Northampton County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
OFF-STREET PARKING
AND LOADING
§ 154.2.205 INTENT.
There shall be provided at the time of erection of any main building, or at the time any main building is enlarged, minimum off-street parking space with adequate provision for entrances and exits by standard-size automobiles, as follows in this subchapter.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.206 SPACE ON SAME LOT AND ADJACENT LOTS.
(A) General. All off-street parking spaces appurtenant to any non-residential use permitted in any district shall be provided on the same lot with the use to which it is appurtenant. All off-street parking spaces appurtenant to any residential use permitted in any residential district shall be provided on the same lot with the use of which it is appurtenant, except as qualified below.
(B) Approval of alternate location. Off-street parking spaces appurtenant to any residential use permitted in any residential district shall be provided on the same lot with the use of which it is appurtenant. However, if the Zoning Administrator determines that the required parking on the lot is physically not possible or that public safety would be better served by off-site parking, the Zoning Administrator may approve off-site parking.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.207 COOPERATIVE PARKING.
(A) Approval by Zoning Administrator. Parking space required under the provisions of this chapter may be provided cooperatively for two or more uses in a development or for two or more individual uses, subject to arrangements that will assure the permanent availability of such space, if such arrangements are approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(B) Reductions for combined uses. The amount of such combined parking space shall be equal to the sum of the amounts required for the separate uses unless the Zoning Administrator determines that a reduced number of parking spaces is adequate due to different hours of normal activity for the uses participating in the combination.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.208 SAFE AND CONVENIENT ACCESS REQUIRED.
All off-street parking space and off-street loading space shall be provided with safe and convenient access to a public street. All permitted uses requiring site plan approval shall have entrances constructed in accord with the specifications of the County Engineer and VDOT and shall be approved by the county's Director of Planning and Zoning.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.209 PARKING AREA DESIGN.
(A) Type of construction. All off-street parking spaces, loading space, aisles, and driveways, except those provided for single-family dwellings, shall be constructed and maintained with a dustless surface and of such type of construction that the same will be available for safe and accessible use at all times. It shall have appropriate safety barriers where needed as determined by the Administrator, and all off-street parking spaces shall be delineated on the site.
(C) Design. All parking spaces will be so designed so that no part of any vehicle will extend over any property line, roadway, right-of-way, walkway, driveway, or aisle space.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.210 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
Off-street parking spaces and lots shall meet the following general requirements.
(A) Same lot. Parking spaces for all uses shall be provided on the same lot with the use or structure to be served except as provided for in § 154.2.206.
(B) Off-site parking. For parking addressed by § 154.2.206(B), alternative locations may be authorized by the Zoning Administrator subject to the following conditions and criteria:
(1) Maximum distances to off-site lots or spaces must be not more than 150 feet from two-family and multi-family attached dwelling units and not more than 500 feet from all other uses. Distances shall be measured by normal pedestrian routes.
(2) Approval will be subject to safeguards called for by the circumstances of the case, to design and improvement standards applying to off-street parking areas, and to the requirement that such parking space shall be associated with the permitted use of the structure, and not to be reduced or encroached upon in any manner.
(3) The required number of off-street parking spaces for any number of uses may be combined in one lot, provided that each space is permanently available for the assigned use. The amount of space required may be reduced for a church, or for a meeting place of a civic, fraternal, or similar organization by reason of different hours of normal activity than those of other uses participating in the combination of required spaces.
(C) Large vehicles. Construction vehicles, trucks and trailers of a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW), and all boats, campers, and recreational vehicles shall be parked behind a line drawn parallel to the font of the existing structure closest to the front property line or the front setback line, whichever is greater.
(D) Reduction of existing parking. Off-street parking existing on October 21, 2009 and used in connection with the operation of an existing use or structure shall not be reduced to an amount less than hereinafter required for a similar new use or structure.
(E) Determination of requirements when unspecified. Whenever the required number of parking or loading spaces is not specifically stated in this section, the Zoning Administrator shall make a determination of the number of spaces to be provided based upon his/her determination of the closest comparable use for which required spaces are stated.
(F) Modifications of parking/loading requirements. The Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to reduce the minimum required number of parking and/or loading spaces by up to 20% if it is determined during the site plan review process that the required number of spaces is clearly excessive for a particular use proposed, based upon the following factors: maximum staffing, seating capacity, gross floor area, hours of operation, and the availability of cooperative parking. If an applicant proposes to install a number of parking and/or loading spaces exceeding the minimum requirement established, the Zoning Administrator also shall have the authority to limit the number of spaces based upon the factors stated above.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.211 SITE REQUIREMENTS.
All off-street parking spaces, aisles, and driveways, except those provided for one- and two-family dwellings, shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements.
(A) Surfacing of parking lots. All such parking and drive areas shall be graveled or surfaced in some other manner to reduce erosion and to reduce the generation of mud and dust.
(B) Drainage. Parking areas shall be adequately drained so as not to allow flowing or standing water that could impede the pathways or travelways of vehicles or pedestrians or otherwise pose safety hazards or to cause adverse effects on neighboring properties.
(C) Guard devices. Parking lots shall have appropriate safety barriers where needed as determined by the Zoning Administrator that such barriers are necessary to ensure the safety of persons using the parking lot and/or the safety of the general public.
(D) Markings. All off-street parking spaces with hard surfaces and in excess of ten or more parking spaces shall be marked/delineated on the site.
(E) Lighting. Lighting used to illuminate parking areas shall be arranged so that light shines and/or is reflected away from adjacent properties and in a manner that does not affect traffic on adjacent roads.
(F) Design. All parking spaces shall be designed so that no part of any vehicle extends over any property line, right-of-way, walkway, and driveway or aisle space.
(G) Landscaping. All off-street parking lots and areas shall be landscaped as provided in § 154.2.105.
(H) General standards. Any off-street parking space shall have minimum dimensions of 9 feet by 20 feet, except that parallel parking spaces shall be at least 9 feet by 22 feet. Each space shall be unobstructed, shall have access to a public street, and shall be arranged so that any vehicle may be moved without moving another, except in the case of parking for one- and two-family dwellings and in the case of parking for employees on the premises. In addition:
(1) Minimum aisle widths required for parking areas shall be according to the following table.
Parking Angle (in degrees) | Aisle Width (in feet) |
0 - 44 | NA |
45 - 59 | 13.5 |
60 - 69 | 18.5 |
70 - 79 | 19.5 |
80 - 89 | 21 |
90 | 22
|
(2) Requirements for handicapped access. For each 25 off-street parking spaces, there shall be one off-street parking space for handicapped persons. For any number of off-street parking spaces less than 25, one off-street parking space designated for handicapped persons shall be required. Parking spaces for handicapped persons shall be designed in accordance with standards specified in the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.212 OFF-STREET LOADING.
(A) Requirements. Off-street loading facilities shall be provided on the premises of any use hereafter established or enlarged, and occupying more than 3,000 square feet of lot area which, during the course of any operating day, receives or distributes goods or materials by trucks more than 20 feet in overall length. One loading space shall be provided if the land devoted to such establishment or use has an area of more than 3,000 but less than 20,000 square feet and one additional space shall be provided for each additional 20,000 square feet of land area or remaining fraction thereof exceeding 10,000 square feet.
(B) Specifications. Loading spaces shall be 12 feet by 45 feet with minimum height clearance of 14 feet both for the space and for accessways and maneuvering areas related to it.
(1) All loading space and related access areas shall be graded, improved, and maintained in a manner permitting safe and accessible use under normal weather conditions and so as to avoid adverse effects on neighboring property as a result of dust, noise, or drainage.
(2) No required loading space shall be located in a required setback area when adjacent to a public street.
(3) All loading spaces shall be marked as a "Loading Space."
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)
§ 154.2.213 MINIMUM IMPERVIOUS PARKING SPACES REQUIRED FOR PERMITTED USES.
The following spaces shall be required.
(A) Animal hospitals and commercial kennels. One space per 400 square feet of gross floor area plus one per each employee.
(B) Automobile service stations. One space per each service bay/stall and one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees on duty. In addition, when accessory activities are conducted on the site, additional parking spaces shall be required. If the station also rents vehicles of any type (for example, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and/or trailers) the lot shall have enough additional area to accommodate the highest number of rental vehicles expected at any one time at the station.
(C) Banks. One parking space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area.
(D) Barber shops, beauty shops, health spas and centers. One space per 200 square feet of gross floor area plus one space per employee.
(E) Bowling alleys. Three spaces per lane.
(F) Car washes. One parking space for each employee, plus exterior spaces to accommodate three times the maximum interior capacity of the car wash.
(G) Carry-out/fast food restaurants. Thirteen spaces per each 1,000 square feet or fraction thereof of gross floor area.
(H) Cartage and express facilities. One space per each three employees plus one space per each vehicle maintained.
(I) Churches, auditoriums, or similar places of assembly. A minimum of one space for each four patrons allowed per occupancy limitations.
(J) Commercial and private heliports. One space per each 1,000 square feet of operational area (landing, servicing, storage, and hangar space).
(K) Commercial skating rink. One space for each 125 square feet or fraction thereof of skating rink area.
(L) Contractors or construction shops, offices and yards. One space per each 1,000 square feet of operational area or fraction thereof, plus one space for each employee working on site for the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(M) Dance halls. One space per each 100 square feet of gross floor area.
(N) Fast food establishments, with or without drive-through facilities. Eighteen spaces per each 1,000 square feet or fraction thereof of gross floor area. In addition, eight spaces are required for vehicles stacking to use any drive-in facility.
(O) Food or chain stores. Five spaces per each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area or fraction thereof.
(P) Funeral homes. One space per each 15 square feet area in assembly rooms or chapels or fraction thereof.
(Q) Furniture stores. Two spaces for the first 1,000 square feet plus one additional space for each 400 square feet of floor area over 1,000 square feet of retail area or fraction thereof, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(R) Greenhouses and nurseries. One space per each 100 square feet of retail sales area for the first 5,000 square feet and one space for each 200 square feet of retail sales area above 5,000 square feet of retail area, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(S) Hospitals, nursing, convalescent homes. One space for each two beds, including cradles, children's beds, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(T) Industrial uses. Off-street parking spaces for every employee on the work shift with the maximum number of employees. Those uses permitted in the Industrial Districts shall have a maximum of two off-street parking spaces for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(U) Laundromats. One parking space for each two washing machines, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(V) Medical and dental clinics. One space for each 100 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(W) Office buildings. One space for each 100 square feet of net office floor area or fraction thereof.
(X) Printing and publishing facilities. One space per each employee plus a minimum of two and a maximum of ten customer parking spaces.
(Y) Production or processing of materials, goods, or products. One space per each employee, plus a minimum of two and a maximum of ten customer parking spaces.
(Z) Sit-down restaurants. Thirteen spaces per each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area or fraction thereof.
(AA) Testing, repairing, cleaning, servicing of materials, goods, and products. One space per each employee, plus a minimum of two and a maximum of ten customer parking spaces.
(BB) Theater, drive-in. One space per each potential vehicle at the facility, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(CC) Theater, indoors; theater, outdoors. One space per each two seats, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(DD) Inn, historic inns, motels, and hotels. One space for each accommodation unit, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(EE) Town houses, and other multi-family residential. Two spaces per unit minimum.
(FF) Trailer sales and rental, boat showrooms and model home sales. One space per each 3,000 square feet of business area or fraction thereof.
(GG) Warehousing and wholesaling operations. One space per each employee, plus a minimum of two and a maximum of ten customer parking spaces.
(HH) Other non-retail establishment uses not listed in this section. Non-retail establishments not otherwise referenced in this section shall provide one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees, plus such additional parking spaces as determined by the Zoning Administrator based upon an analysis of the proposed use and the number of spaces required for comparable uses stated herein.
(II) Other retail use establishments not listed in this section. Three spaces per each 1,000 square feet of retail sales area or fraction thereof, plus one space for each employee working on the work shift with the maximum number of employees.
(JJ) Multiple uses on a lot. When more than one use is conducted on a lot, the lot shall satisfy the combined parking requirements for each of the uses.
(KK) Event venue. One parking space for each three attendees based on the maximum number of attendees approved for the site.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)