Avon City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1292
Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations
1292.01 PURPOSE.
Off-street parking regulations are established to achieve, among others, the following:
(a) To relieve congestion so streets can be utilized more fully for movement of vehicular traffic;
(b) To promote the safety and convenience of pedestrians and shoppers by separating parking areas and extensive car movements in the vicinity of pedestrian ways;
(c) To protect adjoining residential neighborhoods from on-street parking; and
(d) To promote the general convenience, welfare and prosperity of residential, business, service and manufacturing developments which depend on off-street parking facilities.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.02 PARKING FACILITIES REQUIRED.
(a) Accessory off-street parking facilities, including access driveways, shall be provided prior to the occupancy of such building or use. Facilities shall be provided for the entire building or use in accordance with the regulations contained in this chapter whenever:
(1) A building is constructed or a new use is established.
(2) The use of an existing building is changed to a use requiring more parking facilities.
(3) An existing building is altered and there is an increase in the seating capacity, floor area of the building, number of dwelling units or number of employees.
(b) Existing off-street parking facilities that are required by this Planning and Zoning Code shall continue unobstructed in operation and shall not be reduced to be less than required by these regulations.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.03 UNITS OF MEASURE.
In computing the number of parking spaces required by this Planning and Zoning Code the following rules shall apply:
(a) Floor Area. Where floor area is designated as the standard for determining parking space requirements, gross floor area shall be used.
(b) Seats. Where seating capacity is the standard for determining parking space requirements, the capacity shall mean the number of seating units installed or indicated, or one seat for each 24 lineal inches of benches or pews. When fixed seating is not indicated, the capacity shall be determined as being one seat for each 20 square feet of floor area of the assembly room.
(c) Employees. Where employees are the standard for determining parking space requirements, employees shall mean the maximum number of employees on any two successive shifts.
(d) Fractional Numbers. Where the computation results in a fractional unit the number shall be increased to the next whole number.
(e) Parking for Mixed Uses. A building or group of buildings containing two or more uses, operating normally during the same hours, and which have different off-street parking requirements, may jointly provide spaces for not less than the sum of the spaces required for each use.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.04 OFF-STREET PARKING STANDARDS.
The number of off-street parking spaces for each facility or use shall be determined by application of the standards noted in Schedule 1292.04. For a use not specified in this Schedule, the Planning Commission shall apply the standard for a specified use that the Commission determines to be most similar to the proposed use.
Schedule 1292.04
REQUIRED OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES | |
Principal Building or Use | Minimum Spaces Required(a) |
REQUIRED OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES | |
Principal Building or Use | Minimum Spaces Required(a) |
(a) Residential Uses | |
(1) Single-Family dwelling units | Two spaces for each dwelling unit, both of which shall be enclosed(b) |
(2) Two-Family dwelling units | Two spaces for each dwelling unit, both of which shall be enclosed (b) |
(3) Multi-family dwellings | Two spaces for each dwelling unit or apartment, one of which shall be enclosed(b) |
(4) Bed & Breakfast | One space per guest room plus requirement for dwelling unit |
(5) Group and family homes for handicapped persons | One space for every two beds occupied at maximum capacity |
(6) Congregate care facilities, assisted living | One space for every two beds occupied at maximum capacity |
(7) Dwelling unit(s) on upper floor(s) of commercial/office buildings | One space per dwelling unit |
(b) Community Facility | |
(1) Churches and other places of worship | One space for every four seats occupied at maximum capacity |
(2) Child day care facility | One space for every eight children, based on the facility's regulated maximum capacity |
(3) Adult day care facility | One space for every ten adults, based on the facility's regulated maximum capacity |
(4) Libraries | Parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in operation of such establishment, plus four parking spaces for the first 1,000 square feet of total floor area, plus one additional space for every additional 150 square feet of floor area |
(5) Public cultural institutions | One space per 500 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every six seats in any assembly area |
(6) Assembly Hall | One space per three seats |
(7) Primary and secondary schools, public or private | One space for every four seats in assembly rooms plus one space for every two employees |
(8) High School | One space for every two employees, plus one space per ten students, plus one space for every six seats in the largest assembly hall |
(9) Clubs and lodges | One space for every four seats in the auditorium or assembly hall plus one space for every 50 square feet in the dining room |
(c) Offices and Professional Services | |
(1) Businesses, professional and administrative offices, (excluding medical) | One space for every 300 square feet of office space |
(2) Medical offices of physicians, dentists, health and allied services, and urgent care clinics | One space for every 200 square feet of office space |
(3) Financial institutions - bank, investment/trust company, credit agency | One space per 200 feet of floor area |
(4) Hospital | One space for each bed intended for patients excluding bassinets |
(5) Conference centers/training facilities | One space for every four seats |
(6) Research and testing facilities | One space per 400 feet of floor area |
(d) Retail and Services | |
(1) Retail in completely enclosed buildings, except as otherwise regulated below | One space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area |
(2) Branch laundries and dry cleaners counter service | One space for every 300 square feet of floor area |
(3) Funeral home and related facilities | Parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of the business, plus one space for every 50 square feet in the public rooms |
(4) Furniture, home furnishings, office equipment | One space per 400 square feet of floor area |
(5) Hotel/Motel | One space per lodging unit plus one space for every two employees |
(6) Personal services (i.e. barber and beauty shops) | Two spaces per barber or beauty chair |
(7) Repair shops, plumbing shops, electrical shops and other service establishments | Parking or storage for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of the business, plus two spaces for each person regularly employed on the premises |
(8) Restaurants (including bars/taverns) - table service | One space for every 50 square feet of floor area, or one space for every two seats, whichever requires the greater number of spaces |
(9) Restaurants - counter service when located in a shopping center(c) | 10 spaces, or one space per 50 square feet of floor area, whichever is greater, plus one space for each delivery vehicle |
(10) Restaurants - counter service when located as the only use in a freestanding building | 20 spaces, or one space per 50 square feet of floor area, whichever is greater, plus one space for each delivery vehicle |
(11) Restaurants - fast food with drive- up window | One space for every 50 square feet of floor area, or one space for every two seats, whichever requires the greater number of spacesd |
(12) Studios for instruction | One space for every three students |
(13) Veterinary office | One space per 400 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every two employees |
(e) Entertainment - Recreation | |
(1) Indoor recreation and entertainment | One space for every 250 square feet of floor area |
(2) Bowling alley | Five spaces for every bowling lane |
(3) Movie theater | One space for every four seats |
(4) Outdoor recreation | One space per 250 square feet of outdoor area used for recreation |
(5) Miniature golf | Two spaces per hole |
(6) Golf course, par three golf course or golf training facility/clinic | Six parking spaces for each hole of the golf course; plus one parking space for every three employees; plus one parking space for every two seats in the restaurant area |
(f) Automotive/Transportation | |
(1) Auto repair garage and auto service station | One space per employee, plus two spaces per service bay |
(2) Automotive sales and rental | One space for every employee plus one space per 200 square feet of floor area of sales and service areas |
(3) Car wash | One space for every employee |
(4) Gasoline station | One space for every employee |
(5) Helistop | A minimum of five spaces |
(6) Mass transit terminals | One space for every 100 square feet of waiting room space, plus one additional space for every two persons regularly employed on the premises |
(g) General Commercial and Industrial Uses | |
(1) Industrial use unless otherwise stated below | One space per 400 square feet of floor area |
(2) Warehouses and wholesale businesses | One space for every 800 square feet of floor area |
(3) Truck/transit transfer terminals | Parking or storage space for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of such business, plus two parking spaces for each person regularly employed on the premises |
(4) Mini-self storage | One space per 300 square feet of floor area |
(5) Telecommunications center | Four spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area |
(a) A minimum of five spaces shall be required for each facility other than a single-family detached, attached single-family or two-family dwelling. (b) For the purposes of this Chapter, enclosed shall be an area that is surrounded on all sides. (c) For the purposes of this Schedule, a shopping center shall include one or more multi- tenant buildings and/or a group of buildings when the required parking spaces are provided on a shared parking lot. (d) The provisions of Section 1292.07(b) apply. | |
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01; Ord. 44-11. Passed 6-13-11.)
1292.05 ALLOWANCE FOR SHARED PARKING.
Parking spaces that are designed and developed to comply with the requirements for one building or use shall not be counted as fulfilling the parking requirement of another building or use except as specifically permitted in this section. The Planning Commission may approve a development plan with a reduction in the number of parking spaces required if it can be shown that the lesser number of spaces is appropriate and consistent with these regulations and when it is determined that:
(a) In a project with more than one use or a single-use project for which the different components of the use have varying peak demands, the uses can be adequately accommodated with a lesser number of parking spaces than that which is required based on the sum of the various uses computed separately.
(b) The required parking spaces for a proposed use can be accommodated on an adjacent or nearby site in compliance with Section 1292.08, provided that binding arrangements are made between the City, business owners and property owners of uses that are not normally open, used or operated during the same hours to ensure the perpetual joint use and maintenance of such shared parking areas and the continuance of such upon transfer of ownership. The binding agreement shall specify the parking spaces that shall be shared. Not more than one-half of the parking space required for one use may be assigned to a use that operates at different hours.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.06 SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR C-2 FRENCH CREEK DISTRICT.
In recognition of the historic, compact character of buildings in the C-2 French Creek District, as well as the less efficient use of the floor area of those buildings, the Planning Commission may approve a development plan with a reduction in the requirements of Schedule 1292.04. In making a determination, the Planning Commission shall consider the following criteria.
(a) The character of the proposed use, the design of the building and the ability of the proposed use to reinforce the “main street” environment.
(b) The availability and accessibility of any public parking spaces, both on-street and within public parking lots.
(c) The availability of parking areas on adjacent sites, considering the hours of operation of the proposed use compared to adjacent uses.
(d) The potential negative impact to the character of the French Creek District if the requisite number of parking spaces is provided.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.07 DEFERRED CONSTRUCTION OF REQUIRED SPACES.
If the number of parking spaces required in Schedule 1292.04 is substantially larger than the number anticipated by the applicant, and the applicant provides sufficient evidence that supports the reduced parking needs, a development plan may be approved with an allowance for the construction of a lesser number of parking spaces, provided that:
(a) The total number of spaces initially constructed shall not be less than 70% of the spaces required by Schedule 1292.04.
(b) The total number of spaces initially constructed shall not be less than 50% of the spaces required by Schedule 1292.04(d)(11).
(c) Suitable area(s) are reserved for the construction of the balance of the total number of spaces otherwise required by Schedule 1292.04. Such suitable areas shall be illustrated on the development plan in locations and with landscaping in full compliance with this Planning and Zoning Code. Such areas shall not be counted towards any open space requirement set forth in this Planning and Zoning Code.
(d) The Planning Commission, upon reevaluation of the project's parking needs, may at any time direct that some or all of the parking spaces identified in division (c) be constructed.
(e) Any additional parking shall be provided according to the approved development plan.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01; Ord. 44-11. Passed 6-13-11.)
1292.08 LOCATION OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES.
In addition to specific requirements contained in each district regulation, the location of off-street parking facilities shall further be regulated according to the following provisions:
(a) General. No off-street parking space shall be used, or designed, arranged or constructed to be used in a manner that will obstruct or interfere with the free use of any street, alley, or adjoining property.
(b) Multi-family Dwellings. No parking space shall be more than 200 feet from the entrance to the dwelling it is intended to serve.
(c) Nonresidential Uses. All required off-street parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use served. If the parking spaces required in Schedule 1292.04 cannot be reasonably provided on the same lot on which the principal use is conducted, the Planning Commission may permit such space to be provided on other off-street property, provided that such space lies within 400 feet of the main entrance to such principal use and use of the off-street parking spaces are secured according to Section 1292.05(b).
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.09 OFF-STREET WAITING SPACES FOR DRIVE-THRU FACILITIES.
Drive-thru establishments and other establishments which, by their nature, create lines of customers waiting to be served within automobiles shall provide off-street waiting areas on the same lot as the use, in addition to the required number of parking spaces specified in Schedule 1292.04, in accordance with the following:
Schedule 1292.09
MINIMUM NUMBER OF WAITING SPACES | |
Establishment | Minimum Number of Waiting Spaces |
(1) Establishments serving and/or selling food and/or drinks | 10 waiting spaces |
(2) Automatic car wash facilities where a chain conveyor or other similar method is used to move the vehicle through the structure | 10 waiting spaces |
(3) Facilities with service windows or service entrances such as banks, ticket booths, and other similar facilities | 10 waiting spaces, but not less than four spaces per window or stall when there are two or more windows or stalls |
(4) Self-serve car wash facilities | Four waiting spaces per stall |
(5) Gasoline stations | Two waiting spaces per accessible side of a gasoline pump island |
(b) Vehicles Prohibited Within the Public Right-of-Way. In any case, vehicles shall not be permitted to wait within the public right-of-way for service at such drive-in or drive-thru facilities.
(c) Waiting Space Dimensions. Each off-street waiting space shall have an area not less than 144 square feet (measuring eight feet by 18 feet) exclusive of access drives and parking aisles, and shall not interfere with parking or circulation.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01; Ord. 36-12. Passed 6-11-12.)
1292.10 PARKING SPACES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
Design, construction and installation of all parking areas contained herein shall comply with current requirements under the applicable sections of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and shall be approved by the ADA Coordinator.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.11 PARKING DESIGN STANDARDS.
Off-street parking areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following minimum dimensions set forth in Figure 1292.11, based on the angle of the spaces. The vehicular circulation system and parking facilities shall be designed to fully accommodate the local traffic with safety and efficiency, without permitting it to dominate and destroy the form of the neighborhood.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.12 REGULATIONS FOR ACCESS DRIVES.
All accessory parking spaces shall have vehicular access to a street or alley. Access drives to major streets shall be designed in the interest of public safety, and located so that vehicles can safely enter and leave the facility. Access drives shall be controlled to maintain the designed capacity of the major street system. The location, width, and number of entrance and exit access drives to accessory parking spaces shall be in accordance with the following:
(a) Location. The location and width of entrance and exit driveways to parking facilities shall be planned to interfere as little as possible with the use of nearby property and with pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the nearest streets.
(1) Access driveways shall be located at least 50 feet from the right-of-way line of the nearest intersecting street, except that in a C-3 District access drives shall be at least 200 feet from an intersection.
(2) No access drive shall be within 200 feet, measured along the road centerlines from the outermost freeway ramp terminal right-of-way to the first access drive.
(3) The minimum distance between access drives shall be 100 feet, except that in a C-3 District, the minimum spacing shall be 400 feet.
(b) Number of Drives.
(1) One access drive shall be permitted to a lot from each one of two abutting streets.
(2) One additional access drive may be permitted on lots that have 200 or more feet of frontage except as otherwise regulated below.
(3) The Planning Commission may permit an additional access drive for lots that have more than 500 feet of frontage when the Commission determines it is in the interest of good traffic operation.
(4) For the health, safety, and welfare of the traveling public, the use of common drives by two or more users shall be required to reduce the number of such highway access points.
(c) Width of Access Drives.
(1) The width of such entrance and exit lanes shall be not less than nine feet or more than 12 feet per lane, and shall not exceed a total of 36 feet.
(2) Entrances and exits shall be limited to two lanes, except where one driveway provides the sole access to the property and serves as both an entrance and exit, and then it shall be limited to three lanes
(d) Radius. The radius of the edge of the access drive apron shall be at least 30 feet so that a vehicle may enter from or exit onto the curb lane without obstructing vehicles in other traffic lanes.
(e) Right-turn ingress. A right turn lane and taper shall be required when expected right-turn ingress movements meet or exceed 50 vehicles per hour during a typical peak traffic period.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01; Ord. 109-07. Passed 10-9-07.)
1292.13 OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS.
Off-street loading spaces shall be provided and maintained for all business, commercial and industrial buildings in compliance with the following regulations:
(a) Screening for all loading areas shall be provided along any perimeter that faces a street right-of-way or adjoining property according to the screening requirements of Section 1294.07(b).
(b) All loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use served, and no part of any required yard, off-street parking area, or access drive thereto shall be used for loading or unloading purposes.
(c) Off-street loading spaces shall not be used, designed, intended or constructed to be used in a manner so as to obstruct or interfere with the free use of any street, alley or adjoining property.
(d) Access to truck loading and unloading space shall be provided directly from any public street or alley, or from a right-of-way that will not interfere with public convenience and that will permit the orderly and safe movement of trucks.
(e) Streets, sidewalks, alleys or other public rights-of-way or other public property shall not be used for loading purposes, nor shall vehicles be parked on such areas during loading and unloading.
(f) Off-street loading facilities shall be located in compliance with the building setback requirements, and the loading space shall not be used for repairing or servicing motor vehicles.
(g) Off-street loading spaces shall be in addition to and not considered as meeting a part of the requirements for off-street parking spaces.
(h) Each off-street loading space shall have the minimum dimensions of 12 feet in width, 50 feet in depth and 15 feet in height.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.14 IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS.
All driveways, parking areas, curbs, and bumper guards shall be constructed in accordance with standards established by the City Engineer and the following:
(a) Paving. Except as provided in division (a)(1) of this section, all required parking spaces provided, together with their necessary access drives shall be paved with a hard surface pavement, such as asphalt or concrete approved by the City Engineer. Additional parking shall be paved in a manner adequate to eliminate dust and mud problems.
(1) Access drives within residential districts, where the residence is set back in excess of 75 feet from the City right-of-way, shall install a concrete apron within the City right-of-way pursuant to City standards, plus an additional 10 feet of concrete pavement from the edge of the sidewalk back towards the dwelling. Further, there shall be installed
(b) Drainage. Parking areas shall be graded to provide for drainage so that injury will not be caused to adjacent properties, nor will water drain across a public sidewalk or flow directly onto the street or highway pavement.
(c) Illumination in Open Areas. All parking areas shall be illuminated to a minimum of one foot-candle to protect the public safety. Light sources shall be so designed and located to shield and/or control adjoining residential districts and streets and shall not be of excessive brightness or cause a glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers. The maximum height of light poles shall comply with the following:
(1) Residential Districts. No freestanding light post shall exceed 12 feet in height.
(2) Nonresidential districts. No freestanding light post shall exceed 30 feet in height.
(d) Curbs and Wheel/Bumper Guards. Appropriate wheel/bumper guards, curbs and markings shall be provided in order to define parking spaces, access drives or limits of paved areas and to prevent vehicles from projecting into required yards, walkways or alleys. Wheel/bumper guards shall only be utilized in specific limited locations as recommended by the City Engineer and approved by Planning Commission.
(e) Marking. Any off-street parking area for five or more parking spaces shall indicate the location of each parking space, the location of spaces for persons with disabilities, and the location and direction or movement along the aisles and access drives providing access thereto by painting upon the surface, by raised directional signs, or by markers or other similar measures placed on the surface.
(g) Maintenance. Parking areas, access drives, waiting spaces and loading spaces shall be maintained in a manner to keep it as free as practicable from rubbish, paper and other loose particles, and snow and ice shall be promptly removed by the operator. All adjacent sidewalks shall be kept free from dirt, ice, sleet and snow and in a safe condition for use by pedestrians. All signs, markers or any other methods used to indicate direction of traffic movement and location of parking and/or loading spaces shall be maintained in a neat and legible condition. Any walls, trees and shrubbery, as well as surfacing of parking areas, access drives, waiting spaces and loading areas shall be maintained in good condition.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01; Ord. 169-04. Passed 3-14-05; Ord. 108-16. Passed 12-12-16; Ord. 39-17. Passed 6-12-17.)
1292.15 PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.
All screening and buffering of parking areas shall be in conformance with the regulations set forth in Chapter 1294.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.16 DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW.
Detailed drawings showing the features of off-street parking and loading areas shall be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer for development plan review as required by Chapter 1228.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)
1292.17 MAJOR RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT.
No major recreational equipment or mobile home shall be parked or stored on any lot in a Residential District, except in a carport or enclosed building or behind the nearest portion of a building to a street. However, such equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for not more than twenty-four hours during loading or unloading. No such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot or in any location not approved for such use.
(Ord. 186-01. Passed 1-28-02.)
1292.18 STORAGE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
No commercial vehicle exceeding 2 tons shall be stored and/or parked on a residential lot or in a private garage. Only one commercial motor vehicle with a capacity of less than 2 tons may be stored and/or parked on a residential lot or in a private garage.
(Ord. 195-03. Passed 9-8-03)
1292.19 PARKING OR STORAGE PROHIBITED.
Except as provided in Section 1262.08(c), no vehicle, motor vehicle, commercial vehicle, recreational vehicle, mobile home, recreational equipment, boats, campers or such similar items shall be parked or stored anywhere on residential premises within a five-foot setback from an adjoining property line.
(Ord. 136-09. Passed 1-11-10.)