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 accommodate vehicles in a functionally satisfactory manner and to minimize external effects on neighboring properties.

1.   Applicability. Off-Street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed, for new uses or conversions of existing buildings, or for enlargements of existing structures.

2.   Exemptions.

   A.   Off-Street Parking Exemption for CBD. Any use within the CBD Central Business District, other than new build residential units, is exempt from the requirement to provide off-street parking. This exemption includes residential conversions within existing buildings on the second or third floors. However, any commercial or residential off-street parking facilities constructed in the CBD District after the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance must comply with the design standards set forth in this section.

   B.   Existing Nonconforming Uses Exempted from Paving. All off-street parking areas which were in existence on June 19, 2001 and did not comply with the paving requirements herein are rendered as legal nonconforming and are hereby exempt from the paving provisions of this section. If, however, a building addition or other development occurs, including a parking lot expansion, that triggers site plan review, then conformance with the paving standards shall be required for the area of the addition. The Central Business District is exempt from the paving requirements of this section for any off-street parking areas which were in existence on June 19, 2001 until such time that the City would undertake an alley reconstruction project within the block where the parking is located. The City Council upon such alley reconstruction commencement shall through resolution determine a reasonable time frame for said hard surfacing of non compliant parking areas.

   C.   Gravel Roads. New or existing off-street parking areas, which are located on a publicly owned right-of-way that is still gravel or dirt and which have no other access via a paved public road are exempted from the paving requirements herein until two (2) years after the date that the gravel or dirt road is paved. In no case, however, shall this provision reduce the ten-year time period granted under subsection 1 of this section for existing nonconforming commercial off-street parking areas.

   D.   (Deleted by Ord. 804 - Mar. 10 Supp.)

   E.   Nonconforming Uses in the CUC District. Any uses in the CUC District at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified by this paragraph (October 7, 2003) which do not comply with the minimum off-street parking requirements shall be considered as legal nonconforming uses with respect to the noncompliant parking. This provision shall include any subsequent permitted uses that occupy the premises provided that the subsequent use would not otherwise be required to have a greater number of off-street parking spaces than the preexisting nonconforming use. In the event that a building becomes vacant or unused for a continuous period of six months, the legal nonconforming status of the off-street parking shall still be maintained.

3.   Site Plan Required. A site plan shall be required for the construction or expansion of any existing parking lot, drive or other hard surfaced area but only if the total square footage of new hard surfacing exceeds 2000 square feet.                  (Ord. 821 - Oct. 10 Supp.)

4.   Promotions and Tent Events. No special promotion, fixtures, tents or sales event shall occupy parking spaces on a preexisting parking lot, which would result in the required parking spaces to fall below the minimum required spaces. This requirement shall only apply to long term promotions and tent events that exceed seven (7) days of continuous duration and are not associated directly with Tulip Time, carnivals, college or university events.

5.   Schedule of Off-Street Parking Requirements. Parking facilities for each use shall be provided in accord with the minimum requirements set forth in Table 165-32-1.

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

   B.   Unless otherwise indicated, parking requirements are based on gross floor area. Gross floor areas for the purpose of this calculation exclude any interior space used for the parking or loading of vehicles.

   C.   When parking requirements are computed on the basis of capacity, capacity shall be determined by the most recent edition of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) or other official determinations of occupancy in effect for the City of Pella at the time the use is established.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.   Parking Facility Location.

   A.   Residential Parking. Off-street parking for residential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use. Off-street parking areas for any multi-family residential uses shall be at least five (5) feet from any main building and shall not be located within a required front yard or street side yard.

   B.   Nonresidential Parking. Off-street parking for nonresidential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use except that colleges or universities may locate off-street parking on a different site provided it is directly contiguous to an existing campus facility and meets the requirements of Table 165.32-1.

7.   Parking for People with Disabilities.

   A.   Each off-street parking facility shall provide the number of parking spaces per ADA requirements designed and designated for use by people with disabilities. Parking spaces shall be van-accessible. Design criteria and dimensions are set forth in subsection 8 (Off-Street Parking Design Standards) and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Parking facilities for single-family, duplex, and mobile home residential uses are exempt from this requirement.

   B.   Off-street parking for people with disabilities shall be located as close as possible to the nearest accessible building entrance, and, if possible, located so that no traffic or parking lane (or other similar obstacle) must be crossed to get from the space to the entrance.

   C.   Parking stalls for people with disabilities shall be identified with pavement markings and the posting of a sign per the design criteria and guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

8.   Off-Street Parking Design Standards.

   A.   Dimensions.

      (1)   Parking stalls and two-way drive aisle dimensions shall be as follows:

 

 

 

 

      (2)   Parking facilities may provide up to 25% of their total stalls as designated compact stalls. Compact parking stalls shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') wide and eighteen feet (18') long. Compact parking stalls shall be designated by signage.

      (3)   Standard parking stalls for motorcycles shall be four feet by six feet (4' x6') wide and eight feet (8') long.

      (4)   Standard parking stall for bicycles shall be three feet (3') wide and five feet (5') long.

      (5)   Where parking stalls are located adjacent to landscaped areas, the paved depth of such stalls may be decreased by two feet (2') to provide for a vehicle overhang area. The vehicle overhang area may not encroach into a public sidewalk or public right-of-way.

      (6)   All such spaces shall be designed in compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

   B.   Pavement and Drainage.

      (1)   Minimum Standard. All off-street parking spaces or loading areas shall be permanently surfaced with either two inches (2") asphaltic concrete over a six-inch rolled stone base or four inches (4") of Portland cement concrete or stone pavers of equivalent strength. Such parking or loading areas shall have direct access from permanently surfaced drive of the same. The following shall be exempt from this requirement:

         a.   Nonresidential uses in an A1 District and all residential uses having more than two acres per dwelling unit in an A1 District.

         b.   Heavy equipment storage areas, such as those associated with truck terminals and contractor’s businesses, which are not open to the general public. In such case, such storage area may be surfaced and maintained with chip and seal or similar durable, dustless surface. However, any private driveways existing directly from a public street which provide access to such storage areas shall be paved with either asphalt or Portland cement concrete.

         c.   Vehicle dealerships, which includes the sales, rental, and/or servicing of automobiles, trucks, farm vehicles or equipment including but not limited to tractors, cultivators, plows, spreaders, combines, harvesters, balers, and similar agricultural use devices, or recreational vehicles, including boats, campers and similar vehicles. In such cases, the areas for customer and employee parking shall be hard surfaced as per the minimum standard above, but areas used for display or excess inventory of vehicles and/or equipment may be placed on grass or rock surface. Any use of rock per this exemption shall be done with chip and seal or similar durable, dustless surface with any driveway access to the public street from these display areas being paved with either asphalt or Portland cement concrete.

      (2)   Drainage. Off-street parking facilities shall be designed and built to prevent the free flow of water onto adjacent properties or public rights-of-way and comply with Urban Design requirements for storm water calculations.

      (3)   Maintenance of Required Parking. The provision of off-street parking shall be a continuing obligation of the owner of a property on which any use is located. It is unlawful for an owner of any building or land use activity affected by the off-street parking requirements of this section to discontinue, reduce or dispense with (or cause same) the required parking as established by this section.

      (4)   Parking on Grass Prohibited. The parking or placement of vehicles on grass, vegetation or dirt for uses required to pave/permanently surface under this chapter is expressly prohibited.

      (5)   Parking on Gravel Prohibited. The parking or placement of vehicles on gravel or rock for uses required to pave/permanently surface under this chapter is expressly prohibited except for exempted uses as specified in subparagraph 8(B)(1) of this section.

      (6)   Landscaping and Screening Requirements. Off-street parking areas shall be screened and landscaped according to the provisions of Section 165.31 (Landscaping Requirements).

      (7)   Entrances and Exits. Adequate access to each parking facility shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited driveways or access points. Such driveways shall be designed to direct nonresidential traffic away from residential areas. Parking facilities other than driveways for single-family, duplex, two-family, or mobile home residential uses must permit vehicles to enter streets in a forward position. All driveways shall meet the minimum current City standards.

      (8)   Safety Features. Parking facilities shall be designed to provide visibility of and between pedestrians and vehicles when circulating within or entering or leaving the facility and shall not create blind, hidden or hazardous areas. Circulation patterns shall be designed in accord with accepted standards of traffic engineering and safety.

      (9)   Maintenance. All parking facilities shall be maintained to assure 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.

      (10)   Adjustment. For uses subject to a special use permit approval, the Board of Adjustment may adjust the minimum requirements of this section, in order to provide design, usability, attractiveness or protection to adjoining uses in a manner equal to or greater than the minimum requirements of this section.

9.   Bicycle Parking. The bicycle parking requirements only apply to commercial and industrial uses. Educational, religious assembly and residential uses are exempt from these provisions.

   A.   Each parking facility providing 50 spaces or more shall provide parking accommodations for bicycles as provided by the Table 165.32-2:

 

 

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

   C.   The location of bicycle parking facilities shall be at least as convenient to the main entrance of the primary use as the most convenient automobile parking not reserved for use by disabled people.

   D.   Bicycle parking should be located to prevent hazards or obstructions to the normal flow of pedestrians into a use.

   E.   Bicycle parking can be included as satisfying minimum required parking requirements by replacing one automobile stall with five bicycle stalls.

10.   Motorcycle Parking. The motorcycle parking requirements only apply to commercial and industrial uses. Educational, religious assembly and residential uses are exempt from these provisions.

   A.   Each parking facility providing 50 spaces or more shall provide parking accommodations for motorcycles as provided by the Table 165.32-3:

 

 

   B.   Motorcycle parking facilities shall include appropriate identification, striping and signage.

   C.   The location of motorcycle parking facilities shall be at least as convenient to the main entrance of the primary use as the most convenient automobile parking not reserved for use by disabled people, or for bicycle parking.

   D.   Motorcycle parking should be located to prevent hazards or obstructions to the normal flow of pedestrians into a use.

   E.   Motorcycle parking can be included as satisfying minimum required parking requirements by replacing one automobile stall with two motorcycle stalls.

11.   Off-Street Loading. Any use which involves the receipt or distribution of freight, merchandise, supplies, vehicles or equipment as part of its typical operation shall provide and maintain adequate space for off-street loading and circulation. No maneuvering shall be permitted on public right-of-way except in the CBD District.

12.   Parking for Personal Vehicles. This section permits the parking of personal vehicles on a single lot in a residential district subject to specific conditions. Personal vehicles include: passenger cars; vans; pick-up trucks; camper shells, toppers and other similar appurtenances intended for attachment to a personal vehicle; trailers under 25 feet in length, and boats under 25 feet in length. The maximum height of any personal vehicle shall be eight feet from grade. Trucks, tractor cab units, trailers, recreational vehicles, boats over 25 feet in length and vehicles over ten tons gross empty weight shall be defined as heavy commercial vehicles.

   A.   Definitions for Residential Parking. The following definitions shall govern the interpretation of this section.

      (1)   “Parking” means the placement on a residential lot of a vehicle for any substantially uninterrupted period of time not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours. All parking areas except for residential lots in the A1 and RR Districts are required to be paved or permanently surfaced with concrete.

      (2)   “Storage” means the substantially uninterrupted placement on a residential lot of any vehicle for any consecutive period of time exceeding forty-eight (48) hours.

   B.   Location of Parking.

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

      (2)   Parking of personal vehicles is permitted on a paved driveway (outside of an enclosed structure) within the front yard setback, but shall in no case encroach upon the public right-of-way.

      (3)   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 the Zoning Ordinance, under the following condition: The parking space is provided on a paved surface connected by a paved surface to a dedicated public right-of-way and/or alley. Residential lots in the A1 or RR Districts are exempt from the paving requirements of this section.

      (4)   Parking of trucks, other than panel or pickup trucks of less than one ton capacity is prohibited in residential areas except to load or unload. Heavy commercial vehicles, including tractor cab units rated at more than one-ton capacity, and recreational vehicles shall not be parked at any time within the business district of Pella or on any lot within residential zoning districts for a period exceeding forty-eight (48) hours.

   C.   Special Provisions for Storage of Recreational Vehicles and Boats. Storage of recreational vehicles and boats within residential districts is subject to the following conditions:

      (1)   Recreational vehicles and boats must be maintained in a clean, well-kept state.

      (2)   Recreational vehicles and boats equipped with liquefied petroleum gas containers must ensure that such containers 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 at all times that the vehicle is not in preparation for immediate use. Leaks in containers must be repaired immediately.

      (3)   Recreational vehicles may be used as temporary parking by non-paying guests for a maximum of seven consecutive days or fourteen days total during any calendar year. Cooking in the recreational vehicle is prohibited at all times.

      (4)   Recreational vehicles and boats may not be permanently connected to utility lines.

      (5)   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.

      (6)   Storage Location for Recreational Vehicles and Boats. No recreational vehicle or boat shall be stored in the front yard of a residential lot except for the following:

         a.   Where it is determined by the Zoning Administrator that the side or rear yard is not reasonably accessible, then not more than one (1) vehicle may be stored in the front yard.

         b.   Where the residential lot is located in a RR or A1 District.

In no case, however, shall the storage in the front yard encroach on any public right-of-way.

      (7)   Rear Yard Storage Required, If Accessible. All recreational vehicles and boats shall be stored only in the rear yard, where one exists, except that where no rear yard exists, or where the Zoning Administrator determines that an existing rear yard is not reasonably accessible, then not more than one (1) vehicle shall be stored in a side yard, provided that no part of such vehicle may be stored closer than three feet (3') to any side or rear property line. Residences in the RR and A1 Districts shall be exempt from this provision.

13.   Supplementary Regulations – Storage and Parking of Unlicensed or Other Vehicles. The storage or keeping of motor vehicles not having a properly issued current motor vehicle registration and current motor vehicle license plate properly displayed is prohibited on any lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Pella; provided that conformance with the following shall not constitute a violation of this section:

   A.   The storage of any unlicensed and/or unregistered motor vehicle in a fully-enclosed garage.

   B.   The storage of operable off-highway farm or industrial vehicles on tracts zoned A1 Agriculture or industrial zoning districts, and used in agricultural or industrial activity conducted on the premises.

   C.   The storage, keeping or abandonment of parts, including scrap metals, from motor vehicles or machinery, or parts thereof, is prohibited on any lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Pella, except in enclosed buildings or garages or where otherwise permitted by this chapter.

   D.   Parking, storage or keeping, other than in a fully enclosed garage of any non-operable motor vehicle is prohibited on any residential zoned lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Pella; provided, however, that automobiles that are non-operable by reasons of repair work being done thereon may be parked on the residential lot of the owner of said automobile within the Pella Zoning jurisdiction under the following conditions:

      (1)   The automobile is owned by the occupier of the premises and registered to him/her at that address.

      (2)   The period of said repair work does not exceed ten days in duration.

      (3)   Repair work is at all times conducted on a paved driveway.

      (4)   No more than one automobile in need of repair is situated on the premises at the same time.

   E.   Before the City removes a vehicle suspected of being in violation of this section, by reason of it being inoperable, the City shall give the owner of the premises upon which the offending vehicle is situated a 48-hour warning notice. Notice shall be given by tagging the motor vehicle and by regular mail, postage pre-paid to the occupier of the premises on which the motor vehicle is situated. Any motor vehicle not removed from the premises within such 48-hour period shall be presumed to be inoperable and may thereafter be removed by the City. If he/she chooses, the owner may demonstrate operability of the vehicle by making special arrangements with the Pella Police Department to demonstrate operability of the vehicle within said 48-hour period. If operability of the vehicle is satisfactorily demonstrated, the automobile need not be removed.