Susquehanna Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 23
OFF-STREET PARKING
§ 27-2301 General Parking Regulations.
[Amended 10/12/2006 by Ord. 06-15]
1.
Off-street parking facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion in the streets. The facilities required herein shall be available to patrons throughout the hours of operation of the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided. As used herein, the term "parking space" includes either covered garage space or uncovered parking space located off the public right-of-way. Residential off-street parking space shall consist of a parking lot, driveway, garage or combination thereof and shall be located on the lot it is intended to serve.
2.
Outdoor parking space shall not be deemed to be part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
3.
A garage or carport may be located wholly or partly inside the walls of the principal building, or attached to the outside walls.
A.
In the case of single-family residential uses, the garage may be separated from the principal building, the garage shall conform to all accessory or building requirements.
B.
In the case of multifamily and nonresidential uses, free standing parking garages whether above or below ground are encouraged but must conform to all bulk and area requirements for the district in which it is located.
C.
Garages may be constructed under a yard or court provided that the level of such yard or court shall conform to the general level of the other yards or courts on the lot. The space above an underground garage shall be deemed to be part of the open space of the lot on which it is located.
4.
No part of any required front yard shall be used for off-street parking requirements in residential districts as set forth herein except for that part of the front yard that is occupied by a driveway. A driveway shall be limited in width to 20 feet. Parking on the driveway shall be limited to vehicles registered as a passenger car or a truck having a gross weight rating under 7,500 pounds. All required parking spaces under this Chapter must be located on the lot area, unless the applicant meets the requirements of § 27-2304, Joint Parking Facilities.
§ 27-2302 Off-Street Parking Requirements.
[Ord. 15-03, 3/12/2015; Ord. 17-06, 6/8/2017; Ord. No. 18-08, 6/14/2018; Ord. No. 19-02, 4/11/2019; Ord. No. 22-05, 8/11/2022; Ord. No. 24-04, 6/13/2024]
The following off-street parking requirements shall be minimum standards for uses.
Off-Street Parking Schedule | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Category of Uses | Uses | Minimum Required Parking | ||
1. | Residential uses | |||
A. | Group home or halfway house | 1 space per 2 beds, plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift. | ||
C. | Personal care and nursing care centers | 1 space for each 3 beds based on design capacity, plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift | ||
D. | Rooming and boarding houses | 1 space per bedroom or guest sleeping room, plus 2 spaces for permanent residents | ||
E. | Single- and multiple-family dwellings. | 2 spaces per dwelling unit In the case of new construction of residential buildings for seniors aged 62 and older with more than 50 units, 1.1 spaces per dwelling unit | ||
2. | Commercial/Office uses | |||
A. | Automotive repair, maintenance and gasoline stations | 2 spaces for each service bay area plus 1 additional space for each full-time employee on the largest shift but in no event less than 1 space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area | ||
B. | Automotive sales | 1 space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space for each 3,000 square feet of outside sales area, plus 1 additional space for each full-time employee | ||
C. | Banks and financial institutions | 1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area | ||
D. | Business, professional, or public service office buildings | 1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | ||
E. | Car wash | 4 spaces for each washing bay | ||
F. | Convenience stores | 1 space for 100 square feet of retail floor area | ||
G. | Funeral homes | 1 space for each 4 seats provided for patron use by design capacity, plus 1 additional space for each full-time employee and each vehicle maintained on the premises | ||
H. | Grocery stores and food markets | 1 space for each 250 square feet of floor area, and for each retail establishment utilizing shopping carats which may be taken to the parking lot by customers, 1 space enclosed or shopping cart return must be placed in the parking lot for storage, collection and return of shopping carts without blocking other parking spaces for every 3 aisles in the parking lot serving the establishment | ||
I. | Hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts | 1 space per guest room, plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift. Spaces associated with meeting rooms (1 space for 400 square feet of public meeting area), restaurants and related facilities shall be in addition to these requirements. | ||
J. | Kennel | 1 space for every 15 animals of capacity, plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift | ||
K. | Medical and dental offices, including outpatient clinics | 5 spaces for each doctor or dentist | ||
L. | Restaurants | |||
(1) Fast-food or cafe | 1 space for every 4 seats of design capacity, or a minimum of 3 spaces for a use without customer seats (unless the restaurant is part of a shopping center), plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift | |||
(2) Sit-down | 1 space for every 3 seats of design capacity, plus 1 space for each employee on largest shift | |||
M. | Retail stores and shops | 1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area; and for each retail establishment utilizing shopping carts which may be taken to the parking lot by customers, 1 space enclosed for shopping cart return must be placed in the parking lot for storage, collection and return of shopping carts without blocking other parking spaces for every 3 aisles in the parking lot serving the establishment | ||
N. | Parking calculations for shopping center | |||
(1) | 50,000 square feet of gross floor area (GFA) or less: 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA, excluding corridors and service areas not related to individual tenant retail spaces | |||
(2) | 50,001 to 100,000 square feet of GFA: 4.0 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA, excluding corridors and service areas not related to individual tenant retail spaces | |||
(3) | 100,001+ square feet of GFA: 3.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA, excluding corridors and service areas not related to individual tenant retail spaces | |||
O. | Brewery/distillery/winery | 1 space per employee on maximum shift, plus | ||
1 space per 3 seats in each tasting room, plus | ||||
1 space per 400 square feet of retail space if in excess of 400 square feet, plus | ||||
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of net floor area for any other accessory uses on the site, such as assembly areas or food service | ||||
P. | Brew pub | 1 space per employee on maximum shift, plus | ||
1 space per every 3 seats of indoor eating area, plus | ||||
1 space per 400 square feet of retail space if in excess of 400 square feet | ||||
Q. | Microbrewery/microdistillery/microwinery | 1 space per employee on maximum shift, plus | ||
1 space per every 3 seats of indoor eating area, plus | ||||
1 space per 400 square feet of retail space if in excess of 400 square feet | ||||
3. | Recreational uses | |||
A. | Bowling alley | 5 spaces for each alley | ||
B. | Billiard room | 4 spaces per table | ||
C. | Dance halls, swimming pools, roller rinks, clubs, lodges, and similar places and other commercial recreation buildings. | 1 space for each 100 sq. ft. of gross floor area or of water area in a swimming pool. | ||
D. | Golf course | 60 spaces per nine holes, plus one space per employee on the largest shift, plus 50% of the spaces otherwise required for any accessory uses (e.g., restaurants). | ||
E. | Golf driving range and miniature golf | 1 space for each tee or hole. | ||
F. | Marinas | 1 space per slip or berth. At least 20% of the spaces shall be a least 9.5 feet by 35 feet to accommodate cars with trailers. | ||
G. | Outdoor recreational facilities, sports arenas, auditorium, theatres and assembly halls. | 1 space for each 3.5 seats. | ||
4. | Industrial uses. | |||
A. | Manufacturing plants, research or testing laboratories. | 1 space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus 1 space for each 2 employees on the largest shift. The total parking area shall be not less than 25% of the building gross floor area. | ||
B. | Mini or self storage. | 1 space per 10 storage units, plus one space per employee. | ||
C. | Wholesale establishments or warehouses | 1 space for each 2 employees on largest shift. The total parking area shall be not less than 25% of the building gross floor area. | ||
D. | Vehicle salvage/recycling facilities | 1 space for every employee on the largest shift, plus 1 space for every 10,000 square feet of lot area, or 2 spaces for every 100 square feet of floor area, whichever is the greater. | ||
5. | Institutional uses. | |||
A. | Churches and religious institutions. | 1 space for each 3.5 seats in a place of worship. | ||
B. | Colleges, universities, or business, technical or fine arts schools | 1 space for each 2 students, plus 1 space for each classroom, laboratory, or instruction area. | ||
C. | Day care centers. | 1 space for every employee on the largest shift plus 1 space for every six students and off street waiting spaces to accommodate at least six automobiles. | ||
D. | Elementary and middle schools | 1.25 spaces per classroom, plus 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of office space. | ||
E. | High schools | 7 spaces per classroom, plus 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of office space. | ||
F. | Hospitals | 1 space for each 3 beds plus 1 space for each employee on the largest shift. | ||
G. | Laboratory campus | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area. | ||
6. | Public uses. | |||
A. | Community buildings and social halls | 1 space for each 100 sq. ft. of gross floor area. | ||
§ 27-2303 Location of Parking Space.
Parking spaces for multiple dwelling buildings, commercial, or industrial uses shall be on the same lot and in the same zoning district as the principal building or open area conforming to the following regulations, unless the applicant meets the requirements of § 27-2304, Joint Parking Facilities.
1.
Parking spaces shall be located within 350 feet of the primary entrance of the use served and adequate, safe and convenient pedestrian access shall be provided from the parking area to the use.
[Amended by Ord. 17-06, 6/8/2017]
2.
Such spaces shall be in the same ownership as the principal use to which they are accessory and shall be subject to deed restrictions acceptable to the Board, binding the owner and heirs or assigns to maintain the required number of parking spaces throughout the life of the principal use.
§ 27-2304 Joint Parking Facilities.
1.
Joint parking facilities shall be allowed in the BOR, CN, CH, IG, MU1, MU2, and COL districts.
2.
Joint parking facilities shall be allowed subject to the following requirements.
B.
The required parking shall be not less than the total required separately for each use with the following exceptions:
(1)
It shall be demonstrated that the uses jointly utilizing the parking facility are utilizing the same at different periods of the day or different days of the week. A reduction may be granted for the total number of parking spaces needed, requiring only the number of spaces needed based on the one use of the facility requiring the most spaces.
(2)
If subsection (2)(B)(1) does not apply then, to encourage joint use of facilities in areas of contiguous commercial development fronting on an arterial, a parking reduction of 10% may be granted in those areas, which demonstrate safe, and convenient walking distance between uses and meet the criteria in (1) above.
(3)
The parking area must remain under the control of the owner or operator of the use to which the parking area is appurtenant and shall be recorded as a deed restriction, irrevocable license, easement or other recordable document in a form satisfactory to the Township solicitor filed in the Dauphin County Courthouse in the chain of title of the land to be burdened in perpetuity or for a period to extend throughout the life of the use requiring the maintenance of the required number of spaces.
§ 27-2305 Design Standards.
[Amended 7/6/2006 by Ord. 06-13; 8/14/2008 by Ord. 08-15]
The minimum dimensions of parking facilities to be provided shall be as follows:
1.
In all districts, except in the case of single family dwellings, there shall be no less than 10 feet of open space between the edge of any parking area and the outside wall of any building.
2.
Parking lot dimensions shall be no less than those listed in the following table:
Angle of Parking | Parking Bay Width | Depth from Curb(1) | Aisle Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-Way | Two-Way | ||||
90 degrees | 9 ft. | 18 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. | |
60 degrees | 10 ft. | 22 ft. | 18 ft. | 20 ft. | |
45 degrees | 10 ft. | 21 ft. | 15 ft. | 20 ft. | |
30 degrees | 10 ft. | 19 ft. | 12 ft. | 20 ft. | |
(1) | Depth from curb is the perpendicular measurement from curb or edge of the parking lot toward the interior portion of the lot to be occupied by the parked vehicles and not including any part of the drive. |
3.
All dead-end parking lots shall be designed to provide sufficient backup area for the end stalls of the parking area.
4.
Parking areas shall be designed so that each motor vehicle may proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the moving of any other motor vehicle.
5.
The width of the entrance and exit drives shall be a minimum of 18 feet for one-way use only, a minimum of 24 feet for two-way use; except where ninety-degree parking is used, in which case the minimum shall be not less than 24 feet; and a maximum of 35 feet at the street line.
6.
Setback for parking areas shall be provided as follows:
[Amended by Ord. 07-06, 4/12/2007; and by Ord. 17-06, 6/8/2017]
A.
All parking spaces and access drives shall be at least 10 feet from any multiple dwelling, commercial, or industrial building on the lot.
B.
All parking spaces and access drives shall be behind the building setback line; except where buffer yards are required in which case such parking spaces and access drives may not encroach on the buffer yard area.
C.
Reduction in Width. The width of the parking area setback may be reduced to a minimum width of 10 feet if an enhanced landscape buffer is provided as follows:
(1)
The landscape buffer shall be planted with a combination of trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and grass.
(a)
The landscape buffer shall be designed with a minimum 40% coverage in trees and large shrubs.
(b)
Small shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcover, and grass may constitute no more than 60% coverage of the landscape buffer.
(c)
Landscape buffers shall have a minimum of one tree for every 25 linear feet of a landscape buffer to the nearest whole number.
(d)
The required plant materials may be installed in the required area in any arrangement and do not need to be linear in design. Trees and shrubs required herein may be planted and spaced singly or in groups so long as the total number of plantings is achieved. Clumping is permitted provided that adequate spacing is allowed for future growth.
(e)
Where street trees are permitted to be placed outside of the street right-of-way, said street trees are permitted to be included towards meeting the planting requirements for the adjacent buffer areas.
(2)
Landscape buffer coverage will be calculated as follows:
(a)
Calculate the total spatial area required for the landscape buffer.
(b)
Calculate the total coverage of landscape materials, ensuring that the coverage of trees and large shrubs is greater than or equal to 40% of the total area of the buffer. Areas provided provide some credit for the tree cover canopy at full growth. The following sizes shall be used when calculating coverage of the landscape materials:
1)
Large deciduous trees at least 2 1/2 inches caliper at the time of planting, with an expected mature height of at least 30 feet: 150 square feet.
2)
Small ornamental or under-story trees at least 1 1/2 inches caliper at the time of planting, with an expected mature height of at least 18 feet: 50 square feet.
3)
Evergreen trees shall be at least six feet tall at the time of planting, with an expected mature height of at least 30 feet: 50 square feet.
4)
Large shrubs at least 30 inches tall at the time of planting and at least five-gallon container size; mature height shall reach at least four feet: 16 square feet.
5)
Small shrubs shall be at least 18 inches tall at the time of planting and at least three-gallon container size; mature height shall reach at least three feet: nine square feet.
6)
Ornamental grasses shall be at least three-gallon container size: five square feet.
7)
Shrubs used as ground cover shall be at least one-gallon container size: three square feet.
8)
"Ground cover" is defined as plantings to prevent soil erosion, and may include small shrubs, herbaceous perennials, meadows, grasses, bulbs and annuals. Plants shall be spaced appropriate to type and size at installation. Ground cover plants shall be spaced and seeding rates sufficient so the 100% of the beds are covered after three years growth.
(3)
Any exposed ground should be planted with a ground cover or an appropriate mulching material. Mulching materials shall not exceed four inches in height.
(4)
The remaining ground area shall be sodded, seeded or hydroseeded with grass, and/or planted with groundcover species and/or provided with other landscaping material, or any combination thereof.
(5)
A landscape architect licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be retained to complete a landscape plan to ensure the proper species, use and arrangement of plant materials. Certification of plan, including signature, seal, and date is required.
7.
Accessible parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the provision of the Susquehanna Township Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. The number of required off-street parking spaces under this chapter shall include both nonaccessible spaces and accessible spaces within the calculation to meet the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required under this chapter.
[Amended by Ord. 17-06, 6/8/2017]
§ 27-2306 Interior Parking Lot Landscaping.
The purpose of the required internal parking lot landscaping is to relieve or break up large expanses of paved areas.
1.
All proposed parking lots and existing improved parking lots exceeding 15 parking spaces are to provide permanent plant material within landscape islands, peninsulas, or medians in the interior of the parking lot.
2.
The proposed interior plantings shall not interfere with efficient safe circulation patterns of traffic within the parking lots.
INTERIOR PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING | |
|---|---|
 |
3.
Interior landscaping shall be required for all parking lots over 15 spaces as follows:
A.
One planting island shall be required for every 15 parking spaces. There shall be no more than 15 contiguous parking spaces in a row without implementing a planting island.
B.
Landscape islands shall be required at the ends of all parking rows.
C.
Landscape islands or peninsulas shall have a minimum size of nine feet by 18 including curbing.
D.
Each required planting island shall contain at least one shade tree. Shade trees with a minimum two inches — 2 1/2 inches caliper shall be evenly distributed throughout the parking lot to be planted.
4.
Screening and buffering of dumpster locations and loading areas are required in accordance with § 27-2106(5). Minimum height of evergreen shrubs shall be 24 inches — 30 inches.
5.
Landscaping required for the expansion of an existing parking lot are as follows:
6.
Separate parking areas on a parcel or development shall be physically separated from one another by eight-foot planting strips in accordance with § 27-2106(5).
7.
When the parking lot abuts a residential use or zone a five feet buffer area shall be provided contiguous to the property line of the residential use or zone in addition to the required setback and shall be planted in accordance with § 27-2106(5).[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: former Subsection 8, regarding parking lots abutting a public street, was repealed 6/8/2017 by Ord. 17-06.
§ 27-2307 Drainage, Surfacing, and Maintenance Standards.
1.
The area of the parking lots, including driveways, shall be graded, surfaced with asphalt or concrete and drained to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer to the extent necessary to prevent dust, erosion or excessive water flow across streets or adjoining property.
2.
Parking areas shall be kept clean and free from rubbish and debris.
§ 27-2308 Lighting.
1.
All public parking shall be lit in accordance with the Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance during evening operating hours.
2.
All standards shall be located on raised parking islands and not on the parking surface.
3.
Lighting shall be arranged and shielded so the direct rays from the luminaries shall not fall off-site on adjacent properties.
§ 27-2309 Loading and Unloading Space.
1.
In addition to the off-street parking space required above, all commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, and other similar uses shall provide adequate off-street area for loading and unloading of supplies to and from vehicles.
A.
At least one loading berth shall be provided; however, should the gross floor of the main building and building accessory thereto used for commercial and/or industrial purposes exceed 25,000 square feet, one additional loading berth shall be provided for each 25,000 square feet of gross floor area.
B.
Hotels shall have at least one loading berth, with an additional loading berth when the gross floor area exceeds 50,000 square feet.
C.
A brewery/distillery/winery shall have at least one loading berth, with an additional berth when the gross floor area exceeds 50,000 square feet.
[Added by Ord. No. 18-08, 6/14/2018]
2.
The off-street loading berth shall be not less than 10 feet wide, and 35 feet in length, and 14 feet in height, when covered.
3.
No exterior portion of an off-street loading facility (including access drives) shall be located within 50 feet of any land within a residential zone or use. Off-street loading facilities shall be located on the face of the building not facing any adjoining land in a residential zone.
4.
When the loading zone abuts a residential use or zone a five feet buffer area shall be provided contiguous to the property line of the residential use or zone in addition to the required setback and shall be planted in accordance with § 27-2106(5).
5.
Off-street loading spaces shall be designed so that there will be no need for service vehicles to back over streets or sidewalks. Furthermore, off-street loading spaces shall not interfere with off-street parking lots.