Except as provided in subsection A of this section, all uses, buildings and structures established after the effective date hereof, shall provide accessory parking and loading facilities in the amount and manner specified herein.

   A.   Supplemental Parking Requirements: Supplemental parking requirements are provided for the C-5 central business district in subsection 12-7-3H of this title which shall supersede the requirements of this chapter for the uses listed therein. In addition, no off street parking shall be required for the first two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of a use, building, or structure established in the C-5 central business district. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)

   A.   Previously Issued Building Permits: Where a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date hereof, and construction has begun within one year of such issuance and diligently pursued thereafter, parking and loading facilities may be provided in the amounts required for the issuance of the building permit regardless of any different amounts required by this title.

   B.   Change Of Use: Whenever the existing use of a building or structure shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking or loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if the building or structure was erected prior to the effective date hereof, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use would exceed those for the existing use under the parking and loading provisions of this title.

   C.   Uses Established After The Effective Date Hereof: When the intensity of use of any building, structure or premises is increased through addition of dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or other units of measurement specified herein, parking and loading facilities shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.

   D.   Uses Established Prior To The Effective Date Hereof: No building or structure lawfully erected or use lawfully established prior to the effective date hereof shall be required to provide additional parking or loading facilities unless and until the aggregate increase in units of measurement shall equal fifteen percent (15%) of the units of measurement existing upon the effective date hereof. Where such increase occurs, additional parking or loading facilities shall be provided for the total increase. In the case of the expansion or alteration of residential buildings, required parking or loading facilities shall be provided on the basis of total required units of measurement for the entire capacity of the building.

   E.   No Reduction Of Existing Parking And Loading Facilities: Accessory off street parking facilities in existence on the effective date hereof and located on the same lot as the building or use served shall not hereafter be reduced below the requirements for this title.

   F.   Additional Parking And Loading Facilities: Nothing in this title shall be deemed to prevent the voluntary establishment of off street parking or loading facilities to serve any existing use or building, provided such parking or loading facilities meet all regulations of this title governing the location, design and operation of such facilities.

   G.   Location And Ownership Of Parking And Loading Facilities: Except as provided in section 12-9-3, "Collective Parking", of this chapter, no parking facilities shall be permitted on land other than the zoning lot on which the building or use served is located.

   H.   Parking Plan Required: Any application for a building permit, or for a certificate of occupancy where no building permit is required, shall include a site plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing any proposed parking or loading facilities to be provided. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)

   A.   Off street parking facilities for separate uses may be provided collectively if the total number of spaces so provided collectively is not less than the sum of the separate requirements for each such use, and provided further, that such collective facilities meet all regulations governing location of accessory parking spaces in relation to the use served.

   B.   The zoning administrator for permitted uses or the City Council in all other cases may authorize up to thirty three percent (33%) of the required off street parking to be fulfilled on a separate, privately owned zoning lot when all of the following conditions are met:

      1.   The parking spaces utilized on the separate zoning lot are in excess of the total requirement for all uses that occupy that lot, or the parties have provided to the zoning administrator or City Council sufficient data to indicate there is not a substantial conflict in the hours of operation of all of the uses on the lot;

      2.   Any required parking spaces located on the separate zoning lot are within 300 feet of the use served, measured from the main entrance of the use to the nearest point of the separate zoning lot;

      3.   Pedestrian travel between the separate zoning lot and the use served does not require at-grade crossings of roadways classified by the Illinois Department of Transportation as arterials, except for Lee Street between Brown Street and Thacker Street, Graceland Avenue between Jefferson Street and Thacker Street, Miner Street between Graceland Avenue and River Road, Dempster/Thacker Street between Wolf Road and River Road, Algonquin Road between Wolf Road and River Road, and Oakton Street between Lee Street and River Road; and

      4.   A written agreement, in a form approved by the city attorney, guarantees that the parking spaces on the separate zoning lot will be maintained so long as the uses requiring parking are in existence or unless the required parking is provided elsewhere in accordance with this chapter. The written agreement must be recorded by the property owners with the county recorder’s office. The agreement will be kept current and a copy maintained on file with the City’s department of community and economic development.

   C.   The zoning administrator for permitted uses or the City Council in all other cases may allow the off street parking requirement for any use in a non-residential district to be met via a publicly owned or operated facility, if the owner or operator of that use enters into an easement, lease, license or other form of legal agreement with the government entity that owns or operates the facility. Such parking use agreement, or a summary memorandum thereof, shall be in a form acceptable to the City and be recorded against the property index numbers (PINs) for the parcel on which the off street parking facility is located and the parcel that will receive the right to use the parking spaces. The zoning administrator shall ensure that the off street parking spaces identified in the parking use agreement are open and available during the periods described in the parking use agreement. Such public off street parking facility may be located no more than 1,000 feet of the main entrance of the parcel requesting the right to use the parking spaces. The parking use agreement shall be kept current and a copy maintained on file with the City’s department of community and economic development.

   D.   In instances when a principal building is not fully occupied and contains parking spaces in excess of minimum number of spaces required by the building’s current occupancy, the zoning administrator for permitted uses or the City Council in all other cases may allow the owner of the parcel to enter into an easement, lease, license or other form of legal agreement with the owners or occupants of nearby parcels seeking to use the parcel’s excess parking capacity, so long as the following conditions are met:

      1.   In no event may any parcel be used as a commercial parking lot open to the general public pursuant to a parking use agreement described in this section unless it has received all necessary approvals required by the Zoning Ordinance.

      2.   The parking use agreement may not exceed a month to month tenancy or use period to allow for its prompt termination in the event the parcel providing the excess parking increases its occupancy and its corresponding need for off street parking.

      3.   No more than 33 percent of the total parking spaces on a parcel may be allocated for use by off-site users on a temporary basis.

      4.   The place of business or operation using the interim parking spaces may be located no more than 1,000 feet from the parcel providing the excess spaces.

      5.   The parking agreement shall be kept current and a copy maintained on file with the City’s department of community and economic development. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998; amd. Ord. Z-3-20, 1-6-2020; Ord. Z-55-21, 12-6-2021)

Every drive-through facility shall provide six (6) stacking spaces per facility, plus one stacking space per waiting area provided. The stacking spaces shall be designed so to not interfere with the ingress and egress of the off street parking provided on the site. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)

   A.   Basis For Computation: The total number of required parking spaces shall be based upon the parking requirement stated for the principal use of the zoning lot in question except that where residential uses and nonresidential uses occupy the same zoning lot, the number of parking spaces for the residential uses shall be calculated separately from, and in addition to, the parking requirements for the nonresidential uses.

   B.   Fractional Spaces: When determination of the number of required parking spaces results in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction shall require one additional parking space.

   C.   Bench Seating: In places of assembly in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews, or other similar seating facilities, each twenty two inches (22") of such seating facility shall be counted as one seat for the purpose of determining the requirement for off street parking facilities under this code, except that when the structure has no design capacity the maximum number present at any one time shall govern. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)

FIGURE 1

PARKING LOT LAYOUT

 

 

(Ord. Z-14-15, 7-6-2015)

      2.   In the R-3 and R-4 districts, those at grade or underground parking spaces located partially or wholly under the side of a building facing a public street may be served by no more than one driveway eighteen feet (18') wide at any point between the curb and the face of the building.

      3.    The following provisions apply to driveways located within the R-1 and R-2 districts and lots in any other zoning district that is improved with a lawfully established single-family detached dwelling:

         a.   A maximum of one driveway is allowed per zoning lot, and a maximum of one curb cut is allowed per driveway. An entrance off of a public alley will be considered one curb cut for the purposes of this section. Properties with a single-family detached dwelling that contain two or more lawfully established curb cuts as of January 6, 2020 will be allowed to maintain the existing driveway/s, but will not be allowed to expand such driveway/s.

         b.   Subject to subsections B3d and B3e of this section, the maximum width of each driveway shall be as follows:

            (1)   For properties improved with a single-family detached dwelling and a single-car wide garage or carport (either detached or attached), the maximum driveway width is 20 feet.

            (2)   For properties improved with a single-family detached dwelling and a two-car wide garage or carport (either detached or attached), the maximum driveway width is 23 feet.

            (3)   For properties improved with a single-family detached dwelling and a three-car wide garage or carport (either detached or attached), the maximum driveway width is 26 feet.

            (4)   A property improved with a single-family detached dwelling and no garage or carport will be allowed a maximum driveway width of 20 feet, provided, however, the driveway must meet the following standards:

               (A)   The total length of the driveway measured from the property line shall not exceed 40 feet and shall contain evergreen shrubs not exceeding three feet in height along the entire exterior edge of the driveway.

               (B)   The driveway meets the setback required by subsection B.3.h of this section.

            (5)   In instances when an existing garage or carport is removed and the driveway dimensions do not comply with subsection B.3.b.4 of this section, the driveway shall be modified concurrent with the removal of the garage or carport so that its dimensions comply with subsection B.3.b.4 of this section.

         c.   Driveways shall be a minimum of ten feet (10') in width, except where restricted between structures and property lines.

         d.   Through driveways prohibited. No driveway on a residentially zoned lot shall be permitted to connect with both a roadway and a public alley.

         e.   In accordance with section 12-8-2 of this code, no fence or any other type of raised barrier shall be installed either on or near a property line within a driveway shared by abutting properties.

         f.   Driveways shall have an apron that has the same width at the property line as the width of the driveway at the property line and that is straight-flared to the back of the street curb 36 inches on each side of the width of the apron at the property line.

         g.   Except for the restrictions set forth in subsection B.3.b.5 of this section, none of the restrictions of this section shall prevent the replacement of a legal nonconforming driveway with a new legal nonconforming driveway of the same dimensions and in the same location as the prior legal nonconforming driveway.

         h.   Driveways are permitted within all required yards, but shall be no closer than two feet from a lot line, unless the driveway is shared or requires access through that lot line. This requirement may be altered by the zoning administrator pursuant to Section 12-3-6, “Variations.”

         i.   No part of any driveway shall be closer than three feet from the centerline of a hydrant, light standards, traffic signal, utility pole, or other similar facility that affects traffic operation and regulations.

         j.   No rocks, gravel or stone mulch shall abut any portion of the driveway.

         k.   Driveway materials. All driveway areas shall be improved with a dust-free hard surface such as concrete, brick pavers, asphalt or other similar material approved by the zoning administrator. Rocks, gravel or stone mulch materials used for any parking or storage area is strictly prohibited.

         l.   Driveway apron materials. Driveway apron materials shall follow approved engineering standards. Any approved alternative material shall require an executed license agreement between the city and the subject property owner.

   E.    Electric vehicle charging spaces: Electric vehicle charging spaces are subject to the same dimension and setback requirements as all other parking spaces; provided, however, that mobility impaired accessible parking spaces have priority over electric vehicle charging spaces in proximity and accessible routes to building entrances. A mobility impaired accessible parking space may also serve as an electric vehicle charging space; provided, however, that the minimum number of mobility-impaired parking spaces for the facility must first be met by non-charging spaces.

The following specifications shall apply to electric vehicle charging spaces:

      1.   Electric vehicle charging spaces must be striped with a symbol and lettering to indicate their reservation for charging, and may have a sign not to exceed 1.5 square feet in area designating such reservation mounted to a wall or freestanding post. An electric vehicle charging space that is also a mobility impaired accessible space must fully comply with the specification requirements for accessible spaces.

      2.   Electric vehicle supply equipment may be located adjacent to the electric vehicle charging spaces. Charging ports shall not exceed eight feet in height.

      3.   Signage embedded within charging ports is subject to the sign regulations of this title.

      4.   The installation of electric vehicle supply equipment shall not exempt the parking facility from minimum interior and perimeter landscaping requirements of this title.

   I.   Signs For Multi-Family Buildings: For all multi-family structures in R-4 central core residential, and C-5 central business districts with twenty (20) or more units, a directional sign shall be posted for the purpose alerting the public to the availability of guest parking. The sign shall be no larger than two feet by two feet (2' x 2') and located within ten feet (10') of the driveway or alley which leads to the visitor parking area. The signs must be made of permanent materials (finished wood and/or metal) and complement the building and grounds. Existing buildings on the date of adoption hereof are exempted from the signage requirements. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998; amd. Ord. Z-8-14, 4-7-2014; Ord. Z-14-15, 7-6-2015; Ord. Z-3-20, 1-6-2020; Ord. Z-55-21, 12-6-2021; Ord. Z-20-22, 8-1-2022; Ord. Z-23-25, 8-18-2025)

   1.   C-3 Mixed-Use PUD zoned lots that are within 2,500 feet of an operational or proposed passenger rail train station or an operational rapid transit bus platform may follow the lowered parking requirements for residential dwelling units. Otherwise, all residential units shall follow the two spaces per dwelling unit requirement.

   2.   Any commercially zoned assembly use established within a shopping center shall comply with the off street parking requirements specifically identified for such assembly use and not the off street parking requirement for shopping centers.

   3.   Off-street parking is not required for parks one acre or less in area.

   4.   When a principal use of the zoning lot. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998; amd. Ord. Z-11-08, 4-7-2008; Ord. Z-6-16, 4-4-2016; Ord. Z-10-18, 5-21-2018; Ord. Z-17-18, 6-18-2018; Ord. Z-23-18, 8-20-2018; Ord. Z-31-18, 10-15-2018; Ord. Z- 13-19, 6-3-2019; Ord. Z-31-19, 12-2-2019; Ord. Z-3-20, 1-6-2020; Ord. Z-9-20, 3-16-2020; Ord. Z-16-20, 8-3-2020; Ord. Z-22-20, 9-21-2020; Ord. Z-6-22, 4-4-2022; Ord. Z-40-22, 1-17-2023; Ord. Z-41-22, 1-17-2023; Ord. Z-17-23, 8- 21-2023; Ord. Z-12-24, 6-17-2024)

The City encourages all developments which serve the public to provide parking facilities which are accessible to people with disabilities. In accordance with this goal, accessible parking shall be provided for any building or use initiated after the effective date hereof according to the following minimum requirements and any further requirements hereafter adopted by Federal, State, or local law.

   A.   Required Spaces: Accessible parking spaces shall be provided at the rate listed below:

 

   B.   Design And Layout Of Accessible Parking Spaces:

      1.   Accessible Parking Spaces Size: Each accessible parking space shall be sixteen feet (16') in width and eighteen feet (18') in length.

      2.   Accessible Parking Spaces Location: Each accessible parking space shall be located in close proximity to the most accessible entrance of the principal building.

      3.   Maximum Slope: Accessible parking spaces, access aisles, and accessible routes shall not exceed a slope of one to fifty (1:50), and the ramp from the access aisle to the sidewalk or other transition to the principal use shall not exceed a slope of one to twelve (1:12).

      4.   Vertical Clearance: The vertical clearance for accessible parking spaces shall be no less than eight feet two inches (8'2"), and the vertical clearance for passenger loading zones shall be no less than nine feet six inches (9'6").

   A.   Commercial Districts: Where any building is erected, reconstructed or converted for a use permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3 or C-4 Commercial Districts, one loading space shall be provided for each fifty thousand (50,000) square feet or fraction thereof of gross building square footage.

   B.   Manufacturing Districts: Where any building is erected, reconstructed or converted for a use permitted in the M-1, M-2 or M-3 Manufacturing Districts, the loading space requirements shall be as follows:

 

 

   C.   Specifications For Loading Spaces:

      1.   Size: Unless otherwise specified a required loading space shall be at least fifteen feet (15') in width by at least thirty five feet (35') in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least fourteen feet (14').

      2.   Access: Each required off street loading space shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley producing least interference with traffic movements.

      3.   Location: All required loading spaces shall be located on the same zoning lot as the use they serve, and be designed in such a manner so as not to open onto or face a public right-of-way.

      4.   Surfacing: All open off street loading spaces shall be improved with a compacted macadam base, not less than seven inches (7") thick, surfaced with not less than two inches (2") of asphaltic concrete or some comparable all weather dustless material. All required loading spaces shall be landscaped according to chapter 10, "Landscaping And Screening", of this title.

      5.   Use:

         a.   No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with loading facilities provided in any residential or commercial district.

         b.   Space allocated to any off street loading space shall not be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off street parking facilities or portions thereof. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998; amd. Ord. Z-13-19, 6-3-2019)