Randolph City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IV
Off-Street Parking Regulations
§ 200-17 Applicability.
No land shall be used or occupied and no structure shall be erected or used unless the off-street parking spaces as hereinafter required are provided. No application for a permit for the erection of a new structure or for the development of a land use shall be approved unless it includes a plan for off-street parking facilities to be maintained thereafter in accordance with the requirements of this article, except that such parking spaces are not required for any structure or use existing at the time of enactment of this article; provided, however, that parking spaces as specified in this article shall be provided for any enlargement or alteration to any such existing structure or use; provided, further, that the increase is greater than fifteen percent (15%).
§ 200-18 Location.
The off-street parking spaces required by this article shall be on the same lot as the structure or use they are intended to serve. Where such off-street parking spaces cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot as the principal use, parking may be located on other property.
A.
The Planning Board may grant exceptions to allow provision of the required spaces on a separate lot or lots within a radius of six hundred (600) feet, measured from the lot line of the principal use.
(1)
An applicant must demonstrate that the required spaces on a separate lot or lots within the district are located within a reasonable walking distance from the entrance to the establishment to be serviced.
(2)
Clear, pedestrian passage must be available with no crossing of an arterial street except at a signalized intersection along the pedestrian pathway.
B.
In the CSBD, parking shall be located in the rear of the lot.
§ 200-19 Dimensions.
A.
The gross area devoted to parking spaces and aisles or driveways shall be no less than three hundred (300) square feet for each vehicle.
B.
The net area for each individual parking space shall be no less than one hundred sixty-two (162) square feet, having minimum dimensions of nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet.
C.
A driveway may be considered a parking space for a one-family dwelling.
§ 200-20 Street access.
Each parking space shall have a vehicular access to a street. Driveways, aisles and spaces in all districts except residential single-family or two-family shall be so arranged that vehicles will leave and enter the street with a forward motion.
§ 200-21 Construction requirements.
Every parcel of land which, after the effective date of this chapter, is changed to a parking area for more than five (5) vehicles, or to a drive-in business or motor vehicles sales or service establishment, shall be developed as follows, subject to the approval of the plans as defined in Article XI, Site Plan and Design Review, of this chapter.
A.
Such area, where subject to wheeled traffic, shall be smoothly graded, properly drained and treated with bituminous or other all-weather hard surface and shall have appropriate bumper or wheel guards where needed.
B.
Where such area abuts a residential district, it shall not be located within ten (10) feet of the lot line in a Business District or Business Professional District or within fifty (50) feet of the lot line in an Industrial District; and, when required by the site plan administrator, in all districts it shall have a wall or fence of solid appearance or tight evergreen hedge having a height of no less than five (5) feet, which shall be erected and maintained between such area and the property in the residential district.
C.
Any light used to illuminate said parking areas shall be so arranged as to reflect light away from adjoining premises and streets.
D.
The surfaced area of all parking areas and parking spaces shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from all street lines except when an access drive crosses the street layout. Such setback area shall be landscaped and maintained.
E.
Tiered parking. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the construction of parking shelves or garages where it is deemed beneficial to the community. All setbacks, height, and other requirements shall be that of the underlying zoning district; provided that parking garages, parking decks or any other parking structures and the parking of any motor vehicles shall be limited to parking at a maximum of two (2) tiers above grade.
F.
Parking lot design.
(1)
In addition to the provisions above, new and renovated off-street parking areas shall be constructed in accordance with the guidelines as defined in Article XI, Site Plan and Design Review, § 200-94B(2)(f).
(2)
Paving, alteration or installation of parking lots, driveways, or similar shall require a permit by the Building Commissioner in all districts.
§ 200-22 Required number of spaces.
Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following minimum requirements:
B.
Commercial/Business: one (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area on the first floor of a building and one (1) space for each four hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area thereafter for all floors used for business purposes, excluding storage area.
C.
Warehouse/Industrial: one (1) space for each two (2) employees, plus space for every company-owned and -operated vehicle, plus spaces for customers' vehicles as determined appropriate by the Building Commissioner or Site Plan Administrator.
D.
Eating/Drinking establishments: one (1) space for each two (2) seats provided for patron use.
E.
Assembly/Meeting halls/theaters: one (1) space for each five (5) seats or for each one hundred (100) square feet of auditorium area (if there are no fixed seats).
F.
Hotel/Motel: one (1) space per room/dwelling unit.
G.
Mixed uses: Where a building has a mixture of uses for which off-street parking is required, the number of spaces will be the sum of the requirements of the various individual uses.
H.
Other: Reasonable off-street parking requirements for uses not listed in this section shall be determined by the Site Plan Administrator.
§ 200-23 Electric vehicle charging stations and battery exchange stations.
[Added 3-24-2025 by Ord No. 2025-001[1]]
A. BATTERY EXCHANGE STATION CHARGING LEVELS ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION ELECTRIC VEHICLE SERVICE EQUIPMENT (EVSE)
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to exchange a depleted battery with a fully charged battery, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes and regulations set forth.
The standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. Levels 1, 2 and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and may be described as follows:
Any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board for motive purpose. "Electric vehicle" includes:
A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle charging station equipped with Level 1 or Level 2 charging equipment is permitted outright as an accessory use to any principal use.
Structures, machinery and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations and battery exchange stations.
B.
Applicability.
(1)
Electric vehicle charging station(s) with a Level 1 or 2 charging level shall be permitted in all zoning districts.
(2)
Electric vehicle charging station(s) with a Level 3 or greater charging level shall be installed in a parking lot at a commercial, industrial or municipal destination, or located in a vehicle service station.
(3)
Battery exchange stations are permitted in the BHRD and GBHD Zoning districts with a special permit from the Planning Board and approval by the Randolph Fire Department. This use is specifically prohibited in all residential zones.
(4)
Entities subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) shall provide EV charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. This includes state or local government offices. public parks, municipal building parking lots, street parking and the public right-of-way, residential housing facilities provided by a state or local government and public EV charging stations provided by a private entity.
C.
Process for review.
(1)
Electric vehicle charging station.
(a)
New residential construction. If associated with new residential construction, installation of a Level 1 or 2 battery charging station shall be processed in association with underlying permit(s).
(b)
Retrofitting residential parcels.
(c)
New commercial, industrial, mixed-use or other non-residential construction. If associated with new construction, installation of a battery charging station shall be processed in association with the underlying permit(s).
(d)
Retrofitting a non-residential or mixed-use site. If retrofitting an existing non-residential site for a battery charging station(s), an electrical permit and review of a site plan by the Planning Board is required. Additional permits may be required based upon the location of the proposed station(s). Municipal and school properties shall comply with this section.
(2)
Battery exchange station(s). A special permit from the Planning Board is required. Additional approval and permitting is required by Randolph Fire consistent with Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety code 527cmr.
D.
Design criteria. The following criteria shall be applied to the location and design of all electric vehicle charging facilities:
(1)
Design should be appropriate to the location and use. Facilities should be able to be readily identified by electric car users but blend into the surrounding landscape/architecture for compatibility with the character and use of the site.
(2)
Size. Where provided, EV spaces should be nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet stalls.
(3)
Number. No minimum number of EV charging spaces is required, however, no more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of parking spaces for a site may be designated as EV charging stations.
(4)
Signage. Each charging station space shall be posted with signage indicating the space is only for EV charging purposes. Days and hours of operations shall be included if time limited or tow-away provisions are to be enforced by the owner. Information identifying voltage and amperage levels or safety information shall be posted.
(5)
Accessible Charging Spaces. EV chargers and spaces designed to serve people who use mobility devices shall be located on an accessible route and should provide:
(a)
A vehicle charging space at least 11 feet wide and 20 feet long.
(b)
Adjoining access aisle at least 5 feet wide.
(c)
Clear floor or ground space at the same level as the vehicle charging space and positioned for an unobstructed side reach.
(d)
Accessible operable parts, including on the charger and connector.
(e)
Use of the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) at EV charging spaces is not required. These spaces may be used by EV's without a disability placard. A "use last" sign should be installed to indicate an EV charging space is accessible, but also direct people to use this space only when other charging spaces are occupied or accessibility features are needed.
(6)
Pedestrian Accessibility. Where charging station equipment is provided within an adjacent pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or accessible route to the building entrance, the charging equipment shall be located so as to not interfere with accessibility requirements. The site plan of existing parking lot layout and proposed charging stations shall be reviewed and approved.
(7)
Maintenance. Charging station equipment shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the charging equipment. A phone number or other contact information shall be provided on the charging station equipment for reporting when the equipment is not functioning or other problems are encountered.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ord. also repealed former § 200-23, Occupancy permits.