Dewey Beach City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Off-Street Parking
§ 185-35 Off-street parking requirements.
A.
General requirements. When any building or structure is hereafter erected or structurally altered, or any building or structure is converted for any use listed below, accessory off-street parking spaces shall be provided as follows:
(1)
Residential parking requirements. Every dwelling unit in a residential structure, whether a detached single-family detached dwelling or one of several dwelling units in a multifamily residential or mixed-use structure, in each zoning district shall require a minimum number of off-street parking spaces equal to the sum of two spaces allocated for the first four bedrooms plus one additional space per additional two bedrooms.
[Amended 2-18-2022 by Ord. No. 780-B]
(2)
Bed-and-breakfast inn. Operation of a bed-and-breakfast inn shall require one off-street space for every two dedicated bed-and-breakfast inn bedrooms in addition to such spaces as are required under residential parking requirements for the private portion of the home or townhouse.
(3)
Convention center. Operation of a convention center shall require one space per 200 square feet of net patron area or one space for every four seats, whichever is greater.
(4)
Office, public, or institutional use. Operation shall require one space for staff and visitor parking per 400 square feet of gross building area; at least 50% of such spaces must be dedicated for visitor use.
(5)
Dedicated patron use. Operation of commercial uses other than restaurant, convention center, office, public or institutional uses shall require one space dedicated to patron parking per 200 square feet of patron area.
(6)
Restaurants.
[Amended 1-21-2022 by Ord. No. 780; 2-18-2022 by Ord. No. 780-B]
(a)
All zoning districts except for the PRB-1 and PRB-3 Zoning Districts: Restaurants with 2,000 square feet or less assigned for patron use shall have no off-street parking requirements. Restaurants with more than 2,000 square feet assigned for patron use shall have one space for each 200 square feet assigned for patron use, including open decking.
(b)
PRB-1 and PRB-3 Zoning Districts: All restaurants shall require one space for each 200 square feet of patron area, including open decking, regardless of the building size.
(c)
RB-2 Zoning District: Restaurants with 4,000 square feet or less assigned for patron use shall have no off-street parking requirements. Restaurants with more than 4,000 square feet assigned for patron use shall have one space for each 200 square feet assigned for patron use, including open decking,
B.
Other commercial establishments.
(1)
Where 5,000 square feet or more are assigned for patron use, including open deck, one space for each 100 square feet assigned for patron use shall be required.
(2)
Where less than 5,000 square feet but more than 2,000 square feet are assigned for patron use, including open decking, one space for each 400 square feet assigned for patron use shall be required.
(3)
Where 2,000 square feet or less are assigned for patron use, including open deck, there shall be no off-street parking requirements.
§ 185-36 Interpretation and application of off-street parking requirements.
A.
The parking requirements called for are in addition to space for storage of trucks or other vehicles used in connection with any use.
B.
The parking requirements in this article do not limit other parking requirements contained in the district regulations.
C.
The parking requirements in the article do not limit the conditions that may be imposed in connection with any site plan approval, conditional use approval, special exception approval, or any other approval in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
E.
Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next highest whole number.
F.
The parking space requirements for a use not specifically listed shall be the same as for a listed use of similar characteristics of parking demand generation.
G.
In the case of mixed uses, uses with different parking requirements occupying the same building or premises, or in the case of joint use of a building or premises by more than one use having the same parking requirements, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.
H.
Whenever a building or use is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise, to create a need under the requirements of this article for an increase in parking spaces of 10% or more than those required before the change or enlargement, such additional parking spaces shall be provided. No additional spaces shall be required for the first change or enlargement which would result in an increase of spaces of less than 10% of those required before the change or enlargement, but this exception shall not apply to a series of changes or enlargements which together result in a need for an aggregate increase in parking spaces of 10% or more.
I.
Exception of off-street parking requirements. Where, in the judgment of the Board of Adjustment, the parking requirements listed in § 185-35 of this article are clearly excessive and unreasonable, the Board of Adjustment may modify the requirements upon application and payment of fees for variance in accordance with Article X.
J.
In both the PRB-1 and PRB-2 Zoning Districts, the designer may include the available metered parking stalls located on streets that are directly contiguous to the property towards meeting the total number of required off-street parking stalls.
§ 185-37 Location of required spaces.
All parking spaces required herein shall be located on the same lot with the building or use served, or on an adjoining lot under the same ownership.
§ 185-38 Design standards.
A.
Minimum area. For the purpose of these regulations, an off-street parking space is an area having a surface suitable for parking, not in a street or alley and having an area of not less than nine feet by 18 feet, for vertical or diagonal parking, and nine feet by 20 feet for parallel parking, permanently reserved for the temporary storage of one vehicle.
B.
Drainage and maintenance. Off-street parking facilities shall be drained to eliminate standing water and prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys. All new exterior parking areas, except underground or multilevel parking lots, shall be paved in a manner so as to create a permeable paving surface. Off-street parking areas shall be maintained in a clean and orderly condition at the expense of lessee or of the owner and shall not be used for the sale, repair, or dismantling or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials or supplies.
C.
Entrances and exits. Location and design of entrances and exits shall be in accord with the requirements of applicable Town and state regulations and standards.
D.
Marking. Except for parking on a single-family lot, all parking spaces in residential and/or commercial parking areas shall be marked by painted lines or curbs or other means to indicate individual spaces. Signs or markers shall be used as necessary to ensure efficient traffic operation of the lot.
E.
Lighting. Adequate lighting shall be provided if off-street parking spaces for commercial-type use are to be used at night. The average illumination levels in commercial parking areas, driveways, pedestrian and vehicular circulation levels should not fall below one footcandle. All exterior lighting for the commercial properties shall be oriented and shielded to protect adjacent residential areas.
F.
Height. The minimum vertical clearance for a parking space shall be six feet eight inches.
G.
Handicapped-accessible parking. Handicapped-accessible parking stalls compliant with all state and federal guidelines will be provided, including all applicable signage and striping.