This article establishes minimum requirements and design standards to ensure safe storage for motor vehicles, bicycles, and other permitted mobility devices consistent with good engineering and development design practices. All new uses and structures as well as expanded structures and uses as provided in this article, shall meet all requirements contained in this section for off-street parking and loading. Where fractional spaces result from parking space requirement calculations, the parking space required shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

Parking and loading facilities shall be provided for all new developments and when a structural alteration in an existing building produces an increase in intensity of use (e.g., more dwelling units, guest rooms, or seating capacity) or when there is a change from less intensive uses to more intensive uses (e.g., strip commercial to medical office or storage facility to restaurant/dining) within the city pursuant to the requirements of this Code. The facilities shall be maintained as long as the use exists that the facilities were designed to serve.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

The city council finds that:

(1)

Off-street parking and loading of vehicles promote the public safety and welfare by reducing traffic congestion.

(2)

Well-designed off-street parking and loading areas promote the safe and efficient storage, loading and circulation of vehicles.

(3)

Deferring the construction of some parking areas pending determination of the actual need for parking spaces, and taking into account public demand and the size of vehicles to be parked, conserves open space and developable land, and reduces the expense and hazard of controlling stormwater runoff.

(4)

Allowing the use of porous paving materials and unpaved parking areas whenever possible conserves water and energy, moderates the microclimate, and reduces the expense and hazards of controlling stormwater runoff.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

The provisions of this article shall be to regulate and ensure the provision of adequate parking and access for bicycles and motor vehicles. The section also provides options for adjusting parking requirements and providing parking alternatives. These standards ensure that the parking needs of new land uses and development are met, while being designed and located in a manner consistent with community standards and good engineering and site design principles.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

Refer to article I for definitions.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04)

(a)

Continuation. Off-street parking or off-street loading facilities shall be maintained and continued so long as the main use continues.

(b)

Multiple use of off-street parking or loading facilities. No part of required off-street parking or loading facilities provided in connection with one (1) structure or use shall be used to meet the requirements for another structure or use, except where a specific provision to the contrary is made in this Code.

(c)

Existing uses. The following provisions apply to existing buildings and uses:

(1)

Repair. Conforming structures and uses that existed as of the effective date of this Code may be modernized, altered, or repaired without providing additional off-street parking or off-street loading facilities, provided there is no increase in area or capacity.

(2)

Enlargement. Where conforming structures and uses that existed as of the effective date of this Code are increased in capacity by adding dwelling units, rental units, floor area, volume, capacity, or space occupied, off-street parking and off-street loading shall be provided so that the total spaces fulfill the current requirements specified in this article.

(3)

Change in use. The change in use of a conforming or nonconforming structure or use existing as of the effective date of this Code, shall require additional off-street parking or off-street parking requirements which would have been required for the new use had the parking regulations been applicable thereto. However, if documentation can be provided verifying a valid occupational license for the most previous use has not expired for more than three (3) consecutive years, credit shall be given for the required parking related to that use. Any development that requires more than six (6) parking space credits shall be considered a special exception and subject to the criteria for parking requirements within four hundred (400) feet of the principal structure.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Aug. 1, 2022, deleted § 27-538 entitled "Exemptions," which derived from: Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, adopted Oct. 4, 2004; and Ord. No. 2010-14, § 47, adopted Sept. 7, 2010.

A plan shall be submitted with every application for a building permit for any building or use that is required to provide off-street parking or loading. The plan shall accurately designate the required parking or loading spaces, access aisles, and driveways, and the relationship of the off-street parking or loading facilities to the uses of structures such facilities are designed to serve. No permits shall be issued for any parking lot until the plans and specifications, including required landscaping, materials, and storm drainage, have been submitted to and approved by the city manager or designee as per the development plan review process in article III. These plans and specifications shall include proper drainage and stormwater retention, surface materials, curbing and screening as required, clearly marked and dimensioned, with ADA-accessible and other special use spaces designated. All entrances, exits and aisles shall be dimensioned, with the traffic pattern indicated.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 48, 9-7-10; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

(a)

Minimum number required. The minimum number of off-street automobile parking spaces that must be provided shall conform to the requirements as provided for in Table 27-540-1. Where a combination of uses is developed, parking shall be provided for each of the uses as prescribed, unless a reduction is granted pursuant to section 27-546.

(b)

Exemptions. The community development board may exempt, in whole or in part, any historically significant property from the provisions of this article, provided that the exemption is needed to allow a viable use of the structure and does not contribute to a severe parking shortage or to severe traffic congestion. If appropriate, the community development board may require off-site parking within four hundred (400) feet of the premises. Any parking facilities provided shall meet the specific dimensional and design requirements contained in this section. All exemptions approved by the community development board shall also be approved by the city council.

(c)

Parking reductions. The community development board may grant a reduction in the parking requirements set forth in this section in the following cases:

(1)

Parking reduction in the central business district (CBD). Given the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required in Table 27-540-1 the parking requirement calculated for any uses permitted or permitted by special exception in the CBD zoning district shall be reduced by fifty (50) percent. This parking reduction shall only apply to non-ADA parking space requirements. Property owners shall still have to provide the total number of ADA spaces required per Table 27-540-1.

(2)

Bicycle parking reductions in the central business district (CBD) and neighborhood center (NC) Overlay. The vehicular parking requirement calculated for any uses permitted or permitted by special exception in the CBD zoning district or NC overlay shall be reduced at a rate of one (1) percent for every two (2) bicycle parking spaces provided above the minimum requirements in section 27-542, for a maximum parking reduction of five (5) percent (or ten (10) additional bicycle parking spaces). This reduction can be applied on top of the CBD parking reduction described in above. Bicycle parking spaces must be wholly contained within the property boundaries in order to qualify for this reduction.

(3)

Reduction for mixed or joint use of parking spaces. The city council, after review from the community development board, may authorize a reduction in the total number of required parking spaces for two (2) or more uses jointly providing off-street parking when their respective hours of need of maximum parking do not normally overlap, provided that:

a.

The developer submits sufficient data to demonstrate that hours of maximum demand for parking, calculated using the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Manual for peak trip generation, at the respective uses do not normally overlap.

b.

The developer submits a joint parking agreement guaranteeing the joint use of the off-street parking spaces as long as the uses requiring parking are in existence or until the required parking is provided elsewhere in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

1.

If, and when, a joint agreement ends, then both properties shall come into compliance with the required parking standards of this Code.

2.

If either party decides to end, alter, amend, or pause the joint parking agreement, the city shall be notified in writing of such changes.

i.

Failure to notify the city of any amendments or termination of the joint parking agreement is subject to revocation of any business tax receipts, leases, alcohol licenses, or any other legal instrument in which the city has jurisdiction.

c.

The development submits a scaled site plan for parking areas.

(d)

Parking calculations. The following criteria shall contribute to the calculation of the minimum number required in addition to provisions found in Table 27-540-1:

(1)

Compact space allocation. A maximum of ten (10) percent of the calculated required parking spaces may be for compact cars, golf carts, or low-speed vehicles. If any parking spaces required are deferred the provision of compact spaces shall be prorated based on the entire parking requirement.

(2)

Calculating number of employees. For the purpose of calculating off-street parking requirements, the number of employees shall be the largest number of employees at any given period.

(3)

Number required for uses not listed. The number of parking spaces required for uses not specifically listed in the matrix shall be determined by the community development board. The board shall consider requirements for similar uses and appropriate traffic engineering and planning data and shall establish a minimum number of parking spaces based upon the principles of this Code.

(4)

Maximum number of spaces for shopping center. The maximum number of parking spaces provided for a shopping center use may not exceed the minimum requirements by more than twenty-five (25) percent or thirty (30) spaces, whichever is less.

(e)

Off-site parking. All required off-site parking spaces and the use they are intended to serve shall be located on the same parcel; provided, however, that the city council as a special exception, with a recommendation by the community development board, may allow the establishment of off-site or remote off-street parking facilities, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(1)

Practical difficulties prevent the placement of the required parking spaces on the same lot as the premises they are intended to serve.

(2)

The off-site parking spaces are located within four hundred (400) feet of the premises they are intended to serve.

(3)

The off-site parking spaces are located within the same zoning district classification as the premises which the parking spaces will serve, or a classification allowing business or commercial activities.

(4)

The off-site parking spaces are not located in any residential district.

(5)

The location of the off-site parking spaces will adequately serve the use for which it is intended.

(6)

The location of the off-site parking spaces will not create unreasonable:

a.

Hazards to pedestrians.

b.

Hazards to vehicular traffic.

c.

Traffic congestion.

d.

Interference with access to other parking spaces in the vicinity.

e.

Detriment to any nearby use.

f.

The developer supplies a written agreement, approved in form by the city attorney, assuring the continued availability of the off-site parking facilities for the use they are intended to serve.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 49, 9-7-10; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

In order to facilitate the improvement and redevelopment of properties in the central business district (CBD) in a manner that is consistent with the existing character of the neighborhood, the owner of a property may request a waiver for a portion or all of the required non-ADA off-street parking spaces through payment of a fee-in-lieu of providing required parking pursuant to section 27-540. Any required ADA spaces must still be provided on-site. Requests to use the payment-in-lieu of parking fee for alternative compliance with the off-street parking requirements shall be submitted to the community development department and may be reviewed by the community development board and the community development director, as applicable.

(1)

Fee calculation. The amount of the payment to the payment-in-lieu of parking program will allow the City of Neptune Beach to acquire land, finance, design, construct, and carry out maintenance and repairs to public parking facilities; and to perform other necessary and desirable actions to provide improvements to public off-street parking facilities, and to promote parking alternatives and nonvehicular transportation. The amount of the payment shall be a flat amount per space as established by resolution of the city council.

a.

New construction and existing structures. For new construction and expansion, alteration or rehabilitation, or change of use of an existing structure that results in an increased parking requirement as determined in accordance with the Code the payment in-lieu of parking fee shall be satisfied as determined by the community development department fee adopted by separate city council resolution and updated from time to time. The first payment of fifty (50) percent of the total fee shall be made to the community development department prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of a principal building or structure on the lot or the first certificate of occupancy (whichever comes sooner). The fifty (50) percent balance amount due may be paid in equal monthly payments for up to two (2) years pursuant to the agreement requirements and payment plan detailed in subsections (2) and (3) below.

(2)

In-lieu of parking fee agreement. The executed agreement shall be recorded by the community development department prior to the issuance of the building permit or certificate of occupancy or certificate of use, as applicable. The obligations imposed by the agreement shall constitute a restrictive covenant upon a property, and shall bind successors, heirs and assigns in favor of the city. The restrictive covenant shall be released by the city only upon full payment of the in-lieu parking fees due. In-lieu of parking fee agreements shall only be made between the city and the owner(s) of the subject property.

(3)

Fee collection for monthly payment plan. The first fee payment for applicants entering into an in-lieu of parking fee agreement shall be paid to the community development department prior to the issuance of a building permit for construction of a principal building or structure on the lot. If no building permit is needed, the first payment shall be due and paid to the community development department at the time the certificate of use, or certificate of occupancy (if required) is issued. The remaining amounts shall be paid in no more than twenty-four (24) monthly payments due on the first day of the first month following the initial fifty (50) percent payment, plus interest in the amount of prime rate percent per annum, until the city has received payment in full of the remaining balance. The prime rate shall be determined at the time of execution of the parking fee agreement and shall be based on the rate established by the Wall Street Journal. If such rate is not available. the city may use such other source as it determines appropriate in its reasonable discretion.

(4)

Administration. The community development department shall administer the collection of in-lieu funds. The finance department shall administer the collection of monthly fees for applicants entered in an in-lieu of parking fee agreement using information provided in writing by the community development department. Additional payments and procedures for late payments and failure to pay penalties shall be established within the in-lieu of parking fee agreement.

(5)

Deposit of payment-in-lieu program funds. Funds generated through the in-lieu fee program shall be deposited in the payment-in-lieu of parking fund, which may consist of one (1) or more city accounts specifically established to provide parking and related transportation improvements within the central business district.

(6)

Use of payment-in-lieu program funds. The fee collected in the payment-in-lieu fund shall be used to fund the following activities in order to support the development, regulation, maintenance, and operation of facilities and programs for the benefit of parking and traffic in the central business district:

a.

Acquire, construct, or develop off-street and on-street parking and related facilities;

b.

Fund the capital costs associated with new, upgraded, or expanded off-street parking areas serving land uses within the priority parking districts.

c.

Acquisition of land for present and future mobility improvements or interim parking uses; or

d.

Reimburse capital costs or advances, or related financing costs, for spaces in existing facilities or to be constructed which are designated or set aside for the program.

e.

Perform necessary and desirable actions to provide safe, well-marked, accessible. and/or clean public off-street parking facilities.

f.

Promote non-vehicular transportation and transit.

g.

Promote parking alternatives, such as park and ride, or ride sharing.

h.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the city to undertake the acquisition. construction, expansion, or development of any particular off-street parking facility.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22; Ord. No. 2023-10, § 1(Exh. A), 11-6-23)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Aug. 1, 2022, deleted former § 27-541 entitled "Use of tandem parking spaces," which derived from Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, adopted Oct. 4, 2004.

The use of bicycles helps alleviate traffic problems such as congestion and helps alleviate automobile parking deficiencies typically encountered by urban downtowns. A pedestrian and bike-friendly community are signs of a healthy community and should be strongly encouraged.

(1)

Applicability. Bicycle parking is required in all zoning districts except in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 districts and for all detached single-family residential developments.

(2)

Minimum required amount. Developments shall provide either racks for five (5) percent of the number of required off-street vehicle parking spaces or two (2) bicycle parking spaces, whichever is greater. Developments within the central business district shall provide one (1) bicycle space per three thousand (3,000) gross square feet of building or ten (10) percent of the total required vehicle spaces. Spaces shall be a minimum of two (2) feet by six (6) feet in dimension.

(3)

Placement and design guidelines. The following are guidelines concerning the design and placement of bicycle parking spaces:

a.

Racks should be located so as not to interfere with pedestrian movement and within two hundred (200) feet of the destination they serve. They should be highly visible so cyclists can spot them immediately when they arrive from the street. A visible location also discourages theft and vandalism.

b.

Adequate lighting is essential for the security of the bicycles and the users.

c.

Bicycle racks and lockers should use tamper-resistant mounting hardware and must be well anchored to the ground to avoid vandalism and theft. The racks should also be designed to allow both the frame and wheels of the parked bicycle to be secured against theft.

d.

A portion of bicycle parking should be protected from the weather (some short-term bicycle parking can be unprotected since bicycle use tends to increase significantly during fair weather). The weather protected bicycle parking spaces could be implemented by using existing overhangs or covered walkways, a special covering, weatherproof outdoor bicycle lockers, or an indoor storage area.

e.

Adequate clearance is required around racks to give cyclists room to maneuver, and to prevent conflicts with pedestrians or parked cars. A minimum of thirty-six (36) inches of clearance between each rack and other sidewalk utilities and furniture (lamp posts, benches, trash cans, etc.), though forty-eight (48) inches of clearance is preferred. Racks should not block access to building entrances or fire hydrants.

f.

Racks should provide two points of contact with the frame and should be designed to allow each bicycle to be supported by its frame. The rack's high point should be at least thirty-two (32) inches high.

g.

Racks should be designed to avoid damage to bicycles.

h.

Rack should be solidly constructed to resist damage by rust and corrosion. Steel and stainless steel are the most common, as well as powder-coated aluminum and appropriate materials for general-use racks.

i.

The best rack styles, which accommodate two (2) points of contact for a range of bicycle types and sizes, are the inverted U rack (also called staple or loop rack) and the post and ring rack.

j.

Bicycle racks should be consistent in color and design with the surroundings, so as to be cohesive with other street furniture and infrastructure elements.

k.

Additional guidelines for the design and placement of bicycle parking can be found in the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) Essentials of Bike Parking Guide.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

All parking facilities that require accessible parking spaces shall ensure that a portion of the total number of required parking spaces shall be specifically designated, located, and reserved for use by persons with physical disabilities, in accordance with the standards in the federal American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

Editor's note— Formerly entitled "Parking requirements for handicapped persons," which was amended by Ord. No. 2022-03, as herein set out.

(a)

A portion of the parking spaces required by section 27-540 of this Code may be designated exclusively for motorcycle parking, if the following conditions are met:

(1)

The city manager or designee recommends that the spaces be so designated, based upon projected demand for them and lessened demand for automobile spaces.

(2)

The community development board approves the recommendation and the designated spaces are shown on the final development plan.

(3)

The designated spaces are suitably marked and striped.

(4)

The designated motorcycle parking spaces meet the standard minimum dimensions of four and one-quarter (4.25) feet wide and nine and one-quarter (9.25) feet long in depth.

(5)

The designation does not reduce the overall area devoted to parking so that if the motorcycle spaces are converted to automobile spaces the minimum requirements for automobile spaces will be met.

(b)

The approval is conditional and may later be withdrawn, and the spaces returned to car spaces, if the city manager or designee determines that the purposes of this Code would be better served thereby, based upon actual demand for motorcycle and automobile parking.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 50, 9-7-10; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

(a)

To avoid requiring more parking spaces than actually needed to serve a development, the community development board may defer a portion of the off-street parking spaces required by this Code, if the developer demonstrates that the number of deferred parking spaces will not be needed for the condition or conditions established.

(b)

Deferrals shall be based on a deferred parking plan, which shall:

(1)

Include a written agreement between the developer and the city that requires the developer to convert the deferred parking spaces to conform to this Code at the developer's expense one (1) year from the date of issuance of certificate of occupancy, if the community development board determines that the additional parking spaces are needed.

(2)

Include a landscaping plan for the deferred parking area. A deferral of parking area may be offset by an increase of landscaping provided by the development on a ratio of 2:1. For example, if ten (10) parking spaces are deferred that would have corresponded with two thousand (2,000) square feet; one thousand (1,000) square feet of additional landscaping shall be provided beyond which was already required.

(3)

Be designed to contain sufficient space to meet the full parking requirements of this Code, shall illustrate the layout for the full number of parking spaces, and shall designate which are to be deferred.

(4)

Not assign deferred spaces to areas required for landscaping buffer zones, setbacks, or other areas that would otherwise be unsuitable for parking spaces because of the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this Code.

(c)

The developer may at any time request that the community development board approve a revised development plan to allow converting the deferred spaces to operable parking spaces.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 51, 9-7-10)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Aug. 1, 2022, deleted § 27-546 entitled "Reduction for mixed or joint use of parking spaces," which derived from: Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, adopted Oct. 4, 2004; and Ord. No. 2010-14, § 52, adopted Sept. 7, 2010.

(a)

In addition to the off-street parking requirements required in this Code, off-street loading spaces shall be provided and maintained per Table 27-547-1 [located at end of article]:

(1)

Businesses. Each retail store, storage, warehouse, wholesale establishment, restaurant, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning establishment, or similar uses shall maintain the number of spaces as provided in Table 27-547-1 [located at end of article].

(2)

Public buildings. Auditoriums, convention halls, exhibition halls, museums, motels, hotel or office building, sports arena, stadiums, hospitals, sanitarium, welfare institution, or similar use shall maintain the number of spaces per Table 27-547-1 [located at end of article].

(3)

Uses not listed. Those uses that are listed above in subsections (1) and (2) above, shall be interpreted to include other uses that have similar impacts to the listed uses.

(b)

Adjustments to requirements. When the characteristics of the proposed use require a greater or lesser number of loading spaces than that required or proposed, the community development board may require that a study be done to determine the actual number of loading spaces needed for a proposed use.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 53, 9-7-10)

(a)

General design standards.

(1)

Modification. The community development board may modify these requirements where necessary to promote a substantial public interest relating to environmental protection, heritage conservation, aesthetics, tree protection, or drainage. Under no circumstances shall the modification create a serious hazard or inconvenience. The modification shall be based on a written statement of the public interest served by allowing the modification.

(2)

No storage. Parking areas shall be kept free of material storage, including portable containers, and outdoor display/sales, except on a temporary basis as part of an approved temporary use application or special event permit.

(3)

Maintenance. Parking areas shall be maintained to provide motor vehicle access and shall be kept free of litter, debris, and potholes.

(4)

Identification. Off-street parking areas with four (4) or more spaces, and off-street loading areas, shall include painted lines, wheel stops, or other methods of identifying individual parking stalls and loading areas and distinguishing such spaces from aisles and other circulation features.

(5)

Arrangement.

a.

Parking stalls shall be located in areas that will not require backing into access driveways or streets, except where allowed for residences, or when no other practical alternative exists, as determined by the community development board.

b.

Each off-street parking stall shall be directly accessible from a drive aisle or alley without crossing or entering any other required off-street parking or loading space, except as provided for tandem parking.

c.

No parking space shall be located so as to block access by emergency vehicles.

(6)

Loading spaces.

a.

The standard off-street loading space shall be ten (10) feet wide, twenty-five (25) feet in depth, and provide vertical clearance of fifteen (15) feet, and provide adequate area for maneuvering, ingress and egress.

b.

The length of one (1) or more of the loading spaces may be increased up to fifty-five (55) feet in depth if full length tractor-trailers must be accommodated. Developers may install spaces that are larger than the standard, but the number of spaces shall not be reduced on that account.

c.

Each off-street loading space shall be directly accessible from a street or alley without crossing or entering any other required off-street parking of loading space as well as accessible from the interior of the building it serves.

(7)

Alternative vehicle and mobility device parking.

a.

Golf cart parking. A standard golf cart parking space shall be five (5) feet wide and ten (10) feet in depth.

b.

Motorized kick scooter parking. Motorized kick scooters must be upright while parked and may not be parked in a manner that would impose a threat to public safety or security.

1.

Motorized kick scooters must be parked on a sidewalk or other hard surface, or at a city-owned location. Motorized kick scooters may only be parked on private property with the permission of the property owner.

2.

Motorized kick scooters may not be parked at bicycle parking.

3.

Motorized kick scooters may not be parked in a manner that could impede vehicular access, emergency access, normal and reasonable pedestrian access on a sidewalk, or in any manner that would reduce the minimum clear width of a sidewalk to less than three (3) feet.

4.

The city may identify designated motorized kick scooter parking zones in order to guide riders to preferred parking zones and assist with the orderly parking of motorized vehicles throughout the city.

c.

Moped and scooter parking. Mopeds and scooters shall park in designated vehicular parking spaces or motorcycle spaces (subject to the motorcycle parking requirements in section 27-544). Mopeds and scooters shall not be permitted to park on the sidewalks.

(8)

Tandem parking spaces. Tandem parking spaces may be used for single-family residences, and two-family residences.

(9)

Drainage. All off-street parking and loading areas shall be drained so as not to cause any nuisance of adjacent property, and to prevent damage to the public right-of-way and the adjacent environment.

(10)

Lighting. Adequate lighting shall be provided if off-street parking or loading is to be used at night. Such lighting shall be provided to ensure user safety and security. The lighting shall be designed and installed so as to prevent glare or excessive light on adjacent property and streets. No source of illumination shall be directed into the windows of any residential building. Lighting near critical wildlife habitats, including along the beachfront, shall comply with all requirements in section 8-245.

(11)

Location.

a.

Parking areas and drive aisles shall be located in the side or rear yard only and are not permitted in the front yard setback except for properties within the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 zoning districts.

b.

Lots served by alleys shall access garages and/or off-street parking areas from the alley and shall not have driveways in front or corner side yard areas.

c.

Front yard parking. In the residential zoning districts driveways may be used for front yard parking areas, but the width of such front yard parking areas shall be limited to the driveway width. No parking spaces, other than driveways, may be located in the front yard setback.

(12)

Pedestrian circulation. Parking lots with ten (10) spaces or greater shall be designed to separate pedestrian travel from vehicles. They shall include designated pedestrian walkways to provide safe access to building entrances for pedestrians and discourage incursions into landscaped areas except at designated crossings.

a.

Perimeter sidewalks, typically located on public rights-of-way, and/or interior parking lot pedestrian corridors may be utilized to provide the required pedestrian access.

b.

Pedestrian pathways (if provided) shall be a minimum five (5) feet in width.

c.

Where parking is located between a public entrance and the fronting sidewalk, a pedestrian pathway shall be provided, following the shortest practical route across the parking lot between at least one (1) such entrance on each side of the building facing a public street.

d.

Pedestrian pathways shall be clearly delineated. This may be accomplished with the use of paving materials that differ from that of vehicular areas, striping, or other similar methods.

(13)

Connectivity.

a.

Wherever feasible, adjoining parking lots (except those serving residential buildings of less than four (4) units) shall be interconnected or designed to interconnect in the future.

b.

Where a parking lot connection is provided, an easement for ingress and egress to adjacent lots shall be recorded by the property owner in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Duval County, Florida.

c.

Aisles and driveways shall not be used for parking vehicles, except that the driveway of a single-family or two-family residence shall be counted as a parking space for the dwelling unit, or as a number of parking spaces as determined by the city manager or designee based on the size and accessibility of the driveway.

d.

Entrances and exits. The location and design of entrances and exits shall be in accordance with proper access management techniques. The number of curb cuts shall be the minimum required to allow free and safe use of the facility without impairing traffic flow along the street. The use of shared or common curb cuts is encouraged where practical as depicted in Figure 27-548-2. [See Figures at the end of article XIII.] Trees and appropriate landscaping may be used to define entrances and exits.

(b)

Design standards.

(1)

Off-street parking design standards.

Table 27-548-1

(2)

On-street parking design standards.

Table 27-548-2

(3)

Materials.

a.

Surface requirements for four (4) or more commercial parking spaces. Where a use requires space for four (4) or more motor vehicles, pavement for paved off-street parking or paved off-street loading facilities shall, as a minimum requirement, consist of the minimum state department of transportation requirements, as amended. A substitute surface of an equal or greater strength may be used upon written approval of the city manager or designee. This is also intended to encourage creative combinations of pervious and impervious surface materials when designing a parking facility.

b.

Surface requirements for three (3) or less parking spaces. Where a commercial use requires space for three (3) or less motor vehicles, or any residential use, the off-street parking and loading areas shall be maintained in an even and usable condition. Pavement that minimizes impervious surface area, such as dry-laid pavers and/or gravel is encouraged. Loose surfaces, such as gravel shall be contained at all edges with curbing or other border.

(4)

Parking lot screening and landscaping. Landscaping requirements for parking facilities shall be as required by article IX.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2010-01, § 1, 3-1-10; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 54, 9-7-10; Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), 8-1-22)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-03, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Aug. 1, 2022, deleted § 27-549 entitled "Design standards for bicycle parking," which derived from: Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, adopted Oct. 4, 2004.

The city council may designate special parking districts where parking or transit facilities may be provided by the city, thus lessening the demand for on-site parking. For development proposed in these districts, the city may allow the developer to pay a fee in lieu of providing some or all of the spaces required by this Code. The fee shall be a one-time, nonrefundable fee per parking space avoided, paid to the city prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The amount of the fee shall be determined by the city council and shall be equal to the land acquisition, construction and maintenance costs of parking spaces that are deferred by this provision. These fees shall be used by the city solely for the purchase, construction, operation and maintenance of parking or transit facilities serving the area of the development. The city council may, at the time of accepting the fee, enter into an agreement with the developer to construct or provide parking or transit facilities.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04)

Table 27-540-1. Off-Street Parking Requirements

(Ord. No. 2010-10, § 3, 7-12-10; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 54, 9-7-10)

Table 27-547-1
Off Street Loading Spaces

*1 additional space for each additional ninety thousand (90,000) square feet or fraction thereof above two hundred ninety thousand (290,000) square feet.