Pasquotank County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

§ 157.150 OFF-STREET PARKING AND OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Required number. Off-street parking space (either garage or properly graded open space) shall be provided in accordance with § 157.151. In cases where different parking and/or loading requirements are specified in § 157.135, Provisions for Special Uses, those ratios shall have precedence over the parking requirements specified in this section.

(B) Parking, stacking and loading space required. If a change in use causes an increase in the required number of off-street parking, stacking or loading spaces, such additional spaces shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; except that if the change in use would require an increase of less than 5% in the required number of parking spaces, no additional off-street parking shall be required. If existing land uses are converted to another type of land use or re-classified by this chapter, then the off-street ratios as contained herein must be complied with.

(C) Parking compliance and certificate of occupancy. The certificate of occupancy/compliance for the use of any building, structure or land where off-street parking or loading space is required shall be withheld by the Pasquotank County Building Inspector until provisions of this section are fully met. If at any time such compliance ceases, any certificate of occupancy/ compliance which shall have been issued for the use of the property shall immediately become void and of no effect.

(D) Handicapped spaces. Spaces for the physically handicapped shall be provided as required by the NC Building Code.

(E) Maintenance. All parking, stacking, and loading facilities shall be permanently maintained by the owners or occupants as long as the use they serve exists.

(F) Access. All parking, stacking and loading facilities shall have vehicular access to a public street or approved private street. Where parking or loading areas are provided adjacent to a public street, ingress or egress thereto shall be made only through driveways or openings not exceeding 25 feet in width at the curb line of said street, except where the Administrator or Enforcement Officer finds that a greater width is necessary to accommodate the vehicles customarily using the driveway. Upon the recommendation of the Technical Review Committee, driveways shall not be closer than 100 feet to an existing intersection.

(G) Number of parking spaces and stacking spaces required.

(1) The minimum number of required off-street parking and stacking spaces is indicated in § 157.151.

(2) Whenever the number of parking spaces required by § 157.151 results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction of one-half or less may be disregarded while a fraction in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space.

(3) For any use not specifically listed in § 157.151, the parking and stacking requirements shall be those of the most similar listed use, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

(4) The parking spaces required by this chapter may not be used for any purpose other than parking.

(5) Sales, storage, repair, dismantling and service of motor vehicles shall not be permitted within required parking areas, including parking spaces and drive aisles.

(6) Lots containing more than one use must provide parking and loading areas in an amount equal to the total of the requirements for all uses.

(H) Design standards for parking, stacking and loading areas.

(1) Parking facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to:

(a) Allow unobstructed movement into and out of each parking space without interfering with fixed objects or vehicles;

(b) Minimize delay and interference with traffic on public streets and access drives;

(d) Allow off-street parking spaces in parking lots to have access from parking lot driveways and not directly from streets. No parking, other than those used for residential uses, shall be provided that would necessitate an automobile backing onto any street right-of-way.

(e) Minimize the impact on drainage facilities. No parking space or loading area shall be located within a drainage easement. Driveways may be located across drainage easements where needed to provide access to a right-of-way.

(2) Dimensional requirements.

(a) Parking space dimensions shall be a minimum of ten feet by 20 feet.

(b) Drive aisles shall be a minimum of 12 feet for one-way traffic and 24 feet for two-way traffic.

(3) Improvements.

(a) Paving.

1. Required parking spaces, access drives, and loading areas shall be graded, paved and maintained with concrete, asphalt, or similar material of sufficient thickness and consistency to support anticipated traffic volumes and weights. However, upon the approval of the TRC, access drives, and loading areas may be surface with either a permeable (turf block) or semi-permeable gravel, cobble stone or a semi-permeable tar/gravel mixture) material. Such materials shall provide a durable and dustless surface, minimize runoff, and dispose of accumulated water.

a. Where permeable or semi-permeable materials are used, a retaining border, such as concrete curbing or other suitable material, shall be provided around parking lot area edges to aid in stabilizing the surface material.

b. Parking lots shall not drain onto adjacent property except in approved stormwater retention facilities or drainage easements.

2. Paved aprons for access drives shall be installed and maintained from the right-of-way to a point at least ten feet beyond the right-of-way line for all parking and loading facilities, whether paved or unpaved.

3. Paving shall not be required for the following uses provided they are constructed with a permeable (turf block) or semi-permeable(gravel, cobble stone or a semi-permeable tar/gravel mixture) surface:

a. Parking facilities used on an irregular basis for churches, private clubs or other similar nonprofit organizations.

b. Parking facilities for residential uses where six or fewer spaces are required.

c. Parking areas in the I-1 and I-2, Industrial Districts.

d. Parking areas for tracked heavy construction equipment, skid-mounted equipment.

e. Parking areas for agricultural uses in the A-1 or A-2, Agricultural Zoning Districts.

4. Where parking facilities are paved, curb and gutter or an equivalent drainage system shall be provided along the periphery of the parking lot, except where it is determined by the TRC that such system is not practical for storm drainage purposes. Where gravel parking lots are permitted, cross ties shall be provided around the perimeter of the parking lot.

5. All parking facilities shall be graded, properly drained, stabilized, and maintained to minimize dust and erosion.

6. All parking spaces and stacking lanes shall be clearly identified with paint lines, bumper guards, curbs, or similar treatment.

7. All parking spaces shall be provided with wheel guards or curbs located so that no part of the parked vehicle will extend beyond the property line or encroach more than two feet into a required planting area.

8. Concrete pads for stationary refuse containers shall be provided beneath and in the approach to each container.

9. Parking lots shall be designed and constructed such that walkways shall maintain a minimum unobstructed width of four feet (vehicle encroachment is calculated as two feet beyond curb).

(I) Off-site parking. When required off-street parking is permitted to be located off-site, it shall begin within 200 feet of the lot containing the principal use.

(J) Combined parking.

(1) Separate uses. The required parking for separate or mixed uses may be combined in one facility.

(2) Shared parking. A maximum of 50% of the parking spaces required for a church, theatre, auditorium or assembly hall or other similar use may also serve as required spaces for another use located on the same lot. Shared spaces may also be located off-site as allowed in this section. In either case, the Zoning Administrator must determine that the various activities will have peak parking demand at different periods of the day or week. Otherwise, no off-street parking required for one building or use shall be applied toward the requirements of any other building or use.

(3) Reassignment. Required off-street parking spaces shall not be leased or otherwise assigned to another use except as provided in division (2) above.

(K) Loading areas.

(1) Location. Off-street loading areas shall be located on lots with the same zoning classification as the use they serve.

(2) Design standards.

(a) Minimum number of loading spaces required.

1. Retail operations, including restaurant and dining facilities within hotels and office buildings:

Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.)	Number of Spaces
0 - 10,000	0
10,001 - 40,000	1
40,001 - 100,000	2
100,001 - 160,000	3
160,001 - 240,000	4
240,001 - 320,000	5
320,001 - 400,000	6
For each additional 90,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof	1

2. Office buildings and hotels.

Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.)	Number of Spaces
0 - 20,000	0
20,001 - 40,000	1
40,001 - 75,000	2
75,001 - 150,000	3
150,001 - 250,000	4
For each additional 250,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof	1

3. Industrial and wholesale operations.

Gross Floor Area (Sq. Ft.)	Number of Spaces
0 - 100,000	0
For each 100,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof	1

(b) Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet wide, 65 feet long, and 14 feet in clearance. Loading areas shall be improved in accordance with the requirements of § 157.150(H)(3).

(c) All off-street loading areas shall be arranged and marked to provide for orderly and safe unloading and loading, and shall not hinder the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians. All loading and unloading maneuvers shall take place on private property. No backing in from a street or maneuvering on the street right-of-way shall be permitted.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.151 MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

Use	Spaces Required
Business, Professional and Personal Services
Automobile repair services	3/service bay plus 1/wrecker or service vehicle plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Banks and financial institutions	1/200 sq. ft. of gross floor area plus stacking for 4 vehicles at each drive-through window or automatic teller machine
Barber and beauty shops	3/operator
Businesses which do not cater to retail customers or trade	1/every employee during the largest shift plus 1 space for every vehicle used in the operation
Car Washes
Full-service	*Stacking for 30 vehicles or 10/approach lane, whichever is greater plus 3 spaces in the manual drying area plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Self-service	*3 stacking spaces/approach lane plus 2 drying spaces/stall
Delivery services	2/3 employees on largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Equipment rental and leasing	1/200 square feet gross floor area
Funeral homes	1/4 seats in main chapel plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift plus l/vehicle used in the largest operation
Hotels and Motels Containing...
5,000 square feet or less ancillary space, i.e. restaurant, meeting rooms, lounge or lobby or a restaurant/lounge 3,000 sq. ft. or less	1.1/rental unit
More than 5,000 sq. ft. of ancillary space, i.e. restaurant, meeting rooms, lounge or lobby or a restaurant/lounge containing over 3,000 sq. ft.	1.25/rental unit
Kennels or pet grooming	1/300 sq. ft. of sales, grooming, or customer waiting area plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Laundromat (coin operated)	1/4 pieces of rental equipment
Laundry and dry cleaning plants or substation	*2/3 employees on the largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in the operation plus stacking for 4 vehicles/pickup station
Laboratories	2/3 employees on the largest shift plus 1/250 sq. ft. of office space
Medical, dental, or related offices	3/examining room plus 1/employee including doctors
Motion picture production	1/1000 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Offices not otherwise classified	1/250 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Repair of bulky items (appliances, furniture, boats and the like)	2/3 employees on largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in operation
Theaters (indoor)	1/4 seats
Truck wash	*3 stacking spaces/stall
Veterinary service	4/doctor plus 1/employee including doctors
Vocational, business or secretarial schools	1/100 sq. ft. of classroom space plus 1/250 sq. ft. of office space
Services and repairs not otherwise classified	1/250 sq. feet gross floor area plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Drive-thru not otherwise classified	Stacking for 4 vehicles at each bay, window, lane, ordering station or machine in addition to the use requirement**
Educational and Institutional Uses
Ambulance services; fire stations; law enforcement stations	1/employee on the largest shift
Churches	1/4 seats in main chapel
Colleges and universities	7/classroom plus 1/4 beds in main campus dorms plus 1/250 square feet of office space plus 1/5 fixed seats in assembly halls and stadiums
Correctional institutions	1/10 inmates plus 2/3 employees on largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Day care, child or adult	1/employee plus 1/10 clients served with parking located on-site
Elementary and middle schools	3/room used for offices plus 3/classroom
Government offices; post offices	1/150 square feet of public service area plus 2/3 employees on largest shift
Hospitals	1/4 in-patient or out-patient beds plus 2/3 employees on largest shift plus 1/staff doctor
Libraries; museums and art galleries	1/450 square feet of gross floor area for public use plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Nursing and convalescent homes	1/4 beds plus 1/employee and visiting specialist plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Senior high schools	3/room used for offices plus 7/classroom
Manufacturing and Industrial Uses	2/3 employees on the largest shift plus 1/200 sq. ft. of retail sales or customer service area plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Residential Uses
Bed and breakfast	1/bedroom plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Multi-family Dwellings (including condominiums)
1 bedroom units	1.5/unit
2 bedroom units	1.75/unit
3 or more bedroom units	2.00/unit
Single-family detached and two-family dwellings; manufactured homes; townhouse dwellings; manufactured home parks	2/dwelling unit on the same lot
Residential care facilities	1/4 beds plus 1/employee plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Recreational Uses
Amusement parks; fairgrounds; skating rinks	1/200 square feet of activity area
Athletic fields	25/field
Auditorium; assembly hall; convention center; stadium	1/5 persons based upon the design capacity of the building
Automobile raceways	1/4 spectator seats plus 1/employee on the largest shift
Batting cages, golf driving ranges; miniature golf; shooting ranges (indoor and outdoor)	1/cage, tee, or firing point
Billiard parlors; tennis courts	3/table or court
Bowling centers	4/lane
Clubs; coin-operated amusement; physical fitness centers and similar indoor recreation	1/200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Commercial stables	1/2 stalls
Dance studios	1/200 sq. ft. gross floor area
Go-cart raceways	1/go-cart plus 1/employee on the largest shift
Retail Trade**
Bars, night clubs, taverns	1/3 persons based upon the design capacity of building plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift, located on the same zone lot
Convenience stores	1/200 sq. ft. gross floor area plus 2 stacking spaces at pump islands
Department stores, food stores	1/200 sq. ft. gross floor area
Fuel oil sales	2/3 employees on largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Furniture; floor covering sales	1/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area
Motor vehicle, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle sales or rental; manufactured home sales	5 spaces plus 1/10,000 sq. ft. of display area plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Restaurants	l/4 seats plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift and 10 total stacking spaces with minimum 5 spaces at or before ordering station**
Retail sales not otherwise classified	1/200 sq. ft. gross floor area
Retail sales of bulky items (appliances, building materials and the like)	1/500 sq. ft. gross floor area
Service stations, gasoline sales	*3/service bay plus 1/wrecker or service vehicle plus 2/3 employees on largest shift plus 4 stacking spaces at pump islands
Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities
Airport, bus and railroad terminals	1/4 seats plus 2/3 employees on the largest shift
Communications towers; demolitions debris landfills; heliports; utility lines or substations	No required parking
Self-storage warehouses	1 space/5,000 sq. ft. devoted to storage
Transportation, warehousing and utility uses not otherwise classified	2/3 employees on the largest shift plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Wholesale Trade
Market showroom	1/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area
Wholesale uses	2/3 employees on the largest shift plus 1/200 sq. ft. of retail sales or customer service area plus 1/vehicle used in the operation
Other Uses
Flea markets; other open air sales	1 /1,000 sq. ft. of lot area used for storage, sales and display
Shopping centers **
<250,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1/200 sq. ft. gross floor area in main building(s) (excluding theaters) plus parking as required for outparcels or theaters
>250,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1,250 spaces plus 1/225 sq. ft. gross floor area above 250,000 sq. ft.

/ = Per

* = NCDOT may require additional stacking spaces on state or federal highways.

** = For retail uses and shopping centers, storage areas are not calculated as gross floor area.

*** = Stacking spaces for drive-thru shall not block access to parking spaces.

§ 157.152 LANDSCAPING AND BUFFER YARDS.

(A) These regulations shall apply to all newly developed properties other than single family residential uses. They shall also apply to expansions or changes in the uses listed above, which result in the expansion of gross floor area or land surface area over 25%.

(B) Bona-fide agricultural operations shall be exempt from landscaping and bufferyard requirements.

(1) Within a radius of eight feet around any fire hydrant;

(2) Within a public right-of-way; or

(3) Within a drainage and utility easement.

(D) In instances where the area represented by a site plan is significantly less than the total area of the lot of record, the Zoning Administrator may permit a reduction in the required buffer. This reduction may only be allowed on the portion of the property that is not proposed for development, and shall only be granted if the Zoning Administrator finds that surrounding properties will not be negatively affected by the buffer reduction.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.153 LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR STREET YARD BUFFERS.

(A) A 30-foot street buffer is required adjacent to all public and private right-of-ways.

(B) Parking, merchandise display and off-loading areas are prohibited in the street yard buffer.

(D) The bufferyard shall also contain evergreen shrubs, planted four feet on center.

(E) The portion of the planter yard containing trees and shrubs shall be covered with a ground cover or natural mulch of a minimum depth of three inches. The remaining area shall be planted with grass.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.154 LANDSCAPING WITHIN PARKING AREAS.

(A) At least 30% of an open parking lot area shall be covered by tree shade within 15 years of initial planting. Such tree shading shall be accomplished by providing one shade tree island of no less than one parking space in size (10 feet by 20 feet) for every ten parking spaces.

(B) Each island shall contain at least one canopy tree. In addition, bark, mulch, grass, low ground cover, shrubbery, or other live plant material shall be used within each landscape planting area.

(C) Landscape islands may be counted as a parking space when computing the total number of spaces required by this chapter.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.155 PROPERTY LINE BUFFERS.

Multi-family and nonresidential uses located adjacent to a residential use, residential zoning district or agricultural zoning district shall provide the following buffer yard:

(A) A minimum 30 foot perpetually maintained natural or planted buffer yard along all property lines directly abutting a residential use, residential zoning district or agricultural zoning district.

(B) The buffer yard shall contain three canopy trees, five understory trees and 25 shrubs per 100 linear feet of buffer yard.

(C) All portions of the buffer yard not planted with trees and shrubs or covered by a wall or other barrier shall be planted with grass, groundcover, or natural mulch of a minimum depth of three inches.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.156 ADDITIONAL BUFFER YARDS AND SCREENING.

(A) Any outside storage of junk, refuse, salvage, or discarded materials shall be screened from adjacent rights-of-way and adjacent properties.

(B) Solid waste collection dumpsters located adjacent to a residence, residentially zoned lot, or in view of a street right-of-way shall be screened from the view of adjoining properties and street rights-of-way.

(C) Screening as required by this section, shall be accomplished by an opaque wood or masonry fence or wall that is at least eight feet in height.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.157 FEATURES ALLOWED WITHIN BUFFER YARDS.

(A) Utility lines, water and wastewater lines, septic system reserve areas, drainage facilities, sidewalks, driveways, and other similar improvements may be located within buffer yards provided that the total width of the buffer yard is maintained and no screening required by this chapter is reduced or eliminated.

(B) Signs are permitted within buffer yards provided that the placement of such signs will not violate other provisions of the zoning ordinance.

(C) Buffer yards may not be used for parking, loading, storage, or any activity that is either part of or accessory to the proposed use.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.158 PLANT MATERIALS.

(A) The preservation of existing trees and vegetation is encouraged and may be used to satisfy the requirements within this chapter, provided that the vegetation meets or exceeds screening requirements.

(B) Plants must be installed in a manner that maximizes screening objectives and meets the needs of the particular species of plants for root space, water, light and circulation.

(1) Canopy trees shall be a minimum of eight feet in height and two inches in caliper (measured six inches above grade).

(2) Understory trees shall be a minimum of four feet high and one inch in caliper (measured six inches above grade).

(3) Shrubs shall be at least 1.5 feet in height and be of a variety that has an average mature height of at least three feet.

(Ord. passed 6-21-2021)

§ 157.159 PLANT INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE.

(A) All landscaping and screening materials must be installed prior to a final inspection by the Zoning Administrator.

(B) When extreme weather conditions do not permit planting, installation of plant material may be delayed until the start of the next growing season. In cases where planting is delayed, the developer must submit a landscape performance bond equal to the cost of plant materials, installation costs, plus 25%. The bond must be received prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, and shall not be held by the Zoning Administrator for a period longer than six months.

(C) All landscaping and screening must be maintained. Any required landscape materials, including shrubs and trees which may die, must be replaced within 90 days in compliance with the minimum standards of this chapter. Failure to maintain required landscaping and buffers shall constitute a violation of this chapter.