle is parked or stored outside of a completely enclosed building and within thirty (30) feet of any property line, the owner shall install the following screening materials between the vehicle and the property lines:
A. A solid board fence, either stockade, board-on-board, or other as approved by the Director of Planning and Zoning, six (6) feet in height and extending the full length of the vehicle;
B. Evergreen shrubs, no less than two (2) feet in height at the time of planting and not less than four (4) feet center on center.
C. The owner shall submit a plan for the fence and landscaping. The Director of Planning and Zoning shall review the plan prior to issuance of zoning approval or building permit.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)