Clearfield City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 14

OFF STREET PARKING AND LOADING

11-14-1: PURPOSE:

The purpose of the off street parking and loading requirements is to reduce street congestion and traffic hazards in the city by incorporating adequate, attractively designed facilities for off street parking and loading as an integral part of every use of land in the city. (Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. Adequate Provisions Required: There shall be provided at the time of erection of any main building or at the time any main building is enlarged or increased in capacity or converted to a new use, minimum off street parking space with adequate provision for ingress and egress by standard size automobiles in accordance with the requirements herein.

B. Size: For the purpose of this chapter, one parking space shall be assumed to be one hundred eighty (180) square feet (dimensions of 9 feet x 20 feet). In situations where the parking stall allows a portion of the vehicle to extend over landscaping (“nose over landscaping”), the painted lines for the stall may be allowed to be eighteen feet (18') in length. Ten percent (10%) of total surface parking may be developed as “compact parking spaces” with the parking stall dimensions of eight feet six inches by eighteen feet (8'6" x 18').

C. Parking Structures: Parking structures may be developed entirely with parking stall dimensions of nine feet by eighteen feet (9' x 18'). Parking structures shall be required to include an adequate fire suppression system. Parking structures shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eighty-four inches (84"). Parking structures that include ADA parking spaces, the minimum vertical clearance for the level the ADA spaces are located shall be ninety-eight inches (98") to accommodate the vertical clearance for wheelchair lift-equipped vehicles.

D. Alternatives To On Site Parking: For any new use, structure, building or parcel, required off street parking may be provided on other property not more than a two hundred foot (200') distance from the nearest point of the parcel, and shall not require persons to cross a public street. The planning commission may consider such alternatives through the site plan process. (Off-site parking shall not be allowed for dwellings or to accommodate parking needs for property/parcels located either entirely or partially outside of Clearfield City.)

E. Multi-Family Bedroom Counts: In determining parking requirements for multi-family residential developments, the Zoning Administrator shall determine (based upon submitted floor plans) the final number of bedrooms provided per unit. This may include areas labeled as offices, dens, game rooms, etc. that could feasibly be used as a bedroom regardless of compliance with building or fire codes. This does not include common areas that are accessible to all residents of a development, and only applies to the private rooms of each residential unit. (Ord. 2015-13, 7-28-2015; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-3: PARKING SPACES REQUIRED:

A. Floor Area Defined: “Floor area”, in the case of offices, merchandising or service types of uses, shall mean the gross floor area used or intended to be used by tenants or for service to the public as customers, patrons, clients or patients, including areas occupied by fixtures and equipment used for display or sales of merchandise. It shall not include areas used principally for nonpublic purposes, such as storage, incidental repair, processing or packaging of merchandise.

B. Specific Requirements: Required off street parking shall be provided for each use as listed below. Numbers listed shall be the minimum required. Parking for uses not specifically listed below shall be provided in the same ratio as the use most nearly approximating the characteristics of the unlisted use, as determined by the planning commission.

Use		Parking Spaces Required
Auditoriums, assembly halls		1 space for every 5 seats or fraction thereof
Batting cages		2 spaces per cage
Bowling alleys		2 spaces per lane
Churches		1 space for every 150 square feet or fraction thereof
Daycare, commercial		1 space per 5 students and 1 space per employee at highest shift.
Distribution		1 passenger vehicle space per 1,000 square feet of floor area. Truck and trailer storage shall be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Distribution, light		1 passenger vehicle space per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Dwellings4:
	Single-family	2 parking spaces
	Two-family1	2 spaces per unit
	All other multi-family1,2,3	1.125 spaces per 1-bedroom unit; 2.125 spaces per 2-bedroom unit; and 2.625 spaces per 3+ bedroom unit. Any fraction of a space raised to the next whole number (example: 3 dwellings = 6.375 spaces, which is rounded up to 7). At least 1 space per unit shall be covered.
Fast food or drive-in restaurant		5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of sales and enclosed eating space or fraction thereof.
General office		2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Golf courses		8.5 spaces per hole.
Hospitals, schools, civic buildings		1 space for every 300 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof
Hotel, motel and lodge		1 space per unit, plus 1 space per 200 square feet of assembly, banquet and restaurant area.

Use		Parking Spaces Required
Industrial		0.5 passenger vehicle space per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Industrial, light (manufacturing)		1 passenger vehicle space per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Intensive retail commercial shops selling directly to the public		3.5 spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof
Less intensive commercial business, as furniture, appliance and lumber sales		0.75 spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof
Medical and dental offices		3.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Misc. indoor recreation		2 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Mortuary		1 space for every 300 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof
Open space and recreation		Based on a case-by-case parking study.
Rehabilitation treatment center		1 space per 2 beds and 1 space per employee at highest shift.
Residential care (assisted living, rest home, etc.)		0.5 spaces per unit and 1 space per employee at highest shift.
Restaurants, bars		10 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof, or 0.5 spaces per seat, whichever is greater.
Skating rinks, swimming pools		1 space per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Tennis and pickleball courts		2 spaces per court.

1. In cases where tandem garages are used with space for two vehicles, the garage shall only count as 1 space for purposes of meeting minimum parking needs.

2. Tandem parking within a parking garage or parking lot shall only be permitted if the parking garage or lot includes parking attendants to park and manage the vehicles at all times the garage or lot is open for use.

3. Parking behind a garage space located in an apartment building or apartment garages is prohibited unless a driveway is provided that meets the standards of footnote #4 below.

4. Driveways shall have a minimum depth of twenty feet (20') to be counted as a parking space to meet the minimum parking standards of this title.

(Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-4: ACCESS:

A. Ingress And Egress:

1. The placement of ingress and egress to commercial and industrial lots shall be subject to review and approval by the Clearfield City public works staff and/or Utah department of transportation. On commercial and industrial lots, driveway approaches shall not be more than forty-five feet (45') in width or less than sixteen feet (16') in width for one-way traffic and thirty feet (30') in width for two-way traffic.

2. On residential lots, driveway approaches shall not be less than twelve feet (12') in width for one-way traffic and twenty-four feet (24') in width for two-way traffic. A driveway approach with a maximum width of thirty-four feet (34') may be permitted as approved by public works.

B. Spacing: In all commercial, public facilities, and manufacturing zones, the distance between driveway approaches shall be subject to review and approval by Clearfield City public works staff and/or Utah department of transportation. Wherever possible, that distance shall not be less than twelve feet (12').

C. Distance From Intersections: In all commercial and manufacturing zones, driveway approaches shall not be closer to an intersection of two (2) streets, than fifty feet (50'), measured from the corner point of the property lines.

D. Radii Of Approaches: The radii of driveway approaches shall be a minimum of ten feet (10').

E. Residential Driveways: The minimum length of any single-, two-, or multi-family residential driveway shall be twenty feet (20') from back of curb or sidewalk (if present). (Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-5: PARKING AREA AND PARKING LOT REQUIREMENTS:

A. Backing Onto Public Street: No off-street parking lot shall be constructed in a manner that would require vehicles to back out onto a public street.

B. Surfacing:

1. Requirements: Except as provided in subsection B2 of this section, parking areas shall be properly surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or masonry pavers, maintained in good condition, and kept free of weeds, dust, trash, and debris.

December 2023

11-14-5 11-14-5

2. Residential Parking Areas:

a. All new main residential driveways, approaches, and parking spaces required by this title shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt or other hard surfaced (impermeable) pavement material. All new main residential driveways shall have a minimum depth from the front property line to the front of the residence or garage of twenty feet (20').

b. Any gravel or crushed rock installed for accessory parking in a residential zone after July 1, 2014, must be a minimum of two inches (2") deep, compacted, placed atop a weed barrier, be maintained completely free of grass and weeds, and contained within durable borders.

c. Legally established, but nonconforming residential gravel driveways installed prior to July 1, 2014, may continue to be utilized, provided they are properly maintained and kept completely free of grass and weeds.

3. Variations: Variations to the required surface materials set forth in subsection B1 of this section may be permitted for residential parking in the A-1 agricultural zone and for temporary businesses and special events for which the necessary permits or licenses have been issued by the city.

C. Grading: Parking lots shall be graded for proper drainage.

D. Lighting: Lighting used to illuminate an off-site parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any residential district.

E. Design: As a minimum requirement, parking areas shall comply with the standards as shown below. Travel lanes between dual rows of ninety-degree (90°) parking may be developed at twenty-four feet (24') in width subject to prior approval from the city engineer and the North Davis fire district. Primary access points to the parking lot, or the access lane located closest to the primary structure on the lot must be provided with twenty-six foot (26') travel lanes.

F. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping:

1. On doubled rows of parking stalls, there shall be a forty-foot (40') long by nine-foot (9') wide landscaped island on each end of the rows, plus a forty-foot (40') long by nine-foot (9') wide landscaped island to be placed at a minimum of every twelve (12) parking stalls. Each island on doubled parking rows shall include a minimum of two (2) deciduous trees, having a minimum trunk size of two inches (2") in caliper measured eight inches (8") above the soil line. Other landscaping installed in the island shall include shrubbery and an acceptable ground cover. No hard surface improvements such as concrete or asphalt are allowed within any landscape islands.

2. On single rows of parking there shall be a twenty-foot (20') long by nine-foot (9') wide landscaped island a minimum of every twelve (12) stalls. In situations where the parking stall allows a portion of the vehicle to extend over landscaping (“nose over landscaping”), the island planter may be allowed to be no less than eighteen feet (18') in length. Islands on a single parking row shall have a minimum of one deciduous tree having a minimum trunk size of two inches (2") in caliper measured eight inches (8") above the soil line. Other landscaping installed in the island shall include shrubbery and an acceptable ground cover. No hard surface improvements such as concrete or asphalt are allowed within any landscaped islands.

3. Landscaped islands at the ends of parking rows shall be placed and shaped in such a manner as to help direct traffic through the parking area. There shall be a break in parking rows at a minimum of forty-eight (48) parking stalls for each double row of parking for the purpose of facilitating traffic circulation on the site.

4. Interior parking lot islands are not required for industrial properties in order to facilitate traffic flow for large vehicles and proper snow removal.

5. All landscaping improvements required by this section shall be installed in accordance with the approved site plan, landscaping plan, and irrigation plan. They shall be completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the building or structure with which they are associated, or in cases of inclement weather, within six (6) months of the date of initial occupancy. Date of initial occupancy will be the date that a certificate of occupancy is issued for the first building or facility of an individual phase or plat of the development.

6. All landscaping required by this section shall be properly irrigated with an automatic irrigation system.

G. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping:

1. Landscaping shall be required around the perimeter of parking areas. Landscaped areas adjacent to street frontages shall be a minimum of ten feet (10') in width. Landscaped areas adjacent to parcels that have the same land use shall be a minimum of six feet (6') wide. A fence, landscaping screen, or berm is required around the perimeter of the parking area to mitigate escape of light from headlights and other lighting on surrounding property.

2. When parking areas abut a front yard or road frontage landscaped area, such parking area shall be screened by the following methods or a combination of any of the following that is capable of blocking headlight glare and shall meet the following requirements:

a. Landscape hedge screening shall be planted and maintained as a continuous landscape hedge not less than three feet (3') in height, measured from finish grade of the parking lot, and located outside of public rights of way. Plant materials shall be an evergreen species, a minimum of five (5) gallon size and spaced not farther than five feet (5') on center. The landscape hedge shall be set back a minimum of three feet (3') and a maximum of six feet (6') from the perimeter of any parking space, driveway, or any access aisle. Ground covers and shrubs planted within the clear vision triangle area shall not exceed three feet (3') (36 inches) in height.

b. Berms shall measure not less than three feet (3') in height from finish grade of the parking lot and shall not be located in public rights of way. The toe of the berm shall be set back a minimum of three feet (3') and a maximum of six feet (6') from the perimeter of any parking space, driveway, or any access aisle. The maximum slope of the berm shall not exceed four to one (4:1).

c. Parking screen walls shall measure not less than three feet (3') and not more than four feet (4') in height from finish grade of the parking lot. Parking screen walls shall not be located in public rights of way, or on top of any retaining walls. Walls shall be set back a minimum of three feet (3') and a maximum of six feet (6') from the perimeter of any parking space, driveway, or any access aisle, as measured from the back of curb. Walls shall be constructed of decorative block, brick, stone, or similar materials and finished on both the interior and exterior elevations. Horizontal and/or vertical variation in the design of screen wall is required whenever linear alignment exceeds one hundred feet (100').

In instances, when the parking lot and adjacent roadway are determined by the zoning administrator to be at slopes where the three feet (3') in height measured from the finished grade of the parking lot does not provide adequate screening, measurements from the higher finished grade of the property should be used, and the measurement of the screening (wall, berm, or landscape) is not to be less than three feet (3') in height.

3. On single rows of parking along the perimeter of a parking lot, there shall be a twenty-foot (20') long by nine-foot (9') wide landscaped island a minimum of every twelve (12) stalls. In situations where the parking stall allows a portion of the vehicle to extend over landscaping (“nose over landscaping”), the island planter may be allowed to be no less than eighteen feet (18') in length. Islands on a single parking row shall have a minimum of one deciduous tree having a minimum trunk size of two inches (2") in caliper measured eight inches (8") above the soil line. Other landscaping installed in the island shall include shrubbery and an acceptable ground cover. No hard surface improvements such as concrete or asphalt are allowed within any landscaped islands.

4. All landscaping improvements required by this section shall be installed in accordance with the approved site plan, landscaping plan, and irrigation plan. They shall be completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the building or structure with which they are associated, or in cases of inclement weather, within six (6) months of the date of initial occupancy. Date of initial occupancy will be the date that a certificate of occupancy is issued for the first building or facility of an individual phase or plat of the development.

5. All landscaping required by this section shall be properly irrigated with an automatic irrigation system.

H. Snow Stacking Area: Every parking lot design shall plan for a snow stacking area to accommodate the stacking volume of a four-inch (4") snow base over the entire parking lot. (Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2011-10, 9-27-2011; Ord. 2014-15, 6-24-2014, eff. 7-1-2014; Ord. 2015-13, 7-28-2015; Ord. 2015-19, 12-8-2015; Ord. 2021-11, 7-27-2021; Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-6: OFF STREET LOADING:

A. Required: For every building or part thereof having a gross floor area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or more which is to be occupied by a commercial or industrial use or from which deliveries of materials or merchandise are made by motor vehicles, there shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with the building at least one off street loading space, plus one for each additional twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or major fraction thereof.

B. Size Of Loading Space: Each loading space shall be not less than fourteen feet (14') in width, twenty-five feet (25') in length and have an overhead clearance of not less than fifteen feet (15').

C. Location Of Loading Space: Required loading spaces may occupy any required yard or court, except that if it shall be located closer than fifty feet (50') to any residential zone, it shall be enclosed by a brick or stone wall, or landscaping not less than six feet (6') in height. (Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-7: PRIVATE GARAGE STANDARDS:

A. Single-Family Dwellings: Each dwelling unit shall have an attached two (2) car garage that complies with the following standards:

1. Minimum Dimensions: Each garage shall have minimum dimensions of no less than twenty-two feet (22') wide by twenty-two feet (22') deep.

2. Minimum Garage Door Opening: Each garage shall have a minimum garage door opening of not less than sixteen feet (16') wide.

3. Minimum Garage Height: Garages shall have a minimum unobstructed height of not less than eight feet (8') for the entire length and width of the garage.

B. Two- and Multi-Family Dwellings: If provided, garages shall comply with the following standards:

1. Single-Car Garages:

a. Minimum Area/Dimensions: Each single (1) car garage shall have a minimum area of two hundred and twenty (220) square feet and minimum dimensions of no less than ten feet (10') wide by twenty-two feet (22') deep or eleven feet (11') wide by twenty feet (20') deep. The minimum garage area shall be free of obstructions such as stairs, mechanical equipment, or structural appendages including but not limited to columns.

b. Minimum Garage Door Opening: Each single (1) car garage shall have a minimum garage door opening of not less than eight feet (8') wide.

c. Minimum Garage Height: Garages shall have a minimum unobstructed height of not less than eight feet (8') for the entire length and width of the garage.

2. Two-Car Garages:

a. Minimum Area/Dimensions: Each two (2) car garage shall have a minimum area of four hundred and forty (440) square feet and minimum dimensions of no less than twenty feet (20') wide by twenty-two feet (22') deep. The minimum garage area shall be free of obstructions such as stairs, mechanical equipment, or structural appendages including but not limited to columns.

b. Minimum Garage Door Opening: Each two (2) car garage shall have a minimum garage door opening of not less than sixteen feet (16') wide.

c. Minimum Garage Height: Garages shall have a minimum unobstructed height of not less than eight feet (8') for the entire length and width of the garage. (Ord 2023-10, 6-13-2023)

11-14-8: OTHER PARKING PROVISIONS:

A. Drive-In Businesses: Driveways, parking areas and off-street storage lanes for automobiles awaiting entrance to drive-in theaters, banks, restaurants, etc., shall be provided.

B. Joint Use Parking Areas: Joint or common parking facilities may be provided in lieu of the individual requirements found in this chapter; provided, that the total of such off street parking spaces, when used together, shall not be less than the sum of the various uses computed separately. If the common facilities are located on more than one lot, a covenant for the preservation of the parking facilities must be filed with the city.

C. Compliance With Americans With Disabilities Act: In addition to the requirements of this chapter, parking areas shall be designed to conform to the minimum requirements of the Americans with disabilities act. (Ord. 2009-41, 11-24-2009; amd. Ord. 2023-10, 6-13-2023)