Quincy City Zoning Code

OFF-STREET PARKING

AND LOADING

§ 162.090 PURPOSE.

It is the purpose and intent of this subchapter that off-street parking and loading areas be provided and adequately maintained in every zoning district for the purposes of promoting safe and efficient parking of motor vehicles; to avoid unnecessary congestion and interference with public use of streets; and to protect and preserve the appearance, character and value of the surrounding neighborhoods.

(1980 Code, § 29.601)

§ 162.091 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(A) In all zoning districts, off-street parking and loading requirements shall be provided in amounts not less than specified for the various districts.

(B) (1) The Director of Planning and Development, after consultation with the Director of Utilities and Engineering, shall make a determination, in the cases of uses not listed in § 162.091 of the minimum required off-street parking spaces.

(2) In reaching the determination, the Director of Planning and Development and the Director of Utilities and Engineering, shall be guided by the requirements for similar uses, the number and kind of vehicles likely to be attracted to the proposed use and studies of the parking requirements of the uses in other jurisdictions.

(3) The Director of Planning and Development may approve alternative parking standards in situations where an applicant can sufficiently demonstrate that a particular situation is unusual, unique or poses practical difficulty, and upon submission of adequate technical justification such as independent parking analysis, Urban Land Institute (ULI) or Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) parking standards or similar justification.

(C) Additional parking shall be provided and maintained in proper ratio to any increase in floor area or building use capacity.

(D) For the purposes of determining off-street parking and loading requirements, the following provisions shall apply.

(1) USABLE FLOOR AREA as applied to offices, merchandising or service types of uses, shall mean the floor area used or intended to be used for services to the public as customers, patrons, clients, patients or tenants, including areas occupied by fixtures and equipment used for display or sale of merchandise, but excluding floor areas which are used exclusively for storage, for housing of mechanical equipment integral to the building, for maintenance facilities, stairwells, restrooms or for those areas so restricted that customers, patients, clients, salespersons and the general public are denied access. Measurement of useable floor area shall be the sum of the horizontal area of each story of a structure measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls.

(2) Where benches, pews or other similar seating facilities are used as seats, each 24 inches of the seating facilities shall be counted as one seat.

(E) In the case of mixed uses in the same building at the same time, the total requirements for off-street parking and loading shall be the sum of the requirements for the separate individual uses computed separately.

(F) Joint or collective provision of off-street parking for buildings or uses on two or more properties shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the participating individual uses computed separately.

(G) It shall be unlawful to use any of the off-street parking or loading areas established to meet the requirements of this subchapter for any purpose other than the parking of licensed vehicles or the loading and unloading of necessary service trucks.

(H) Off-street parking shall be no closer to any principal building than five feet. Bumper guards shall be installed to prevent yard encroachment.

(I) In the residential districts and in commercial and industrial districts within 50 feet of an residential district, no parking space may be located in a front yard.

(J) Parking spaces may be provided in side and rear yards in the residential districts and in any yard in commercial and industrial districts except that in the commercial and industrial districts, no parking space may be provided in a front yard unless the building is set back at least 30 feet from the street, and further provided that the parking use must conform to the permitted land use for the district.

(K) Parking spaces for any use specifically permitted in an residential district may be provided on a lot adjoining that use provided there is compliance with all the requirements of divisions (I) and (J) above.

(L) Where parking is provided in a commercial district adjacent to a residential district or where five or more parking spaces are provided for use in a residential district adjacent to a residential district, all parking spaces, loading spaces and drives shall be set back from the residential district 15 feet. This setback shall be a landscaped area providing sight proof landscaping and/or fencing to screen the use from adjacent properties as approved on a site plan per requirements in §§ 162.280 through 162.285.

(M) Where parking is provided in a manufacturing district adjacent to a residential district, all parking spaces, loading spaces and internal drives except for fire lanes, ingress and egress, shall be set back from the residential district 30 feet. This setback shall be a landscaped area providing sight proof landscaping and/or fencing to screen the use from adjacent properties as approved on a site plan per requirements in §§ 162.280 through 162.285.

(N) When determination of the number of off-street parking spaces or loading spaces required by this subchapter results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space; any fraction of one-half or less may be disregarded.

(O) No repairs or services to vehicles shall be carried on or permitted in off-street parking areas.

(P) No vehicular display for purpose of sale shall be carried on or permitted upon the premises unless the display is by a licensed automobile dealer on a properly zoned parcel.

(Q) In the residential districts, the only off-street parking permitted is that parking which is an accessory use to the primary residential dwelling. The use of an off-street parking lot in a residential district by a nearby or adjacent to a commercial use is prohibited.

(R) Off-street parking required for enlargements or change of use. Existing buildings not complying with off-street parking requirements may be remodeled, repaired and structurally altered, but any enlargement or change of use of a structure or building which would require a greater number of parking spaces than was required for the prior use must provide the required parking spaces for the enlargement or use.

(1980 Code, § 29.602) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.092 OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces, including garage parking spaces, by type of use shall be determined in accordance with the following schedule.

Use	Minimum Number of Standard Off-Street Parking Spaces per Unit of Measure
1. Residential and Housing Uses
(a) Bed and breakfast	One space per guest room, plus two spaces for residents
(b) Boarding house	One space per guest room, plus two spaces for residents
(c) Dormitory	One space for each three persons in residence
(d) Fraternity or sorority	One space for each three persons in residence
(e) Group homes, halfway houses, community living facilities	One space for each two beds plus one space for each employee
(f) Homes for the aged and convalescent homes	One space for each four beds, plus one space for each employee
(g) Mobile home parks	Two spaces for each dwelling unit
(h) Residential, multiple-family	Two spaces for each dwelling unit
(i) Residential, one-family and two-family	Two spaces for each dwelling unit
(j) Domestic violence shelters and homeless, emergency and transitional shelters	One space per each four beds, plus one space per employee
2. Institutional and Cultural
(a) Churches, temples or buildings of similar use	One space for each three seats
(b) Elementary and junior high school	One space for each one teacher and administrator, in addition to the requirements of the auditorium and/ or similar places(s) of assembly
(c) Libraries, museums and post office buildings	One space for each 800 square feet of usable floor area
(d) Lodge halls, meeting halls and community centers or buildings similar use without fixed seats	One space for each five persons of legal capacity as established by local, county or state fire building or health codes
(e) Pre-school child care (day nurseries)	One space for each employee. Sufficient area shall be set aside for dropping-off and picking up children in a safe manner that will not cause the children to cross the parking area or lines of traffic
(f) Public office building not elsewhere specified	One space for each 300 square feet of usable floor area, plus one space for each employee employed therein
(g) Senior high schools, vocational schools and community colleges	One space for each one teacher and administrator and one space for each ten students, in addition to the requirements of the auditorium and/or similar place of assembly
(h) Theaters and auditoriums	One space for each four seats
3. Business and Commercial
(a) Assembly halls, without fixed seats, for commercial recreation including dance usable floor area, halls, pool or billiard parlors, skating rinks and exhibition halls or buildings for similar assembly uses	One space for each 50 square feet of usable floor area
(b) Auction house	One space per two seats or two per 100 square feet of gross leasable area, whichever is greater
(c) Auto body shop	One space per service bay and one space per employee
(d) Automobile service stations	Two spaces for each lubrication stall, rack or pit and one space for each employee
(e) Auto parts store	One space per 200 square feet of usable floor area, plus one space for each employee
(f) Auto rental	One space per 400 square feet of gross floor area
(g) Auto wash (automatic)	One space for each one employee; in addition, adequate waiting space for autos shall be provided on the premises to accommodate 50% of the hourly rate of capacity
(h) Auto wash (self serve)	One space for each one employee. In addition, adequate waiting space for autos shall be provided on the premises to accommodate 50% of the hourly rate of capacity.
(i) Bait shop	One space per 200 square feet of usable floor area
(j) Beauty parlor or barber shop	Two spaces per beauty or barber chair
(k) Convenience store	One space for each 200 square feet of usable floor area plus one space per employee
(l) Drive-in restaurants or similar drive-in uses for sale of beverages, food or refreshments	One space for each 15 square feet of usable floor area, plus one space for each one employee on the largest work shift
(m) Drive-through facility (see also Restaurant and bank drive-through)	For uses not mentioned with drive-through windows, provide a minimum of three stacking spaces for each drive-through window; each line of stacking space must be at least nine feet wide and must be delineated with pavement markings; the spaces shall be designed so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or on any abutting street
(n) Dry cleaning	Three spaces plus one space for each 500 square feet of gross floor area in excess of 1,000 square feet
(o) Furniture and appliance stores; household equipment repair shops; showroom of a plumber, decorator, electrician or similar trade; shoe repair and other similar uses	One space for each 400 square feet of usable floor area (For that floor area used in processing, one additional space shall be provided for each two persons employed therein.)
(p) Laundromats and coin operated dry cleaners	One space for each two washing machines
(q) Mortuary establishments	One space for each 50 square feet of usable floor space
(r) Motel, hotel or other commercial lodging establishments	One space for each one occupancy unit plus one space for each one employee, plus extra spaces for dining rooms or meeting rooms as required by divisions 3.(a) and 3.(t) above where the capacity of such areas exceeds the number of beds in the building
(s) Motor vehicle, boat, camper, recreational vehicle sales and service establishments	One space for each 200 square feet of usable floor space of sales room and one space for each one auto service stall in the service room
(t) Restaurant or establishments for sale and consumption of beverages, food or refreshments on the premises	One space per 2.3 persons maximum occupancy
(u) Restaurant with drive-through window	One space per 2.3 persons maximum occupancy; in addition, a minimum of eleven stacking spaces are to be provided for the drive-through window, with a minimum of five spaces between ordering and pick-up; each line of stacking space must be at least nine feet wide and must be delineated with pavement markings; the spaces shall be designed so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or on any abutting street
(v) Retail stores except as otherwise specified herein	One space for each 200 square feet of usable floor space
4. Offices
(a) Banks or other financial institutions without drive-through facilities	One space for each 150 square feet of usable floor space
(b) Banks or other financial institutions with drive-through facilities	One space for each 150 square feet of usable floor space, plus five stacking spaces for each drive-through teller station, including automatic teller machines; each lane of stacking space must be at least nine feet wide and must be delineated with pavement markings; the spaces shall be designed so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or on any abutting street
(c) Business offices or professional offices except as indicated in the following divisions 4.(d) through 4.(f)	One space for each 200 square feet of usable space
(d) Equipment rental and leasing	One space for each 300 square feet of usable floor area
(e) Exterminators	One space for each 800 square feet of gross floor area
(f) Professional offices of doctors, dentists, veterinarians or similar professions	One space for each 25 square feet of usable floor area in waiting rooms, and one space for each examining room, dental chair or similar use area.
5. Recreational
(a) Boat dock, harbor, marinas employees	0.7 spaces for every berth or mooring two spaces for every three employees on the largest work shift, plus one space for every vehicle customarily used in operation of the use or stored on the premises
(b) Bowling alleys	Four spaces for each one bowling lane plus one space per employee, in addition to requirements for a place serving food or beverages on the site
(c) Dance school, gymnastics and fitness complex, community center	One space for each 300 square feet of usable floor space
(d) Golf course	Six spaces for each golf hole and one space for each employee on the largest work shift
(e) Golf driving range	One space per tee, plus one space per employee on the largest work shift
(f) Miniature or “Par-3" golf courses	Three spaces for each one hole plus one space for each one employee
(g) Private golf clubs, swimming pool clubs, tennis clubs or other similar uses	One space for each two member families or individuals, plus spaces required for each accessory area such as a restaurant, bar, pro shop or equipment sales
(h) Public swimming pool	Two spaces for every 100 square feet of water area, plus one space for each employee on the largest work shift
(i) Stadium, sports area or similar place of assembly	One space for each three seats or six feet of benches, and one space for each one employee
6. Industrial
Manufacturing, fabrication, sheet metal and welding shops, junkyards, salvage yards, meat packing plants, wholesale distribution, warehouses, reclamation plants, mail order sales	One space for every employee on the largest work shift, plus one space for every vehicle customarily used in operation of the use or stored on the premises

(1980 Code, § 29.603) (Ord. 9281, passed 11-9-2015) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.093 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Purpose. It is the purpose and intent of this section to apply flexible off-street parking and loading requirements for the Central Business District (CBD). The goal is to accommodate the special needs of the area, encourage and promote redevelopment, optimize existing parking facilities, promote shared parking and public transportation and prevent existing historic structures from being demolished for new parking areas. The parking regulations are reduced in the CBD to aid in the renewal and rebuilding of the downtown.

(B) General provisions.

(1) For purposes of this section, the Central Business District (CBD) shall be defined as areas with downtown district zoning (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5).

(2) No off-street parking spaces shall be permitted in front of a structure.

(3) In all downtown zoning districts, the off-street parking requirements may be reduced to 50% of the parking spaces otherwise required; provided the subject property or lot is located within 600 feet of a municipal parking lot which is primarily available for public parking (as distinguished from a municipal parking lot reserved for employee or other reserved parking).

(4) The reciprocal (shared) use of parking facilities provided to serve any property or use is encouraged in the downtown districts. The applicant shall show that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the buildings or uses for which the reciprocal use of parking is proposed. A reciprocal parking agreement shall be approved by the Department of Planning and Development and recorded with the County Recorder’s office.

(5) All shared parking facilities shall be located within 600 feet (horizontal distance) of the use served.

(6) Shared parking proposals involving existing municipal parking lots shall be reviewed during the site plan review process.

(7) The street frontage of all parking areas shall be screened from the public right-of-way with adequate landscaping and/or iron, brick or natural stone fencing between 36 and 42 inches in height as approved by the Department of Planning and Development on the site development plan. New landscaping installations must achieve the screening height within two years. The use of parking lot landscaping at the perimeter, and on landscape islands is strongly encouraged and shall be shown on a landscaping plan to be submitted with the site plan for review by the Department of Planning and Development.

(8) Existing buildings not in compliance with the off street parking requirements of this section may be remodeled, repaired, and structurally altered and may change use without complying with the minimum off street parking standards. Downtown buildings that have a change in use to a nightclub or cabaret are required to comply with § 162.092 Off Street Parking Requirements.

(9) Parking requirements in all downtown districts will not be enforced on new construction provided the new building has the same footprint of the previous structure. To qualify for this exemption, new construction shall be initiated within two years after a building is demolished. This information needs to be shown on the site plan for review by the Department of Planning and Development.

(10) Where parking is provided in a downtown district adjacent to an residential district, all parking spaces, loading spaces and drives shall be setback from the residential district ten feet. This setback shall provide sight proof landscaping and/or fencing to screen the use from adjacent properties as approved on a site plan per requirements in §§ 162.280 through 162.285.

(1980 Code, § 29.604) (Ord. 9290, passed 5-23-2016) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.094 EXCLUSIONS, REDUCTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS FROM THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Off-street parking and loading regulations shall not apply to uses approved or existing prior to the enactment of this subchapter. All off-street parking regulations apply to the Central Business District (i.e. downtown districts) unless otherwise stated in § 162.093.

(B) The Director of Planning and Development or his or her authorized designee may grant a parking reduction for commercial developments, industrial developments and mixed-use developments not to exceed 20% of the required parking. For parking reductions greater than 20% of the required parking, the applicant must petition the Zoning Board of Appeals. To qualify, the applicant must submit documentation which meets the following criteria, as applicable, during the site plan review process:

(1) The parking needs will be adequately served;

(2) A mix of residential uses with either office or retail uses is proposed, and the parking needs of all uses will be accommodated through shared parking;

(3) If shared use of common parking is proposed, varying time periods of use will accommodate proposed parking needs. The applicant shall show there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the buildings or uses (activities) for which the shared use of parking is proposed;

(4) The applicant provides an acceptable proposal for an alternate mode of transportation program, including a description of existing and proposed facilities and assurances that the use of alternate modes of transportation will continue to reduce the need for on-site parking on an ongoing basis; and

(5) The joint use of abutting traversable driveways on adjoining properties may be permitted to satisfy the driveway requirements of this subchapter subject to the following conditions:

(a) A recordable instrument conveying the right of shared use, duly executed by the effected property owners, is furnished to Corporate Counsel and recorded by the County Recorder of Deeds;

(b) The instrument is approved by the Corporate Counsel; and

(C) If any reduction sought under this section is directly related to the nature of the use and occupancy of the property, any material change in the use of occupancy shall nullify the reduction.

(1980 Code, § 29.605) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.095 SITE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Generally. Off-street parking and loading for all uses except single-family dwelling units shall be paved and shall be provided with adequate drainage to dispose of all surface water.

(B) Parking adjoining sidewalk. Where any parking area adjoins an existing or proposed sidewalk, the owner shall erect six-inch concrete barrier curbs, wheel stops or bollards on the private property to prevent vehicles from crossing the sidewalk, excepting in the case of a single family home.

(C) Pavement surface. Loading areas, parking lots, driveways, access ways and any other areas on which motor vehicles are parked or stored, or which are used for motor vehicle circulation, shall be constructed with a dust free surface. Acceptable pavement surfaces are limited to concrete, asphalt or oil and chip. Any other pavement surface must be approved by the city’s Department of Engineering as being capable of providing a dust free surface. Concrete wheel stops shall be used on oil and chip surfaces to designate the parking stalls in lieu of painted striping. Property owners are allowed to have a temporary gravel surface for a maximum period of one year. This stipulation is intended to allow time for settlement, compaction or allow for off-season construction.

(D) Curbs and gutters. Combination of six-inch concrete barrier curbs and gutters or six-inch concrete curbs are required around all parking lot islands. The material and design shall conform to the specifications contained in the most recent edition of the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, adopted by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

(E) Striping. Single striping shall be provided for all parking stalls as a minimum. Each stripe shall be a minimum of four inches in width and 18 feet in length for each parking space. Striping of each parking space shall be painted in yellow or white. Thermoplastic pavement markings are an acceptable alternative. All areas designated as fire lanes shall be marked by posting of signs and/or yellow markings, provided that signs shall be used wherever feasible.

(F) Re-striping. Parking lots existing prior to the date of this subchapter may be re-striped in the course of normal maintenance in accordance with their original plans and requirements.

(G) Parking lot design. The following are requirements for parking lot design:

(1) Circulation aisles shall align with one another;

(2) Smooth and efficient on-site circulation must be provided;

(3) All parking rows shall be bound by islands with six-inch concrete barrier as described in Figure 4 - Minimum Island Dimensions in § 162.098;

(4) Shared interconnects and shared driveways with adjoining properties shall be provided wherever feasible as determined by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her authorized designee; and

(e) All parking stalls shall have a minimum dimension of nine feet wide by 18 feet long. This rectangular area must be included in all shapes of parking stalls for any angle of parking. An automobile overhang may be included in stall depth calculations where the overhang does not extend beyond a required parking setback line or encroach upon a sidewalk. When an automobile overhang beyond an installed curb is included in the stall depth calculation, the overhang shall be considered as part of the parking stall for landscaping or setback purposes.

(H) Access. Except on lots accommodating single-family dwellings, each off-street parking space shall open directly upon an aisle or driveway at least 12 feet wide for one-way travel or 24 feet wide for two-way travel. However, a ten foot wide aisle for one-way travel is permitted provided that there are no points of vehicular or pedestrian access to any building from the driving aisle. The minimum width of an access drive intersecting a street or alley is 24 feet for two-way travel or 12 feet for one-way travel. The minimum return radius from an access drive to a street or alley shall be 20 feet as measured from the back of the curb wherever possible.

(I) Maintenance. Upon completion, all parking areas shall be properly maintained at all times, without pot holes, broken curbing or other irregularities.

(J) Sidewalks.

(1) Sidewalks are required for all multiple-family, commercial, industrial and institutional uses including special permits and planned developments that front a major street within the city or the contiguous unincorporated territory within one and one-half miles of the city corporate limits.

(2) Sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet wide and shall be placed within the street right-of-way one foot from the property line along the street frontage(s). The sidewalk shall be placed on a minimum of four-inch-thick compacted subgrade. At all residential drive locations the minimum pavement thickness shall be six inches extended through the driveway to five feet on each side. At all commercial drive locations this minimum thickness shall be eight inches extended through the driveway to five feet on each side. The surface shall be a light broom finish with contraction joints at five-foot intervals. Expansion joints are required where the new sidewalk abuts all curb, buildings, poles, other structures, through all drives. The maximum cross slope for all sidewalks shall be 2% including through the driveways. Sidewalk curb ramps with a detectable warning surface shall be constructed at all crosswalks according to latest IDOT Standard or ADA regulation.

(1980 Code, § 29.606) (Ord. 9268, passed 11-3-2014; Ord. 9351, passed 10-1-2018; Ord. 9423, passed 8-16-2021) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.096 OFF-STREET PARKING PROVISIONS FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.

(A) Required number of spaces. If any parking is provided for employees, visitors or both, the minimum number of accessible parking spaces to be provided for handicapped persons shall be according to the current edition of the Illinois Accessibility Code. Accessible parking spaces to be provided for handicapped persons are as follows:

	Space Requirements
Total Off-Street Parking Spaces Provided	Number of Accessible Parking Spaces Required
1 to 25	1
26 to 50	2
51 to 75	3
76 to 100	4
101 to 150	5
151 to 200	6
201 to 300	7
301 to 400	8
401 to 500	9
501 to 1,000	2% of total number
Over 1,000	20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000
Medical facilities specializing in treatment of persons with mobility impairments	20% of total number
Outpatient medical facilities	10% of total number

(B) Location. Accessible parking spaces shall be placed on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance of the building. The accessible parking space shall be placed nearest an existing ramp, ever if it means placing the space further from the accessible door. The ramp, however, must not be placed in an access aisle. If a curb ramp is new, both the curb ramp and the accessible parking space must be closest to the accessible entrance.

(C) Size. Each handicapped parking space shall be sized according to the current edition of the Illinois Accessibility Code.

(D) Signage.

(1) Each handicapped parking space shall have a painted international symbol of accessibility on the pavement. In addition, all facilities shall mount on a permanent post or wall, in the center of accessible parking spaces the following signs:

(a) A United States Department of Transportation R7-8 (Reserved Parking) sign; and

(b) R7-I101 sign.

(2) These signs shall be posted no lower than four feet above ground and no more than five feet from the front of the space.

Figure 1 - Handicapped Parking Spaces

(1980 Code, § 29.607) (Ord. 9504, passed 9-17-2024) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.097 LIGHTING.

(A) Parking lots shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety.

(B) The minimum requirement is one foot-candle maintained uniformly across the surface of the parking lot.

(C) Lighting standards, whether attached to buildings or mounted on poles, shall be in scale with the height and use of the structure but shall not exceed 30 feet in height.

(D) All light sources shall be indirect, diffused or shielded type fixtures, installed to reduce glare and the consequent interference with boundary streets and adjacent property.

(1980 Code, § 29.608) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.098 LANDSCAPING.

(A) Purpose. It is the purpose and intent of these regulations to provide adequate protection for contiguous property against undesirable effects caused by the creation and operation of parking and loading areas, and to protect and preserve the appearance and character of the surrounding neighborhoods through the screening effects and aesthetic qualities of landscaping. All parking and loading areas constructed after the date of this subchapter shall be properly screened and landscaped as hereinafter described.

(B) Definition. For purposes of this section, LANDSCAPING shall mean living green plants in combination of trees and either shrubs or ground cover, all of which are defined as follows:

(1) Deciduous trees having, at the time of planting, not less than a two and one-half inch caliper measured on the trunk six inches above the ground;

(2) Ornamental trees having, at the time of planting, not less than one and one-half inch caliper measured on the trunk six inches above the ground;

(3) Evergreen trees having, at the time of planting, a height of not less than four feet;

(4) Shrubs having, at the time of planting, a height of not less that two feet; and

(5) Ground cover which includes grass, ivy, juniper, wood mulch, decorative or aggregate rock or other approved pervious surfaces.

(C) Quality. Plant material and grasses shall be of generally acceptable varieties and species, free of insects and diseases, and hardy to the city area as listed in the Arboricultural Specifications Manual for the City of Quincy.

(D) Landscaping plan. An applicant for development approval who is required to install landscaping shall submit a landscaping plan along with the application for development approval to the Department of Planning and Development. The landscaping plan shall be prepared by a landscape architect or designer. The required landscaping information can also be included on the site plan. The landscaping plan shall include all of the following:

(1) Landscaper’s name, address and telephone number; name of development;

(2) Location, quantity, size and type of existing on-site natural vegetation to be utilized, if any;

(3) Location, quantity, size and type of proposed landscaping on a site plan, showing its relation to other site features such as utilities and easements;

(4) Elevation and drawings of any solid screen proposed;

(5) Planting time schedule;

(6) Trees, bushes and other significant vegetation proposed for removal;

(7) All proposed building footprints;

(8) Parking areas and driveways;

(9) Sidewalks and pedestrian ways;

(10) Scale and north arrow; and

(11) Any other information that may be needed to show compliance with this section.

(E) Landscaping requirements adjacent to streets. Where a parking lot lies adjacent to or is visible from any public or private street, the entire frontage along the parking area, excluding curb cuts or other accessways, shall be landscaped and screened as follows. See Figure 5.

(1) One tree and four shrubs shall be planted for every 30 feet of frontage to be located within a strip of land paralleling the adjacent street and having a width of not less than five feet. Trees do not have to be placed 30 feet on center. Strategic grouping of shrubs is encouraged.

(2) The landscaping strip of land paralleling the adjacent street shall be located on private property. This strip shall not contain any impervious surface and shall be planted in 80% grass (seeded or sodded) in addition to the required landscaping.

(3) A maximum of 50% of the required number of trees may consist of a mix of ornamental and evergreen trees.

(4) The required number of trees and shrubs may be reduced by up to 50% if earth sculpting, berms or decorative screening fences or walls are installed on private property along the frontage of the adjacent street to a height of not less than three feet above the grade of the parking area and, in the opinion of the Director of Planning and Development, are designed to effectively screen the parking area yet avoid erosion, drainage or maintenance problems

(5) No landscaping, hedge, wall, fence or berm that exceeds 24 inches in height shall be located within ten feet of any driveway opening nor otherwise located so as to interfere with the visibility of vehicles or pedestrians.

(F) Landscaping requirements for interior areas. Where a parking lot having 50 or more parking spaces is wholly or partially visible from an adjacent public or private street, it shall be further landscaped as follows. Any fractional result shall be increased to the next whole number.

(1) Quantities.

Canopy trees	1 per 15 spaces
Understory trees	1 per 10 spaces
Shrubs	1 per 4 spaces

(2) Distribution. The required landscaping shall be generally distributed throughout the parking area provided that a minimum of 25% of the required total for each plant category (large canopy trees, understory trees and shrubs) shall be planted on interior features such as islands, peninsulas or medians. Each parking space shall be located within 100 feet of a canopy tree or understory tree located anywhere on the subject property. For the purpose of this section only, this may include either an existing tree, a tree required by this section, a tree installed as buffer tree, or a tree installed as a street tree. The remaining 75% of the required total plantings may be distributed between interior features; areas within 30 feet of the outside boundary of the parking and/or driveway surface; areas between a parking surface and any principal building on the site; or in planters on any ground generally enclosed by a combination of building area, pedestrian facilities and/or parking surface.

(3) Interior landscaped areas shall follow the minimum dimension requirements illustrated in Figures 2 through 4.

(4) A maximum of 50% of the required number of trees may consist of a mix of ornamental and evergreen trees.

(5) The landscaping shall be in addition to any planting or landscaping within six feet of a building or other screening requirements.

(G) Existing trees. Existing canopy and/or understory trees located within 30 feet of the parking or driveway surface may be counted toward the requirements of this section provided that they are located on the subject property. Existing trees located in the public right-of-way do not qualify. All distances are to be measured from the nearest face of the tree trunk. Existing canopy trees with a caliper of at least ten inches, measured at 12 inches above the root crown may count as two trees. The use of existing trees shall be noted on the landscape plan.

(H) Maintenance of landscaping and screening. All landscaping and screenings shall be installed and permanently maintained as follows:

(1) All new landscaped areas shall be installed within six months after the occupancy or use of the building or premises. Dead plant materials shall be replaced within 12 months with living plant material, taking into consideration the season of the year, and shall have at least the same quantity and quality of landscaping as initially approved. This includes, but is not limited to, the replacement of plants damaged by insects, diseases, vehicular traffic, acts of God and vandalism;

(2) All landscaping and screening shall be maintained in a healthy, neat, trimmed, clean and weed-free condition. Landscaped areas shall be covered with either grass and/or other types of pervious ground cover located beneath and surrounding the trees and shrubs; and

(3) Landscaped areas immediately adjacent to an off-street parking or loading area shall be protected from the encroachment of motor vehicles by placing, along the entire perimeter of the landscaped area, a six-inch concrete barrier curb.

(I) Outdoor refuse collection. Refuse areas shall not be located within front yards or within required parking setbacks. Outdoor refuse collection containers and similar facilities shall be screened from public view on all four sides. The area shall be visually screened with an opaque material, which may include shrubs, walls, fences or berms that are a minimum of six feet in height. Single-family homes shall be exempt from this provision.

It is necessary to accommodate the vehicle overhang when designing landscaped areas in parking lots. Plants are often damaged if a landscape strip is not wide enough to provide for both the plants and the vehicle overhang.

Figure 2 - Center Parking Lot Island Design

Figure 3 - Planting Island Parallel to Parking Spaces

Note: These examples of landscape islands are intended to illustrate minimum dimension requirements only. Other design configurations are allowed and encouraged.

Figure 4 - Minimum Landscape Island Dimensions

Landscaping Requirements	Total
One tree and four shrubs shall be planted for every 30 feet of frontage	4 trees
	16 shrubs
A maximum of 50% of the required number of trees may consist of a mix of ornamental and evergreen trees	2 ornamental trees or 2 evergreen trees

Figure 5 - Landscaping Requirements Adjacent to Streets

(1980 Code, § 29.609) (Ord. 9268, passed 11-3-2014) Penalty, see § 162.999

§ 162.099 OFF-STREET LOADING/UNLOADING REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Purpose. The following regulations, applicable to new construction in all zoning districts except for single-family lots, are established to increase safety and decrease congestion in the public streets, to set standards for the requirement of off-street loading facilities in proportion to the amount of traffic generated by each use and to eliminate the on-street parking of vehicles along major traffic routes.

(B) Location. All required loading berths shall be located on the same zoning lot as the use served. No loading berth for vehicles over two tons shall be closer than 50 feet to any property in a residential district. No permitted or required loading berth shall be located within 25 feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two streets. No loading berths shall be located in required side yards.

(1) Size. The number and size of loading spaces must be equal to the maximum number and size of vehicles which would be simultaneously loaded or unloaded in connection with the business conducted on the property. Each required loading berth shall have a minimum width of 12 feet and a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet above finished grade of the space. The length shall be a minimum of 30 feet for local delivery and 60 feet for semi-trailers.

(2) Access. Each required off-street loading berth shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements.

(3) Projection. No portion of a vehicle shall project into a street, drive, alley or other public right-of-way while being loaded or unloaded.

(4) Exclusive use. Spaces allocated to any off-street loading shall not, while so allocated, be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facilities or portions thereof.

(5) Surfacing. All open off-street loading finish surfaces shall comply with the provisions of § 162.095.

(6) Repair and service. No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with loading facilities provided in any residence or business district.

(1980 Code, § 29.610) Penalty, see § 162.999