Edgmont Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XX
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 365-136 Required off-street parking spaces.
Unless specified otherwise in another article of this chapter, all off-street parking spaces shall be provided and satisfactorily maintained in accordance with the following provisions for each building or use which, after the effective date of this chapter, is established, erected, enlarged or altered for any of the following purposes or uses in any district. For uses not specifically listed, the requirements for the most similar use listed shall be followed as set forth at the end of this section:
Use | Minimum Off-Street Parking Spaces Required |
|---|---|
Agricultural Uses | |
Agriculture | 1 for each full-time employee |
Residential Uses | |
All types of dwelling units | 2 for every dwelling unit |
Public or Private Recreational Uses | |
Private clubs, lodges | 1 for every 100 square feet of floor area available to patrons |
Golf course | 4 for each hole, plus club requirement as listed above |
Golf driving range | 2 for each tee |
Miniature golf | 1 for each hole |
Bowling alley | 5 for each lane |
Gymnasium, stadium | 1 for every 4 seats |
Public swimming pool | 1 for every 12 square feet of water surface, or 1 for every 5 persons for whom dressing facilities are provided (whichever is greater) |
Outdoor commercial recreation | 1 for every 1,500 square feet of area |
Indoor commercial recreation | 1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area devoted to such use |
Governmental, Institutional and Educational Uses | |
Places of public or private assembly, including auditoriums, theaters, and assembly halls | 1 for every 3 permanent or temporary seats, plus 1 for every 100 square feet of meeting room area |
Church or religious use | 1 for every 3 permanent or temporary seats, plus 1 for every 100 square feet of meeting room area |
Social, fraternal and social service buildings | 1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area |
Community center, library, museum | 1 for every 250 square feet of floor area in public use |
Hospital, convalescent home, nursing home | 1 1/2 for each bed, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Private kindergarten, or child institutional home | 1 for each adult attendant, plus 1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Schools or educational institution | 1 for each faculty member and other full-time employee, plus 2 for each classroom, plus 1 for every 8 students |
Dormitory | 1 for every 3 residents |
Child day-care center or adult daily living center | 1 for every staff member, plus 1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Retail, Commercial and Other Business Uses | |
Shopping center in the C-3 District, and uses in the C-1, C-2, and LI Districts that involve a retail store, or a retail use, or retail sales, except as provided below | 4 for every 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area, provided that the number of required spaces can be reduced as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with § 365-139. |
Convenience store | 8 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Department store or supermarket | |
40,000 to 100,000 square feet | 5 for every 1,000 square feet of store sales floor area or other area serving customers |
More than 100,000 square feet | 4 for every 1,000 square feet of store sales floor area or other area serving customers |
Personal service businesses | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Consumer repair services | 1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Restaurant, cafeteria, tavern or cafe | 1 for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Fast-food restaurant, with or without drive-through service | 1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Self-service laundromat | 1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area |
Automobile service and repair or car wash | 4 for each bay, or 1 for every 200 square feet of floor and ground area devoted to service and repair (whichever is greater), plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Banks, credit unions and the like | 1 for every 75 square feet of floor area for serving customers |
Professional offices with on-site facilities for diagnosis, treatment or care | 8 for 1,000 square feet of examination and/or treatment area |
Businesses and professional offices, excluding offices with on-site facilities treatment or care | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Funeral home | 1 for every 4 seats for patron use, or 1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
Hotel, motel, inn or bed-and-breakfast | 1.2 for each rental room or suite, plus 1 for every 3 seats in restaurants or meeting rooms |
Temporary or permanent stands for the sale of farm products or places where Christmas trees flowers, produce or other seasonal goods are sold | 10 minimum, plus any additional overflow spaces (as determined by the Zoning Officer after personally observing traffic conditions at such stands or for such activities) |
Temporary events, such as hayrides, sleigh rides, and other like events; and flea markets Movie theater | 20 minimum, plus any additional overflow spaces as needed 1 for every 3 seats, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment |
New and used automobile sales agencies | 1 for every 200 square feet of floor and outdoor ground area devoted to sales and accessory service use, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Kennel for boarding and/or breeding; animal shelter | 1 for each employee, plus 1 for each 8 animals that may be housed at the facility |
Heliport or helistop | 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment, plus 2 for each vehicle used in connection with the facility |
Laboratories or research facilities | 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment or 3 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
Wagering and gambling establishment | 20 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment |
Adult entertainment use | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every 3 employees on the shift of greatest employment |
Artisan shops | 1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Commercial laundry; dry cleaning plant | 1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each vehicle used for business |
Publishing, printing, lithography | 1 for every 1,000 square feet of production area, plus 1 for every 250 square feet of office space |
Industrial and Other Related Uses | |
Industrial and other related uses | 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment, or 1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area (whichever is greater), plus 1 for each company vehicle |
Warehouse or storage facility | 1 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area or 1 for each 2 rentable units, whichever is greater, plus I for each company vehicle |
Public Self-Storage Facility | 1 space for every 300 square feet of gross office floor area, plus 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of gross floor area of storage units (excluding office area) or 4 spaces for every 100 storage units, whichever is greater. Should the self-storage facility use include the accessory retail sale of moving supplies and packing products to the public, then the minimum parking requirement for the office shall be 1 space for every 200 square feet of gross office floor area. |
Buildings or Uses Other Than Those Specified Above | Determination of the appropriate parking space requirements shall be made by the Zoning Officer consistent with the standards set forth herein for comparable buildings or uses, and may be in accordance with the most recent edition of the Parking Generation Standards of the Institute for Transportation Engineers. |
§ 365-137 General regulations for off-street parking.
A.
Existing parking. Structures and uses in existence at the date of adoption of this chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this article so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed, provided that any parking facility now serving structures or uses shall not in the future be reduced below such requirements.
B.
Changes in use. Whenever a structure is altered or a use is changed or extended which increases the parking requirements of § 365-136, then the total additional parking required for the alteration, change or extension shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of that section.
C.
Conflict with other uses. No parking area shall be used for any use that interferes with its availability for the parking need it is required to serve.
D.
Continuing character of obligation. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the use which the facilities were designed to serve exists. Off-street parking facilities shall not be reduced in total extent except when such reduction is in conformity with the requirements of this article.
E.
Reserved parking. Reserved parking may be proposed if the owner believes, based on empirical data for the use, that less parking is needed. No more than 10% of the otherwise required parking may be shown on a site plan as being held in reserve. Impervious coverage regulations and stormwater management regulations shall apply in the event the reserved parking is paved in the future.
F.
Shared parking.
(1)
The number of on-site parking spaces required for a use may be reduced by special exception under Article XXXIII, if it can be demonstrated to the Zoning Hearing Board that the hours or days of peak parking need for the uses are so different that a lower total will adequately provide for all uses served by the facility. In such case, sufficient parking shall be provided to meet the Zoning Code requirements for the use that requires the greater amount of parking.
(2)
A shared parking analysis shall be submitted with the application for special exception. At a minimum, the shared parking analysis shall be based on the ULI publication "Shared Parking, Second Edition, 2005" and any updates thereto.
(3)
Shared parking calculations shall not include any residential uses on the site.
(4)
A change of use shall require a recalculation of parking requirements.
(5)
In addition to the opportunity for shared parking on-site on the same lot as set forth in § 365-137F(1) through (4) above, two or more uses may provide for required parking off-site in a parking area on an adjoining lot subject to § 365-138A through D if the total parking space planned and provided is not less than the number of spaces required for each use if considered individually, unless otherwise specifically set forth herein.
(6)
Parking areas off-site on adjoining lots shall be physically adjacent to each other, with easements and agreements to permit shared driveways and shared parking. Owners/applicants shall provide written agreements, in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor, describing the terms of the parking arrangement.
G.
Location of parking spaces. Required off-street parking spaces shall be on the same lot or premises with the principal use served or, where this requirement cannot be met, a special exception can be applied for, subject to the provisions of § 365-138 herein.
H.
Fractional spaces. Where the computation of required parking spaces results in a fractional number, the fraction of 1/2 or more shall be counted as one.
I.
Maintenance of parking areas. For parking areas for three or more vehicles, the area not landscaped and so maintained, including driveways, shall be graded, surfaced with asphalt or other suitable material, and drained to Township standards. All parking areas shall be maintained and replaced as may be necessary from time to time to provide for safe and convenient use, as determined by the Township Engineer.
K.
Alternative parking facilities. Some or all of the required parking may be incorporated beneath a building and/or within a structured parking facility.
L.
Electric vehicle charging stations, in accordance with the design standards of Article VIII of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[2]
[Added 10-11-2022 by Ord. No. 248]
(1)
Permitted locations.
(a)
Level-1 and Level-2 charging stations shall be permitted as an accessory use to off-street parking in all zoning districts. Charging stations located at single-family detached, single-family attached, and multifamily dwellings shall be designated for private use only. Installation of Level-2 charging stations shall be subject to building permit approval.
(b)
Level-3 (DC fast) charging stations shall be permitted as an accessory use to off-street parking in the R-5, C-1, C-2, C-3, POC, LI Districts, and as an accessory use to multifamily dwellings. Installation thereof shall be subject to building permit approval. Installation of Level-3 charging stations for multifamily dwellings shall be designated for private use only.
§ 365-138 Off-street parking as special exception.
The parking spaces required in § 365-136 herein may be located elsewhere than on the same lot and may be authorized as a special exception, subject to Article XXXIII and the following:
A.
Multiple owners: that the owners of two or more uses shall submit, with their application for special exception, a site plan showing joint use and location of a common parking area.
B.
Location of parking: that some portion of the common parking area lies within 400 feet of an entrance regularly used by patrons into the building served thereby.
C.
Amount of parking required: that the Zoning Hearing Board may reduce the aggregate amount of required parking space upon determination that greater efficiency is effected by joint use of a common parking area.
D.
Deed restriction. The off-street parking area which is used to satisfy the parking requirements shall be deed restricted to ensure its use for parking.
§ 365-139 Conditional reduction of off-street parking areas as conditional use.
In order to prevent the establishment of a greater number of parking spaces than is actually required to serve the needs of the particular mix of enterprises in a shopping center use in the C-3 District in excess of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, or nonresidential uses in the C-1, C-2, and LI Districts, the Board of Supervisors may permit a conditional reduction of parking space if the following conditions are satisfied:
B.
Design. The design of the parking lot, as indicated on the land development plan, shall designate sufficient space to provide for the total requirement of parking spaces as set forth in § 365-136 herein. The plan shall also illustrate the layout for the total number of parking spaces.
C.
Conditional reduction percentage. The conditional reduction may permit a reduction of up to 20% in the required number of parking spaces. This initial phase of the parking provision shall be clearly indicated on the plan.
D.
Conditionally reserved parking. The balance of the parking area conditionally reserved shall not include areas for required yards, setbacks or areas which would otherwise be unsuitable for parking spaces due to the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this chapter. This parking area which is reserved shall be shown on the land development plan and noted for possible future use. Any landscaping in the reserve parking area shall be placed on the perimeter of the reserved area. The developer shall provide a landscaping plan for the reserved area with the land development plan. The stormwater management calculations shall include all proposed and reserved parking areas.
E.
Written agreement. The developer shall enter into a written agreement with the Board of Supervisors that, after one year following the issuing of the last occupancy permit, any additional parking spaces shall be provided at the developer's or owner's expense should it be determined that the full parking space requirement, or portion thereof, is necessary to satisfy the need of the particular mix of uses in a shopping center or other major commercial use in excess of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, or nonresidential uses in the C-1, C-2, and LI Districts.
F.
Performance bond. At the time of the above-stated agreement, the developer or landowner shall post a performance bond or other securities to cover the expense of a traffic study to be undertaken by a registered transportation engineer approved by the Board of Supervisors, who shall determine the advisability of providing the full parking requirement. With the recommendations of the Traffic Engineer, the Township Engineer and the Township Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors shall determine if additional spaces shall be provided by the developer or if the area shall remain as open space in a shopping center or other major commercial use in excess of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, or nonresidential uses in the C-1, C-2, and LI Districts.
G.
Parking study. In accordance with the above-stated agreement, the developer or landowner shall submit a parking study and supporting materials to the Township Zoning Officer at least 14 days prior to the Board of Supervisors' meeting one year following the issuance of the last use and occupancy permit.
§ 365-140 Parking area design standards.
A.
Design standards. Parking area design standards shall be as set forth in this chapter and in Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development. Such design standards shall represent the minimum acceptable standards.
B.
Size. Unless specified otherwise, the minimum parking space shall be nine feet in width and 20 feet in depth.
C.
Grading. Parking spaces shall be reasonably level and shall have a slope less than 5% as measured from front to back and from side to side.
D.
Location. Parking spaces shall not include the areas of drive aisles, passageways, driveways or other means of access or circulation.
E.
Enclosure. A parking space may be covered or uncovered, provided that the parking space is located out of the street right-of-way.
F.
Additional regulations. The following additional regulations shall apply to all areas of off-street parking, off-street loading, and storage facilities:
(1)
Design and use. Such facilities shall be designed and used in such a manner as to at no time constitute a nuisance, a hazard, or an impediment to traffic.
(a)
Prohibition. All areas for off-street parking, off-street loading, and storage facilities shall be designed to prohibit vehicles from backing out onto the street.
(b)
Loading and storage facilities. The capacity of each lot shall provide adequate storage area and distribution facilities upon the lot to prevent backup of vehicles onto a public street while awaiting entry to the lot.
(2)
Separation. All areas for off-street parking, off-street loading and unloading, and the storage or movement of motor vehicles shall be physically separated from the highway or street by a minimum distance of 20 feet.
(a)
Methods of separation. Off-street parking, loading and unloading areas shall be separated by raised curb, buffer planting strip, fence, wall, berm, or other suitable barrier against nonchannelized motor vehicle entrance or exit, or a pier-fence-hedge combination a set forth in § 305-50F of the Edgmont Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
(b)
Exceptions. Necessary accessways or access roads which provide ingress to and egress from such parking, loading or storage areas shall be exempt from the requirements in this section.
(3)
Lighting. All lighting fixtures used to illuminate parking areas shall be arranged to prevent glare into public streets and adjoining properties. All such lighting shall be equipped with shields to prevent glare.
(4)
Off-street loading areas. In addition to the off-street parking space required in this article, any building erected, converted and/or enlarged for any nonresidential use shall provide off-street areas for loading and unloading and commercial vehicle parking space adequate for their needs, in accordance with § 365-141.
(a)
Location. All off-street loading areas shall be provided in either the side or rear yard of the lot. In no case shall off-street loading areas be provided in the front yard of a lot.
[1]
Rights-of-way. In no case shall the public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials. Furthermore, no loading dock or space shall be located or arranged in such a way that it is necessary to back any vehicle into or off any public right-of-way, nor require the use of any public right-of-way for maneuvering space.
[2]
Prohibition. The capacity of each lot shall provide adequate storage area and distribution facilities upon the lot to prevent backup of vehicles onto a public street while awaiting entry to the lot.
(b)
Size. The minimum size loading space shall be 50 feet in depth, 12 feet in width, with an overhead clearance of 15 feet, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served. Any overhead canopy should extend a minimum of four feet beyond the dock.
(c)
Access. All loading space shall have adequate access from a street or way which does not block or interfere with the required parking as specified in this article. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
(5)
Driveways. The following regulations shall apply to driveway accessways to off-street parking, off-street loading, and storage facilities:
(a)
Size. Two-way driveways shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width and a maximum of 36 feet wide. One-way driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width.
(b)
Drainage. All accessory driveways and entranceways shall be graded, paved and drained to Township standards to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance of dust, erosion or excessive water flow across streets and adjoining properties.
§ 365-141 Accessways for off-street parking, loading, and storage areas.
A.
Purpose. This section establishes regulations for accessways for off-street parking, loading, and storage areas.
B.
Location. Access drives shall not open upon any public right-of-way within 150 feet of the nearest right-of-way line of any intersecting public street or highway.
C.
Frontage requirements. The following frontage measurements shall be used to determine the number of accessways permitted for a use:
(1)
Uses with less than 300 feet of frontage on a public street shall have no more than one accessway onto a public street. Uses with more than 300 feet of frontage on a public street shall have no more than two accessways onto a public street.
(2)
Access to parking areas shall be provided by a common service driveway, accessway, or street in order to avoid direct access to a public street, where possible.
D.
Sight distance. The required sight distance for access drives which open upon any street or highway shall be in accordance with the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
E.
Multibuilding development. Multibuilding developments, including shopping centers, office complexes, groupings of multifamily dwellings, or similar groupings or buildings on a lot, and buildings of 10,000 square feet or greater, shall conform to the following regulations:
(1)
Street design. All streets and accessways shall conform to the design standards of Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development. Provision shall be made for adequate signalization, turn, acceleration and deceleration lanes, and similar facilities where needed.
(2)
Street frontage. All buildings shall front upon a service street, common parking lot or similar area and not directly upon a public street.
(3)
Vehicular access. All points of vehicular access to and from a public street shall be located not less than 150 feet from the closest point of intersection with any public street right-of-way; provided, however, that such a point of vehicular access, which in effect converts a T-intersection into an intersection of two streets which cross one another, shall be permitted.
(a)
Ingress and egress. Provision shall be made for safe and efficient ingress and egress to and from public streets and highways serving the development, without undue congestion to or interference with normal traffic flow within the Township.
(b)
Direct access. Interior service driveways, service streets, or accessways shall be used to collect traffic from parking areas in order to avoid direct access from parking areas to a public street.
(4)
Illumination. All driveways, aisles, maneuvering spaces, vehicular service areas or spaces between or about buildings, other than those related to a dwelling, shall be adequately illuminated during night hours of use at no cost to the Township, and shall be designed and built to prevent glare.
§ 365-142 Screening and landscaping requirements.
A.
Screening. Screening between parking areas and the street line or any adjacent property shall be effective at the time of occupancy, subject to the provisions in § 305-50.D. of the Edgmont Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.