Seward City Zoning Code
PART 6
Parking and Loading Regulations
§ 410-34.1 Purpose.
The off-street parking regulations require that developments provide parking in proportion to the need created by each use. The regulations further establish standards for the functional design of parking facilities. These regulations are intended to accommodate vehicles in a functionally satisfactory manner and to minimize external effects on neighboring properties.
§ 410-34.2 Applicability; exemptions.
A.
Applicability. Off-street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed; for new uses or conversions of existing buildings; or for enlargements of existing structures.
B.
Exemptions. Any use within the CBD Downtown Seward District is exempt from the off-street parking requirements. Any off-street parking facility constructed in the CBD District after the effective date of this chapter must comply with the design standards set forth in this article.
§ 410-34.3 Schedule of off-street parking requirements.
A.
Parking facilities for each use shall be provided in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in Table 34A.
B.
Computation.
(1)
When a computation of required parking results in a fraction of 0.5 or greater, the requirement shall be rounded up to the next whole number. Any parking computation for any use other than single-family residential and requiring such a calculation shall have a minimum requirement of three parking stalls.
(2)
Unless otherwise indicated, parking requirements are based on gross floor area.
(3)
When parking requirements are computed on the basis of capacity, capacity shall be determined by the Building Code or other official determinations of occupancy in effect for the City of Seward at the time the use is established.[1]
Table 34A: Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Agricultural Use Types | |
Horticulture | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of sales area |
Crop/Animal production | No requirement |
Residential Use Types | |
Single-family residential | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Duplex residential | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Multifamily residential | 1.5 spaces per efficiency or 1-bedroom unit; 2 spaces per 2-bedroom unit; 2.5 spaces for 3-or-more bedroom unit |
Downtown residential | No requirement |
Group residential or boardinghouse | 1 space for each resident |
Mobile home residential | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Retirement residence | 1.5 spaces per independent-living unit; 0.5 space per assisted-living unit |
Civic Use Types | |
Administration | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Cemetery | No requirement |
Clubs | 1 space per 4-person capacity in largest assembly area |
College/University | 1 space per 3 full-time students, except as otherwise provided in a U/MU District |
Convalescent services | 1 space per 4 beds |
Cultural services | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Day-care services | 1 space per 5-person capacity + 1 space per employee of largest shift |
Group-care facility | 1 space per 4-person capacity + 1 space per employee of largest shift |
Group home | 1 space per 4-person capacity + 1 space per employee of largest shift |
Guidance services | 1 space per 300 square feet |
Health care | 1 space per 300 square feet + 1 space per employee of largest shift |
Hospitals | 1 space per 2 beds + 1 space per employee of the largest shift |
Maintenance facilities | See Schedule A |
Parks and recreation | Established by an approved site master plan |
Postal facilities | See Schedule A |
Primary education | 1 space per employee of largest shift + 10 stalls for visitors |
Public assembly | 1 space per 4-person capacity |
Religious assembly | 1 space per 4-person capacity in largest assembly area |
Safety services | 1 space per employee of maximum shift + 1 stall per 1,000 square feet |
Secondary education | 1 space per employee of maximum shift + 1 space for each 3 11th and 12th grade students |
Utilities | 1 space per employee of maximum shift |
Commercial Use Types | |
Agricultural sales/service | See Schedule A |
Auto and equipment rental and sales, equipment repair | See Schedule A |
Auto service* | 4 times service capacity |
Body repair* | 5 spaces per repair stall |
Business support services | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Campground | 1 space per camping unit |
Cocktail lounge | 1 space per 50 square feet of customer service area |
Commercial recreation | 1 space per 4-person capacity; for bowling alleys, 4 spaces per lane |
Communication services | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Construction sales | See Schedule A |
Consumer services | 1 space per 200 square feet |
Convenience storage | 1 space per 20 storage units |
Equipment sales/service | See Schedule A |
Food sales (all types) | 1 space per 200 square feet |
General retail services | 1 space per 200 square feet |
Liquor sales | 1 space per 200 square feet |
Lodging, bed-and-breakfast | 1 space per unit |
Personal improvement | 1 space per 200 square feet |
Personal services | 1 space per 250 square feet |
Pet services | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Restaurants (drive-in) | 1 space per 50 square feet of customer service area |
Restaurants (general) | 1 space per 3-person capacity in dining area |
Stables; kennels | 1 space per employee + 1 stall per 5,000 square feet of site area |
Surplus sales | See Schedule A |
Trade services | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Travel centers | 1 space per 200 square feet in building + 1 space for each fueling station |
Truck stop | 1 space per 200 square feet in building + 1 space for each fueling station |
Veterinary services | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Office Use Types | |
Corporate offices | 1 space per 250 square feet |
General offices | 1 space per 250 square feet |
Financial services | 1 space per 250 square feet |
Medical offices | Greater of 1 space per 250 square feet or 5 spaces per staff doctor or dentist on duty |
Miscellaneous Use Types | |
Broadcasting tower | See Schedule A |
Nonputrescible landfill | See Schedule A |
All landfills | See Schedule A |
Industrial Use Types | |
Agricultural industries | See Schedule A |
Light industry | See Schedule A |
General industry | See Schedule A |
Heavy industry | See Schedule A |
Railroad facilities | See Schedule A |
Resource extraction | 1 space per employee on largest shift |
Salvage services | See Schedule A |
Warehousing | See Schedule A |
Construction yards | See Schedule A |
Note: | |
* | Auto service and body repair subject to other restrictions applicable under this chapter. |
Schedule A | |
|---|---|
This schedule sets forth minimum off-street parking requirements for uses with elements that have different functions and operating characteristics. | |
Function of Element | Requirement |
Office or administration | 1 space per 300 square feet |
Indoor sales, display or service area | 1 space per 500 square feet |
Outdoor sales, display or service area | 1 space per 2,000 square feet |
Equipment servicing or manufacturing | 1 space per 1,000 square feet |
Indoor or outdoor storage or warehousing | 1 space per 5,000 square feet |
§ 410-34.4 Parking facility location.
A.
Residential parking.
(1)
With the exception of downtown residential uses, off-street parking for residential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use.
(2)
Off-street parking areas for any multifamily or group residential uses shall be at least six feet from any main building.
[Amended 4-16-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12]
(3)
For multifamily residential uses, separately leased detached garages may not be used to satisfy parking requirements for such use. Parking incorporated into the design of multifamily buildings, or within parking structures, shall be counted toward fulfillment of parking requirements.
B.
Nonresidential parking. Off-street parking for nonresidential uses shall be located on the same lot or site as the use, or within 300 feet of that use if the parking site is within a zoning district that permits the off-street parking use type. Control of ownership or use rights to the remote off-street parking must be demonstrated as a condition of permission.
§ 410-34.5 Parking for people with disabilities.
A.
Each off-street parking facility shall provide the number of parking spaces set forth in Table 34B, designed and designated for use by people with disabilities. Every eighth parking space shall be van-accessible. Design criteria and dimensions shall be in accordance with Federal Register, Volume 56, No. 144. Parking facilities for single-family, duplex, two-family, and mobile home residential uses are exempt from this requirement.
B.
Spaces designated for people with disabilities shall have a minimum width of 12 feet. Each handicapped space shall provide a barrier-free route to an accessible building entrance, which shall not require users to walk or wheel behind parked cars. Such spaces shall be designated with an upright sign exhibiting the universal symbol for accessibility by the handicapped. All such spaces shall be designed in compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Table 34B Accessible Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Number of Stalls | Number of Required Accessible Spaces |
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 |
1,001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100 stalls over 1,000 |
§ 410-34.6 Off-street parking design standards.
A.
Dimensions.
(1)
Standard parking stalls shall be nine feet wide and 18 feet long.
(2)
Where parking stalls are located adjacent to landscaped areas, the paved depth of such stalls may be decreased by two feet to provide for a vehicle overhang area. The vehicle overhang area may not encroach into a required landscaped area or public sidewalk or right-of-way.
 |
B.
Pavement and drainage.
(1)
All off-street parking facilities, including approaches and maneuvering areas, shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, asphaltic concrete, or brick and shall be maintained with materials sufficient to prevent mud, dust, or loose material, except as provided below:
(2)
Off-street parking facilities shall be designed and built to prevent the free flow of water onto adjacent properties. Parking lot design which discharges water onto a public right-of-way is subject to review and approval by the Public Works Director.
C.
Landscape and screening requirements. Landscape requirements for off-street parking facilities are set forth in § 410-33.8.
D.
Entrances and exits.
(1)
Adequate access to each parking facility shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited driveways or access points. Such driveways shall be designed to direct nonresidential traffic away from residential areas.
(2)
Parking facilities other than driveways for single-family, duplex, two-family, or mobile home residential uses must permit vehicles to enter streets in a forward position.
(3)
Head-in parking from any public right-of-way shall be permitted only in the CBD District, or as part of a specific planned unit development design.
E.
Design and pedestrian access.
(1)
Parking lots providing over 200 stalls should be divided into smaller parking fields not exceeding 100 stalls to reduce the visual impact of large parking expanses. Divisions should be made with landscape strips, peninsulas or grade changes.
(2)
Commercial or office parking lots shall be designed to separate pedestrians from vehicles to the maximum degree possible and to provide protected pedestrian paths within parking areas which lead to store, building or shopping center entrances.
(3)
Sidewalks and walkways in commercial developments should link to the City's sidewalk and trail system where available, and shall provide a safe pedestrian route from adjacent public sidewalks and trails.
F.
Safety features.
(1)
Parking facilities shall be designed to provide visibility of and between pedestrians and vehicles when circulating within or entering or leaving the facility; and shall not create blind, hidden or hazardous areas.
(2)
Circulation patterns shall be designed in accord with accepted standards of traffic engineering and safety.
G.
Maintenance. All parking facilities shall be maintained to assure the continued usefulness and compatibility of the facility. Acceptable maintenance includes keeping the facility free of refuse, debris, and litter; maintaining parking surfaces in sound condition; and providing proper care of landscaped areas.
H.
Adjustment for conditional uses and planned mixed-use projects.[1]
(1)
For uses subject to a conditional use permit approval, the Planning Commission may adjust the minimum requirements of this article, in order to provide design, usability, attractiveness, or protection to adjoining uses in a manner equal to or greater than the minimum requirements of this article.
(2)
In mixed-use projects, different uses may have complementary parking requirements. This can result in a parking requirement that is less than the sum of parking required for each use added separately. The Planning Commission may authorize an adjustment to the total parking requirement for separate uses located as part of a common development, or for separate uses located on adjacent sites and served by common parking facilities. All parking facilities subject to the mixed-use adjustment must be located in a common facility, equally accessible and usable to all served uses.
§ 410-34.7 Bicycle parking.
A.
Parking requirements.
(1)
Each parking facility providing 50 spaces or more shall provide parking accommodations for bicycles as provided by the Table 34C:[1]
Table 34C Bicycle Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Number of Parking Stalls | Required Bicycle Spaces |
50 to 100 | 5 |
101 to 150 | 8 |
151 to 200 | 10 |
Over 200 | 2 additional spaces for each 50 parking stalls |
(2)
Bicycle parking facilities shall include bicycle racks secured to prevent easy removal, bicycle lockers, or bicycle posts or bollards expressly designed for secure storage.
(3)
The location of bicycle parking facilities shall be at least as convenient to the main entrance of the primary use as the most convenient automobile parking not reserved for use by disabled people.
(4)
Bicycle parking should be located to prevent hazards or obstructions to the normal flow of pedestrians into a use.
§ 410-34.8 Off-street loading.
A.
Loading requirement. In any district with every building or part thereof hereafter erected, having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with such building at least one off-street loading space plus one additional such loading space for each 20,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area, so used, in excess of 10,000 square feet.
B.
Design standards.
(1)
Each loading space shall be at least 12 feet wide by 40 feet long, with a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet.
(2)
Paving of loading spaces and access areas shall be permanent, durable, and free of dust.
(3)
Off-street loading areas are subject to the landscaping and buffering requirements for parking facilities set forth in this article.
C.
Schedule of loading spaces. Loading spaces for each use requiring them shall be provided in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in Table 34D.
Table 34D Off-Street Loading Requirements | |
|---|---|
Gross Floor Area of Use (square feet) | Number of Required Loading Spaces |
5,000 or less | None |
5,001 to 25,000 | 1 |
25,001 to 75,000 | 2 |
Larger than 75,000 | 3 |
§ 410-34.9 Stacking requirements for drive-through services.
A.
Commercial establishments providing drive-in or drive-through services shall provide minimum on-site stacking distance as provided by Table 34E.[1]
Table 34E Off-Street Stacking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Type of Operation | Minimum Stacking Space |
Financial services with drive-up teller | 4 vehicles per window or kiosk |
Financial services with drive-up ATM | 3 vehicles per ATM station |
Self-service or automatic car wash | Entrance: 3 vehicles per bay Exit: 1 vehicle per bay |
Fast-food restaurant* | Without menu boards: 3 vehicles in front of service windows With separate menu boards and service windows: 4 vehicles behind the menu board plus 4 behind the first service window |
Photo processing, dry cleaning, or other drive-up personal services | 2 vehicles per service window |
Gas stations | 2 vehicles per gas dispenser pump |
Gated parking lot, community entrance or overhead door | 1 vehicle per gate or door on local streets 2 vehicles per gate or door on collector streets |
Conveyor-operated auto washing facility | Entrance: 5 vehicles Exit: 2 vehicles |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
Minimum vehicle lane shall be 12 feet wide; vehicle length = 20 feet. | |
* | May be increased based on site plan review. |
B.
The City Council may approve a reduced number of parking spaces for a specific projects after receiving the recommendation of the Zoning Administrator, provided that the applicant presents a plot plan demonstrating that an area on site is reserved for the designated number of spaces as required by code and agrees to improve that area for parking within 60 days of the time the Council deems such parking shall be improved.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, regarding drive-through services, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 1-21-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-4.
§ 410-34.10 Parking for major recreational vehicles.
[Amended 5-18-2004 by Ord. No. 12-04]
A.
Applicability. For purposes of these regulations, "major recreational equipment" shall include boats and boat trailers and travel trailers, 20 feet or more in length and six feet in height, recreational vehicles, pick-up campers or coaches (designed to be mounted on automotive vehicles) and motorized dwellings. Recreational vehicles include a vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use, designed to be self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. Trucks, tractor cab units, trailers, and vehicles over 10 tons' gross empty weight shall be defined as "heavy commercial vehicles." (See § 410-34.11.)[1]
B.
Location of parking for major recreational equipment.
(1)
During the period from December 1 to April 1 of the following year, all major recreational equipment parked in a residential zoning district shall be parked or stored in a carport or enclosed building; or behind the line of the nearest portion of the primary building on the site to the street. Major recreational equipment may be parked in the front yard for a period of up to 48 hours for loading or unloading.
(2)
During the balance of the year, major recreational equipment may be parked outside of an enclosed structure or carport in the required front yard on a concrete driveway or its equivalent at least two feet behind the sidewalk. In the absence of a sidewalk or if the sidewalk is adjacent to the curb, equipment shall be parked a minimum of 16 feet behind the curb and with the following conditions:
(a)
Space is unavailable in the rear yard or outside the side yard and there is no reasonable access to either the rear yard or side yards. A corner lot is always considered to have reasonable access to the rear yard; a fence is never considered to prevent reasonable access.
(b)
Enclosed parking is not possible in conformance with the requirements of the district.
(c)
Parking is permitted for storage only. No equipment shall be used for dwelling purposes for more than 14 days in any calendar year, and cooking is not permitted at any time.
(d)
Equipment may not be permanently connected to utility lines, including sewer, water, gas, or electricity. Equipment may be connected to electrical supply temporarily to charge batteries.
(e)
Equipment shall not be used for the storage of goods, materials, or equipment other than those items considered to be part of the unit or essential for its immediate use.
(f)
The unit may be parked anywhere on the premises during loading and unloading, and the use of electricity and water is permitted when necessary to prepare the unit for use.
(g)
The unit shall be owned by the resident of the property where the unit is parked for storage.
(h)
Visitor parking may be allowed for a period of up to seven days.
(3)
Major recreational equipment shall not be parked on public rights-of-way except for a reasonable period for the loading and unloading of vehicles. ("Reasonable period of time" shall be defined as not to exceed 48 hours) in a ten-day period.
§ 410-34.11 Parking of heavy commercial vehicles.
[Added 5-18-2004 by Ord. No. 12-04]
Parking and storage of heavy commercial vehicles within residential districts is subject to the following additional conditions. These conditions are in addition to those requirements for the parking of major recreational equipment.
A.
Parking for heavy commercial vehicles in residential districts is subject to the approval of a conditional use permit by the City Council.
B.
Parking for heavy commercial vehicles is permitted only in the following locations:
(1)
In street yards behind the required front yard and/or street side yard setback line for the zoning district.
(2)
In side yards outside of the required side yard setback lines for the zoning district.
(3)
In yards outside of the required side yard setback lines for the zoning district.
The City Council may impose additional restrictions on such parking as part of the terms of its conditional use permit approval.
C.
Exception for construction. The parking regulations set forth herein shall not apply to heavy commercial vehicles used by contractors or subcontractors, while construction is in progress.
§ 410-34.12 Temporary parking lots.
[Added 12-7-2004 by Ord. No. 38-04]
A developer may apply to the City Council for a waiver of surfacing requirements as outlined in § 410-34.6 for a period not to exceed two years.