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Bay City City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XVII

OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING

Sec. 122-381.- Off-street parking regulations.

(a)

Scope of off-street parking regulations. Off-street parking shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the regulations of this article, except that no off-street parking shall be required in the C-3 business district.

(b)

General regulations.

(1)

General applicability. Off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided as required by this article prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for all buildings and uses established after the effective date of this chapter.

(2)

Change in use or intensity. In all zoning districts except the C-1, C-2-A, and C-3 business districts the following shall apply:

a.

Whenever the use of a building, structure, or lot is changed, parking and loading areas shall be provided as required by this article for the new use.

b.

If the intensity of use of any building or lot is increased through the addition of dwelling units, increase in floor area, increase in seating capacity, or through other means, additional off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.

(3)

Existing parking facilities. Off-street parking facilities in existence on the effective date of this chapter shall not thereafter be reduced below, or if already less than, shall not be further reduced below the regulations for the use being served as set forth in this article.

An area designated as required off-street parking shall not be changed to any other use unless equal facilities are provided elsewhere in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(4)

Additional off-street parking. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the voluntary establishment of off-street parking areas to serve an existing use of land or buildings, or to prevent provision of additional parking facilities beyond what is required by this article where there is a demonstrated need for such additional parking, provided all such parking is in conformance with the regulations of this article.

(5)

Materials. All off-street parking and driveways shall consist of an improved surface of concrete, asphalt or brick.

(6)

Location.

a.

Off-street parking for nonresidential uses, except those located in the central business zoning district, shall be located on the same lot or parcel as the building or use being served or within 100 feet of the building it is intended to serve, except as otherwise permitted for collective use of off-street parking areas.

b.

Off-street parking for uses other than single- and two-family homes in a residential district shall not be located in the front yard setback. Off-street parking in the front yard setback of a lot occupied by a single- or two-family dwelling is permitted in any zoning district provided all regulations in this article are met.

c.

Except for single- and two-family dwellings, off-street parking in commercial, office, waterfront, multiple-family, and industrial districts may not be located in a required front, side or rear yard setback. Off-street parking in multiple-family, business, office, waterfront and industrial districts shall not be permitted within five feet of a single-family residential district boundary or front lot line when across the street from residentially zoned property.

(7)

Residential parking. Off-street parking areas for single- and two-family dwellings shall consist of a parking area, driveway, garage, or combination thereof and shall comply with the following regulations:

a.

All new off-street parking spaces for residential uses shall be located on the premises they are intended to serve. Vehicles shall not be parked on lawns or other unpaved areas. All off-street parking and driveways shall consist of an improved surface of concrete, asphalt or brick.

b.

Parking is permitted in the required front yard, side yard and rear yard setback provided in accordance with the following regulations:

1.

The dimensions of a parking area in a required front yard setback shall comply with the regulations of table 122-381.

2.

Parking areas in required front yard setbacks shall be more or less perpendicular, (i.e. 60 to 120 degrees) to the street right-of-way.

3.

No vehicle parked in the front yard parking area shall extend over any portion of a front lot line, or public sidewalk.

4.

Off-street parking shall not be permitted in a unobstructed site distance.

Table 122-381. Dimensions for Parking Area in Required Front Yard

Lot Frontage Maximum Width of Parking Area Including Driveway Maximum Area of Improved Parking Surface Including Driveway
24 feet or less Not permitted Not permitted
25 to 49 feet 12 feet 300 sq. ft.
50 feet or more 22 feet, or 30% of lot width, whichever is greater. 550 sq. ft.

 

(8)

Commercial and recreational vehicle parking. One commercial vehicle, truck and/or trailer with a rated capacity of one ton or less may be parked on a lot on which a dwelling is located in a residential zoning district for a period not to exceed 48 hours. No commercial vehicle, truck and/or trailer with a rated capacity greater than one ton shall be parked or stored on a residentially zoned property.

(9)

Recreational vehicle parking. Recreational vehicles may be parked or stored outdoors on occupied lots in any residential zoning district subject to the following regulations:

a.

Recreational vehicles parked or stored shall not be connected to electricity, water, gas, or sanitary sewer facilities.

b.

Recreational vehicles parked or stored in residential districts shall not be used or occupied for lodging or residential purposes. A maximum of two recreational vehicles may be parked or stored on a single lot of record which is zoned and used for residential purposes. A trailer with a recreational vehicle on it shall be counted as one recreational vehicle.

c.

All recreational vehicles must be located on a hard surfaced area, such as concrete, asphalt, or brick. Recreational vehicles shall be located only in a side or rear yard setback and shall comply with the setback regulations applicable to accessory buildings established by section 122-52(B).

d.

The total lot coverage of all buildings and recreational vehicles shall not exceed 35 percent of the lot area.

e.

Notwithstanding the above provisions concerning location, recreational vehicles may be parked elsewhere on the premises prior to or after a trip for loading or unloading purposes for a period of not more than 48 hours prior to and 48 hours after use of the vehicle.

f.

All recreational vehicles must be kept in good repair. Vehicles capable of being moved from place to place under their own power must be maintained in good running condition. All such vehicles must be properly registered in the name of an occupant of the dwelling unit.

g.

The parking or storage of an unoccupied mobile home is prohibited unless located within an established mobile home park.

(10)

Control of off-site parking. It shall be unlawful to park or store any motor vehicle on private property in any district without the expressed or implied consent of the owner of the property.

(11)

Access to off-street parking areas.

a.

Each off-street parking space in a parking area shall open directly onto a clearly defined aisle or driveway of sufficient width and design as to provide safe and efficient access to or from a public street or alley in a manner that will least interfere with the smooth flow of traffic. Parking configured such that vehicles are required to back directly onto a street is prohibited.

b.

Access to off-street parking which serves a nonresidential use shall not be permitted across land that is zoned or used for residential purposes.

(12)

Collective use of off-street parking. Off-street parking for separate buildings or uses may be provided collectively subject to the following:

a.

The total number of spaces provided collectively shall not be less than the sum of spaces required for each separate use, unless the operating hours of the buildings or uses do not overlap, in which case the planning commission may reduce the total number of spaces to a number deemed reasonable.

b.

Collective off-street parking shall not be located farther than 100 feet from the nearest lot line of the lot on which the building or use being served is located.

(13)

Storage and repair prohibited. The storage of merchandise, sale of motor vehicles, storage of inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, or repair of vehicles is prohibited in off-street parking areas, unless specifically permitted by other provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 2008-17, § 22, 12-15-08; Ord. No. 2010-1, § 7, 1-4-10)

Sec. 122-382. - Design standards.

(a)

Standards. The following standards shall be used in determining the number of parking spaces required for a particular use:

(1)

Definition of floor area. For the purposes of determining required number of parking spaces, "floor area" shall be determined in accordance with the definitions in article II.

(2)

Units of measurement.

a.

When calculations for determining the required number of parking spaces results in a fractional space, any fraction of less than one-half may be disregarded, while a fraction of one-half or more shall be counted as one space.

b.

Parking spaces required for employees shall be based on the maximum number of employees on the premises at any one time.

(3)

Uses not cited. For uses not specifically mentioned, the regulations for off-street parking for a similar use shall apply as determined by planning department staff.

(4)

Use of loading space. Required loading space shall not be counted or used for required parking.

(5)

Stacking spaces. All stacking spaces required in the schedule of off-street parking shall be provided off-street and shall conform to the standards in subsection 122-382(b)(2)a.

(6)

Barrier free parking. Barrier free parking shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of the city's building and code enforcement division.

(b)

Layout and construction. Off-street parking facilities shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following regulations:

(1)

Site plan review required. Site plan review in accordance with article XV is required for all new off-street parking areas greater than 3,000 square feet or expansions of existing parking lots that are greater than 3,000 square feet.

(2)

Dimensions. Off-street parking areas shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:

a.

Stacking spaces shall be ten feet wide and 24 feet long. Stacking spaces shall not include the use of any parking space, loading or unloading area, street, alley or sidewalk nor conflict with ingress and egress to the site.

b.

Driveways providing access to residential, commercial or industrial uses shall comply with engineering division standards.

c.

Plans for the design of off-street parking facilities shall be in accordance with the following minimum regulations:

Table 122-382. Parking Layout and Design

Parking Angle Minimum Aisle Width Minimum Parking Space Width Minimum Parking Space Length Length of 2 Stalls + Aisle Width
0 12 ft. 9.0 ft. 23 ft. 30 ft.
30 11 ft. 9.0 ft. 17.5 ft. 46 ft.
45 13 ft. 9.0 ft. 20 ft. 53 ft.
60 18 ft. 9.0 ft. 21 ft. 60 ft.
75 22 ft. 9.0 ft. 21 ft. 64 ft.
90 24 ft. 9.0 ft. 19 ft. 62 ft.

 

(3)

Ingress and egress. All spaces shall be provided with adequate access by means of clearly defined maneuvering lanes and driveways. Spaces backing directly onto a street shall be prohibited.

(4)

Surfacing and drainage. Off-street parking areas, access lanes, driveways and other vehicle maneuvering areas shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete or bricks. Off-street parking areas, access lanes, and driveways shall be graded and drained to dispose of surface waters. (Surface water shall not be permitted to drain onto adjoining private property.)

(5)

Curbs, wheel chocks. Landscaped areas in or adjacent to parking areas shall be protected with raised curbs, wheel chocks, guard rails, or other means to prevent encroachment of vehicles.

(6)

Lighting. Except for single- and two-family residences, all parking areas, driveways, and walkways shall be illuminated to ensure the security of property and the safety of persons using such areas, in accordance with the regulations in section 122-60. Parking lot entrances shall be illuminated. Lighting shall be arranged so as to reflect away from residential areas.

(7)

Parking structures. Parking structures are permitted in nonresidential zoning districts and may satisfy off-street parking regulations. Parking structures are subject to the area, height, bulk and placement regulations for principal buildings in the zoning districts where they are located.

(8)

Signs. Accessory directional signs shall be permitted in parking areas in accordance with article XX.

(9)

Landscaping and screening. All off-street parking areas, except those serving single- and two-family residences, shall be screened and landscaped in accordance with the provisions set forth in article XVIII.

(10)

Maintenance. All parking areas shall be maintained free of dust, trash, and debris. Surfacing, curbing, wheel chocks, lighting fixtures, signage, and related appurtenances shall be maintained in good condition. All striping shall be clearly visible.

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 2008-17, § 23, 12-15-08)

Sec. 122-383. - Number of spaces required for various use.

The amount of required off-street parking for a particular use shall be determined in accordance with table 122-383. Where more than one standard is provided for a particular use, the standard that requires the greater number of parking or loading spaces shall be used.

Table 122-383 - Required parking spaces.

Use Number of Parking Spaces Required
Residential uses.
Single and two-family. 2 per dwelling unit.
Medium density multiple-family. 1 per efficiency unit.
1.5 per 1 bedroom unit.
2 per 2 or more bedroom unit.
High-rise, multiple-family. 1.5 per dwelling unit. Multiple-family and attached single-family developments shall provide supplemental off-street parking equal to at least 20 percent of the spaces required for dwelling units.
Elderly congregate housing, dependent-housing facilities, or multiple-family dwellings limited to senior citizens. 0.5 per dwelling unit, plus 1 per employee on day shift. Should dwelling units be converted to general occupancy, the regulations for medium density or high-rise multiple-family housing shall apply.
Licensed residential facility. 0.25 per bed, plus 1 per employee on the largest shift.
Mobile home park. In accordance with Michigan Manufactured Home Commission regulations.
Institutional and public uses.
Places of worship. 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 6 feet of bench length based on maximum seating capacity of the main area of worship.
Day care centers. 1 per employee, plus 1 for each 400 sq. ft. of usable floor area. In addition to employee parking, adequate stacking space shall be provided for dropping-off and picking-up children.
Dormitories, fraternities and sororities. 1.5 per each 2 persons based on maximum permitted occupancy.
Hospitals. 1 per 600 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
Convalescent and nursing homes. 1 per 3 beds.
Libraries, museums and art galleries. 1 per 300 sq. ft. of usable floor area, plus 1 for each employee on largest shift.
Public utility use. 1 per employee on largest shift.
Elementary and junior high schools. 1.5 per room used by students and faculty. Additional parking spaces shall be provided for auditoriums, stadiums and other public meeting places.
Senior high schools. 1 per room used by students and faculty. Additional parking spaces shall be provided for auditoriums, stadiums and other public meeting places.
Auditoriums with fixed seating. 1 per 4 seats.
Auditoriums or similar multi-purpose rooms without fixed seating. 1 per 50 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
Arenas and stadiums. 1 per 3 seats, or 6 linear feet of benches, whichever is greater.
Business and commercial uses.
Auditoriums and theaters with fixed seating. 1 per 4 seats, plus 1 for each employee on largest working shift.
Auditoriums and theaters without fixed seating. 1 per 50 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift.
Arenas and stadiums. 1 per 3 seats, or 6 linear feet of benches, whichever is greater, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift.
Veterinary clinics. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of usable floor area, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift.
Motor vehicle repair garage. 1 per employee, plus 2 per service or repair bay.
Motor vehicle service station. 1 per fuel nozzle, plus 2 per service bay, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift. Additional parking shall be provided for convenience stores and other uses operated in conjunction with a service station based on the standards of this section.
Motor vehicle filling station. 1 per fuel nozzle, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift. Additional parking shall be provided for convenience stores and other uses operated in conjunction with a service station based on the standards of this section.
Motor vehicle sales facilities. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of usable floor area, excluding service bays and outdoor sales lot parking spaces, plus 1 per service bay, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift.
Automatic car wash. 1 per employee on largest shift, plus 10 stacking spaces, with at least 1 stacking space on the exit side of the wash lane.
Self-service car wash. 1 per employee on largest working shift, plus 3 stacking spaces per washing bay, plus 1 drying stacking space per washing bay.
Banks/financial institutions. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus 3 stacking spaces for each drive-through service bay and ATM.
Beauty salons, barbershops and tanning salons. 3 for the first 2 chairs or tanning booths, plus 1.5 spaces for each additional chair or tanning booth.
Conference centers. 30 for each 10,000 sq. ft. of conference facility, plus 10 for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area of restaurant space.
Convenience stores. 1 per 180 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Funeral home. 1 per 100 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
Furniture and appliance sales. 1 per 600 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Ice cream parlors. 1 per 75 sq. ft. of gross floor area with a minimum of 8 spaces.
Laundromats. 1 per 2 washing or dry cleaning machines.
Hotels and motels. 1 per lodging unit, plus 1 per employee. Additional spaces shall be provided as required for conference facilities, restaurants, or assembly, and bars.
Bed and breakfasts. 2 spaces for owner/occupants and 1 space per guest room.
Lumber yard. 2.5 spaces per employee, plus 1 per 150 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Mini-warehouse/self-service storage facility. 1 per 10 storage units (must be equally distributed near storage units), plus 1 per manager's/caretaker's quarters, plus 1 located at the facility's office per each 50 storage units.
Open air business. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of land used for display or sales.
Restaurant, bar/lounge. 1 per 100 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Restaurant, carry-out. 10 per service or counter station, plus five stacking spaces per drive-through service window, or 1 per 30 sq. ft. of usable floor area in customer service area, plus 1 per employee, plus 5 stacking spaces per drive-through service window. Outdoor seating areas shall count as usable floor area.
Restaurant, fast-food with drive-through service. 1 per 30 sq. ft. of usable floor area, plus 1 per employee, plus 5 stacking spaces per drive-through window. Outdoor seating areas shall count as usable floor area.
Restaurant, standard. 1 per 3 persons who may occupy the facility at one time based on the legally established maximum occupancy of the facility, plus 1 per 2 persons in addition to the first 150 persons, plus 1 per employee.
Service establishments not otherwise specified. 1 per 300 sq. ft. of usable floor area, plus 1 per employee.
Radio or television station or studio. 1 per employee. Spaces shall also be provided for any auditorium or public seating space within a studio.
Recreational vehicle showrooms and sales facilities. 1 per 400 sq. ft. of showroom space.
Shopping centers. 1 per 225 sq. ft. of leasable floor area for centers having less than 400,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
1 per 200 sq. ft. of gross leasable floor area for centers having between 400,000 and 600,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
1 per 175 sq. ft. of gross leasable floor area for centers having more than 600,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
The parking regulations for restaurants and other uses located in a shopping centers shall be computed separately and added to the parking regulations for the other uses.
Supermarkets. 1 per 180 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Wholesale stores, machinery sales, showroom of a plumber, electrician or similar trade. 1 per 500 sq. ft. of usable floor area, plus 1 per employee.
Retail stores not otherwise specified. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Office uses.
Business and professional offices except as otherwise specified. 1 per 200 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Clinics of doctors, dentists and similar medical professions. 1 per 150 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Real estate offices. 1 per 125 sq. ft. of usable floor area.
Industrial uses.
Contractor or construction use. 1 per employee.
Manufacturing, industrial production, processing, assembly, compounding, preparation, cleaning, servicing, testing, repair and accessory business offices and storage facilities. 1 per 750 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
Warehouses and wholesale establishments. 1 per 1,500 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus spaces required for office and sales areas.
Recreation uses.
Bowling facilities. 3 per lane. Additional spaces shall be provided as required for restaurants, bars and other such uses.
Assembly halls without fixed seating, dance halls, health spas, pool or billiard parlors, skating rinks, exhibition halls, and similar indoor recreation uses. 1 per 2 persons who may occupy the facility at one time based on the legally established maximum occupancy of the facility, plus 1 per employee.
Football and soccer fields, other than stadiums. 30 per field.
Public or private golf courses. 6 per hole, plus 1 per employee. Additional spaces shall be provided for clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop and other affiliated uses.
Miniature or par 3 golf courses. 6 per hole, plus 1 per employee. Additional spaces shall be provided for clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop and other affiliated uses.
Golf driving ranges. 1 per tee, plus 1 per employee on largest working shift.
Service clubs and fraternal organizations. 1 per 2 persons who may occupy the facility at one time based on legally established maximum occupancy of the facility, plus 1 per employee.
Stadium, sports arena, or similar assembly space. 1 per 3 seats, or 1 per 6 lineal feet of bench space.
Swimming clubs. 1 per 2 families or individual members, plus 1 per employee.
Swimming pool. 1 per 4 persons who may occupy the facility at one time based on the legally established maximum occupancy of the facility, plus 1 per employee.
Tennis clubs and court-type recreation uses. 1 per person permitted based on the capacity of the courts, plus 1 per employee. Additional spaces shall be provided for clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop and other affiliated uses.

 

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 2008-17, § 5, 12-15-08; Ord. No. 2010-21, § 18, 12-20-10; Ord. No. 2012-8, § 9, 6-18-12)

Sec. 122-384. - Loading space regulations.

(a)

General applicability. All uses shall have adequate space for loading and unloading vehicles as required in this section.

(b)

Change in use or intensity. Whenever use of a building or lot is changed, loading space shall be provided as required by this chapter for the new use.

(c)

General regulations.

(1)

Location. Required loading space shall be located to the rear or side of the building being served such that it is screened from view from adjoining streets. Loading and unloading operations shall not interfere with traffic on public streets or off-street parking. Loading spaces shall be located no closer than 50 feet from any residential zoning district or any residential use unless the loading area adjoins a public alley, is located within an enclosed building, or is screened on all sides from the residential zoning district or use by a six-foot solid masonry wall. An ornamental fence not less than six feet in height may be substituted for the masonry wall during site plan review or special use approval.

(2)

Size. Unless otherwise specified, each required loading space shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width and 50 feet in length, with a vertical clearance of 15 feet.

(3)

Surfacing and drainage. Loading spaces shall be surfaced with asphalt or concrete. Off-street parking areas, access lanes, and driveways shall be graded and drained to dispose of surface waters. Surface water shall not be permitted to drain onto adjoining private property.

(4)

Use of loading space. Required loading space shall not be counted or used for required parking.

(5)

Central loading. Central loading facilities may be substituted for individual loading spaces serving businesses on separate lots provided that all of the following conditions are fulfilled:

a.

Each business served shall have direct access to the central loading area without crossing streets or alleys.

b.

Total loading space provided shall meet the minimum regulations specified by this section, in consideration of total floor area of all businesses served by the central loading space.

c.

No building served shall be more than 300 feet from the central loading area.

(6)

Minimum loading space. The number of required loading spaces shall be determined in accordance with the schedule that follows.

Table 122-384. Loading Space Standards.

Gross Floor Area Number of Loading Spaces
5,000—19,999 sq. ft. 1 space
20,000—99,999 sq. ft. 1 space, plus 1 space for each 20,000 sq. ft. in excess of 20,000 sq. ft.
100,000—499,999 sq. ft. 5 spaces, plus 1 space for each 50,000 sq. ft. in excess of 100,000 sq. ft.
500,000 sq. ft. and over 13 spaces, plus 1 space for each 80,000 sq. ft. in excess of 500,000 sq. ft.

 

(7)

Exception to loading space regulations. Establishments of less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area shall be provided with adequate off-street loading space that is accessible by motor vehicle and situated such that it will not interfere with on-site pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The size of any such loading space shall be based on the types of delivery vehicles typically utilized by the establishment, provided that in industrial districts sufficient land area must be made available to provide a 12 by 50 foot space in the event that the use of the property changes.

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05)