Germantown City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1137

Off-Street Parking And Loading Facilities

1137.01 INTENT.

The intent of the off-street parking and loading regulations is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by insuring that all land uses have adequate amounts of off-street parking and loading areas in order to not create traffic hazards on public streets.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.02 GENERAL PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

In all districts, at any time any building, structure, or use of land is erected, enlarged, increased in capacity, or used, there shall be provided for every use off-street parking spaces for automobiles. A parking plan shall be required for all uses except for single- or two-family residential uses. The parking plan shall be submitted to the Municipal Manager as part of the application for a Zoning Permit. The plan shall show the boundaries of the property, parking spaces, access driveways, circulation patterns, drainage and construction plans, and boundary walls, fences and a screening plan, as appropriate.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.03 OFF-STREET PARKING DESIGN STANDARDS.

All off-street parking facilities including entrances, exits, maneuvering areas, and parking spaces shall be in accordance with the following standards and specifications:

(a) Parking Space Dimensions. Each off-street parking space shall have an area of not less than 162 square feet exclusive of access drives or aisles, and shall be of usable shape and condition.

(b) Access. There shall be adequate provisions for ingress and egress to all parking spaces. Where the lot or parking spaces do not provide direct access to a public street, an access drive shall be provided, with a dedicated easement of access, as follows:

(1) For a single-, two-, or three-family residential dwelling, the access drive shall be a minimum of l0 feet in width.

(2) For all other residential uses and all other uses, the access drive shall be a minimum of 18 feet in width.

(3) All parking spaces, except those required for single-, two-, or three- family dwellings, shall have access to a public street in such a manner that any vehicle leaving or entering the parking area from or into a public street or alley shall be traveling in a forward motion.

(c) Setbacks. In C and I districts, off-street parking spaces may be located in the required front yard on lots where business or industry is located, provided that a 10-foot grass area is located between the parking area and the street right-of- way, and that 1 tree for every 30 feet of frontage is planted in this grass area.

(d) Screening. In addition to the setback requirements specified in this Zoning Code for off-street parking facilities for more than five vehicles, screening shall be provided on each side of a parking area that abuts any Residential District. Screening shall comply with Section 1129.05 Buffer and Transition Between Residential/Commercial and Residential/Industrial Zoned Properties.

(e) Paving. All required parking spaces together with driveways, and other circulation areas, shall be dust-free and of a hard-surface with a pavement having an asphalt or concrete binder, such as concrete, asphalt, double chip and seal, or paver bricks provided; however, that variances for parking related to school auditoriums, assembly areas, sports fields, and other community meeting or recreation areas may be granted, provided that paved areas shall be provided for daily-use parking areas. Where paving is not required, proper dust control measures shall be undertaken and maintained.

(f) Drainage. All parking spaces, together with driveways, aisles, and other circulation areas shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water which might accumulate within or upon such area, and shall be designed to prevent the excess drainage of surface water onto adjacent properties, walkways, or onto the public streets. Adequate arrangements shall be made to insure acceptable diversion to an adequate storm water drainage system. Drainage shall also meet the requirements of the Municipality of Germantown Design Criteria and Construction Standards and Drawings.

(g) Barriers. Wherever a parking lot extends to a property line, fencing, wheel stops, curbs, or other suitable barriers shall be provided in order to prevent any part of a parked vehicle from extending beyond the property line.

(h) Visibility. Access of driveways for parking areas shall be located in such a way that any vehicle entering or leaving such parking area shall be clearly visible for a reasonable distance by any pedestrian or motorist approaching the access or driveway from a public or private street or alley.

(i) Marking. All parking areas for ten or more spaces shall be marked with paint lines, curb stones, or in some other manner approved by the Municipal Manager, and shall be maintained in a clearly visible condition.

(j) Maintenance. Any owner of property used for parking areas shall maintain such areas in good condition without potholes and free of all dust, trash, or other debris.

(k) Signs. Where necessary due to multiple curb cuts, the entrances, exits, and the intended circulation pattern of the parking area shall be clearly marked.

(l) Lighting. Any lights used to illuminate a parking lot shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the adjoining property in any R Residential District.

(m) Parking Space Dimensions. The minimum dimensions of parking spaces shall be as illustrated below:

Off-Street Parking Minimum Dimensional Table

	45 degrees	60 degrees	90 degrees	Parallel
A. Width of Parking Space	12'	10'	9'	9'
B. Length of Parking Space	19'	19'	19'	23'
C. Width of Driveway Aisle	13'	17'6"	25'	12'
D. Width of Access Driveway	17'	14'	14'	14'

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.04 DETERMINATION OF REQUIRED SPACES.

In computing the number of parking spaces required by this Zoning Code, the following shall apply:

(a) Where floor area is designated as the standard for determining parking space requirements, floor area shall be the sum of the gross horizontal area of all the floors of a non-residential building measured from the faces of the exterior walls.

(b) Where seating capacity is the standard for determining parking space requirements, the capacity shall mean the number of seating units installed or indicated or each 24 lineal inches of benches or pews, except where occupancy standards are set by the Fire Marshal.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.05 JOINT OR COLLECTIVE PARKING FACILITIES.

The joint or collective provision of required off-street parking areas shall comply with the following standards and requirements:

(a) All required parking spaces shall be located on the same lot with the building or use served, except that where an increase in the number of spaces is required by a change or enlargement of use, or where such spaces are provided collectively or used jointly by two or more buildings or establishments, the required spaces may be located not farther than 500 feet from the building served.

(b) Not more than 50% of the parking spaces required for theaters, bowling alleys, dance halls, night clubs, taverns, and similar uses, and up to 100% of the parking spaces required for churches, schools, auditoriums, and similar uses may be provided and jointly used by banks, offices, retail stores, repair shops, service establishments, and similar uses that are not normally open, used, or operated during the same hours as the uses with which such spaces are jointly or collectively used.

(c) 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, a written agreement thereby assuring their retention for such purposes shall be properly drawn and executed by the parties concerned, approved as to form by legal counsel, and filed with the application for a Zoning Permit.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.06 OFF-STREET STORAGE AREAS FOR DRIVE-IN SERVICES.

Establishments which by their nature create lines of customers waiting to be served within automobiles shall provide off-street storage areas in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) Photo pickups, restaurants, drive-through beverage docks, and other similar commercial establishments that can normally serve customers in 3 minutes or less shall provide no less than five storage spaces per pick-up facility. Drive-in restaurants and other similar uses which require an additional stopping point for ordering shall provide a minimum of three additional storage spaces for each such stopping point.

(b) Other commercial establishments such as banks, savings and loan offices, or other similar facilities with service or money windows shall provide no less than four storage spaces per window.

(c) Motor vehicle service stations shall provide no less than two storage spaces for each accessible side of a gasoline pump island. Gasoline pumps shall not be located closer than 15 feet to any street right-of-way line.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.07 PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS.

The amount of required off-street parking spaces for new uses or buildings, additions thereto, and additions to existing buildings shall be determined in accordance with the following minimum requirements. However, no parking area shall project into a required front yard in any residential district or be permitted between the curb line and property lines (within the right-of-way) in any district, except as otherwise provided. The number of parking spaces required for uses not specifically mentioned shall be determined by the BZA. The determination shall be based upon the expected number of parking spaces the particular type of use would require to satisfy estimated peak parking load requirements.

(a) Residential Uses.

(1) Single-family detached dwellings: two spaces per dwelling unit.

(2) Two-family dwellings: two spaces per dwelling unit.

(3) Multi-family dwellings: two spaces per dwelling unit.

(4) Mobile Home Courts: two spaces per mobile home site, plus one space per each five mobile home sites for guest parking.

(b) Institutional and Public Uses.

(1) Elementary and Junior High Schools: one space per employee, plus one space per two classrooms.

(2) High Schools: one space per employee, plus one space per six students at capacity.

(3) Places of Worship: one space per four seats at maximum capacity of the main sanctuary.

(4) Public Offices and Public Buildings: one space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area.

(5) Nursing and Convalescent Homes, including Extended Care Facilities and Rest Homes: one space per six beds, plus one space for each staff and employee on the largest work shift.

(6) Community centers, libraries, museums, and other establishments of historical, educational, and cultural interest: one space per 250 square feet of gross interior floor area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift.

(7) Child daycare centers: one space per employee, plus one space per five children at capacity, plus a drop-off area as determined by the Public Works Director.

(8) Hospitals: one space for every two beds, plus one space for each staff and employee on the largest work shift.

(1) Business, Professional, and Administrative Offices and Offices for Professional Associations: one space per 300 square feet of gross floor area, but not less than two spaces per office.

(2) Medical Offices and Clinics: three spaces per treatment or examination room or chair, plus one space per staff and employee, but not fewer than five spaces per practitioner.

(d) Commercial Uses.

(1) Financial establishments, Banks, and Savings and Loan Associations: one space per 200 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift, plus five off-street waiting spaces per drive-in window or drive-through teller machine.

(2) General Merchandise Stores: one space for each 150 square feet of gross floor area used for sales and display and one space for every 250 square feet of storage, warehouse, and office area.

(3) Restaurants: one space per 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift.

(4) Automobile Service Stations and Automobile Repair, Painting, and Body Shops: two spaces for each service bay, plus one space for each employee and service vehicle, with a minimum of six spaces.

(5) Automobile Washing Facilities: one space for each employee with a minimum of four spaces, plus five off-street waiting spaces for each car washing device or stall, or five off-street waiting spaces for an assembly line type washing establishment, and two parking spaces at the end of each washing bay for drying and hand finishing vehicles.

(6) Convenience Food Stores, Carry-Outs, Mini-Markets: one and one-half spaces for every 200 square feet of floor area, plus one space for each employee.

(7) Drive-Through and Drive-In Stores, and Stand-Alone Automatic Teller Machines: one space for each employee, plus off-street waiting space for five vehicles per transaction location, plus one space for each 200 square feet of sales area open to the public.

(8) Fraternal and Social Associations, Dance Halls, Bingo Halls and Private Clubs: one space for every 50 square feet of floor area in assembly or meeting rooms, plus one space for every 200 square feet of other floor area.

(9) Restaurants, Fast Food: one space per 50 gross square feet of floor area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift with a minimum of fifteen total spaces and with off-street automobile waiting space for eight vehicles for each drive-in window, with such automobile waiting space to be located behind the point where a drive-in order is placed.

(10) Bars, Taverns, and Nightclubs: one space for each three persons of capacity, plus one space for each employee on the largest work shift.

(11) Vehicle Sales, Rental, and Service: one parking space for each 800 square feet of floor area, plus one space for each 3,000 square feet of open lot area devoted to the sale, rental, and display of motor vehicles.

(12) Animal Hospitals and Veterinary Clinics: three spaces for each treatment area, plus one space for each staff and employee.

(13) Commercial Schools and Studios: one space for every three students at capacity and one space for each employee.

(14) Funeral Homes and Mortuaries: one space for every 50 square feet of public floor area, plus one space for each employee, plus one space for each business vehicle.

(15) Home Furnishings and Home Improvement Stores: one space for each 400 square feet of indoor and outdoor sales and display area and one space for each 800 square feet of office, storage, and warehouse area.

(16) Nurseries and Garden Supply Stores: one space for each employee on the largest shift, one space for each 200 square feet of gross floor area of inside sales or display, and one space for each 1,000 square feet of exterior sales and display area.

(17) Business and Cleaning Services: one space for every 300 square feet of sales and office area, plus one space for every employee on the largest work shift, plus one space for every company or service vehicle regularly stored on the premises.

(18) Bowling Alleys: five spaces for each alley, plus any additional spaces required for a bar, restaurant, or accessory structure.

(19) Dance, Bingo, Assembly, and Exhibition Halls: one space for every 50 square feet of floor area.

(20) Game Rooms and Pool Halls: one space for every two patrons at a maximum capacity, plus one space for every two \employees on the largest work shift.

(21) Miniature Golf: one and one-half spaces per hole, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift.

(22) Theaters and Concert, Meeting, and Banquet Halls: one space for every two and one-half seats at capacity.

(23) Hotels and Motels: one space per room or suite, plus one space for every three employees on the largest work shift, plus one space per three persons to the maximum capacity of each public meeting and/or banquet room, plus 50% of the spaces otherwise required for accessory structures (e.g. restaurants and bars).

(e) Industrial Uses.

(1) Manufacturing Industry and Warehouse: one space for each employee on the largest work shift, plus one visitor parking space for every 10,000 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every company vehicle regularly stored on the premises. Land must be available for possible future parking lot requirements at a minimum of one space for each 1,000 square feet of floor area.

(2) Self-Service Storage Facilities: one space for every 4,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift.

(3) Wholesaling and Storage Facilities: one space for every 300 square feet of office and sales area, plus one space for every 4,000 square feet of warehouse and storage area, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift.

(4) Construction Trades, Contractor Offices, and Industrial Craft Shops: one space for every 300 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every motor vehicle used by the business in its normal business affairs.

(5) Lumberyards and Building Materials; Sales and Storage: one space for each 800 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every 3,000 square feet of lot area devoted to the storage and display of building materials.

(6) Heavy Equipment Rental, Sales, Service, and Storage: one space for every 800 square feet of floor area, plus one space for every 3,000 square feet of lot area devoted to the sale and display of vehicles.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.08 HANDICAPPED PARKING.

Parking facilities serving buildings and facilities required to be accessible to the physically handicapped shall have conveniently located designated spaces provided as follows or by current ADA standards:

Total Spaces in Lot/Structure	Number of Designated Accessible Spaces
Up to 100	l space per 25 parking spaces
101 to 200	4 spaces, plus l per 50 spaces over 100
201 to 500	6 spaces, plus 1 per 75 spaces over 200
Over 500	10 spaces, plus 1 per 100 spaces over 500

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.09 OFF-STREET LOADING SPACE REQUIREMENTS.

In any district in connection with every building or part thereof hereafter erected and having a gross floor area of 3,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, retail store, wholesale store, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning, or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained, on the same lot with the building, at least one off-street loading space, and one additional loading space for each 10,000 square feet or fraction thereof of gross floor area so used in excess of 3,000 square feet.

(Ord. 00-30. Passed 6-5-2000.)

1137.10 OFF-STREET LOADING DESIGN STANDARDS.

All off-street loading spaces shall comply with the following standards and specifications:

(a) Loading Space Dimensions. Each loading space shall have minimum dimensions not less than 12 feet in width, 65 feet in length, and a vertical clearance of not less than 14 feet.

(b) Screening. In addition to the setback requirements specified above, screening shall be provided on each side of an off-street loading space that abuts any Residential District. Screening shall comply with Section 1129.05 Buffer and Transition Between Residential/Commercial and Residential/Industrial Zoned Properties.

(c) Access. All required off-street loading spaces shall have access from a public street in such a manner that any vehicle leaving the premises shall be traveling in a forward motion.

(d) Paving. All required off-street loading spaces together with driveways, aisles, and other circulation areas, shall be surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement in order to provide a durable or dust-free surface.

(e) Drainage. All loading spaces, together with driveways, aisles, and other circulation areas, shall be designed to prevent the excess drainage of surface water onto adjacent properties, walkways, or onto the public streets. Arrangements shall be made to ensure acceptable diversion to an adequate storm water drainage system. Drainage shall also meet the requirements of the Municipality of Germantown Design Criteria and Construction Standards and Drawings.

(f) Lighting. Any lights used to illuminate a loading area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining property.