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Muskegon Charter Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE IV

PARKING AND LOADING SPACES

Sec. 58-341.- Offstreet parking requirements.

In all zoning districts, all offstreet parking facilities required by this article and/or utilized for the storage of self-propelled motor vehicles for the use of occupants, employees and patrons of the buildings hereafter erected, altered, or extended after the effective date of this article, shall be provided and maintained as herein prescribed:

(1)

Loading spaces shall not be construed as supplying offstreet parking space.

(2)

When units of measurements determining the number of required parking spaces result in requirement of fractional space, any fraction up to and including one-half shall be disregarded; and fractions over one-half shall require one parking space.

(3)

Whenever a use requiring offstreet parking is increased in floor area, and such use is located in a building existing on or before the effective date of this chapter, additional parking space for the additional floor space shall be provided and maintained in amount hereafter specified for that use.

(4)

For the purpose of this section, "floor area," in the case of offices, merchandising, or service types of uses, shall mean the gross floor area, used or intended to be used for services to the public as customers, patrons, clients, or patients, or as tenants, including areas occupied for fixtures and equipment used for display or sale of merchandise.

(5)

Offstreet parking facilities for one- and two-family dwellings shall be located on the same lot or plot of ground as the building they are intended to serve.

The location of required offstreet parking facilities for other than one- and two-family dwellings shall be within 300 feet of the building they are intended to serve, measured from the nearest point of the offstreet parking facilities and the nearest point of the offstreet parking facilities and the nearest point of the building. This shall not prohibit any industry which employs 500 or more employees from supplying offstreet parking at a reasonable distance, greater than 300 feet from the building, in which the employees are employed, upon approval of the township planning commission.

(6)

In the case of a use not specifically mentioned, the requirements for offstreet parking facilities is for a use which is so mentioned and which said use if similar shall apply.

(7)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent collective provisions of offstreet parking facilities for two or more buildings of uses, provided collectively, such facilities shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the various individual uses computed separately in accordance with the table.

(8)

The amount of required offstreet parking space for new uses or buildings, additions thereto, and additions to existing buildings, as specified above, shall be determined in accordance with the following table; and the space, so required, shall be stated in the application for a building permit and shall be irrevocably reserved for such use.

(9)

In industrial, commercial and R-3 residential zoning districts, offstreet parking facilities shall be either a concrete or asphalt blacktop hard-surface area as required in this section.

(10)

The required number of offstreet parking places for various uses are as follows:

UseRequired parking space
One and two family dwellings 2 spaces for each dwelling unit
Multiple dwellings or apartment houses 2 spaces for each dwelling unit
Bed and breakfast operations 1 space for each sleeping room, plus 2 spaces for the dwelling unit
Boarding house, fraternities, sororities 1 space for each guest room plus 2 spaces for the dwelling unit
Community residential care facilities < 6 persons .25 per bed plus 1 per employee on any given shift
Convalescent homes, convents or similar uses 1 space for each 4 beds, plus 1 space for every 3 employees
Mobile home parks 2 spaces for each mobile home site, plus 1 space for each mobile home park employee allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances whichever is greater
Auditoriums, lodge halls, fraternal organizations, private clubs, public meeting halls, community centers, or buildings of similar use without fixed seats 1 space per each 2.5 seats, or each 6 ft. of pew or bench or 1 space for each 3 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances, whichever is greater
Auditoriums (non-school), stadiums and sports arenas 1 space for each 3 seats or 1 space for each 3 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances, whichever is greater
Civic or social clubs 1 space for each 4 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances
Elementary and junior high schools 2 per classroom, plus separate parking where the school contains an auditorium and/or stadium or gym
High schools and colleges 10 per classroom, plus separate parking where the school contains an auditorium and/or stadium or gym
Hospitals, sanitariums 1 space for each 3 patient beds, plus 1 space for each 3 employees
Nursery school, home day care or child care centers 1 space for each 400 sq. ft. of usable floor area
Private golf clubs, swimming pool clubs, tennis clubs, lodges or other similar uses 1 space for every 2 member families or individuals, plus spaces required for each accessory use, such as a restaurant or bar
Religious institutions: Churches or temples 1 space for each 6 seats or 12 feet of pews in the main unit of worship
Automobile service repair garages, gasoline filling and service stations (see convenience retail establishments) 2 spaces for each repair and service stall, plus 1 space for every employee, plus the required amount for each accessory use
Barber shops and beauty parlors 2 spaces for each of the first 2 beauty or barber chairs, and ½ space for each additional chair
Business service establishments:
•Advertising and mailing
•Banks/credit unions (excluding drive-thrus)
•Employment services
•Investment companies
•Real estate companies 		6 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus 4 on-site waiting spaces for each drive up window or drive-thru automatic teller
Clinics and professional offices of doctors, dentists, or similar professions 1 space for each 50 sq. ft. of usable floor area in waiting rooms, and 1 space for each examining room, dental chair or similar use
General Retail 1 space for every 400 sq. ft. of usable floor area
Storage/Storage Units
Convenience retail establishments 3 spaces per each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Drive-through restaurants or fast-food establishments 1 space for each 100 sq. ft. of UFA or 1 for each 3 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances, whichever is greater
Carry-out food or walk-up establishment including bakeries, ice cream shops and delicatessens if carry-out only, or if all seating is exterior only. 1 space for each employee, plus 10 spaces
Restaurant or establishment for sale and consumption of beverages, food or refreshments on the premises including drive-in, but not including drive-through, restaurants 1 space for each 2 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances
Funeral homes and mortuaries 1 space for every 50 sq. ft. of usable floor area of parlor and chapel areas
General offices 1 space for every 400 sq. ft. of usable floor area
Health or fitness club 1 space for each 400 sq. ft. of usable floor area
Hotels, motels 1 space for each guest room, plus 1 additional space for each 2 employees, plus required spaces for each accessory use
Laundromats and coin operated dry cleaners 1 space for each 5 washing and/or dry-cleaning machines
Open air business
(i.e. Motor vehicle dealerships) 		1 space per 4,000 sq. ft. of exterior sales area, plus 1 space per sales office, plus 3 spaces per service bay, except open air flea markets which require 1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of exterior sales area
Personal service establishment (other than beauty or barber shop) 1 space per 400 sq. ft. of retail sales area, and 1 space for each 400 sq. ft. of service area
Repair services 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of usable floor are, plus 1 space for each employee
Taverns, bars 1 space for every 75 sq. ft. of usable floor area, allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances, whichever is greater
Vehicle wash (automatic) 1 space per each employee, plus 3 on-site waiting spaces at each washing stall entrance
Vehicle wash (self-service or coin operated) 2 stacking spaces for each washing stall, in addition to, the stall itself
Video or pinball arcade or similar uses 1 space per game, provided that where such games are an accessory use, 1 space is required for each game above 4 games
Batting cage facilities 3 spaces per cage
Bowling alleys 5 spaces for each alley, plus 1 space for each employee, plus spaces for each accessory use
Dance halls, pool and billiard rooms, exhibition halls, roller and ice skating rinks 1 space for each 2 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by any applicable codes or ordinances
Indoor racquet and courts 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area or 6 spaces per court, whichever is greater
Theaters and commercial auditoriums 1 space for each 3 seats, plus 1 for each 2 employees
Golf courses open to the public, except Miniature or "Par 3" courses 5 spaces for each hole, plus 1 space for each employee, plus required spaces for each accessory use, such as a restaurant or bar.
Golf driving range 1 space for each tee, plus 1 space for each employee on the largest work shift.
Miniature or "Par 3" golf courses 3 spaces for each hole, plus 1 space for each employee, plus required spaces for each accessory use, such as a restaurant or bar.
Racquet sports 3 spaces, plus 3 spaces per court or 1 per 3 spectator seats, whichever is greater
Theme park, scenic area, amusement ride, water slide, go cart track and similar uses 2 spaces per 3 seats on amusement rides or 20 spaces per ride or attraction with no specific or defined seating
Industrial or manufacturing establishments, testing laboratories, creameries, bottling works, printing and engraving shops 1 space for every 2 employees per shift or 1 space for every 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, whichever is greater.
Wholesale trade establishments and warehouses 1 space for every 2,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus the required amount for other accessory uses
Mini-storage units Drive aisle in front of each unit must be at least 24' wide. Units and drive aisles must be sited so a vehicle parked at the unit cannot trap another vehicle and prevent it from leaving the facility

 

(Ord. No. 7, § 20.1, 4-18-83; Ord. No. 7, 5-6-91; Ord. No. 10-06, § 6, 6-21-10; Ord. No. 13-03, § 2, 4-15-13)

Sec. 58-342. - Parking requirement exceptions.

(a)

The township board may, at its discretion, provide for special parking surface requirements based on the use intended. Sale/rental of certain merchandise may be displayed or stored in the open on commercial properties as follows:

Merchandise Parking surface required
Bicycles, motorcycles, yard and farm implements, two four-wheel trailers, recreation vehicles less than 16 feet long. Grassy lawn areas, cut and maintained weekly
      or
crushed stone, slag, or cinders.
Auto, trucks, motor homes, recreation vehicles, trailers, and motor homes over 16 feet in length. Crushed stone, slag, or cinders
       or
bituminous concrete, or cement.

 

(b)

No exceptions in paving surface requirements shall be allowed for ingress and egress openings, drives, and parking spaces for customers and employees.

(c)

Parking area deferment.

(1)

Where the property owner can demonstrate that the required amount of parking is excessive the planning commission may approve a smaller parking area, provided that area of sufficient size to meet the parking space requirements of this article is retained as open space.

(2)

The site plan shall note the area where parking is being deferred, including dimensions and dotted parking lot layout.

(3)

The property owner shall agree, in writing, to construct the additional parking at the direction of the planning commission based on observed use within six months of being informed of such request in writing by the building official.

(4)

Stormwater calculations shall be provided to verify adequate stormwater storage capacity if an expansion is necessary.

(d)

Maximum parking requirement.

(1)

To minimize excessive areas of pavement which detract from the aesthetics of an area and contribute to high rates of stormwater runoff, no parking lot shall have parking spaces totaling more than an amount equal to ten percent greater than the minimum parking space requirements, as determined by the off-street parking requirements of section 58-341(10) or section 58-342(a), except as may be approved by the planning commission.

(2)

The planning commission, upon application may grant additional spaces beyond those permitted in (1), above. In granting such additional spaces the planning commission shall determine that the parking area otherwise permitted will be inadequate to accommodate the minimum parking needs of the particular use and that the additional parking will be required to avoid overcrowding of the parking area. The actual number of permitted spaces shall be based on documented evidence of use and demand provided by the applicant.

(Ord. No. 7, § 20.2, 4-18-83; Ord. No. 02-5, § 3, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 10-02, § 22, 3-15-10)

Sec. 58-343. - Additional parking requirements.

If the actual use of a facility results in a number of vehicles parking in excess of the spaces provided for more than one day per week, then the planning commission may order the property owner to construct the number of additional parking spaces deemed necessary to assure no excess overflow of the parking lot for any one facility.

(Ord. No. 7, § 20.3, 4-18-83)

Sec. 58-344. - Minimum standards for size or parking isles and driveways.

Parking Angle Maneuvering Aisle Width Parking Stall Width Parking Stall Length Total Width of 2 Stalls of Parking Plus Maneuvering Aisle
One-Way Two-Way One-Way Two-Way
0° parallel 12 feet 24 feet 8.5 feet 22 feet 29 feet 41 feet
30° to 53° 14 feet 24 feet 9.0 feet 18 feet 50 feet 60 feet
54° to 74° 16 feet 24 feet 9.0 feet 18 feet 52 feet 60 feet
75° to 90° 24 feet 24 feet 9.0 feet 18 feet 60 feet 60 feet

 

(Ord. No. 18-4, § 1, 12-17-18)