(1)

A parking space shall have a minimum area of not less than 180 square feet, minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of twenty feet, exclusive of driveways and maneuvering area.

(1)

The parking space requirement for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a use of similar nature. The board of adjustment shall make the determination.

(2)

These standards shall apply fully to all additions, expansions, enlargements or reconstructions on the basis of the addition, expansion, enlargement or reconstruction only.

(3)

In the case of mixed or joint uses, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.

(4)

The use of any required parking space for the storage of any motor vehicle for sale, or for any other purpose other than the parking of a motor vehicle for employees or visitors is prohibited.

(5)

Where fractional spaces result, the parking space required shall be construed to be the next highest whole number.

(1)

Residential off-street parking shall be located on the lot intended to be served.

(2)

Required off-street parking for other than residential use shall be either on the same lot or within 200 feet of the building it is intended to serve measured from the nearest point of the building to the nearest point of the off-street parking lot, measured along the proposed pedestrian access route.

(3)

Up to 50 percent of the parking spaces required for (a) theaters, public auditoriums, bowling alleys, night clubs or churches may be provided and used jointly by (b) banks, offices, retail stores, repair shops, service establishments and similar uses not normally open, used or operated during the same hours as those listed in (a); provided, however, the written agreement thereto is properly executed and filed. Such joint parking facilities shall be located within 400 feet of the non-residential uses served.

(4)

In any case where the required parking spaces are not located on the same lot with the building or use served, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, a written agreement thereby assuring their retention for such purposes, shall be properly drawn and executed by the parties concerned, approved as to form by the city attorney and shall be filed with the application for a building permit, and shall be in full force and effect until released by resolution of the zoning board of adjustment.

(5)

Use of off-street parking in residential area for non-residential purposes is prohibited.

(1)

Generally. The following off-street parking figures specify the minimum number of off-street parking spaces:

(a)

For all required off-street parking, the minimum dimensions of each parking stall shall be a minimum of nine (9.0) feet by twenty (20') feet, exclusive of aisle width, which shall be delineated by striping or other similar means; minimum area shall be 180 square feet.

(b)

All parking spaces required herein, including adequate driveways, and maneuvering areas shall be improved with a suitable, hard surface, permanent type of pavement.

(c)

If the required number of spaces is not a whole number, the number of required spaces shall be rounded up to the next higher whole number.

(d)

When a development is specifically designed to be used for senior citizens or other special residential uses or as approved by ZBA, all such units shall be required to provide a minimum of one (1) parking space for each such unit/resident.

(e)

Reference herein to "employee(s) on the largest work shift" means the maximum number of employees employed at the facility regardless of the time period during which this occurs and regardless of whether any such person is a full-time employee. The largest work shift may be a particular day of the week or a lunch or dinner period in the case of a restaurant.

(f)

The term "capacity" as used herein means the maximum number of persons that may be accommodated by the use as determined by its design or by fire code regulations, whichever is greater.

(2)

Required residential parking.

(a)

Dwelling, single family: one space for each unit.

(b)

Dwelling, multi-family: 1½ spaces per unit for first 20 units plus 1 space per unit over 20 units.

(c)

Group dwellings: one (1) space per bedroom or sleeping room.

(3)

Non-residential parking. The following minimum number of parking spaces shall be required of the nonresidential uses specified below in all districts except the downtown commercial district. No off-street parking will be required for non-residential uses in the downtown commercial district.

(a)

Agricultural uses: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

(b)

Agriculture support uses: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area provided for customer sales and service operations.

(c)

Commercial and entertainment uses, except as specifically designated below: One (1) space per hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of office gross floor area, or, if the use has at least one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of gross floor area, five and one-half (5.5) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area.

1.

Banks: one (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus five (5) spaces off-street waiting (loading) spaces per drive-in lane, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

2.

Banks, automated, freestanding walk-up facility: one (1) space per facility for service and use.

3.

Beauty and barber shops: three (3) spaces per operator or one (1) space per one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, whichever is larger, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

4.

Funeral home: one (1) space per four (4) patron seats or twenty-five (25) spaces per chapel unit, whichever is greater.

5.

Grocery or supermarket: one (1) space per one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

6.

Hospital: two (2) spaces per three (3) patient beds, plus one (1) space per staff doctor and each other employee on the largest work shift.

7.

Hotel or motel: one (1) space per room or suite, plus one (1) space per every three (3) employees on the largest work shift, plus one (1) space per three (3) persons to the maximum capacity of each public meeting and/or banquet room, plus fifty (50) percent of the spaces otherwise required for accessory uses (e.g., restaurants and bars).

8.

Private clubs: one (1) space per three (3) persons to the maximum capacity of the facility.

9.

Repair services: one (1) space per three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

10.

Restaurant, standard: one (1) space per three (3) patron seats or one (1) space per hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, whichever is greater, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

11.

School, commercial or trade: one (1) space per three (3) students, plus one (1) space per employee (including faculty) at capacity class attendance period.

12.

Shopping center: five (5) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

13.

Theaters and auditoriums: one (1) space per three (3) patrons based on maximum capacity. These requirements may be satisfied on a space-by-space basis by a facility's providing written proof that it has the use of a nearby parking lot available to its patrons (e.g., by contractual arrangement).

(d)

Commercial/recreational uses (except as designated below): one (1) space per four (4) patrons to the maximum capacity of facility, plus one (1) space per two (2) employees on the largest work shift.

1.

Bowling alley: five (5) spaces per lane, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

2.

Drive-in theater: one (1) space per automobile station, plus one (1) space per employee.

3.

Golf driving range: one (1) space per tee, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

4.

Marina: one and one-half (1.5) spaces per berth. At least ten (10) percent of the spaces must be large enough to accommodate cars with trailers.

5.

Miniature golf: one (1) space per hole, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

6.

Outdoor theater: one (1) space per three (3) patrons to the maximum capacity of the facility inclusive of both indoor and outdoor capability.

7.

Skating rink, ice or roller: one (1) space per three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

(e)

Industrial and extraction uses: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per company vehicle normally left on the premises.

(f)

Institutional/recreational uses, (except as designated below): Open space per four (4) patrons to the maximum capacity of facility, plus one (1) space per two (2) employees per largest work shift.

1.

Camps, day or youth: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per camp vehicle normally parked on the premises.

2.

Cemetery: one (1) space per employee, plus one (1) space per four (4) visitors to the maximum capacity.

3.

Church: one (1) space per four (4) seats of maximum capacity. Overflow parking over and above the spaces required by this section may be allowed in planned and approved grassed areas that are appropriately designed and maintained.

4.

Community and recreation center: one (1) space per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, or one (1) space per four (4) patrons to the maximum capacity, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

5.

Day or nursery school: one (1) space per teacher/employee on the largest shift; plus one (1) off-street parking or loading space per ten (10) children. Parking or loading spaces designated for children shall be located such that there is direct pedestrian access into the facility without crossing streets or driveways.

6.

Libraries and museums: one (1) space per two hundred and fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service or one (1) space per four (4) seats to the maximum capacity, whichever is greater, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

7.

Monasteries, convents: one (1) space per six (6) residents, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus (1) space per five (5) chapel seats if the public may attend.

8.

Nursing homes: one (1) space per six (6) patient beds, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per staff member and visiting doctor.

9.

Schools:

a)

Elementary and junior high: one (1) space per teacher and staff member, plus one (1) space per two (2) classrooms.

b)

Senior high: one (1) space per teacher and staff member on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per five (5) non bused students.

c)

College: one (1) space per staff member on the largest shift, plus one space per two (2) students of the largest class attendance period.

10.

Swimming facility: one (1) space per seventy-five (75) square feet of gross water area, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

11.

Tennis, racquetball, handball courts: four (4) spaces per court, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

(g)

Commercial support uses, except as designated below: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per company vehicle regularly stored on premises.

1.

Veterinary office with enclosed kennels and/or pens: three (3) spaces per doctor, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

2.

Nursery uses: one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus one (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area of inside sales or display.

(h)

Office uses (except as designated below): one (1) space per two hundred and fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

1.

Medical offices: five (5) spaces per doctor.

2.

Office/warehouse: one space per 250 square feet of office space plus one space per employee of maximum working shift plus one space per company vehicle. (If owner does not provide floor plan, building official & city engineer will divide square footage as ⅓ office, ⅔ warehouse.)

(i)

Outdoor recreational uses (except as designated below): one (1) space per four (4) expected patrons at capacity.

1.

Golf courses (nine and eighteen hole): thirty (30) spaces per nine (9) holes, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift, plus fifty (50) percent of spaces otherwise required for any accessory uses (e.g., bars, restaurants).

2.

Golf, par three: fifteen (15) spaces per nine (9) holes, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

3.

Outdoor swimming pool: one (1) space per seventy-five (75) square feet of gross water area.

4.

Tennis court: three (3) spaces per court.

(j)

Recreational rental uses (except as designated below): one and one-half (1.5) spaces per site or dwelling unit.

1.

Recreational vehicle park: one and one-half (1.5) spaces per each recreational vehicle site, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

(k)

Auto related service uses (except as designated below): one (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

1.

Convenience store grocery: one (1) space per one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

2.

Fast-food restaurant: one (1) space per fifty (50) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift. Sufficient space on-site shall be provided to accommodate stacking vehicles. Such space shall at a minimum provide capacity for four (4) vehicles from the start of the stacking lane to the order board; two (2) vehicles from the order board to the service window; and one and one-half (1.5) vehicles from the service window to the exit to a public right-of-way.

3.

Road services uses: one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift, plus one (1) space per company vehicle normally stored on the premises.

4.

Taverns, dance halls, night clubs, and lounges: one (1) space per fifty (50) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest shift.

5.

Vehicle sales and service: one (1) space per fifteen hundred (1,500) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service.

6.

Vehicle repair and maintenance services: one (1) space per four hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area of customer sales and service, plus one (1) space per employee on the largest work shift.

7.

Mini warehouse: one (1) space per ten (10) storage cubicles, plus two (2) spaces per manager's residence, plus one (1) space per twenty-five (25) storage lockers located at the warehouse office.

8.

Towing service: one space per 300 square feet of storage area or yard space.

(1)

In order to prevent the establishment of a greater number of parking spaces than actually needed to meet the particular needs of those large uses over five hundred thousand (500,000) square feet of gross floor area, a reduction in the number of required off-street parking spaces may be permitted. This reduction shall be permitted subject to the following conditions.

a)

A maximum reduction of one (1) parking space per every one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area or twenty (20) percent of the total spaces required can be permitted. The land development plan shall indicate the location and dimensions of the parking area provided.

b)

Sufficient area must be reserved for the total number of off-street parking spaces required by section 10.4. The purpose of this reservation is to insure adequate area to meet any future need for additional parking spaces. This reservation shall be provided for by deed-restricting that portion of the site required to provide for the total number of parking spaces on the same property as is being proposed for development. The reserved parking area shall not include areas for required bufferyards, setbacks, or areas which would otherwise be unsuitable for parking spaces due to the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this ordinance. The developer shall provide a landscaping plan for the reserved area.

c)

The developer shall enter into written agreement with the City of Bessemer that the additional parking spaces up to the total spaces required shall be provided at the owner's expense should the zoning officer determine that the total required parking spaces are necessary to satisfy the needs of the particular use pursuant to the standards imposed by this ordinance.

d)

Certain large uses, such as regional shopping centers, may need fewer parking spaces than are required by this ordinance since their trip generation per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area is typically less than smaller uses. For example, large industrial users may find, through van-pooling or car-pooling practices, that their parking needs are reduced. This section provides a twenty (20) percent maximum reduction in required parking spaces while at the same time requiring that land be reserved to accommodate future parking needs.

(1)

In providing parking facilities, provisions shall be made in accordance with building and other codes for parking for physically handicapped.

(1)

Loading space general.

(a)

The minimum area for each off-street loading space, excluding area for maneuvering, shall be two hundred and fifty (250) square feet.

(b)

At no time shall any part of a truck or van be allowed to extend into the right-of-way of a public thoroughfare while the truck or van is being loaded or unloaded.

(c)

On the same premises with every building or structure involving the receipt or dispatch for vehicles as a necessity fork, or incidental to, the operation or use of the building, there shall be provided and maintained adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services, in order to avoid undue interference with public use of streets or alleys.

(d)

A loading space shall have a minimum clear height of 14 feet and shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide by 45 feet long.

(e)

The entire loading area shall be paved and graded to properly drain.

(2)

Number of loading spaces required.

(a)

Any use with a gross floor area of six thousand (6,000) square feet or more which requires deliveries or shipments must provide off-street loading facilities, except in the downtown commercial district, in accordance with the requirements specified below.

(b)

Every retail establishment, industrial or manufacturing use, warehouse, wholesale use, freight terminal, railroad yard, hospital, or sanitarium having an aggregate gross floor area of six thousand (6,000) square feet or more shall provide off-street loading facilities as follows:

For each additional seventy-two thousand (72,000) square feet (or fraction thereof) of gross floor area, one (1) additional berth shall be provided.

(1)

Except for parcels of land devoted to one and two family uses, all areas devoted to off-street parking shall be so designed and be of such size that no vehicle is required to back into a public street to obtain egress.

(2)

There shall be clearly defined driveways used for ingress and egress.

(3)

All areas devoted to permanent off-street parking as required under this section shall be of a sealed-surface construction and maintained in such a manner that no dust will result from continuous use.

(4)

The parking lot shall be drained to eliminate surface water.

(5)

Where the parking lot is contiguous to a residential district which has common frontage in the same block with the parking lot, there shall be established a setback line twenty-five (25) feet from the street lot line.

(6)

Where parking is to be provided in the front yard of a multiple family dwelling, there shall be established a landscaped strip 9 feet wide adjacent to the street lot line. This 9-foot strip of land is for the purposes of this ordinance called a "buffer strip." The ground in the front buffer strip shall be prepared and shall be planted with trees, shrubs, and grass.

(7)

Plans for the layout of a parking lot must be approved by the zoning board of adjustment based on design standards approved by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The recommendations of the city engineer shall be reviewed before a decision is made.

(8)

The zoning board of adjustment shall have the authority to approve off-street parking in any district which is more restrictive than that required for the major land use it is intended to serve, subject to the preceding conditions. The following conditions shall also apply:

(a)

The parking lot shall not have access from the more restrictive district.

(b)

Bumper or wheel stops shall be provided so as to prevent any vehicle from projecting over the buffer strip.

(c)

The intensity of light and arrangement of reflectors shall be such as not to interfere with Residential Districts.

(d)

No sign of any kind shall be erected except information signs used to guide traffic and to state the conditions and terms of the use of the lot. Only non-intermittent white lighting of signs shall be permitted.

(9)

Parking areas for single and two household residential dwellings shall be confined to the driveway, garages or rear of the house, and shall not be permitted in the required front setback. Parking areas for multi-household dwellings are permitted within required front setbacks, although they must be located behind required bufferyards.

(10)

Automobiles, trucks or trailers of any kind or type without current license plates shall not be parked or stored on any lot zoned for residential use, other than in completely enclosed buildings. The parking or storage of such trucks, tractor trailers and construction equipment is not permitted in residential zones, with the exception of vehicles not exceeding one-half (½) ton loading capacity which are needed for travel to and from work by residents of the dwelling unit and which are completely enclosed within a buildings. Not more than one (1) travel or camping trailer per family, living on the premises, shall be permitted on a lot in any residential zone; and the trailer shall not be occupied temporally or permanently while it is parked or stored.

(11)

Minimum area for the purpose of these regulations an off-street parking space is an all-weather surfaced area, not in a street or alley, permanently reserved for the temporary storage of one automobile and connected to a street or alley by an asphalt or concrete driveway which affords ingress and egress.

(12)

Off-street parking facilities shall be properly graded for drainage to prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys and surfaced with asphalt, concrete bituminous, or other impervious material. Off-street parking areas shall be maintained in a clean, orderly, dust-free, and weed-free condition at the expense of the owner or lessee and not used for the sale, repair, or dismantling or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials, or supplies.

(13)

Separation from walkways and streets; off-street spaces shall be separated from walkways, sidewalks, streets, or alleys, and required setbacks by a wall, fence, curbing, or other approved protective device. Required off-street parking, where permitted to occur within setback areas, shall not intrude into required bufferyards. Also, where no bufferyard is required for a new or re-developed use, required parking shall not be located closer than three (3) feet from any property line. The minimum separation between off-street parking areas and principle buildings shall be five (5) feet so as to allow for pedestrian use of appropriate walkways.

(14)

Entrances and exits; landscaping curbing or other approved barriers shall be provided along boundaries to control entrance and exit of vehicles or pedestrians. All parking facilities, except those serving single household detached and two household dwellings, shall be designed so that all existing movements onto a public street are in a forward motion. Entrance and exit driveways to public streets and alleys in the vicinity of street intersections must be located at least fifty (50) feet, measured along the curbline, from the intersection of the nearest business. Entrance and exit driveways at other locations or at intersections not covered by the above restrictions may be denied if such a locations will create an accident hazard for normal traffic.

(15)

Parking spaces in lots of more than 10 spaces shall be marked by painted lines, curbs or other means to indicate individual spaces. Signs or markers, as approved by the zoning administrator, shall be used as necessary to insure efficient traffic operation of the lot.

(16)

Lighting; adequate lighting shall be provided in off-street parking spaces which are to be used at night. Equipment for lighting parking facilities shall be arranged so that light does not interfere with traffic or adjoining residential areas.

(17)

Landscaping; where off-street parking, developed in conjunction with a permitted use or as a separate use occupying an individual lot or lots, comprises twenty (20) or more off-street parking spaces, at least ten (10%) percent of the impervious surface area shall be open and landscaped in such a manner as to divide and break up the expanse of paving with islands and barriers; the natural landscape shall be preserved in all possible instances. Wherever healthy plant material exists on a site, the minimum planting standards may be adjusted for such plant material, if in the opinion of the planning and zoning commission such adjustment is in the best interest of the city, and preserves all intents of this ordinance. a minimum of 6 foot wide strip is required for any parking lot adjacent to a street or residential property.

(18)

Fire lanes; off-street parking areas shall designate appropriate "fire lanes" to afford access for emergency vehicles, and shall be so marked as indicated on approved site plans by the fire marshal.

(1)

Commercial vehicles and trailers of all types, including travel, boat, camping and hauling, shall not be parked or stored on any lot occupied by a dwelling or on any lot in any residential district except in accordance with the following provisions:

(a)

Not more than one commercial vehicle, which does not exceed one and one-half tons rated capacity, per family living on the premises, shall be permitted; and in no case shall a commercial vehicle used for hauling explosives, gasoline or liquefied petroleum products be permitted.

(b)

Commercial vehicles and trailers shall not exceed 32 feet in length, or eight feet in width, and shall not be parked or stored for more than 48 hours unless it is located behind the front yard building line. A camping or travel trailer shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area except in a mobile home park authorized under this ordinance.