Elmwood Park City Zoning Code
SECTION 1408
OFF-STREET PARKING AND OFF-STREET LOADING
1408.01 Scope of Regulations.
[Added 1-8-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-06; amended 2-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
The off street parking and off street loading provisions of this ordinance shall apply as follows:
A.
Accessory off street parking and off street loading facilities shall be provided as required by the regulations of this section for all buildings and structures. However where a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance, and provided that construction is begun within six months of such effective date and diligently prosecuted to completion, parking and loading facilities in the amounts required for the issuance of said building permit may be provided in lieu of any additional amounts required by this ordinance.
B.
When, in the B-1, B-2, C-1 or MU-1 districts, additional off street parking is required to be provided for a nonresidential use, either because of a change in use, the erection of a new building or addition or an increase of usable floor area for floor areas previously used for storage, utility or similar use, off street parking required herein may be waived if the resulting number of the additional required parking spaces is less than 10. The waiver decision shall be made by the director of code administration. If he determines that the public interest requires review by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission, he shall remand the matter to the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission for a public hearing before making a decision. Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by the decision of the director of code administration shall be entitled to appeal to the Village Manager. The appeal must be in writing and must be filed with the Village Clerk within 15 days following the decision of the director of code administration. The waiver of new or additional parking shall, under no circumstances, apply in the case of those dwellings specified at Subsections 1408.06K1b and K1d of this ordinance.
C.
Whenever there occurs a change in an existing use to a restaurant, or there is the erection of a new building for use as a restaurant, or there is an increase of usable floor space area for a restaurant, the off-street parking provisions of this Section 1408 shall not be applicable for any restaurant uses that are located within the B-2 District that fronts on and is adjacent to North Avenue or located within the MU-1 District that includes Conti Parkway.
D.
Whenever there occurs a change in use to a bakery in an existing building of no less than 4,000 square feet, the off-street parking provisions in this Section 1408 shall not be applicable for any such new bakery uses that are to be located within the B-1 Districts that front on and are adjacent to Belmont Avenue.
1408.02 Existing Parking Facilities.
[Amended 1-8-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-06]
Accessory off-street parking facilities in existence on the effective date of the amendment hereof and located on the same lot as the building or use served shall not thereafter be reduced below the requirements for a similar new building or use under the provisions of the amendment to this ordinance, except as provided in Subsection 1408.01C.
1408.03 Permissive Parking and Loading Facilities.
Nothing in this ordinance shall be deemed to prevent the voluntary establishment of off-street parking and loading facilities to serve any existing use of land or buildings, provided that all regulations herein governing the location, design and operation of such facilities are observed.
1408.04 Damage or Destruction.
When any conforming or nonconforming building or use which is in existence on the effective date hereof is restored and continued in operation after being damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause, there shall be required only the off street parking or loading facilities equivalent to any maintained at the time of such damage or destruction. However, in no case shall it be necessary to restore or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of those required by the ordinance for equivalent new uses or construction.
1408.05 Control of Off Site Parking Facilities.
In cases where parking facilities are permitted on land other than the lot on which the building or use served is located, such facilities shall be on a lot in the same possession of the title holder of record as the lot occupied by the building or use to which the parking facilities are accessory. A covenant running with the land must be recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds of Cook County, Illinois on the lot upon which the accessory off street parking is located which prohibits any other use on that lot, and a certified copy by the recorder of deeds of Cook County Illinois of the recorded covenant is deposited with the director of code administration. The covenant shall not be released until such time as either one of the following conditions occur:
A.
The structure on the lot containing the principal use is removed and the principal use terminated; or
B.
Another lot of the required size within the required distance is properly developed and used for the required accessory off street parking in place of and in lieu of the initial lot used for accessory off street parking with the same requirements, covenants and conditions attaching to such substitute accessory use lot as required for approval of such initial off street parking. Off street parking facilities in a common lot for two or more uses may be owned by a nonprofit corporation or secured by other legal arrangement provided guarantees covering development and utilization are approved by the Board of Trustees.
1408.06 Off-Street Parking.
[Ord. 2019-60, 12-2-2019]
Off street parking facilities for motor vehicles shall be provided in accordance with additional regulations set forth hereinafter:
A.
Use. Off street parking facilities required as accessory to uses listed herein shall be solely for the parking of automobiles of patrons, occupants or employees. When bus transportation is provided for patrons, occupants or employees of a specific establishment, additional open or enclosed off street parking spaces for each bus to be parked on the premises shall be provided.
No tow truck or other second division vehicle, as defined in Section 1-217 of the Illinois Vehicle Code[1] shall be parked or stored in any front or side yard in any residential district, except that one vehicle per lot, with a B license plate (except tow trucks) shall be permitted to be parked in a side yard of a residence; or may be parked in the front yard of a residence, provided: 1) there is no parking area located in the side yard or rear yard of such residential lot, and 2) such vehicle is used daily on regular working days and is the owner's principal means of transportation to and from his/her place of employment; and further provided that tow trucks shall not be permitted to be parked or stored in the open on any lot in a residential district, but such tow trucks shall be permitted to be parked within an enclosed garage or other accessory building located within any such residential zoning district, provided the doorway through which such vehicle entered into such garage or accessory building remains closed while such tow truck is parked therein.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/1-100 et seq.
B.
Exemption. When the application of the off street parking regulations specified hereinafter results in a requirement of not more than three spaces on a single lot for a nonresidential use in the B-1, B-2, MU-1, C-1, or COS-1 districts, such parking spaces need not be provided. However, where two or more uses are located on a single lot, only one of these uses shall be eligible for the above exemption. This exemption shall not apply to dwelling units.
C.
Computation. When determination of the number of off street parking spaces required by this ordinance results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction of less than 1/2 may be disregarded while a fraction of 1/2 or more shall be counted as one parking space.
D.
Collective Provision. Off street parking facilities for separate uses may be provided collectively if the total number of spaces so provided is not less than the sum of the separate requirements for each such use and provided that all regulations governing location of accessory parking spaces, in relation to the use served, are adhered to. Further, no parking spaces or portion thereof shall serve as a required space for more than one use unless otherwise authorized by the board of appeals.
E.
Size of Parking Spaces and Aisle Widths. Each parking space and aisle width shall conform to the following chart:
Parking Angle | Stall Width1 | Stall Length2 | Stall Height | One-Way Aisle Width | Two-Way Aisle Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parallel | 9 feet | 23 feet | 8 feet | 14 feet | 24 feet |
45° | 8.5 feet | 18 feet | 8 feet | 14 feet | 24 feet |
60° | 8.5 feet | 18 feet | 8 feet | 16 feet | 24 feet |
75° | 8.5 feet | 18 feet | 8 feet | 22 feet | n/a |
90° | 8.5 feet | 18 feet | 8 feet | 24 feet | 24 feet |
Notes: | |
|---|---|
1. | Handicapped spaces shall be a minimum of 16 feet in width. |
2. | Stall length dimensions for nonparallel stalls on the perimeter of a parking lot may be reduced to 18 feet to allow two feet of overhang into abutting landscaped areas; provided that such reduction does not reduce the size of any required yard below the requirements of the applicable district. |
F.
Access. Each required off street parking space shall open directly upon an aisle or driveway of a width and design in accordance with Elmwood Park standards of design. All off street parking facilities shall be provided with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley.
G.
In Yards. Paved, off street parking spaces, open to the sky, may be located in any yard, except a front yard or side yard adjoining a street in a residential district; except parking may be permitted in a side yard adjoining a street in a residential district, if such side yard has a minimum width of 20 feet, but no vehicle shall be permitted to be parked in the portion of the side yard required by this zoning ordinance; further provided that in residential districts, no parking space, whether open or enclosed, shall be located within three feet of a rear lot line.
H.
Design and Maintenance:
1.
Open and Enclosed Parking Spaces. Accessory off street parking spaces located on the same lot as occupied by the use served may be open to the sky or enclosed in a building. Accessory off street parking spaces located elsewhere than on the same lot occupied by the use shall be open to the sky.
2.
Surfacing. All open off street parking areas shall be improved with a compacted macadam base, or equal, not less than four inches thick and surfaced with asphaltic concrete or comparable hard surfaced, all weather, dustless material as approved by the Village Engineer.
a.
All open off street parking areas for all business or commercial uses and for all residential uses except open off street parking areas located in rear yards in residential areas, shall be improved with a compacted macadam base, or equal, not less than four inches thick and surfaced with asphaltic concrete or comparable hard surfaced, all weather, dustless material as approved by the Village Engineer.
b.
All open off street parking areas for residential uses which are located in rear yards of residential areas shall be improved either in compliance with subsection H2a of this section, or with a compacted eight-inch base of no. six stone and must be edged with either treated timbers or a steel border.
3.
Screening and Landscaping. All open off street parking areas containing more than four parking spaces shall be effectively screened on each side adjoining or fronting on any residence district by a wall or fence not less than five feet high or more than six feet high, or a densely planted, compact hedge not less than five feet in height; and wheelstops of masonry, steel or heavy timber shall be placed not nearer than five feet from the street line in districts where a front yard is not required or from side lot of lines.
4.
Lighting. Illumination of an off-street parking area shall be arranged so as to reflect direct rays of light into adjacent residential districts and streets. All lighting shall be extinguished no later than 30 minutes after the close of business of the use being served except as may otherwise by authorized by the Village Engineer.
5.
Repair and Service. No motor vehicle repair of any kind shall be permitted in off-street parking areas. No gasoline or motor oil shall be sold in conjunction with any accessory parking facilities unless such facilities are located within a completely enclosed building in which case gasoline and motor oil may be sold within such building to the users of such facilities, provided further that all pumps shall be effectively screened from view of the street.
I.
Location. All parking spaces required to serve residential buildings or uses, erected or established in residence districts after the effective date of this Ordinance, shall be located on the same lot as the building or use served.
Other buildings or uses may be served by parking facilities located on land other than the lot on which the building or use served is located, provided such facilities are within 600 feet of said building, and located in a district where off-street parking areas or storage garages are a permitted or special use and where there is compliance with requirements herein set forth in 1408.05 of this section.
J.
Employee Parking. Parking spaces required on any employee basis shall be based on the maximum number of employees on duty or residing, or both, on the premises at any one time.
K.
Required Spaces. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces accessory to designated uses shall be provided as follows:
1.
Dwelling Uses.
a.
Hotels and motels: one parking space for each room or suite of rooms comprising a lodging unit. Secondary facilities such as restaurants, lounges, etc., shall have spaces provided in accordance with the standards herein, if such use was free standing.
b.
Multiple-family dwelling: 1 1/4 parking space per dwelling unit.
c.
Single-family dwelling: two parking spaces but not more than four parking spaces.
d.
Two-family detached and three-family detached dwellings: 1 1/4 parking spaces for each dwelling unit.
2.
Schools, Institutions and Auditoriums or Other Places of Assembly.
a.
Auditoriums and auditoriums as accessory to churches, schools and other institutional establishments: one parking space for each five seats or for each 90 linear inches of seating space in the main auditorium or assembly hall.
b.
Colleges, junior colleges and universities: one parking space for each seven students, based upon the maximum number of students that can be accommodated in accordance with design capacity.
c.
Gymnasiums, stadiums, grandstands, meeting halls, convention halls and exhibition halls: one parking space for each five seats or for each 90 linear inches of seating space. When such facilities for public assembly are accessory to a school, and when approved by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission, the required number of parking spaces may be reduced by the number of spaces provided, as required herein for the applicable school.
d.
Hospitals: one parking space per bed for 100 beds or lesser size; 1.1 parking spaces per bed for 101 to 300 beds; 1.2 parking spaces per bed for 301 to 500 beds; and 1.3 parking spaces per bed for over 500 beds.
e.
Libraries, museums, art galleries and aquariums: one parking space for each 1,000 square feet of floor area.
f.
Nursing homes and similar types of establishments: one parking space for each five beds, one space for each two lodging accommodations and one space for each full time employee.
g.
Private clubs and lodges: one parking space for each lodging room and one parking space for each five seats in accordance with design seating capacity of the main meeting room.
h.
Schools: When the number of parking spaces as required herein is provided for an auditorium or other places of public assembly accessory to a school, and when approved by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission, additional parking spaces need not be provided when the number of parking spaces for such auditorium or other places of public assembly is equal to or in excess of the applicable requirements set forth in subsection K2h(1), K2h(2) or K2h(3) of this section:
(1)
Commercial or trade, music, dance, or business: one parking space for each two employees, plus one space for each seven students, based on the maximum number of students that can be accommodated in accordance with design capacity.
(2)
High-public or private: one parking space for each seven students based on the maximum number of students that can be accommodated in accordance with design capacity.
(3)
Nursery, elementary, or junior high-public or private: one parking space for each faculty member and each other full time employee.
3.
Recreation Uses — Commercial or Noncommercial.
a.
Bowling alleys: seven parking spaces for each lane plus such additional spaces as may be required herein for affiliated uses such as restaurants and the like.
b.
Swimming pools, skating rinks, and dance halls, commercial: one parking space for each three persons, based upon the maximum number of persons that can be accommodated at the same time in accordance with such design capacity, and one parking space for each two employees.
c.
Parks, recreation areas, and community centers: one parking space for each two employees, plus spaces in adequate number as determined by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission to serve the visiting public.
4.
Business, Commercial and Industrial Uses.
a.
High-Volume Commercial Uses. The following business establishments having a relatively high volume of customer activity relative to their area shall provide one off street parking space for each 200 square feet of sales floor area:
(1)
Adult Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization.
(2)
Automobile accessory stores.
(3)
Bakeries-retail sales only.
(4)
Battery and tire sales and service establishments.
(5)
Candy and ice cream stores.
(6)
Cleaning and dyeing establishments-clothes pressing only.
(7)
Cleaning and dyeing establishments-receiving only.
(8)
Cleaning and dyeing establishments-retail, including accessory processing.
(9)
Clothing stores.
(10)
Drugstores.
(11)
Department stores.
(12)
Dry goods stores.
(13)
Food stores.
(14)
Gift and souvenir stores.
(15)
Haberdashery stores.
(16)
Hobby shops.
(17)
Jewelry stores.
(18)
Launderettes.
(19)
Liquor stores, package.
(20)
Meat markets.
(21)
Motorcycle sales and service establishments.
(22)
Music stores, phonographs, records and sheet music.
(23)
Notions shops.
(24)
Optical Sales, retail.
(25)
Shoe Stores and Shoe Repair Shops.
(26)
Sporting Goods Stores.
(27)
Variety Stores.
b.
Moderate-Volume Commercial Uses. The following business establishments having a relatively moderate volume of customer activity relative to their area shall provide one off-street parking space for each 400 square feet of sales floor area:
(1)
Art and School Supply Stores.
(2)
Automobile Sales, New Cars.
(3)
Automobile Sales, New and Used Cars.
(4)
Bicycle Sales, Rental and Repair- not including motor-driven vehicles.
(5)
Books, Stationery and School Supply Stores.
(6)
Camera and Photographic Supply Stores.
(7)
Carpet and Rug Stores.
(8)
Electrical and Gas Appliance Stores.
(9)
Flower Shop.
(10)
Furniture Stores, including Accessory upholstering.
(11)
Furrier Shops.
(12)
Garden Supply Stores.
(13)
Hardware Stores.
(14)
Household Appliances-Retail Sales and Accessory.
(15)
Leather Goods and Luggage Stores.
(16)
Millinery Shops.
(17)
Office Supply Stores.
(18)
Paint and Wallpaper Stores.
(19)
Pet Shops.
(20)
Travel Agencies.
c.
Low-Volume Commercial Uses. The following business establishments having a relatively low volume of customer activity related to their area shall provide one off-street parking space for each 600 square feet of sales floor area:
(1)
Antique Shops.
(2)
Blueprinting and Photostating Establishments.
(3)
Business Machine Sales and Service.
(4)
Cabinet Sales.
(5)
Clothing and Costume Rental.
(6)
Coin and Philatelic Sales.
(7)
Custom Dressmaking.
(8)
Exterminating Shops.
(9)
Greenhouses, retail and wholesale sales.
(10)
Glass Sales and Repair Shops.
(11)
Interior Decorating Shops.
(12)
Locksmith Shops.
(13)
Machinery and Equipment Sales Establishments.
(14)
Musical Instruments, sales and repair.
(15)
Orthopedic and Medical Appliance Sales.
(16)
Photography Studio.
(17)
Real Estate and Insurance.
(18)
Tailor Shops.
(19)
Taxidermists.
d.
Employment-Based Commercial Uses. The following business establishments shall provide one off-street parking space for two employees-based upon the maximum number of employees on the premises at any time:
(1)
Bottling and Distribution Plans.
(2)
Catering Establishments (food preparation only).
(3)
Contractor's Offices and Shops- including plumbing shops and similar service facilities.
(4)
Employment Agencies.
(5)
Heating and Air-Conditioning Shops.
(6)
Job Printing Shops.
(7)
Laboratories-medical, dental and optical.
(8)
Laundries.
(9)
Linen, Towel and Diaper Service Establishments.
(10)
Loan Offices.
(11)
Machine, Sheet Metal and Welding Shops, employing less than five persons.
(12)
Mail Order Houses.
(13)
Manufacturing Establishments, employing less than five persons.
(14)
Model Homes or Garages-display and sales.
(15)
Monument Sales.
(16)
Newspaper Offices-including printing.
(17)
Newspaper Distribution Establishments.
(18)
Printing, Publishing or Lithography Establishments.
(19)
Radio and Television Studios.
(20)
Recording Studios.
(21)
Wholesale, Jobbing, and Warehousing Establishments.
e.
Other Business, Commercial and Industrial Uses.
(1)
Animal Hospitals and Veterinarian Offices: one parking space for each employee and one for each 30 square feet of waiting room area.
(2)
Auction Rooms: one parking space for each four seats of seating capacity.
(3)
Automobile Laundries: one parking space for each 1.5 employees, and in addition, reservoir standing spaces to accommodate automobiles awaiting entrance to the automobile laundry equal in number to five times the maximum capacity of the automobile laundry. Maximum capacity, in this instance, shall mean the greatest possible number of automobiles undergoing some phase of laundering at the same time.
(4)
Automobile Service Stations: one parking space for each island of gasoline pumps, plus two for each service stall.
(5)
Automobile Garages: one parking space for each two employees and three for each automobile repair bay.
(6)
Bakeries-Retail Sales with processing for on-premises sale only: one parking space for each 200 square feet of sales area plus one for each employee.
(7)
Banks: one parking space for each 300 square feet of floor area. In the case of drive-in facilities they will be considered a special use which must meet condition number two for special uses as provided in Section 1407.04 hereof.
(8)
Barber Shops and Beauty Parlors: one parking space for each employee.
(9)
Building Material Sales: one parking space for each employee plus one for each 1,000 square feet of sales area of showroom.
(10)
Business, Professional And Public Administration Or Service Office Building: one parking space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
(11)
Cartage, Express And Parcel Delivery Establishments, Scavenger Services, Taxi And Bus Companies: one parking space for each vehicle used in the business.
(12)
Exhibition Halls: as determined by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission.
(13)
Manufacturing, Fabricating, Cleaning, Testing, Assembling, Repairing Or Servicing Establishments As Permitted In The Manufacturing Districts: one parking space for each two employees based upon maximum number of employees that can be accommodated in accordance with building code regulation.
(14)
Medical And Dental Clinics: one parking space for each 50 square feet of floor area contained within the waiting or reception room plus 1 1/2 spaces for each treatment room, each examination room and each doctor's office.
(15)
Meeting Halls: as determined by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission.
(16)
Mobile Homes And Trailer Sales And Rental: one parking space for each employee plus three additional spaces.
(17)
Physical Culture, Health Services And Health Salons: one parking space per employee plus one for each two patrons based upon the capacity of the establishment.
(18)
Restaurants, Not Including Drive- In Establishments, And Banquet Halls: one parking space per 100 square feet of floor area excluding kitchen and storage areas, or one parking space per each four seats including those seats in bars, cocktail lounges, and waiting areas, whichever is greater, plus two spaces per each three employees using the maximum number of employees working at any given time.
(19)
Restaurants.
(a)
Where a substantial portion of the business involves the sale of food in disposable containers for consumption off of the premises in addition to sit down facilities on the premises: the greater of one parking space for every two seats or 3.5 parking spaces per 100 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining area.
(20)
Taverns: one parking space for each four spaces of seating capacity.
(21)
Theaters: one parking space for each four seats up to 400 seats, plus one parking space for each six seats over 400 seats.
(22)
Theaters-Automobile Drive-Ins: reservoir standing spaces equal in number to 10% of the vehicle capacity of such theaters.
(23)
Undertaking Establishments And Funeral Parlors: one parking space for each 100 square feet of parlor floor area.
(24)
Public Utility And Public Service Uses: one parking space for each two employees.
1408.07 Off-Street Loading.
There shall be provided off street loading berths not less than the minimum requirements specified in this section in connection with any building or structure which is to be erected or substantially altered, and which requires the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise by trucks or similar vehicles.
A.
Location. All required off street loading berths shall be located on the same lot as the use to be served, and no portion of the vehicle shall project into a street or alley. No permitted or required loading berth shall be located within 25 feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two streets, nor shall it be located in a required front yard, or side yard adjoining a street.
B.
Size. Unless otherwise specified in this ordinance, a required off street loading berth shall be at least 10 feet in width by at least 65 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 15 feet and three inches.
C.
Access. Each required off street loading berth shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements and shall be subject to approval of the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission.
D.
Surfacing. All open off street loading berths shall be improved with a compacted macadam base not less than seven inches thick, or equal, surfaced with not less than two inches of asphaltic concrete or some comparable all weather, dustless material, and shall be subject to approval by the Village Engineer.
E.
Repair and Service. No storage of any kind nor motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted within any required loading berth.
F.
Space Allowed. Space allowed to any off-street loading berth shall not, while so allocated, be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off- street parking facilities or portions thereof.
G.
Off-Street Loading Space Requirements.
1.
The minimum number of off-street loading spaces accessory to non- residential uses on residence and business districts shall be: One loading space for buildings containing 10,000 to 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus one additional loading space for each additional 100,000 square feet of gross floor area or fraction thereof.
2.
The minimum number and size of off-street loading spaces accessory to uses in the C-1 Commercial District shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
Floor Area of Establishments | Required Number | Minimum Size (feet) | Minimum Vertical Clearance (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
5,000 to 10,000 | 1 | 10 x 35 | 12 |
10,000 to 25,000 | 2 | 10 x 35 | 12 |
25,000 to 40,000 | 2 | 12 x 50 | 15 |
40,000 to 100,000 | 3 | 12 x 65 | 15 |
For each additional 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, or fraction thereof over 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, one additional loading space shall be added. Such additional loading space shall be at least 12 feet in width by 65 feet in length, and have a vertical clearance of not less than 15 feet three inches. |