Marcus Hook City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Parking Regulations
§ 196-89 Purposes.
The purposes of this article are to adequately provide for the parking needs of all uses in the Borough, to reduce traffic congestion on public streets by getting parking off streets, and to allow faster emergency access. The secondary purposes include providing for special parking needs of handicapped drivers and providing flexibility in meeting the Borough's parking needs by methods such as common parking arrangements.
§ 196-90 Applicability.
A.
Basic requirements. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements in § 196-92 below. All such off-street parking areas shall be provided on the same parcel of land as the use or building they serve, except as modified by § 196-94, Off-site and shared parking. Also, the minimum off-street parking requirements in § 196-92 shall not apply to the Central Retail District.
B.
Existing structures and uses. No building or use of land lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be subject to the requirements of § 196-92, so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed so as to require additional parking.
C.
Provision and retention of facilities. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the use exists which the facilities were designed to serve. Off-street parking facilities shall not be reduced in total extent except when such reduction is in conformity with this article.
D.
Change or extension of use. Except in the Central Retail District, whenever a structure is altered or a use is changed or extended which increases the parking requirements of § 196-92, then the total additional parking required for the alteration, change, or extension shall be provided in accordance with § 196-92.
§ 196-91 General regulations for off-street parking.
A.
Where a use is not specifically listed in this chapter, the Zoning Hearing Board shall apply the standards of the most similar use listed to determine the number of parking spaces required.
B.
If the computation of the parking ratios listed in § 196-92 results in a fraction, an additional parking space shall be required.
C.
All parking areas of five spaces or more, loading areas, and driveways shall be graded and surfaced with bituminous paving or equivalent surfacing and graded to properly dispose of all surface water accumulation within the parking area in conformance with municipal standards.
D.
In industrial districts, materials such as stone, gravel, or other permeable material may be used for covering parking areas, provided that, if the parking area abuts a residential or commercial district, those permeable materials shall be confined within the parking area of the industrial district.
E.
On off-street parking areas with five or more spaces, each space shall be clearly line-striped and maintained.
G.
All parking areas with five or more spaces shall be adequately lighted so as to assist in the safe maneuvering of motor vehicles and to provide security for users of the lot. All lighting shall be arranged to avoid glare on adjacent properties.
H.
No commercial motor vehicle with more than a single rear wheel axle may be stored on a lot in a residential district, unless such vehicle is stored in a private garage.
I.
Parking or storage of disabled, partially dismantled, or junk cars, trucks, boats, or other vehicles shall be permitted on a lot for a continuous period of not more than five days.
J.
No front yard parking shall be permitted.
K.
Where off-street parking spaces are provided in the rear yard of a lot in a residential district, such spaces shall not be situated more than five feet from the rear lot line and shall be paved in compliance with impervious surface standards.
L.
Where possible, residential developments constructed after the adoption of this chapter shall provide access to the parking spaces at or near the rear lot line by means of an alley.
§ 196-92 Required parking ratios.
Use | Off-Street Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
Residential Uses | ||
Single- and two-family dwelling | Two spaces for every dwelling unit | |
Townhouse | Two spaces for every dwelling unit | |
Multifamily dwelling | Two spaces per dwelling unit, plus one space for every four dwelling units for guests in developments/buildings of 12 or more units | |
Conversion | Two spaces per unit | |
Community residence facility | One space for every two bedrooms, plus one for each employee | |
Public or Private Recreational Uses | ||
Private clubs | One space for every 100 square feet of floor area | |
Bowling alley | Four spaces for each lane | |
Gymnasium, stadium | One space for every four seats | |
Outdoor commercial recreation | One space for every 2,000 square feet of area devoted to such use | |
Indoor recreation | One space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area | |
Governmental, Institutional, and Educational Uses | ||
Auditoriums, churches, and other places of public assembly | One space for every five seats plus one space for every 150 square feet of meeting room area | |
Community center, municipal building, library, or similar use | One space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area | |
Child day-care center | One space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for each adult attendant. This shall be in addition to the parking requirements of the primary use, such as a school or church, if applicable. | |
Secondary, primary, and nursery schools | One space for each faculty member or other full-time employee plus two spaces for each classroom and one space for every 12 students aged 16 years or older. | |
Retail, Commercial, and Other Business Uses | ||
Retail store or shop | One space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area | |
Furniture or appliance store | One space for every 400 square feet of gross floor area | |
Convenience store | One space for every 125 square feet of gross floor area | |
Supermarket | One space for every 125 square feet of gross floor area | |
Personal service businesses such as barber shops, tailors, shoe repair, etc. | One space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area | |
Shopping center | One space for every 250 square feet of gross leasable floor area | |
Professional and other office area | One space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area | |
Banks, credit unions, and savings and loans | One space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area | |
Medical, dental, and veterinary offices or clinics | One space for every 100 square feet of waiting room space, plus two spaces for each practitioner. | |
Restaurant | ||
Sit-down | One space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for every two employees on the shift of greatest employment | |
Restaurant with drive through | One space for every 75 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for every two employees on the shift of greatest employment | |
Bar, tavern | One space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area | |
Movie theater or amusement venue | One space for every three seats, plus one space for every employee on the greatest shift of employment | |
Funeral home | One space for every 75 square feet of floor area in viewing rooms or parlors, plus one space for each official funeral car and one space for every two employees exclusive of the resident family members | |
Hotel, motel, or inn | One space for every guest room, plus one space for every two full-time employees, plus the required parking for accessory uses such as restaurants and bars | |
Car wash | ||
Standard | 10 spaces per bay for stacking, plus four spaces for standing between the exit of the facility and the street, plus one space for each employee on the shift of greatest employment | |
Self-service | Four spaces per bay for stacking, plus one space for standing between the exit of the facility and the street. | |
Laundromat, self-service | One space for every two washing machines | |
Automobile service and repair | Two spaces, either within or outside of the structure, for every 200 square feet of floor or ground area devoted to repair or service facilities and, in addition, such space as is necessary for vehicles purchasing gasoline or being stored. In no case shall the spaces for permitted motor vehicle storage in conjunction with a service station be fewer than five. | |
Repair or tradesman shop, e.g., carpenter, plumber, etc. | One space for every 400 square feet of gross floor area | |
Temporary uses such as sales of Christmas trees, flowers, produce, and other goods | One space for every 200 square feet of sales area | |
Industrial and Other Related Uses | ||
Research and development, light manufacturing and assembly, air freight | One space for every 750 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for every employee on the shift of greatest employment | |
Storage, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, wholesale, heavy industry | One space for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus one space for every employee on the shift of greatest employment | |
§ 196-93 Design regulations.
A.
The size of a standard parking space shall be nine feet wide by 18 feet long, an area of 162 square feet.
B.
Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be 12 feet wide by 18 feet long, an area of 216 square feet. Parking spaces for the handicapped must be located as close as possible to public entrances and ramps to buildings. Each space must be clearly marked with proper signage.
C.
Handicapped spaces shall be provided in the amounts required below:
Total Parking Spaces | Number of Required Handicapped Spaces | |
|---|---|---|
10 - 25 | 1 | |
26 - 50 | 2 | |
51 - 75 | 3 | |
76 - 100 | 4 |
D.
All parking areas for five or more vehicles shall be designed so that vehicles need not back directly into a public street but can enter and leave the parking area in a forward motion.
E.
All parking shall be accessible from a street or driveway.
F.
Every parking lot or area with 10 or more off-street spaces shall be separated from the street or highway by a raised curb, planting strip, wall, or other suitable barrier against unchanneled motor vehicle entrance or exit, except for necessary accessways or exits.
G.
Drive-through establishments such as fast order and pickup, automatic bank teller, and similar uses shall provide no fewer than five waiting spaces for each drive-through lane. This is in addition to the space for the car being serviced.
§ 196-94 Off-site and shared parking.
A.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the collective off-site parking facilities for two or more nonresidential buildings or uses. However, the total of such off-site parking spaces shall be not less than the sum of the requirements for the various uses compiled separately, and provided that such off-site parking is not farther than 500 feet from the use farthest from the parking area. Borough Council must approve off-site facilities.
B.
Two or more nonresidential uses may provide for required parking in a shared parking area, provided that such area is on or adjacent to such uses. The number of spaces required in such a shared parking area may be reduced below the sum of the total requirements if it can be demonstrated to the Zoning Officer that the hours or days of peak parking demand for the uses are so different that a lower overall total of parking spaces will adequately provide for the uses to be served. In such case, sufficient parking shall be provided to meet the minimum needs of the use that requires the greater parking area.
§ 196-95 Design of off-street loading facilities.
A.
The minimum size loading space shall be 50 feet long by 12 feet wide, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served. Any overhead canopy should extend a minimum of four feet beyond a loading dock.
B.
All loading spaces shall have adequate access from a street or way that does not block or interfere with required parking as specified in § 196-92. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
C.
Every building or use of land consisting of over 5,000 square feet of gross floor area designed or used for commercial or industrial uses shall be provided with a loading space as follows:
Total Gross Floor Area (square feet) | Number of Loading Spaces Required | |
|---|---|---|
Up to 15,000 | 1 space | |
15,000 to 50,000 | 2 spaces | |
50,000 to 100,000 | 3 spaces | |
Each additional 100,000 | 1 additional space |
D.
In no case shall public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials. Furthermore, no loading dock or space shall be located or arranged in such a way that it is necessary to back any vehicle into or off any public right-of-way or require the use of any public right-of-way for maneuvering space.
E.
All accessory driveways and entrance ways shall be graded, paved, and drained to Borough standards to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance of dust, erosion, or excessive water flow across streets and adjoining properties.
F.
All off-street loading berths shall be provided on either the side or rear of the lot. In no case shall off-street loading berths be provided in the front of the lot.
G.
Such facilities shall be designed and created to constitute, at no time, a nuisance, hazard, or impediment to traffic.
§ 196-96 Screening and landscaping requirements.
A.
Screening between any parking area and the street line shall be effective at the time of occupancy, subject to the following provisions:
(1)
All off-street parking areas that provide more than five parking spaces shall be screened from any abutting property in a more restrictive zoning classification.
(2)
Effective screening may be accomplished through the use of the following: plant materials, fencing, or walls and/or mounding through the use of an earthen berm forming a continuous visual buffer.
(3)
The area for planting and fencing, walls, or earthen berms shall not extend beyond the street line.
(4)
When planted visual screens are employed, the following shall apply:
(a)
A buffer planting strip shall be provided. It shall be a minimum of five feet in width unless specifically required otherwise in this chapter.
(b)
Planted visual screens shall be of sufficient height and density to constitute a continuous visual screen six feet in height at the time of planting except as provided below.
(5)
Whenever fencing or walls are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual screen shall be not less than five nor more than six feet.
(6)
Whenever earthen berms are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual screen shall be not less than five feet.
B.
Landscaping within any parking area which provides 20 or more parking spaces shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1)
Off-street parking areas shall be landscaped to reduce wind and air turbulence, heat, noise, and the glare of automobile lights; to reduce the level of carbon dioxide; to provide shade; to improve stormwater drainage problems; to replenish the groundwater table; and to provide for a more attractive setting.
(2)
The interior of each parking lot constructed or enlarged after the effective date of this chapter shall have at least one three-inch-caliper deciduous shade tree for every 15 parking spaces if there are no existing shade trees to satisfy this requirement. Shrubs and other plant materials are encouraged to be used to complement the trees but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping. These trees shall be in addition to those required as an effective screen. Trees selected for landscaping in parking areas shall be of a species proven to be salt and dust resistant.
(3)
Landscaped areas at least five feet wide shall be provided around the periphery of parking areas. Such areas shall, at a minimum, extend the full length for necessary accessways to prevent the encroachment of moving vehicles into parking areas.
(4)
Planted landscaped islands between every 20 parking spaces or at the end of each parking row, whichever is less, shall be provided and shall be the length and width of the parking spaces.
(5)
Existing plant material and trees with a caliper of six inches or more shall be preserved wherever possible during construction. Such existing plants may be credited toward the amount of required plantings.