Brighton Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Off-Street Parking, Loading and Unloading Regulations
§ 195-104 General regulations.
A.
Off-street parking, loading and unloading facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion in the streets. The facilities required herein shall be available throughout the hours of operation of the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided. As used herein, the term "parking space" includes either covered garage space or uncovered parking lot space located off or beyond the public right-of-way.
B.
Each parking space shall consist of not less than an average of 270 square feet of useable area for each motor vehicle, including the interior driveways and driveways connecting the garage or parking space with a street or alley. Parking spaces must comply with the requirements of Detail SD-13[1] of the Township Minimum Construction Standards and Details. Notwithstanding the above, all parking spaces shall be ample in size for the vehicles' intended use. Parking spaces shall not be less than 10 feet wide and 20 feet long. Exterior parking spaces and the approaches thereto for residential uses of more than four spaces per lot shall be paved. For all other uses, the required parking spaces shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or a material approved by the Township Engineer.
[Amended 3-8-2004 by Ord. No. 135; 4-11-2016 by Ord. No. 203]
C.
A garage or carport may be located wholly or partly inside the walls of the principal building or attached to the outer walls. If separated from the principal building, the garage shall conform to all accessory building requirements. The garage may be constructed under a yard or court. The space above an underground garage shall be deemed to be part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
D.
Parking spaces may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use with the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
E.
Surfacing. Any off-street parking area required for a nonresidential use shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be surfaced so as to provide a durable and dustless surface, such as asphalt or concrete surface, and shall be so arranged as to provide for orderly and safe parking and storage of vehicles.
F.
Lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises and public right-of-way.
G.
There shall be adequate provision for ingress and egress to all parking and loading spaces designed for use by employees, customers, delivery services, sales people and/or the general public right-of-way or private alley or easement of access, and there shall be provided an access drive of not less than 12 feet in width per directional lane of traffic and not less than 18 feet in width in all cases where the access is to storage areas or loading and unloading spaces required hereunder.
H.
All parking areas shall have lined spaces and bumper blocks, where appropriate.
I.
Where required, adequate parking for handicapped persons shall be provided in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
§ 195-105 Parking and lighting.
[Amended 11-13-2001 by Ord. No. 119; 5-12-2003 by Ord. No. 129; 3-8-2004 by Ord. No. 135; 12-12-2011 by Ord. No. 179; 4-11-2016 by Ord. No. 203; 8-16-2016 by Ord. No. 204; 12-11-2017 by Ord. No. 206; 3-12-2018 by Ord. No. 210; 8-9-2021 by Ord. No. 228; 8-11-2025 by Ord. No. 250]
A.
Lighting. All exterior parking lots, driveways, vehicular access aisles, pedestrian access areas and loading spaces shall be sufficiently illuminated so as to provide safe movements on site.
(1)
Illumination shall be by sharp cutoff fixture types with flush-mounted lens cap only.
(2)
Fixtures shall be mounted parallel to the ground surface. Lighting for the purpose of highlighting a structure or landscape feature shall be exempt from this requirement, provided that the source of such light shall not be visible beyond the property lines or public right-of-way.
(3)
Illumination shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle abutting residential property boundaries and 1.0 footcandle at all other property boundaries.
(4)
There shall be no direct sky-reflected glare, whether from floodlights or from high-temperature processes (for example, combustion or welding), so as to be visible from within any residential district.
B.
Table of Minimum Required Parking. Where more than one use exists on the premises for the types of land use described below, the minimum required parking spaces shall be the aggregate of the required parking spaces dedicated to each use.
Type of Land Use | Required Spaces |
|---|---|
Bank with drive-in and walk in facilities | At least one parking space per 150 square feet of building area |
Bar/tavern | At least one parking space for each five square feet of net floor area devoted to seating on stools or standing area, plus one parking space for each 50 square feet of net floor area devoted to seating at tables with chairs |
Bowling alleys | Five parking spaces for each alley |
Convenience store | At least one parking space per 150 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA). In addition, where customer seating is provided for retail sales of beer, wine and alcohol and food, at least one parking space for every 2 1/2 seats provided, plus one parking space for each two employees on the largest shift. |
Controlled substance dispensation facility | At least one parking space for each 60 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift and a service area for mobile equipment, such as ambulances |
Correction facilities | One space for each two staff on the largest shift, plus one space per five inmates |
Fast food restaurant (without drive-up window) | At least one parking space per 60 square feet of gross leaseable area (GLA) |
Food markets and grocery stores | One parking space for each 200 square feet of net floor area for public use |
Firing range | One parking space per every firing position, plus one additional parking space per every five firing positions or fraction thereof |
Funeral homes, mortuaries and crematories | At least one parking space for each 60 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift and a service area for mobile or modular equipment, such as hearses and ambulances |
Golf driving ranges | At least one parking space for each tee provided or one space for each three persons accommodated at peak usage |
Hardware/paint/home improvement store | At least five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of building area |
High-rise apartment | At least one parking space per dwelling |
Home occupations | At least two parking spaces for the resident, one parking space for each nonresident employee and two parking spaces for patron use |
Hospitals and sanitariums | At least one parking space for each three beds. Such spaces shall be in addition to those necessary for doctors, administrative personnel and other regular employees. One parking space shall be provided for each employee on the largest shift. |
Hotel/motel | At least one parking space per sleeping room, plus additional parking as required by other uses on premises |
Industrial and manufacturing establishments | 1 parking space for each two employees on the combined major and next largest shift, plus visitor parking at a ratio of one space per 400 square feet of office area. |
Low-rise apartments | At least two parking spaces per dwelling unit |
Medical-dental clinic/office | At least one parking space for each 60 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift and a service area for mobile equipment, such as ambulances |
Medical marijuana dispensary | At least one parking space for each 200 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift |
Medical marijuana grower/processor | At least one parking space for each 500 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift |
Miniature golf | At least one parking space for each tee |
Nightclub | At least one parking space for each five square feet of net floor area devoted to seating on stools or standing area, plus one parking space for each 50 square feet of net floor area devoted to seating at tables with chairs |
Nursing homes, intermediate care, assisted living and personal care facilities | 1 space for each 4 beds plus 1 space for each 2 staff on the largest shift |
Office buildings | At least 1 parking space for each 250 square feet of net floor area or fraction thereof |
Office park | At least one parking space per 300 square feet of building area |
Places of worship | 1 space per each three and one-half seats in the meeting hall or worship area, whichever seats the greatest number of persons |
Public garages, automotive service stations | At least 1 parking space for each 200 square feet of net floor area or fraction thereof, devoted to repair or service facilities or retail sales and one parking space for each employee on the largest shift. (This shall be in addition to the space allocated for the normal storage of motor vehicles.) |
Public uses | 1 space per 300 feet of gross floor area |
Residential condominium | At least two parking spaces per dwelling unit |
Residential units | 2 off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit |
Restaurants, delicatessens and cafeterias | One parking space for each 100 square feet of net floor area for public use, plus one space for each two employees on the largest shift |
Retail stores and other places for trade or business | 1 parking space for each 200 square feet of net floor area for public use |
Retreat center | One space for each two persons the retreat facility is designed to accommodate, one parking space per staff member, and additional guest parking spaces as determined by the size of the center. |
Retreat facility | One space for each two persons the retreat facility is designed to accommodate, plus two additional guest parking spaces. |
Schools, public | For elementary and middle schools, 1 space per classroom and all other rooms used by students; for high schools, three spaces per classroom and all other rooms used by students |
Schools, private | 1 space for each classroom and all other rooms used by students |
Senior housing (residential health care) | 1 space per dwelling unit, plus 1 space for each 10 units for visitor parking |
Shopping center | At least five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross leaseable area (GLA) |
Skating rinks (roller or ice), clubs, lodges and similar places | At least one parking space for each 200 square feet of net floor area. |
Swimming pools (commercial recreation) | At least one space for each three persons for whom facilities for dressing are provided, or at least one parking space for every 12 square feet of water surface, including areas for swimming, wading and diving, whichever requirement is the greater. |
Theaters, auditoriums, stadiums, banquet facilities or any other places of public or private assembly | At least one parking space for each 3 1/2 seats provided for public or private assembly |
Truck terminals and wholesale warehouses | One parking space for each two employees on the combined major and next shift |
§ 195-106 Loading and unloading space.
A.
In addition to the off-street parking space required herein, any building erected, converted or enlarged in any appropriate district for commercial, office building, manufacturing, wholesale, hospital or similar uses shall provide adequate off-street areas for loading and unloading of vehicles. The minimum sized load space shall be 60 feet in depth, 12 feet in width, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet.
B.
All commercial and industrial establishments shall provide loading and unloading and commercial vehicle storage space adequate for their needs. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
C.
In no case where a building is erected, converted or enlarged for commercial, manufacturing or business purposes shall the public right-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials.
§ 195-107 Access to off-street parking and loading areas.
Access to and from all off-street parking, loading and vehicle service areas along public right-of-ways shall consist of well-defined separate or common entrances and exits and shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
Access drives shall not open upon any public right-of-way:
(1)
Within 80 feet of the nearest right-of-way line of any intersecting public street or highway.
(2)
Unless adequate sight distance at driveways shall conform to PENNDOT latest Publication 282 (Highway Occupancy Permit Handbook) and Pennsylvania Code Title 67 Transportation, Chapter 441 (Access to Occupancy of Highways by Driveways and Local Roads).
[Amended 3-8-2004 by Ord. No. 135]
B.
No access drive entering onto a commonwealth highway where vehicles must back out shall be approved as part of a land development plan by the Township unless and until a commonwealth highway occupancy permit has been applied for.
§ 195-108 Parking and loading area setbacks.
[Amended 5-12-2003 by Ord. No. 129; 10-8-2007 by Ord. No. 154]
All nonresidential parking and loading areas and parallel circulation and service lanes shall be separated from the right-of-way line of a public thoroughfare or adjoining property line as follows, except as otherwise specified, unless the adjoining owners have mutually agreed to shared parking: