Bridgeport City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVII
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 560-1701 Purpose and intent.
In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I of this chapter and the statement of community development objectives found in Article I, the intent of this article, among others, is as follows:
A.
Set reasonable standards and provide reasonable controls to ensure sufficient parking capacity for the uses or potential uses of land in the Borough.
B.
Allow flexibility in addressing parking, loading, and access by permitting construction of a reduced number of parking spaces under appropriate conditions.
C.
To recognize the availability of, and fully utilize, on-street and municipal off-street parking in parts of the NC District, and the limited ability to provide parking to serve existing buildings, and the potential of customers walking to businesses in the NC District.
§ 560-1702 Required number of parking spaces.
A.
Overall requirements.
(1)
Number of spaces. Each use that is newly developed, enlarged, significantly changed in type or increased in number of establishments shall provide and maintain off-street parking spaces in accordance with Table 17.1 and the regulations of this article.
(2)
Uses not listed. Uses not specifically listed in Table 17.1 shall comply with the requirements for the most similar use listed in Table 17.1, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Officer that an alternative standard should be used for that use.
(3)
Multiple uses. Where a proposed lot contains or includes more than one type of use, the number of parking spaces required shall be the sum of the parking requirements for each separate use, except in the case of a shared parking agreement per § 560-1702B.
(4)
Parking landscaping. See § 560-1906 of this chapter.
(5)
Parking maximum. No more than 120% of the required minimum parking is permitted.
B.
Flexibility in parking. In any district, as a conditional use, an applicant may prove to the satisfaction of Borough Council that the minimum amount of off-street parking should be modified for a specific application if the applicant proves that the parking demand for a particular use is unusually low because of some unusual and peculiar characteristic of the use.
Table 17.1 — Off-Street Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
(See also: § 560-1702C if within the NC District and § 560-1703F if within the TOD District) | |
Residential Uses | Parking Requirements |
Boardinghouse | 1 space per room for rent |
Multifamily building/unit | 1.5 spaces per studio/1br dwelling unit, 2 spaces per all other units |
Single-family detached dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Single-family semi-detached dwelling (twin) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Two-family detached dwelling (duplex) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Group home | 1 space for each bed, plus 1 space for each 8 beds for guest parking |
Mobile home park | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Commercial Uses | Parking Requirements |
Adult use | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
After-hours club | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Athletic/health club | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Bank | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Brewery/distillery/winery | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Car wash | 5 spaces per lane |
Convenience store | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Dry cleaners or laundromat | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Event facility | 1 per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Firing range | 1 per 400 square feet of gross floor area, excluding range area |
Funeral home | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Hotel/motel | 1 space per rental unit |
Medical marijuana dispensary | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Microbrewery/microdistillery/microwinery | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Mixed-use building | Combined total of all uses |
Parking structure | N/A |
Personal care business | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Professional service business | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Recreation, indoor | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Recreation, outdoor | 1 space for every 1,000 square feet of recreation court area; plus 1 space for every 2,000 square feet of publicly accessible area (excluding the parking area); plus 20 spaces, or portion thereof, per acre of active recreation field (e.g., baseball, soccer) |
Restaurant, dine-in | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Restaurant, take-out | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Retail establishment | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Storage facility (self-service) | 1 per 20 storage units |
Studio | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Supermarket | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Tavern/bar/nightclub | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Theater | 1 space per 5 seats |
Community Service and Institutional Uses | Parking Requirements |
Cemetery | Net total of the parking requirement for accessory office, place of worship, etc. |
Conservation/recreation | 1 space per 2,000 square feet of publicly owned or publicly operated recreational facility or park |
Day care facility | 1 space per 300 square feet of interior floor area dedicated to child care |
Educational institution | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. gross floor area, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly |
Emergency services | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Government facility | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Hospital | 1 space per 4 beds |
Library, museum, or community center | 1 space per 800 square feet in public use |
Membership club | 1 space per 150 square feet |
Place of worship | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Plant nursery | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Residential care facility | 1 space per 4 beds |
Substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation facility | 0.5 spaces per maximum residential capacity |
Swimming pool, non-household | 1 per 50 square feet of water surface |
Office Uses | Parking Requirements |
Co-working space | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Office, business/professional | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Medical office or clinic | 1 space per consultation or exam room |
Research facility | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Industrial Uses | Parking Requirements |
Animal care | 1 per employee |
Artisan manufacturing | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Assembly plant | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Auto, boat and/or mobile/manufactured home sales | 1 space per 500 square feet of indoor gross floor area, plus 1 space per 5,000 square feet of outdoor sales area |
Auto repair garage | 1 space per service bay |
Auto service station | 1 space per 4 fuel pumps, in addition to any required by convenience store |
Building supply or lumber yard | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Communications facility | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Contractor's office/storage | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Junkyard | 1 space per 250 square feet of enclosed gross floor area |
Kennel | 1 space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Manufacturing, processing, and production | 1 for each 2,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Medical marijuana grower/processor | 1 for each 2,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Mineral extraction | 1 per employee |
Recycling center | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Warehouse | 1 for each 2,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Wholesale sales | 1 for each 1,000 square feet excluding office space, plus 1 space per 500 square feet of office |
Other uses not expressly permitted | See § 560-1702A(2) |
Accessory Uses | Parking Requirements |
Accessory structures, residential | N/A |
Accessory structures, nonresidential | N/A |
Bed-and-breakfast home | 1 space per guest room in addition to all required per dwelling unit |
Commercial vehicle parking | N/A |
Communications antenna/tower | N/A |
Daycare home, family or group | 1 space per 300 square feet of interior floor area dedicated to child care in addition to all required per dwelling unit |
Drive-through facilities | N/A |
Fences, walls, and berms | N/A |
Garage sale | N/A |
Home occupation | N/A |
Keeping of pets | N/A |
Livestock | N/A |
No-impact home-based business | N/A |
Outdoor dining | 1 space per 400 square feet of outdoor dining in addition to spaces required for principal use |
Outdoor storage and waste disposal | N/A |
Parking lot | N/A |
Recreational vehicle storage | N/A |
Refuse collection facilities | N/A |
Renewable energy systems | N/A |
Rooftop dining | 1 space per 400 square feet of rooftop dining in addition to spaces required for principal use |
Satellite dishes or antennae | N/A |
Short-term rental | 1 space per bedroom |
Swimming pool, residential | N/A |
Unit for care of relative | 1 space per unit in addition to all required per dwelling unit |
Water feature | N/A |
C.
Shared parking.
(1)
The parking spaces required in Table 17.1 above may be reduced when two or more establishments share the same parking area, whether on the same lot or abutting lots, according to Table 17.2 below.
(a)
Determine the required amount of parking for each proposed land use as if it were a separate use.
(b)
To determine peak parking requirements, multiply the minimum parking required for each proposed land use by the corresponding percentage in the table below for each time period. Calculate the column total for each time period. The column (time period) with the highest value shall be the minimum parking requirement.
(2)
All parties using the shared parking arrangement shall enter into a contractual agreement regarding rights and obligations, which must be approved by the Building, Zoning and Codes Department and be filed with the Zoning Officer.
Table 17.2 — Shared Parking Calculations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Use | Weekday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Weekday, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Weekend, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Weekend, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. |
Office Uses and Industrial Uses | 100% | 20% | 5% | 5% |
Commercial Uses | ||||
Hotel/motel | 70% | 100% | 70% | 100% |
Microbrewery/microdistillery; restaurant, dine-in; restaurant, take-out; tavern/bar/nightclub | 70% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Athletic/health club; recreation, indoor; recreation, outdoor; studio; theater | 40% | 100% | 80% | 100% |
Retail establishment and other | 90% | 80% | 100% | 60% |
Multifamily Building/Unit | 60% | 100% | 80% | 100% |
Community service, Institutional, and Utility Uses | ||||
Place of worship | 20% | 40% | 100% | 50% |
Other | 100% | 40% | 40% | 10% |
D.
Parking reduction in NC Neighborhood Commercial District. The parking requirements in Table 17.1 for nonresidential uses shall be modified within the NC District as follows:
(1)
In lieu parking fee. The Borough may allow a reduction (complete or partial) of the off-street parking requirement for nonresidential uses provided that the property owner pays a fee in lieu for each required parking space not provided on site. The fee in lieu shall be a one-time payment and shall terminate when the property's on-site use changes, and thus parking will be required unless the fee in lieu is granted again. The fee cannot be paid in lieu of the off-street parking requirement for dwelling units. Refer to the fee schedule set by Borough Council for the fee in lieu.
(2)
Municipal parking. Every two public parking spaces in a lot or metered on-street parking located on 4th or DeKalb Streets within 500 feet of the primary entrance of a nonresidential use shall reduce the off-street parking requirement by one space. Safe, direct pedestrian access must be available to and from the off-lot parking area via public sidewalks, crosswalks, and/or other pedestrian accessways. This does not apply to the off-street parking requirement for dwelling units.
§ 560-1703 General regulations for off-street parking.
A.
General. Parking spaces and accessways shall be laid out to result in safe and orderly use and to fully take into account all of the following: vehicular access onto and off the site, vehicular movement within the site, loading areas, pedestrian patterns and any drive-through facilities. No parking area shall cause a safety hazard or impediment to traffic off the lot.
B.
Existing parking and continuing obligation. Any parking spaces serving such preexisting structures or uses at the time of adoption of this chapter shall not in the future be reduced in number below the number required by this chapter. All required numbers of parking spaces and off-street loading spaces shall be available as long as the use or building which the spaces serve still exist, and such spaces shall not be reduced in number below the minimum required by this chapter. No required parking area or off-street loading spaces shall be used for any other use (such as storage or display of materials) that interferes with the area's availability for parking.
C.
Change in use or expansion. A structure or use in existence at the effective date of this chapter that expands or changes in use of an existing principal building shall be required to provide all of the required parking for the entire size and type of the resulting use, except as follows:
(1)
If an existing lawful nonresidential use includes less parking than required, then a change of use may reduce their minimum space requirement by the number of spaces the previous use was deficient. For example, if an existing use included three parking spaces and was required to provide seven spaces and thus was deficient by four spaces, a new use may provide four less spaces than minimum parking required for the new use.
(2)
If an existing lawful nonresidential use expands by an aggregate total maximum of 10% in the applicable measurement (such as building floor area) beyond what existed at the time of adoption of this chapter, then no additional parking is required. For example, if an existing building included 3,000 square feet, and a single minor addition of 300 square feet was proposed, then additional parking would not be required.
D.
Location of parking.
(1)
Required off-street parking spaces shall be on the same lot with the principal use served, except in the case of a shared parking agreement per § 560-1702B.
(2)
Conditional use approval shall be required for off-street parking space(s) proposed between the street curb and the primary face of a building constructed after the adoption date of this chapter if such spaces would be at least partially within 30 feet of the curb. Borough Council shall only approve such parking if the applicant proves that:
(a)
There is no feasible alternative to placing the parking in that location, such as placing parking to the rear or side of the building; and
(b)
The parking and any related driveway will be designed to minimize interference with pedestrian movements.
E.
Handicapped parking.
(1)
Number of spaces. Any lot including four or more off-street parking spaces shall include a minimum of one handicapped space. The following number of handicapped spaces shall be provided, unless a revised regulation is officially established under the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act.
Total Number of Parking Spaces on the Lot | Required Minimum Number/Percent of Handicapped Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
4 to 25 | 1 |
26 to 50 | 2 |
51 to 75 | 3 |
76 to 100 | 4 |
101 to 150 | 5 |
151 to 200 | 6 |
201 to 300 | 7 |
301 to 400 | 8 |
401 to 500 | 9 |
501 to 1,000 | 2% of required number of spaces |
1,001 or more | 20 plus 1% of required number of spaces over 1,000 |
(2)
Location. Handicapped parking spaces shall be located where they would result in the shortest reasonable accessible distance to a handicapped accessible building entrance. Curb cuts shall be provided as needed to provide access from the handicapped spaces.
(3)
Minimum size. Each required handicapped parking space shall be eight feet by 18 feet. In addition, each space shall be adjacent to a five-foot-wide access aisle. Such access aisle may be shared by two handicapped spaces by being placed between them. However, one out of every eight required handicapped parking spaces shall have an adjacent access aisle of eight-foot width instead of five feet.
(4)
Slope. Handicapped parking spaces shall be located in areas of less than 6% slope in any direction.
(5)
Marking. All required handicapped spaces shall be well-marked by clearly visible signs and pavement markings. Blue paint is recommended.
(6)
Paving. Handicapped parking spaces and adjacent areas needed to access them with a wheelchair shall be covered with a smooth surface that is usable by a wheelchair.
F.
Transit Oriented Development District parking standards.
(1)
Due to the transit-oriented nature of the TOD development, a reduced demand for vehicular parking is anticipated. Parking requirements are as follows:
Vehicular Parking Minimum for Residential Uses | |
|---|---|
Studio and 1 bedroom | 1 parking spaces per dwelling unit |
2 bedrooms or more | 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit |
(2)
Surface parking. Surface parking shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
All surface parking lots shall be located to the rear of the building.
(b)
Surface parking lots shall not be located between a building and DeKalb Street or Boro Line Road.
(c)
Surface parking lots visible from a public street shall be screened continuously by a six-foot-high wall, fence, hedge, or combination thereof.
(3)
Structured parking. Structured parking shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
Structured parking shall meet the standards of a parking structure.
(b)
Structured parking should be designed as rear-entry or side-entry when feasible.
(c)
On sloped lots that have a minimum of six feet difference in elevation between two opposite sides of the lot, the parking level shall be placed on the lower level of the lot.
(d)
When parking requires excavation or partial excavation, the first floor elevation of the building shall not be more than five feet above street level.
(e)
When structured parking is provided within a residential building, there shall be no more than one level of parking along a public street.
G.
Mixed-Use Riverfront District parking standards.
(1)
Townhouses: two parking spaces required per dwelling unit; multifamily units: 1.5 per dwelling unit.
(2)
Surface parking shall not occupy any part of any front yard. With the exception of corner lots, parking areas must be located to the rear or side of new or existing buildings. If an applicant can demonstrate to the Borough that parking in the rear is not feasible, the Borough may amend this requirement by conditional use. Off-street parking must be screened from views on public streets, according to screening standards in § 495-63 of Chapter 495, Subdivision and Land Development.
(3)
Where access faces the street, garages or carports shall be located a minimum of 30 feet behind the front facade of the structure.
§ 560-1704 Design standards for off-street parking.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Backing onto a street. No parking area shall be designed to require or encourage parked vehicles to back into a public street in order to leave a parking space, except for a single-family or two-family dwelling with its access onto a local street or parking court. Parking spaces may back onto an alley.
(2)
Every required parking space shall be designed so that each motor vehicle may proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the moving of any other vehicle, except for spaces serving a single-family detached dwelling, single-family semi-detached dwelling (twin), two-family detached dwelling (duplex), or a single-family attached dwelling (townhouse).
(3)
Parking areas shall not be within a required buffer yard, or street or alley right-of-way.
(4)
Separation from street. Except for parking spaces immediately in front of individual dwellings, all outdoor areas for off-street parking, off-street loading and unloading and the storage or movement of motor vehicles shall be physically separated from the street by a continuous grass or landscaped planting strip, except for necessary and approved vehicle entrances and exits to the lot.
(5)
Stacking and obstructions. Each lot shall provide adequate area upon the lot to prevent backup of vehicles on a public street while awaiting entry to the lot or while waiting for service at a drive-through facility.
B.
Size and marking of parking spaces.
(1)
Each parking space shall be a rectangle with a minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of 18 feet, except the minimum length shall be 22 feet for parallel parking.
(2)
For handicapped spaces, see § 560-1703E.
(3)
All spaces shall be marked to indicate their location, except those of a one- or two-family dwelling.
C.
Interconnectivity. Parking lots should be designed to facilitate interconnectivity between parcels in order to create comprehensive and efficient banks of rear parking areas and to eliminate the need for redundant accessways. The Borough may require access easements through parking areas to provide access to existing or future adjacent parking areas.
D.
Shared access. Shared access between two or more adjacent lots is encouraged and shall be permitted when the following conditions are met:
(1)
A shared access driveway may be located entirely on one lot or may cross multiple lots.
(2)
Access easements and maintenance agreements or other suitable legal mechanisms shall be provided, which shall be reviewed and approved by the Borough Engineer and Borough Solicitor.
E.
Paving, grading and drainage:
(1)
Parking and loading facilities and including driveways shall be graded and adequately drained to prevent erosion or excessive water flow across streets or adjoining properties.
(2)
Except for landscaped areas, all portions of required parking, loading facilities and driveways shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete or paving block.
F.
Lighting of parking areas. See § 560-1606, Control of light and glare.
G.
Electric vehicle parking stations. The Borough of Bridgeport requires the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations within all new, expanded or reconstructed parking areas.
(1)
Size. The size of a parking space used for EV charging stations shall be as required in § 560-1704B(1).
(2)
Location. Placement of EV charging stations is preferred at the beginning or end of a series of parking stalls.
(3)
Design. The following requirements apply with respect to the design of EV charging stations:
(a)
Electric vehicle supply/service equipment (EVSE) mounted on pedestals, bollards or other devices shall be installed 24 inches from the face of the curb.
(b)
Charging station outlets shall be no lower than 24 inches and no higher than 48 inches from the top of the surface where mounted and shall contain a retraction device and/or place to hang permanent cords and connectors sufficiently above the ground or pavement surface.
(4)
Maintenance. EVSE shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of charging equipment. A phone number or contact information shall be provided on the charging station equipment for reporting when the equipment is not functioning or other problems are encountered.
(5)
Number of spaces. Parking spaces providing EV charging stations are to be included in the minimum number of parking spaces required. The required number of EV charging stations is based on the total number of spaces required as part of land development plan or applicable permit plan approval.
(a)
One of every 10 parking spaces provided shall be an EV charging station.
(b)
The total number of off-street parking spaces may be reduced by one for lots of 20 or less spaces by conditional use for every Level 3 EVSE proposed.
(6)
Fees. The property owner is not restricted from collecting a reasonable service fee for the use of electric vehicle charging stations made available to residents, employees, and visitors to the property on which it is located.
(7)
Signage. The following information shall be provided at every EVSE:
(a)
Contact information, such as the phone number/TTY or text message support number, for the appropriate party to be notified if the EVSE is inoperable, inaccessible, or unsafe that is available 24/7;
(b)
The address of the EVSE for emergency response purposes;
(c)
Installation date, model number, and the voltage and amperage levels of the EVSE;
(d)
The hours of operation and/or time limit restrictions;
(e)
Parking and charging fees/rates;
(f)
Enforcement warnings (e.g., monetary fine, towing provisions); and
(g)
A statement reading "In case of an emergency, dial 911."
§ 560-1705 Off-street loading.
The provisions of Chapter 495, Subdivision and Land Development, shall apply.
