It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by requiring off-street parking and loading facilities in order to reduce the number of traffic accidents and to lessen traffic congestion.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   (a)   Any time a structure and/or use of land in any district is erected, enlarged and/or increased in capacity or use, off-street parking and loading spaces for automobiles and delivery vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

   For structures and/or uses constructed or established after the effective date of this Zoning Code, words such as erected, enlarged and/or increased in capacity or use mean cumulative changes and/or enlargements in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity and/or similar impacts that will create a need for an increase of ten percent or more in the number of existing parking spaces.

   For structures and/or uses existing prior to the effective date of this Zoning Code, words such as erected, enlarged and/or increased in capacity or use mean cumulative changes and/or enlargements in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity and/or similar impacts that will create a need for an increase of fifty percent or more in the number of existing parking spaces. Once so created, enlarged and/or increased in capacity and/or use, such prior existing structure and/or use shall be considered to be constructed or established after the effective date of this Zoning Code, for the purposes of this chapter. This plan requirement is not to be effective in the downtown Historic District area, as defined in Section 1464.06(a) of these Codified Ordinances.

   (b)   A parking plan shall be required for all structures and/or uses that are required to provide more than five parking spaces. The parking plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator as a part of the application for a zoning permit. The plan shall show the boundaries of the property, the proposed facilities (such as parking spaces, loading spaces, entrances and exits, circulation areas and patterns, drainage facilities and boundary walls and/or fences) and a screening plan (when required).

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 150-99. Passed 7-1-99; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   All off-street parking facilities (including parking spaces, entrances and exits, circulation areas and patterns, drainage facilities , boundary walls and/or fences) shall be provided in accordance with the following standards and specifications:

   (a)   Parking Space Dimensions. Each required off-street parking space for passenger vehicles, except in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts, shall have a minimum area of 200 square feet, measuring 10 feet by 20 feet, exclusive of aisles or drives, and shall be designed for adequate ingress and egress. In R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts, each required off-street parking space for passenger vehicles shall have a minimum area of 180 square feet, measuring either 9 feet by 20 feet or 10 feet by 18 feet, which may be part of the driveway.

   (b)   Access Drives and Aisles. There shall be adequate provisions for ingress and egress to all parking spaces. Where the lot or parking spaces do not provide direct access to a public street or alley, an access drive shall be provided, with a described easement of access, as follows:

 

   (c)   Interior Landscaping. Any open vehicular use area, except loading and unloading, and storage areas in a Business or Manufacturing District consisting of 20 or more vehicular parking spaces shall have interior landscaping.

   (d)   Setbacks. Although not preferred, the location of off-street parking facilities for more than five parking spaces may be located in required yards, notwithstanding the requirements specified in the Official Schedule of District Regulations provided in Section 1248.07. However, no off-street parking area shall be located closer than three feet to any property line, building, right-of-way or easement, and no off-street parking area shall be located in the clear sight zone of a corner lot or intersection covered by Section 1250.11, unless a variance is granted.

   (e)   Screening. Off-street parking facilities that provide for more than five parking spaces shall include screening on any side of a parking area that abuts any residential use or Residential District. Screening shall comply with the requirements of Section 1250.15 and Chapter 1270.

   (f)   Paving.  

      (1)   All required spaces in a parking area (together with all driveways and other circulation and drainage areas) shall have an all-weather surface, except for uses within any Manufacturing District (as long as no part of the parking area is closer than 100 feet to any Residential District).

      (2)   Community-related parking areas that are not used daily (such as auditoriums, sports fields, assembly areas, community meeting facilities and/or recreational areas) may use crushed stone or other suitable materials, provided that paved areas shall be provided for all parking areas that are used and/or meant to be used daily, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

      (3)   Where paving is not required, proper dust control measures shall be undertaken and maintained.

   (g)   Drainage.

      (1)   All parking spaces (together with all driveways, aisles and other circulation and drainage areas) shall be graded and drained to prevent the accumulation of water on-site (except for storm water retention ponds designed for this purpose) and/or to prevent the drainage of surface water onto adjacent properties and/or walkways.

      (2)   Adequate arrangements shall be made to ensure acceptable diversion to an adequate storm water drainage system, in accordance with Section 1228.05.

   (h)   Barriers. Wherever a parking area extends to within three feet of a property line, building, right-of-way and/or easement, there shall be provided fencing, wheel stops, curbs or other suitable barriers, in order to prevent any part of a parked motor vehicle from extending into the three-foot off-set.

   (i)   Visibility. Driveway access for parking areas shall be located in such a way that any vehicle entering or leaving such parking area shall be clearly visible for at least 25 feet in any direction by any pedestrian or motorist approaching the access or driveway from a walkway, street or alley.

   (j)   Maintenance. Any owner of property used for parking areas shall maintain such areas in good condition (without holes) and free of all dust, trash and other debris.

   (k)   Signs and Pavement Markings. Where necessary due to multiple curb cuts in the vicinity or where there are 15 or more parking spaces, the parking area shall be clearly marked and/or signed to indicate parking spaces, entrances, exits and the intended circulation pattern. Parking areas containing six or more spaces shall be marked with paint lines (or in some other manner approved by the Zoning Administrator), which shall be maintained in a clearly visible condition.

   (l)   Lighting. Any lights used to illuminate a parking lot shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the adjoining property. Lights shall be required for any use that operates after 6:00 p.m. or provides 20 or more parking spaces.

   (m)   Location.  

      (1)   All off-street parking shall be located within 300 feet of the use served by the parking, preferably on the same lot, on an abutting property or on a joint parking facility that satisfies the required parking facilities for several properties.

      (2)   All parking in a B-3 District shall be behind the building, in accordance with existing buildings.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   In computing the number of parking spaces required by this Zoning Code, the following rules shall apply:

   (a)   Where floor area is designated as the standard for determining parking space requirements, the net floor area shall apply.

   (b)   Where seating capacity is the standard for determining parking space requirements, the definition of "seat," as provided in Section 1240.10, shall apply, except where a greater usage is indicated by occupancy standards that are set by the Ohio Fire Code, as adopted in Section 1610.01 of the Fire Prevention Code.

   (c)   Fractional numbers shall be increased to the next larger whole number.

   (d)   The parking space requirements for a use not specified in this Zoning Code shall be determined by following the procedure for "substantially similar uses" provided in Chapter 1256.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   Joint or collective provision of required off-street parking areas shall comply with the following standards and requirements:

   (a)   No such parking area shall be located more than 300 feet from the front door or entrance of the structure and/or use that requires the parking.

   (b)   Not more than 50% of the parking spaces required for evening-oriented uses (such as theaters, auditoriums, bowling alleys, dance halls, night clubs and taverns), and not more than 75% of the parking spaces required for weekend-oriented uses (such as churches), may be provided and jointly used by daytime-oriented and/or daily-oriented uses (such as banks, offices, retail stores, repair shops and/or service establishments).

      (1)   An evening-oriented use and a weekend-oriented use shall be permitted to share a joint facility only when the facility contains enough parking spaces to satisfy the combined individual requirements for both uses.

      (2)   The joint use of parking spaces associated with pre-schools, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools and/or high schools is specifically prohibited.

   (c)   A written agreement shall be submitted that ensures the retention of the approved parking area for such purposes. This agreement shall be approved as to form by the Law Director, executed by the parties concerned and retained by the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92.)

   Establishments that, by their nature, create lines of customers waiting in automobiles to be served, shall provide off-street storage areas in accordance with the following requirements:

   (a)   Retail businesses (such as photo pick-ups, restaurants and/or drive-through beverage docks), that normally can serve customers in three minutes or less, shall provide no less than five storage spaces per window or service lane. Drive-in restaurants and other similar uses that require an additional stopping point for ordering shall provide a minimum of three additional storage spaces for each such stopping point.

   (b)   Financial institutions, including banks and savings and loan associations, with drive-in types of services (such as teller windows, pneumatic tube transaction stations and free-standing ATM machines) shall provide at least four storage spaces per window, station, machine or similar facility.

   (c)   Self-service car washes shall provide no less than three storage spaces for every stall or bay. All other car washes shall provide a minimum of six storage spaces per entrance. Combinations of self-serve and other-serve shall provide the number of storage spaces required by each stall or bay and entrance.

   (d)   Gasoline service stations shall provide at least one storage space for each accessible side of a gasoline pump. Gasoline pumps shall not be located closer than 15 feet to any principal building, property line, right of way and/or easement.

   (e)   An off-street storage space shall be an unobstructed paved area that is at least ten feet wide and 18 feet long. Each storage space shall be located at the end of another storage space so that the motor vehicles are lined up in preparation for advance to the window, pump, stall, bay, station, entrance, machine or similar facility. An off-street storage space is not an off-street parking space.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   (a)   It shall be unlawful to park a disabled and/or inoperable vehicle in any zoning district (except for in the operation of certain businesses, when permitted by the district regulations, such as motor vehicle repair or junk yards) for a period of more than seven consecutive days or for a total period of more than 14 days in any 12-month period, unless the vehicle is stored in an enclosed structure. Where a dwelling unit is the principal use of a lot, no business shall be conducted in the structure in which the vehicle is parked or stored.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92.)

   (b)   A vehicle or motor vehicle is considered to be in an inoperative condition and/or considered to be junk if any of the following conditions exists: missing wheel or wheels; missing tire or tires; missing or broken window or windows or a windshield; extensively damaged; defective or missing parts; with a flat tire or tires; or without a current and valid registration.

(Ord. 123-94. Passed 4-21-94; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   In any district, except in the Historic District, there shall be provided at the time of construction or alteration of any building or use, the following amounts of off-street parking:

   (a)   Single-family dwelling: two.

   (b)   Two-family dwellings: two for each dwelling unit.

   (c)   Multiple-family dwellings: two for each dwelling unit.

   (d)   Rooming or boarding house, fraternity or sorority house: one for every 320 square feet or portion thereof.

   (e)   Hotel or motel: one for each bedroom or sleeping room, plus one for each employee.

   (f)   Hospital, nursing home, sanitarium, convalescent home, home for the ages, etc.: one for every two beds.

   (g)   Theatre or auditorium (except school auditorium), arena, stadium, etc.: one for every four seats or seating spaces.

   (h)   Church or temple: one for every four seats in main auditorium.

   (i)   School (except high school or college): one for each employee, plus two for each classroom.

   (j)   High school or college, one for each employee, plus five for each classroom.

   (k)   Community center, library, museum: ten spaces plus one for every 300 square feet of floor area in excess of 2,000 square feet, excluding floor area for stacks and book processing functions in libraries.

   (l)   Golf or country clubs: one for every five members or one for every 150 square feet of floor area.

   (m)   Bowling alley: five for each lane plus one for every 150 square feet of floor area in a restaurant or bar area within the structure.

   (n)   Mortuary or funeral home: one for every 50 square feet of floor area in slumber rooms, parlors, or service rooms.

   (o)   Restaurant (including drive-in service) bar, nightclubs, dance hall, lodges, private clubs, or other similar place of recreation or entertainment, assembly or exhibit hall, or adult entertainment business: 15 for the first 1000 square feet plus one per 100 square feet over 1,000 square feet.

   (p)   Business or professional office, bank or financial institution, medical or dental clinic: one for every 200 square feet of gross floor area, except in the Historic District.

   (q)   Retail sales or service establishment, except as otherwise specified herein: five to eight per 1,000 feet square feet of gross floor area, except in the Historic District.

   (r)   Furniture or appliance store, hardware store, wholesale establishments, machinery or equipment sales or service, repair service: four to seven per 1,000 square feet of floor area, except in the Historic District.

   (s)   Manufacturing or industrial establishment, research or testing laboratory, printing or publishing plant, construction, or contractor, bakery, dairy processing, bottling plant, warehouse, and similar establishments: one for each employee on the peak shift.

   (t)   Any project built in phases over a period of time shall conform to the maximum parking requirements of each phase as constructed. Such parking requirements shall be constructed before any such phase of construction is approved.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92 Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   Buildings and facilities that are required by law to be accessible to the physically handicapped shall provide conveniently located, designated handicapped parking spaces, as listed below:

   Required Spaces         Additional Required Designated
   (as provided in Section 1266.08)   Handicapped Spaces   

      1-25               1

      26-50               2

      51-75               3

      76-100               4

      101-150            5

      151-200            6

      201-275            7

      276-350            8

      351-425            9

      416-500            10

      More than 500   10, plus one per additional 100 (or part thereof)

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   (a)   In any district, any use (except for a dwelling unit or a home occupation) that requires the receipt and/or distribution by motor vehicles of materials and/or merchandise (including uses such as manufacturing, storage, warehousing, discount stores, wholesale operations, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, laundries, nurseries, groceries, dry cleaners, bars and drug stores) shall provide at least one off-street loading space on the same lot as the building. For structures with more than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, one additional on-lot loading space shall be provided for each additional 10,000 square feet (or fraction thereof) of gross floor area.

   Establishments without off-street loading spaces must use the nearest alley.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)

   All off-street loading spaces shall be physically separated from off-street parking spaces and shall meet the following standards and specifications:

   (a)   Loading Space Dimensions. Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet wide, 75 feet long and have a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet.

   (b)   Access. There shall be adequate provision for ingress to and egress from all off-street loading spaces so that any vehicle entering or leaving the premises shall be traveling in a forward motion.

   (c)   Setbacks. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Zoning Code, off-street loading spaces may be located in any required rear or side yard, provided that:

      (1)   No more than 90% of the required rear or side yard is occupied by loading spaces;

      (2)   No part of any paved loading space is closer than 50 feet to any Residential District;

      (3)   No part of any loading space is closer than five feet to any property line, right-of-way or easement.

   (d)   Screening. Screening shall be provided on any side of an off-street loading space that abuts any Residential District. Screening shall comply with the requirements of Section 1250.15.

   (e)   Paving. All required off-street loading spaces (together with all driveways, aisles and other circulation areas) shall have an all-weather surface.

   (f)   Drainage. All loading spaces (together with all driveways, aisles and other circulation areas) shall be graded and drained to prevent the accumulation of water on-site (except for retention ponds designed for this purpose) or the drainage of surface water onto adjacent properties and/or walkways. Adequate arrangements shall be made to ensure acceptable diversion to an adequate storm water drainage system.

   (g)   Lighting. Any lights used to illuminate a loading space area shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the adjoining property.

   (h)   Visibility. Driveway access for loading space areas shall be located in such a way that any motor vehicle entering or leaving such loading space area shall be clearly visible for 25 feet in any direction by any pedestrian or motorist approaching the access or driveway from a walkway, street or alley.

   (i)   Maintenance. Any owner of property used for loading space areas shall maintain such areas in good condition (without holes) and free of all dust, trash and other debris.

(Ord. 186-91. Passed 10-15-92; Ord. 130-03. Passed 7-17-03.)