Number of Spaces—Off-street parking shall be provided in all districts for uses where off-street parking is required, according to the standards set forth in the following schedule.

Mixed Uses. By default, a mixed-use development shall be required to cumulatively meet the parking requirements for each of the included uses. Where mixed use primary uses occur, applicants may propose a reduction in parking requirements based on an analysis using data from the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE). For peak demands of non-competing uses, a reduction up to 25% of the parking requirements in § 265-6.1C may be approved by the Planning Board under Special Permit. For peak demands of competing uses, a reduction up to 10% of the parking requirements in § 265-6.1C may be approved by the Planning Board via a Special Permit.

Parking Space Minimums.

Parking Stall and Aisle Dimensions.

Entrance Dimensions. The minimum width of entrance drives providing access to more than two spaces, excepting single family and residential, shall be at least 24 feet wide. On lots where one entrance and exit driveway or access is constructed, the access shall not exceed 35 feet in width. Where two or more driveways or accesses are constructed, the accesses shall not exceed 30 feet in width. For automotive service stations, the maximum width shall be 32 feet for each driveway or access.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. In any new commercial construction with over 20 parking spaces, at least one parking space must include installed Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).

Off street Loading - For every building hereafter erected and for every use hereafter established in an existing building or area, the off-street loading requirements presenting in the Loading Space Schedule apply. Provided however, that for any building existing prior to the enactment of the bylaw, but not expanded after such date, the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a variance to allow for on or off loading on the street where conditions unique to the use reasonably justify such loading.

Loading Space Schedule

Dimensions. Each space for off-street loading shall be a minimum of five feet longer than and four feet wider than the largest vehicle which shall use the loading space. Each loading space shall have a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet. Each loading space shall have an additional area adequate for parking, loading and maneuvering off any public street, sidewalk or any portion thereof.

Change in Use. Whenever after the date of this bylaw, there is a change in the use of the premises, except residential, or in the floor area, or number of employees or other unit of measurement specified in the foregoing Parking Space and Loading Space Schedule, off-street parking and loading facilities shall be provided on the basis of the adjusted needs as determined by the aforesaid Schedules.

Existing Spaces. Parking or loading spaces being maintained in any district in connection with any existing use of the effective date of this bylaw, or any spaces subsequently provided in accordance with this bylaw, shall not be decreased in number so long as said use remains, unless a reduced number of parking or loading spaces conforms to the requirements of the parking and off-street loading schedules.

Computation of Spaces. When the computation of required parking or loading spaces results in the requirements of a fractional space, any fraction over 1/2 shall require one additional space.

Location of Parking Spaces. Required off-street parking spaces shall be provided on the same lot as the principal use they are required to serve or when practical difficulties prevent their establishment upon the same lot, the Planning Board may grant a Special Permit to authorize alternative plans.

Combined Facilities. Parking required for two or more buildings or uses may be provided in combined facilities on the same or continuous lots, where it is evident that such facilities will continue to be available for the several buildings or uses, regardless of ownership, with Building Inspector's approval.

Rental Spaces. No lot in common ownership shall contain more than two spaces for rental or lease except as an understood accessory to rental of a room on the same lot.

Location of Loading Spaces. The loading spaces required for the uses listed in the Loading Space Schedule shall in all cases be on the same lot as the structure or use they are intended to serve. In no case shall the required loading spaces be part of the area used to satisfy the parking requirements of this bylaw.

Illumination. The following shall be the minimum illumination levels measured in foot-candles for all parking spaces serving the designated uses: Industrial - 1.0; Commercial - 2.0; Shopping Centers - 3.0. Any fixture used to illuminate any area shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the street and away from adjoining premises used for residential purposes, and the sources of the light shall not be visible therefrom. The maximum spillover illumination to adjacent property shall be not more than a 1.0 foot-candle.

Permits Required. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a plan for parking areas shall be submitted to the Planning Board for review of compliance with these bylaws. Failure of the Planning Board to make recommendations within 21 days of receipt of a petition shall be deemed a lack of opposition thereto.

The area shall be screened with landscaping, a grassed earth berm, a fence, masonry wall or some combination of these screening devices, on each side which adjoins or faces the side or rear lot line of a parcel in residential use or in a residence district.

The area and access driveways thereto shall be surfaced with bituminous or cement concrete material and shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of all surface runoff in a manner harmless to abutting properties.

The location of spaces shall be suitably marked by painted lines or other appropriate markings.

A substantial bumper of concrete, steel, or heavy timber, or a concrete curb or berm curb which is backed, or a natural berm, shall be so located at the edge of surfaced areas except driveways as to protect abutting structures, properties, sidewalks, and landscaping.

No parking or loading area shall be used for the sale, repair, display, storage, dismantling or servicing of any vehicle, equipment, merchandise, material or supplies except as specifically permitted by these bylaws, in conjunction with uses directly involving sale, servicing, storage or repair of vehicles in districts where such uses are permitted.

A minimum twenty-foot deep landscaped area shall be provided along the street lot line(s) where parking or driveways are planned in the required front yard area, exempting access and egress, and in conformance with § 265-6.5F.

Parking and loading spaces other than those for single-family or multi-family dwelling shall be so arranged as not to require backing of vehicles onto any public street.

No portion of any entrance or exit driveway shall be closer than 50 feet to the nearest edge of the legal layout of an intersecting street.

All parking areas shall have clearly defined traffic flow into and out of the area and throughout the lot. Traffic moving in one direction may be required to be separated from traffic moving in an opposite direction at the entrance and exit to the parking lot by barrier, striping, rumble strip or the like, as determined to be necessary by the Planning Board. The flow pattern shall direct traffic into parking units. All driveways shall be clearly identified as to exit and/or entrance and direction of traffic flow.

Traffic intersections throughout parking areas shall be designed with use of devices such as islands containing landscape plantings of trees and shrubs, not to exceed three feet in height, curbing and intersecting lanes at angles designed to guide turning vehicles into the normal flow of traffic.

Parking units shall not include more than 25 adjacent spaces. Parking units shall be defined by landscaping in conformance with other requirements of this article. Any number of units is permissible.

Curbing and walkways wherever developed shall meet all standards for curbing and walkways specified in the effective Rules and Regulations Governing the Sub-division - Land in the Town of Swansea.[1]

All parking spaces shall be accessible from the driving aisles or lanes by a single turn.

Display lots for motor vehicle sales shall be considered parking lots, but are allowed the following exemptions to layout regulations in § 265-6.5, as long as there is provided, adjacent to and parallel with the street lot line, a landscaped set back area not less than 20 feet in depth except in the area covered by access drives. No vehicle shall be parked in the landscaped area or nearer than 20 feet from the street lot line.