The purpose of this subchapter is to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to lessen congestion in the streets; to facilitate the adequate provisions of transportation; to conserve the value of property and buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land, minimum off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided as set forth in the following schedules and provisions.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

      (2)   Effective October 1, 2021, parking spaces and loading berths required herein, together with aisles and maneuvering areas, enclosed or unenclosed, shall be surfaced and maintained with an all weather surface. Parking spaces and loading berths shall be connected by an all weather surfaced driveway to a public street or alley.

   (B)   In determining the required number of parking spaces, fractional spaces shall be rounded to the next higher whole space. Parking spaces located in buildings used for repair garages or auto laundries shall not be counted as meeting the requirements of minimum off-street parking.

   (C)   The floor area of buildings already devoted to off street parking of vehicles shall be excluded from the total floor area when computing requirements for off-street parking.

   (D)   For sites with more than one use, or for adjacent sites served by a common parking facility, the parking requirements shall be the composite or sum of the requirements for each use or site except as adjusted pursuant to this subchapter.

   (E)   Off street parking facilities complying with these regulations shall be provided for any new building constructed and for any new use established. Off-street parking facilities complying with these regulations shall be provided for any addition or enlargement of an existing building or use or any change in occupancy or manner of operation that would result in additional parking spaces being required. If sufficient parking does not exist on a lot or site, the number of spaces required to meet the needs of both the existing and new building or use shall be provided.

   (F)   Parking facilities being used for off-street parking on the effective date of this chapter shall not be reduced in capacity to less than the number of spaces prescribed, or altered in design or function to less than the minimum standards prescribed herein.

   (G)   All required parking facilities shall be maintained for the duration of the use requiring such areas. Those facilities shall be used for the temporary parking of passenger automobiles, motor vehicles, or light trucks not exceeding one ton in capacity, exclusively. They shall not be used for the sale, display, or storage of merchandise, or for the storage, display, or repair of vehicles or equipment.

   (H)   All required parking facilities shall be located on the same site as the use for which such facilities are required, except as authorized pursuant to § 155.063.

   (I)   No use shall be required to provide more spaces than prescribed by these regulations. Where parking spaces in excess of such requirements are provided, the spaces may be considered as meeting the provisions for another use pursuant to division (D) of this section.

   (J)   Compact vehicle spaces may be provided in any parking facility required by this regulation; however, no more than 25% of the total parking spaces required may be designed for compact vehicles and they must be signed and marked for compact vehicles.

   (K)   The following provisions for off street parking shall apply to all parking adjacent to a public thoroughfare:

      (1)   Parking spaces so situated that the maneuvering of a vehicle in entering or leaving such space is done on a public street or alley shall not be classified as off street parking in computing any parking requirements herein, except in districts zoned: R-1, R-2, R-1(M), or RT-1.

      (2)   The construction of parking spaces as described in division (J)(1) shall be prohibited hereafter. All such parking facilities in existence at the time of the enactment of these regulations are hereby declared to be nonconforming use of land and subject to the provisions of § 155.100.

   (L)   No off street parking space or loading berth shall be located either in whole or in part on any public street, sidewalk, parkway, alley, or other public right-of-way, or within any fire lane required by ordinance or code of the city. Maneuvering areas located adjacent to a public street shall be computed from the property line (maneuvering must take place on private property).

   (M)   Lighting, to the maximum extent, shall be so arranged as to be reflected away from property zoned or used for residential purposes.

   (N)   No publicly owned property may be considered in determining whether or not any private property meets the parking and loading requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01; Am. Ord. 2006-40, passed 10-24-06; Am. Ord. 2020-44, passed 9-8-20, effective 10-1-21; Am. Ord. 2021-37, passed 8-24-21)

   (A)   Generally. The following design standards shall be observed for off street parking spaces and loading berths.

      (1)   Each space shall consist of a rectangular area designed in accordance with Table 21-C. Each space shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 7.5 feet and each space shall be independently accessible. Single family residence parking spaces are exempt from independent access (such as in-line parking is acceptable.)

      (2)   Each parking space designed for use by the handicapped shall consist of a rectangular area of not less than 12.5 feet wide and 20 feet long, with a vertical clearance of 7.5 feet, shall be located on a grade not to exceed a 2% slope, and shall be located near and convenient to a level or ramped entrance to the building. Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be signed and restricted for use by the handicapped only.

      (3)   Each off-street loading berth shall consist of a rectangular area not less than 10 feet wide and 40 feet long, with a vertical clearance of not less than 15 feet.

      (4)   Each parking space or loading berth shall have adequate drives, aisles, turning and maneuvering space for access and usability, and shall at all times be connected to a public street or alley.

   (B)   Drainage. All parking and loading areas shall be graded and provided with permanent storm drainage meeting the city's construction specifications. Curbing and drainage shall be sufficient to preclude the free flow of water onto adjacent property, and to provide adequate drainage in accordance with city standards or codes.

   (C)   Safety features. Parking and loading facilities shall meet the following standards:

      (1)   Safety barriers, protective bumpers, or curbing, and directional markings shall be provided to ensure safety, promote efficient utilization, protect landscaping, and prevent encroachment onto adjoining public or private property.

      (2)   Visibility of and between pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists shall be assured for those entering or exiting individual spaces, circulating within a parking facility, and entering or exiting a parking facility.

      (3)   Internal circulation patterns and the location and direction of all access drives shall be designed and maintained in accordance with accepted principles of traffic engineering and traffic safety.

   (D)   Noise. Areas used for primary circulation, for frequent idling of vehicle engines, or for loading or unloading activities, shall be designed and located to minimize the noise impact on adjoining properties, including provisions for screening or sound baffling when required.

   (E)    Adjustments. The requirements of this section may be adjusted in their application, provided such change is determined by the Planning and Development Directorto alleviate undue burden associated with atypical business parking needs, or to provide improved design, usability, attractiveness, and protection to the adjoining uses, in a manner equal to or greater than the specific requirements of this section. Such adjustments must not increase any potential adverse impacts on adjacent properties or streets.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01; Am. Ord. 2005-07, passed 4-12-05)

   (A)   The Director of Planning and Development may approve locating a portion of the required parking for a use on another site when both the primary use and the remote parking are located in an area zoned, used, or platted for commercial use.

   (B)   Off site parking shall be located within 300 feet of the use for which it serves, measured as the shortest practical walking distance from the nearest off-site parking space to the nearest entrance of the building or use it serves.

   (C)   In determining whether to approve off-site parking, the Director of Planning and Development shall consider all relevant factors including but not limited to:

      (1)   The location of the use and the proposed off site parking.

      (2)   Existing and potential parking demand created by other uses in the vicinity.

      (3)   The characteristics of the use, including employee and customer parking demands, hours of operation and projected convenience and frequency of use of the off site parking.

      (4)   Adequacy, convenience, and safety of pedestrian between off-site parking and the use.

      (5)   Traffic patterns on adjacent streets, and proposed access to the off-site parking.

      (6)   The report and recommendations of the city staff.

   (D)   The Director of Planning and Development may require a written agreement of the owner or owners of the off-site parking area authorizing the use of the off-site parking in such a manner as to assure the continued availability and usability of any off site parking area.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

   (A)   The Director of Planning and Development may authorize an adjustment in the total parking requirements for separate uses located on the same site, or for separate uses located on adjoining sites, and served by a common parking facility, pursuant to this section. A request for such adjustment shall require the submission of a site plan and a detailed report addressing the relevant factors listed in division (C) below.

   (B)   All parking spaces subject to adjustment under this section shall be located in a common, contiguous parking facility, intended to meet the needs of all users. When any adjustment is authorized, off-site parking pursuant to § 155.063 shall not be permitted.

   (C)   In determining whether to approve an adjustment for mixed used development, the Director of Planning and Development shall consider all relevant factors including but not limited to:

      (1)   The characteristics of each use and the differences in projected peak parking demands, including days and/or hours of operation.

      (2)   Potential reduction in vehicle movements afforded by multi-purpose use of the parking facility by employees, customers, or residents of the uses served.

      (3)   Potential improvements in parking facility design, circulation and access afforded by a joint parking facility.

      (4)   The report and recommendation of the city staff.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

   Exclusive of one and two family residential uses, and multi-family uses under six units, in each parking facility a portion of the total parking spaces shall be specifically designed, located, and reserved for vehicles licensed by the state for use by the handicapped, according to the latest adopted addition of the Standard Building Code.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

   (A)   Parking facilities for each use shall be provided in accordance with the minimum requirements as set forth in Table 21-D.

   (B)   The off street parking requirements for a use not specifically listed herein shall be the same as required for a use of a similar nature as determined by the Director of Planning and Development.

   (C)   All commercial or manufacture uses shall provide parking spaces, in addition to those provided herein, to accommodate all trucks and other vehicles used in connection therewith.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

   (A)   Any use that receives or distributes materials or merchandise by vehicle shall provide off-street loading spaces in accordance with the following requirements.

      (1)   In districts zoned B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and B-5, one loading space shall be provided for the first 15,000 square feet of net floor area in the building, and one additional space for each 15,000 square feet or fraction thereof of net floor space.

      (2)   In districts zoned M-1 and M-2, one off-street loading space shall be provided for each 10,000 square feet or fraction thereof of net floor space in the building.

   (B)   The following shall be applied in computing the number of off-street loading spaces that are required.

      (1)   Off-street loading spaces shall be provided for any new building constructed and for any new use established exclusive of residential use. Off-street loading spaces shall be provided for any addition or enlargement of an existing building or use or any change in occupancy or manner of operation that would require the additional loading spaces.

      (2)   The required loading space shall be located on the same lot or tract as the use that requires the loading space. All required loading spaces shall be maintained for the duration of the use requiring such areas. They shall not be used for the sale, display, or storage of merchandise, or for the storage, display or repair of vehicles or equipment.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01)

   (A)   A person who owns or controls private property used for parking may designate one or more parking spaces or a parking area for the exclusive use of vehicles transporting persons with disabilities.

   (B)   When designating a parking space or area for persons with disabilities, the person who owns or controls the property must conform to the standards and specifications adopted by the Commissioner of Licensing and Regulation pursuant to Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Art. 9102, § 5(c), as amended, relating to the identification and dimensions of parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

(Ord. 2001-36, passed 11-13-01; Am. Ord. 2005-07, passed 4-12-05; Am. Ord. 2006-14, passed 6-13-06; Am. Ord. 2006-40, passed 10-24-06; Am. Ord. 2016-24, passed 10-11-16; Am. Ord. 2017-28, passed 10-10-17)