Columbia County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
90 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
§ 18.90.010 Off-street parking.
At the time of erection of a new structure, or at the time of enlargement or change in use of an existing structure within any zone in the county, off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this section. If parking space has been provided in connection with an existing use, the parking space will not be eliminated if elimination would result in less than is required by this section. Where square feet are specified, the area measured shall be the gross area primary to the functioning of the particular use of property but shall exclude space devoted to off- street parking or loading. Where employees are specified, persons counted shall be those working on the premises, including proprietors, during the largest shift at peak season. Fractional space requirements shall be counted as a whole space. The following are the minimum off-street parking requirements for Columbia County:
Use | Minimum Off-Street Parking |
|---|---|
A. Residential. | |
1. One-, two-, and three-family dwellings: | One space per dwelling unit. |
2. Multifamily dwelling containing four or more dwelling units: | Three spaces per two dwelling units. |
3. Residential rooming or boarding house, or lodge: | One space per overnight occupancy room plus an additional space for the owner or manager. |
4. Mobile home subdivision, mobile home park, trailer park: | One space per dwelling unit. |
B. Commercial Residential. | |
1. Hotel: | One space per guest room plus one space per two employees. |
2. Motel: | One space per guest room or suite plus one additional space for the owner or manager. |
3. Club or fraternal lodge: | Spaces to meet the combined requirements of the uses being conducted such as hotel, restaurant, auditorium, etc. |
C. Institutional. | |
1. Welfare or correctional institution: | One space per five beds for patients or inmates. |
2. Convalescent hospital, nursing home, sanitarium, rest homes, home for the aged: | One space per two beds for patients or residents. |
3. Hospital: | Spaces equal to 1.5 times the number of beds. |
D. Place of Public Assembly. | |
1. Church: | One space per four seats or eight feet of bench length in the main auditorium. |
2. Library; reading room: | One space per 400 square feet of floor area plus one space per two employees. |
3. Preschool nursery; kindergarten: | Two spaces per teacher. |
4. Elementary or junior high school: | One space per classroom plus one space per administrative employee plus one space for each six students or one space per four seats or eight feet of bench length in the main auditorium, whichever is greater. |
5. High school: | One space per classroom plus one space per administrative employee plus one space for each six students or one space per four seats or eight feet of bench length in the main auditorium, whichever is greater. |
6. College; commercial school for adults: | One space per five seats in classroom. |
7. Other auditorium; meeting room: | One space per four seats or eight feet of bench length. |
E. Commercial Amusement. | |
1. Stadium; arena; theater: | One space per four seats or eight feet of bench length. |
2. Bowling alley: | Five spaces per alley plus one space per two employees. |
3. Dance hall; skating rink: | One space per 100 square feet of floor area plus one space per two employees. |
F. Commercial. | |
1. Retail store except as provided in subsection (F)(2) of this section: | One space per 200 square feet of floor area. |
2. Service or repair shop; retail store handling bulky merchandise such as automobiles and furniture: | One space per 600 square feet of floor area. |
3. Bank; office (except medical and dental): | One space per 600 square feet of floor area plus one space per two employees. |
4. Medical and dental clinic: | One space per 300 square feet of floor area plus one space per two employees. |
5. Eating or drinking establishment: | One space per 300 square feet of floor area. |
6. Mortuaries: | One space per four seats or eight feet of bench length in chapels. |
G. Industrial. | |
1. Storage warehouse; manufacturing establishment; rail or trucking freight terminal: | One space per employee. |
2. Wholesale establishment: | One space per employee plus one space per 700 square feet of patron serving area. |
(Ord. 90-02 § 19; Ord. 95-01 § 19)
§ 18.90.020 Off-street loading.
A.
Passengers. A driveway designed for continuous forward flow of passenger vehicles for the purpose of loading and unloading children shall be located on the site of any school having a capacity greater than 25 students.
B.
Merchandise, Materials, or Supplies. Buildings or structures to be built or substantially altered which receive and distribute material or merchandise by truck shall provide and maintain off-street loading berths in sufficient numbers and size to adequately handle the needs of the particular use. If loading space has been provided in connection with an existing use or is added to an existing use, the loading space shall not be eliminated if elimination would result in less space than is required to adequately handle the needs of the particular use. Off-street parking area used to fulfill the requirements of this title shall not be used for loading and unloading operations except during periods of the day when not required to take care of parking needs.
(Ord. 90-02 § 19; Ord. 95-01 § 19)
§ 18.90.030 General provisions – Off-street parking and loading.
A.
The provision and maintenance of off-street parking and loading spaces is a continuing obligation of the property owner. No permit shall be issued until plans are presented that show property that is and will remain available for exclusive use as off-street parking and loading space. The subsequent use of property for which the permit is issued shall be conditional upon the unqualified continuance and availability of the amount of parking and loading space required by this title. Use of property in violation hereof shall be a violation of this title. Should the owner or occupant of a lot or building change the use to which the lot or building is put, thereby increasing off-street parking or loading requirements, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this title to begin or maintain such altered use until the required increase in off-street parking or loading is provided.
B.
Requirements for types of buildings and uses not specifically listed herein shall be determined by the planning commission based upon the requirements of comparable uses listed.
C.
In the event several uses occupy a single structure or parcel of land, total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements of the several uses computed separately.
D.
Owners of two or more uses, structures or parcels of land may agree to utilize jointly the same parking and loading spaces when the hours of operation do not overlap; provided, that satisfactory legal evidence is presented to the planning commission in the form of deeds, leases, or contracts to establish the joint use.
E.
Off-street parking spaces for dwellings shall be located on the same lot with the dwelling. Other required parking spaces shall be located not farther than 500 feet from the building or use they are required to serve, measured in a straight line from the buildings.
F.
Required parking spaces shall be available for the parking of operable passenger automobiles of residents, customers, patrons and employees only, and shall not be used for storage of vehicles or materials or for the parking of trucks used in conducting the business or use.
G.
Unless otherwise provided, required parking and loading spaces shall not be located in a required yard.
H.
Design Requirements for Parking Lots.
1.
Areas used for standing and maneuvering of vehicles shall have durable surfaces maintained adequately for all-weather use and proper drainage shall be provided.
2.
Parking spaces along the outer boundaries of a parking lot shall be contained by a curb at least four inches high and set back a minimum of four and one-half feet from the property line or by a bumper rail.
3.
Artificial lighting which may be provided shall not create or reflect substantial glare on any adjacent dwelling.
4.
Access aisles shall be of sufficient width for all vehicle turning and maneuvering.
5.
Groups of more than four parking spaces shall be served by a driveway so that no backing events or other maneuvering within a street other than an alley will be required.
6.
Service drives to off-street parking areas shall be designed and constructed to facilitate the flow of traffic, provide maximum safety of traffic access and egress and maximum safety of pedestrians and vehicular traffic on the site. The number of service drives shall be limited to the minimum that will allow the property to accommodate and service the traffic anticipated. Service drives shall be clearly and permanently marked and defined through use of rails, fences, walls, or other barriers or markers on frontage not occupied by service drives.
7.
Service drives shall have a minimum vision clearance area which is formed by driveway centerline, the street right-of-way line, and a diagonal straight line joining said lines through points 20 feet from their intersection. See example below:
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(Ord. 90-02 § 19; Ord. 95-01 § 19)