Homestead City Zoning Code
PART 10
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 27-1001 Application.
1.
Unless specifically exempted by the provisions of this chapter, all structures built and all uses established hereafter shall provide off-street parking areas in accordance with this chapter.
2.
When an existing structure or use is expanded, parking spaces for the area or capacity devoted to expansion shall be required in accordance with this chapter.
3.
An expansion or alteration of an existing use, or a subdivision or combination of zoning lots, shall not result in the elimination of any existing required off-street parking spaces.
§ 27-1002 General provisions.
1.
Open parking. Open-air parking areas shall be located on a zoning lot in accordance with the provisions of the district regulations and applicable regulations for accessory use (§ 27-503).
2.
Enclosed parking. Enclosed parking facilities containing off-street parking shall be subject to the area and dimensional requirement applicable to principal structures in the zoning district, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
4.
Repair and service. No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be in association with any off-street parking facilities.
5.
Overnight parking. There shall be no overnight parking or storage permitted in any parking or loading areas required for commercial retail, business or professional uses.
§ 27-1003 Design and maintenance.
1.
Size. The minimum dimensions for a conventional parking space shall be nine feet in width by 18 feet in length, exclusive of curbs and maneuvering space, except as follows
2.
Design. Each parking space shall open directly onto an aisle or driveway with a minimum dimension in agreement with the following.
Aisle Width Parking Angle | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angle of Parking (degrees) | ||||||
0 (parallel) | 30 | 45 | 60 | 90 | ||
1-way traffic | 13 ft. | 13 ft. | 13 ft. | 18 ft. | 24 ft. | |
2-way traffic | 19 ft. | 20 ft. | 21 ft. | 23 ft. | 24 ft. | |
3.
Driveway width. Excluding curb offset, parking lot driveways shall not be less than 10 feet or exceed 15 feet in width for one-way traffic, and less than 18 feet or exceed 30 feet in width for two-way traffic, except that twelve-foot-wide driveways are permissible for two-way traffic as follows.
4.
Driveways and aisles for other than single-, two-family or individual townhouse dwellings shall be designed so that each vehicle may have ingress and egress from the space without moving any other vehicle. All accessways shall be designed so as to provide safe exit and entrance from the public street, in accordance with the following
A.
Width of driveway/accessway at entrance onto public street (at the edge of the cartway)*.
1-Way Use | 2-Way Use | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum | 12 feet | 20 feet |
Maximum | 35 feet | 50 feet |
*Unless a different standard is required by PennDOT for an entrance to a state road. |
C.
Driveways on one lot. On any one lot a maximum of two driveways per 500 feet of lot frontage.
D.
See § 27-501.3C, Clear sight distances at intersections.
5.
Surfacing. All parking areas, including those for single- and two-family dwellings, shall be graded and paved or otherwise improved with an all-weather, dustless material of asphalt, concrete, grouted brick, paving blocks or similar materials approved by the Borough.
6.
Striping. Parking areas providing for 10 or more vehicles shall be striped to outline the entire parking space with a durable paint and maintained in said manner.
7.
Permits. Access drives entering state highways are subject to a state highway occupancy permit issued by PennDOT. Access drives entering a county road shall be approved by Allegheny County. The required permits shall be obtained prior to the commencement of any construction.
8.
Screening. In all zoning districts, open off-street parking areas containing more than 15 parking spaces shall be effectively screened on each side by a wall, fence or densely planted compact evergreen hedge not less than three feet in height. Parking areas shall be arranged and designed so as to prevent damage to, or intrusion into, such wall, fence or hedge. Clear sight triangles, as defined by this chapter, shall be maintained. Open parking areas for 50 or more cars shall be interspersed with land forms or other appropriate landscape or planted areas. See Part 16 for landscaping requirements for off-street parking in the WDD.
9.
Lighting.
A.
Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas and driveways shall be directed away from residential properties or public streets in such a way as not to interfere with such uses. All light sources shall be properly diffused as needed with translucent or similar cover to prevent exposed bulbs from being directly visible from streets, public sidewalks, dwellings or adjacent lots.
B.
The lighting system shall furnish minimally an average of two footcandles during hours of operation. Maximum average light level is 25 footcandles. At any given point, light levels shall not exceed 80 footcandles at ground level, unless otherwise approved by Borough Council.
10.
Stormwater management. All paved parking areas shall be designed so that stormwater runoff shall not affect adjacent properties. The method of stormwater management and the design of the proposed facilities shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development, and § 27-702 of this chapter.
§ 27-1004 Shared use of parking spaces.
1.
Two or more uses may share a common parking area, provided that the total spaces equal or exceed the sum of the spaces required for each use individually. However, the Planning Commission may approve a shared parking plan which permits a reduction in this total subject to the following:
Shared Parking Formula Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
(1) | The intent of these shared parking requirements is to permit a reduction in the total number of required parking spaces when a parcel is occupied by two or more uses which typically do not experience peak parking demands at the same time. | |
(2) | When any land or building is developed under unified control with a single development plan for two or more uses, as listed below, the minimum total number of required parking spaces shall be determined by the following procedures: | |
(a) | ||
(b) | Add the resulting sum for each of the five vertical columns for the table. The minimum parking requirement is the highest sum resulting from the foregoing addition. | |
The maximum reduction under this provision shall be 25%. | ||
Shared Parking Calculation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weekday | Weekend | |||||
Use | Night Midnight to 6:00 a.m. | Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Evening 6:00 p.m. to Midnight | Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Evening 6:00 p.m. to Midnight | |
Residential | 100% | 60% | 90% | 80% | 90% | |
Office | 5% | 100% | 10% | 10% | 5% | |
Commercial, retail | 5% | 70% | 90% | 100% | 70% | |
Hotel, freestanding | 80% | 80% | 100% | 80% | 100% | |
Restaurant | 10% | 50% | 100% | 50% | 100% | |
Bars, lounges or nightclubs | 10% | 40% | 100% | 80% | 100% | |
Movie theaters | 10% | 40% | 100% | 80% | 100% | |
Others | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
(3) | All uses shall be located within 350 feet of the shared parking spaces and connected by safe pedestrian access. Shared parking spaces shall not be located in a zoning district where the principal use which the parking serves is not an authorized use or where parking is not authorized as a principal use. |
(4) | A written agreement shall be executed between the landowners and the Borough assuring the continued availability of the joint parking spaces to all proposed uses. |
2.
This joint parking provision shall not apply to shopping centers.
3.
Any change or expansion of the uses sharing the shared parking area shall require a new review by the Planning Commission and may result in additional spaces being required and a revised agreement with the Borough.
4.
Continued compliance with an approved joint parking plan shall be a condition of occupancy; any violation thereof may result in the suspension or revocation of the certificate of occupancy.
§ 27-1005 Off-site parking facilities.
1.
Off-site parking facilities. The Planning Commission may approve a plan for providing all or some of the required off-street parking spaces on a lot other than the lot where the principal use is located, provided the following:
A.
Both lots are held in the same ownership, or a lease has been executed for the spaces which guarantees their availability for as long as the use exists. Evidence of ownership or a copy of a lease shall be filed with the Borough.
B.
The off-site parking spaces are located within 350 feet distance from the entrance to the principal use and connected by a safe pedestrian walkway. Off-site parking spaces shall not be located in a zoning district where the principal use which the parking serves is not an authorized use or where parking is not authorized as a principal use.
C.
The continued availability of the approved off-site parking shall be a condition of occupancy for the principal use which they serve; any violation thereof may result in suspension or revocation of the principal use's certificate of occupancy.
§ 27-1006 Required spaces by type of use.
The following shall be the minimum number of parking spaces required; additional spaces may be required by the Borough as a result of the development application review.
Use Type | Minimum Required Spaces |
|---|---|
Single-, two-family, triplex, quadruplex, townhouse dwellings | 4 or fewer bedrooms: 2 per dwelling unit; 5 or more bedrooms: 3 per dwelling unit |
Elderly housing | 0.5 per dwelling unit |
All other multifamily dwellings | 1 per dwelling unit |
Commercial uses Retail or service commercial, unless specifically listed | 1 per 200 square feet GFA |
Bank, financial institution | 1 per 200 square feet GFA |
Business and professional offices, other than medical or dental offices | 1 per 300 square feet GFA |
Medical or dental offices | 1 per examining room, plus 1 for each 2 chairs in waiting room, plus 1 per physician and staff member on peak shift |
Eating and drinking establishments | 1 per 3 seats at tables and 1 per 2 employees |
Sit down: Fast-food | 1 per 200 square feet GFA designed for use in servicing customers plus 1 per employee on peak shift |
Funeral home/mortuary | 1 per 3 seats in any chapel or seating area and not less than 5 spaces for each viewing area or room |
Gasoline service station, vehicular repair garage | 2 spaces per service bay or station, plus 1 per employee on peak shift |
Hotel or motel | 1 per guest room, plus 1 per employee on peak shift, plus parking requirements for any restaurant, bar or other facilities as required by this chapter |
Private school for art, music, crafts, dance, etc. | 1 per staff member, plus 1 per 3 students |
Theater | 1 per 3 seats |
Veterinary clinic | 1 per examining room, plus 1 for each 2 chairs in waiting room, plus 1 per veterinarian and staff member on peak shift |
Commercial recreation | |
Bowling alleys | 4 per alley |
Marina | 2 per boat slip, plus 1 per employee |
Swimming pools, swim clubs | 1 space per 4 persons up to capacity |
Tennis, racquetball, handball and other courts | 2 spaces per court |
Wholesale, warehouse, garden center, similar uses | 1 per 1,500 sq. ft. gross floor area, plus 1 per 300 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space |
Shopping center | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. of leasable area |
House of worship | 1 per 3 fixed seats or 90 linear inches of pew |
Private clubs and lodges | 1 per 150 square feet GFA |
Recreation, public or nonprofit | 1 per 4 persons of maximum design capacity for the facility |
Community center, other indoor places of assembly | 1 for each 100 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
Libraries/museums | 1 for each 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Day-care center | 1 for each teacher and employee on largest shift, plus 1 space per 6 students |
Public utility buildings | 1 per employee on peak shift, plus 1 for each service vehicle stored on lot |
Schools, elementary and junior high | 1 for each employee and faculty member |
Schools, secondary and post secondary | 1 for each employee and faculty member, plus 1 for each 10 students |
School, business/professional | 1 for each student plus 1 for each instructor and employee |
Hospitals | 1 per 3 beds and 1 for each employee on the peak working shift |
Nursing home | 1 per 6 beds and 1 for each employee on the peak working shift |
Group care facility, personal care boarding home, transitional dwelling | 1 for each employee on peak shift, plus 1 for each resident authorized to drive a vehicle, plus 1 for each 6 beds |
Industrial uses | 1 per 1.2 employee, based on the maximum number of employees on-site at peak period of times (including any overlapping shifts), plus 1 visitor space for every 10 managers on the site |
Self-storage development | 1 per 15 storage units, plus 1 for each employee on the peak working shift |
All other uses | 1 for each 3 occupants at maximum permitted occupancy or one for each 300 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
§ 27-1007 Calculation of required parking spaces.
1.
When calculating the required number of spaces, any fraction of a space shall be considered an entire space.
2.
In the case of a single-family or two-family residence or townhouse unit, a driveway for the dwelling may count as one off-street parking space, provided that such parking does not block access to parking or sidewalk for another dwelling.
§ 27-1008 Exemption of required parking spaces.
1.
In the C-1 and C-2 Districts, all uses, other than residential, may be exempted from providing the parking required by Subsection 3, in accordance with the following formula:
Gross Floor Area | Amount of Requirement Exempted |
|---|---|
5,000 square feet or less | 100% |
5,001 to 25,000 square feet | 50% |
25,001 square feet or greater | 0% |
2.
The exemptions established by this section shall apply without regard to the bases for calculating the number of required parking spaces.
3.
If the Borough of Homestead acquires, by condemnation, purchase or otherwise, for the Borough's own use, any land theretofore used to provide parking spaces for any property, then the property so deprived of parking spaces shall be exempt from the requirements of this Part to the extent set forth in a resolution duly adopted by the Council of the Borough of Homestead. Such exemption shall be in effect until a change in the use of the property, a change in the ordinances of the Borough of Homestead or a change in other circumstances makes it possible for the property, as used, to comply with the then-existing parking requirements.
§ 27-1009 Handicapped parking.
1.
Location. Parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be located as close as possible to ramps, walkways, entrances and elevators. Where feasible, these parking spaces shall be located so the physically handicapped are not forced to wheel or walk across main traffic lanes or behind parked cars to reach the ramps and other facilities. The spaces shall be situated in those areas of the parking lots located nearest to each primary building entrance.
2.
Area. Each handicapped parking space shall contain a rectangular area of 18 feet long by eight feet wide and must have a five-foot-wide demarcated accessible aisle adjacent to it. One out of every eight handicapped accessible spaces shall provide an eight-foot-wide space with an eight-foot-wide accessible aisle for van access. At a minimum, there shall be no less than one van accessible parking space.
3.
Accessible passenger loading zones shall have a minimum area of 20 feet in length by eight feet in length. A five-foot accessible aisle shall be adjacent to the loading space.
4.
Required number of spaces. The following number of parking spaces shall be reserved for the physically handicapped:
Required Spaces for the Physically Handicapped | |
|---|---|
Total Parking Spaces in Lot* | Required Number (minimum)* |
Up to 25 | 1 |
26 to 50 | 2 |
51 to 75 | 3 |
76 to 100 | 4 |
101 to 150 | 5 |
151 to 200 | 6 |
201 to 300 | 7 |
301 to 400 | 8 |
401 to 500 | 9 |
501 to 1,000 | 2% of total |
Over 1,000 | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 |
* Medical outpatient facilities shall provide accessible spaces in a number equal to 10% of the total number of required parking spaces. | |
* Medical facilities which specialize in the treatment of mobility impairments shall provide accessible spaces in a number equal to 20% of the total number of required parking spaces. |
5.
Identification. Parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be identified by signs, 70 square inches and bearing the symbol for accessibility, located so they cannot be obscured by a vehicle parked in the space. The sign shall state that the space is reserved by law for the physically handicapped. The Borough Council may also require that painted pavement markings containing the accessibility symbols be provided in addition to the required sign.
6.
Ramps. Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
Slope and rise. The least possible slope shall be used for any ramp. The maximum slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12. The maximum rise for any run shall be 30 inches. Curb ramps to be constructed on existing sites or in existing buildings or facilities may have slopes and rises is accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act § 4.1.6.(3) (a) if space limitations prohibit the use of a 1:12 slope or less.
B.
Clear width. The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36 inches.
7.
Curbs. Curb cuts shall not be less than four feet wide and shall have a grade not more than one foot in 12 feet.
A.
Curb cuts shall be provided within 30 feet of each accessible entrance to the structure, at all pedestrian walk intersections and elsewhere to provide reasonably direct circulation within each development. Where a curb cut is provided at an intersection quadrant, curb cuts shall be provided at the opposite quadrants along the involved crosswalks.
B.
The curb cuts shall be not more than 150 feet apart.
8.
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be scored or textured to indicate the location of doors to blind persons.
9.
Storm drains. Storm drains, grates and similar devices shall not be located within the required area of access for the physically handicapped.
10.
Grade. The grade of parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall not be more than one foot in 20 feet. The grade for the parking facility shall provide positive drainage with no slopes less than 2%.
§ 27-1010 Off-street loading requirements.
1.
Application.
A.
In any zoning district, all structures and uses which utilize the receipt or distribution of materials or products by trucks or similar vehicles shall provide accessory off-street loading spaces as required by this section.
B.
When an existing structure is expanded, accessory off-street loading spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following regulations for the area of such expansion. No existing required off-street loading spaces shall be eliminated or reduced by an expansion or alteration of an existing use or subdivision or combination of zoning lots.
C.
Off-street loading requirements shall not be modified unless approved by Borough Council.
2.
General provisions.
A.
Location. All required loading spaces or berths shall be located on the same lot as the use served, and no portion of the vehicle shall project into any traffic lane. All motor vehicle loading berths which abut or are adjacent to a residential district or use shall be completely screened therefrom by building walls or a uniformly painted solid fence, wall, door, planted screen, or any combination thereof, not less than six feet nor more than eight feet in height. No access to a permitted or required loading space or berth shall be located within 30 feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two public streets or highways. No loading space or berth shall be located in a required front yard, and any loading space or berth located in a required rear yard shall be open to the sky. Where a property has frontage on two public streets, access to the required loading berths shall be provided from the street with the lower volume of traffic.
B.
Area. Unless otherwise specified, a required off-street loading space shall be 14 feet in width by at least 55 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 16 feet. The required length may be reduced by 10 feet if the applicant certifies that the off-street loading use will only be single-unit trucks or smaller.
C.
Access. Each required off-street loading space shall be designated with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street, highway or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movement.
D.
Surfacing. All open off-street loading shall be improved with a compacted select gravel base, not less than seven inches thick, surfaced with an all-weather dustless material and shall be graded for positive drainage to dispose of surface water.
E.
Repair and service. No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with any off-street loading facilities.
F.
Utilization. Space allocated for any off-street loading berth shall not be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facilities or portions thereof.
3.
Required off-street loading spaces.
A.
Required off-street loading spaces shall be as follows:
Use | Required Berth (based on gross floor area) |
|---|---|
Wholesale, warehouse, building supply, garden center, similar uses | 1 berth for every 10,000 square feet up to a maximum of 3 berths, then 1 berth for each additional 25,000 square feet or fraction thereof |
Business and professional offices | None required for the first 10,000 square feet, then 1 berth for every 10,000 square feet, not exceeding a total of 2 required stalls |
Food stores and other retail stores | 1 berth for every 5,000 square feet up to a maximum of two berths, and then 1 berth for every additional 20,000 square feet or fraction thereof |
B.
Uses for which off-street loading facilities are required by this section, but which are located in buildings that have a floor area that is less than the minimum for which off-street loading facilities are required, shall provide adequate receiving facilities, accessible by motor vehicle, from any adjacent alley, service drive or open space on the same lot, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.