Lathrop City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
76 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
§ 17.76.010 Purposes and application.
A.
In order to alleviate or prevent traffic congestion and shortage of curb spaces, off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided incidental to new land uses and major alterations and enlargements of existing land uses. The number of parking spaces and loading berths shall be in proportion to the need for such facilities as created by the particular type of land use. Off-street parking and loading areas are to be laid out in a manner which will ensure their usefulness, protect the public safety and, where appropriate, insulate surrounding uses from their impact.
B.
Provisions of this chapter are also intended to deal with problems, conditions and needs which are apparent in attempting to provide sufficient off-street parking facilities in areas of intense commercial development, including:
1.
The difficulty in assembling land by private means, including the often excessive time required;
2.
The varying financial capabilities and traffic generating characteristics among varying types of commercial enterprise;
3.
The importance of avoiding fragmented patterns of off-street parking facilities which may bear little relation to the needs of a commercial area as a whole;
4.
The importance of having regulations which will not inadvertently discourage private investment while alleviating or preventing traffic congestion;
5.
The importance of achieving a reasonable distribution of financial burden among private interests and the public at large consistent with their individual and collective responsibilities to provide off-street parking facilities.
(Ord. 92-73)
§ 17.76.020 Off-street parking facilities required.
A.
Definition. A "parking space" shall be an area for the parking of a motor vehicle, plus those additional areas and facilities required to provide for safe access to and from the space. The area set aside to meet these provisions must be useable and accessible for the type of parking need that must be satisfied.
B.
Special Limitations and Requirements in Residential Areas.
1.
In any residential district, no recreation vehicle, including motor home, camping trailer, boat trailer, boat, pick-up camper, fifth wheel or dune buggy or utility trailer shall be stored or parked except within an enclosed side or rear yard or within a garage or carport; no semi-truck and trailer, semi-truck, trailer or other truck exceeding one ton of capacity shall be parked within any residential district.
2.
In any residential district, all motor vehicles incapable of movement under their own power, other than in cases of emergency accident or breakdown, shall be stored in an entirely enclosed space, garage or carport. No more than one such vehicle shall be so stored at any time, and no more than one such vehicle shall be allowed to be under repair at any time. Parking on lawns or other areas in front yards, other than on a driveway, is prohibited.
C.
D.
Parking Space Schedule.
1.
Residential Uses.
a.
One-Family Dwellings. There shall be two spaces for each dwelling unit within a garage.
b.
Duplexes, Triplexes and Quadruplexes. There shall be two spaces for each dwelling unit within a garage.
c.
Multifamily Dwellings such as Townhomes, Condominiums, and Apartments. There shall be one covered space plus one additional space per dwelling unit. Guest parking shall be provided at 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit for projects with greater than eight dwelling units.
d.
Additional Parking for Multifamily Units. Except for driveways allowed in the front setback area of a garage or carport, all additional parking for two- or four-unit structures and multifamily units shall be to the rear or side of such units. If parking is located to the side of the units, the first parking space shall be to the rear of the front yard setback line.
e.
Housing for the Elderly. There shall be one space for each dwelling unit; provided, however, that sufficient space shall be set aside and incorporated into the site plan for the number of spaces prescribed under subsection (D)(1)(c) above in the event of a change of use to housing for the nonelderly.
f.
Private Clubs, Fraternity or Sorority Houses, Lodging and Rooming Houses. There shall be one space for each two houses.
g.
Motels, Hotels, Inns and Bed and Breakfast Establishments There shall be one space for each guest room, plus one space for each employee.
2.
Uses Within CN and CC Districts.
a.
For uses within an integrated shopping center located within a CN or CC district, involving a combination of three or more retail uses permitted within the CN district for which building area, off-street parking, off-street loading, landscaping, lighting and other features are developed, managed and maintained as if a single unit, there shall be three spaces for each 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area, or four spaces for each 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area if the center includes a supermarket.
b.
For other uses within a CN or CC district, the number of spaces otherwise required for the type of use.
3.
Other Commercial Uses—Industrial Use.
a.
Banks. One space for each 300 square feet of floor area.
b.
Offices (not including medically related or public administrative offices). One space for each 400 square feet of floor area.
c.
Retail Stores—Food. One space for each 150 square feet of floor area; mini-market food stores shall have one space for each 300 square feet of floor area for stores under 2,000 square feet of gross floor area.
d.
Retail Stores, Other than Food and Personal Establishments. One space for each 300 square feet of floor space.
e.
Retail Stores Which Handle Bulky Merchandise. Retail stores which handle primarily bulky merchandise, such as furniture, household appliances, motor vehicles, farm implements, machinery and bulk supplies shall have one space for each 600 square feet of floor area.
f.
Service Commercial Uses, Repair Shops and Wholesale Establishments. One space for each 800 square feet of floor area, plus one space for each employee and one space for each vehicle stored on the property for more than 24 hours.
g.
Commercial and Industrial Uses Conducted Primarily Outside of Buildings. One space for each employee of the maximum working shift, plus one space for each vehicle stored on the property for more than 24 hours.
h.
Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging. Two spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area.
i.
Warehouse, Storage and Distribution. One space for each 2,000 square feet of floor area.
4.
Utility Uses. For electrical distribution and transmission substations, gas regulator stations, public utility pumping stations, reservoirs, water or gas storage tank farms, sewage treatment plants and other public utility buildings and uses, there shall be one space for each two employees of the maximum working shift, plus one space for each vehicle stored at the site. Where the use is unmanned, one space for each service vehicle to be parked at the site.
5.
Health Uses.
a.
Medical Offices, Dental Offices and Clinics. For medical and dental offices and clinics, including (but not limited to) surgeons, general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, medical specialists, ophthalmologists, dentists, optometrists and similar medically related professions, there shall be three spaces for each practitioner, plus one space for each employee, or one space for each 250 square feet of floor area, whichever is greater.
b.
Rest Homes, Nursing Homes, Convalescent Homes and Homes for the Aged. One space for each employee of the daytime shift, plus one space for each four beds.
c.
Charitable and Religious Institutions. For charitable and religious institutions providing sleeping accommodations, there shall be one space for each employee and one space for each four beds.
d.
Hospitals. One space for each four beds and one space for each two employees of the maximum working shift, plus one space for each staff doctor.
6.
Places of Assembly.
a.
Cafés and Restaurants. For any café, restaurant or other establishment for the sale and consumption of food and beverages on the premises, there shall be one space for each four seats.
b.
Drive-In and Fast Food Restaurants. One space for each two seats, and one space for each employee of the maximum working shift.
c.
Auditoriums and Similar Establishments. For auditoriums (except school auditoriums), churches, mortuaries, sports arenas and stadiums, dance halls, private clubs and lodges, there shall be one space for each 50 square feet of floor area used for seating if seats are not fixed, or one space for each four seats, plus one space for each employee. School classrooms associated with a church do not require parking in addition to that required for church seating.
d.
Theaters (Indoor). One space for each four seats.
e.
Bowling Alleys. Four spaces for each alley, plus one space for each four seats devoted to restaurants and/or cocktail lounges, plus one space for each employee of the maximum working shift.
f.
Other Places of Assembly Without Fixed Seats. One space for each 50 square feet of floor areas used for assembly, plus one space for each employee of the maximum working shift.
7.
Educational Uses.
a.
Public and Private Elementary and Junior High Schools. One space for each employee, plus sufficient space for safe and convenient bus loading and unloading.
b.
High Schools. One space for each employee, one space for each 10 students, plus sufficient space for safe and convenient bus loading and unloading of students.
c.
Colleges. One space for each employee, plus one space for each five students enrolled.
d.
Nursery Schools and Day Care Centers. One space for each employee, plus sufficient space for safe and convenient loading and unloading of students enrolled.
e.
Business, professional and trade schools and colleges (including art, craft, music and dancing schools). One space for each employee, plus one space for each three adult students.
8.
Public Uses.
a.
For, city, county, special district, state and federal administrative offices, there shall be one space for each employee, plus one space for each 1,000 square feet of floor area.
b.
For public buildings and grounds other than offices and educational uses, there shall be one space for each employee of the maximum working shift plus the number of additional spaces prescribed by the planning commission.
9.
Transportation Terminals and Facilities. Airports, heliports, bus depots, taxi stations, railroad stations and yards shall have one space for each employee of the maximum working shift, plus sufficient space for the loading and unloading of passengers.
10.
Miscellaneous Uses. For a use not specified or covered by the above parking schedule, the same number of spaces shall be provided, as determined by the planning commission, as are required for the most similar use.
11.
Recreation Vehicle Parking Within Multifamily Developments. Recreation vehicle parking shall not be permitted within multifamily developments unless confined to an area designed for the purpose enclosed by a security fence, and located where it will have the least visual impact on the site as a whole. RV parking within yard spaces of individual dwelling units or multifamily structures shall be prohibited.
12.
Demonstrated Alternative Parking Requirements. Notwithstanding the parking requirements of subsections (D)(2) and (3) of the above schedule, an applicant shall be entitled to submit a parking formula for consideration and approval by the planning commission, which is based on a demonstrated satisfaction of parking requirements for the same or similar use at another location. Such alternative demonstration shall be submitted in writing, together with photographic and other evidence as may be necessary in support of the request. Evidence from a location outside of the city shall include a letter from the planning official having jurisdiction corroborating that the evidence supports the alternative formula.
E.
Units of Measurement.
1.
For purposes of this chapter, and with the exception of references to "gross floor area," the term "floor area" shall mean that floor area used, or intended to be used for direct service to the public as customers, patrons, clients or patients, or as tenants, including areas occupied by fixtures and equipment for the display and sale of merchandise. It shall not include areas used, principally for nonpublic use, including storage or administrative offices incidental to a commercial use.
2.
In outdoor or indoor places of assembly in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, each 24 lineal inches of each seating facility shall be counted as one seat for purposes of calculating off-street parking requirements.
3.
If, in the application of the requirements of this section, a fractional number is obtained, one parking space shall be provided for a fraction of one-half or more, and no parking space shall be required for a fraction of less than one-half.
F.
Change in Use, Additions and Enlargements. Whenever there is a change in use or increase in floor area, or change in other unit of measurement specified herein, and such change or increase creates a need for an increase in the number of off-street parking spaces by 20% or more, such increase in parking facilities shall be provided on the basis of the increased requirements of the new or enlarged use; provided, however, that in the event a change in use creates a need for an increase of two or less off-street parking spaces, no additional parking facilities shall be required.
G.
Remodeling. No additional off-street parking facilities shall be required solely because of the remodeling of an existing use or buildings unless there is a change in use, addition or enlargement for which additional facilities are required in accordance with subsection F above.
H.
Mixed Uses. In the case of mixed uses, the total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the several uses computed separately. Off-street parking facilities for one use shall not be considered as providing required parking facilities for any other use except as herein specified for joint use and uses within integrated shopping centers.
I.
Joint Uses. The community development director may, upon written application by the owner or lessee of any property, authorize the joint use of parking facilities by the following uses and activities, and under the conditions specified herein:
1.
Seventy-five percent of the parking facilities required for a use considered to be primarily a day-time use may be provided by the parking facilities of a use considered to be primarily a nighttime use, or the reciprocal.
2.
The following uses are typical daytime uses: banks, business offices, retail stores, personal services, manufacturing or wholesale uses and similar uses. The following uses are typical nighttime uses: dance halls, theaters, bars, auditoriums and restaurants that only serve dinners.
3.
The following are conditions required for joint use:
a.
The building or use for which application is made for authority to utilize the existing off-street parking facilities provided by another building or use shall be located within 200 feet from such parking facility.
b.
The applicant shall show that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the building or uses for which the joint use of off-street parking facilities is proposed.
c.
If the building, structure or improvement requiring parking space is in one ownership and the required parking space provided is in another ownership, partially or wholly, there shall be a recording in the office of the county recorder of a covenant by such owners for the benefit of the city, in a form approved by the city, that such owner or owners will continue to maintain such parking space so long as the building structure or improvement is maintained by the owner within the city. The covenant herein required shall stipulate that the title to and right to use the parcel or parcels upon which the parking space is to be provided will be subservient to the title to the premises upon which the buildings to be erected and that the parcel or parcels are not, and will not be made subject to any other covenant or contract for use without prior written consent of the city.
J.
Common Facilities. Common parking facilities may be provided in lieu of the individual requirements contained herein, but such facilities shall be approved by the planning commission as to size, shape and relationship to sites to be served. The total of such off-street parking spaces, when used together, shall not be less than the sum required for the various uses computed separately, except as follows:
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 16-355 § 1; Ord. 22-431 § 1; Ord. 24-455, 2/12/2024; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.76.030 Standards for off-street and on-street parking facilities.
Off-street parking facilities shall conform to the following standards:
A.
All parking areas shall have adequate ingress and egress to and from a street or alley. Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site. Bumper rails or other barriers shall be provided where needed for safety or to protect property, as determined by the public works director.
B.
Entrances and exits to parking lots and other parking facilities shall be provided only at locations approved under site plan review procedures of this code.
C.
Each parking space shall be not less than 20 feet and not more than 26 feet in length, except as allowed under Section 17.76.110(A) of this code, and nine to 12 feet in width, exclusive of aisles and access drives, except that up to 40% of all spaces may be provided for compact cars with such spaces not less than 17 feet in length and eight feet in width, and marked for compact cars. The length of a parking space may be reduced by two feet where the space heads into any one side of a curbed planter at least four feet in width for cars or on both sides of a curbed planter which is at least six feet in width. Spaces for the handicapped shall meet state standards.
D.
Parking lot lighting shall be deflected away from abutting sites so as not to cause annoying glare to such sites.
E.
A photometric plan shall be prepared for parking lots with five or more spaces. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosure/areas shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four foot-candles of light. The illumination shall not exceed 10 foot-candles in any one location.
F.
No commercial repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted on a parking site.
G.
The parking area, aisles and access drives shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dustless surface, and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water, with the design and specifications of such work subject to city standards and the approval of the director of public works.
H.
Parking lot design shall be consistent with the city of Lathrop design and construction standard details.
I.
Parking spaces shall not be allowed in tandem except where parallel parking is provided along a driveway having sufficient width for the purpose, or in the driveways of single-family houses or in parking lots operated as a commercial enterprise apart from any other use.
K.
At least one on-street parking space shall be provided for each single-family residence within any residential zoning district.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 98-164; Ord. 18-384 § 1; Ord. 21-418 § 14)
§ 17.76.040 Off-street loading facilities required.
In any district, in connection with every building or part thereof hereafter erected and having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods' display, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other use similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained, on the same parcel with such building, at least one off-street loading space, plus one additional off-street loading space for each 20,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area. This requirement shall also apply to two or more occupancies as listed in this section, which in the aggregate equals or exceeds the standards set forth for single occupancies.
(Ord. 92-73)
§ 17.76.050 Standards for off-street loading facilities.
Off-street loading facilities shall conform with the following standards:
A.
Each loading berth shall be of a length and width, and shall have an overhead clearance sufficient to accommodate fully the maximum size of vehicles used in loading or unloading operations.
B.
Sufficient room for the turning and maneuvering of vehicles shall be provided on the site.
C.
Entrances and exits shall be provided at locations approved under site plan review procedures of this code.
D.
The loading area, access drives and aisles shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dustless surface, and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water, with the design and specifications of such work subject to city standards and approval of the public works director.
E.
Bumper rails or other barriers shall be provided where needed for safety or to protect property, as determined by the public works director.
F.
If the loading area is illuminated, lighting shall be deflected away from abutting sites so as not to cause annoying glare to such sites.
G.
A loading area shall not be located in a required front yard. A loading area may be located in a required side or rear yard.
H.
No commercial repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in an off-street loading area.
(Ord. 92-73)
§ 17.76.060 Location of off-street parking and loading facilities.
Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be located on the same site with the use for which the berths are required or on an adjoining sites, except that within the CC District, off-street parking facilities may be located within 400 feet of the use for which the spaces are required, measured by the shortest route of pedestrian access. No off-street loading space shall be required where buildings are served by a public alley which is at least 20 feet in width.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.76.070 Screening, fencing and landscaping.
A.
Where an off-street parking area in a non-residential district adjoins a residential district, the visual interface between the parking area and such districts shall be designed and developed so as to avoid obtrusive visual impacts of the parking area on such districts.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 96-136; Ord. 19-405 § 1; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.76.080 Existing uses.
No existing use of land or structure shall be deemed to be a nonconforming use solely because of the lack of off-street parking facilities or off-street loading facilities prescribed in this subchapter; provided, however, that facilities being used for off-street parking and off-street loading at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall not be reduced in capacity to less than the number of spaces or berths or reduced to less than the minimum standards prescribed in this chapter. Where an existing use is expanded, the parking requirements of this chapter shall apply only to the addition.
(Ord. 92-73)
§ 17.76.090 Reduction of off-street parking and loading facilities.
No off-street parking or off-street loading facilities provided for a use of land or structure in compliance with this chapter shall be reduced in capacity or in area without sufficient additional capacity or additional area being provided to comply with the regulations of this chapter, except for residential projects for disabled persons as stated below. The approving entity for a project shall reduce parking requirements by no more than 20% for residential projects for disabled persons where the project applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the approving party that there is a reduction in parking need.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 16-365 § 1)
§ 17.76.100 Exceptions to off-street parking and loading requirements.
None of the provisions of this chapter which require the provisions of off-street parking and off-street loading spaces in connection with the use of property for commercial or industrial purposes shall apply to any parcel of property which is located within any vehicle parking district hereafter formed and existing under the provisions of any parking district act approved by the city council, and where parking and loading facilities provided by such district are determined by the city council to be adequate to serve the district.
(Ord. 92-73)
§ 17.76.110 Truck and recreational vehicle parking.
A.
The following highway oriented uses located within a CH or CC zoning district shall be subject to the following standards for the provision of parking for trucks and recreational vehicles:
1.
All highway oriented uses, as listed in Section 17.44.050(B)(1) of the zoning code, permitted in both the CH-highway commercial and CC-central commercial zoning districts shall provide truck/recreational vehicle parking stall(s) as deemed necessary by the community development director. The amount of truck/recreational vehicle parking stalls required shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
2.
Each truck/recreational vehicle parking stall shall be located as to provide adequate ingress and egress to and from the site.
3.
Each truck/recreational vehicle parking stall shall be striped on a dustless, impervious surface, 12 feet wide by 72 feet long.
(Ord. 96-136; Ord. 98-164; Ord. 16-355 § 1; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.76.120 Bicycle parking and storage standards.
A.
Applicability. Bicycle parking shall be required for commercial, professional office, and industrial users with 20 or more parking spaces, and for all public and quasi-public (institutional) uses.
B.
Number of Bicycle Parking Spaces Required.
1.
Commercial, professional office and industrial users: five percent of the total automobile parking spaces as required by this chapter.
2.
Public/quasi-public (institutional) uses: a minimum of five percent of the total automobile parking spaces as required by this chapter for these uses. A larger number of spaces may be required as determined by planning commission action as specified in the conditional use permit process (Chapter 17.112).
C.
Design.
1.
Bicycle racks shall be provided to accommodate all required bicycle parking spaces. Each rack shall consist of a stationary object to which the user can support the bicycle in a stable upright position and lock the bicycle into place.
2.
Bicycle racks shall be designed to provide at least an 18 inch clearance from the centerline of each bicycle on the left and right and at least 10 inches to walls or other obstructions.
3.
An aisle or other space shall be provided for bicycles to enter and leave the bicycle rack area. This aisle shall have a width of at least five feet to the front or rear of a standard six-foot bicycle parked in the rack.
4.
The bicycle rack area shall be situated at least as conveniently as the most convenient automobile parking area. Bicycle and automobile parking areas shall be separated by a physical barrier or by a sufficient distance to protect parked bicycles from potential damage from automobiles.
5.
Bicycle parking shall be located in highly visible, well lit areas to minimize theft and vandalism.
6.
Overhead coverage or rain shelters for bicycle parking areas are encouraged, but are not required by this code.
D.
Changing Facilities.
1.
Any new use which employs 100 persons or more (for all working shifts), shall provide changing facilities for employees/workers utilizing bicycles to get to and from the use.
2.
Changing facilities shall include a number of lockers located in a secure room equal to the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls required by this chapter.
(Ord. 96-136; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)