Cumming City Zoning Code

   1.   Statement of Intent. It is the intent of this section to prevent traffic congestion and to provide for proper traffic safety by preserving the public thoroughfares for the unimpaired movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Therefore, it is recognized that the requirements of this section are minimum and that in certain uses of land, these requirements may be inadequate. Where review of the site plans and intended land use indicate through the application of proven standards or experienced statistics that the requirements herein are inadequate for the specific land use adaptation, a greater requirement for off-street parking space is justified and may be required to preserve the intent of this chapter.

   2.   Off-Street Loading Space Requirements. In any zoning district in connection with every building or part thereof hereafter erected, having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, office buildings, or other similar commercial or industrial uses which require the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with such building, at least one off-street loading space, and for multiple tenant commercial/retail shopping centers, one additional such loading space for each 20,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area so used in excess of 10,000 square feet, provided the total number of loading spaces is not required to be more than the total number of occupying tenants.

      A.   Each loading space shall not be less than nine feet in width and 19 feet in length for loading spaces not requiring loading dock access, and 12 feet in width and 50 feet in length for loading dock access for trucks. All loading areas shall be designed in a manner acceptable to the City and provide adequate space for loading access.

      B.   Such loading area may occupy part of a required yard or court space, except required open space under Chapter 165.29 of this ordinance, and provided the loading area and access roadways meet all setbacks required of off-street parking areas as set forth in this chapter.

      C.   Loading yards and loading docks shall be located and buffered from general public view, public streets, public buildings, recreation facilities, parks, schools, places of assembly for worship, residential zoning districts and uses, the C-3 Zoning District, and screened from all other adjoining properties where it is determined said loading areas are considered offensive to more restrictive uses.

      D.   All loading yards and accesses to loading yards and loading docks shall be paved with asphaltic or Portland cement concrete pavement in accordance with surfacing requirements set forth in this chapter.

   3.   Off-Street Parking Requirements.

      A.   A-1 Agricultural Zoning District. The minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the A-1, Agricultural District are:

         (1)   Sufficient open land available for parking so that no vehicle need be parked on any street.

      B.   R-1 Single-Family Residential Zoning District. The following are the minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District. Any use or structure which was in existence prior to the enactment of this Zoning Ordinance and does not conform to the minimum off-street parking requirements may be permitted to continue current parking spaces unless the use or structure is expanded, enlarged, or discontinued.

         (1)   Single-family dwellings: A minimum of three off-street parking spaces shall be provided for each single-family dwelling. In addition thereto, an additional parking space shall be provided for each commercial and recreational vehicle, if more than three vehicles are customarily kept at the premises by the residents thereof.

         (2)   Community meeting or recreational building: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity.

         (3)   Parks, playgrounds or playfields: five parking spaces per 10,000 feet of gross area.

         (4)   Public and parochial schools, elementary, secondary, and other educational institutions:

            a.   Elementary and junior high schools - two spaces per employee; 15 spaces minimum.

            b.   Senior high school - two spaces per employee, plus one space per three students.

         (5)   Cemetery, mausoleum, church, or place of worship: one space per three seats in auditorium, including balcony.

         (6)   Country clubs, swimming pools, and golf courses: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity.

         (7)   Public library: one space per 500 gross square feet; 15 spaces minimum.

         (8)   Funeral parlor: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity.

      C.   RE-1 Single-Family Rural Estates Zoning District. The minimum required off-street parking standards in the A-1, Agricultural District and R- 1, Low Density Residential District shall also be required in the RE-1, Single-Family Rural Estates District.

      D.   R-2 Two-Family and R-3 Multi-Family Residential Zoning Districts. The following are the minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the R-2 Two-Family Residential District and the R-3 Multi-Family Residential District.

         (1)   One-family dwellings: A minimum of three off-street parking spaces shall be provided for each single-family dwelling. In addition thereto, an additional parking space shall be provided for each commercial and recreational vehicle, if more than three vehicles are customarily kept at the premises by the residents thereof.

         (2)   Two-family dwellings: three parking spaces per unit, including garage space.

         (3)   Multiple-family dwellings: two parking spaces per unit. One garage parking space may be counted as a parking space in fulfillment of the parking requirements, provided there is no less than one open parking space for each dwelling unit and one not reserved parking space for each ten dwelling units. All parking spaces provided (except garages) which are intended to satisfy the ordinance requirement must be provided without charge to the occupants of the dwelling units to which those parking spaces are related. Garage space rented separately from the dwelling unit cannot be used to meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.

         (4)   Alterations and conversions of single-family dwellings into two-family dwellings: three parking spaces per unit.

         (5)   Boarding and rooming houses: one space per unit plus one space for manager.

         (6)   Cemetery, mausoleum, church, or place of worship: one space per three seats in auditorium, including balcony.

         (7)   Museums, libraries, and community centers: one space per 500 gross square feet; 15 spaces minimum.

         (8)   Parks and playgrounds: five parking spaces per 10,000 feet of gross area.

         (9)   Private non-commercial recreational areas and centers:

            a.   Country clubs, swimming pools, and golf courses - parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity in persons.

            b.   Riding stables - one space per employee and one space for each stall.

         (10)   Public and parochial schools, elementary, secondary, and other educational institutions:

            a.   Elementary and junior high schools - two spaces per employee; 15 spaces minimum.

            b.   Senior high schools - two spaces per employee, plus one space per three students.

         (11)   Zero lot line dwellings, including duplexes and townhouses: three parking spaces per unit.

         (12)   Nursing and convalescent homes: one space per four beds, plus one space per employee per shift average, plus one per doctor.

         (13)   Assisted living and retirement homes: one parking space per unit plus one per employee.

         (14)   Child care centers and nursery schools: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.

      E.   C-1 Highway Commercial Zoning District. Following are the minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the C-1 Highway Commercial District. Any business which was in existence prior to enactment of this Zoning Ordinance and which does not conform to the minimum off-street parking requirements may be permitted to continue current parking spaces unless the use or structure is expanded, enlarged, or discontinued.

         (1)   Antique stores: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (2)   Artists, architectural, engineering and surveying services: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (3)   Automotive display, sales, service and repair: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus one per employee.

         (4)   Automotive paint and body shops: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus one per employee.

         (5)   Dry cleaners and laundry: one space per employee; five spaces minimum.

         (6)   Custom cabinetry, furniture upholstery and repair: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (7)   Clubs, lodges, rental halls, and religious organizations: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity.

         (8)   Banks, savings and loans, and other financial institutions: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (9)   Retail or variety stores: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (10)   Formal wear and costume rental: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (11)   Hardware stores: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (12)   Personal services: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (13)   Professional and semi-professional office buildings: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (14)   Medical, dental, chiropractic, and veterinary clinics: five spaces for each doctor or dentist plus one per employee; five spaces minimum.

         (15)   Restaurants, night clubs, cafe, tavern and catering services: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity or five per drive-thru lane, whichever is greater.

         (16)   Public buildings owned by federal, State, County, City or other political subdivision that are operated for the social benefit or convenience: one space per two employees, plus one space per each 300 square feet of floor area.

         (17)   Repair and restoration shops: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (18)   Museums and libraries: one space per 500 gross square feet; 15 spaces minimum.

         (19)   Postal service (local substation of the United States) or private parcel post delivery service: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (20)   Mini-warehousing for storage and outside storage within fencing: one space per employee; five spaces minimum.

         (21)   Plumbing, heating and cooling sales, service and repair shops: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus one per employee.

         (22)   Hotels or bed and breakfast inns: one space per unit and one space for employee.

         (23)   Printing, publishing and engraving: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (24)   Dance or music studios: one space for each 100 square feet used for dancing plus one per employee.

         (25)   Dwelling unit with a store or shop: off-street parking shall be provided for each single-family attached dwelling unit in the same manner as for detached dwelling units, except a minimum of three off-street parking spaces shall be provided together with additional parking for each commercial and recreational vehicle.

         (26)   Community amusements: five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (27)   Small engine sales, service and rental: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus one per employee.

         (28)   Manufacturing, assembling, compounding, processing, repairing and packaging: one space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (29)   Tool, die, machine shop, welding and metal fabrication: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus one per employee.

         (30)   Greenhouse and plant nursery: one parking space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

         (31)   Educational center, other than elementary and secondary schools: one space per employee plus one space per two students.

         (32)   Motel: one space per unit plus one space per employee.

         (33)   Health and fitness club, with indoor facilities only: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity in persons plus one space per employee.

         (34)   Golf courses and swimming pools: parking spaces equal to 30 percent of capacity.

      F.   C-2 Central Business Zoning District. Following are the minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the Central Business District. Any business which was in existence prior to enactment of this Zoning Ordinance and which does not conform to the minimum off-street parking requirements may be permitted to continue current parking spaces unless the use or structure is expanded, enlarged, or discontinued.

         (1)   Two spaces provided for each business.

      G.   C-3 Community Commercial Zoning District. The minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the C-3 Community Commercial District:

         (1)   Mixed Use: For multiple use buildings and/or sites which are not multi-tenant retail shopping centers, space for parking and storage of vehicles shall be provided in accordance with parking requirements of each use.

         (2)   All other uses: three parking spaces per 1,000 feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

      H.   C-4 Professional Commerce Business Zoning District. The minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the C-3 Professional Commerce Business District:

         (1)   Outpatient care facility: three parking spaces per 1,000 feet of gross floor area plus one per doctor or dentist.

         (2)   Colleges, universities, professional schools and technical institutes: one space for each employee plus one space per two students.

         (3)   All other uses: three parking spaces per 1,000 feet of gross floor area plus one per employee.

      I.   I-1 Industrial Zoning District. The minimum off-street parking requirements for permitted principal uses and structures in the I-1 General Industrial District:

         (1)   Manufacturing and processing uses that are contained within a building and have no exterior storage, create no offensive noise, dust, odor, vibration or create electrical interference: one space for every two employees plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (2)   Animal hospital or kennel: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (3)   Wholesaling and warehousing but not including the bulk storage of liquid fertilizer or petroleum products under pressure: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (4)   Farm implement display, sales, service and repair: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (5)   Lumber yard and building material sale and storage: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (6)   Truck and freight terminal: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (7)   Truck display, sales, repair and storage: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (8)   Grain storage bins: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (9)   Grain elevator and feed mill: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (10)   Welding and repair shop: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (11)   Tool, die, and machine shops: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (12)   Railroads and public utilities including storage and maintenance yards: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (13)   Contractor’s storage yard: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (14)   Automobile paint and body shops: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (15)   Plumbing, heating, air conditioning and sheet metal shops: one space for each employee plus one space for each vehicle used by the industry.

         (16)   In addition to the above requirements, all uses shall provide at least one loading space for each 10,000 square feet of floor area and one space for every 200 square feet of sales, service or office floor space.

   4.   Surfacing Requirements.

      A.   Off Street Parking. All off-street parking and loading areas and access roadways shall have a durable and dustless surface paved with asphaltic or Portland cement concrete pavement in accordance with the specifications as herein set forth. All off-street parking areas and associated driveways, access roadways and frontage roads, except driveways for single- family residences, shall be constructed with permanent, integrally attached six inch high curbing or curbing of alternate height acceptable to the City (prefabricated portable curb stops shall not be considered an acceptable alternate), and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulation within the area; and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading or unloading and parking and storage of self- propelled vehicles. The curbing requirements may be waived if it is determined that surface drainage can be adequately handled by other means. The minimum thickness of pavement of the parking area shall be according to SUDAS design standards.

      B.   Driveways. Driveways for individual single-family detached or attached townhouse style residences on private property shall be asphaltic concrete or Portland cement concrete with minimum thickness of five inches with a sufficiently compacted and well-drained subgrade base and not greater than 20 feet in width between the public street roadway and a point of setback five feet from the right-of-way. Paved driveways and any associated off-street parking areas within the front yard of a single-family detached residence shall not occupy greater than 50 percent of the area between the building setback line and public right-of-way, shall not provide greater than one parking space in addition to that provided in the traveled portion of the driveway, and so graded and drained to dispose of surface water to the street or public designated storm water drainage facilities.