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Richland Township Allegheny County
City Zoning Code

PART 9

MINIMUM PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS

§ 27-901 Minimum Parking and Loading Requirements.

[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009; by Ord. No. 527, 6/19/2024]
A. 
General Requirements for Parking.
(1) 
Minimum Dimensions.
(a) 
Each parking space in a parking lot shall be at least nine feet wide and 18 feet long. Each handicapped parking space shall be 13 feet wide by 18 feet long. The dimensions of van-accessible spaces shall be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or equivalent provisions.
(b) 
The minimum dimension, including access lane, across a double-loaded parking bay with parking spaces at right angles to the access lane shall be 62 feet and for a single-loaded bay, 44 feet. Where parking spaces form a forty-five-degree angle with the access lane, the dimension across a double-loaded bay shall be at least 50 feet and across a single-loaded bay, 31 feet. Where parking spaces form a sixty-degree angle with the access lane, the dimension across a double-loaded bay shall be at least 56 feet and across a single-loaded bay, 36 feet.
(c) 
A parking bay, for purposes of this chapter, shall include the area within a parking lot containing an access lane and the parking spaces to which the lane provides access. A double-loaded parking bay denotes parking spaces on both sides of an access lane.
(2) 
Maximum Distances of Parking From Use.
(a) 
Parking to serve any multiple-family residential building shall be located so that no required space is more than 200 feet from the building such space is designed to serve.
(b) 
Parking to serve any nonresidential use shall be located so that no required space is more than 400 feet from the building or use such space is designed to serve.
(3) 
Enlargement or Change of Structure or Use.
(a) 
Whenever a structure or use is enlarged or changed, whereby 25% or more additional parking area is required to serve such enlargement or change, all parking areas shall be in accordance with this Part.
(b) 
Any change from a residential to commercial or industrial use shall comply in full with the requirements of this Part.
(4) 
Where a structure or lot is of mixed uses, the total parking requirements for the various uses shall be added together to determine the total parking required on the lot.
(5) 
On a single-family lot or townhouse lot, a garage and the access drive to it may count as required parking areas. Where dwelling units and/or commercial uses share parking and/or garage space, parking designated for one dwelling or commercial use shall not block that designated for other dwellings or commercial uses. No required parking space shall occur wholly or partly in a public right-of-way or be utilized for other than vehicle parking. Driveway entrances shall be located to create maximum sight distances in both directions at the street; and embankments, vegetation or other physical obstructions shall be cut back or removed to enhance the driver's view of the street.
(6) 
Within the NC, CC, M and CM Zoning Districts, the minimum number of required parking spaces shall not be utilized for any display areas and/or outdoor storage areas.
(7) 
Design of Parking Lots.
(a) 
All parking areas serving any commercial, industrial, public or semipublic use or any residential development where more than two dwelling units share the same parking area shall be surfaced.
(b) 
Parking lot surfaces shall be constructed in accordance with applicable Township construction, subdivision/land development and stormwater management standards and approved by the Township Engineer.
(c) 
Where interconnections between parking lots of two independent developments are provided, a landowner and/or developer may be entitled to one of the following incentives upon Board of Supervisors' approval:
[1] 
A ten-percent reduction in required parking lot landscaping.
[2] 
A five-foot decreased side or front yard setback requirement.
Table 7: Minimum Parking and Loading Requirements
[Amended by Ord. 493, 5/17/2017; and at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
Land uses shall provide the minimum number of spaces/berths for development in accordance with the following, unless otherwise approved by the Township Planning Commission:
Minimum Requirements
Principal Use
Parking
Loading
Residential Use
1
All other uses (uses not listed)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
As determined by the Township upon review
2
Apartment
1.5 spaces per dwelling unit and 0.5 visitor space per dwelling unit within 300 feet of each dwelling unit
Greater than 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
3
Convalescent-care facility
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per 6 beds
1 berth
4
Group-care home
1 space per 4 residents and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
5
Halfway house
1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
6
Life-care facility
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per resident authorized to drive and 1 space per 6 beds
1 berth
7
Nursing home or personal-care home
1 space per 3 beds and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
8
Quad-plex
2 spaces per dwelling unit and 0.5 visitor space per dwelling unit within 300 feet of each dwelling unit
9
Rooming house or boarding house
1 space per 3 beds and 1 space per employee on peak shift
10
Single-family dwelling
2 spaces per dwelling unit
11
Townhouse
2 spaces per dwelling unit and 0.5 visitor space per dwelling unit within 300 feet of each dwelling unit
12
Two-family dwelling
2 spaces per dwelling unit
Nonresidential Use
1
All other uses (uses not listed)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
As determined by the Township upon review
2
Adult theater
1 space per 100 square feet
3
Alcohol rehabilitation facility
1 space per employee plus 2 spaces per meeting room
4
Bakery
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
5
Bank/financial institution
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space per employee on peak shift and 5 off-street waiting spaces per drive-in window
6
Bed-and-breakfast
1 space per guest room and 1 space per permanent resident
7
Billboard
As determined by the Township
8
Boarding kennel
1 space per employee and 1 space per 1,000 square feet
9
Brewery (micro)
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
10
Business services
1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000-60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
11
Car wash
3 stacking spaces per wash bay
12
Cemetery
1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area of office/admin/chapel/ mausoleum/viewing room space and 1 space per employee on peak shift
13
Cinema (movie theater, not including adult theater)
1 space per 3 theater seats
14
Communications antenna
15
Communications tower
1 space
16
Consumer/personal services
1 space per 200 square feet of net floor area and 1 space per 2 employees on peak shift
0 to 9,999 square feet = 1 berth
10,000 to 19,999 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
17
Contractor yard or material storage facility
1 space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space per employee
18/ 19
Convenience store
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space per employee (does not include vehicle refueling positions)
0 to 9,999 square feet = 1 berth
10,000 to 19,999 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
20
Country club/golf course
6 spaces per hole and 1 space per employee on peak shift
0 to 9,999 square feet = 1 berth
10,000 to 19,999 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
21
Crematorium
1 space per employee
22/ 23
Day-care center, pre-school, nursery school or kindergarten
1 space per staff on peak shift and 1 space per 5 students
24
Day-care home
2 spaces and 1 space per employee on peak shift
25
Department store
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
26
Distribution facility
1 space per employee
As determined by the Township upon review
27
Drive-in theater
1 space per 1,000 square feet of viewing area
28
Driving range
2 spaces per tee
29
Dry-cleaning outlet
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 9,999 square feet = 1 berth
10,000 to 19,999 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
30
Dry-cleaning processing facility
1 space per 2 employees on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
31
Emergency services
1 space per 500 square feet
32
Essential services
1 space per employee on peak shift
33
Fairgrounds/carnival grounds
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
34/ 35
Farm/farmette
2 spaces per dwelling unit
36
Farm stand, retail
1 space per 200 square feet of display
37
Flea market
1 space per 50 square feet of sales area
38
Flex space
1 space per 1,000 square feet plus 1 per employee on peak shift
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
39
Forestry
40
Funeral home or mortuary
1 space per 3 seats in the first viewing room parlor and 10 spaces per each additional parlor
1 for every 4 viewing rooms
41
Furniture sales or refinishing/ upholstering
1 space per 400 square feet of showroom space plus 1 space per employee
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
42
Gaming facility
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
As determined by the Township upon review
43
Gas wells
44
Grocery/food store
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
45
Hardware store
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
46
Health/fitness club
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
47
Heliport
2 spaces per helipad
48
Home improvement center
1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
49
Home occupation, other
1 space per dwelling unit (in addition to residential requirement)
50
Home-based business, no-impact
1 space per dwelling unit (in addition to residential requirement)
51
Hospital
1 space per 2 beds and 1 space per employee on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
52
Hotel, motel, or motor court
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per sleeping unit; and additional regulations for restaurant/bar/conference room if accessory use open to general public
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
53
Incinerator
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
54
Junk storage and sales
1 space per employee on peak shift and 2 patron spaces
55
Juvenile detention center
1 space per employee on peak shift
56
Laboratory
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
57
Landfill (office)
1 space per 1,000 square feet and 1 space per employee on peak shift
58
Landscape nursery/retail sale of flowers, shrubbery and/or trees
1 space per 300 square feet of net floor area (indoor display) and 1 space per 1,000 square feet of outdoor display
1 berth
59
Light manufacturing and/or assembly facility
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
60
Liquor/beer store
1 space per 300 square feet of net floor area (indoor display) and 1 space per 1,000 square feet of outdoor display
1 berth
61
Lumber mill
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
62
Manufacturing
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
63
Medical clinic
5 spaces per doctor on duty
63.1
Medical marijuana dispensary
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
Less than 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
More than 20,000 square feet = 2 berths
63.2
Medical marijuana grower/processor
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000-60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
64
Mobile home park
1 1/2 spaces per mobile home (1 on lot and 1 within 300 feet of mobile home)
65
Municipal services center
Library: 1 space per 250 square feet of net floor area
As determined by the Township upon review
Museum: 1 space per 400 square feet of net floor area
As determined by the Township upon review
Township Building: 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area
As determined by the Township upon review
66
Nightclub
1 space per 50 square feet of public or net floor area and 1 space per employee on peak shift
67
Office (business, professional and/or public service)
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
Less than 40,000 square feet = 1 berth
Each additional 40,000 square feet = 1 berth
68
Office (medical)
3 spaces per exam room plus 1 per employee during peak shift
Less than 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
Each additional 40,000 square feet = 1 berth
69
Other towers (non-communications/non-water)
1 space per lot
70
Package-sorting facility
Greater of 1 space per 750 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on peak shift
As determined by the Township upon review
71
Park-and-ride facility
72
Parking garage/structure
73
Parking lot
74
Performance theater
1 space per 3 theater seats
75
Pharmacy
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
Less than 20,000 square feet = 1 berth
More than 20,000 square feet = 2 berths
76
Place of worship and/or assembly
1 space per 75 square feet of net floor area of largest assembly area or, for a theater, 1 space per 3 seats
As determined by the Township upon review
77
Planned nonresidential development
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
As determined by the Township upon review
78
Post office
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per service vehicle stored on lot
1 berth
79
Power plant
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per service vehicle stored on lot
1 berth
80
Private club
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
As determined by the Township upon review
81
Public park/open space, playground and municipal recreation facility
As determined by the Township
82
Public/private utility buildings
1 space per employee on peak shift and 1 space per service vehicle stored on lot
1 berth
83
Recreation facility, large-scale indoor (private and semiprivate)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
1 berth
84
Recreation facility, outdoor (private and semi-private)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
85
Recreation facility, small-scale indoor (private and semiprivate)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
86
Rectory
1 per bedroom
87
Rehabilitation facility
1 space per employee plus 0.5 space per bed
88
Rendering facility
1 space per 1,000 square feet and 1 space per employee on peak shift
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
89
Research-and-development facility
1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
90
Restaurant, high-turnover
1 space per 50 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
91
Restaurant, low-turnover
1 space per 2 patrons during peak seating and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
92
Restaurant, take-out
1 space per 50 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
93- 95
Retail store
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
96
School, academic
Elementary and junior high: 1 space per staff employee on peak shift and 1 space per classroom
Secondary and postsecondary: 1 space per staff and 4 spaces per classroom
97
School, commercial
1 space per 3 seats utilized at maximum capacity or 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater
98
Senior center
3 spaces per meeting room plus 1 space per employee
99
Sexually oriented business
1 space per 100 square feet
100
Shooting range, indoor
1 space per target plus 1 space per employee
101
Social service agency
1 space per employee
102
Storage facility (self-storage/portable storage)
1 space per 2 employees on peak shift and 1 space per 10 storage spaces
1 berth per each exterior door and 1 berth per 5 interior doors
103
Tavern
1 space per 50 square feet of public or net floor area and 1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
104
Tree farm/wholesale landscape nursery
1 space per 2 acres of production sales area
105
Truck terminal
As determined by the Township
106
Turnpike convenience facility
As determined by the Township
107
Vehicle rental facility
1 space per 3 vehicles rented plus 1 space per employee
1 berth
108 — 111
Vehicle repair, maintenance, service station and/or sales
1 space per 400 square feet of showroom space, 1 space per employee and 2 spaces per service bay
1 berth
112
Veterinary clinic/hospital
1 space per employee and 2 spaces per exam room
113
Vineyard/orchard
1 space per employee and 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area for public access
114
Warehouse
1 space per employee on peak shift or 0.5 space per 1,000 square feet (whichever is greater)
0 to 19,999 square feet = 1 berth
20,000 to 60,000 square feet = 2 berths
Each additional 60,000 square feet = 1 berth
115
Water tower
1 space per facility
116
Wholesale business
1 space per employee on peak shift
1 berth
117
Winery
1 space per 400 square feet of showroom space plus 1 space per employee
118
Woodworking or cabinetry business
1 space per 400 square feet of showroom space plus 1 space per employee
1 berth
119
Uses not listed (all other uses)
As determined by the Township upon review of parking study
As determined by the Township upon review
B. 
Handicap Parking Spaces. The number of handicap-accessible parking spaces shall be in accordance with the following table, unless otherwise defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or equivalent provisions. The percentage of van-accessible spaces shall also be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or equivalent provisions.
Table 8: Handicap Parking Spaces
Total Number of Spaces
Number of Handicap Spaces
Less than or equal to 100
4%
Greater than 100 but less than or equal to 200
4 plus 2% of the number over 100
Greater than 200 but less than or equal to 500
6 plus 1% of the number over 200
Greater than 500 but less than or equal to 1,000
2%
Greater than 1,000
20 plus 1% over 1,000
C. 
Parking in Residential Districts.
(1) 
Private off-street parking area shall be used exclusively for the parking of noncommercial vehicles and motorcycles owned and used by the occupants of the premises, including residents, tenants, employees and employers.
(2) 
Unenclosed private off-street parking of boats, vehicles operated for any commercial purpose or any use otherwise not typically associated with a private residence, construction implements, recreational vehicles and/or trailers owned and used by the occupants of the premises, including residents, tenants, employees and employers, shall not be permitted for more than an aggregate of 72 hours in any three-month period. After such time, the vehicle, implement and/or trailer shall either be moved from the lot or parked in an enclosed area on the lot where the vehicle, implement and/or trailer is not visible from any adjoining property, public sidewalk, street, way or right-of-way.
(3) 
No such item as identified in Subsection C(2) shall be stored outside on a residential lot unless it is in condition for safe and working performance of its intended function. Items shall not be parked in such a manner as to create a dangerous or unsafe condition on the lot where stored or parked, and they must be supported to retard tipping or rolling.
(4) 
Private off-street parking areas in excess of 500 square feet shall be located within building setback lines and enclosed by Buffer Yard C, as set forth in § 27-509, and shall be graded for proper drainage. That portion of a driveway which is needed in order provide vehicular access to a garage shall not be considered a private off-street parking area.
(5) 
In no case shall a private off-street parking area exceed the total footprint of the principal building.
D. 
General Requirements for Off-Street Loading.
(1) 
For retail and service commercial uses and apartment buildings that do not accommodate large trucks (registered maximum gross vehicle weight of 40,000 pounds or more), each loading space shall be at least 12 feet by 35 feet in dimension with a clear height of 14 feet six inches. For all industrial uses, large product commercial uses (car sales, major appliance and furniture, etc.), planned nonresidential development, and office buildings that accommodate trucks with a registered maximum gross vehicle weight of 40,000 pounds or more, each loading space shall be at least 14 feet by 60 feet in dimension with a clear height of 15 feet. All other uses with loading should provide a ten-foot by twenty-five-foot loading space with a clear height of eight feet.
(2) 
Maneuvering space shall be provided adjacent to the loading area, if necessary, so that vehicles may change direction and leave as well as enter the loading area moving in a forward direction. Public roads adjacent to a loading area shall not be used for maneuvering. Areas established for off-street parking shall not be utilized for off-street loading or vehicle repair work.
(3) 
Where there are multiple uses within a development, shared loading areas shall be used among as many uses as practical. Loading areas shall be adjacent to the use or building served; except that, in a group of buildings in the same use on the same lot, one building may be designated to receive and dispatch goods, provided that the total applicable floor area in all buildings on the lot is aggregated in determining the total required loading spaces.
(4) 
Whenever a use is enlarged or changed, the additional loading required to serve such enlargement or change shall be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(5) 
Loading areas and adjacent maneuvering space shall be surfaced with a permanent all-weather material placed over at least six inches of well-compacted base course, capable of bearing the weight of vehicles ordinarily traveling over or parking upon the surface, and shall be sloped to assure positive drainage to an approved stormwater management facility.
(6) 
Loading areas may be lighted, but such lighting shall not create glare conditions on adjacent residential properties or streets.
(7) 
Access to the loading area on any lot shall be via a road or lane at least 12 feet in width for one-way traffic or 22 feet wide for two-way use, with a clearance of at least 14 feet six inches its entire length.
(8) 
When a loading area is to occur on a lot that abuts a residential zoning district, the edges of such loading area between the residential zone and the loading area uninterrupted by buildings or screening topography shall be planted in accordance with the buffer yards defined by this chapter. A solid fence or wall at least 6 1/2 feet in height may be constructed in lieu of hedging as required by the buffer yard requirements, provided that such fence or wall is maintained in good condition.
(9) 
Nothing in this section shall compel uses existing prior to passage of this chapter to comply with these loading requirements, except that any additions or intensifications of use upon the same lot shall be provided with loading areas in accordance with these requirements.
E. 
Review and Approval of Parking and/or Loading Applications.
(1) 
Any proposal for constructing or expanding a building or changing its use shall be accompanied by a plan to provide off-street parking and/or loading in accordance with this chapter, as a condition of receiving approval for a building or occupancy permit.
(2) 
The Zoning Officer, in addition to satisfying himself that the requirements of this chapter are met, shall also determine that safe access to parking and/or loading areas is provided and that advantage is given the pedestrian in the parking area.
(3) 
The submission shall show on a scaled drawing the layout of the parking and/or loading areas, including each parking and/or loading space, access lanes, stop bars and/or curbs, circulation in truck maneuvering area, lighting, sidewalks, proposed grading at two-foot contour intervals, storm inlets, stormwater management facility to existing drainageway or storm sewer, location of buildings on the lot, access from the public highway and section through the pavement and base showing construction and materials.