The off-street parking regulations require that developments provide parking in proportion to the need created by each use. The regulations further establish standards for the functional design of parking facilities. These regulations are intended to safely accommodate vehicles and minimize external effects on neighboring properties.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

Off-street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed or enlargements of existing structures.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

A.

Any use within the DC district is exempt from the minimum off-street parking requirements. Any maximum parking requirements still apply. Any off-street parking facility constructed in the DC district after the effective date of this zoning ordinance must comply with the design standards set forth in this chapter.

B.

For uses subject to a conditional use permit approval, the PZ Commission may adjust the minimum requirements of this chapter to provide design, usability, attractiveness, or protection to adjoining uses in a manner equal to or greater than the minimum requirements of this title.

C.

Deferred Parking. The PZ commission may approve a reduced number of parking spaces for a specific phased project after a recommendation from the zoning administrator, provided that the applicant:

1.

Presents a site plan demonstrating that an area on site is reserved for the designated number of spaces as required by this zoning ordinance.

2.

Agrees to improve that area for parking within sixty days of the time the PZ commission deems such parking shall be improved.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

A.

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

B.

Parking requirements are based on gross floor area in square feet unless otherwise indicated. Gross floor areas for this calculation exclude any interior space used for the parking or loading of vehicles.

C.

When parking requirements are computed based on capacity, capacity shall be determined by the building code or other official determinations of occupancy in effect for the city when the use is established.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

Parking facilities, including electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking, for each use shall be provided in accordance with the requirements set forth in Table 17.07.A Parking Requirements and the following:

A.

Parking shall be calculated separately for each use on a property unless allowed according to shared parking regulations.

B.

On-street parking spaces adjacent to the property served, where allowed, may be counted towards the parking requirements subject to the following:

1.

For marked spaces, fifty percent or more of the stall length of a parallel space is adjacent to the property served, or fifty percent or more of the stall width of a perpendicular or angled parking space is adjacent to the property served.

2.

Unmarked spaces shall be determined by dividing the total curb length adjacent to the property served where parking is permitted by twenty feet.

C.

The following types of parking spaces shall not count against any maximum parking requirements:

1.

Accessible parking spaces.

2.

Vanpool and carpool parking.

3.

Spaces with electric vehicle charging stations.

4.

Parking spaces which are used seasonally (March 1—November 1) to provide bicycle parking.

5.

On-street parking adjacent to the lot or lots on which the parking is located.

6.

Structured parking, underground parking, and parking within, above, or beneath the building(s) it serves.

D.

Uses Not Listed. Upon receiving a development or permit application for a use not specifically listed in the parking requirements, the zoning administrator is authorized to apply the off-street parking ratio specified for the listed use that they deem most similar to the proposed use or based on parking data provided by the applicant that documents the source of all data used to calculate needed parking.

E.

Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces. A minimum number of parking spaces with installed electric vehicle charging stations or having the ability to install charging stations in the future are required. Electric vehicle charging is defined as:

1.

Level 1. Slow charging and operates on a one hundred twenty volt AC circuit. Typically used for smaller electric vehicles like scooters, e-bikes, motorcycles, and hybrid cars. However, Level 1 chargers are not beneficial for vehicles that cannot be parked/charged for a long time.

2.

Level 2. Medium charging and operates on a two hundred twenty to two hundred forty volt AC circuit. Typically would be used when an electric vehicle might be parked for an extended period (over an hour).

3.

Level 3. Fast or rapid charging and operates on a four hundred eighty volt or higher 3-phase circuit with special grounding equipment. Ideal for charging times under an hour where users have limited time. Even if not explicitly required in Table 17.07.A Parking Requirements, Level 3 stations can be used to satisfy electric vehicle station requirements.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

Where private off-site parking facilities are approved, such facilities shall be owned or leased by the same property owner as the lot occupied by the building or use to which the parking facilities are accessory. Stand-alone off-site parking shall be regulated as a principal use.

A.

Such possession may be either by deed or by lease, guaranteeing the parking availability commensurate with the use served by the parking.

B.

The deed or lease shall require the owner to maintain the required number of parking facilities for the duration of the use served.

C.

Any off-premise parking must be within the following distances, measured from the closest parking space along a dedicated pedestrian path:

1.

Five hundred feet from a multi-unit dwelling use.

2.

One thousand feet from non-residential uses.

3.

No off-site parking shall be allowed for residential dwelling uses of less than three units.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

Sharing parking spaces is allowed and encouraged when uses on the same lot or development site have different parking needs at different times. A reduction in parking requirements is permitted based on the following standards:

A.

Required parking for persons with disabilities cannot be shared or counted in the reduction calculations.

B.

Shared parking can be located on-site or off-site, subject to the off-site parking allowances in Section 17.07.060.

C.

Shared parking is permitted between different property owners when a shared parking agreement is executed by the parties involved and submitted to the zoning administrator that identifies the permission of each party to share their parking area.

D.

Reductions in parking requirements are allowed according to Table 17.07.B Shared Parking Allowances determined by:

1.

Multiply the minimum parking required for each use, as set forth in Table 17.07.A, Parking Requirements, by the percentage identified in Table 17.07.B Shared Parking Allowances for each of the six designated periods.

2.

Add the resulting sums for each of the six columns in Table 17.07.B Shared Parking Allowances.

3.

Select the period with the highest total parking requirement and use that total as the shared parking requirement.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

Parking spaces that are accessible ("accessible parking space") shall be provided in addition to the minimum number of spaces required in Table 17.07.A Parking Requirements, but not count against any maximum space requirements.

A.

Each off-street parking facility shall provide the number of parking spaces designed for accessibility that complies with or is better than the standards detailed in the state and federal building or accessibility requirements, including quantity, size, location, and accessibility. Design criteria and dimensions should reference Chapter 8 of the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) manual.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

A.

Requirement.

1.

At least one off-street loading space shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with such building in any district with every building or part thereof hereafter erected which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, retail store, wholesale store, hotel, hospital, funeral home, dry cleaning, or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise.

B.

Design Standards.

1.

Each loading space shall be at least twelve feet wide by forty feet long, with a vertical clearance of at least fourteen feet.

2.

All loading areas shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, asphaltic concrete, or brick to provide a durable surface.

a.

Sites within the AG and GI districts are exempt from this requirement.

3.

Off-street loading areas are subject to the landscaping and buffering requirements for parking facilities in Chapter 17.08 Landscaping and Screening Standards.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

The purpose of this section is to set out standards for the design, use, and appearance of off-street parking areas to achieve well-designed parking areas that are safe, accessible, and attractive.

A.

Application. The objectives and standards of this section are to be used in the review and approval of on-site parking areas for all uses that have on-site parking, whether required by Table 17.07.A Parking Requirements or not.

B.

Location.

1.

Refer to Chapter 17.05 Site Development Regulations.

C.

Space and Aisle Dimensions.

1.

Standard parking stalls and drive aisles shall be dimensioned according to the standards listed in Chapter 8, Parking Lots, of the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) design manual.

D.

Pavement and Drainage.

1.

Off-street parking and circulation facilities shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, asphaltic concrete, bricks, permeable pavement, or seal coat.

a.

Sites within the AG and RR districts are exempt from this requirement.

b.

In GI districts, the paving requirement for certain parking and loading areas more than one hundred feet back from any public right-of-way may be waived following the review and approval of a specific site plan by the zoning administrator.

c.

The portions of any parking lot serving truck traffic, such as entrances, perimeter travel lanes, trash dumpster sites, and delivery truck routes, must be designed to accommodate heavier loads.

2.

Off-street parking facilities shall be designed and built to prevent the free flow of water onto adjacent properties. Parking lot design which discharges water onto public right-of-way is subject to review and approval by the zoning administrator. Storm drainage improvements shall conform to title 16 of the Oskaloosa Municipal Code.

E.

Entrances and Exits.

1.

Adequate access to each parking facility shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited driveways or access points.

a.

Such driveways shall be designed to direct non-residential traffic away from residential areas.

b.

The maximum driveway width at a property line shall be twenty-two feet unless the city requires turning lanes.

c.

Public Access Drives. Where a lot does not abut on a public or private alley or easement of access, there shall be provided an access drive not less than eight feet wide in the case of a dwelling and not less than twenty-four feet wide in all cases leading to the loading or unloading spaces and parking or storage areas required.

d.

Where sidewalks cross driveways, the sidewalk pavement scoring, pattern, and color shall continue through the driveway, prioritizing the pedestrian path over the vehicular path.

2.

Lots that front on arterial and collector streets, other than lots with single-unit detached, two-unit, or zero-lot line dwellings, shall provide cross-access to each other to reduce the number of driveway access points from the street. Driveway access points shall be separated by at most one per two hundred feet measured from the interior driveway curb unless cross-access is demonstrated as infeasible.

3.

Parking facilities other than driveways for single-unit, two-unit, zero lot line, townhome, or mobile home residential uses must permit vehicles to enter streets in a forward position.

4.

Curb cuts.

a.

The minimum distance between two curb cuts shall be ten feet.

b.

For corner properties, the minimum distance permitted between any curb cut and the property line forming the adjoining street extended to the curb line shall be forty feet unless otherwise approved by the zoning administrator.

F.

Maintenance.

1.

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

G.

Lighting.

1.

Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas, including any commercial parking lot, shall be arranged to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any residential district.

H.

Landscape and Screening Requirements. Unless otherwise noted, each unenclosed parking facility shall comply with applicable standards in Chapter 17.08 Landscaping and Screening Standards.

I.

Bicycle Parking Facilities.

1.

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

2.

Location. The location of bicycle parking facilities shall be at least as convenient to the main entrance of the primary use as the most convenient vehicle parking. The location shall be along a paved route to the entrance of the primary use and not obstruct pedestrian walkways to less than five feet wide.

J.

Pedestrian Access.

1.

Parking lots providing over two hundred stalls shall be divided into smaller parking fields not exceeding one hundred stalls to reduce the visual impact of large parking expanses. Divisions shall be made with landscape strips, peninsulas, or grade changes.

2.

Divisions of parking lots over two hundred stalls shall include protected pedestrian accessways using a curb and ten foot wide sidewalk leading to the building entrance.

3.

Sidewalks and walkways from parking facilities should link to the city sidewalk and trail system where available and provide a safe pedestrian route from adjacent public sidewalks and trails.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)

A.

Drive-Through Services. Commercial establishments providing drive-in or drive-through services shall provide minimum on-site stacking distance as provided by Table 17.07.C Off-Street Stacking Requirements.

1.

All drive-through services must provide a ten foot wide alternative runaround access for vehicles not in a drive-through queue.

2.

Stacking spaces shall be nine feet wide by twenty feet long.

B.

Parking for Personal Vehicles and Recreational Vehicles. Personal vehicles include passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, camper shells, toppers, trailers, boats, and other similar appurtenances intended for attachment to a personal vehicle.

1.

Parking Location.

a.

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

b.

Parking of personal vehicles is permitted on a driveway surface (outside of an enclosed structure), complying with the off-street parking design standards provisions of Section 17.07.100 Parking Design Standards, within the front yard setback, but shall in no case encroach upon the public right-of-way.

c.

Parking of personal vehicles may occur in the rear yard setback (outside of an enclosed structure and not on the front yard paved driveway) if the zoning administrator determines that such parking conforms to the provisions of this title and meets the following conditions:

i.

The parking space is provided on a driveway surface connected by a driveway surface to a dedicated public right-of-way and/or alley. The driveway surface must comply with the off-street parking design standards provisions of Section 17.07.100 Parking Design Standards.

ii.

The paved parking does not exceed the maximum impervious coverage limit for the lot.

d.

Heavy commercial vehicles, including tractor cab units rated at more than ten tons gross vehicle weight, shall not be parked on any lot within a residential zoning district. All permitted heavy commercial vehicles in a residential district must be parked on a paved hard surface of concrete, asphalt, or asphaltic concrete.

2.

Special Provisions for Recreational Vehicles and Boats. Parking and storage of recreational vehicles and boats within residential districts are subject to the following additional conditions. These conditions are in addition to those requirements for the parking of personal vehicles.

a.

When parked or stored on residential properties, recreational vehicles and boats must be maintained in a clean, well-kept state at all times. Spider webs, debris, excessive dirt, and weed accumulation on or under a recreational vehicle are prohibited at all times, as are broken windows and flat tires. All parking and storage areas for recreational vehicles or boats shall be properly maintained and kept free of weeds, mud, and other debris.

b.

Recreational vehicles and boats equipped with liquefied petroleum gas containers must ensure that such containers must meet the current standards of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the United States Department of Transportation, or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Any valves must be closed when the vehicle is not prepared for immediate use. Leaks in containers must be repaired immediately.

c.

Recreational vehicles may be used as temporary parking by guests for a maximum of three consecutive days or fourteen days total during any calendar year. Cooking in a recreational vehicle or boat is prohibited at all times. Recreational vehicles or boats shall not be occupied for living purposes.

d.

Recreational vehicles and boats may not be permanently connected to utility lines. Sewer hookups are prohibited at all times.

e.

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

f.

If feasible on a lot, recreational vehicles and boats shall be parked outside of the required front yard and street side yard setbacks.

g.

All covers, tarps, or any other material used to protect recreational vehicles or boats from the elements must be secured and weatherproof. Rocks, bricks, or other weighted items cannot be used to secure the weatherproofing cover. The use of ropes, bungee cords, adjustable straps, or other similar methods are required to secure the cover to the vehicle.

h.

Recreational vehicles or boats shall not block sidewalk access or interfere with pedestrian use of sidewalks. Recreational vehicles or boats must be parked or stored on a driveway at all times and shall not surpass or encroach upon a property's sidewalk. In the event a sidewalk is not present on a property, recreational vehicles or boats shall be parked or stored at least ten feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement on a driveway if no curb exists. The zoning administrator shall maintain discretion to declare the parking or storage of recreational vehicles or boats to be a traffic hazard and require immediate removal of the recreational vehicle or boat at any time.

i.

No recreational vehicles or boats shall be parked or stored in the corner lot side yard next to the street unless it complies with all other provisions of this section.

C.

Vehicle Storage. Storing or displaying materials, boats, campers, or inoperable vehicles, or parking trucks or trailers is prohibited in parking areas unless the use of vehicle storage, outdoor storage, or junk yards is permitted in the applicable zoning district and complies with the associated standards of the permitted use.

(Ord. No. 1465, § 2(Att.), 9-11-2023)