Garfield Heights City Zoning Code
TITLE FOUR
Generally Applicable Regulations
1155.01 PURPOSE OF PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS.
These parking and loading standards are intended to mitigate the negative impacts of motor vehicle parking on public interests, including impacts on neighborhood aesthetics, pedestrian safety, and stormwater quality.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.02 PARKING LIMITED TO PARKING AREAS.
No parking of any motor vehicle or of any accessory to a motor vehicle, such as a trailer or camper, shall occur except on a parking area or on a driveway as defined by this Planning and Zoning Code. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.03 PARKING AREAS LIMITED IN ACTUAL FRONT YARDS.
(A) In the Turney Road Core Mixed-Use District, no motor vehicle parking area shall be located in the actual front yard, which is defined as the space between the front lot line and the front building line extended to the side lot lines; however, where parking areas are located at least 100 feet from the front lot line, such parking areas may be permitted in the front yard.
(B) In the Neighborhood Mixed-Use District, no more than one (1) motor vehicle parking space per twenty (20) feet of lot frontage may be permitted in the actual front yard.
(C) In the Residential 1 District and the Residential 2 District, no parking area shall be located in an actual front yard except on a driveway; driveway is a term defined by this Planning and Zoning Code in Title Nine "Glossary of Terms”.
(D) In other districts, this Section does not limit parking areas in the actual front yard.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.04 PARKING MINIMUMS.
This Planning and Zoning Code does not mandate a minimum number of parking spaces for lots or uses. However, this Chapter does require that parking areas conform to other Parking Standards, including but not limited to parking lot landscaping standards, parking lot paving standards, and parking lot maintenance standards.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.05 SETBACKS FOR PARKING AREAS.
The setbacks associated with ground-level structures, such as the paving materials of parking lots, parking lot access drives, and driveways, are regulated in Section 1151.07(B) “Exceptions to Accessory Structure Setback Requirements”.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.06 DRIVEWAY AND PARKING AREA ACCESSWAY STANDARDS.
(A) Definition of Driveway. The definition of Driveway may be found in Title Nine "Glossary of Terms” of this Planning and Zoning Code.
(B) Driveway Width. No driveway may exceed twenty (20) feet in width.
(C) Parking on a Driveway. Parking of one or more non-commercial passenger vehicles on a driveway is permitted, even if the driveway is located in the actual front yard.
(D) Definition of Parking Area Accessway. The definition of Parking Area Accessway may be found in Title Nine "Glossary of Terms” of this Planning and Zoning Code.
(E) Parking Area Accessways Regulations. No parking area accessway may exceed thirty (30) feet in width along its main pathway or forty (40) feet at its delta with the right-of-way. No parking area accessway may be located within two feet of a side lot line, except where a parking area accessway is shared between two (2) adjacent lots or where a parking area accessway connects a parking area of one lot to a parking area of an adjacent lot.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.07 LANDSCAPING OF PARKING AREAS.
Any new parking lot, an expansion of an existing parking lot over twenty percent (20%) of the current square footage, an expansion of an existing building by more than twenty percent (20%) of the gross floor area, or any new construction more than 3,000 square feet in total interior space shall be landscaped in accordance with the Parking Lot Landscaping Table.
Type of Parking Lot Landscaping | Frequency | Width and Area | Standards |
Interior Landscape IslandA,B | At least 1 interior landscape island must be installed for every 14 parking spaces or fraction thereof. | Interior landscape island must be at least 9 ft. in width and at least 320 sq. ft. in area. | Interior landscape island must include one tree of at least 2-inch diameter per interior landscape island. Interior landscape islands, if multiple, must be distributed evenly throughout the parking area. |
Perimeter LandscapingA | At least 1 tree and 4 shrubs must be planted for every 50 lineal ft. of parking lot perimeter. | Perimeter landscaping must be at least 5 ft. in width; perimeter landscaping may be reduced to 3 ft. in depth when a 3-foot-high masonry wall, wrought iron, or wood picket fence is erected on the outside edge of the perimeter. | Shrubs must be at least 18 inches in height and capable of reaching a min. height of 3 ft. within 3 years of planting. |
Notes: A Applies only to parking lots of more than 3,000 square feet, not including access drives. B Does not apply to parking lots solely used for heavy trucks. | |||
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.08 PARKING AREA LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE.
All required landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy condition, replacing it when necessary and keeping it free of refuse and debris.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.09 PARKING SPACES WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.
Any parking space of any motor vehicle parking area or driveway may contain an electric vehicle charging station, provided that any electric vehicle charging station is set back from any lot line by at least three feet or is on the interior of a parking structure or garage.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.10 PARKING AREA PAVING MATERIAL.
Any off-street parking or loading space or driveway or storage area, for its entire length and area shall be of a hard, dustless surface (including asphalt, concrete, brick paving blocks, porous pavement, or porous pavers, but not including gravel or recycled concrete surfaces) and drained according to sound engineering practices, and approved by the City Engineer. Parking of motor vehicles and their associated trailers shall not be permitted on unimproved ground, except in association with City-approved temporary use activities, such as festivals. An off-street parking or loading space or driveway or storage area may be paved with pavers that include voids, such as in the image below.
Figure 1155-01: Graphic showing paving materials for a residential driveway.
In this example, the main drive treads were paved in concrete, whereas the
adjacent areas were paved using concrete pavers that allow for some stormwater
infiltration—a “stormwater-wise” technology.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
Parking spaces for bicycles and similar objects is permitted as an accessory to any use and may be located in any location on any lot in any district, provided it does not cause an obstruction to ingress, egress, or the safe passage of pedestrians.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.12 PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
The parking of a commercial vehicle or fleet vehicle is treated similarly to the parking of any personal vehicle, except that no lot containing a residential use shall permit the parking of more than one commercial vehicle per dwelling unit.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.13 TEMPORARY STORAGE OF INOPERABLE VEHICLES.
The temporary storage of inoperable vehicles shall be limited to one inoperable vehicle per lot and shall be stored on a paved surface; however, a vehicle-oriented use (such as a car sales use or car rental operation) shall be permitted to store more than one inoperable vehicle per lot where such storage is temporary. For the purposes of this regulation, “temporary” shall be interpreted to mean six months or less in duration; and “permanent” shall be interpreted to mean more than six months in duration. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.14 STORMWATER DISCHARGE FROM PARKING AREAS.
Off-street parking areas shall not discharge stormwater to adjacent properties, adjacent roadways, or storm sewer systems; all stormwater discharge from off-street parking facilities must be directed to on-site detention basins, rain gardens, or dry wells.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.15 PARKING SPACE MARKING OR PAINTING.
Designated parking spaces shall be marked on the surface of the parking area with paint or permanent marking materials and maintained in a clearly visible condition.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.16 WHEEL STOPS.
Any parking space that (1) is associated with any use other than a one-unit or two-unit dwelling and that; (2) has a front or a rear end that abuts the perimeter of the parking area (or perimeter landscaping strip) must be equipped with a wheel stop. Each wheel stop shall be a singular block of durable material with a maximum height of six (6) inches and a maximum length of eight (8) feet. Wheel stops are to be securely fastened to the ground and located no less than two (2) feet from the perimeter of the parking area and no less than four (4) feet from any structures, buildings, walls, or plant material, excluding ground cover.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.17 ADA-COMPLIANT PARKING.
For every use, except one-unit dwellings and two-unit dwellings, accessible parking spaces shall be provided as required in the Americans with Disabilities Act Section 208 and Section 502. The Americans with Disabilities Act can be reviewed at the United States Access Board website. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1155.18 PARKING AND STORAGE OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.
(A) Definitions. The definition of Recreational Vehicle can be found in Title Nine
"Glossary of Terms" of the Planning and Zoning Code.
(B) No person shall park or store recreational equipment on any street or highway or public or private property within the City except as hereinafter provided. Any owner of recreational equipment may park or store such equipment not in excess of twenty-seven (27) feet in overall length on property owned by him in accordance with the following conditions:
(i) Recreational equipment parked or stored shall not have fixed connections to electricity, water, gas or sanitary sewer facilities and at no time shall such equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes.
(ii) If the camping and recreational equipment is parked or stored outside of a garage, it shall be parked or stored to the rear of the rear building line of the lot. Where there is a single garage on the lot and the equipment is not stored or parked in the garage, the equipment shall then be stored in the rearmost portion of the lot and may not obstruct the garage entrance. Where there is a double garage on the lot and the recreational equipment is not stored or parked in the garage, the equipment shall then be stored in the rearmost portion of the lot or in such a position so as not to obstruct the entrance to the garage nearest an abutting property line. In any event, the setback requirement in the side or rear yard shall be a minimum of three feet.
(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (ii) hereof, camping and recreational equipment may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading or unloading purposes for a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours.
(iv) All recreational equipment shall be kept in good repair and carry a current license and/or registration.
(C) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Each day such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 21-2026. Passed 3-23-26.)
1156.01 PURPOSE OF VISION CLEARANCE TRIANGLE.
These vision clearance triangle standards are intended to reduce visual obstructions and mitigate the dangers associated with motor vehicles turning onto streets and to advance the government’s interests in public health and safety.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1156.02 APPLICABILITY.
These vision triangle clearance standards shall apply at any street-and-street intersection and any street-and-driveway intersection.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1156.03 VISION CLEARANCE TRIANGLE DEFINITION.
The definition of Vision Clearance Triangle may be found in Title Nine "Glossary of Terms” of this Planning and Zoning Code.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1156.04 VISION TRIANGLE TO REMAIN CLEAR.
No structure, vegetation, sign, or other visual obstruction shall be placed within the vision triangle except where the structure, vegetation, or sign fulfills one of the following conditions:
(A) The structure, vegetation, or sign does not exceed three (3) feet of height above the crest of the driveway or the street with a more minor classification at a street-and-street intersection;
(B) The structure, vegetation, or sign presents a visual obstruction of a pole-type nature, such as a support beam or a tree trunk, where the obstruction is less than one foot in diameter.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1156.05 EXCEPTION FOR UNIMPROVED ALLEYS.
No vision clearance triangle is required to remain cleared for unimproved or unpaved alleys.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.01 PERMIT REQUIRED; LOCATION; SURVEY OR AGREEMENT.
(A) No fence shall be erected, altered, relocated or reconstructed upon, along or adjacent to any boundary line of any lot or parcel of land or part thereof, in the City without first obtaining a permit therefor. No permit shall be issued without the applicant first presenting to the Building Commissioner a survey of the parcel of land sought to be enclosed by the fence or in the alternative, an agreement between all persons of interest, contiguous to such parcel of land being enclosed, expressing their agreement and consent to the location of such fence upon the applicant's parcel of land. Where a fence is proposed to be erected, altered, relocated, or reconstructed within the front yard area of a lot, such action on such portion of the fence shall require express permission from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(B) No fence shall be erected or constructed between the rear building line and the street or sidewalk except as hereinafter provided.
(i) An extension of a fence shall be allowed one (1) foot beyond the side door of a dwelling from the back building line, with a gate, provided that the dwelling does not have a rear entrance and that such side door shall be a direct means of entrance into the home. A side door on attached garages as an entrance shall not be considered for the purposes of this section.
(ii) The Building Commissioner shall only permit the extension provided for in. subsection (ii)(1) hereof, when in his determination, the extension of fence from the rear building line to one foot beyond the side door shall not constitute a hardship to the adjoining property owner.
(iii) Split rail or picket fences, not exceeding three (3) feet in height, shall be permitted within the front yard, but set back at least twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way line of a property, so long as the fence will not obstruct the view of pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles intending to enter a street, alley, sidewalk or other passageway, and are not constructed across the entire front nor the entire side of the front yard.
(C) Construction: The face of the fence is to be on the outside, and on the lot or land of the person constructing or causing the construction of such fence. The height of the fence shall be measured from the surface of the ground, undisturbed by fills, in relation to adjoining property. Where the land is uneven, with depressions and ridges, the Building Commissioner shall determine the average or mean level of the ground.
(D) Vinyl Privacy Fences: Solid vinyl fences shall be permitted.
(E) Wooden Privacy Fences: Only the following wooden fences shall be permitted within the residential districts of the City of Garfield Heights.
(i) Board on Board Fence or Shadow Box Fence: A fence constructed with a row of boards placed upright or horizontally on opposite sides of a supporting beam. The individual boards on the same side of the supporting beam shall be separated by a distance that equals or is less than the width of the board.
Figure 1157-01: Graphic showing a board-on-board style fence.
(ii) Basket Weave Fence or Woven Fence: A fence made of interwoven strips or slats of flexible or semi-flexible material in which the pattern has the appearance of a plaited basket.
Figure 1157-02: Graphic showing a basket weave-style fence.
(iii) Solid Board: A fence constructed with a row of boards no less than four inches in width, but no more than six inches in width, placed upright and against each other.
Figure 1157-03: Graphic showing a solid board-style fence.
(iv) Chain Link Fences: Shall be permitted so long as the fence is made of metal consisting of loops of wire interconnected in a series of joined links.
(v) Ornamental Fences: The following ornamental fences shall be permitted within the residential districts of the City of Garfield Heights: Split Rail Fences, Post and Board Fences, Picket Fences, Wrought Iron Fences, and Decorative Fences.
(vi) Fences Not Permitted:
(1) Plywood Fences: No fence constructed in total or in portion of plywood shall be permitted.
(2) Stockade Fence or Palisade Fence: No fence constructed with a row of large, pointed stakes placed upright and against each other shall be permitted.
(3) Poultry-Netted Fences: No fence constructed in total or in portion of poultry-net/chicken wire.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.02 HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
(B) Fences along the side lines of residential lots may extend to six (6) feet in height provided that all adjoining property owners sign an agreement as to the height of such fence(s).
(C) Fences along the rear lot lines of residential lots shall not exceed a height of six (6) feet.
(D) Fences along the rear and/or side lot lines of residential lots abutting or adjacent to retail, commercial or industrially zoned areas shall not exceed a height of seven (7) feet.
(E) Fences along the rear or side lines of properties zoned retail, commercial or industrial, which are not abutting or adjacent to residential properties, shall not exceed a height of eight (8) feet.
Figure 1157-04: Graphic showing fence height maximums permitted in the front yard
versus the side yard and rear yard. Fence heights in the front yard are regulated
by §1157.01(B). In this particular example, a shorter fence is supplied in the rear
yard, as this lot is a “double frontage” lot and fronts two rights-of-way.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.03 BARBED WIRE FENCES.
(A) Barbed wire in fences shall not be permitted where the adjacent property is residential.
(B) Where barbed wired is not prohibited, such wire shall be not less than seven (7) feet above the ground. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.04 PERMIT FEES.
Fees for fence permits shall be charged at the rate provided under the fee schedule in the Building Code. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.05 WAIVERS FOR SWIMMING POOLS AND RESTORATION.
A resident who has been extended a fence waiver of any type in conjunction with the construction or maintenance of a swimming pool whether such waiver has been granted by City Council or by the Board of Zoning Appeals, shall in the event the swimming pool is abandoned or removed, be required within thirty (30) days thereof, to restore the height of all fencing in compliance with this chapter. All waivers issued in connection with swimming pool fences, whether by City Council or by the Board of Zoning Appeals shall from the date of passage of this section bear the notation. "This waiver is issued only for the life of the swimming pool. In the event the swimming pool is abandoned or removed, all fences shall be restored to height provided in ordinances of this City within thirty (30) days thereof.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1157.06 PROHIBITED FENCES.
(A) No fence shall be erected or constructed parallel to another fence in a manner that would cause less than three (3) feet of property to exist between the two (2) fences. Said property between the two (2) fences must be maintained in accordance with Garfield Heights Code Section 1359 “Exterior Property Maintenance Code.” When applying for a fence permit, failure to inform the Building Department or the Building Commissioner of the condition of a parallel fence will result in the negation of any permit issued by the City.
(B) Dog pens or enclosures inside fenced-in properties are prohibited.
(C) No fence shall be erected or constructed on a corner lot property unless said fence is erected or constructed two (2) feet from, and inside of, a public sidewalk or walkway.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1158.01 APPLICABILITY OF THESE SCREENING AND BUFFER ZONE STANDARDS.
1158.02 PURPOSE OF SCREENING AND BUFFER ZONE REQUIREMENTS.
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for visual screening or landscape buffers to remove, reduce, lessen or absorb the shock impact between one incompatible use or zone; breakup and lessen impact of large parking areas; provide interest and lessen the monotony of the streetscape; and obscure the view of outdoor rubbish areas, dumpsters and loading areas. In addition to any required screening or landscaping, all pervious areas of the sites that are subject to this section shall be permanently protected from soil erosion with grass or other suitable ground cover. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1158.03 DEFINITIONS.
The definitions of the terms Standard Screening, Standard Plant, Standard Shrub, and Standard Tree may be found in Title Nine "Glossary of Terms” of this Planning and Zoning Code. (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1158.04 REQUIRED BUFFER ZONE.
In addition to any other landscaping requirements that may be set forth in this Planning and Zoning Code, all conditional uses in Non-Residential Districts, and all lots in Non-Residential Districts that abut Residential Districts shall be required to provide a buffer zone along the entire length of the common boundary between the Non-Residential use/district and the Residential District’s lot(s), and shall be maintained not less than ten (10) feet in depth. This buffer zone shall be landscaped with grass, Standard Shrubs and Standard Trees, and shall contain a solid brick wall three (3) feet in height from the building line of the adjacent residential use or district to the street and six (6) feet in height from the building line to the rear yard line of the abutting residential use or district, whichever is greater.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1158.05 MAINTENANCE OF APPROVED LANDSCAPING.
For uses that require an approved landscaping plan, landscaped areas shall be maintained in a fully landscaped condition essentially matching the approved landscaping plan on file with the City, with dead plants being promptly replaced. Any non-residential property for which no landscaping plan has been approved, as a result of being used before this section was adopted, or any other section requiring landscaping, shall continue to maintain existing trees, shrubs and other landscaping to fulfill the purposes of this section as specified hereinabove.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1159.01 PROHIBITIONS.
All outdoor lighting shall be of constant intensity, and shall be downward directed, reflected or shielded so as not to be of excessive brightness or cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers, create a nuisance, or unreasonably interfere with a neighboring property owner’s right to enjoy his property.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1159.02 REGULATIONS.
To this end and to minimize light trespass:
(A) All sources of illumination of the exterior of buildings or grounds shall be shielded so as not to cause direct glare and shall be directed away from any lot lines and toward the principal building and parking area on a lot. Lighting fixtures and devices from which direct glare is visible on adjoining roads or property shall be prohibited.
(B) All sources of illumination of the exterior of buildings or grounds shall be shielded so as not to cause glare which is hazardous to vehicle drivers or is objectionable to owners of adjacent lots.
(C) Lighting fixtures with lamps rated at initial lumens of 2,500 or greater must be the full cutoff type. For purposes of this regulation, a full cutoff light fixture is defined as one which emits no light above a horizontal plane drawn through the lowest part of the fixture.
(D) Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues, or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal, or platform, shall use a narrow cone beam of light. Only one fixture with a lamp emitting no more than 1,800 lumens shall be used for each flag, statue, or other object illuminated.
(E) Flashing lights shall be prohibited.
(F) When used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, driveways and storage areas, roadways, equipment yards and parking lots, only fully shielded cut-off style light fixtures shall be utilized.
(G) All outdoor light pole fixtures shall not exceed a maximum height of twenty (20) feet. Where taller lighting fixtures are needed, such as to illuminate a football field, a variance shall be required.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1159.03 EXEMPTIONS TO THESE REGULATIONS.
(A) All outdoor lighting fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lantern or gas lamps, are exempt from the fully shielded, cut-off requirements above.
(B) All low-voltage lighting rated twelve (12) volts or less and seasonal lighting shall be exempt from the requirements above.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1160.01 RECEPTACLE SCREENING.
Recycling and trash receptacles shall be screened on all sides from any residential district, parking area or public right-of-way by a vision obscuring fence or plant material.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1160.02 STORAGE AREA SCREENING.
Whenever outdoor storage is permitted, the storage area shall be totally enclosed by fencing in compliance with this Planning and Zoning Code. Whenever rubbish areas or dumpsters or similar structures are stored outside, they shall be screened with Standard Screening, in compliance with this Planning and Zoning Code, except that the height of such fence, wall or hedge shall be at least one (1) foot higher than the structure or material being stored unless the Planning Commission determines that such screening is not necessary due to other site conditions on the property where the storage will occur or the existing or foreseeable uses of surrounding properties. The Planning Commission may permit the fence to be substituted by a masonry wall or evergreen hedge, or other landscaping, when it determines that such wall or landscaping will provide at least as good a screen as fencing would provide for surrounding property.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1161.01 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.
For regulations applicable to signs, including outdoor advertising signs, billboards, political campaign signs, for-sale signs, temporary signs, and others, please refer to Title Five "Sign Regulations” of this Planning and Zoning Code.
(Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)
1162.01 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.
For environmental standards, including riparian setback standards, hillside protection standards, stormwater management standards, erosion and sediment control standards, illicit discharge controls, and floodplain damage reduction standards, see Title Six “Environmental Regulations.” (Ord. 87-2025. Passed 1-12-26.)