240-10.1Purpose and Intent.

A.

To ensure that the development and redevelopment of property provides safe and adequate parking for automobiles and bicycles for the convenience and safety of all residents, employees, visitors, and shoppers, including persons with disabilities.

B.

To provide design standards for parking facilities and driveways that minimize harm to motorists and private property, provide adequate emergency vehicle access, and to protect the safety and capacity of public streets.

C.

To ensure that the number of off-street parking spaces does not impact adjacent residential areas from encroachment of commercial parking into neighborhood streets.

D.

To minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff from off-street parking facilities due to erosion and pollution of water bodies.

240-10.2Applicability. Vehicle parking shall be in accordance with this Chapter of the UDO.

240-10.3Parking surfaces.

A.

In any non-residential district, the parking of any vehicle on other than a paved surface (or other system approved by the Director) is prohibited.

B.

In a residential district, the parking of any motor vehicle except on a hard-surfaced driveway or in carport or garage with hard-surfaced flooring is prohibited. Any recreational vehicle or non-motor vehicle may only be parked in a carport, enclosed structure, or in the side or rear yard on a paved surface or approved porous or grassed paving system. Any vehicles parked in the side or rear yard not in a carport or an enclosed structure must be parked at least 15 feet from the property line. Vehicles or equipment used for agricultural purposes on residential property with 5 or more acres are exempt from hard surface requirements if parked outside the required front setback.

C.

Maximum allowable paved parking or hard surface area in the front yard of single-family residential development (excluding walkways and required sidewalks):

1.

Single-family attached development - not more than 75 percent. Driveways for adjoining units shall be separated by at least a 4-foot-wide grassed strip, unless the units have shared driveways.

2.

Single-family detached development - not more than 35 percent.

240-10.4Application for Additions, Renovations, and Change in Use.

A.

Additional parking and loading space is required for each addition or renovation to a building or use which results in a gross floor area increase of 500 feet or more. Residential uses are exempt from this provision provided that the addition or renovation does not increase the number of families.

B.

Whenever a change in use occurs for all or a portion of a building, off-street parking must be provided to accommodate the new use.

240-10.5Prohibited Uses. No parking areas may be used for the sale, repair, dismantling, servicing or long-term storage of any vehicles or equipment, unless permitted by the zoning district in which the area is located.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-20.1Minimum Parking Space Requirements. The minimum number of parking spaces shall be determined based on the spaces required for principal uses from the Table of Minimum Parking Requirements, unless the development qualifies for a reduction in minimum parking requirements as provided in Section 240-30 or is located within a zoning district that does not require minimum parking. Where parking requirements for any use are not specifically defined in the Table of Minimum Parking Requirements, such requirements shall be determined by the Director based upon the most comparable use specified herein, and other available data.

240-20.2Maximum Parking Requirements. Maximum parking requirements are established in order to promote efficient use of land, enhance urban form, encourage alternate modes of transportation, provide for better pedestrian movement, reduce the amount of impervious surface and protect air and water quality.

240-20.3Required area for each parking space.

A.

Each automobile space shall be 9 feet wide and 18 feet deep for perpendicular spaces. Angled parking spaces shall be a minimum of 9 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Parallel parking spaces shall be a minimum of 9 feet wide and 22 feet in length. All spaces are measured from face-of-curb.

B.

Alternative surfaces used for parking and approved by the Director which do not require curb and gutter, shall be 9.5 feet wide and 18.5 feet deep as measured from the terminating edge.

C.

Up to 15 percent of the overall parking spaces for non-single-family residential development may be in the form of compact spaces. Compact parking spaces shall be 8.5 feet in width and 16.5 feet in depth as measured from the face-of-curb and shall be clearly marked as compact spaces.

D.

If off-street parking is provided wholly within a parking structure, there shall be no maximum number of parking spaces.

TABLE 240.1: Minimum and Maximum Parking Requirements.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-30.1Off-site Parking. If the required automobile off-street parking spaces cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot on which the principal use is located, such spaces may be provided on other off-street property lying not more than 500 feet from the main entrance to the principal use. In this situation the applicant shall submit with his/her application for a building permit or an occupancy permit an instrument duly executed and acknowledged which accepts as a condition for the issuance of a building permit or an occupancy permit the permanent availability of such off-street parking spaces to serve his /her principal use.

240-30.2On-street Parking. Buildings and uses directly adjacent to on-street parking located within a right-of-way may count such spaces towards the minimum required parking at a ratio of 0.5 spaces per on-street parking space provided.

240-30.3Administrative variance. The Director shall have the authority to grant a reduction in the total number of off-street parking spaces by up to 10 percent of the number required by the Table of Minimum Parking Requirements through administrative variance. Increases to the maximum number of permitted off-street parking spaces shall require approval as a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals or a concurrent variance by the Board of Commissioners. However, the maximum number of parking spaces may be increased by up to 10 percent over the number required by the Table of Maximum Parking Requirements if such parking is provided on a approved pervious parking surface. The above administrative variances require review and approval of the applicant's written documentation and justification that one or more of the following conditions exist:

A.

Because of unique circumstances including the shape, topography, soils and vegetation of the site, the provision of the minimum number of required spaces would cause the applicant to suffer unique and undue hardship.

B.

The site is located in an environmentally sensitive area, such as a water supply watershed, where stormwater runoff should be minimized.

C.

The unique circumstances of the use make the minimum number of parking spaces excessive for actual needs.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-40.1 Non-residential, mixed-use, and multifamily residential developments exceeding 1,500 overall parking spaces shall be required to provide at least 50 percent of their overall parking total within a decked or underground parking structure. A building height increase of 1 vertical foot is permitted for each 1 vertical foot of parking placed under a structure. Single-family detached residential or townhouse component(s) of mixed-use developments shall not be subject to this requirement.

240-40.2 Parking structures shall conform substantially with the Architectural Design Standards for façade and elevation. Screening is required for each parking structure facade facing a public street and shall be approved by the Director.

240.40.3 Parcels where all off-street parking is provided within a parking structure shall not be subject to the maximum number of parking space requirements of this UDO.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

Off-street parking shall comply with ADA standards and Georgia State Law for Accessible Design and the Georgia Accessibility Code for Buildings and Facilities for all multifamily and non-residential uses.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-60.1Layout. Except for single and two-family residential uses, all off-street parking areas for more than 5 vehicles shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

A.

All parking areas shall have access to a public street and shall be designed to ensure ease of mobility, ample clearance, and the safety of pedestrians and vehicles.

B.

Adequate interior driveways shall connect each parking space with a public right-of-way or private street. The design of driveways and parking aisles, shall conform with all requirements of this UDO.

C.

Bumper stops shall be installed to separate each parking space from sidewalks, rights-of-way, adjacent properties and landscape strips to prevent overhangs or encroachments. Where required, bumper stops shall be a minimum of 6 inches in height and 6 inches in width. Bumper stops shall be constructed of concrete, stone, or approved equal, and be permanently secured to the pavement surface.

240-60.2Pedestrian Circulation.

A.

Parking lots containing 100 spaces or more shall incorporate pedestrian access corridors into their design.

B.

Pedestrian corridors shall include 4-foot wide sidewalks with 2-foot grassed strips along both sides of primary driveways. The pedestrian corridors shall connect parking areas directly with buildings and adjacent public streets. These corridors shall not apply to auto sales lots.

C.

Where pedestrian corridors cross a driveway, they shall be constructed as a raised, flat hump with a height of 4 inches and a 6-foot wide top with 4-foot wide ramps and marked as a crosswalk.

D.

Parking spaces shall not be located more than 100 feet from any pedestrian corridor.

240-60.3Improvement of off-street parking lots.

A.

Parking lots shall be graded to ensure proper drainage, installed on a minimum 4-inch gravel aggregate base with a minimum 2-inch asphalt topping or other approved surface of, concrete, porous concrete, or porous asphalt. An approved porous concrete, porous asphalt or grassed paving system may be permitted for surplus parking. Spaces with surfaces of modular block or grass shall be located on the outside perimeter of a parking lot.

B.

Each parking space, except for approved grassed paving systems, shall be clearly marked by a painted stripe no less than 3 inches wide running the length of each of the sides of the space or by curbing or by other acceptable method which clearly marks and delineates the parking space within the parking lot. Single and two-family residential uses are exempt from this provision.

C.

Maintenance and Appearance: Parking lots shall be maintained in good condition, free of potholes, faded paving markings, weeds, dust, trash and debris. Porous paving and grass paving systems shall be maintained to function as designed.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-70.1Interior driveways.

A.

Interior driveways shall connect each parking space with a public right-of-way or private street.

B.

Inter-parcel driveway connection or provision of a future inter-parcel driveway stub (with appropriate cross-access easements) shall be required between adjacent non-single-family residential properties. This requirement may be waived by the Director only if it is demonstrated that an inter-parcel connection is not feasible due to traffic safety or topographic concerns.

C.

Interior driveways, without parking, shall be a minimum 10 feet wide for one-way traffic, and 22 wide for two-way traffic. Interior driveways, with parking, shall be a minimum 12 feet wide for one-way traffic, and 24 feet wide for two-way traffic. Any driveways that are determined to be essential fire access shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width.

D.

Interior driveways providing primary access to loading/unloading zones or loading docks for truck traffic shall be increased to 14 feet in width per travel lane.

E.

Interior driveways surrounding gasoline pumps shall be no more than 40 feet in total width (as measured from the base of the gasoline pump islands to the face-of-curb).

240-70.2Single-family detached and attached residential driveways.

A.

The minimum driveway width shall be 10 feet.

B.

The minimum driveway depth shall be 18 feet measured from the garage door or edge of driveway to the sidewalk or right-of-way, whichever is closer.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-80.1 A driveway and stacking lane is required for any drive-through window, bank drive-through, ATM stand-alone structure, or drop-off or pick-up area. These stacking lanes shall not interfere with circulation of the lot or free movement or access to parking spaces.

240-80.2The following general standards shall apply to all stacking spaces:

A.

Each drive-thru lane shall provide adequate stacking space for a minimum of five cars per lane outside of the required through-lane providing circulation around the building or service facility.

B.

Each stacking space shall be a minimum of 20 feet in length and 10 feet in width along straight portions.

C.

Stacking spaces shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width along curved segments.

D.

Stacking spaces shall be provided from the point of ordering if ordering is provided prior to the drive-through pick-up window and/or drive-up service location.

240-80.3The following general standards shall apply to all drive-thru lanes:

A.

Drive-through lanes shall be separated by striping or curbing from off-street parking areas, loading areas, and service areas. Individual lanes shall be striped, marked or otherwise distinctly delineated.

B.

Drive-thru lanes shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width, and parallel the entire length for the drive-through service area .

C.

Drive-thru lanes shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width along curved segments.

D.

Drive-thru lanes shall be delineated from traffic aisles, through lanes and parking areas with striping, curbing, landscaping and the use of alternative paving materials or raised medians.

E.

Entrances to drive-thru lane(s) shall provide a minimum length to keep awaiting vehicles outside of the nearest intersection and/or public right-of-way.

F.

Drive-thru lanes shall be designed to prevent circulation congestion, both on-site and on adjacent public streets. The circulation shall: (a) separate drive-through traffic from site circulation, (b) not impede or impair access into or out of parking spaces, (c) not impede or impair vehicle or pedestrian traffic movement, and (d) minimize conflicts between pedestrian and vehicular traffic with physical and visual separation between the two.

G.

Drive-thru lanes shall not interfere with required loading and trash storage areas and loading or trash operations shall not impede or impair vehicle movement. An emergency by-pass or exit shall be provided prior to the drive-through pick-up window and/or drive-up service location

H.

Service areas and drive-thru lanes shall be set back 5 feet from all lot lines and roadway right-of-way lines.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

Parking lots shall be designed with landscape areas, in accordance with all provisions of this UDO.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-100.1Within non-residential and multifamily developments the following lighting standards shall apply:

A.

All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to illuminate any portion of a parking area and its perimeter shall meet the following requirements:

1.

All lighting fixtures (luminaries) shall be cutoff luminaries whose source is completely concealed with an opaque housing. Fixtures shall be recessed in the opaque housing. Drop Dish Refractors are prohibited.

2.

Light source shall be Light Emitting Diodes (LED). Alternate light sources shall be submitted to the Director for approval. A single light source type shall be used for any one site. Fixtures must be mounted in such a manner that the cone of the light is not directed at any property line of sight.

3.

The minimum mounting height for a parking lot pole fixture is 12 feet. Refer to Table 240.3 for maximum mounting height.

4.

The maximum height for a pedestrian walkway pole is 14 feet.

5.

The average level of illumination (See Table 240.2) shall not exceed the calculated value, as derived using only the area of the site included to receive illumination.

6.

Points of measure shall not include the area of the building or areas which do not lend themselves to pedestrian traffic.

7.

All site lighting shall be designed so that the minimum and maximum levels of illumination as measured in foot-candles (f-c) at any one point meets the standards shown in Table 240.2.

B.

All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to provide decorative accent lighting for an outdoor courtyard, activity plaza, or outdoor dining patio shall be exempt from these requirements.

Table 240.2: Illumination Levels (In Foot-Candles)

Table 240.3: Light Fixture Requirements for Parking Areas

¹  Maximum levels for high security areas shall be 12.0 foot-candles. Examples of high security areas include entrances and exits of buildings and ATM machines.

C.

Exceptions to site lighting standards:

1.

Security lighting activated by motion sensor.

2.

Construction or emergency lighting provided it is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon construction completion or emergency cessation.

3.

Security lighting less than 2.0 average foot-candles.

D.

Site Lighting Plans shall be submitted to the Planning and Development prior to issuance of a development permit, or building permit if no site development is proposed, or prior to the installation or replacement of any site lighting which shall indicate the following:

1.

Location and mounting information for each light.

2.

Illumination calculations showing light levels in foot candles at points located on a 10 foot center grid, including an illustration of the areas masked out per the requirements above regarding points of measurements.

3.

A schedule listing the fixture design, type of lamp, distribution and wattage of each fixture, and number of lumens.

4.

Manufacturer's photometric data for each type of light fixture, including initial lumens and mean depreciation values.

5.

An illumination summary, including the minimum average and maximum foot-candle calculations ("array values") and the total number of array points (points used on the 10 foot grid calculations).

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-110.1 In any non-single-family residential zoning district, delivery/service vehicles and vehicles displaying advertising must be parked within the side or rear yard and may not be parked within the front yard.

240-110.2 Except as permitted in Section 240-10.3 in all residential zoning districts, the parking of the following vehicles is prohibited: any vehicle for hire including but not limited to limousines, taxis, box trucks, flatbed trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, transport wreckers, tandem axle trucks, cab-on-chassis trucks, tractor trailers, wheeled attachments, pull behind cement mixers, or trailers, bucket trucks, buses, earth moving machinery, semi-trailers, any vehicle exceeding 20 feet in length, any vehicle exceeding 7 feet in height, and any vehicle exceeding 7 feet in width. Vehicles used for agricultural purposes on residential property with five (5) acres or more are permitted if parked outside the required front yard setback.

240-110.3Notwithstanding the above provisions of Section 240-110, in all residential zoning districts, the parking of the following vehicles is permitted:

A.

An automobile, pick-up truck, van, or SUV used to provide daily transportation to and from work (except those vehicles that fall under the requirements for Section 230-130 Customary Home Occupation).

B.

A commercial vehicle that is parked temporarily in conjunction with construction under a valid permit, a commercial service, sale, or delivery.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-120.1Purpose and intent.

A.

To ensure that off-street loading facilities and driveways are adequate to protect the safety and capacity of public streets.

B.

To ensure that the design and location of off-street loading facilities do not have a negative impact on adjacent property or surrounding residential areas.

240-120.2Application. Whenever the normal operation of any development requires that goods, merchandise or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from the development, a sufficient off-street loading and unloading area shall be provided in accordance with this section of the UDO. Loading docks may be used to meet this requirement.

240-120.3Minimum number of spaces. Off-street loading spaces shall be provided as follows:

No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking nor shall any portion of any off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities.

Table 240.3: Off-street Loading Requirements

240-120.4Location of off-street loading spaces.

A.

All required off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the building that they are intended to serve or on an adjacent lot where shared with the use occupying said adjacent lot.

B.

Each required off-street loading space shall have access to a street or alley that provides safe and adequate ingress and egress for trucks.

240-120.5 Areas reserved for off-street loading, in accordance with the requirements of this UDO, shall not be reduced in area or changed to any other use unless the permitted use that is served, is discontinued or modified; except where equivalent loading space is provided and approved by the Director.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-130.1Required dimensions for each loading stall. Each loading stall shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide and 30 feet in length, except that for wholesale and industrial use, loading stalls shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide and 50 feet in length.

240-130.2 Loading areas shall provide adequate ingress and egress with a minimum vertical clearance of 12 feet and a driveway grade no greater than 4 percent. The loading area shall not exceed a grade of 2 percent.

240-130.3Paving. All required loading areas shall be paved with asphalt or concrete or other materials subject to approval by the Director. Paving areas shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the weight of service vehicles.

120-130.4Screening. Loading areas shall be screened from public view with vegetative or non-vegetative material such as an opaque fence, wall, or evergreen trees and shrubs or a combination thereof. Screening requirements can be found in Section 610-20.3 of this Ordinance.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)

240-140.1. Commercial and multifamily developments which exceed 50 parking spaces shall provide at least one electric vehicle charging station (pedestal) for each 50 parking spaces.

240-140.2. Commercial and multifamily redevelopments which exceed 50 parking spaces shall provide at least one electric vehicle charging station (pedestal) for each 50 parking spaces. Compliance with this subsection is required for redevelopment projects where site work and/or repaving of existing parking areas and driveways (greater than 50 parking spaces) exceeds 50% of the existing impervious surface area.

240.140.3 Charging spaces may be counted as part of minimum required parking spaces, but shall not be counted toward maximum parking.

(Ord. No. UDOA2023-00002(GCID 2023-0604), Exh. A(§ 25), 9-26-2023)