The purpose of this Article is to regulate the location, design and quantity of off-street parking and loading facilities for every use located in the City of South Fulton.

The conditions of zoning or Administrative Permit, as applicable and as described in this Section, establish the limits of shared parking requirements among uses and properties, and the City shall not require any contractual relationship among property owners.

See Section 603.02(b) above.

Note: The minimums required in this Section may be less than the requirements necessary to accommodate a landscape area or buffer requirement of Article 4.

(a)

Every use shall be served by off-street parking spaces as specified in this Article in order to:

(1)

Accommodate the use's occupants, employees, visitors, or patrons;

(2)

Relieve traffic congestion in the streets;

(3)

Minimize any detrimental effects of off-street parking areas on adjacent properties; and

(4)

Ensure the proper and uniform development of parking areas throughout the city.

(b)

Parking spaces shall serve only the designated use and shall be located on the same lot as the use unless another location is authorized in accordance with other provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.

(c)

All required parking spaces must be located on an all-weather surface as defined in this Ordinance.

(d)

Dedicated parking spaces shall be used for the parking of motor vehicles only unless otherwise specified in this Ordinance.

(e)

Areas designated for temporary occupancy of vehicles while maneuvering on a site, such as queuing lanes for a drive-in window, are not considered parking spaces.

(f)

No required parking shall be allowed in any required landscape area or buffer.

(a)

The minimum number of required off-street parking spaces for principal uses required shall be determined by Table 6-1.

(b)

Calculation of parking spaces.

(1)

Parking requirements shall be calculated based on the proportion that each use contributes to the total.

(2)

All areas are expressed in gross square feet of building area unless ground area or some other measure is specified.

(3)

Any fraction of one-half or larger shall constitute a whole.

(4)

A bench seat shall consist of 18 inches.

(c)

For uses not specifically mentioned in Table 6-1, the requirements for off-street parking and loading facilities shall be determined by the Director of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs.

(d)

See also Article 3 for parking requirements pertaining to certain temporary uses.

Table 6-1 Minimum Off-Street Parking Spaces Required by Principal Use

(Ord. No. 2024-034, § 2, 9-24-2024)

The Director of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs may authorize a reduction in the total number of parking spaces constructed on a site to no less than 90 percent of the basic requirement when all of following conditions are met:

(a)

The request for reduction in parking shall show that the reduction is justified on the basis of characteristics unique to the specific proposed use of the property in contrast to the characteristics of other uses within the same category.

(b)

Adequate land area for meeting the basic parking requirement is located on and designed for the site whether at grade or in parking decks. The unconstructed portion of the parking shall be clearly delineated and labeled "Future Parking" on the site plan.

(c)

Prior to granting the reduction in total parking spaces constructed, the CDRA Director shall conclude that the reduction is justified, and shall approve, in whole or in part, or deny the request stating the reasons therefore in the report.

(d)

If the CDRA Director finds that the parking reduction is no longer justified, the Director shall notify the owner to construct the number of parking spaces necessary to meet the required level.

(e)

Prior to any change in ownership or use, the owner must apply to the CDRA Director for an evaluation and confirmation of the reduction.

(a)

New commercial, mixed use, multi-family, and industrial developments which exceed nine off-street parking spaces shall provide dedicated parking spaces for electric vehicles as follows:

(1)

At least one parking space for electric vehicles shall be provided in parking lots having 10—25 parking spaces; and

(2)

At least one parking space for electric vehicles shall be provided for each additional 25 parking spaces.

(b)

Commercial, mixed use, multi-family, and industrial redevelopments which exceed nine off-street parking spaces shall provide dedicated parking spaces for electric vehicles spaces in accordance with the requirements under subsection (a) above. Compliance with this subsection (b) is required for redevelopment projects where site work and/or repaving of existing parking areas and driveways (greater than nine parking spaces) exceeds 50 percent of the existing impervious surface area.

(c)

Electric vehicle parking spaces may be counted toward satisfying minimum off-street parking space requirements of Table 6-1 Minimum Off-Street Parking Spaces Required by Principal Use.

(d)

See Section 605.05 below for electric vehicle parking space design requirements.

The standards for shared parking in this Section may be utilized for any of the combinations of uses shown under Section 603.03 below on any number of mixed-use or multi-tenant properties when approval is reflected in the conditions of zoning for each such property.

(a)

Provisions are provided for shared parking requirements in Article 3 to address with an Administrative Permit those circumstances where shared parking was not approved concurrently with the rezoning.

(b)

An Administrative Permit for locating required parking off-site may also be considered in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.

(a)

The standards for determining shared parking requirements are:

(1)

Determine the minimum amount of parking required for each separate use.

(2)

Multiply each parking requirement by the corresponding percentage for each of the time periods given below.

(3)

Calculate the column total parking requirement for each time period.

(4)

The largest column total is the shared parking requirement.

(b)

Example.

(1)

Properties proposed for individual uses would require the following number of parking spaces:

a.

Office = 300 spaces

b.

Retail = 280 spaces

c.

Entertainment = 100 spaces

d.

Total = 680 spaces

(2)

Properties proposed for multiple uses under the provisions for shared parking would require the following number of parking spaces:

(3)

Thus, 508 spaces would be needed for this development, a reduction of 172 spaces or 25 percent.

(a)

Aisles serving off-street parking shall be no fewer than 22 feet in width, except that aisles designed for one-way circulation systems shall be no fewer than 14 feet in width for zero-to-45-degree parking, 18 feet in width for 46-to-60-degree parking and 22 feet in width for 61-to-90-degree parking.

(b)

A standard parking space shall measure no fewer than 153 square feet and shall be no fewer than 8.5 feet wide.

(c)

Twenty percent of the total parking spaces may be designated as compact car spaces. A compact space shall measure a minimum of 120 square feet with a minimum width of eight feet. Each compact space shall be clearly marked.

(d)

No part of a vehicle shall overhang into a landscaped portion of a required landscape area.

Parking spaces designed for handicap persons shall be provided in accordance with Georgia and Federal law.

Landscaped islands shall be provided throughout parking lots in accordance with the requirements of Article 4 of this Ordinance.

Driveways may be shared in all districts.

(a)

Electric vehicle parking spaces shall be delineated by green parking lot markings and shall be maintained at the lot owner's expense.

(b)

The following requirements shall apply to electric vehicle parking spaces that have a charging station:

(1)

One sign for each electric vehicle parking space shall be erected and maintained at the lot owner's expense. The sign shall be designed in accordance with United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for electric vehicle charging stations to ensure parking in the space is limited to electric vehicles that are being charged.

(2)

Electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be designed and located so as to not impede pedestrian, bicycle or wheelchair movement or create trip or other safety hazards.

(3)

Wheel stops, bollards, or similar devices shall be installed to separate vehicles from EVSE.

(4)

The installation of EVSE should not reduce the electric vehicle charging station's length to below the size and standards required under Section 605.01.

(5)

Installation of EVSE shall meet National Electric Code requirements.

(6)

Electrical vehicle supply equipment shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the equipment.

(a)

Within single-family dwelling districts and the AG-1 zoning district when utilized for a single-family dwelling, the parking or storage of vehicles shall be prohibited except on parking spaces as defined in this Ordinance.

(1)

Off-site location of required parking spaces is prohibited.

(2)

Unenclosed parking spaces may occupy a side yard, and no more than 50 percent of a required rear yard.

(3)

A maximum of two spaces may be allowed adjoining the entrance to a front entry garage or carport, or adjoining the end of a driveway whenever no garage or carport exists.

(4)

Garage and carport spaces may count toward the minimum required spaces in single-family districts, with the exception that no more than two such spaces may offset the minimum parking requirements in a single-family residential zoning district.

(b)

Within the AG-1 zoning district and single-family residential zoning districts when utilized for other than a single-family dwelling, the parking or storage of vehicles shall be located in accordance with the O-I District requirements stated in Section 606.05 below.

(a)

Individually subdivided parcels shall adhere to single-family district standards except that no off-street parking or driveways shall be located within ten feet of any perimeter lot line.

(b)

Garage carport spaces count toward the minimum required spaces in the TR District.

(a)

No off-street parking shall be allowed within the required setback for the front yard and the side corner yard.

(b)

Driveways shall not be located nearer than ten feet to any side or rear property line.

(c)

No off-street parking space shall be located within 25 feet of any side or rear property line adjacent to a single-family dwelling district or use, nor within ten feet of any other property line.

(d)

TR District requirements shall apply to single family detached units constructed within the A District.

(a)

No off-street parking shall be allowed within the required setback for the front yard and the side corner yard.

(b)

Driveways shall not be located nearer than ten feet to any side or rear property line.

(c)

No off-street parking space shall be located within 25 feet of any side or rear property line adjacent to a single-family dwelling district or use, nor within ten feet of any other property line.

(a)

No off-street parking shall be allowed within the required setback for the front yard and the side corner yard.

(b)

No off-street parking shall be allowed within 25 feet of any property line which adjoins a single-family residential district or use.

(c)

Off-street loading areas shall be provided in the rear or interior side yards.

(a)

The off-street parking location regulations for dwellings, schools, institutions and similar uses are the same as for those uses in the A District.

(b)

Uses allowed in commercial districts other than those devoted to dwellings, schools, institutions, and similar uses shall provide no off-street parking within 25 feet of any property line that adjoins a residential district or use.

(c)

Off-street loading areas shall be provided in the rear or interior side yards. Minimums required in this subsection may be less than the requirements necessary to accommodate a landscape area or buffer required in Article 4.

(a)

The off-street parking location regulations for dwellings, schools, institutions and similar uses are the same as for those uses in the A District.

(b)

Uses devoted to manufacturing, warehousing, commercial and other uses allowed in industrial districts shall provide no off-street parking within 25 feet of any property line which adjoins a residential use or district.

(a)

The visible storage or parking of more than four vehicles at a single-family residence shall be unlawful.

(b)

Parking or storage of a junk or salvage vehicle shall constitute an unlawful use except that no more than two such vehicles shall be allowed if parked or stored in a garage or carport not visible from a street or adjacent residential property, or as regulated by the International Property Maintenance Code if said code is more restrictive.

(c)

Except for trucks used in farming the property on which they are located, or trucks used in conjunction with an allowed use, commercial trucks and heavy vehicles (including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, semi-trucks, tractor trail flatbed trucks, tow trucks, box trucks, and delivery trucks and vans) and/or trailers shall not be stored or parked in any agricultural or residential zoning district unless engaged in moving household goods or making deliveries.

(d)

Other specialized vehicles such as recreational vehicles, campers, buses (including school buses), trailers, mobile home coaches, boats, boat trailers, and limousines used for commercial purposes may be parked or stored in all residential districts under the following conditions:

(1)

Such vehicles are not used as living quarters.

(2)

The location of the parking or storage area shall be in the buildable area of the lot and shall not be in front of the principal structure.

(a)

The storage of merchandise or materials, or the repair of motor vehicles, or any kind of equipment, except for the temporary storage of construction material and equipment while work is taking place on the structure where the off-street parking is located and in accordance with the requirements for temporary structures in Article 3, is prohibited in all off-street parking spaces, including required and non-required spaces.

(b)

Vehicles at automotive repair and specialty shops must be serviced and stored within the footprint of the building or at the rear of the structure but outside of any minimum yard. Vehicles must be totally screened from all property lines by a 100 percent opaque fence or wall together with landscape strips and buffers as specified in Article 4.

(c)

Every business that stores vehicles owned by the business on site overnight (such as a company fleet), or maintains a stock of vehicles as part of its business activities (such as a car sales lot, car rental agency, etc.), shall provide for adequate parking or storage for the vehicles such that no parking occurs in a public right-of-way or in an area that has not been improved as a parking lot or storage yard. Such parking spaces shall be in addition to those required for employees and customers.

Specialized vehicles such as earth moving equipment, tractors or other heavy construction vehicles are only to be parked or stored in residential, agricultural, and non-residential zoning districts except M-I and M-2 industrial zoning districts during construction under an active building permit and/or land disturbance permit.

(1)

Commercial trucks and/or trailers: A commercial truck (including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, semi-trucks, tractor trailer flatbed trucks, tow trucks, box trucks, and delivery trucks) and/or trailer or semitrailer shall not be parked or stored in any O-1, C-1, C-2, or MIX district, with the following exceptions:

a.

The vehicle is engaged in loading or unloading activity where the driver is present and in charge thereof; or

b.

The vehicle is owned or is being used by a business located on the property; or

c.

A business on the property is conducting operations and the vehicle is being used in connection with such activity. Where a commercial vehicle is parked in a parking lot located in an O-1, C-1, C-2, or MIX district, such vehicle shall park only in areas designated and posted as loading zones and/or loading docks.

(2)

The use of loading zones or loading docks by operators of commercial vehicles for sleeping or parking overnight is strictly prohibited.

(3)

Parking in hotel or motel lots: Excluding hotels and motels in an MIX district, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial trucks may be parked in the parking lots of hotels and motels provided that the operators of said vehicles are registered overnight guests of the hotel or motel, and provided that said vehicles are parked within the lines of a designated parking space clearly marked for commercial vehicles.

a.

Where said commercial vehicle is a tractor trailer, only the cab of the tractor trailer may be parked in a hotel or motel parking lot in accordance with this subsection.

b.

Any hotel or motel providing designated parking spaces for the parking of commercial vehicles pursuant to this subsection is prohibited from acting as a routing agent for said vehicles.

(4)

If any vehicle is found upon a parking lot, driveway or entrance drive, in violation this Section regulating the parking and/or storage of commercial trailers, The owner or person in possession of any real property or the vehicle operator, or both may be punished as provided in this code section

(5)

The City of South Fulton Police Department has the authority to enforce this code section.

(6)

Any person violating this section shall be subject to a penalty of up to $1,000.00, in addition to impound, tow and/or another other remedy allowed by law. Each day in non-compliance shall constitute a separate violation.

(7)

After giving proper notice of a violation and three business days thereafter to correct the deficiencies, the city shall have the authority to enter the property and bring it into compliance with these regulations by impounding any vehicle found parked on the property in violation of this section. The expense of such city action shall be charged against the property owner, become a lien on the property, and be collected by the same means, process and manner by which taxes are collected by the county. The impounded vehicle may be reclaimed by the vehicle's owner who shall be responsible for payment of the towing and storage fees, otherwise the vehicle shall be disposed of in accordance with state law.

(Ord. No. 2022-021, § 1, 6-14-22)

Off-street loading spaces shall be provided as follows:

The following standards shall apply to off-street loading areas:

(a)

A loading space shall measure no less than 12 feet by 35 feet and have 14 feet of vertical clearance.

(b)

For any use required to furnish three or more loading spaces, at least one in every three shall measure no less than 12 feet by 55 feet.

(c)

Maneuvering space shall not include required parking spaces or any portion of a public right-of-way.

Off-street loading spaces and maneuvering areas shall be located only in those portions of a lot where off-street parking areas are allowed with the following additional limitations:

(a)

Industrial zoning districts: If the loading and maneuvering areas are across from, or adjacent to, any nonindustrial zoning district, a 50-foot landscaped strip shall be established, behind which the maneuvering and berth space may be located.

(b)

Nonindustrial zoning districts: In the event that spaces and maneuvering areas are to be located in a yard adjacent to any established residential use, a 50-foot landscaped strip shall be established behind which the berths and maneuvering spaces may be located.