Ellijay City Zoning Code

ARTICLE 11

- OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING3

Footnotes:

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Cross reference— Traffic and vehicles, ch. 74.

Sec. 11.1.- Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to provide regulations to foster safe and efficient circulation of vehicles and pedestrians on private and public streets, and to minimize nuisances from on-street parking.

Sec. 11.2. - Off-street parking.

Off-street automobile parking and storage.

Off-street automobile parking and storage space shall be provided on every lot on which any of the uses mentioned in this section are hereafter established. Such automobile parking or storage space shall be provided with vehicular access to a street or alley and shall be equal in area to at least the minimum requirements for the specific uses as set forth below. Each automobile parking space shall be at least nine feet wide and 18 feet long. If the required automobile parking or storage space cannot be provided on the same lot on which the principal use is located, the city council may permit such space to be provided on other off-street property provided such space is within 500 feet of such principal use. Such space shall be associated with the permitted use and shall not thereafter be reduced or encroached upon in any manner.

All off-street automobile parking and storage space except for residential shall be so arranged that vehicles will not be required to back onto a public street, road, or highway when leaving the premises.

Gross leasable area (GLA) is the total building floor area in square feet that a developer may lease. Gross floor area (GFA) is the sum of the areas of several floors of a building, including all areas for human occupancy, as measured from the exterior faces of the walls, but excluding unenclosed porches, interior parking spaces, or any space where the floor to ceiling height is less than six feet, six inches.

Off-street automobile parking and storage spaces shall be equal in number to at least the minimum requirements for the specific use set forth in table 11.1.

Improvement and maintenance. Off-street parking areas shall be graded to insure proper drainage, surfaced with all-weather gravel, asphalt or concrete materials, and maintained in a clean, orderly, and dustfree condition.

Bumper guards. If the off-street parking area is surfaced with all-weather gravel materials, a bumper guard or wheel stop shall be installed to mark each space.

Marking. If the off-street parking area is surfaced with concrete or asphalt, each parking space shall be painted with stripes, not less than three inches wide, running the length of each of the longer sides of the space or by other acceptable methods which clearly delineate the parking space within the parking lot.

Handicapped parking. Parking for the handicapped within a nonresidential district shall be provided at a size, number, and location according to the requirements of the ADA accessibility guidelines (ADAAG), published by the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barrier Compliance Board (ATBCB), as amended.

Sec. 11.3. - Residential parking.

All parking areas serving single-family detached or attached dwellings shall conform to the following requirements:

The maximum number of parking spaces allowed on any single family residential lot in addition to those provided by a garage or permanently roofed carport shall be determined by the number of bedrooms in the dwelling located on that lot. To be considered a bedroom, a room must conform to the definition found in section 404 of chapter 4 of the International Property Maintenance Code, as amended.

One- to two-bedroom dwellings shall be permitted two parking spaces.

Three-bedroom dwellings shall be permitted three parking spaces.

Four or more bedroom dwellings shall be permitted four parking spaces.

Parking shall not be allowed directly in front of any single-family dwelling, nor shall the area of parking space exceed 50 percent of the area of the front yard as measured from the front of the principal facade, except in those cases where (an) improved parking space(s) or driveway was (were) in existence there prior to the adoption of this resolution [Ordinance No. 091903-A], or where a garage or carport facing the street on which the dwelling fronts is built into the dwelling as an integral part of the structure.

All off-street residential parking spaces and driveways shall be improved in compliance with section 11.2.a and b of this ordinance, and, in the case of a graveled surface, shall be curbed on all sides with a durable material in such a way as to prevent dispersal or erosion of the surface.

Parking spaces and driveways may be located in one side yard only, and in back yards, except where a garage or carport facing the street on which the dwelling fronts is built into the dwelling as an integral part of the structure.

If garages or carports are converted to living area, then the off-street parking requirements must be met elsewhere on the lot.

No inoperable vehicle shall be permitted in any residential district for more than 14 days unless it is in an enclosed garage. All repairs shall be in an enclosed garage in residential districts. Bona fide automobile restorations shall be excluded from this provision, so long as the same shall be completed within one year and limited to one vehicle which shall be maintained under a full car cover.

No commercial vehicle as licensed by the state with gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 11,000 lbs. shall be allowed to park in the R-1, R-2, or MHP zone districts.

Recreational vehicles are prohibited from parking in the front yard of R-1, R-2, and MHP zone districts.

Commercial vehicles, licensed by the state, buses, and recreational vehicles shall not be allowed to park overnight on the street in a residential district.

(Ord. No. 091903-A, § 1(exh. A), 9-19-2003)

TABLE 11.1
MINIMUM OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY USES

Uses	Parking Spaces
RESIDENTIAL
Dormitory for Worker Employed on the Premises	1 per 3 employees plus 1 per dormitory manager.
Dwelling, Multifamily (including one-bedroom units)	2 per dwelling unit.
Dwelling, Single-family Detached	2 per dwelling unit.
Dwelling, Townhouse/Condominium	2 per dwelling unit.
Group Home	1 per employee plus 1 per each 2 bedrooms.
Manufactured Home, Industrialized Home	2 per dwelling unit.
Neighborhood Center	1 per 250 sf GFA.
Nursing Home	1 for each 4 beds plus 1 per 2 employees.
Rooming and Boardinghouse	1 per room to be let.
Senior Housing	1 per dwelling limit.
COMMERCIAL - RETAIL
Automobile, Truck Sales and Service	1.0 space per 250 sf of sales floor area plus 2 spaces per service bay.
Auto Parts Store	1 per 400 sf GFA plus 1 per each employee on maximum work shift.
Boat Sales, Service and Repair	1 per 300 sf GFA, 2 spaces minimum.
Convenience Store (can include fuel service)	5 per 1,000 sf GFA.
Furniture, Home Furnishing and Equipment Store	1 per 500 sf GFA, 2 spaces minimum.
Grocery Store	1 per 200 sf GFA.
Hardware Store	1 per 200 sf GFA.
Liquor Store	1 per 400 sf GFA.
Manufactured Home Sales	4 per each sales person plus 1 for each employee.
Restaurant, Cafeteria, Fast-Food (with seating)	1 per 4 seats, 1 additional space for each 2 employees.
Restaurant, Fast-Food With Drive-in Facility (no seating)	1 per employee on maximum shift.
Retail Stores, General Merchandise	1 per 200 sf GLA.
Shopping Center, Planned - Under 400,000 sf GLA	5 per 1,000 sf GLA.
Plus Over 400,000 sf GLA	5.5 per 1,000 sf GLA.
Tire Sales, Service and Vulcanizing	1 per 300 sf GFA.
COMMERCIAL - SERVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Amusement Center, Game Room	1 per 200 sf GFA, plus 1 per 2 tables/machines.
Amusement Park	Spaces equal in number to 30% of capacity.
Automobile Repair & Body Shop	1 per 150 sf GFA.
Auto Oil Change Shop	3 per service bay.
Auto/Motor Vehicles Race Track	1 per 4 seats.
Bait Shop	1 per 250 sf GFA.
Bank or Financial Institution, Full Service	1 per 175 sf GFA.
Bar, Cocktail Lounge, Tavern, Nightclub	1 per 4 seats.
Barbershop, Beauty Salon	3 per workstation on maximum capacity.
Bed and Breakfast Home	1 per guest room, plus 2 per owner's dwelling unit.
Bowling Alley	4 per alley.
Dry Cleaning	1 per 200 sf GFA.
Funeral Home/Mortuary	1 per 4 seats in chapel plus 1 per 2 employees plus spaces for company vehicles.
Gas Station, Full-Service	1 per each employee plus 3 per service bay.
Gas Station, Self-Serve (fuel only)	1 per employee.
Health Club and Facilities	1 per 200 sf GFA.
Hotel, Motel, Motor Lodge	1 per sleeping room or suite, 1 additional space for each 2 employees.
Laboratory, Research and Development Facilities	1.5 per employee.
Laundromat	1 per 200 sf GFA.
Machinery Sales, Service and Repair	4 per each sales person plus 1 for each other employees.
Miniature Golf Course	3 per each hole plus 1 per employee on maximum shift.
Offices (business, medical, dental, and professional)	1 per 225 sf GFA for single floor designs; 1 per 275 sf GFA for designs with two or more floors.
Pet Shop and Dog Grooming Shop	1 per 400 sf GFA with a minimum of 4 spaces.
Printing, Publishing and Engraving	1 per 2 employees on premises plus 1 per 300 sf of sales space.
Repair Service, General Merchandise	1 per 2 employees on premises plus 1 per 300 sf of sales space.
RV Sales and Camper Sales, Service and Repair	4 spaces for each salesperson plus 1 per employee.
Shooting Range, Indoor	1 per employee plus 1 per shooting lane.
Studio for Art, Photograph and Similar Uses	1 per 400 sf GFA, 3 spaces minimum.
Theater, Movie or Drama	1 per 3 seats.
Truck Terminal	1 per 1,000 sf GFA.
Veterinary Clinic	4 spaces per doctor, plus 1 per additional employee.
Video Store	1 per 200 sf GFA.
INDUSTRIAL - STORAGE/WAREHOUSING/WHOLESALE TRADE
Mini-Warehouse (Self-Service Storage Facilities)	1 per 10 storage units plus 1 per employee.
Warehouse and Storage Buildings	1 per employee on maximum working shift, plus space for storage of truck or vehicles used.
Junkyard, Salvage Yard	2 per employee.
Wholesale, Trade Establishments	1 per employee, plus 1 per 200 sf of sales floor area.
INDUSTRIAL - MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENT/PROCESSING
Manufacturing and Industrial Uses	1 per employee on the maximum working shift.
Contract Construction	1 per 250 sf of gross office space plus 1 per nonoffice on-site employee.
Mineral Extraction and Processing	1 per 2 employees on maximum working shift.
PUBLIC/INSTITUTIONAL
Ambulance Services	1 per each emergency vehicle plus 1 additional space for each employee.
Art Gallery	1 per 250 sf GFA.
Auditorium, Assembly Hall, Civic Center, Community Center	1 per 4 seats or bench seating spaces.
Cemetery, mausoleum	1 per employee.
Childcare Facilities	1 per each 1.5 employees plus 1 per 4 pupils.
Church	1 per 4 seats or bench seating spaces.
Club and Lodges, Noncommercial	1 per 100 sf GFA.
Convent and Monastery	1 per 2 beds.
Fire Station	1 per each employee on the maximum working shift.
Hospital, Health and Medical Institution	1 per 2 patient beds, 1 additional for each 3 employees.
Library	1 per 400 sf GFA plus 1 per 2 employees.
Museum	1 per 250 sf GFA.
Police Station/Correctional Facility	2 per employee on the maximum working shift, plus 1 per 8 inmates considering the maximum inmate holding capacity.
Post Office	1 per 200 sf GFA plus 1 per employee on maximum working shift.
Recycling Center	1 per employee.
School, Public or Private Elementary/Middle	2 per classroom, but not less than 1 per full-time employee.
School, Public or Private High	1 per 3 students plus 1 per full-time employee.
School, College	10 per classroom.
School, Vocational/Technical	20 per classroom.
TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNICATION/UTILITIES
Bus Terminal	4 per each loading and unloading bay.
Radio, TV and Communication Transmission Tower	1 per 2 employees on premises plus 1 per 300 sf of sales or customer space.
Utility Facilities	1 per employee plus 1 per stored vehicle.
Water Treatment Facilities	1 per employee.
PARK/RECREATION/CONSERVATION
Golf Courses and Clubhouses, Private	6 per hole, plus additional spaces for each accessory facility.
Golf Courses and Clubhouses, Public	8 per hole, plus additional spaces for each accessory facility.
Golf Driving Range	2 per each driving tee.
Park With Recreational Facilities	Spaces equal in number to 30% of capacity.
Recreation Vehicle Park	1.5 per each RV space.
Shooting Range, Outdoor	Skeet Range and Trap Range: 1 per employee plus 1 for each shooter. Target Range: 1 per employee plus 1 per shooting lane.
Skating Rink, Roller and Ice	5 spaces per 1,000 sf of GFA.
Swimming Pool, Public	30 spaces minimum.
AGRICULTURAL
Agricultural Services	2 per 3 employees or 1 per 400 sf GFA.
Kennel	1 per employee plus 1 per 1,000 sf GFA.
Lumberyard	1 per each 500 sf GFA.
Meat Pack and Processing/Slaughter Yard	1 per 1,000 sf GFA.
Nursery/Greenhouse	1 per 400 sf of GFA, plus 1 per 2,000 sf of exterior nursery area.
Sawmill	1 per employee.
Stockyard	1 per employee on maximum shift.

Sec. 11.4. - Off-street loading and unloading space.

Every building or structure used for business, trade or industry, shall provide space as indicated herein for the loading and unloading of vehicles off the street or public alley. Such space shall have access to an alley or if there is no alley, to a street. Such space shall be so arranged that no vehicle is required to back onto a public street, road or highway in order to leave the premises.

Retail business and services. Space ten feet by 25 feet for each 20,000 square feet of total floor area or fraction thereof.

Wholesale and industry. One space ten feet by 50 feet for each 10,000 square feet of floor area plus one additional space for each 60,000 additional square feet of total floor area or fraction thereof.

Bus and truck terminals. Sufficient space to accommodate the maximum number of buses or trucks to be stored or to be loading or unloading at the terminal at any one time.