Mount Pleasant City Zoning Code
SUBCHAPTER F
PARKING AND LOADING
§ 156.730 PURPOSE.
This subchapter sets minimum standards for off-street parking requirements for new construction and expansion of or changes to existing uses and structures to:
(A) Ensure uses have a minimum level of off-street parking to avoid congestion on surrounding streets without creating excessive parking; and
(B) Provide flexibility to accommodate alternative parking solutions.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.731 APPLICABILITY.
(A) This subchapter applies:
(1) At the time of initial construction of any principal building;
(2) At the time of establishment of a principal use, whether a new use on a previously undeveloped lot or a change in use of a developed lot;
(3) Any time a structural alteration or other addition to a principal building produces an increase in parking demand;
(4) Any time the useable seating area of a restaurant or brewpub is increased; and
(5) Any time a use is enlarged to occupy additional floor area or is altered in another manner that produces an increase in parking demand.
(B) Required off-street parking provided for one use shall not be included as part or all of the required off-street parking for another use, unless authorized through a shared parking plan (see § 156.774).
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.732 LOCATION OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES.
(A) Unless otherwise approved through an alternative parking plan (see Part 4), all required off-street parking spaces shall:
(1) Be located on the same lot with the principal building or use or uses served;
(2) Have direct access to a street or alley; and
(3) Be developed and maintained in accordance with Subchapter F, Part 3 and with Subchapter H, Part 3, if applicable.
(B) On-street parking may be allowed as provided in § 156.773.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.740 MINIMUM OFF-STREET PARKING RATIOS.
(A) Minimum number of off-street parking spaces required. § 156.741 establishes the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for the land uses listed in Subchapter C, Part 3, Subpart 3.2.
(B) Fractional computations. If the final calculation of the minimum required number of off-street parking spaces includes a fractional space, the number of required parking spaces is rounded up to the next highest whole number regardless of the fraction.
(C) Requirements for uses not specifically listed. When the parking space requirements for a particular use are not listed in § 156.741, the applicant shall submit a parking demand study that complies with § 156.775 to establish the number of parking spaces required.
(D) Parking demand studies. When an applicant believes the minimum number of required parking spaces specified in § 156.741 exceeds the number needed for the proposed use, the applicant may submit a parking demand study that complies with § 156.775 to establish the number of parking spaces required.
(E) Parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles. Parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles, including spaces with electric vehicle charging stations, count towards the required number of parking spaces for a use, unless the space is exclusively available for alternative fuel vehicles (through the use of a sign or other marking).
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.741 OFF-STREET PARKING TABLE.
(A) The minimum number of required parking spaces shall be calculated on the basis of the use of the land or principal structure on a lot, according to the requirements indicated in Table 156.741-1: Off-Street Parking Table, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
(B) In the OP-1, OP-2, NC-1, NC-2, AB-1, AB-2, ED, LI, and WG-C zoning districts, all parking spaces provided above the minimum amount required, except spaces for alternative fuel vehicles, shall be surfaced with pervious materials approved by the Zoning Administrator in consultation with the Town Engineer. The applicant shall provide manufacturer specifications and construction details for the proposed materials.
Key: min. = minimum required | sf = square feet | |||||
Use Category | Use | Spaces Required (min.)1 |
Unit of Measure | Notes | |
Civic | Church or place of public assembly | 3 to 5 | 100 sf of main assembly | For simultaneous uses, parking requirements for each use may be separately applied. | |
Government facility | Parking demand study required2 | ||||
School: middle, primary, pre-school, educational nursery, day care, and similar uses | 2 to 10 | Classroom | |||
School: secondary/high school/technical | 5 to 10, or 1 to 2 | Classroom, or 100 sf of main assembly | Whichever is greater at initial construction and any future alterations. | ||
Key: min. = minimum required | sf = square feet | |||||
Commercial | Accommodations and lodging | 1 | Guest room | If more than 4 guest rooms in a guest suite, 1 additional space per 2 guest rooms is required. Employee parking is required at 2 spaces (total) for boutique hotels and 3 spaces (total) for hotels and extended stay hotels. | |
Commercial and retail (excluding shopping centers) | 1 | 200 to 300 sf | |||
Office and warehouse, including medical office | 1 | 200 to 300 sf | For warehouse uses only, the office portion is subject to the parking requirement. Fleet parking may require additional spaces at staff discretion. | ||
Personal and business support services, including personal improvement education | 1 | 200 to 300 sf | Fleet parking may require additional spaces at staff discretion. | ||
Restaurant, bar, nightclub, lounge, including associated decks, plazas, and other outdoor areas | 1 to 2 | 100 sf | |||
Shopping center | 1 | 250 sf | |||
Healthcare | Assisted living or nursing home | 1 | 3 beds | Plus 1 space per employee | |
Continuing care retirement community (CCRC) - dependent living units | 1 | 3 beds | Plus 1 space per employee | ||
CCRC - independent living dwelling units | 1.5 to 3 | Dwelling unit | |||
Hospital | 1 to 4 | Room | |||
Mixed uses | Live-work unit | 1 | Dwelling unit | Plus all spaces required for the non-residential use | |
Recreation | Park and all other sports-related uses | Parking demand study required2 | |||
Sports complex - with fixed seats (such as a field or gym) | 1 | 3 to 5 seats | |||
Sports complex - without fixed seats (such as a field or pool) | Parking demand study required2 | ||||
Residential | Duplex, triplex, quadplex, or multiplex dwelling | 1.5 to 3 | Dwelling unit | For multiplex dwellings, private garage spaces do not count toward the requirement. | |
Detached house dwelling | 1 | Dwelling unit | Private garage spaces may count toward the requirement. | ||
Townhouse dwelling | 2 | Dwelling unit | Private garage spaces may count toward the requirement. Tandem parking is allowed. | ||
Other | All other uses | Parking demand study required2 | |||
1 Unless otherwise specified in this chapter. 2 See § 156.775. | |||||
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.742 BICYCLE PARKING.
(A) Applicability. Bicycle parking and storage is required for multiplex dwellings, apartment complexes, and commercial developments at the time of the initial construction of any principal building or when a structural alteration or other addition to a principal building produces an increase in parking demand.
(B) Minimum number of spaces required.
(1) Multiplex dwellings and apartment complexes. Multiplex dwellings and apartment complexes that contain more than ten dwelling units shall provide enough secure bicycle parking to accommodate 10% of the units at one space per unit.
(2) Commercial developments. Commercial developments and redevelopments of 6,000 square feet or more shall provide secure bicycle parking in accordance with Table 156.742-1: Bicycle Parking for Commercial Developments.
(C) Vehicular parking reduction for commercial developments.
(1) The required number of off-street vehicular parking spaces for a commercial development may be reduced by up to 10% if the development provides indoor bicycle accommodations, in addition to the required number of bicycle parking spaces.
(2) Examples of accommodations include enclosed bicycle lockers, personal lockers, employee shower facilities, and dressing areas. Examples of indoor bicycle accommodations are shown in Figure 156.742-1.
(D) Design and location.
(1) The design and location of all bicycle parking is subject to approval through the design review process.
(2) Required bicycle parking shall:
(a) Consist of racks or lockers of theft-resistant construction, which shall be anchored so they cannot be easily removed;
(b) Allow both the bicycle frame and the wheels to be locked using a standard U-lock;
(c) Be designed so as not to cause damage to the bicycle;
(d) Facilitate easy locking without interference from or to adjacent bicycles;
(e) Be located in convenient, visible, well-lighted areas that are close to entrances and do not interfere with pedestrian movements;
(f) Where provided for residential developments, be protected from the elements (see Figure 156.742-2: Examples of Protected Bicycle Parking for Residential Developments); and
(g) Where located in commercial parking lots, utilize a paving material or surface different from the adjacent parking areas and shall include some means of protection of bicyclists and the bicycle facility from vehicular conflicts.
(3) Figure 156.742-3 provides examples of outdoor bicycle parking for commercial developments.
Figure 156.742-3
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.755 APPLICABILITY.
This part applies to all uses subject to this subchapter except where otherwise indicated.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.756 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Tandem parking. Tandem parking is prohibited, unless specifically allowed elsewhere in this chapter.
(B) Stop signs. Stop signs shall be provided at the transition from a surface parking area to the public right-of-way.
(C) Wheel stops. Wheel stops shall be provided wherever an angled parking space abuts a curb or sidewalk.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.757 SURFACING.
(A) All parking spaces shall be surfaced with a suitable paving material such as asphalt, concrete, specialty pavers, or pea gravel (but not other types of gravel or similar material), except as provided in § 156.741(B) and division (B) below.
(B) Parking spaces located in the SCW-W, SCW-H, SCW-N Districts and parking spaces serving detached house dwellings, duplex dwellings, and any other use that requires or provides six or fewer parking spaces may be surfaced with other suitable paving material approved by the Zoning Administrator in consultation with the Town Engineer. The applicant shall provide manufacturer specifications and construction details for the proposed materials.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.758 PARKING SPACE AND TRAVEL AISLE DIMENSIONS.
(A) Parking spaces oriented 90 degrees to the travel aisle shall be at least nine feet in width and 18 feet in length. However, where parking spaces abut landscaped areas not required by this chapter, the paved length of the parking stall may be reduced to 17 feet if curbing or anchored concrete wheel stops are furnished at the edge of paving to allow the vehicle to overhang the landscape area.
(B) Angled parking spaces positioned at other than 90 degrees to the travel aisle, parallel parking spaces, and one-way travel aisles shall be dimensioned in accordance with recognized standard criteria, such as time-saver standards.
(C) The minimum dimensions for a parking space exclude aisles, maneuvering space, turnaround space, and drives.
(D) All two-way travel aisles shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.759 DRIVE-THROUGHS.
For businesses with drive-through access, parking spaces and travel aisles shall be arranged in a manner that provides sufficient stacking area from the public access driveway to prevent vehicles from backing up into the adjacent roadway.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.760 DESIGN REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOTS.
(A) Applicability. This section applies for commercial, institutional, and apartment complex parking lots located in any zoning district.
(B) Lighting. Parking lots and vehicular use areas shall be lighted in accordance with Subchapter H, Part 3, Subpart 3.4.
(C) Screening. All parking lots and vehicular use areas shall be screened from all abutting properties and rights-of-way by the minimum requirements of Subchapter D, Part 2.
(D) Parking lot landscaping.
(1) Planter islands. Surface parking lots shall contain planter islands located so as to best relieve the expanse of paving.
(a) The end of each parking row shall terminate in a planter island, outlined by curb and gutter or concrete wheel stops.
1. A maximum of 12 parking spaces in a row is allowed without a planter island.
2. However, this requirement may be modified by the Zoning Administrator when strict application will seriously limit the function of an area.
(b) Planter islands shall have a minimum area of 150 square feet.
1. Planter islands shall contain at least one 2.5-inch-caliper canopy tree with a minimum clean trunk of five feet and a minimum overall height of eight feet at the time of planting. “Minimum clean trunk” means the tree does not have limbs or leaves between the ground and the specified height, which helps maintain a clear line of sight for drivers and pedestrians.
2. The remainder shall be landscaped with understory trees, shrubs, or ground cover.
3. As it presents considerable root competition for trees, the use of lawn within an island should be limited.
4. Planter islands with a minimum area less than 250 square feet shall not include light poles, fire hydrants, manholes, curb inlets/drain boxes, transformers, and the like.
(c) Depth of termination area and height of landscaping shall be determined by preserving a sight triangle within the parking area formed by a long leg of 50 feet and a height of eye of three and one-half feet.
(2) Planted borders.
(a) Where a parking area is not located immediately adjacent to a perimeter or right-of-way bufferyard, the parking area shall have planted borders at least five feet in width located parallel to lot lines and rights-of-way.
(b) Planted borders are intended to supplement, not replace, required bufferyards.
(c) Planted border areas shall contain at least one 2.5-inch-caliper canopy tree, with a minimum clear trunk of five feet and a minimum height of eight feet, for each 30 linear feet of the border area. The remainder shall be landscaped with shrubs, lawn, ground cover, or other approved materials.
(d) Planted border areas may be interrupted to provide:
1. Ingress and egress drives for the property; and
2. Sidewalks that are generally perpendicular to the border area and that are used to connect the parking area to a building.
(E) Existing plant material.
(1) The natural landscape shall be preserved according to the provisions of § 156.991.
(2) Wherever healthy plant material exists on a site, the standards in division (D) above may be adjusted to allow credit for such plant material, if the existing plant material meets the standards in this section.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.770 PURPOSE.
The minimum off-street parking ratios are intended to encourage development that is economically viable and environmentally sensitive. The standards in this subchapter are not intended to be so rigid as to require significantly more parking spaces than a particular use demands, or to inhibit creative development. Project conditions associated with individual sites may justify the use of alternative parking plans as provided in this part.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.771 APPLICABILITY.
(A) Alternative parking plans may be submitted in conjunction with any application, subject to the requirements in the applicable section of this part.
(B) Alternative parking plans may modify the provisions of § 156.732 or § 156.741, but shall not modify any other provisions of this subchapter.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.772 OFF-SITE PARKING.
(A) Applicability. Off-site parking may be provided for any use, subject to the provisions in this section.
(B) Location.
(1) The off-site parking area shall be located no more than 600 feet from the primary pedestrian entrance of the use(s) served. This distance is measured from the nearest point of the off-site parking area to the primary pedestrian entrance of the use served along the shortest designated pedestrian route.
(2) The off-site parking spaces shall not be separated from the use(s) served by a street right-of-way greater than 80 feet in width.
(C) Availability of off-site parking spaces. Off-site parking spaces used to meet minimum parking requirements must be exclusively available to the users of the use served by the off-site parking spaces during the duration of use.
(D) Off-site parking agreement required. The owner of the lot on which the off-site parking is located must relinquish, through a covenant agreement with the town, their development rights over the property until such time as parking space is provided elsewhere or on the same premises as the principal use or uses.
(1) An agreement ensuring the use of the off-site parking area by the associated use shall be submitted in conjunction with the application.
(2) If an off-site parking agreement is revoked by the parties to the agreement, off-street parking shall be provided in another location in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.
(E) Off-site parking in the TH District.
(1) In the TH District, required parking may be provided in a community parking lot or garage, the title to which and/or easement for the use of which runs with and/or is appurtenant to the title of townhouse.
(2) Any such parking lot or garage shall be located 200 feet or less from the dwelling(s) it serves.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.773 ON-STREET PARKING.
(A) Applicability.
(1) On-street parking is allowed in Planned Development Districts, if expressly authorized by the associated rezoning ordinance.
(2) On-street parking may be allowed in zoning overlay districts (see Subchapter B).
(3) On-street parking may be provided in any zoning district that is subject to Subchapter H, if approved through the design review process.
(B) Location.
(1) Public streets.
(a) On-street parking may be located on town-owned rights-of-way.
(b) On-street parking on state rights-of-way is subject to review and approval by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
(c) On-street parking is publicly available and may not be reserved for private use.
(d) On-street parking may not be used for required off-street parking.
(2) Private streets. On-street parking may be located on private rights-of-way.
(3) Access drives. On-street parking may be located on private drives if the drive is constructed to look like a street. Figure 156.773-1 provides examples of drives constructed to look like a street.
(C) Design.
(1) On-street parking spaces. On-street parking spaces shall be:
(a) Oriented parallel to the travel lanes, except on private streets and access drives where they may be parallel or angled;
(b) Dimensioned in accordance with recognized standard criteria, such as time-saver standards;
(c) Located at least 50 feet from any street intersection, as measured from the closest edge of the parking space to the center of the intersection;
(d) Located at least 30 feet from any intersection of two access drives or an access drive and a street, as measured from the closest edge of the parking space to the center of the intersection; and
(e) Marked in accordance with the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(2) Curb and gutter. Curb and gutter shall be provided.
(3) Curb extensions.
(a) Curb extensions (or “bulb-outs”) shall be provided between at least every six on-street parking spaces.
(b) A curb extension shall have at least the same dimensions as the on-street parking spaces.
(c) Curb extensions shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, groundcover, or a combination of these elements. For developments subject to the Environmental Guidelines for Land Development (see § 155.054(B)) curb extensions on:
1. Private streets or access drives may accommodate low impact development stormwater control measures; and
2. Public streets may accommodate low impact development stormwater control measures, if approved by the Town Engineer.
(D) New on-street parking may constitute up to 50% of required parking.
(1) Unless otherwise specified in a PD District ordinance or zoning overlay district regulations, newly constructed on-street parking spaces may be used to satisfy up to 50% of the parking spaces required for any use if the on-street parking is located within:
(a) 250 feet of any building entrance for a residential use; and
(b) 600 feet of the primary building entrance for a non-residential use.
(2) All required accessible parking spaces shall be provided off-street.
(E) On-street parking map required.
(1) If on-street parking spaces are used to satisfy any portion of the minimum parking requirement, the applicant shall provide a key map allocating the provided on-street parking to the lot or tenant utilizing the spaces. However, on-street parking spaces for a specific use shall not be reserved exclusively by that use, but must be available for general public use at all times. Signs or action limiting general public use of on-street spaces is prohibited.
(2) The overlapping of the same on-street parking space(s) for multiple uses is prohibited.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.774 SHARED PARKING.
(A) Applicability. Shared parking may be provided for any two or more uses, subject to the provisions in this section.
(B) Generally.
(1) Off-street parking spaces may be shared among more than one use, whether the uses are on the same lot or on separate lots, if the total number of off-street parking spaces is at least equal to the sum of the individual off-street parking space requirements for each use specified in § 156.741, except as provided in division (D) below.
(2) Shared parking spaces must be available on an equal basis for all users. Parking spaces shall not be designated solely for certain uses through the use of signs or other elements, except that shared parking spaces provided pursuant to division (D) below may be restricted to specific users during certain hours.
(C) Shared parking agreement required.
(1) When off-street parking spaces are shared among more than one use, a legally sufficient agreement, approved by the Town Attorney prior to execution, ensuring the perpetual joint usage and maintenance of the shared parking area(s) shall be recorded with the Charleston County Register of Deeds.
(2) The agreement must include provisions for written notice to the Zoning Administrator prior to expiration, termination, or an amendment to the agreement.
(3) An executed shared parking agreement shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator prior to technical review and code compliance or zoning permit approval, as applicable, and recorded within 30 days of approval.
(4) If a shared parking agreement expires, terminates, or is amended in a manner contrary to this section, off-street parking shall be provided in another location in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter within 60 days of such action. Unless remediating steps are taken that bring the property into compliance with parking requirements, the property may be considered in violation of this chapter.
(D) Reduction in required number of off-street parking spaces.
(1) Where off-street parking spaces are shared among two or more uses that have different hours of operation or peak parking demand hours, the Zoning Administrator may allow a reduction in the total number of required parking spaces.
(2) The reduction shall be based on a shared parking analysis prepared by a professional engineer or transportation planner that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of shared parking.
(3) In the shared parking analysis, the professional engineer or transportation planner shall assess:
(a) Site-specific elements, including the size and type of the proposed development and the composition of uses or tenants; and
(b) The anticipated rate of parking turnover and the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses, using:
1. Actual parking counts for uses or combinations of uses that are the same or comparable to the proposed use(s) in terms of density, scale, bulk, area, type of activity, and location; and/or
2. Relevant data from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Urban Land Institute (ULI) meeting a Level of Service A or B for walking distances from parking to entrance, or another generally accepted resource for parking demand data; and/or
3. The availability of current or planned public transportation routes, greenways, and other pedestrian and bicycle connections.
(4) If one or more uses change, a new shared parking analysis is required to demonstrate whether the parking reduction continues to accommodate the parking demand for each use. If the number of parking spaces provided no longer accommodates the parking demand generated by each use, parking shall be provided in accordance with this subchapter.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.775 PARKING DEMAND STUDIES.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of a parking demand study is to demonstrate the appropriate off-street parking ratio for a proposed use, based on operational characteristics of the particular use and relevant site-specific factors.
(B) Applicability.
(1) The applicant for any use where § 156.741 specifies that the minimum number of off-street parking spaces is established via a parking demand study, or for any use not listed in the table, shall submit a parking demand study in conjunction with the relevant application.
(2) The applicant for any use may submit a parking demand study in conjunction with the relevant application if the applicant believes the parking ratio specified in § 156.741 exceeds the number needed for the proposed use.
(C) Documentation of parking demand required.
(1) The parking demand study shall be prepared by a professional engineer or transportation planner.
(2) The professional engineer or transportation planner shall provide documentation verifying parking demand based on:
(a) Relevant data for the proposed use, if available, such as number of employees, hours of operation, and number and frequency of customer or client visits; and/or
(b) Actual parking counts for uses or combinations of uses that are the same or comparable to the proposed use(s) in terms of density, scale, bulk, area, type of activity, and location; and/or
(c) Data from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Urban Land Institute (ULI) meeting a Level of Service A or B for walking distances from parking to entrance, or another generally accepted resource for parking demand data.
(3) The parking demand study shall consider the availability of current or planned public transportation routes, greenways, and other pedestrian and bicycle connections.
(D) Total number of parking spaces required. The approved parking demand study shall establish the minimum number of parking spaces required for the use.
(E) Changes affecting the number of parking spaces needed.
(1) If changes occur that affect the number of parking spaces needed for the use, such as building additions, changes to operational characteristics of the use, or adjustments to hours of operation, then either:
(a) A new parking demand study shall be submitted to demonstrate whether the number of existing parking spaces continues to accommodate the parking demand for the use; or
(b) Parking shall be provided in accordance with the applicable ratio specified in Subchapter F, Part 2.
(2) If the new parking demand study demonstrates that the number of existing parking spaces no longer accommodates the parking demand generated by the use, parking shall be provided in accordance with the new parking demand study or with the applicable ratio specified in Subchapter F, Part 2.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.785 APPLICABILITY.
This part applies to:
(A) Any building or structure that will be occupied by a use that requires the receipt or distribution of material or merchandise, but that is not large enough to necessitate the inclusion of one or more loading docks in the building or structure design; and
(B) Any multi-tenant retail or office building.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
§ 156.786 OFF-STREET LOADING SPACE REQUIRED.
(A) At least one off-street loading space shall be constructed at the time of the initial construction or alteration or conversion of any building or structure subject to this part. For multi-tenant buildings, at least one off-street loading space shall be constructed for every three tenant spaces.
(B) Vehicles being loaded or unloaded in connection with normal operations shall not project into a street or sidewalk.
(C) Each loading space shall be at least ten feet in width and 20 feet in length.
(D) Off-street loading spaces do not count towards the minimum parking required by § 156.740.
(Ord. passed 1-14-25)
