Murrysville City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Parking Regulations
§ 220-68 Off-street parking and loading.
A.
General regulations.
(1)
Off-street parking, loading and unloading facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion in the streets. The facilities required herein shall be available throughout the hours of operation of the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided. As used herein, the term "parking space" includes either covered garage space or uncovered parking lot space located off the public right-of-way.
(3)
A garage or carport may be located wholly or partly inside the walls of the principal building or attached to the outer walls. If separated from the principal building, the garage shall conform to all accessory building requirements. The garage may be constructed under a yard or court. The space above an underground garage shall be deemed to be a part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
(4)
Parking spaces may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use as a conditional use pursuant to the standards contained in Article V.
(5)
Surfacing. Off-street parking area requirements shall be as follows:
(a)
For parking surfacing at sites other than those included in Subsection A(5)(b), the parking area shall be graded for proper drainage and shall provide an impervious surface such as concrete or bituminous concrete or a pervious surface that provides a parking surface similar to concrete or bituminous concrete, and shall be arranged as to provide for orderly and safe parking and storage of vehicles. Additionally, all requirements of Chapter 124, Grading, Excavations and Filling, and Chapter 97, Construction Standards, shall be met.
(b)
For parking surfaces at sites used for single-family or two-family purposes, municipal, county or state parks, nature reserves, retail sales of agricultural products in the R-R District and playground facilities, the parking area shall be graded for proper drainage and shall have a durable and dustless surface and shall be arranged as to provide for orderly and safe parking and storage of vehicles.
(c)
The parking surfaces at sites used for municipal, county or state parks, nature reserves and playground facilities shall be reviewed to assure that the parking surface provides for adequate pedestrian ingress and egress from parking spaces required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the entrances of those uses. Additionally, all requirements of Chapter 124, Grading, Excavations and Filling, and Chapter 97, Construction Standards, shall be met.
(6)
Width.
(a)
Aisles.
[1]
The minimum width of aisles providing access to stalls, varying with the angle of the parking, for parking lots of 30 parking spaces or more shall be as follows:
Angle of Parking (degrees) | Minimum Aisle Width* (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
45° | 12 (1-way) | |
60° | 16 (1-way) | |
90° | 24 (2-way) |
[2]
The minimum width of aisles providing access to stalls, varying with the angle of the parking, for parking lots of less than 30 parking spaces shall be as follows:
Angle of Parking (degrees) | Minimum Aisle Width* (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
45° | 10 (1-way) | |
60° | 12 (1-way) | |
90° | 20 (2-way) |
NOTES: *Minimum aisle width is based on use of one-way aisles for angle parking and two-way circulation with ninety-degree parking. |
(c)
Parking areas shall be designed to permit each motor vehicle to proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the movement of any other motor vehicle. In no case shall parking areas be designed to require or encourage cars to back into a public street in order to leave the lot.
(7)
Noncontiguous parking. Parking spaces may be located on a noncontiguous lot other than that containing the principal use, as a conditional use pursuant to the standards contained in § 220-30.
(8)
Off-street parking and loading space as required in this section shall be provided for all new buildings and structures and for additions to existing buildings or structures. The word "addition," as used above, shall include any alteration intended to enlarge or increase capacity by adding or creating dwelling units, floor area or seats.
(9)
Existing off-street parking or loading facilities provided at the effective date of this chapter and actually being used at that time in connection with the operation of an existing use shall not be reduced below the minimum required in this chapter.
(10)
Whenever the existing use of a building, structure or land shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if said building or structure was erected or the use of land established prior to the effective date of this chapter, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use would exceed those for the existing use.
(11)
In the case of mixed uses, the total number of required parking or loading spaces shall be the sum of the required space for the various uses computed separately.
B.
Parking facilities required. Off-street parking facilities shall be provided as listed below. In each case, the term "floor area" shall mean gross floor area.
(1)
The applicant may request modification of the following standards for other uses that do not fit into one of the categories listed below or the specific manner or functioning of which permits a lesser parking standard, up to a fifty-percent reduction of that noted in Parking Requirements Table below. Determination of the appropriate parking space requirements shall be recommended by the Planning Commission based on a parking needs study where parking proposed is sufficient to meet determined peak-hour trip generation, determined in accordance with the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[1]
§ 220-69 Table of Parking Requirements.
[Amended 11-17-2010 by Ord. No. 817-10]
Parking Requirements Table | |
|---|---|
Land Use | Parking Requirement |
Adult business | One parking space per occupant, based on the occupancy load as determined by the Uniform Construction Code |
Animal hospital | One parking space for each employee on the busiest shift plus one space for each examination room |
Automobile service station | One parking space for each employee plus two parking spaces for each service bay |
Business or professional office | One space for each 225 square feet of floor area |
Business services | One space for each 225 square feet of customer service area and one space for each employee on the shift with the most employees. |
Car wash | Self-serve, queuing for three vehicles for each self-serve stall; Automatic, queuing for seven vehicles for each automatic wash |
Cemetery | Any chapel or gathering place shall meet the same parking requirements as a church |
Child-care center | One parking space for each employee and one dropoff and pickup space for every three children in the center |
Church | One space per four seats or 80 lineal inches of pew, or if there are no pews or seats, one per 15 square feet of floor area used for assembly |
Commercial kennel | One parking space for each employee plus one for every three dogs housed at the facility |
Comparable uses not specifically listed | As determined by a parking needs study provided by the applicant and recommended by the Planning Commission |
Concentrated animal operation | One parking space for each employee on the busiest shift plus one space for each 1,000 square feet of confined animal area |
Contractor's yard | One space for each employee |
Convenience store | One space for each 200 square feet of retail area |
Day-care center Adult day care | One space for each teacher and/or employee on largest shift plus one space per each six students |
Drive-through facility | Four queuing spaces for each service window |
Drug and alcohol treatment | One space for each treatment room or bed and one space for each employee on the maximum shift |
Entertainment facilities | One space for each two occupants as determined by the Building Code |
Equipment storage yard | One for each employee |
Essential services building | One parking space |
Financial institution | One space for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Flea market | One space for each vendor space |
Food processing | One for each 2,000 square feet plus one for each employee on the largest shift |
Funeral homes and mortuaries | One space for each 50 square feet of floor area in the parlors plus one space for each 300 square feet of remaining gross floor area |
Garden nursery | One space per employee plus one space for each 400 square feet of growing and display area accessible to the public |
Golf course | Four spaces per green, plus 50% of the requirements for any other associated use |
Group care facility | One for each two beds plus one for each employee |
Health care facility | One for each three beds plus one for each employee on the largest shift |
High technology industries | One for each 2,000 square feet plus one for each employee on the largest shift |
Apartment, garden apartment, townhouse | Two parking spaces for each unit, one of which shall be in a garage |
Hospital, nursing home | One space per three beds and one space for each employee on the peak working shift |
Hotel | One space per employee on peak shift plus one space per sleeping unit |
Manufacturing, all types | One space for each 2,000 square feet plus one for each employee on the largest shift |
Local retail business | One for each 200 square feet of retail area |
Manufacturing | One for each 2,000 square feet plus one for each employee on the largest shift |
Membership clubs | One for each 100 square feet of floor area available to members |
Mineral removal or mining, oil and gas extraction | One space for each employee on the two largest shifts, combined |
Mini-warehouse/ self storage | One space for each employee plus one space for each 300 square feet devoted to office |
Mixed use building | Parking for each use shall be as determined by this table and all parking requirements shall be combined to determine total parking requirement |
Office, professional contracting business | One space for every 300 square feet of net floor area |
Office, medical | One space for each 175 square feet of gross floor area |
Recreation, indoor commercial | One space for each 90 square feet of gross floor area. Alternatively, applicant may submit a parking needs study for review by the Planning Commissioners, who shall determine the number of spaces |
Recreation, membership club | One space for each 2,500 square feet of outdoor recreation area, or one for each 100 square feet of indoor recreation area available to members, whichever is greater. Alternatively, applicant may submit a parking needs study for review by the Planning Commissioners, who shall determine the number of spaces. |
Recreation, outdoor commercial | Applicant must submit a parking needs study for review by the Planning Commissioners, who shall determine the number of spaces. |
Research and development | One space for each 225 square feet of floor area |
Residential day care | In addition to the spaces required for the dwelling, one dropoff and pickup space for each three children |
Restaurants, fast food | One space per 75 feet of gross floor area plus one space for each three outdoor seats, plus one space for each two employees on peak shift |
Restaurants, bars and taverns | One parking space for each 60 square feet of gross floor area, plus one parking space for each three outdoor seats |
Retail store personal services | One space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Sale and storage of building materials | One for each 350 square feet of showroom and sales area |
School, commercial | One for each employee plus one for each three students |
School, public and private | One for each employee plus one for every 20 students |
Single-family | Two parking spaces, one of which shall be in a garage |
Telecommunications facility building | One space |
Telecommunications tower | One space |
Temporary use or structure | One space, or one space for each 250 square feet of sales floor area, or a temporary use shall be subject to the requirements of a similar use on this list |
Therapeutic massage establishment | One for each employee and one for each massage table or room |
Transitional dwelling group homes; personal care boarding home | One space for each employee on peak shift, plus one space for each resident authorized to drive, plus one space for each six beds |
Transportation dispatch office | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus one for each 500 square feet of floor area |
Transportation terminals | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus one for each 1,000 square feet of floor area |
Truck and heavy equipment sales/service | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus one for each 1,000 square feet of floor area |
Two-family, triplex, fourplex dwelling | Two parking spaces for each unit; one space for each unit shall be in a garage |
Vehicle rental, sales and service | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus one for each 500 square feet of floor area |
Vehicle repair garage | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus two for each vehicle repair bay |
Warehousing and distribution | One space for each two employees on peak working shift or one space for each 2,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
Waste disposal/storage/treatment | One for each employee on the busiest shift plus one for every 75 vehicle trips as described in the traffic impact analysis |
Wholesale business | Spaces required for office as required in this table, plus one for each employee on the busiest shift, plus one for each 3,500 square feet of floor area |
Schools, elementary and junior high | One space for each employee or faculty member or one space for each three seats in the principal place of assembly, whichever is greater |
Schools, secondary and postsecondary | One space for each employee or faculty member plus one space for each 10 students, or one space for each three seats in the principal place of assembly, whichever is greater |
§ 220-69.1 Parking count application.
[Added 11-17-2010 by Ord. No. 817-10]
The Municipality’s approval of a proposed use based upon parking requirements, as now in force or hereafter amended, confers no right to undertake another permitted use if such use requires additional parking. This provision extends also to any parking requirements determined for a proposed use that has been approved after review of a parking needs study, as regulated by Article VII, for that particular use.
§ 220-70 Handicapped parking.
Handicapped accessible parking spaces marked and designed in accordance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations and measuring (12 feet by 18 feet) must be provided for all buildings designed for public occupancy in accordance with the following table:
Total Parking Spaces Required by § 220-69 | Number of Required Spaces That Must Be Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
Up to 25 | 1 |
26 — 50 | 2 |
51 — 75 | 3 |
76 — 100 | 4 |
101 — 150 | 5 |
151 — 200 | 6 |
201 — 300 | 7 |
301 — 400 | 8 |
401 — 500 | 9 |
501 — 1,000 | 2% of total |
Over 1,000 | 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 |
§ 220-71 Shared parking requirements.
In order to accommodate the usage of the same parking spaces for two or more different land uses requiring different principal hours of use, a lower number of the required parking spaces may be permitted. All uses shall be located on the same lot under the same ownership. Subsequent changes in land uses within the mixed use development shall require a new occupancy permit and proof that sufficient parking will be available. The following provisions apply to shared parking:
A.
The required parking for mixed uses shall be computed as follows:
(1)
Determine the minimum amount of parking required for each land use as though it were a separate use.
(2)
Using the table below, determine the number of spaces needed by each use for each of the four time periods by multiplying the parking required for each use by the corresponding percentage of use for that time period.
(3)
Calculate the total number of spaces needed for all uses for each time period.
(4)
The time period with the highest number of parking spaces required for the sum of all uses shall be the number of parking spaces required.
Calculating Parking for Mixed-Use Developments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Use | Weekday | Weekend | |||
Daytime | Evening | Daytime | Evening | ||
Office/Industrial | 100% | 10% | 10% | 5 | |
Retail | 60 | 90 | 100 | 70 | |
Hotel | 75 | 100 | 75 | 100 | |
Restaurant | 75 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Entertainment/Recreational | 40 | 100 | 80 | 100 | |
B.
To apply for usage of the shared parking requirement, a table shall be submitted showing the breakdown of the gross floor area devoted to each of the above five land use categories. Uses that do not fit into any of the categories shown in the above table shall not be eligible to use this provision. The total amount of required parking shall be tabulated by use and time period. The time period requiring the highest number of parking spaces shall be selected as the basis for the shared parking requirement.
§ 220-72 Marking.
In all paved parking areas which contain five or more spaces, all parking spaces shall be clearly delineated by painted lines marked with durable white or yellow paint in stripes a minimum of four inches wide extending the length of the parking space. All vehicular entrances and exits to parking areas shall be clearly marked for all conditions. Short-term visitor parking spaces shall be differentiated from long-term employee spaces by suitable markings. Handicapped parking shall be appropriately marked.
§ 220-73 Curbs and wheelstops.
A.
All outdoor hard surfaced off-street parking areas shall be curbed unless sheet drainage of surface water can be achieved subject to approval by the Municipal Engineer.
B.
Wheelstops shall be provided along boundaries of adjoining properties, public rights-of-way, sidewalks or landscaped areas unless curbs are provided in that portion of the parking lot.
§ 220-74 Shopping cart return areas.
One shopping cart return area shall be provided for each 10,000 square feet of gross floor area in retail stores that provide shopping carts. Shopping cart return areas shall measure nine feet by 18 feet and shall provide containment on three sides and shall be identified by an above-grade sign secured to the containment structure. The surface area of the sign shall not exceed four square feet.
§ 220-75 Stormwater management.
All paved areas shall be designed so that stormwater runoff shall not adversely affect adjacent properties. The method of stormwater management and the design of the proposed facilities shall be subject to the requirements of the Municipal Stormwater Management Ordinance[1] and to review and recommendation by the Municipal Engineer.
§ 220-76 Performance standards applicable to all nonresidential uses.
A.
Parking. All nonresidential and multifamily uses shall submit a parking plan as part of the application for permit. Upon permit approval, the parking plan shall be binding upon the applicant.
(1)
Should two or more uses with completely different hours of operation be located in the same structure or parcel, these uses can share parking spaces for that use that would require the highest number of spaces.
(2)
Any use submitting a binding parking plan requiring vanpooling or carpooling by employees may be permitted no more than a ten-percent reduction in the required number of off-street parking spaces upon entering into a binding agreement with the Municipality.
(3)
Any use that can demonstrate that the majority of users do not come by private automobile may be permitted no more than a fifty-percent reduction in the number of required off-street parking spaces.
(4)
Off-site or remote parking facilities may be permitted, as a conditional use, for nonresidential uses. All applicants for off-site or remote parking shall meet the following standards, in addition to any other requirements of this chapter:
(5)
Off-street parking lots shall be of sufficient size to provide parking for all employees or residents as well as long-term customer parking.
(6)
Parking lot layout, landscaping, buffering and screening shall prevent direct views of parked vehicles from public streets or sidewalks, avoid spillover light, glare or noise onto adjacent properties and provide the parking area with a reasonable measure of shade when trees reach maturity.
(7)
Parking lots exposed to view shall be surrounded by a minimum of a four-foot-high, year-round visually impervious screen of trees, hedge, fence or wall.
(8)
The interior of all parking lots shall be landscaped in compliance with the provisions of § 220-51 of this chapter. Parking lots containing 10 or less spaces shall not require interior landscaping if the Planning Commission determines there is adequate perimeter landscaping.
(9)
No repair or maintenance of vehicles of any kind, except for emergency repairs, shall be permitted in any accessory nonresidential parking facility.
§ 220-77 Off-street loading requirements.
A.
The minimum size loading space shall be 40 feet in depth and 12 feet in width, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet.
B.
Off-street loading requirements shall be provided on any lot on which a building exceeding 6,000 square feet of gross floor area for business or industry is hereafter erected or converted.
C.
All commercial and industrial establishments shall provide loading and unloading and commercial vehicle storage space adequate for their needs. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking. In no case where a building is erected, converted or enlarged for commercial, manufacturing or business purposes shall the public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials.
D.
Required off-street parking spaces shall not be computed for loading and unloading purposes.
§ 220-78 Access to off-street parking and loading areas.
Access to and from all off-street parking, loading and vehicle service areas along public rights-of-way shall consist of well-defined separate or common entrances and exits and shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
Access drives shall not open upon any public right-of-way where the sight distance in either direction along the public thoroughfare would be less than 500 feet when the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour; however, when the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, the sight distance requirement may be reduced to 250 feet.
§ 220-79 Parking and loading area setbacks.
All structures and paved areas shall be subject to lot area and bulk regulations, except that:
A.
In any district, driveways for residential uses may be placed in required side yards and front yards, provided that they are no closer than 25 feet to the corner at the intersection of streets.
B.
In any district, a driveway otherwise permitted may extend into a front yard for the purpose of reaching the street.
§ 220-80 General.
A.
The perimeter of all paved areas shall have a continuous asphalt or concrete curb.
B.
All landscape island curbs shall be constructed of asphalt or concrete.
C.
All landscaping plant material shall be kept in excellent condition. Dead plant material shall be replaced with new material.
D.
Raised landscape islands adjacent to municipal or state rights-of-way shall comply with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) or municipal regulations.
E.
Trees, shrubs or flowers shall not be permitted to grow within two feet of a curb to prevent damage of plant materials by auto bumpers.
§ 220-81 Paved area exemption.
A.
If the applicant can present written justification for a reduction in the paved parking area of a commercial, industrial or public and semipublic use, said paved parking area may be exempted from the required area and bulk regulations as a conditional use, provided that the remaining area of the total minimum computed paved area is provided for in open space. The exempted paved area will not be counted as permanent provided open space to satisfy other requirements of this chapter.
B.
The exempted paved area provided for in open space shall no longer be an exemption to the required paved area if, at the discretion of the Council, a parking problem is caused.