Off-street parking and loading requirements and regulations are established in order to achieve, among others, the following purposes:

   (a)   To relieve congestion on streets so that they can be used more fully for movement of traffic;

   (b)   To promote the safety and convenience of employees, guests, visitors and shoppers by locating parking areas so as to lessen car movements in areas of congestion; and

   (c)   To promote the general convenience, welfare and prosperity of institutional, residential, retail business and industrial developments which depend upon off-street parking and off-street loading facilities.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   As used in this chapter:

   (a)   "Building" means any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter or protection of persons or property.

   (b)   "Gross floor area" means the total area of all floors of a building, including the basement, measured from the exterior faces of the building. The basement, or portion thereof, may be excluded from the “gross floor area” when such basement area is not open to the public and will not potentially increase the number of users or employees in the building.

   (c)   "Handicapped person" means any person who has lost the use of one or both legs, one or both arms, who is blind, deaf or so severely handicapped as to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair, or whose mobility is restricted by a permanent cardiovascular, pulmonary or other handicapping condition.

   (d)   “Net floor area” means the actual occupied area not including unoccupied areas such as, but not limited to, corridors, stairways, restrooms, mechanical rooms, storage areas, closets and kitchen areas.

   (e)   “Off-street loading space” means space logically and conveniently located for both pick-ups and deliveries, scaled to delivery vehicles expected to be used and accessible to such vehicles when required off-street parking spaces are filled. Required off-street loading space shall not be included as off-street parking space in the computation of required off-street parking space. An off-street loading space shall be located totally outside of any street.

   (f)   “Off-street parking space” means an area adequate for parking an automobile with room for opening doors on both sides, together with properly related access to a public street, or maneuvering room, but located totally outside of any street or right of way.

   (g)   “Outlot” means a single-use building and its requisite parking that is placed on a shopping center site in an independent location that has no or little convenient pedestrian connection or visual continuity with the primary shopping center buildings and functions. “Outlots” are typically (but not required to be) located at the front of the site near existing public streets.

   (h)   “Restaurant, counter service” means a retail service establishment whose principal business is the sale of foods, frozen desserts, or beverages in ready-to-consume individual servings, for consumption either within the restaurant building or for carry-out, and where customers are not served their food, frozen desserts, or beverages by a restaurant employee at the same table or counter where the items are consumed.

   (i)   “Restaurant, table service” means a retail service establishment wherein the entire business activity, or substantially all of the business activity, consists of the sale of food and service to patrons seated at tables for consumption within the building.

   (j)   “Seat” means the number of seating units installed or indicated or each twenty- four lineal inches of benches, pews or space for loose chairs.

   (k)   “Shopping center” means a group of architecturally unified commercial establishments built on a site that is planned, developed and managed as a single operating unit, but, for the purposes of this section, does not include outlots.

   (l)   “Structural alterations” means any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.

   (m)   “Structure” means anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires a location on the ground or an attachment to something having a fixed location on the ground. “Structure” includes but is not limited to, buildings, mobile homes, walls, fences and signs.

(Ord. 1987-10. Passed 4-13-87; Ord. 2006-52. Passed 2-12-07; Ord. 2013-12. Passed 10-14-13.)

   (a)   Accessory off-street parking facilities, including access driveways, shall be determined in conformity with this chapter for the various institutional, residential, business, office-laboratory and production-distribution buildings and uses.

   (b)   No building or structure shall be erected, substantially altered or have its use changed, unless permanently maintained off-street parking and loading spaces have been provided in accordance with this chapter. Full compliance with this chapter is a condition precedent to the occupancy of such building or structure.

   (c)   This chapter, except where there is a change of use, shall not apply to any existing building or structure. Where a new use involves no addition or enlargement, there shall be provided as many of such spaces as may be required by this chapter.

   (d)   Whenever a building or structure constructed after the effective date of this chapter is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, beds, seating capacity or otherwise to create a need for an increase in the number of existing parking spaces, additional parking spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. Whenever a building or structure existing prior to such effective date is enlarged to the extent of fifty percent or more in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, beds, seating capacity or otherwise, such building or structure shall then and thereafter comply with the full parking requirements set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   All off-street parking facilities, or those required as necessary to a use of a proposed or altered building shall continue unobstructed in operation, shall not be used for automobile service or repair and shall not be reduced below the required size as long as the main use remains, unless an equivalent number of spaces is provided for the use in another approved location.

   In order to ensure the continued use for automobile parking purposes of any area established therefor, the City Planning Commission may require, before approval of the same, evidence, in writing, that the owner of the land to be included in such automobile parking area has, by covenant, agreed to continue the use of the land for off-street parking accessory to the residential, institutional, business or industrial use for which such parking area is required. Such covenant shall be filed in the records of the County.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   (a)   Unless otherwise provided, off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule:

 

   (b)   Whenever a restaurant is in a shopping center (as defined in Section 1189.02) greater than 100,000 square feet, the standard of one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area may be applied.

(Ord. 1997-23. Passed 9-8-97; Ord. 2006-52. Passed 2-12-07; Ord. 2013-12. Passed 10-14-13.)

   Where a building or use exists which does not conform to parking requirements set forth in Section 1189.05 and where land is not available on the same lot or on an adjoining lot, the Board of Zoning Appeals may modify the location of parking facilities to permit such facilities within 400 feet walking distance of the building or use.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   (a)   A building containing one use shall provide off-street parking spaces as required for such use on the same lot as the main building or use served unless an alternative has been approved consistent with Section 1189.06.

   (b)   The Planning Commission may approve a reduction in the number of parking spaces required if it can be shown that the lesser number of spaces is appropriate and consistent with this regulation under the following provision: In a mixed use project, when it is determined that because of varying peak demands, the uses can be adequately accommodated with a lesser number of parking spaces than what would be required based on the sum of the various uses computed separately, the Planning Commission may approve a site plan with not less than 67% of the required spaces being provided.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85; Ord. 2006-52. Passed 2-12-07.)

   The location and width of entrance and exit driveways to and from parking facilities shall be planned to interfere as little as possible with the use of nearby property and with pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the nearest street. Therefore, whenever possible, the centerline of access driveways on the frontage street shall be at least fifty feet from the right-of-way line of the nearest intersecting street and shall be spaced at not less than 120-foot intervals, measured from the centerline of the driveway. At least two separate driveways shall be provided and whenever possible they shall be limited to either an entrance or an exit. Entrances and exits shall be limited to two lanes. The width of such entrances and exists shall conform to the following schedule:

 

 

In all cases, the radius of the edge of the apron shall be at least twenty feet or as approved by the Traffic Engineer, but not less than fifteen feet, so that a car may enter or leave the curb lane without obstructing vehicles in other traffic lanes. The maximum curb cut shall be limited to the width of the entrance or exit, plus the radius of the apron. (

Ord. 1996-22. Passed 6-24-96.)

   (a)   Generally. Off-street loading and/or unloading facilities shall be provided for all business, service, commercial and industrial buildings hereafter erected or altered for such uses. The facilities shall be maintained as long as such building is occupied, shall continue unobstructed and shall not be used for repair or servicing of motor vehicles. Space required and allocated for off-street parking shall not be allocated or used to satisfy the space requirements for off-street loading.

   (b)   Dimensions. A required off-street loading space shall be at least twelve feet wide by at least twenty-five feet in length for a building of less than 15,000 square feet of gross floor area, and each required loading space for a building of 15,000 square feet or more of floor area shall be not less than fourteen feet wide by sixty feet in length. Each space shall have a vertical clearance of at least fourteen feet. Such areas shall be exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space.

   For manufacturing and service uses, the maneuvering space or apron for off-street loading shall be at least sixty feet wide, measured from the outermost part of any vehicle backed up to a loading dock or any other possible obstruction in the maneuvering area.

   Uses which otherwise require off-street loading facilities but are located in buildings of less than 5,000 square feet of floor area shall be provided with a receiving platform or other facility adjacent to a service drive or other open space on the same lot.

   (c)   Location; Surfacing. Loading facilities shall not be located in a front yard or in a required side or rear yard. Off-street loading spaces shall be provided with surface improvements as required for parking areas.

   (d)   Number of Required Spaces. Loading spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule:

 

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   All parking areas and driveways shall be surfaced with asphalt or concrete and shall be in accordance with the engineering specifications of the City.

   All parking areas having more than one aisle or driveway shall have directional signs or markings in each aisle or driveway.

   Parking spaces shall be striped, creating minimum nine feet by eighteen feet parking stalls, exclusive of drives and turning spaces.

   All parking areas and driveways shall provide adequate drainage so that all water is contained within the lot on which the parking area or driveway is located in such a manner that water shall not drain across other private property.

   Concrete, stone or asphalt curbs at least six inches above the level of the surface of the parking area, and at least twelve inches below the surface, shall be provided to define the limits of the parking area, except at exits and entrances. Where there is asphalt curbing, concrete wheel stops shall be installed three feet in front of the curbing or at least three feet of landscaping, built to curb height, shall be provided behind the asphalt curbing. Such curbs shall be at least six inches thick. Curbs shall be arranged so that no part of a parked vehicle projects into that portion of a required yard in which off-street parking is prohibited.

   Planted islands shall be developed and distributed so as to interrupt the expanse of paved area. Such islands shall have a minimum dimension of ten feet.

(Ord. 1990-65. Pased 11-26-90.)

   Off-street parking and loading areas shall be illuminated whenever necessary to protect the public safety. Such illumination shall be so designed and located that light sources are shielded from adjoining residential districts and streets, are not of excessive brightness and do not cause a glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   Prior to the issuance of a building permit or certificate of compliance, detailed drawings of off-street parking and loading areas, except for one and two-family dwellings, shall be submitted to the City Planning Commission for approval in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85.)

   (a)   In a residential district the outside parking or storage of a commercial vehicle is prohibited except for service to premises.

   (b)   An occupier or resident of a residential district who uses a commercial vehicle in his or her occupation is permitted to store such commercial vehicle out of view, in a garage, which is an accessory use permitted under this Zoning Code.

   (c)   In a nonresidential district, except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) hereof, the parking of a commercial vehicle or commercial trailer or semitrailer is prohibited during the hours when the business in question is not open to the public, except for service to such premises. This limitation does not apply to automobile repair facilities or similar facilities when determined to be such by the Board of Zoning Appeals and Council.

   (d)   In an office building and nonretail district, the parking of a commercial vehicle is prohibited, except as such parking is incidental to a service or delivery being made to an occupant of such district.

   (e)   In a retail district, the parking of one truck only, used in the business, which is less than 6,000 pounds net vehicular weight, is permitted during the hours when such business is not open to the public, if such vehicle is parked so as to be situated at the furthermost point on the property away from the main roadway. The automobile license registration numbering system of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for weight, issued for a truck, shall be prima-facie evidence of the net weight of a truck limited in this subsection.

   (f)   As used in this section:

      (1)   "Commercial vehicle" means:

         A.   Any vehicle that has license plates attached thereto with the designation of "truck" or "commercial" thereon, provided that the capacity or payload of such vehicle is in excess of three-fourths of a ton in weight;

         B.   Any vehicle that is not a passenger-type vehicle; or

         C.   Any vehicle that is marked or identified by lettering, symbols or signs, pertaining to commercial purposes, or that has attached thereto any scaffolding, ladders, plows, cranes, hooks, hoists, backhoes or other tools or devices, and that is being used for commercial purposes.

      (2)   "Passenger-type vehicle" is as defined in Ohio R.C. 4501.01(E).

   (g)   A violation of subsection (b) hereof is a minor misdemeanor, punishable by up to a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine. Any subsequent violation of subsection (b) hereof is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. The penalty shall be as provided in Section 597.02.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85; Ord. 2005-24. Passed 1-9-06.)

   (EDITOR'S NOTE: Section 1189.14 was repealed by Ordinance 2006-52, passed February 12, 2007.)

   (a)   The gross floor area shall be the area of each floor, including the basement, if used for offices, measured from the exterior faces of the building.

(Ord. 1987-10. Passed 4-13-87.)

   (b)   Parking spaces shall be striped, creating minimum nine feet by eighteen feet parking stalls, exclusive of drives and turning spaces.

(Ord. 1990-66. Passed 11-26-90.)

   (c)   Parking facilities in front yards shall be located not closer than 100 feet from the centerline of the street; in side yards, not closer than ten feet from the lot line; and in rear yards, not closer than twenty feet from the lot line.

   Parking facilities in the front and side yards of corner lots shall be located not closer than 100 feet from the centerline of any abutting street. The side yard abutting an adjoining lot shall be located not closer than ten feet from the lot line. The rear yard setback shall be not closer than twenty-five feet from the lot line.

(Ord. 1987-32. Passed 9-28-87.)

   (d)   At least five percent of the parking area shall be landscaped with planted islands distributed so as to interrupt the expanse of paved area.

   (e)   The location and width of entrance and exit driveways to parking facilities shall be planned so as to interfere as little as possible with the use of nearby property and with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. At least two separate driveways shall be provided with a minimum width of eighteen feet and a maximum width of twenty-four feet.

   (f)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, Council may, upon application to the Planning Commission by the owner of any lot within a Headquarters or Executive Offices Park, and upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, permit such owner to set aside and landscape an area that would otherwise be required paved parking area hereunder, upon a showing that the number of required parking spaces hereunder is not necessary to provide adequate parking for the persons occupying the building on such lot.

   (g)   Council shall determine, upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the size of the area to be set aside and landscaped, and Council may at any time require some or all of such to be set aside and landscaped area to be improved and added to the existing parking facilities.

(Ord. 1987-10. Passed 4-13-87; Ord. 2006-52. Passed 2-12-07.)

   The following requirements for off-street parking and loading facilities are applicable to hospitals, office, medical, engineering and research buildings, and uses as set forth in Section 1179.01:

   (a)   Parking Space Requirements. For the purposes of this section, the following parking space requirements shall apply:

      (1)   One space for every 375 square feet of gross floor area of all buildings, excluding parking structures, where the computation of required parking spaces results in a fractional unit, one additional parking space shall be provided.

      (2)   The gross floor area of a building shall be the total area of all floors, including basements, measured from the exterior faces of the building. Areas excluded from the parking requirements include parking and utility structures. Utility structures are defined to include rooms and spaces required for mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment and infrastructure.

      (3)   Parking spaces shall be striped, creating minimum nine feet by eighteen feet parking stalls, exclusive of drives and turning spaces.

   (b)   Modifications to Schedule. Where a building or use exists which does not conform to parking requirements set forth in subsection (a) hereof, and where land is not available on the same lot or on an adjoining lot, the Board of Zoning Appeals may modify the location of parking facilities to permit such facilities and final approval shall be given by Council.

   (c)   Conflicts. Where there is a conflict between any of the provisions of this section and any other provision of this chapter, the provision of this section shall control.

(Ord. 1985-29. Passed 10-14-85 ; Ord. 2005-14. Passed 9-12-05.)

   (EDITOR'S NOTE: Section 1189.17 was repealed by Ordinance 2006-52, passed February 12, 2007.)

   Handicapped parking shall be provided at all buildings in all zoning classifications except Class U-1, U-2 and U-3.

   Handicapped parking spaces shall be conveniently located and dimensioned in accordance with American National Standards Institute Standard A-117.1.

   A twelve-inch by eighteen-inch sign shall be mounted on a pole or building wall, so as to be clearly visible, at the end of each handicapped parking space. Such signs shall specify that the space is reserved for handicapped parking.

   The total number of spaces required shall be in accordance with the following table:

 

 

(Ord. 1987-10. Passed 4-13-87.)

   (EDITOR'S NOTE: Section 1189.19 was repealed by Ordinance 2006-52, passed February 12, 2007.)