Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, areas suitable for parking or storing automobiles in off-street locations shall be required in all zoning districts at the time of the initial construction of any principal building; or when a structural alteration or other change in a principal building results in an increase in dwelling units, guestrooms, floor area, seating or bed capacity, or which changes the use so as to require more parking to serve such use, or when a change in use occurs. Such off-street parking area shall have direct access to a street or alley, and shall be landscaped in accordance with a plan as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-111)

The number of off-street parking spaces shall be calculated on the basis of the use of the land or principal building on a lot, according to requirements indicated in columns 2 and 3:

(Code 1994, § 5-4-112)

(a)

Location of off-street parking areas. Except as provided in section 5-4-113(h) and section 5-4-115, all parking spaces required herein shall be located on the same lot with the principal building or use or uses served.

(b)

Mixed uses. Where more than one (1) principal or accessory use, whether with the same or different parking requirements, occupy the same building or premises or in the case of joint use of a building or premises, by more than one (1) use having the same parking requirements, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.

(c)

Change in use, alteration of use, or extension of use. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with these regulations whenever a building or use is changed, altered, or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise.

(d)

Requirements for uses not specifically listed. The parking space requirements for a use not specifically listed in section 5-4-112 shall be the same as for a listed use of similar characteristics of parking demand, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

(e)

Compilation of total employment. Except as otherwise provided, the number of employees shall determined based on the maximum number of employees at the premises at any one time on an average day or average night, whichever number is greater. Seasonal variations in employment may be considered in determining an average day.

(f)

Fractional computation. Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next higher whole number.

(g)

Requirements for GC-2 district. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, off-street parking is permitted within the GC-2 district on any lot which contains at least one hundred twenty feet (120') of frontage on a public street. Any automobile parking pursuant to this section shall comply with the provisions of section 5-4-12(n) and (o). There shall be no off-street parking permitted for any lot within the GC-2 district which contains less than one hundred twenty feet (120') of frontage on a public street.

(h)

Parking spaces in public right-of-way in commercial districts. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the calculation of the number of parking spaces required in the commercial districts pursuant to section 5-4-112 may include any parking spaces in the public right-of-way that are located on the same side of the street and contiguous to the lot with the principal building or use or uses served.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-113; Ord. No. 2015-11, § 3, 9-29-2015)

Excluding aisles, maneuvering space, turnaround space, and drives, each required off-street parking area, lot, or other facility shall contain a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) square feet, nine feet (9') in width and twenty feet (20') in length for each automobile to be accommodated. Off-street parking spaces are not required to be paved. A scale drawing or layout of all required parking areas showing the location, size, and arrangement of the individual parking spaces, loading spaces, drives, lighting diagram and landscaped areas and the type of surface material used in the parking and drive areas shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for his approval.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-114; Ord. No. 2015-11, § 4, 9-29-2015)

Two (2) or more principal uses may utilize a common area in order to comply with off-street parking requirements, provided that the total number of individual parking spaces available in such common area is not less than the sum of the parking spaces required for the individual uses as separately computed in accordance with the provisions of this section, and provided that where such space is not located on the same lot as the principal use or uses, the owner of such space relinquishes through a covenant agreement with the City his development rights over the property until such time as parking space is provided elsewhere or on the same premises as the principal use.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-115)

Areas suitable for loading and unloading motor vehicles in off-street locations and specifically designated for such purpose, shall hereafter be required at the time of the initial construction or alteration or conversion of any building or structure used or arranged to be used for commercial, industrial, governmental, or multifamily residential purposes. Such off-street areas shall have access to a public alley or street and shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the following requirements, the computation of which shall not be included in the off-street parking requirements.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-116)

The number of off-street loading spaces shall be calculated on the basis of the use of the land or principal building on a lot, according to the requirements indicated in this section.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-117)

Each off-street loading and unloading space required by the provisions of this chapter shall be at least twelve feet (12') wide, forty feet (40') long and fourteen feet (14') high. Such space shall be clear and free of obstruction at all times.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-118)

Required off-street loading and unloading areas must be located on the same lot or parcel of land as the structure they are intended to serve. In no case shall the required off-street loading space be considered as part of the area provided to comply with off-street parking requirements as stated herein.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-119)

All uses, whether or not specified in this chapter, shall provide off-street loading areas. Loading areas shall be located so that no vehicle being loaded or unloaded in connection with normal operations shall obstruct or project into a public street, walk, alley or way.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-120)