Franklin City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVIII
Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
§ 18.1 Loading space requirements.
In all districts in connection with every building or part thereof hereinafter (hereafter) erected, having a gross floor space of 10,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, retail or wholesale store, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other use similarly requiring the receipt or delivery by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same premises at least one off-street loading space, plus one additional space for each 20,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area so used in excess of 20,000 square feet.
(1)
Each loading space shall not be less than ten feet wide, 35 feet long and 14 feet high.
(2)
Such space may occupy all or any part of any required yard or court space, except a front yard.
(3)
No such space shall be located closer than 50 feet to any other lot in any R district unless completely enclosed within a building or shielded by a wall or solid board fence or masonry wall not less than six feet high.
§ 18.2 Off-street parking requirements.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2005-10, 5-9-2005]
Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following standards:
(1)
Minimum required spaces for residential/related uses.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
a.
Dwelling, single-family detached and duplex: Two spaces per unit.
b.
Dwelling, townhouses: Two spaces per unit, plus 0.25 spaces for each dwelling unit for visitor parking.
c.
Dwelling, multi-family: 1 space for efficiency and one bedroom dwelling units, and 1.5 spaces for each two or more bedroom dwelling unit plus 0.25 spaces for each dwelling unit for visitor parking.
d.
Mobile home: Two spaces per unit.
e.
Rooming, boarding and lodging house: One space for each sleeping room.
f.
Retirement homes and retirement communities: One space per 2 dwelling units.
g.
Residential units within a mixed-use facility: One space for each efficiency and one bedroom unit and 2 for each two or more bedroom unit.
h.
Special regulations for single-family detached dwellings.
1.
Parking spaces and driveways shall be constructed of gravel, compacted stone, concrete, asphalt, brick or paving stones.
2.
Parking spaces and driveways shall not occupy more than 30 percent of a front or rear yard area, and shall not occupy more than 15 percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of 20,000 square feet or less; more than ten percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of more than 20,000 square feet; nor more than 20 percent of the total lot area for lots in a cluster subdivision.
3.
Additional lot coverage by parking spaces and driveways, and alternative paving material, may be allowed contingent upon approval of the Zoning Administrator.
4.
Parking shall be allowed only in driveways or parking spaces meeting these requirements, and shall be prohibited elsewhere on the lot.
(2)
Minimum and maximum spaces for community facilities and places of assembly.
a.
Auditorium, gymnasium, arena, convention hall: Minimum of one space for each five fixed seats or seating spaces and maximum of one space for each four fixed seats or seating spaces.
b.
Church, temple, synagogue or similar place of worship: Minimum of one space for each six fixed seats or seating spaces and maximum of one space for each five fixed seats or seating spaces.
c.
Public swimming pool: Minimum of one space for every nine persons lawfully in the pool at one time and maximum of one space for every seven persons lawfully permitted in the pool at one time, plus one space per employee.
d.
Public tennis, handball or racquet courts: Minimum of two spaces per court.
e.
Country clubs, private clubs, lodges, YMCA and similar facilities: Minimum of one space per six members, or one space per 500 square feet of area in meeting rooms, lounges and similar assembly areas, or five spaces per each golf hole, whichever is greater and maximum of one space per five members, or one space per 400 square feet of floor area in meeting rooms, lounges or similar assembly areas, or six spaces per each golf hole, whichever is greater.
f.
Day care center, nursery school, child care center: Minimum of one space per each employee, plus one additional space for each seven students the facility is licensed to enroll and maximum of one space per each employee, plus one additional space for each five students the facility is licensed to enroll.
g.
Elementary/intermediate schools: Minimum of one space for each twelve seats or seating spaces in the auditorium or main assembly rooms plus one spaces per classroom and maximum of one space for each ten seats or seating spaces in the auditorium or main assembly rooms plus one spaces per classroom.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
h.
High schools and colleges: Minimum of one space for each five seats or seating spaces in the auditorium or main assembly room, plus two spaces per classroom and maximum of one space for each four seats or seating spaces in the auditorium or main assembly room, plus two spaces per classroom.
i.
Hospital, nursing home, group home or similar facility: Minimum of one space for each five patient/occupant beds, plus one additional space for each employee/staff member and maximum of one space for each four patient/occupant beds, plus one additional space for each employee/staff member.
j.
Libraries, museums and similar cultural facilities: Minimum of one space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area, but in no case less than eight spaces and maximum of one space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area.
k.
Vocational school: Minimum of one space for each three students of the maximum projected enrollment capacity, plus one additional space for employee/staff member and maximum of one space for each two students of the maximum projected enrollment capacity, plus one additional space for each employee/staff member.
(3)
Minimum and maximum spaces for commercial and related uses.
a.
Automobile service stations/gasoline sales and convenience stores: Minimum of one space per service bay plus one space per 500 square feet of gross sales area and maximum of two spaces per service bay plus one space for each 500 square feet of gross sales area.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
b.
Bowling alley: Minimum of two spaces per lane and maximum of three spaces per each lane.
c.
Automatic car wash: Minimum of three stacking spaces per bay or stall and maximum of four stacking spaces per bay or stall.
d.
Self-service car wash: Minimum of two stacking spaces per bay or stall and maximum of four stacking spaces per bay or stall plus one space per employee.
e.
Financial institutions with drive-in windows: Minimum of one space per 400 square feet of floor area, plus sufficient area for eight stacking spaces for the first drive-in window and two stacking spaces for each additional window and maximum of one space per 300 square feet of floor area, plus sufficient area for eight stacking spaces for the first drive-in window and two stacking spaces for each additional window.
f.
Financial institutions without drive-in windows: Minimum of one space per 400 square feet of floor area and maximum of one space per 300 square feet of floor area.
g.
Furniture, carpet or appliance stores: Minimum of one space per 600 square feet of floor area and maximum of one space per 500 square feet of floor area.
h.
Funeral home or mortuary: Minimum of one space per five seats or seating spaces in the main chapel or parlor, plus one space for each vehicle used in connection with the business and maximum of one space per four seats or seating spaces in the main chapel or parlor, plus one space for each vehicle used in connection with the business.
i.
Marinas/dry-stack boat storage facility: One space per boat slip.
j.
Medical or dental clinic: Two spaces per examination or treatment room, plus one additional space per each employee.
k.
Motel, hotel, motor lodge: One space per sleeping room or suite plus, one space for each 350 square feet of floor area used for meeting rooms or for the preparation, serving or consumption of food or beverage, but not including storage and refrigeration areas.
l.
Office or office building and personal service establishment: Minimum of one space per 400 square feet of floor area, but in no case less than three spaces and maximum of one space per 300 square feet of floor area.
m.
Recreational/amusement establishment other than those specifically listed herein: Minimum of one space per four seats or four persons based on the occupancy load, whichever is greater, plus one additional space per employee and maximum of one space per three seats or three persons based on the occupancy load, whichever is greater plus one additional space per employee.
n.
Restaurants, nightclubs, bars, taverns, dance halls: Minimum of one space per 125 square feet of total gross floor area and maximum of one space per 100 square feet of total gross floor area.
o.
Retail sales establishment except furniture/carpet/appliance stores: Minimum of one space per 300 square feet of gross floor area and one space per 600 square feet of outdoor sales/display area and maximum of one space per 200 square feet of gross floor area and one space per 500 square feet of outdoor sales/display area.
p.
Shopping center with gross leasable space of 10,000 square feet or more: Minimum of two spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area and maximum of two and one-half spaces per 1,000 feet of gross leasable floor area.
q.
Theater: Minimum of one space per five seats and maximum of one space per four seats.
r.
Vehicle sale, rental and service establishments: Minimum of one space per 600 square feet of enclosed sale/rental floor area, plus one space per 3,000 square feet of open sales/rental display lot area, plus two spaces per service bay, plus one space per employee and maximum of one space per 500 square feet of enclosed sale/rental floor area, plus one space per 2,500 square feet of open sales/rental display lot area, plus two spaces per service bay, plus one space per employee.
s.
Veterinary clinic/animal hospital: Minimum of one space per treatment room but in no case less than five spaces and maximum of two spaces per treatment room.
t.
Wholesale trade or repair service establishments or contractor's offices/shops: Minimum of one space per 900 square feet of shop, storage or service area, plus one space per 400 square feet of office, sales or other space to be used by visitors, customers or salesmen and maximum of one space per 700 square feet of shop, storage or service area, plus one space per 300 square feet of office, sales or other space to be used by visitors, customers or salesmen.
(4)
Minimum and maximum spaces for industrial, manufacturing and related uses.
a.
Warehousing, distributing: One space for each two employees plus one space for each vehicle maintained on the premises.
b.
Mini-storage warehouses: Minimum of one space for each 30 cubicles, plus two spaces for the manager's quarters/office and maximum of one space for each 20 cubicles, plus two spaces for the manager's quarters/office.
c.
Other permitted industrial uses: One space for each 500 square feet of floor area or for each three employees on the anticipated largest working shift, whichever is greater, plus one space for each vehicle maintained on the premises.
§ 18.3 Interpretation of specific requirements.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2005-10, 5-9-2005]
(a)
When the units of measurements determining the number of required parking spaces results in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction less than one-half shall be disregarded, and fractions of one-half or over shall require one additional parking space.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
(b)
Except as otherwise provided, the number of employees shall be compiled on the basis of the maximum number of persons employed on the premises at one time on an average day or average night, whichever is greater. Seasonal variations in employment may be considered by the zoning administrator or the planning commission in determining an average day.
(c)
The parking space requirements for a use not specifically listed in § 18.2 shall be the same as for a listed use of similar characteristics of parking demand generation.
(d)
In 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 minimum parking spaces required and maximum parking spaces permitted shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.
(e)
If circumstances justify either a reduction or increase in the number of parking spaces from the minimum and maximum spaces set forth above, the zoning administrator or planning commission may, in their sole discretion, authorize such a reduction or increase. Any decrease in the minimum spaces or increase in the maximum spaces required or allowed may be granted by the zoning administrator or Planning Commission. In considering this there must be a reduction in the pre-development runoff which must be accomplished through best management practices in accordance with the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook (current edition).
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
§ 18.4 Joint use and off-site facilities.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2005-10, 5-9-2005; 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
(a)
In all districts, off-street accessory parking areas, in the open or in garages, shall be provided in connection with the uses as described above and in addition to the required loading spaces, on the premises to be served or on adjoining or other property within 300 feet thereof.
(b)
In any case, where the required parking spaces are not located on the same lot with the building or use served, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, such parking space shall be established by a recorded covenant or agreement as parking space to be used in conjunction with the principal use and shall be reserved as such through an encumbrance on the title of the property to be designated as required parking space such encumbrance to be valid for the total period the use or uses for which the parking is needed are in existence.
§ 18.5 Design standards.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2004-22A, 8-23-2004; Ord. No. 2005-10, 5-9-2005; 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05]
(a)
Dimensions. Each off-street parking space not in a street or alley shall be not less than 18 feet long and not less than nine feet wide, exclusive of access drives and aisles, permanently reserved for the temporary storage of one automobile and connected with a street or alley by a driveway which affords satisfactory ingress and egress for automobiles. Parking areas shall be of usable shape and those for more than five vehicles shall be surfaced with an all-weather surfaced area (asphalt or concrete). Alternative parking surfaces may be allowed where infiltration into existing soil is achieved to reduce post development runoff volume from entering the offsite receiving system. The alternate parking surfaces may be created using porous pavement, porous asphalt, pervious concrete and other industry standard surfaces while supporting traffic loads for the intended vehicular traffic as approved by the Environmental Services Division of Community Development.
Parking lots shall be designed to reduce water pollution through stormwater management measures including, but not limited to porous paving, filter strips, bio-retention areas, open sections, and depressed medians. Any such measure shall not conflict with the Low Impact Development (LID) Best Management Practices (BMPs) as referenced in the latest edition of the Green Parking Lot Guide Published by the US Environmental Protection Agency or other approved agency guideline.
(b)
Entrances and exits. Location and design of entrances and exits shall be in accord with the requirements of applicable city regulations and construction standards, including those of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
(c)
Drainage and maintenance. Off-street parking facilities shall be properly graded and drained to eliminate standing water and prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys. Off-street parking areas shall be maintained in a clean and orderly condition and in good repair at the expense of the owner or lessee and, if applicable, in accordance with § 24.15(b).
(d)
Lighting. Off-street parking areas with parking space for more than five vehicles and used during darkness shall have a lighting system which provides an adequate standard of illumination over the entire parking lot. All lights shall be shielded so that minimum glare will extend to adjacent property and shall meet requirements of the Zoning Administrator.
(e)
Landscaping. Landscape planting shall be installed and maintained on all off-street parking lots with a capacity of more than five vehicles adjacent to the parking spaces or parking structures in accordance with article XXV landscaping requirements of this ordinance.
(f)
Exemptions. In the B-2 central commercial business district as shown and designated on the zoning district map, the foregoing off-street parking areas shall not be required.
§ 18.6 Existing or reconstructed buildings.
[Amended by Ord. of 11-24-1997(8)]
(a)
The foregoing requirements for off-street loading and parking spaces shall not apply to existing buildings; nor shall they apply to buildings that may be rebuilt or restored after fire or other damage except where it is manifestly feasible to do so. It is the intent of this ordinance to require off-street loading and parking spaces primarily for new buildings and for any additions to or extensions of existing buildings.
(b)
No enlargement of a building or structure shall be made in such a way as to reduce the number of existing parking or loading spaces below the minimum number required unless provisions are made elsewhere on the premises to provide the minimum number required.