Polk City City Zoning Code
165.18 OFF-STREET
PARKING AREA.
1. In all districts except the “C-TS” Town Square Business District in connection with every industrial commercial, business, trade, institutional, recreational, or dwelling use, and similar uses, space for parking and storage of vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule. Required off-street parking facilities shall be primarily for the parking of private passenger automobiles of occupants, patrons, or employees of the principal use served.
A. The presumptions established by this section are that: (i) a development must comply with the parking standards set forth in the parking table, and (ii) any development that does meet these standards is in compliance.
B. In determining the number of parking spaces required by the table of parking requirements, if a fractional space results, any fraction less than one-half may be disregarded while fractions in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space.
C. The Council recognizes that the table of parking requirements set forth in this section cannot and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Therefore, in cases not specifically covered, the Public Works Director is authorized to determine the parking requirements using this table as a guide. In accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, wherever possible parking will be established in the rear or side yard with the building orientation to the front sidewalk.
D. Table of Parking Requirements.
USE | PARKING REQUIREMENT |
USE | PARKING REQUIREMENT |
Residential: | |
Single-family | 2 spaces for each dwelling unit plus one space per room rented out, exclusive of garage |
Two-family | 2 spaces for each dwelling unit, exclusive of garage |
Multi-family, One bedroom (townhomes & apartments) | 1 space per dwelling unit, exclusive of garage, plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units |
Multi-family, Two bedrooms or more (townhomes & apartments) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit, exclusive of garage, plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units |
Independent Living Facilities | 1 space per dwelling unit, a minimum of 50% of which shall be garage spaces, plus 1 space for every employee on maximum shift, plus 1 visitor parking space per 10 dwelling units (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp) |
Assisted Living Facilities | 1 space for every two dwelling units, a minimum of 50% of which shall be garage spaces, plus 1 space for every employee on maximum shift, plus 1 visitor parking space per 10 dwelling units (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.) |
Multi-Family townhomes, One bedroom | 1 space per dwelling unit, exclusive of garage, plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units |
Multi-Family townhomes, Two or more bedrooms | 2 spaces per dwelling unit, exclusive of garage, plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units |
Multi-Family apartment dwelling, One bedroom | 1 space per dwelling unit plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units, with each garage stall provided counting as 0.5 parking spaces |
Multi-Family apartment dwelling, Two or more bedrooms | 2 spaces per dwelling unit plus 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units, with each garage stall provided counting as 0.5 parking spaces |
Miscellaneous Rooms-For-Rent Situations: | |
Homes emphasizing special services, treatment or supervision | 3 spaces for every five beds except for uses exclusively serving children under 16, in which case 1 space for every 3 beds is required |
Boarding houses | 1 space for each bedroom |
Hotels, motels and similar businesses or institutions providing over-night accommodations | 1.25 spaces for each room to be rented plus additional space (in accordance with other sections of this table) for restaurant or other facilities |
Home occupations | Demand established by particular home occupation authorized |
Sales and Rental of Goods, Merchandise and Equipment: (No storage or display of goods outside fully enclosed building.) | |
Storage – miscellaneous | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Convenience store | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Low-volume traffic* | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Wholesale sales | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Storage and display of goods outside fully enclosed building: | |
High-volume traffic generation* | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Low-volume traffic generation* | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Wholesale sales | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
*As determined by the City Engineer and/or IDOT traffic studies or other acceptable evaluations and data. | |
Office, Clerical, Research and Services Not Primarily Related to Goods or Merchandise: (All operations conducted within fully enclosed building.) | |
Operations designed to attract and serve customers or clients on the premises, such as the offices of attorneys, insurance agents, financial professionals and stockbrokers, travel agents, government offices, and similar professional offices (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.) | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations designed for little or no customer or client traffic other than employees of the entity operating the principal use | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Clinics of physicians, dentists or similar medical professionals with no more than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.) | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations conducted within or outside fully enclosed building: | |
Operations designed to attract and serve customers or clients on the premises | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations designed to attract little or no customer or client traffic other than employees of the entity operating the principal use | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Banks with drive-up windows | 1 space per 200 square feet of area within main building plus reservoir land capacity equal to 5 spaces per window (10 spaces if window serves two stations) |
Manufacturing, Processing, Creating, Repairing, Renovating, Painting, Cleaning, Assembly Of Goods, Merchandise And Equipment (All operations conducted entirely within a fully enclosed building.) | |
Majority of dollar volume of business done with walk-in trade | 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
Majority of dollar volume of business not done with walk-in trade | 1 space for every two employees on the maximum shift, except that if permissible in the commercial districts, such uses may provide 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Operations conducted within or outside fully enclosed building | 1 space for every two employees on the maximum shift except that if permissible in the commercial districts, such uses may provide 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Educational, Cultural, Religious, Philanthropic, Social, Fraternal Uses: | |
Elementary and secondary (including associated grounds and other facilities) | 1.75 spaces per classroom in elementary schools, 10 spaces per classroom in high schools |
Trade or vocation schools | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
College, universities, community colleges (including associated facilities such as dormitories, office buildings, athletic fields, etc.) | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Churches, synagogues, temples | 1 space for every 80 square feet of worship area plus one space for every two employees with sufficient space for safe and convenient loading and unloading |
Libraries, museums, art galleries, art centers and similar uses (including associated educational and instructional activities) | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Social or fraternal clubs and lodges, assembly rooms, community rooms, union halls, and similar uses | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Recreation, Amusement, Entertainment: (Activity conducted entirely within building or substantial structure.) | |
Bowling alleys, skating rinks, indoor tennis and squash courts, billiard and pool halls, indoor athletic and exercise facilities and similar uses | 1 space for every three persons that the facilities are designed to accommodate when fully utilized (if they can be measured in such a fashion; for example, tennis courts or bowling alleys) plus 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area used in a manner not susceptible to such calculation |
Movie theaters | 1 space for every four seats |
Coliseums, stadiums, and all other facilities listed in the 6.100 classification designed to seat or accommodate simultaneously more than 1,000 people | 1 space for every four seats |
Privately owned recreational facilities such as golf and country clubs, swimming or tennis clubs, etc., not construction of some residential development | 1 space per 200 square feet of area within enclosed buildings, plus 1 space for every 3 persons that outdoor facilities are designed to accommodate when used to the maximum capacity |
Publicly owned recreational facilities such as athletic fields, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, parks, etc., not constructed pursuant to a permit authorizing the construction of another use such as a school | 1 space per 200 square feet of area within enclosed buildings, plus 1 space for every 3 persons that outdoor facilities are designed to accommodate when used to the maximum capacity |
Miniature golf course, skateboard park, water slide and similar | 1 space per 300 square feet of area plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Drive Range | 1 space per tee plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Par Three Course | 2 spaces per golf hole plus 1 space per 200 square feet of building gross floor area |
Horseback riding stables (not constructed pursuant to permit authorizing residential development) | 1 space per horse that could be kept at the stable when occupied to maximum capacity |
Automobile and motorcycle racing tracks | 1 space for every three seats |
Drive-in movie theaters | 1 space per speaker outlet |
Institutional Residence or Care or Confinement Facilities: | |
Hospitals, clinics, other medical (including mental health) treatment facilities in excess of 10,000 square feet of floor area | 2 spaces per bed or 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater |
Nursing care institutions, intermediate care institutions, transitional facilities for infirm persons, or facilities for persons with disabilities | 1 space per employee on maximum shift, plus 1 visitor parking space per 10 beds (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.) |
Institutions (other than halfway houses where mentally ill persons are confined) | 1 space for every two employees on maximum shift |
Penal and correctional facilities | 1 space for every two employees on maximum shift |
Memory care units in senior living facility | 1 space for every employee on maximum shift, plus 1 visitor parking space per 10 dwelling units (Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.) |
Restaurants, Bars, Nightclubs: | |
No substantial carry-out or delivery service, no drive-in service, no service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
No substantial carry-out or delivery service; no drive-in service, service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space for every four outside seats |
Carry-out and delivery service, no drive-in service, consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space for every four outside seats |
Carry-out and delivery service, drive-in service, service or consumption outside fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space for every four outside seats plus reservoir lane capacity equal to 5 spaces per drive-in window |
Motor Vehicle Related Sales And Service Operations: | |
Motor vehicle sales or rental; mobile homes sales | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Sales with installation of motor vehicle parts or accessories (e.g., tires, mufflers, etc.) fully enclosed structure allowed | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance, not including substantial body work | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Motor vehicle painting and body work | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Gas sales and convenience stores | 1 space per 150 square feet of gross floor area of building |
Car Wash conveyor type | 1 space for every three employees on the maximum shift plus reservoir capacity equal to 5 times the capacity of the washing operation |
Car Wash self-service type | 2 spaces for drying and cleaning purposes per stall plus two reservoir spaces in front of each stall |
Storage And Parking: (Storage of goods not related to sale or use of those goods on the same lot where they are stored) | |
All storage within completely enclosed structures | 1 space for every two employees on the maximum shift but not less than 1 space per 5,000 square feet of area devoted to storage (whether inside or outside) |
Storage inside or outside completely enclosed structures | 1 space for every two employees on the maximum shift but not less than 1 space per 5,000 square feet of area devoted to storage (whether inside or outside) |
USE | PARKING REQUIREMENT |
USE | PARKING REQUIREMENT |
Other: | |
Scrap materials, salvage yards, junk yard, automobile graveyards | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Service and enterprises related to animals | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Emergency services | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Agricultural, silvicultural, mining, quarry operations | 1 space per 2 employees on maximum shift |
Miscellaneous public and semi-public facilities: | |
Airport | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Sanitary landfill | 1 space for every two employees on maximum shift |
Dry cleaner, Laundromat | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Open air markets and horticultural sales | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of lot area used for storage, display or sales |
Funeral Home | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
Cemetery | No requirement |
Nursery schools; day care centers | 1 space per employee plus 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space per 5,000 square feet of gross floor area |
Bus station, train station | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Commercial greenhouse operations area | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
(Paragraph D – Ord. 2025-100 – Apr. 25 Supp.)
2. In case of any building, structure or premises, the use of which is not specifically mentioned herein, the provisions for a use which is so mentioned, and to which said use is similar, shall apply.
3. Where a parking 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 in width in case of a dwelling and not less than 16 feet in width in all other cases leading to the loading or unloading spaces and to secure the most appropriate development of the property in question, provided however, such easement of access or access drive shall not be located in any residence district, except where serving a permitted use in a residence district.
4. Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public or private parking area, including a commercial parking lot, shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:
A. No part of any parking space shall be closer than ten feet to any established public street right-of-way or five feet to any established alley line. In the case the parking area adjoins an “R” District, it shall be set back at least five feet from the “R” District boundary and an opaque screen of six feet in height shall be installed and shall be maintained along all “R” District boundaries. In addition, except at designated access points, wheel barriers shall be installed along the outside boundaries of any parking area. The wheel barriers shall be installed in such a manner as to prevent a parked vehicle from encroaching into any required setback. The screen shall be in line with the front of any adjoining “R” District or the front of the proposed commercial structure, whichever is the lesser front yard setback. However, if the adjoining “R” District property is vacant, the front yard setback for the “R” District shall apply. A six-foot-high opaque screen shall not be required along streets or along alleys. An opaque screen of three feet shall be installed and maintained along each street side lot line of a corner lot where the premises is across from any “R” District. The opaque screen shall not extend closer than 25 feet to the front property line. An opaque screen of three feet shall be installed and maintained along each alley line where the premises is across from any “R” District. The opaque screen need not extend beyond the opaque screen installed along the street side lot line. Where there is a difference in elevation on opposite sides of the screen, the height shall be measured from the highest elevation. An opaque screen shall consist of one, or any combination of, the following:
(Ord. 2022-2600 – Feb. 23 Supp.)
(1) Wood or masonry walls or fences when constructed of materials which provide openings of less than 50 percent in area of the vertical surface of the wall or fence.
(2) Berms constructed of earthen materials and landscaped.
(3) Plant materials when used as a screen shall consist of compact evergreen plants that meet the approval of Section 165.19, Landscape, Planting and Screening and SUDAS, Chapter 12, Section 5. They shall be of a kind or used in such a manner so as to provide their screening function within 18 months after initial planting. The Zoning Enforcement Officer shall require that either (1) or (2) above be installed if, after 18 months after planting, plant materials have not formed an opaque screen or if an opaque screen is not maintained. A wall or fence may be combined with the plant materials. However, if such a wall or fence is constructed of materials which provide openings of more than 50 percent in area of the vertical surface of the wall or fence, it shall not be considered a part of the opaque screen and it shall be located on the parking area side of the plant materials.
(4) When the finished elevation of the property is lower at the boundary line or within five feet inside the boundary line than an abutting property elevation, such change in elevation may be used in lieu of or in combination with additional screening to satisfy the screening requirements for this district.
B. In all zoning districts, all off-street parking areas and driveways shall be surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement or such other surfaces as shall be approved by the City Engineer and the Building Inspector so as to provide a durable and dustless surface, shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulation within the area and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading and unloading and parking and storage of self-propelled vehicles. Such surfacing shall be required to be installed at the time of site improvement construction in conjunction with Site Plan approval when such approval is required and issuance of building permits and shall be considered a required improvement to be installed prior to issuance of occupancy permits; provided however, the Council may, in its discretion, by resolution, authorize an extension of time for the installation of the required surfacing and allow issuance of the occupancy permit prior to installation of the required surfacing. The Council may consider an extension of time only if a petition signed by the owner or duly authorized representative requesting a time extension including a statement of reasons therefor, is presented to the Council. The length of time granted for the extension shall be determined and at the discretion of the Council, but in no event longer than three years. Should a time extension be granted by resolution of the Council, the owner shall provide to the City a performance bond in the form as prescribed by the Subdivision Regulations, Chapter 170 of this Code of Ordinances, and in the amount recommended by the City Engineer and approved by the Council and for the duration of the time stipulated in such grant. The Council may, in its discretion, by resolution rescind the granted extension of time by reason of such facility becoming a nuisance to surrounding property owners. In such instance, the required surfacing shall be installed by the owner within six months from the date of such resolution or the performance bond concerning surfacing shall be forfeited and the surfacing installed by order of the City.
C. Vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or snowmobiles shall not be parked or stored within the front yard or street side yard of a residential lot in any zoning district unless situated on a paved driveway or parking lot. In the case of an existing residential driveway that was unpaved at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter; vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, ATVs and snowmobiles shall be permitted to be parked or stored on such unpaved driveway until such time as site improvements are made which require the driveway to be paved. Recreational vehicles, boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles may be parked or stored within the interior side yard or rear yard of a residential lot if contained within an enclosed fence, or within an enclosed garage. Recreational vehicles or trailers of any kind or type without current license plates shall not be parked or stored on any lot other than in completely enclosed buildings.
D. Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking area including any commercial parking lots shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any “R” District. Such lighting shall be downcast lighting with a maximum of one foot-candle at the property line.
5. Off-street parking areas shall be provided on the same lot with the principal use, except as provided in Subsection 6 below.
6. Subject to the requirements herein, off-street parking areas may be established in any “R” District that immediately adjoins a “C” or “M” District, or is directly across an alley from a “C” or “M” District, provided that:
A. Such parking shall be accessory to and for use of one or more permitted uses in the adjoining “C” or “M” District and shall not include trucks.
B. Such parking areas shall not extend more than 100 feet from the boundary of the less restricted district. In no case shall said areas extend closer than 10 feet to the street right-of-way line. The yard between said parking areas and the adjoining streets shall be screen planted and landscaped as provided in C below.
C. A 10-foot yard shall be maintained between said parking area and adjoining lots in an “R” District. In addition, except at designated access points, wheel barriers shall be installed along the outside boundaries of any parking area. The wheel barriers shall be installed in such a manner as to prevent a parked vehicle from encroaching into any required setback. An opaque screen at least six feet in height shall be maintained along all “R” District boundaries. The screen shall be in line with the front of any adjoining residential structure in any adjoining “R” District or the front of the proposed commercial structure, whichever is the lesser front yard setback. However, if the adjoining “R” District property is vacant, the front yard setback for the “R” District shall apply. A six-foot-high opaque screen shall not be required along adjoining streets or adjoining alleys. An opaque screen of three feet shall be installed and maintained along each street side lot line of a corner lot where the premises is across from any “R” District. The opaque screen shall not extend closer than 25 feet to the front property line. An opaque screen of three feet shall be installed and maintained along each alley line where the premises is across from any “R” District. The opaque screen need not extend beyond the opaque screen installed along the street sides of the screen; the height shall be measured from the highest elevation. An opaque screen shall consist of one or any combination of the following:
(1) Wood or masonry walls or fences when constructed of materials which provide openings of less than 50 percent in area of the vertical surface of the wall or fence.
(2) Berms constructed of earthen materials and landscaped.
(3) Plant materials when used as a screen shall consist of compact evergreen plants. They shall be of a variety or used in such a manner so as to provide adequate screening function. A wall or fence may be combined with the plant materials. However, if such a wall or fence is constructed of materials which provide openings of more than 50 percent in area of the vertical surface of the wall or fence, it shall not be considered a part of the opaque screen and it shall be located on the parking area side of the plant materials.
(4) When the finished elevation of the property is lower at the boundary line or within five feet inside the boundary line than an abutting property elevation, such change in elevation may be used in lieu of or in combination with additional screening to satisfy the screening requirements for this district.
D. All entrances and exits for said parking areas shall be from said adjoining alley for “C” or “M” District.
E. No such parking area shall be located in any required front yard in a residence district or project in front of the immediately adjoining permitted principal structures.
7. Parking spaces required by Subsections 1 and 2 hereof shall be provided in accordance with SUDAS, Chapter 12, Section 3.
8. Parking spaces required by Subsections 1 and 2 hereof shall not be located within any shared or common driveway or ingress/egress easement.
9. Flexibility in Administration.
A. The Council recognizes that, due to particularities of any given development, the inflexible application of the parking standards set forth in Subsection 1(D) of this section may result in a development either with inadequate parking space or parking space far in excess of its needs. The former situation may lead to traffic congestion or parking violations in adjacent streets as well as unauthorized parking in nearby private lots. The latter situation wastes money as well as space that could more desirably be used for valuable development or environmentally useful open space. Therefore, the City Manager may permit deviations from the presumptive requirements of Paragraph D and may require more parking or allow less parking whenever such deviations are more likely to satisfy the standard set forth herein.