Moorhead City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 20
OFF STREET PARKING
10-20-1: PURPOSE:
The regulation of off street parking spaces in these zoning regulations is to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public right of way and to promote the safety and general welfare of the public by establishing minimum requirements for off street parking of motor and other vehicles in accordance with the utilization of various parcels of land or structures. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-2: APPLICATION OF OFF STREET PARKING REGULATIONS:
The regulations and requirements set forth herein will apply to all off street parking spaces in all of the zoning districts of the city except the MU-1 downtown mixed use zoning district. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-3: SITE PLAN DRAWING NECESSARY:
All applications for a building or an occupancy permit in all zoning districts must be accompanied by a site plan drawn to scale and fully dimensioned indicating the location of off street parking and loading spaces in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and chapter 21 of this title. All site plans for single-family homes must provide two (2) off street parking spaces. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-4: GENERAL PROVISIONS:
A. Floor Area: The term "floor area" for the purpose of calculating the number of off street parking spaces required will be determined on the basis of the floor area dimensions dedicated to each use within the structure(s).
B. Nonconforming Structures: Any nonconforming structure that is destroyed by any means may be reestablished when permitted by section 10-18-4 of this title. Any use reestablished must retain any existing off street parking.
C. Change Of Use Or Occupancy Of Land: No change of use or occupancy of land already dedicated to a parking area or parking spaces may be made, nor may any sale of land or division or subdivision of land be made which reduces area necessary for parking, parking stalls or parking requirements below the minimum prescribed by these parking regulations.
D. Change Of Use Or Occupancy Of Buildings: Any change of use or occupancy of any building or buildings including additions requiring additional parking spaces will not be permitted unless there are furnished additional parking spaces as required by these parking regulations.
E. Calculating Space:
1. When determining the number of off street parking spaces results in a fraction, each fraction over one-half (1/2) will constitute another space.
2. If a structure contains two (2) or more uses, the sum of the required spaces for each use will be used for determining the total number of off street parking spaces required. For shared parking facilities, refer to the stated standards as provided later in this chapter.
F. Design And Construction Of Parking Spaces:
1. Minimum Parking Space Size: The minimum parking space size is eight feet by eighteen feet (8' x 18') except parallel parking stalls shall be twenty two feet (22') in length and accessible stalls must meet the size requirements of the building code.
2. Parking Spaces Within Structures: Off street parking spaces may be provided within the principal building or another structure or structures on the same lot. Should any building or structure providing required parking spaces be converted to another use, parking spaces equal to those lost in the conversion of the building must be replaced in accordance with this title.
3. Circulation: Except for single-family, two-family and attached single-family dwellings, parking spaces must be designed so that circulation between parking bays or aisles occurs within the designated parking lot and does not depend upon a public street or alley.
4. Compliance: Except in the case of single-family, two-family and attached single-family dwellings, parking areas and their aisles must be developed in compliance with recognized standards approved by the zoning administrator.
5. Surfacing: Except in the case of farm dwellings and operations, seasonal recreational uses, and residential uses in the TZ and RLD-0 district, driveways and parking stalls must be surfaced with asphalt or concrete. In industrial zones, driveways and parking stalls may be surfaced with gravel, crushed concrete, or other materials equivalent in controlling dust and drainage, as approved by the city engineer, and subject to the approval of a grading plan that must be submitted to the city engineer. Plans for surfacing and drainage of driveways and stalls for five (5) or more vehicles must be submitted to the city engineer for review and the final drainage plan will be subject to his written approval. At any time an improvement is made which increases the number of off street parking spaces, all nonconforming surfacing of parking areas or driveways must be brought to full compliance with this chapter.
6. Pavement Marking Of Parking Spaces: Except for single-family, two-family and attached single-family dwellings, all parking stalls must be marked with white or yellow painted lines not less than four inches (4") wide or blue lines as required for accessible parking.
7. Lighting: Any lighting used to illuminate an off street parking area must be hooded and so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining property, abutting residential uses and public rights of way and be in compliance with section 10-19-19 of this title.
9. Driveway Turnarounds: In the case of single-family, two- family, and attached single-family dwellings, which front on streets designated as collector, minor arterial, intermediate arterial and principal arterial by the city's comprehensive plan, the installation of a vehicle turnaround space, immediately adjacent to the access driveway is permitted. Said space is to be no larger than ten feet (10') wide and fifteen feet (15') in length. Where possible, said space must be located away from the principal structure and must be no closer than twenty feet (20') from the street surface. Said space is not to be utilized for parking purposes. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-5: MAINTENANCE:
It is the responsibility of the owner of the principal use, uses or buildings to maintain the parking space, driveways, striping and required screening. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-6: LOCATION:
All off street parking spaces will be regulated as follows:
A. Ownership And Location: Off street parking spaces required by this chapter must be on the same lot under the same ownership as the principal use being served except as otherwise allowed in this title.
B. Access: Parking layouts which require backing onto a street to exit a parking space will not be permitted.
1. Exception: Single-family, two-family, and attached single- family dwellings.
C. Setbacks: Off street parking spaces, whether required by section 10-20-9 of this chapter or not, may not be located in required front yards in residentially zoned districts.
1. Exception: Single-family, two-family, and attached single- family dwellings may have off street parking spaces in excess of those required by this chapter located in a required front yard. Single-family dwellings constructed prior to January 1, 1992, with a single stall garage and a side yard setback of less than ten feet (10') may construct an additional twelve feet (12') of driveway width within the required front yard to meet the required off street parking.
D. Location Of Spaces; Surfacing: Required off street parking areas for one- and two-family uses shall be in the rear yard, side yards, garage, carport and upon a defined driveway. A parking space in excess of that specifically required by this title may be located in an area not to exceed twelve feet (12') in width abutting the driveway on one side only in the front yard. The parking area designated in the front yard abutting the driveway shall be surfaced with either concrete, asphalt or in cases of existing gravel driveways, gravel may be used for such additional parking.
E. Enforcement: Violations may be enforced through issuance of citations. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-7: USE OF REQUIRED AREA:
Required off street parking spaces in any district may not be utilized for open storage, sale or rental of goods, repair work, storage of inoperable vehicles and/or storage of snow other than that which has accumulated on that lot. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-8: ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES:
Accessible parking spaces must be provided in accordance with the state building code. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)
10-20-9: NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED:
The following minimum number of off street parking spaces must be provided and maintained by ownership, easement and/or lease for and during the life of the following uses. Other uses not specifically mentioned herein or unique cases shall be determined on an individual basis by the zoning administrator. Factors to be considered in such determination shall include (without limitation) size of buildings, type of use, number of employees, expected volume and turnover of customer traffic and expected frequency and number of delivery or service vehicles.
Use | Minimum Number Of Off Street Parking Spaces | |
Use | Minimum Number Of Off Street Parking Spaces | |
Banks | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area | |
Boarding house | At minimum 2 spaces plus at least 1 parking space for each person for whom accommodations are provided for sleeping | |
Bowling alley | 2 parking spaces for each alley, plus additional spaces as may be required for related uses contained within the principal structure | |
Bus terminal or taxi terminal | 8 off street parking spaces, plus 1 additional space for each 800 square feet of floor area over 1,000 square feet | |
Campus organizations | Requirement is per parking plan specified in the conditional use permit | |
Car wash: | ||
Automatic drive-through services | 80 feet of stacking space for each drive-through | |
Motor fuel station car wash | 0 in addition to that required for the station | |
Self-service | A minimum of 1 space | |
Community centers, health clubs, libraries, museums | 1 space for each 250 square feet of floor area for community centers, health clubs. 1 space for each 500 square feet of floor area for libraries and museums | |
Dormitories | 1 space for each 3 residents | |
Drive-in and fast food restaurants | 1 parking space for each 75 square feet of gross floor area of service and dining area. Additionally, 100 feet of stacking space must be provided for each drive- through aisle | |
Drive-in banks | 1 space for each 2 drive-in units plus drive aisle stacking space of 40 feet for each drive-in unit | |
Dwellings: | ||
Multi-family apartments | Efficiency unit - 0 1 & 2 bedroom unit - 1 space 3 or more bedroom units - 2 spaces | |
Single-family, Two-family, Triplex, Townhouse/ Rowhouse | 2 spaces per unit | |
Manufactured homes | 2 spaces per unit | |
55+ communities | 1 space per unit | |
Hospitals | 1 space for each 2 patient beds (excluding bassinets); loading and unloading space for hospital ambulances and similar vehicles are not included in the spaces required | |
Industrial, manufacturing, fabricating, or processing of a product or material | 1 space for each employee on maximum shift | |
Motels, motor hotels, hotels | 1 space per each rental unit plus 1 additional space for each 10 units | |
Motor fuel station and auto repair | 3 parking spaces for motor fuel stations. For auto repair, 2 spaces for each repair stall and 1 space for each employee on maximum shift | |
Office buildings, professional offices, medical and dental clinics | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area | |
Post office | 1 space for each 400 square feet of floor area | |
Religious institutions/group assembly/membership organizations | At least 1 parking space for each 5 seats of the main assembly hall | |
Restaurants, cafes, private clubs serving food and/or drinks, bars, on-sale nightclubs | At least 1 space for each 75 square feet of floor area of dining and bar area | |
Retail sales and service business with 50 percent or more of gross floor area devoted to storage, warehouse and/or industry | 2 spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area devoted to public sales or service plus 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of storage area | |
Retail stores, shopping centers and service establishments, boat and marine sales and repair, garden supply stores, building materials sales in a structure | 2 parking spaces for each 1,000 square feet of floor area devoted to sales or service | |
Sanatoriums, convalescent home, rest home, nursing home or daycare centers | 4 spaces plus 1 for each 4 beds for which accommodations are offered and 1 space designated for emergency vehicles. For daycare centers, 2 spaces plus 1 space for every staff member on maximum shift | |
School, public or private, elementary and junior high | At least 1 parking space for each classroom plus 1 additional space for each 50 student capacity | |
School, public or private, high school through college | At least 1 parking space for each 7 students based on design capacity plus 1 for each classroom | |
Theaters, civic centers, auditoriums, stadiums, sports arenas or similar uses | 1 space for each 4 seats, or, if patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, the number of seats will be based on 1 seat for each 22 inches of bench or pew length | |
Undertaking establishments | 1 space for each 4 seats or, if patrons occupy benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, the number of seats will be based on 1 seat for each 22 inches of bench or pew length | |
Warehousing, storage or handling of bulk goods | 1 space for each 3,000 square feet of floor area and 1 space for each company owned truck (if not stored inside principal building) | |
Note 1. The zoning administrator shall have the authority to approve further reductions to minimum parking space requirements that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
(Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014; amd. Ord. 2019-05, 5-28-2019; Ord. 2025-09, 10-14-2025)
10-20-10: SHARED PARKING FACILITIES:
Parking spaces required under this section may be provided cooperatively for two (2) or more uses in a development or for two (2) or more individual uses, subject to the requirements of this section. This section shall not apply to residential uses.
A. Cooperative Parking: Off street parking requirements of a given use may be met with off site, off street parking facilities of another use when, and if, all of the following conditions are met:
1. The off site, off street parking facilities are within three hundred feet (300') of the property;
2. The minimum off street parking demands of the individual uses, as determined by this chapter, are such that the total parking demand of all the uses at any one time is less than the total parking stalls required;
3. Requirements of the zoning district are met;
4. A properly drawn legal agreement, executed by the parties concerned for joint use of off street parking facilities, and applicable for a minimum of twenty (20) years, shall be duly approved by the city attorney and recorded with the Clay County recorder. Should the agreement expire or otherwise terminate, the use for which the off site parking was provided shall be considered nonconforming and any and all approvals shall be subject to revocation. Continuation or expansion of the use shall be prohibited unless the use is brought into compliance with the parking regulations of this chapter; and
5. An application for cooperative parking shall be submitted to the zoning administrator by the owner of the land area to be included within the cooperative parking plan, the owner(s) of all structures that exist on such land, and all parties having a legal interest in such land area or structures. The application shall include plans showing the location of the uses or structures for which off street parking facilities are required, the location of the off street parking facilities, and the schedule of times used by those sharing common parking area;
6. The parking lot is to be used only for the parking of passenger automobiles of employees, customers or guests of the person or firm controlling and operating the lot, said person to be responsible for its maintenance;
7. The parking lot is not to be used for sales, repair work, storage of junk vehicles, or servicing of any kind;
8. Reasonable access from off site parking facilities to the use being served must be provided;
9. No advertising sign or material is to be located on the property where the parking lot is located;
10. All parking is to be kept back of the setback building line by barriers unless otherwise specified in this title or as specifically authorized by the council;
11. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the site used for meeting the off site parking requirements of this title must be under the same ownership as the principal use being served or under public ownership;
12. Any use which depends upon off site parking to meet the requirements of this title must maintain ownership and parking utilization of the off site location until such time as on site parking is provided or a site in closer proximity to the principal use is acquired and developed for parking.
B. Shared Parking: Developments that contain a mix of uses on the same parcel or a unified development with abutting parcels may reduce the amount of required parking if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The off street parking spaces provided must equal at least seventy five percent (75%) of the minimum off street parking spaces required for the individual uses; and
2. A properly drawn legal agreement, executed by the parties concerned for joint use of off street parking facilities, and applicable for a minimum of twenty (20) years, shall be duly approved by the city attorney and recorded with the Clay County recorder. Should the agreement expire or otherwise terminate, the use for which the off site parking was provided shall be considered nonconforming and any and all approvals shall be subject to revocation. Continuation or expansion of the use shall be prohibited unless the use is brought into compliance with the parking regulations of this chapter. (Ord. 2014-01, 1-27-2014)