In all zoning districts, off-street vehicle parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following requirements. In any case where specific requirements result in a fraction of a parking space the next larger whole number of spaces shall be required. In any case where specific requirements include the number of persons employed on the premises, the number persons employed in two shifts shall be used for calculating parking requirements when a use customarily exceeds ninehours of operation in a twenty-four-hour period. Parking spaces shall be required as follows:

Table 17.88.010
PARKING LOT REQUIREMENTS BY USE

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012; Ord. No. 1393, § 25, 1-21-2016)

All retail or wholesale sales, distribution, manufacturing and warehouse uses shall provide and maintain off-street facilities for the loading and unloading of merchandise and goods within the building or on the lot adjacent to a public alley or private service drive to facilitate the movement of traffic on the public street in addition to other parking requirements. Such space shall consist of a minimum area of ten feet by twenty-five feet and be provided as follows:

In cases of unusual design considerations, exemptions or modifications to the off street loading requirements will be permitted only by approval of the planning and zoning commission.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

All business uses containing an automobile drive-in type ordering or service facility, whether manned or unmanned, shall provide automobile stack space in conjunction with the drive-in facility. Stack spaces shall be nine feet wide by eighteen feet long and shall be located in a sequential arrangement oriented to the drive-in ordering or service area. The space occupied by an automobile placing an order or being served shall not be considered as a stack space. Required stack space(s) shall not be on any street right-of-way or alley, any necessary maneuvering area for parking spaces, within the general traffic circulation pattern of a parking lot, or a designated fire lane. Stack spaces may be situated in a straight alignment or in a curved pattern with functional radii. All stack space requirements shall be in addition to all parking space and loading requirements specified in Section 17.88.010 and Section 17.88.012 above. Such stack spaces shall be provided as follows:

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

A.

Parking requirements in all "A," "B," "BR," "CR," and "C" districts shall be provided behind the required front yard and second front yard setback.

B.

For the purpose of this section, an off-street parking space shall be a minimum of nine feet in width and eighteen feet in length, plus off-street maneuvering space.

C.

For a single row of ninety degree head-in parking, the minimum width for a parking space plus aisle shall be thirty-eight feet. For two rows of ninety degree head-in parking using the same aisle, the minimum width for parking spaces plus aisle shall be fifty-six feet. (See Figure 17.88.020-1)

D.

For a single row of sixty degree head-in parking, the minimum width for parking space plus aisle shall be thirty-four feet. For two rows of sixty degree head-in parking, using the same aisle, the minimum width for parking spaces plus aisle shall be fifty-two feet. (See Figure 17.88.020-1)

E.

For a single row of forty-five degree head-in parking the minimum width for parking space plus aisle shall be thirty feet. For two rows of forty-five degree head-in parking, using the same aisle, the minimum width for parking spaces plus aisle shall be forty-eight feet. (See Figure 17.88.020-1)

F.

A single line of parking spaces may be provided parallel to an aisle provided they are at least twenty-two feet in length and nine feet in width and twenty-two feet of maneuvering space in front of and diagonal to the front most parallel parking space. (See Figure 17.88.020-2)

G.

When driveways are less than twenty feet in width, marked separate entrances and exits shall be provided so that traffic shall flow in one direction only. Entrances and exits to an alley may be provided, if prior approval is obtained in writing from the city.

H.

When more than one aisle is provided, adequate internal circulation shall be provided between the aisles to allow movement between the aisles without using public right-of-way.

I.

No parking shall be allowed within an area measuring eighteen feet square with one side of the square along a property line and a second side of the square along the width limit of a drive approach in any district. The above noted eighteen foot square area of no parking shall be behind the property line and adjacent to the throat of a driveway. Attached hereto is Figure 17.88.020-3 which is incorporated in and made part of thistitle.

J.

Maneuvering space shall be completely off the right-of-way of a public street, place or court. Drives and parking areas, including one and two family dwellings, shall be asphalt, concrete, or other approved hard, all-weather surface, free of litter, debris, weeds, grass, or other objectionable material or objects. All parking requirements applying to a stated unit of measurement shall be understood to include a parking space for each unit or fraction thereof.

K.

Parking areas that would require the use of public right-of-ways for maneuvering shall not be acceptable, other than for one- and two-family dwellings, unless specifically approved by the planning and zoning commission. Parking parallel to the curb on a public street shall not be substituted for off-street requirements, unless specifically approved by the planning and zoning commission. Any on-street parking approved by the planning and zoning commission shall be limited to parallel parking or forty-five degree or less head-in parking.

L.

Nothing in this section shall require the furnishing of additional parking spaces for existing buildings to meet the requirements of this section for the existing use.

Figure 17.88.020-1
PARKING LOT LAYOUT

Figure 17.88.020-2
PARALLEL PARKING LAYOUT

Figure 17.88.020-3
NO PARKING ADJACENT TO DRIVE APPROACH

M.

When the occupancy of any building is changed to another use, parking shall be provided to meet the requirements of this section for the new use.

N.

For existing buildings that are enlarged, parking spaces shall be required for the overall building.

O.

When permanent seating is not provided in any public assembly area, the occupant load shall be computed in accordance with current fire code regulations of the City of Benbrook as the fire code currently exists or may be amended in the future without requiring amendment to this title. The applicable parking requirement will then be calculated as if each occupant had a permanent seat.

P.

The location of ingress and egress driveways shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development under curb cut or laid down curb authorization procedures.

Q.

Auxiliary parking may be used if sufficient parking to meet the requirements listed within Table 17.88.010 is available on the premises. A private parking lot may be provided within five hundred feet, either on property zoned for that purpose or as approved by the planning and zoning commission under the following restrictions:

1.

The parking must be subject to the front yard setback requirements of the district in which it is located.

2.

The parking area must be hard surfaced and dust free.

3.

A minimum five-foot high screen type fence or planting must be provided on all sides for the protection of the adjacent properties zoned for residential use.

4.

Area lights must be directed away from adjacent properties and adjacent roadways.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012; Ord. No. 1487, § 15, 2-16-2023)

In each parking facility in "CF," "D," "E," "F," "HC," "G," "MU" and "H" districts, a portion of the total parking spaces available shall be specifically designed, located and reserved for vehicles licensed by the state for use by the handicapped. These spaces shall be provided according to the following schedule:

Each parking space designated for use by the handicapped shall consist of a rectangular area not less than nine feet wide by eighteen feet long, with a vertical clearance of nine and one-half feet, shall be located in an area not exceeding two percent slope, and shall be located near and convenient to a level or ramped entrance accessible to handicapped persons. A five-foot wide access aisle shall be provided adjacent to the handicapped parking space, except that for one of every eight spaces, but not less than one, shall be provided with an eight-foot wide access aisle for van access. Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be designated with a vertically mounted or suspended sign in accordance with state law (Texas Accessibility Standards) and restricted for use by the handicapped only.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

A.

Safety barriers, protective bumpers or curbing shall be provided to prevent encroachment onto adjoining public or private property.

B.

Visibility of and between pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists shall be assured when entering individual parking spaces, when circulating within a parking facility, and when entering and exiting a parking facility.

C.

Internal circulation patterns, and the location and traffic direction of all access drives, shall be designed and maintained in accordance with accepted principles of traffic engineering and traffic safety.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

Lights provided to illuminate any parking facility or paved area shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be designed to reflect away from any residential use.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012; Ord. No. 1487, § 16, 2-16-2023)

Landscaping and bufferyards shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.98 of this title.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

All parking and loading facilities shall be maintained to assure desirability and usefulness of the facility. Such facilities shall be maintained free of refuse, debris, or other accumulated matter and shall at all times be available for the off-street parking or loading use for which they are required or intended.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

All parking facilities shall be graded and provided with permanent storm drainage facilities, meeting the construction specifications set by the city engineer. Surfacing, curbing, and drainage improvements shall be sufficient to preclude the free flow of water onto adjacent properties or public streets or alleys, and to provide adequate drainage.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

A.

No more than one recreational vehicle shall be parked in any required front yard the total length of which shall not measure more than thirty-five feet in length, including any transport accessory and shall not under any circumstances extend into or upon any right-of-way or public access easement. The parking surface in any required front yard shall be asphalt or concrete surface not less than nine feet wide by eighteen feet long in size, free of litter, debris, weeds, or other objectionable material or objects. Use of an alternate all-weather hard surface may be approved only by the city engineer. The vehicle and transport accessory must be totally operational and ready for use and have current license plates and inspection certificate. No such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot or any location not approved for such use.

B.

Parking of recreational vehicles will be permitted behind the front building line; however, such vehicles shall be currently licensed and in good repair and be parked on a concrete or asphalt surface at least nine feet wide by eighteen feet long in size.

C.

Recreational vehicles shall not be parked in any street or public right-of-way for a period exceeding three hours.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

Automotive vehicles or trailers meeting the definition of "junked vehicle" shall not be parked or stored on any property other than completely enclosed in a building in a lawful manner and is not visible from the street or other public or private property. Antique or special interest vehicles may be parked by a motor vehicle collector on the collector's property behind the front building line provided that the vehicle is parked on a concrete or asphalt surface at least nine feet wide by eighteen feet long in size, the area is maintained in an orderly manner and not a health hazard, and that the area is screened from ordinary public view by not less than a six-foot solid fence. Covering of a junked, antique or special interest vehicle by a tarp or other fabric cover alone is not sufficient to comply with the screening requirement herein. Parking or storage of all licensed trailers shall conform to requirements of major recreational equipment. All automotive vehicles or trailers of any kind shall be parked on a concrete or asphalt surface not less than nine feet wide by eighteen feet long. Use of an alternate all-weather hard surface may be approved only by the city engineer. The temporary parking (not exceeding forty-eight hours) of automotive vehicles or trailers on a surface other than concrete or asphalt at special community events hosted or authorized by the city may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the director of public services.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012)

A.

Bicycle Parking Requirement.

1.

All new non-residential developments ("CF," "E," "F," "G," "H," and "HC" zoning districts) shall provide parking spaces for bicycles equivalent to five percent of their automobile parking requirement.

2.

In all cases where bicycle parking is required, no fewer than two spaces (one rack) shall be required.

3.

A reduction in the minimum required automobile parking may be allowed equal to one automobile space for each two bicycle parking spaces provided. Additional bicycle parking spaces provided above the required number may not reduce the required number of automobile parking spaces by more than thirty-five percent.

B.

Locations.

1.

Bicycle parking shall be located as close as or closer than the nearest car parking space to the building entrance, other than those spaces for persons with disabilities.

2.

Bicycle parking facilities shall not interfere with accessible paths of travel or accessible parking as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

3.

Bicycle racks shall not block the building entrance or inhibit pedestrian flow.

4.

Bicycle racks shall be located in highly visible and well-lit areas to minimize theft and vandalism.

5.

Alternative Locations: In the event that compliance may not be feasible because of demonstrable hardship, the planning director may approve an alternative location. The planning director shall be guided by the following criteria:

a.

Alternative locations shall be well lit and secure.

b.

All bicycle parking spaces shall be located within one hundred feet of the primary building entrance.

C.

Layout and Design.

1.

Bicycle Rack Design - structures that require a user-supplied locking device.

a.

Each bike rack shall be designed to accommodate two bike parking spaces using the allowed bike rack designs below.

b.

Racks shall be designed to accommodate U-shaped locking devices and support the bicycle in two places.

c.

Racks shall be designed to resist cutting, rusting, bending and deformation.

d.

The surfacing of such facilities shall be designed and maintained to be mud and dust free.

2.

Bicycle parking space size, access aisles, and vertical clearance.

a.

Required bicycle parking spaces shall be at least four feet wide by six feet long.

b.

An access aisle of at least four feet shall be provided in each bicycle parking facility.

c.

Such space shall have a vertical clearance of at least six feet.

d.

Racks shall be placed on forty-eight-inch centers.

3.

Bicycle parking shall be located to protect bicycles from damage from automobiles.

4.

In cases where bicycle parking spaces are not visible from the primary street, signage shall be used to direct cyclists safely to bicycle parking areas.

(Manual for Uniform Traffic Devices sign D4-3)

5.

All bicycle racks and lockers shall be securely anchored to the ground using a concrete footing and tamper-proof spike anchors.

6.

Bicycle parking shall be designed to minimize visual clutter to the extent possible.

(Ord. No. 1344, § 1, 10-18-2012; Ord. No. 1487, § 17, 2-16-2023)