(a)

Parking spaces for all dwellings shall be located on the same lot with the main building.

(b)

Parking spaces for other uses shall be provided on the same lot or not more than 300 feet distance, measured along the nearest pedestrian walkway.

(c)

Parking requirements for two or more uses of the same or different types may be satisfied by the allocation of the required number of spaces for each use in a common parking facility, provided, that the total number of spaces is not less than the sum of the individual requirements and that the requirements of location are complied with.

(d)

Parking spaces for dwelling structures shall be located back of the building line.

(e)

Areas reserved for off-street parking or loading shall not be reduced in area or changed to any other use unless the permitted use which it serves is discontinued or modified, or unless equivalent parking or loading is provided on another approved site or parking structure to the satisfaction of the city manager.

(f)

Lighting facilities shall be so arranged that light is reflected away from adjacent properties.

(g)

Along lot lines of a parking area which abut a residential district, a dense planting of trees and shrubs shall be established on a strip of land not less than eight feet in width adjacent to the districts, and such planting shall not be less than six feet in height and a substantial bumper rail of wood, metal, or concrete shall be installed on the inside of the planting strip except where topography or other conditions would make the bumper rail unnecessary.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

All off-street parking, loading, and service areas shall be constructed of concrete or asphalt or other approved materials suitable for the purpose. All such areas shall be at all times maintained at the expense of the owners thereof, in a clean, orderly, and dust-free condition. No gravel or dirt areas shall be allowed.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

All off-street parking, loading, and service areas shall be separated from walkways, sidewalks, and streets by curbing or other suitable protective device. Curbing and other protection devices must be set back a minimum of three feet to prevent vehicle overhang.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

Parking stalls shall have a minimum width of nine feet and length of 18 feet. There shall be provided adequate interior driveways to connect each parking space with a public right-of-way. Interior driveways shall be at least 24 feet wide where used with 90-degree angle parking, at least 18 feet wide where used with 60-degree angle parking, at least 13 feet wide where used with 45-degree parking, and at least 12 feet wide where used with parallel parking, or where there is no parking, interior driveways shall be at least ten feet wide for one-way traffic movement and at least 20 feet wide for two-way traffic movement.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

Each off-street parking space shall be clearly marked, and pavement directional arrows or signs shall be provided in each travel way wherever necessary. Markers, directional arrows and signs shall be properly maintained so as to ensure awareness of motorists.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

No sign, whether permanent or temporary, shall be placed within the public right-of-way. Signs and planting strips shall be arranged so that they do not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

For each 20 parking spaces there shall be required adjacent to the parking spaces three canopy trees, two understory trees and six shrubs. All plant materials required herein shall meet the following minimum size standards when planted:

Canopy tree—12 feet in height.

Understory tree—Four feet in height.

Shrub—One foot in height.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

For uses not specifically listed, the off-street parking requirements shall be those of the most similar use. Gross leasable area (GLA) is the total building floor area in square feet that a developer may lease. Gross floor area (GFA) is the sum of the areas of several floors of a building, including all areas for human occupancy, as measured from the interior faces of the walls, but excluding unenclosed porches, interior parking spaces, or any space where the floor to ceiling height is less than six feet, six inches.

(a)

Computation. When determination of the number of off-street parking spaces required by this ordinance results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction in excess of one-half shall be counted as one parking space.

(b)

Handicapped parking. Parking for the handicapped within a nonresidential district shall be provided at a size, number, and location according to the requirements of the Georgia Handicapped Accessibility Code.

(c)

In lieu of the specific standards shown in Table 6.8, a detailed parking study that evaluates site-specific circumstances and demand or off-site parking relative to any uses or combination of uses, may be considered valid at the discretion of the code enforcement officer. The board of zoning appeals shall mediate indecision by the code enforcement officer.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

On the same premises with every building, structure or part thereof, erected and occupied for manufacturing, storage, warehouse, truck freight terminal, goods display, department store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other uses similarly involving the receipt or distribution of vehicles, materials, or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot of adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services in order to avoid undue interference with public use of the streets and alleys.

(a)

Such loading and unloading space, unless otherwise adequately provided for, shall be an area 12 feet by 50 feet, with 15 feet height clearance, and shall be provided according to the following schedule.

(b)

Off-street loading spaces shall be provided as appropriate to the functions and scope of operation of individual or groups of buildings and uses.

(c)

Off-street loading spaces shall be designed and constructed so that all maneuvering to park and unpark is within the property lines of the premises. Loading spaces shall be provided so as not to interfere with the free, normal movement of vehicles and pedestrian on public rights-of-way.

TABLE 6.8
Minimum Off-Street Parking

Requirements by Uses

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

Commercial vehicles and trailers of all types, including travel, boat, camping and hauling shall not be parked or stored on any lot occupied by a dwelling or any lot in any residential district except in accordance with the following requirements:

(a)

No more than one commercial vehicle per dwelling shall be permitted, and in no case shall a commercial vehicle used for hauling explosives, gasoline, or liquefied petroleum products, hazardous chemicals, or commercial waste be permitted.

(b)

A commercial vehicle shall be of a size no greater than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

(c)

Travel trailers, hauling trailers, or boat trailers shall be permitted if parked or stored behind the front yard building line or in the confines of a building.

(d)

A travel trailer shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area except a travel trailer park authorized under this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

(a)

Title. This section shall be referred to as the City of Ringgold Engine Braking Ordinance.

(b)

Definitions.

(1)

Engine braking means:

a.

The utilization of any mechanical device which uses a motor vehicle's exhaust to aid in the braking, slowing, stopping, or deceleration of the motor vehicle; or

b.

The utilization of a "jake brake," retarder, or compression release brake to aid in the braking, slowing, stopping, or deceleration of a motor vehicle.

(2)

Emergency means a situation in which no other means is available to avoid an imminent collision with another vehicle, person, or property.

(3)

Excessively loud noise means a sound generated by engine braking which is audible to a person of ordinary hearing at least 100 feet away from the vehicle which is the source of said sound.

(c)

Prohibition on engine braking resulting in an excessively loud noise in the incorporated City of Ringgold. It shall be unlawful, while on any public road, street, or highway in the city limits, except in the case of an emergency, for the operator of a motor vehicle to engage in engine braking which results in an excessively loud noise.

(d)

Violation and penalties.

(1)

Any person charged with violating the Engine Braking Ordinance shall be tried in the Municipal Court in accordance with the provisions of this Code. Prosecution for such violations shall be upon citation issued and served upon the accused violator by the Ringgold Police Department.

(2)

Any person convicted of a violation of the Engine Braking Ordinance shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 per offense or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six months, or by both fine and imprisonment, as provided by O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60. Each act in violation of this Engine Braking Ordinance shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. No. 2023-1113-01, § 1, 11-13-23)