Lower Swatara Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 24
OFF-STREET PARKING
§ 27-2401 General Parking Regulations.
[Ord. 384, 7/17/1993, § 2301; Ord. No. 626, 4/1/2026]
1.
Off-street parking facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion in the streets. The facilities required herein shall be available to patrons throughout the hours of operation of the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided. As used herein, the term "parking space" includes either covered garage space or uncovered parking space located off the public right-of-way. Off-street parking facilities for residential uses shall consist of a parking lot, driveway, garage, carport, or a combination thereof; and shall be located on the lot it is intended to serve.
2.
Parking spaces and approaches thereto shall be paved in accordance with Township standards, unless an alternative form of paving is approved by the Township Engineer. Outdoor parking spaces shall not be deemed to be part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
3.
A garage or carport may be located wholly or partly inside the walls of the principal building or attached to the outer walls. If separated from the principal building, the garage shall conform to all accessory building requirements, except as follows:
A.
The garage may be constructed under a yard, provided that the level of such yard shall conform to the general level of the other yards on the lot. The space above an underground garage shall be deemed to be part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
B.
For single-family detached dwelling units or single-family semi-detached dwelling units, the garage or carport may be separated from the principal building. If separated from the principal building, the garage or carport shall conform to § 27-2008D(4).
C.
For townhouse units or apartment units with a garage or carport, the garage or carport shall be incorporated into or attached to the principal building.
D.
For townhouse units or apartment units without a garage or carport, the required parking spaces shall be provided by freestanding parking lots or freestanding parking garages (above or below ground).
E.
For all non-residential uses, the required parking spaces shall be provided by freestanding parking lots or freestanding parking garages (above or below ground).
4.
All commercial, public, institutional and industrial uses shall provide a minimum of one handicapped parking space or 2% of the parking spaces required, whichever is greater. The design shall be approved by the Township Engineer.
5.
No part of any minimum front yard setback area shall be used for parking purposes, except:
A.
In residential districts or for residential uses, the driveway area located within the front yard setback area may be used for parking purposes provided that the required parking spaces do not encroach upon any sidewalk or street right-of-way line; and
B.
In the Commercial Neighborhood (C-N) District or the Commercial Highway (C-H) District, off-street parking facilities may be located no closer than 20 feet from the street right-of-way line. The area between the street right-of-way line and the off-street parking facilities shall be established or maintained as open space.
6.
The parking of any nonmotorized vehicle (including boats and trailers) or any motorized vehicle not having a current and valid registration and current inspection certificate is prohibited within any street right-of-way.
7.
Snow Dump Area. For all duplex complexes, townhouse complexes, apartment complexes, and non-residential uses, all off-street parking facilities shall be designed with a snow dump area(s) to aid in snow removal.
§ 27-2402 Facilities Required.
[Ord. 384, 7/17/1993, § 2302; Ord. No. 626, 4/1/2026]
A.
Any of the following uses hereafter erected or enlarged, any existing use hereafter converted into one of the following uses, and any open space hereafter used shall be provided with not less than the minimum parking spaces required below, together with adequate accessways, driveways or other means of circulation and access to and from a street (public or private).
B.
In order to determine the minimum number of off-street parking spaces for uses which are not specifically listed in this Part, or for instances where the applicant disputes the minimum number of off-street parking spaces for a particular use, the applicant shall submit both a plan and a report to rationally justify the number of off-street parking spaces for the proposed use.
(1)
At a minimum, the plan and the report shall contain information relative to the following:
(1)
Parking demands;
(2)
Hours of operation;
(3)
Pedestrian access; and
(4)
Off-site parking combinations or other variables which would influence the number of off-street parking spaces provided on site.
(2)
In the case of a use not identified above, the Zoning Officer shall review, and approve or deny the total number of off-street parking spaces prior to subdivision/land development plan approval, zoning permit approval, or building permit approval, whichever is required first.
(3)
The applicant may appeal the Zoning Officer's decision to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Land Use | Off-Street Parking Ratio | Minimum Required Parking Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
Agriculture, horticulture and forestry activities, including the raising, breeding and grazing of animals | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Commercial sale, raising and marketing of fowl or poultry | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Dog kennels and riding academies | Y | Dog kennels: 1 per every 3 dogs (maximum capacity) Riding academy: See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Dwelling unit, single-family or semi-detached and townhouse | Y | 2 per dwelling unit plus 1 space for every 4 dwelling units for guests | None |
Dwelling unit, apartment | Y | 1.5 per dwelling unit plus 1 space for every 2 dwelling units for guests | None |
Farmsteads, including the main dwelling, stables, barns and accessory buildings and structures | Y | 2 per dwelling unit | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Grange halls and buildings for agricultural-oriented groups | Y | 1 per every 2 seats in the largest assembly room | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Processing, storage and sale of milk and milk products produced on the premises | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Raising of crops, fruits and vegetables and tilling of the soil | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Storage and packing of fruits and vegetables raised on the premises | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Temporary roadside stands for sale of garden products and commodities produced on the same property where offered for sale | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Churches or similar places of worship, including associated social facilities | Y | 1 per every 4 seats in the sanctuary + 1 per every 2 seats in the largest assembly room | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
College and university educational services | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes | Y | Greater of 1 per every 2 rooms or 1 per every 4 beds | 1 per each employee on maximum shift + 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Institutions for children, the aged, the indigent or the handicapped | Y | Greater of 1 per every 2 rooms or 1 per every 4 beds | 1 per each employee on maximum shift + 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Libraries and museums | Y | 1 per each 300 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Firehouses | Y | 1 per every 2 seats in the largest assembly room | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Municipal facilities and services | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Public and private educational facilities | Y | 1 per every 15 students in grades K-8 or 1 per every 10 students in grades 9-12 (based on maximum allowable student capacity) | 1 per each employee on maximum shift + 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Cemeteries | Y | 1 per every acre of area (not including circulation lanes) | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Country clubs and golf courses | Y | 2 per each hole + 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of retail area + 1 per each 2 seats in bar/dining room | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Membership sports and recreation clubs | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Public conservation areas and structures for the conservation of open land, water, soil, wetlands, wildlife resources and historical preservation | Y | 2 per every 5 acres of area (or portion thereof) | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Public park and recreations areas | Y | See § 27-2402B | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Recreational vehicle parks | Y | 1 per every camping/RV site + 1 per every 4 sites for visitors | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Commercial recreation | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Private recreational areas | Y | See § 27-2402B | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles |
Aircraft facilities, air passenger terminals and supporting passenger and aircraft services including heliports, military facilities and airport parking | Y | Minimum of 50 + 1 per each 100 sq. ft. of floor area above 5,000 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Airline catering businesses | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Charter aircraft and pilot instruction facilities | Y | 1 per every 2 enrollees, maximum enrollment | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Corporate aircraft office, storage and service facilities | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of office area + 1 per service bay | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Electric power stations, electric and telephone public utility transmission and distribution facilities, including substations, telephone central offices, water pumping stations and reservoirs | Y | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles | None |
Heliports | Y | 2 spaces | None |
Public utility service structures and facilities | Y | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles | None |
Bus and train passenger stations and other commuter support related facilities and services (e.g., remote baggage check areas, ticket sales, luggage reclamation, auto rentals and commuter parking areas) | Y | Minimum of 50 + 1 per each 100 sq. ft. of floor area above 5,000 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Radio and television towers | Y | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles | None |
Railroad yards | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Studios for radio and television stations | Y | 1 per each 300 sq. ft. of studio | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Wind energy conversion systems | Y | 2 spaces for maintenance vehicles | None |
Apparel and accessory stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Automotive dealers and service stations | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area + 1 per each service bay | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Automotive rentals and storage facilities | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Banks, investment brokers and finance agencies | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Security, commodity brokers and services | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Barber and beauty shops | Y | 1 per each barber chair/styling chair | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Building materials and garden supplies | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Business, administrative and corporate offices | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Management and public relations | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Offices for professional services, businesses, finance, unions, advertising, insurance and other similar activities | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Professional consulting services | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Business services stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Coin-operated laundries and cleaning | Y | 1 per every 2 washing machines & dryers | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Computer and data processing services | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Computer services and sales | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Convenience store | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Day-care centers | Y | 1 per every 2 enrollees, maximum enrollment | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Drugstores and proprietary stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Dry cleaning, pickup only | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Eating and drinking places, including drive-in service | Y | 1 per each 2 seats in bar/dining room | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Food and beverage sales | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Employment agencies | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Furniture and home furnishings stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
General automotive repair and body shops | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area + 1 per each service bay | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
General merchandise stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Hardware stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Health/fitness centers | Y | 1 per every 3 weight/fitness machines + 1 per each 50 sq. ft. of floor area not occupied by said machines | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Hotels, motels and other transient lodging places, including conference/convention facilities | Y | 1 per each rental unit + 1 per each 2 seats in dining/meeting rooms | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Insurance carriers, agents, brokers and service | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Legal services | Y | 1 per every 2 attorneys | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Liquor stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Mechanical, plumbing and heating, electrical supply stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Medical and dental clinics, including laboratories | Y | 1 per each exam room/procedure table | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Mortuaries | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
News/periodical dealers, and bookstores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Nurseries, garden stores and florists | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Offices of physicians, dentists, or other health practitioners | Y | 1 per each exam room/procedure table | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Office supplies and equipment | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Personal services stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Commercial photography and art studios | Y | 1 per each 300 sq. ft. of studio | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Real estate agents | Y | 1 per every 2 agents | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Used merchandise stores | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Veterinary services and animal hospitals | Y | 1 per each exam room/procedure table | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Watch, clock and jewelry sales/repair | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Automobile service stations, automobile sales, service garages, auto sales lots, automobile assembling, auto body shops, painting, upholstery reconditioning, vehicle repair or overhauling, and tire retreading or recapping. These activities shall also include tractors/trailers, excavating, and other heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area + 1 per each service bay | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Auto wrecking and junk establishments | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area/office area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Manufacturing | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Bottling works and bookbinding | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Building materials storage, lumber yards and lumber mills | Y | Building materials storage and lumber yards: 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area Lumber mills: 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Blacksmith/forging and machine shops, excluding punch presses over 20 tons' rated capacity, drop hammers and automatic screw machines | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Carpenter, cabinet making, furniture repair and upholstery, electrician, metalworking, tinsmith, plumbing, gas, steam or hot water fitting shops | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Contractor's equipment, sales, service and storage | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area + 1 per each service bay | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Electrical, optical and textile manufacturing | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Freight and trucking terminals | Y | 1 per each 2,500 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Gas (illuminating or heating) manufacture and storage | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Grain elevators and bulk storage of petroleum and similar products | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
The installation and operation of plants or apparatus for rock crushing or cement treatment of base materials and appurtenant screening, blending, washing, loading and conveyor facilities | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Laboratories and lithographing | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Laundries, cleaning, dyeing, steam laundry, carpet and rug cleaning | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Light industrial activities which engage in the manufacture, predominantly from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts including business, administrative and corporate offices; processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, packaging, storage, sales and distribution of such products, but excluding basic industrial processing activities defined as heavy industry | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
The manufacturing, compounding, processing or treatment of such products as bakery goods, candy, cosmetics, dairy products, drugs, pharmaceutical and food products; except fish and meat products, sauerkraut, vinegar, yeast and the rendering or refining of fat and oils | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
The manufacturing, compounding, assembling or treatment of articles or merchandise from the following previously prepared materials: bone, cellophane, canvas, cloth, cork, feathers, felt, film, fur, glass, hair, leather, paper, plastics, precious or semiprecious metals, stones, shell, textiles, tobacco, wood, yarn and paint but not employing a boiling process | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
The manufacturing of concrete products, clay products, and prestressed structural units | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
The manufacturing of pottery and figurines or other similar ceramic products, using only clay and kilns fired only by electricity or gas | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Metal fabrication and welding shops | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Mixing plants for concrete and asphalt | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Parcel delivery distribution facilities | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Printing and newspaper publishing | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Scientific research and development activities | Y | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Storage, stockpiling, distribution and sale of minerals | Y | See § 27-2402B | 1 space per employee on maximum shift |
Timbering and surface mining, including both processing and sales of products generated from said uses | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Warehousing, cold storage, and distribution facilities | Y | 1 per each 2,500 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Wholesale business | Y | 1 per each 2,500 sq. ft. | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Assembly and fabrication of products to be sold on the premises. Assembly and fabrication activities are permitted, provided the area devoted to such activities do not exceed 2,000 sq. ft. in area. | Y | 1 per each 1,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing area + 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of sales area | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
Home occupations | Y | 2 for the residence + 1 per each home occupation | 1 per each employee not residing at the home |
Commercial storage facilities | Y | 1 per each 200 sq. ft. of office/sales area + 2 for every included dwelling unit | 1 per each employee on maximum shift |
§ 27-2403 Location and Management.
[Ord. 384, 7/17/1993, § 2303; Ord. No. 626, 4/1/2026]
1.
Existing Parking. Buildings and uses existing on the effective date of this chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this Part so long as the type or extent of use is not changed, provided that any parking facility now serving such structures or uses shall not in the future be reduced below such requirements.
2.
Changes in Requirements. Whenever there is an alteration of an existing building or a change or extension of an existing use which increases the parking space requirements according to § 27-2402, the additional parking spaces required as a result of the alteration, change or extension shall be provided.
3.
Conflict With Other Uses. No parking facility shall be used for any use which interferes with its availability to provide the required number of parking spaces.
4.
Continuing Obligation. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the building or use(s) exists for which the facilities were designed to serve. The total number of off-street parking spaces shall not be reduced once established. All reasonable precautions shall be taken by the owner of a particular building or use(s) to assure the availability of the required parking facilities for the employees or patrons for whom the parking facilities were designed to serve. The required parking facilities shall not constitute a nuisance, hazard or unreasonable impediment to traffic.
5.
Drainage, Surfacing and Maintenance.
A.
The required parking facilities, including driveways and aisles, shall be graded and surfaced in accordance with § 27-2401(2), and drained in accordance with other applicable codes and ordinances enacted by the Township. All drainage facilities shall be approved by the Township Engineer.
B.
Parking areas shall be kept clean and free from rubbish and debris.
C.
In all cases, maintenance of all required parking facilities shall conform to other applicable codes and ordinances enacted by the Township.
6.
Joint Use. Two or more adjacent uses may combine the total required number of parking spaces into a common parking facility upon demonstrating that the uses are compatible in terms of parking availability.
7.
Computation of Spaces. Whenever the computation of required parking space results in a fractional number, the fraction shall be counted as one.
8.
Location of Spaces.
A.
For single-family detached dwelling units or single-family semi-detached dwelling units, the required off-street parking spaces shall be side by side spaces and shall be located on the same lot or premises with the use served.
B.
For a duplex complex or a townhouse complex, the required off-street parking spaces shall be located side-by-side in front of each unit.
C.
For townhouse units or apartment units, the required off-street parking spaces shall be located either on the same lot or premises as the use served, or in a parking facility located within 600 feet of the principal building(s).
D.
For all non-residential uses, the required parking spaces shall be located either on the same lot or premises with the use served or in a parking facility located within 600 feet of the principal building(s).
(1)
The required parking spaces shall be located in the same zoning district as the principal building(s).
(2)
Upon submission of a zoning permit or building permit, the applicant shall submit an instrument which demonstrates compliance with § 27-2402.
9.
Lighting.
A.
All off-street parking facilities and off-street loading and unloading areas shall be adequately lighted during after-dark operating hours.
B.
All lighting fixtures illuminating off-street parking facilities or off-street loading and unloading areas shall be shielded from any street (public or private), or residential use(s), or residential district(s).
C.
All lighting fixtures shall be shielded or cut-off, and shine onto the intended facilities or areas at a 90° angle.
D.
The Township may require the submission of a Site Lighting Plan with appropriate details and specifications to demonstrate compliance with this Part.
§ 27-2404 Design Standards.
[Ord. 384, 7/17/1993, § 2304; Ord. No. 626, 4/1/2026]
1.
The minimum dimensions of all required parking spaces shall be as follows:
A.
In all districts, parking spaces per vehicle shall be not less than nine feet wide and 18 feet deep.
B.
In all districts, required handicap parking spaces shall conform to current Building Code standards.
C.
Parking space dimensions shall be not less than those listed in the following table:
Angle of Parking | Parking Stall Width (feet) | Parking Stall Depth1 (feet) | Aisle Width | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
One-Way (feet) | Two-Way (feet) | |||
90° | 9 | 18 | 24 | 24 |
60° | 10 | 22 | 18 | 20 |
45° | 10 | 21 | 15 | 20 |
30° | 10 | 19 | 12 | 20 |
Parallel | 8 | 22 | 12 | 20 |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
1 | Parking space depth is the perpendicular measurement from curb or edge of the parking facility toward the interior portion of the facility to be occupied by the parked vehicles, and not including any part of the driveway or aisle. |
D.
All dead-end parking facilities shall be designed to provide sufficient backup area for the end spaces of the parking facility and snow dump area.
E.
Parking facilities shall be designed such that motor vehicles may proceed to and from parking spaces without requiring the moving of any other motor vehicle.
F.
Parking facilities shall be designed with a maximum of 15 contiguous parking spaces before being separated by either a landscaped area or a vegetated stormwater control measure (SCM).
(1)
The required landscaped area or SCM shall be designed to the same dimensions as the parking spaces it separates.
(2)
All vegetated stormwater control measures (SCMs) shall be designed, function, and maintained in accordance with the current "Pennsylvania Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Manual" issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
2.
Setback for parking areas shall be provided as follows:
A.
All parking facilities, aisles and driveways shall be located at least five feet from any townhouse unit without a garage or carport, apartment unit without a garage or carport, and all non-residential uses. The five-foot corridor shall be for the purpose of providing a pedestrian access walkway.
B.
All parking facilities, aisles, and driveways shall be at least five feet from any side or rear lot line, except where buffer yards or screen plantings are required. Where buffer yards or screen plantings are required, the standards set forth in § 27-2008F, herein, shall apply.
C.
No off-street parking facility shall be located within a public right-of-way.
3.
Separation.
A.
In no case shall parking facilities be designed to require or encourage motor vehicles to back into a public or private street in order to leave the facility.
B.
All required off-street parking spaces shall be marked with two-inch white striping so as to indicate their location.
C.
Unless deemed unnecessary by the Township, all off-street parking facilities shall be designed to include pedestrian crosswalks and landscaped refuge islands. The design of the pedestrian crosswalks and landscaped refuge islands shall be approved by the Township Engineer. The total area of all landscaped refuge islands may be applied to the coverage requirements set forth in the applicable zoning district.
D.
At minimum, all required handicapped parking spaces shall be delineated in accordance with current Building Code standards.
4.
Curb Radius. No less than a five-foot radius of curvature shall be permitted for all curb lines in all parking lots.
5.
Snow dump areas shall be provided when three or more duplex units or more than two townhouse buildings are proposed for construction with off-street parking to abut the street.
A.
Each snow dump area shall be a minimum of 30 feet in width and shall extend the full depth of the right-of-way. Each snow dump area shall be separated by a minimum of 25 feet.
B.
The exact location of snow dump areas shall be delineated on the final subdivision or land development plan.
C.
If the snow dump area has curbing, then the curbing shall be a depressed curb.
D.
Any sidewalk that will be driven upon to access the snow dump shall follow the sidewalk specifications of Section 22-607.
E.
Snow dump areas shall not be block any of the following:
(1)
Driveways;
(2)
Fire hydrants;
(3)
Mailboxes;
(4)
Streetlights, utility poles or similar encroachments; or
(5)
Trees.
§ 27-2405 Off-Street Loading and Unloading.
[Ord. 384, 7/17/1993, § 2305; Ord. No. 626, 4/1/2026]
1.
Required Spaces.
A.
In addition to the off-street parking requirements, any building erected, altered or enlarged for any non-residential use(s) requiring the delivery or pickup of products or materials shall provide adequate off-street areas for loading and unloading. Such areas shall be provided as follows:
Use/Gross Area (square feet) | Number of Spaces | |
|---|---|---|
Commercial, wholesale manufacturing, hospitals, laundry, institutional and similar uses | ||
Under 8,000 | 1 | |
8,000 to 40,000 | 2 | |
Over 40,000 to 100,000 | 3 | |
Over 100,000 to 250,000 | 4 | |
Each additional 200,000 | 1 | |
Office buildings and hotels | ||
Under 100,000 | 1 | |
Over 100,000 to 300,000 | 2 | |
Over 300,000 | 3 | |
B.
All off-street loading and unloading areas shall be provided and maintained so long as the use exists which the facilities were designed to serve.
C.
In order to determine the minimum number of off-street loading and unloading areas for uses not specifically listed in this Part, or for instances where the applicant disputes the minimum number of off-street loading and unloading areas for a proposed use, the applicant shall submit both a plan and a report to rationally justify the number of off-street loading and unloading areas for the proposed use.
(1)
At a minimum, the plan and the report shall contain information relative to the following:
(a)
Parking demands;
(b)
Hours of operation;
(c)
Pedestrian access; and
(d)
Off-site parking combinations or other variables which would influence the number of off-street parking spaces provided on site.
(2)
In the case of a use not identified above, the Zoning Officer shall review and approve or deny the total number of off-street parking spaces prior to subdivision/land development plan approval, zoning permit approval, or building permit approval, whichever is required first.
(3)
The applicant may appeal the Zoning Officer's decision to the Zoning Hearing Board.
2.
Design Standards. All required off-street loading and unloading facilities shall be located on the same parcel as the use(s) they are intended to serve, and designed to conform to the following specifications:
A.
At minimum, each required space shall be 12 feet wide, 45 feet deep and 14 feet high, excluding driveways, aisles and maneuvering space.
B.
Each required space shall be designed with adequate maneuvering space and have ingress and egress to and from a private or public street. The Township may require the submission of a truck turning template(s) to demonstrate compliance with this section. of a building or land; and (c) the change or extension of a nonconforming use. It shall be unlawful for any person to commence work for the erection or alteration of any building or for a change in land use until a permit has been duly issued therefor.
