The Off-Street Parking Regulations require that developments provide parking in proportion to the need created by each use. The regulations further establish standards for the functional design of parking facilities. These regulations are intended to accommodate vehicles in a functionally satisfactory manner and to minimize external effects on neighboring properties.

1.   Applicability. Off-street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed; for new uses or conversions of existing buildings; or for enlargements of existing structures.

2.   Exemptions. Any use within the CB / TC Town Center District other than Uptown Residential is exempt from the off-street parking requirements provided by Section 903. Any off-street parking facility constructed in the CB / TC District after the effective date of this Ordinance must comply with the design standards set forth in this Article.

Parking facilities for each use shall be provided in accord with the minimum requirements set forth in Table 903-A.

1.   Computation. When a computation of required parking results in a fraction of 0.5 or greater, the requirement shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

2.   Gross Floor Area. Unless otherwise indicated, parking requirements are based on gross floor area. Gross floor areas for the purpose of this calculation exclude any interior space used for the parking or loading of vehicles.

3.   Capacity. When parking requirements are computed on the basis of capacity, capacity shall be determined by the building code or other official determinations of occupancy in effect for the City of Mount Vernon at the time the use is established.

 

* Auto Service and Body Repair subject to other restrictions applicable under this ordinance:

Article 6 Supplemental Use Regulations, “Outdoor Storage.”

** This standard may be reduced by up to 20% at the discretion of the Building Official, if site plan review demonstrates that circulation and loading patterns accommodate adequate space for queuing and temporary parking by users during the peak hours of operation.

 

 

1.   Residential Parking. Off-street parking for single-family residential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use. Off-street parking areas for any multi-family residential uses shall be at least six feet from any main building; and shall not be located within a required front yard or street side yard.

2.   Non-residential Parking. Off-street parking for non-residential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use, or within 300 feet of that use if the parking site is within a zoning district that permits the Off-Street Parking use type. Control of ownership or use rights to the remote off-street parking must be demonstrated as a condition of permission.

3.   Parking for People with Disabilities. Each off-street parking facility shall provide the number of parking spaces set forth in Table 904-A designed and designated for use by people with disabilities. Parking spaces shall be van-accessible. Design criteria and dimensions are set forth in the Off-Street Parking Design Standards and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Parking facilities for single-family, duplex, two-family, and mobile home residential uses are exempt from this requirement.

 

 

1.   Dimensions. Dimensions for parking facilities shall be as follows:

   A.   Standard parking stalls shall be 9 feet wide and 18 feet long.

   B.   Parking facilities may provide up to 40% of their total stalls as designated compact stalls. Compact parking stalls shall be a minimum of 8.5 feet wide and 16 feet long.

   C.   Where parking stalls are located adjacent to landscaped areas, the paved depth of such stalls may be decreased by two feet to provide for a vehicle overhang area. The vehicle overhang area may not encroach into a required landscaped area or public sidewalk.

   D.   Spaces designated for the handicapped shall have a minimum width of 12 feet. Each handicapped space shall provide a barrier free route to an accessible building entrance, which shall not require users to walk or wheel behind parked cars. Such spaces shall be designated with an upright sign exhibiting the universal symbol for accessibility by the handicapped. All such spaces shall be designed in compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

2.   Pavement and Drainage. Off-street parking facilities shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or brick and shall be maintained with materials sufficient to prevent mud, dust, or loose material. Off-street parking facilities shall be designed and built to prevent the free flow of water onto adjacent properties or public rights-of-way.

3.   Landscape and Screening Requirements. Unless otherwise noted, each unenclosed parking facility of over 3,000 square feet shall comply with the following regulations:

   A.   Each unenclosed parking facility shall provide a minimum landscaped buffer of ten feet along any street property line.

   B.   Each parking facility that abuts a residential district shall provide a ten foot landscaped buffer along its common property line with the residential district.

   C.   Any parking facility which abuts property in a residential district shall provide a fence, wall, landscape screen, or earth berm not less than four feet in height for the length of the common boundary. A grade change, terrace, or other site feature which blocks the sight line of headlights into a residential property may satisfy this requirement, subject to the determination of the Building Official.

   D.   Each unenclosed parking facility of over 4,500 square feet within a street yard shall provide interior landscaped area equal to no less than 5 percent of the total paved area of the parking facility. Parking facilities within the LI District shall be exempt from this requirement.

   E.   Interior landscaping shall be credited toward the satisfaction of overall landscaping requirements set forth in Article 8.

   F.   Landscaping or screening installed in any required landscaped area shall not obstruct the view from the off-street parking facility to any driveway approach, street, alley, or sidewalk. Landscaping shall further not obstruct any views among parking spaces and circulation ways, or visibility between vehicles and pedestrians.

4.   Entrances and Exits. Adequate access to each parking facility shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited driveways or access points. Such driveways shall be designed to direct non-residential traffic away from residential areas. Parking facilities other than driveways for single-family, duplex, two-family, or mobile home residential uses must permit vehicles to enter streets in a forward position.

5.   Safety Features. Parking facilities shall be designed to provide visibility of and between pedestrians and vehicles when circulating within or entering or leaving the facility; and shall not create blind, hidden, or hazardous areas. Circulation patterns shall be designed in accord with accepted standards of traffic engineering and safety.

6.   Maintenance. All parking facilities shall be maintained to assure the continued usefulness and compatibility of the facility. Acceptable maintenance includes keeping the facility free of refuse, debris, and litter; maintaining parking surfaces in sound condition; and providing proper care of landscaped areas.

7.   Board of Adjustment. For uses subject to a Conditional Use Permit approval, the Board of Adjustment may adjust the minimum requirements of this section, in order to provide design, usability, attractiveness, or protection to adjoining uses in a manner equal to or greater than the minimum requirements of this Article.

Each parking facility providing 50 spaces or more shall provide parking accommodations for bicycles as provided by the Table 907-A:

 

 

1.    Bicycle parking facilities shall include bicycle racks secured to prevent easy removal, bicycle lockers, or bicycle posts or bollards expressly designed for the secure storage.

2.   The location of bicycle parking facilities shall be at least as convenient to the main entrance of the primary use as the most convenient automobile parking not reserved for use by disabled people.

3.   Bicycle parking should be located to prevent hazards or obstructions to the normal flow of pedestrians into a use.

1.   Loading Requirement. Any use which involves the receipt or distribution of freight, merchandise, supplies, vehicles, or equipment as part of its typical operation shall provide and maintain adequate space for off-street loading and circulation. Loading areas shall be designed to avoid undue interference with the public use of streets and sidewalks.

2.   Schedule of Loading Spaces. Loading spaces for each use requiring them shall be provided in accord with the minimum requirements set forth in Table 908-A.

 

 

3.   Design Standards.

   A.   Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet wide by 50 feet long, with a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet.

   B.   Paving of loading spaces and access areas shall be permanent, durable, and free of dust.

   C.   Off-street loading areas are subject to the landscaping and buffering requirements for parking facilities set forth in this Article.

This section permits the parking of personal vehicles and recreational vehicles on a single lot in a residential district subject to specific conditions. Commercial vehicles and commercial trailers, including, but not limited to, skid loaders, tractors, plows, tractor cab units, shall not be parked outside on any lot within the SR, NR, TR and HR residential zoning districts.

1.   Personal Vehicles. Personal vehicles include passenger cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Maximum height of any personal vehicle may not exceed eight feet from grade. Location of Parking for Personal Vehicles shall be subject to the following:

   A.    Parking is permitted within any enclosed structure when such structure conforms to the regulations of its zoning district.

   B.    Parking is permitted on an all-weather driveway (defined as either paved, gravel or stone) within the front yard setback, but shall in no case encroach upon the public right-of-way.

   C.    Parking may occur in the rear yard or side yard setback if on an all-weather parking space which is connected by an all-weather driveway to a dedicated public right-of-way and/or alley, provided the surfaced parking area does not exceed the maximum impervious coverage limit for the lot.

   D.   Personal vehicles may not be parked on the grass.

2.    Recreational Vehicles. Recreational vehicles include motor homes, camping trailers (including fifth wheel trailers), fold down campers, boats, and boat trailers (see definitions). Parking and storage of recreational vehicles within residential districts is subject to the following conditions:

   A.    Recreational vehicles in excess of thirty-two (32) feet in length shall not be parked on any lot within the SR, NR, TR and HR districts. No more than one recreational vehicle on any one lot may exceed twenty-five (25) feet in length.

   B.    Recreational vehicles must be maintained in a clean, well-kept state. Recreational vehicles must be in operable condition and display a current vehicle, trailer or boat license/permit.

   C.    Liquefied petroleum gas containers attached to any recreational vehicle must meet the current standards of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the United States Department of Transportation, or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Any valves must be closed at all times that the vehicle is not in preparation for immediate use. Leaks in containers must be repaired immediately.

   D.    Recreational vehicles shall be occupied only by non-paying guests for a maximum of seven (7) consecutive days, but for no more than twenty-one (21) days total during any calendar year. Cooking in the recreational vehicle is prohibited at all times.

   E.    Recreational vehicles may not be permanently connected to public utilities.

   F.    Recreational vehicles may not be used for the storage of goods, materials, or equipment other than those items that pertain to the use of the vehicle.

   G.    Location of parking:

      (a)    Parking is permitted on an all-weather driveway (defined as either paved, gravel or stone) within the front yard setback, seasonally from May 1 - October 1. In no case shall parking encroach upon the public right of way.

      (b)    Parking is not permitted within the side yard setback. Parking is also not permitted within the rear side yard setback or the rear setback defined in section 702-2-F pertaining to accessory buildings.

      (c)   Recreational vehicles may not be parked on the grass.

   H.    No more than two recreational vehicles may be stored on a residential lot unless those in excess of two are effectively screened on each side adjoining a street or property situated in a residential district. An effective screen is defined as a wall, fence or densely planted hedge sufficient to shield the vehicle from vision when observed from ground level.

   I.    The floor area of each recreational vehicle parked on a residential lot will be counted as building coverage for that lot. Parking of recreational vehicles on lots that exceed the maximum building coverage, will only be permitted on a temporary basis as allowed by paragraph D and G above.

The storage or keeping of motor vehicles not having a properly issued current motor vehicle registration and current motor vehicle license plate properly displayed is prohibited on any lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Mount Vernon; provided that conformance with the following shall not constitute a violation of this section:

1.   The storage of any unlicensed and/or unregistered motor vehicle in a fully-enclosed garage.

2.   The storage of operable off-highway farm or industrial vehicles on tracts zoned AG Agriculture or LI industrial uses, and used in agricultural or industrial activity conducted on the premises.

3.   The storage of not more than one personal vehicle in good operable condition and shielded from view of the general public by a manufactured and fitted vehicle cover and located on a paved driveway pursuant to a permit to store obtained from the City of Mount Vernon. The permit shall be issued without cost to the applicant and shall:

   A.   Be issued for a period of not to exceed six months and shall be renewable upon application for like periods as long as such storage is in all respects in compliance with this section;

   B.   Identify the vehicle by make, year of manufacture, model and manufacturer's identification number;

   C.   State the reason the vehicle does not bear a current registration and license;

   D.   Require owner to prove continued operability of the vehicle within 72 hours upon request of the Police Department;

   E.   Contain the property owner's and vehicle owner's consent for the City and its agents to enter upon the premises and vehicle for purposes of identification and inspection of the vehicle.

4.   The storage, keeping or abandonment of parts, including scrap metals, from motor vehicles or machinery, or parts thereof, is prohibited on any lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Mount Vernon, except in enclosed buildings or garages or where otherwise permitted by this ordinance.

5.    Parking, storage or keeping, other than in a fully enclosed garage of any non-operable motor vehicle is prohibited on any residential zoned lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Mount Vernon; provided, however, that automobiles that are non-operable by reasons of repair work being done thereon may be parked on the residential lot of the owner of said automobile within the Mount Vernon Zoning jurisdiction under the following conditions:

   A.   The automobile is owned by the occupier of the premises and registered to him/her at that address.

   B.   The period of said repair work does not exceed ten days in duration.

   C.   Repair work is at all times conducted on a paved driveway.

   D.   No more than one automobile in need of repair is situated on the premises at the same time.

6.   Before the City removes a vehicle suspected of being in violation of this section, by reason of it being inoperable, the City shall give the owner of the premises upon which the offending vehicle is situated a 48-hour warning notice. Notice shall be given by tagging the motor vehicle and by regular mail, postage pre-paid to the occupier of the premises on which the motor vehicle is situated. Any motor vehicle not removed from the premises within such 48-hour period shall be presumed to be inoperable and may thereafter be removed by the City. If he/she chooses, the owner may demonstrate operability of the vehicle by making special arrangements with the Mount Vernon Police Department to demonstrate operability of the vehicle within said 48-hour period. If operability of the vehicle is satisfactorily demonstrated, the automobile need not be removed.