A.

Purpose. These regulations are intended to: (1) provide for off-street parking of motor vehicles attracted by the various land uses in the city; (2) ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public by preventing obstruction of rights-of-way and fire lanes; and (3) provide for properly designed parking facilities with adequate numbers of parking spaces in order to reduce traffic congestion, promote business and enhance public safety.

B.

Parking Required. Off-street parking is required for all land uses in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 618 § 1, Exh. A, 12-3-2024; Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Permits Required. Except for single-family and duplex residences, establishment of all off-street parking facilities shall be subject to approval of a site development permit in accordance with Section 9.210.010 unless the parking facilities were previously approved in conjunction with a conditional use permit or site development permit and no changes in intensity of use are being proposed. A grading permit shall also be required unless exempted under the city's grading code.

B.

Design Modifications Approved by Director. The director may, without notice or hearing, permit modifications to the design of parking lots.

(Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Entities Authorized to Provide Parking. Off-street parking may be provided for a particular land use by any or a combination of the following entities (so long as the appropriate guarantees described in subsection B of this section remain in effect):

1.

On property containing the use: The property owner, lessee or agent of the use for which the parking is required; or

2.

On an adjacent or nearby property under the same ownership: The property owner, lessee or agent of the use for which the parking is required; or

3.

On an adjacent property not under the same ownership: an approved adjacent property owner, lessee or agent who reserves spaces on a contract basis for the adjacent use; or

4.

On an adjacent or nearby property not under the same ownership:

a.

An approved private (for-profit or not-for-profit) parking company which reserves, sells, leases or rents adjacent or nearby parking spaces for that use, or

b.

An approved private parking association (such as in a shopping center) which creates and allocates parking spaces as credits or shares available to its subscribers/members to meet their parking requirements, or

c.

A duly authorized public entity (parking district, assessment district, or similar agency) among whose powers include the authority to acquire and make available parking spaces and maneuvering areas, pedestrian walkways, shade structures, landscaping and other improvements.

B.

Continuation of Off-Street Parking Required.

1.

The validity of any permit to use property shall be directly contingent on the continued provision and proper functioning of required off-street parking. Failure to continue to provide the required parking in the approved usable condition shall be reason for immediate revocation of all permits for use of the property on the grounds that such parking deficiency constitutes a threat to the public health, safety and welfare.

2.

The owner of any property for which off-street parking is required shall be directly responsible for the continued provision of such parking.

3.

The user of any property for which off-street parking is required shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that the continued provision of the required parking has been adequately guaranteed for a period of at least as long as the permitted use. Forms of guarantee which may be required by the city include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.

The inclusion of exclusive or joint use rights for the required parking spaces in the lease for structural space on the same property;

b.

A recorded covenant merging together two (2) properties under the same ownership which subordinates all other use claims and obligations to the provision of the required parking on the adjacent parcel;

c.

A contract for parking on other parcels, either:

i.

A non-cancellable provision, or

ii.

The earliest expiration or cancelable date for parking facilities occurring simultaneously with or after the time limit for the use requiring the parking, or

iii.

A bond or other acceptable equivalent instrument in favor of the city which guarantees, in the event of the contract cancellation, termination or expiration, suit, court jurisdiction or other occurrence which has the effect of rendering the required parking spaces unavailable, the continued provision of the required parking by means of alternate arrangements.

(Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Location.

1.

Residential Uses. Cars may be parked in the front yards of residential properties provided that the area in which the car is parked or stored is a driveway, pursuant to the driveway definition in Section 9.280.030. Required parking shall be located on the same parcel as the residential building which the parking serves, except that such parking may be located on an adjacent parcel if all of the following conditions are met:

a.

The adjacent parcel is and continues to be under the same ownership as that of the residential building;

b.

The parking is on that portion of the parcel where the erection of garages, carports or shade structures is permitted; and

c.

The placement and distribution of required parking spaces are such that for any dwelling unit, the assigned or reasonably available parking spaces are no further than one hundred (100) feet by walkway to the entry of that dwelling unit.

2.

Nonresidential Uses.

a.

Required parking shall be located on the same parcel as the use served, on an adjacent parcel or on a parcel across an alley. Required parking may also be located across a street (other than a major or primary arterial) provided a properly designed crosswalk connects the parking with the use(s) served.

b.

Required parking spaces shall be within three hundred (300) feet of the uses served by the parking and shall be located in a commercial district.

3.

Amended Provisions per Specific Plans. Amended provisions relating to parking location, configuration, and other matters may be imposed in conjunction with a specific plan.

B.

Accessibility.

1.

All required off-street parking spaces shall be designed, located, constructed and maintained so as to be fully usable and accessible at all times.

2.

Required off-street parking facilities and driveways shall not be used for any purpose which at any time would preclude the use of the area for the temporary storage of motor vehicles.

3.

Unless otherwise provided by an approved discretionary permit, no owner or tenant shall lease, rent or otherwise make unavailable to intended users any off-street parking spaces required by this chapter.

4.

Required parking spaces shall not be used for the storage of vehicles unless such storage is calculated into the required parking formula.

5.

No required parking spaces shall be used for the display of vehicles for sale unless part of a permitted vehicle sales use.

6.

If an area of parking is for park-and-ride programs, such area shall be in addition to the required parking area. If no additional area is provided for such purposes, the owner/operator of the parking lot shall arrange for part of the parking lot, at peak usage hours, to have encroaching parking removed by means of tickets and/or towing.

(Ord. 577 § 1, 2019; Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 505 § 1, 2012; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Method of Determination. Off-street vehicle parking requirements shall be determined and provided in accordance with this section when the subject building or structure is constructed or a use is established or changed. In determining such off-street parking requirements, the city may use the alternative methods described in this section. The city reserves the option of requiring the use of more than one (1) of these methods, depending on the type, size and mix of uses in a proposed development.

B.

In the Village Build-Out Plan Area, a reduction of fifty percent (50%) is allowed, and any variation of the parking standard can be approved by the director. No additional off-street parking is required for a change in nonresidential use. Development projects are required to provide all of the parking for residential development on-site, and a minimum of half the required spaces for commercial development on-site. Parking spaces required but not provided on-site can be provided through the preparation of a parking plan that can include:

1.

Use of on-street parking spaces immediately adjacent to the project.

2.

A shared parking agreement with adjacent property owner.

3.

A fair share contribution to the in lieu fee program.

4.

Other methods approved in a site development permit.

C.

Alternative Methods. Section 9.150.060 specifies the standard number of parking spaces required for most land uses. This schedule is required unless the applicant can show to the satisfaction of the city decision-making authority that it does not apply. Other alternative methods herein below may then be employed to determine the required parking spaces:

1.

A recognized authority's shared parking methodology for calculating the peak demand over time for parking in a development of mixed uses using the same parking facilities as specified in Section 9.150.070;

2.

A city methodology for calculating the parking demand for extremely complex or unusual uses or combinations of uses for which the standard schedule, a recognized authority's methodology and/or verifiable data are not applicable. Some or all of the following factors may be utilized in this methodology: expected numbers of occupants, employees, customers or visitors, vehicles stationed on the site, service and loading spaces required, handicapped spaces required, emergency access considerations and use of parking by unauthorized vehicles.

D.

Parking In-Lieu Program. The city may permit required parking spaces in the Village Build-Out Plan Area to be reduced through execution of a parking agreement, subject to the following requirements:

1.

A binding agreement, recorded against the property, between this city and the property owner. The agreement shall contain, at a minimum, all of the following:

a.

The agreement shall be binding upon the parties thereto, their heirs, successors and assigns, and shall run with the land;

b.

A payment schedule with a payment period not exceeding four (4) years. If an assessment/benefit or parking improvement district is established, the obligation of the property owner shall become due and payable under the terms of such district;

c.

A cash mitigation payment. The amount per space shall be established as determined by the planning and public works divisions, plus an inflation factor. The amount will be calculated at the time of agreement execution.

2.

An irrevocable offer from the property owner to participate in any future assessment/benefit or parking improvement district that may be formed in the VC or MU overly districts.

3.

The money collected may be released to a city-created parking assessment/benefit or parking improvement district, or may be used in the furtherance of general parking improvements in the VC or MU overlay districts, at the option of the city. Any financial obligation issued against such property shall be reduced accordingly to the amount of mitigation money paid at the time of the district formation.

4.

The property owner shall secure the mitigation payment by providing the city with a second deed of trust in the amount of the total mitigation payment.

E.

Incentive Based Parking Adjustments. In all districts, the following may result in a reduction in parking spaces of up to fifteen percent (15%), subject to approval by the planning commission:

1.

Permanent, non-vegetation shade structures covering fifty percent (50%) of all parking spaces.

2.

Increased landscaping and public spaces.

3.

Pedestrian improvements not located in the right-of-way or project driveways.

4.

Vehicular and nonvehicular connections between projects.

5.

Use of pervious surfaces for drainage, or creative drainage solutions.

6.

New commercial and mixed use development providing preferred parking locations for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.

7.

Developments that provide a minimum of two (2) parking spaces or of the minimum number of spaces, whichever is greater, for golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) shall receive a parking credit reduction equal to five percent (5%) of the standard parking spaces required for that development.

(Ord. 618 § 1, Exh. A, 12-3-2024; Ord. 562 § 1, 2017; Ord. 553 § 1, 2017; Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Reduction in Cumulative Spaces via Shared Parking. The cumulative parking spaces required for land uses in a given area may be less than the sum of the parking spaces for the individual uses in the area if the city approves a shared parking plan based on one (1) of the following:

1.

The approved parking plan was developed and designed based on parking demand established by means of the Urban Land Institute's "shared parking" methodology (as described in ULI: "Shared Parking," 1983) using locally adapted data which consider the Coachella Valley's seasonality and demographics.

2.

The approved parking plan was developed and designed based on the methodology for alternative parking demand determinations in accordance with Section 9.150.050.

3.

In cases where shared parking is desired but insufficient data is available to use either of the preceding methodologies, an experimental parking arrangement may be temporarily approved subject to all of the following conditions:

a.

Reasonably comparable data from similar joint uses demonstrates to the satisfaction of the city that the joint-use proposal is potentially workable;

b.

The joint uses are separated in time by a minimum of sixty (60) minutes and/or are for separate days;

c.

A fifteen percent (15%) excess capacity is provided to accommodate unforeseen miscalculation of peak use and/or separation of time;

d.

The joint time-shared use of parking facilities is a binding part of one (1) or more approved plans for the uses requiring the parking.

B.

Shared Parking Incentive. The approval of a shared parking plan shall entitle the project to an additional five percent (5%) FAR over the maximum FAR in the underlying district.

(Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Land Uses Not Listed. If no provisions for the required number of off-street parking spaces are set forth in Tables 9-11 or 9-12 of this section or the provisions are not clear for a specific use, the decision-making authority for the applicable use or project shall determine the number of parking spaces required.

B.

Parking for Residential Land Uses. Table 9-11 contains the minimum number of parking spaces required for each type of residential land use. Whenever any commercial or industrial use is located on a building site that is also used for residential purposes, parking facilities shall be provided in conformance with Section 9.150.070 (Shared Parking).

C.

Parking for Nonresidential Land Uses.

1.

Adequate Parking Required. All nonresidential land uses shall provide off-street parking in compliance with this subsection and with Table 9-12 unless modified by the provisions contained in Section 9.150.050. Table 9-12 sets forth the minimum and maximum requirements for each use. It shall be the responsibility of the developer, owner or operator of any use to provide adequate off-street parking.

2.

Bicycle Parking. In addition to the automobile parking spaces required per Table 9-12, bicycle parking shall be provided for certain nonresidential uses in accordance with subsection (C)(3) of this section.

Table 9-11 Parking for Residential Land Uses

Table 9-12 Parking for Nonresidential Land Uses

3.

Required Bicycle Parking. Bicycle parking shall be provided for certain nonresidential uses in order to encourage the use of bicycles and to mitigate motor vehicle pollution and congestion. The minimum bicycle parking requirements for nonresidential uses are as follows:

a.

Land uses required to provide bicycle parking equal to minimum three percent (3%) of the total parking spaces required per Table 9-12 include: video arcades, bowling alleys, cinemas/movie theaters, commercial recreation, tennis clubs, health clubs, libraries, schools, and skating rinks.

b.

Land uses required to provide a minimum of five (5) bicycle parking spaces include: churches, clubs/halls, hospitals and restaurants (all categories).

c.

Land uses required to provide a minimum of one (1) bicycle parking for every twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet of gross floor area include governmental, general, medical and financial office uses.

d.

In addition to the requirements of subsections (C)(2)(a) through (c) of this section, retail centers shall provide five (5) bicycle parking spaces for each tenant having over twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross floor area. The spaces shall be provided at or near the major tenant's main entry.

e.

Bike racks shall be placed in shaded locations, out of the way of pedestrian flows and shopping cart storage and shall be provided with a mechanism which permits locking a bicycle onto the rack.

(Ord. 618 § 1, Exh. A, 12-3-2024; Ord. 603 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 602 Exh. A, 2022; Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 528 § 3, 2016; Ord. 505 § 1, 2012; Ord. 361 § 1, 2001; Ord. 325 § 1, 1998; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Parking Layout and Circulation.

1.

No parking space shall be located within three (3) feet of any property line.

2.

With the exception of single-family detached, single-family attached and duplex residential uses, all parking bays shall be bordered by continuous curbs. Individual wheel stops shall not be permitted in lieu of such curbs.

3.

All driveways shall be designed for positive drainage.

4.

Parking bays with ten (10) spaces or more shall connect with other parking bays or drive aisles or shall provide a turnaround area at the end of the bay.

5.

Parking access ways are those driveways that provide ingress or egress from a street to the parking aisles, and those driveways providing interior circulation between parking aisles. No parking is permitted on an access way.

6.

Joint entry driveways are encouraged and shall be arranged to allow parking lot maneuvering from one (1) establishment to another without requiring exit to the street. Adjacent properties shall maintain agreements which permit reciprocal driveway connections across property lines.

B.

Parking Facility Design and Dimensions.

1.

Regular Space Dimensions. Regular vehicle spaces shall have the following minimum dimensions: width, nine (9) feet; length, seventeen (17) feet to curb plus two (2) feet overhang; where curbs are not provided, a minimum length of nineteen (19) feet is required.

2.

Compact Space Dimensions. Compact parking spaces can make up twenty percent (20%) of required parking spaces. Compact vehicle spaces shall have the following minimum dimensions: width, eight and one-half (8½) feet; length, sixteen (16) feet to curb plus one and one-half (1½) feet overhang; where curbs are not provided, a minimum length of seventeen and one-half (17½) feet is required. Compact vehicle spaces shall be clearly marked and distributed throughout the parking facility.

3.

End Spaces. Parking spaces at the end of a parking aisle against a curb or wall shall be widened by two (2) additional feet and/or shall have a backing-out pocket provided.

4.

Parallel Spaces. Spaces provided for parallel parking shall be a minimum of nine (9) feet wide and twenty-four (24) feet in length to permit room for maneuvering. If a wall or curb in excess of eight (8) inches in height is adjacent to the parallel parking space, the space shall be ten (10) feet in width. All end spaces confined by a curb shall be thirty (30) feet long.

5.

Support Posts. No support posts or other obstructions shall be placed within one and one-half (1½) feet of any parking stall, except that such obstructions are allowed adjacent to the stall within the first six (6) feet of the front of the stall, including any overhang area (see illustration).

6.

Parking Aisles. Table 9-13 contains minimum dimensions for parking aisles:

Table 9-13 Minimum Parking Aisle Dimensions

7.

Space Marking. All parking spaces in a residential or nonresidential parking lot shall be clearly marked with white or yellow paint or other easily distinguished material with each space marking consisting of a double four (4)-inch wide hairpin stripe, twelve (12) inches on-center.

8.

Residential Garages. Minimum interior dimensions in residential garages (wall-to-wall) shall be based on providing ten (10) feet in width and twenty (20) feet in depth, per required vehicle parking space. This applies to design of all required garage parking spaces, whether in a tandem parking or side-by-side configuration.

C.

Fire Lanes. Fire lanes shall be provided as required by the fire department.

D.

Pedestrian Circulation.

1.

All parking lots shall be designed to provide for the maximum safety and convenience of pedestrians in their movement to and from the parking area.

2.

Where possible, landscaped areas shall also contain paved pedestrian walks for the safe movement of pedestrians.

3.

On major driveways, crosswalks and sidewalks shall be provided.

4.

Textured surfaces, signs and speed bumps shall be used to keep vehicular speeds low.

E.

Loading and Other Service Facilities.

1.

Off-Street Loading Requirements. Table 9-14 shows the number and size of loading berths required to satisfy the standards set forth in this subsection. However, the planning commission may require more or less loading area if it determines such change to be necessary to satisfy the purpose set forth in subsection (E)(1)(a) of this section:

Table 9-14 Number of Loading Berths Required by Floor Area

a.

Each loading berth shall be not less than forty-five (45) feet in length and twelve (12) feet in width exclusive of aisle or maneuvering space, and shall have an overhead clearance of not less than fourteen (14) feet.

b.

Loading berths may occupy all or any part of any required yard space except front and exterior side yards and shall not be located closer than fifty (50) feet from any lot in any residential zone unless enclosed on all sides (except the entrance) by a wall not less than eight (8) feet in height. In addition, the planning commission may require screening walls or enclosures for any loading berth if it determines that such screening is necessary to mitigate the visual impacts of the facility.

c.

Off-street loading facilities shall be located on the same site as the use served.

d.

No area allocated to loading 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 facilities.

e.

No loading berth which is provided for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this section shall hereafter be eliminated, reduced, or converted in any manner below the requirements established in this title, unless equivalent facilities are provided elsewhere, conforming to this chapter.

F.

Parking Lot Surfacing.

1.

All parking areas shall be designed and built with positive drainage to an approved drainage conveyance. No ponding shall be permitted.

2.

All parking and maneuvering areas shall be paved with paving blocks or asphaltic or portland concrete over the appropriate asphaltic base. The structural section of the pavement and base material shall be commensurate with the anticipated loading and shall be calculated in accordance with the method promulgated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

G.

Valet Parking.

1.

Valet parking shall be reviewed by the planning commission in conjunction with the site development permit or other entitlement for the use or separately as a minor use permit per the procedures of Section 9.210.025.

2.

When valet parking is provided, a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the required parking area shall be designated and arranged for self-parking to prevent on-street parking and blocking of fire lanes.

H.

Shopping Cart Storage.

1.

Every use which utilizes shopping carts shall provide a shopping cart collection area or cart racks.

2.

Cart racks shall be distributed so that no parking space within the facility is more than one hundred (100) feet from the nearest cart rack in order to prevent parking spaces from being lost to the random abandonment of shopping carts.

3.

Each cart rack shall include either a steel frame or curbs on the lower side to contain the shopping carts.

4.

If sidewalks adjacent to stores are used for temporary storage of assembled shopping carts, such sidewalks shall be designed with extra width so that pedestrian flows are not blocked by shopping carts. The planning commission may also require a screening wall or landscape screening in front of such a cart storage area.

I.

Underground and Decked Parking.

1.

The minimum dimensions for underground, decked or covered parking shall be as required for uncovered surface area parking as specified throughout this section, except additional minimum dimensions may be required for specific circulation conditions or structural impediments created by the parking structure.

2.

Landscaping shall be incorporated into parking structures to blend them into the environment. This shall include perimeter grade planting and rooftop landscaping as deemed appropriate by the planning commission.

3.

Parking structures shall be subject to site development permit review in all cases.

4.

Multiple-level parking structures shall contain light wells (minimum dimensions: twenty (20) by twenty (20)), placed at least every two hundred (200) feet. The base elevation of the light well shall be landscaped.

5.

The planning commission may require that upper levels be set back from the level immediately below in order to minimize the apparent mass of the structure from the street.

J.

Lighting of Parking and Loading Areas.

1.

Illumination of parking and loading areas shall conform to the requirements of this subsection and Section 9.100.150 (Outdoor lighting).

2.

Light standard heights shall be as per manufacturer's recommended photo metrics, but in no case shall the height exceed the maximum permitted building height of the zone in which it is situated or eighteen (18) feet (measured from finish grade at the base of the standard), whichever is greater. Graduated light standard heights within a site with lower heights in peripheral areas may be required by the planning commission to provide compatibility with adjoining properties and streets.

3.

Average illumination levels at finish grade in parking areas which require lighting shall be between one (1) and two (2) foot-candles, with a maximum ratio of average light to minimum light of three (3) to one (1). Lighting plans shall take into account the placement and growth of landscape materials.

K.

Screening of Parking Areas.

1.

Screening Required. Except for single-family detached, single-family attached and duplex residential, all parking areas shall be screened by means of walls or other materials in accordance with this subsection.

2.

Height. Screening shall be a minimum of three (3) feet high adjacent to public streets or nonresidential uses and a minimum of six (6) feet high adjacent to residential uses, except that screening shall not exceed thirty (30) inches high where required for motorist sight distances as specified in Section 9.100.030.

3.

Screening Walls.

a.

Wall Materials. Walls shall consist of concrete, stucco, plaster, stone, brick, tile or similar type of solid material a minimum of six inches thick. Walls shall utilize durable materials, finishes, and colors consistent with project buildings.

b.

Wall Articulation. To avoid visual monotony, long straight stretches of wall or fence shall be avoided. Walls and fences shall be varied by the use of such design features as offsets (i.e., jogs), pilasters, open panels (e.g., containing wrought iron), periodic variations in materials, texture or colors, and similar measures. Screening walls or fences may also include open portions (tubular steel, wrought iron, etc.) if the city determines that the desired screening of parking areas and noise attenuation is still achieved.

c.

Wall Planting. Shrubs and/or vines shall be planted on one (1) or both sides of perimeter walls to add visual softening except where determined infeasible or unnecessary by the city. Where any parking or driveway abuts a wall on property within a residential or commercial district, a minimum three and one-half (3½) foot wide landscaped planter, with a curb, shall separate the parking area or driveway from the property line, unless a greater setback is required by any other provisions of this chapter.

4.

Other Screening Materials. In addition to walls, if approved by the decision-making authority, screening may consist of one (1) or a combination of the following materials:

a.

Plant Screens and Berms. Plant materials, when used as a screen, shall consist of compact evergreen plants or landscaped berms (earthen mounds). Such planting shall be of a kind or used in such a manner so as to provide screening with a minimum thickness of two (2) feet within eighteen (18) months after initial installation. Width of landscape strips and other landscaping standards shall be in accordance with subsection L of this section.

b.

Solid Fences. If permitted in the zoning district, a solid fence shall be constructed of wood or other materials with a minimum nominal thickness of two (2) inches and shall form an opaque screen.

c.

Open Fences. An open weave or mesh-type fence shall be combined with plant materials to form an opaque screen.

L.

Parking Facility Landscaping.

1.

Purpose. Landscaping of parking lots is beneficial to the public welfare in that such landscaping minimizes nuisances such as noise and glare, provides needed shade in the desert climate, and enhances the visual environment. Therefore, landscaping shall be incorporated into the design of all off-street parking areas in accordance with this subsection.

2.

Preservation of Existing Trees. Where trees already exist, the parking lot shall be designed to preserve as many such trees as feasible (in the opinion of the decision-making authority) in order to make the best use of the existing growth and shade.

3.

Screening. Screening of parking areas shall be provided in accordance with subsection K of this section.

4.

Perimeter Landscaping. Whenever any parking area, except that provided for single-family dwellings, adjoins a street right-of-way, a perimeter planting strip between the right-of-way and the parking area shall be landscaped and continuously maintained. The width of the planting strip, measured from the ultimate property line (i.e., after street dedication), shall be in accordance with Table 9-15.

Table 9-15 Required Perimeter Landscaping

5.

Interior Landscaping.

a.

Within open parking lots (i.e., not including parking structures) containing four (4) or more parking spaces, landscaping equal to at least five percent (5%) of the net parking area shall be provided within parking areas. Perimeter planting strips shall not be credited toward this interior landscaping requirement.

b.

All open areas between curbs or walls and the property line shall be permanently landscaped and continuously maintained.

c.

Interior landscaping shall be distributed evenly throughout the entire parking area.

d.

All landscaped areas shall be separated from adjacent parking or vehicular areas by a curb at least six (6) inches higher than the parking or vehicular area to prevent damage to the landscaped area.

6.

Parking Lot Shading. Canopy-type trees shall be placed so as to shade a portion of the total parking area within fifteen (15) years in accordance with Table 9-16.

Table 9-16 Required Parking Lot Shading

a.

A shade plan shall be submitted with detailed landscaping plans which show canopies after fifteen (15) years growth to confirm compliance with the above percentage requirements.

b.

Shade structures, such as trellises, may be credited for up to fifty percent (50%) of the required parking lot shading specified in Table 9-16.

c.

Tree locations should not interfere with required lighting of public areas or parking areas.

7.

Landscaped Planters. All planter beds containing trees shall be at least six (6) feet in width or diameter. All landscape planter beds not containing trees shall be at least three (3) feet in width or diameter.

8.

Curbs Required. All landscaped areas shall be separated from adjacent parking or vehicular areas by a curb or landscape planter at least six (6) inches higher than the parking or vehicular area.

9.

Irrigation. Effective full-coverage irrigation systems shall be installed and maintained in all landscaped areas so that landscaping remains in a healthy growing condition and in compliance with the approved plan. All dead vegetation shall be removed and replaced with the same size and species plant material. Hose bibs shall be placed at intervals of not less than two hundred (200) feet. Irrigation water shall be contained within property lines.

10.

Landscaping of Undeveloped Areas. All undeveloped areas within the interior of any parking area, such as pads for future development, shall be landscaped with appropriate plant material and maintained in good condition.

11.

Landscape Plans. Landscape plans shall be submitted in conjunction with grading and other development plans for all parking facilities with four (4) or more spaces, except for single-family detached, single-family attached and duplex residential. Plans shall include all planting, hardscape, irrigation and other items required by this subsection. Plant lists shall be included giving the botanical and common names of the plants to be used and the container size at time of planting.

M.

Nonconforming Parking. The continuation of uses with parking which does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter 9.150 shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 9.270 (Nonconformities).

(Ord. 577 § 1, 2019; Ord. 562 § 1, 2017; Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 505 § 1, 2012; Ord. 414 § 1, 2005; Ord. 361 § 1, 2001; Ord. 299 § 1, 1997; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

Handicap Parking Facilities Required. Public accommodations or facilities, including industrial, commercial, professional, institutional and multifamily dwellings of five (5) or more units, shall provide parking spaces for the physically handicapped in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

(Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)

A.

Continuation of Uses. A use which was a legal use on the effective date of this code shall be allowed to continue in operation at whatever parking ratio was in effect at the time the use was established, provided such use was properly permitted and parked in accordance with the regulations in effect at that time.

B.

Expansions and Additions. Unless otherwise provided in this code, any additional uses, intensifications of use, expansions or changes of use which generate a need for added parking shall comply with Chapter 9.150 (Parking). Only the changed portion of the use will be required to conform to said chapter unless an overriding public safety issue, confirmed by the planning commission and the city council, requires a redesign of the existing parking.

(Ord. 550 § 1, 2016; Ord. 284 § 1, 1996)