Foster Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XI
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 255-1101 Purpose.
Off-street parking, loading and unloading facilities shall be provided to lessen traffic congestion in the streets. The facilities required by these provisions shall be available throughout the hours of operation for the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided. As uses herein, the term "parking space" includes covered garage or carport or uncovered parking lot space located off the public right-of-way.
§ 255-1102 Size of off-street parking spaces.
Each off-street parking space shall have an area of not less than 162 square feet, being nine feet in width and 18 feet in length, exclusive of access drives or aisles.
§ 255-1103 Size of off-street loading spaces.
Each off-street loading space shall be not less than 50 feet in depth, 12 feet in width and provide an overhead clearance of not less than 14 feet. All loading areas shall be designed, constructed and used so that all vehicular maneuvering is contained within the lot, and no vehicle shall be permitted to back into or out of the public right-of-way.
§ 255-1104 Access to off-street parking or loading areas.
There shall be adequate ingress or egress to all parking spaces. There shall be provided an access drive leading to off-street parking and/or loading areas. Such access drive shall not be less than 10 feet in width for residential uses and not less than 20 feet, nor greater than 30 feet, for any nonresidential use. Access drives to such off-street parking and/or loading areas shall be limited to well-defined locations, not to exceed two along each front, side or rear lot lines. For corner properties, all access drives shall be not less than 35 feet from the intersection of streets, as measured along the right-of-way lines, unless a greater distance is required for a specific use as contained within Article VIII, Supplemental Regulations.
§ 255-1105 Dimensions and design of off-street parking areas.
The dimensions and design of off-street parking areas, including parking lots and parking garages, shall comply with the following:
A.
Stall width shall not be less than nine feet.
B.
Stall depth shall not be less than 18 feet.
C.
The minimum width of aisles providing access to parking stalls, with one-way traffic, varying with the angle of parking shall be as follows:
Angle of Parking | Minimum Aisle Width (feet) |
|---|---|
Parallel | 12 |
30° | 11 |
45° | 13 |
60° | 18 |
90° | 20 |
D.
The minimum width for aisles providing access to parking stalls with two-way traffic shall be 24 feet.
E.
Interior accessways and aisles shall be designed so as to prevent the blocking of vehicles entering or exiting the site.
§ 255-1106 Location of off-street parking areas.
The required off-street parking spaces for any type of use shall be located on the same lot as the principal use to which it is accessory. The required off-street parking may be permitted on another lot subject to the following requirements:
A.
The lot to be used for off-street parking and the lot on which the principal use is located shall be in the same zoning district.
B.
The lot to be used for off-street parking and the lot on which the principal use is located shall be held under the same ownership.
C.
The lot to be used for off-street parking shall be not less than 400 feet from any lot line on which the principal structure is located.
§ 255-1107 Drainage and surfacing of off-street parking areas.
Any off-street parking area shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be surfaced so as to provide a pavement structure of bituminous asphalt, or concrete. The design, location and material for any proposed catch basins may be referred to the Township Engineer for review and approval.
§ 255-1108 Screening.
Properties which contain off-street parking for five or more vehicles and/or any amount of off-street loading, along a side yard or rear yard which abuts a residential district or residential use, shall be screened by a substantial, tight fence not less than six feet in height and a planting strip not less than five feet in depth, with shrubbery, plants or trees which are a minimum of three feet in height at the time of planting.
§ 255-1109 Lighting.
Any lighting used to eliminate off-street parking or loading areas shall be arranged to reflect the light away from adjoining properties and the public right-of-way.
§ 255-1110 Parking in yard areas.
Required parking shall be permitted within the required front or side yard setbacks, provided that the minimum setback distance to any area used for off-street parking is not less than five feet from the nearest point of a side yard property line and not less than 10 feet from the front yard property line. Any off-street parking areas for a nonresidential use, when abutting a residential zoning district or a residential property, shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the rear yard and any side yard.
§ 255-1111 Existing structures and uses.
Structures and uses in existence at the date of adoption of this chapter shall not be subject to the off-street parking or off-street loading requirements, so long as a structure or use is not changed, altered or expanded. Existing off-street parking or off-street loading facilities provided prior to the adoption of this chapter shall not be reduced below the minimum required in this chapter.
§ 255-1112 Changes of structures or uses.
Whenever the existing use of a building, structure or land shall hereafter is changed to a new use, off-street parking and/or off-street loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if said building or structure was erected or the use of the land established prior to the effective date of this chapter, additional off-street parking or off-street loading facilities shall be mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use would exceed those for the existing use.
§ 255-1113 Fractional space.
When required parking computation results in fractions, any fraction less than 1/2 shall be disregarded and any fraction equal to or greater than 1/2 shall be construed to require a full space.
§ 255-1114 Multiple activities or uses.
In any instance where a nonresidential structure, building or use of land contains more than one defined use, the required parking for each specific use shall be provided.
§ 255-1115 Off-street parking requirements.
Any structure, building or use of land hereafter erected, converted, enlarged or placed into use shall comply with the minimum off-street parking spaces as provided herein.
A.
Residential uses.
(1)
Single-family detached dwelling: two spaces for each dwelling unit.
(2)
Two-family structure: two spaces for each dwelling unit.
(3)
Multifamily residential (townhouses and garden apartments): two spaces for each dwelling unit, plus 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit.
(4)
Boardinghouse/rooming house: 1.50 spaces for each rooming unit which is rented or leased, plus all other off-street parking spaces required for any other use or uses located within the structure.
(5)
Bed-and-breakfast: three spaces and 1.50 spaces for each guest rental room.
(7)
Residential conversion: two spaces for each dwelling unit created through conversion of existing nonresidential space.
(8)
Group residence: two spaces for each resident listing the dwelling as their domicile and legal address.
B.
Nonresidential uses.
(1)
After-hours club: 25 spaces, plus the greater of one space for each person, based upon the maximum number of persons who can be legally allowed entry based upon the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC), or one space for each 30 square feet of gross floor area.
(2)
Animal hospital: five spaces for every veterinarian.
(3)
Auditorium of similar place of assembly: one space for every four seats or one space for every 30 square feet of gross floor area if fixed seating is not provided.
(4)
Automobile sales: one exterior space for every 600 square feet of gross interior floor space, plus one additional space per each 5,000 square feet of open sales or display area.
(5)
Automotive repairs: one exterior space for every 200 square feet of gross interior floor area.
(6)
Big box retail stores:
(a)
Four spaces for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
(b)
The number of off-street parking spaces shall not exceed 110% of the required minimum number of off-street parking spaces. The above requirement may be increased to 125% when porous pavement is used in areas of the parking lot that do not receive heavy traffic, such as parking stalls, cart areas and crosswalks.
(8)
Car wash and auto detailing: one space for each employee on the maximum working shift.
(9)
Churches and similar places of worship: one space for every four seats in the main assembly room or one space for each 12 feet of bench length; if fixed seating is not provided, one space for every 30 square feet of gross floor area.
(10)
Commercial, business or vocational trade schools: one space for each staff and/or faculty member, plus one space for every five classroom seats, based upon the maximum capacity.
(11)
Day-care facility: one space for each employee, plus one space for every five individuals served by the facility, based upon the maximum number of individuals which the facility is licensed to serve.
(12)
Entertainment facilities: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area.
(13)
Equipment sales and repairs: one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor space.
(14)
Fast-food restaurants: one space for every 80 square feet of service or dining area, with a minimum of five spaces. A fast-food restaurant with a drive-in window shall, in addition to the above requirements, provide eight stacking spaces for the drive-in window designated for the ordering station. Such spaces shall be designed in a manner not to impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or on any abutting street.
(15)
Funeral homes and crematories: 20 spaces for each viewing parlor.
(16)
Gasoline service stations: two exterior spaces for each service bay, one space for each pump, plus one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area which is used for the sale of retail\goods, including food and/or beverages.
(17)
Health clubs: shall provide one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area; any such club which also serves food and/or beverages shall also comply with the parking requirements of any eating or drinking establishment.
(18)
Manufacturing/industrial uses: one space for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for every two employees on the maximum working shift.
(19)
Medical or dental office or clinic: five spaces for every doctor, dentist, chiropractor or other licensed medical practitioner.
(20)
Methadone treatment facility: 20 spaces for every doctor, licensed medical practitioner, and/or counselor employed at the facility, and one additional space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area.
(21)
Motels and hotels: one space for each unit for guest accommodations, plus one space for each two employees on the maximum working shift. Any such facility which also serves food and/or beverages shall also comply with the parking requirements of a restaurant or tavern.
(22)
Nonprofit social hall and clubs: one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area.
(23)
Nursing home/continuing care facility: one space for every three beds, based upon the maximum number of beds permitted under its state license, plus one space for each employee on the maximum working shift.
(24)
Pawnshop: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus two additional spaces for every three employees, based upon the maximum working shift.
(25)
Personal care home: four spaces, plus one space for each person residing or eligible to reside in the facility, based upon state licensing, who are not related to the operator of the facility.
(26)
Personal services: one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area.
(27)
Places of public or private assembly, including auditoriums or meeting halls: one space for every four seats or one space for each 50 square feet of gross floor area when there is no fixed seating.
(28)
Professional or service offices: one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area.
(29)
Public uses: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor space.
(30)
Public utility facilities: two spaces per facility; if the facility includes maintenance and/or storage yards, then the required number of spaces shall be one for each employee assigned to work at such facility.
(31)
Recreational facilities (indoor): one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area.
(32)
Recreational facilities (outdoor): in cases where such facilities include spectator seating, there shall be one space for every four seats; facilities which do not provide any spectator seating shall provide one space for every 3,000 square feet in the recreational site, plus an additional 10 spaces if there is a swimming pool and an additional two spaces if there is playground equipment.
(33)
Restaurants and taverns: one space for every three seats, plus two spaces for every three employees on the maximum working shift.
(34)
Retail businesses: one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area.
(35)
Schools, elementary and secondary: one space for each staff member, plus one space for every 20 classroom seats, based upon the maximum capacity.
(36)
Self-service, coin-operated laundries and dry cleaners: shall provide one space for every two washing or drying machines.
(37)
Self-storage warehouse: one space for every 10 stalls or lockers available for rental, plus one for each employee on the maximum working shift.
(38)
Sexually oriented businesses:
(a)
Sexually oriented bookstore: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus two additional two spaces or every three employees based upon the maximum working shift.
(b)
Sexually oriented entertainment: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus:
(c)
Massage parlor: one space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus two additional spaces for every three employees based upon the maximum working shift.
(39)
Shopping center: five spaces for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
(40)
Warehousing: one space for every 2,000 square feet of gross floor area; plus one space for every two employees on the maximum working shift.
§ 255-1116 Parking for other commercial uses.
Any commercial use or nonresidential use of a structure, building or land not specifically listed within § 255-1115 of this chapter shall provide one off-street parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area or lot area.
§ 255-1117 Off-street loading requirements.
All commercial and industrial establishments shall provide off-street loading, unloading and commercial vehicle storage space adequate for their needs. In no case shall a public right-of-way be used for the loading, unloading or storage of such vehicles.
§ 255-1118 Provision of handicapped parking spaces.
A.
Any business, individual or corporation that owns, leases or operates a facility which includes the provision of public accommodations and/or commercial facilities shall be governed by the provision of this section. A facility which provides public accommodations shall include, but may not be limited to, the following:
(1)
Places of lodging.
(2)
Establishments serving food or drink.
(3)
Places of exhibition or entertainment.
(4)
Places of public gathering.
(5)
Sales or rental establishments.
(6)
Service establishments, stations used for specified public transportation.
(7)
Places of public display or collection.
(8)
Places of recreation.
(9)
Places of education.
(10)
Social service center establishments and places of exercise or recreation.
B.
A commercial facility shall include any business whose operations are open to the general public.
§ 255-1119 Design features for handicapped parking spaces.
A.
The following provisions shall apply for required handicapped parking spaces:
(1)
An area not less than five feet in width shall be provided between each handicapped parking space. Said area shall be marked and/or designed to prevent parking therein.
(2)
An area not less than eight feet in width shall be provided between each van-accessible parking space. Said area shall be marked and/or designed to prevent parking therein.
(3)
Vehicular access to handicapped parking areas shall have a minimum vertical clearance of not less than 9 1/2 feet.
(4)
An off-street parking area shall be designed to provide accessible routes from the handicapped parking areas to an accessible building entrance and to public streets and sidewalks which adjoin the off-street parking area.
B.
Handicapped accessible spaces serving a particular facility shall be located on the shortest accessible route of travel from the parking area to an accessible entrance.
§ 255-1120 Signage for handicapped parking.
Handicapped accessible parking spaces shall be designated as reserved by a sign showing the symbol of accessibility. Parking spaces designed for vans shall have an additional sign reading "Van-Accessible" mounted below the accessibility sign. Such signs shall be located in a manner so they cannot be obscured by a vehicle.
§ 255-1121 Minimum number of handicapped accessible spaces.
When parking spaces are provided for self-parking by employees or visitors, or both, within the total number of off-street parking spaces required under §§ 255-1115 and/or 255-1116 of this chapter, the following table shall be used to determine the required number of handicapped accessible spaces:
Total Number of Spaces | Required Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
1 to 25 | 1 |
26 to 50 | 2 |
51 to 75 | 3 |
76 to 100 | 4 |
101 to 150 | 5 |
151 to 200 | 6 |
201 to 300 | 7 |
301 to 400 | 8 |
401 to 500 | 9 |
501 to 1,000 | 2% of total |