Uintah City Zoning Code

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate parking and loading spaces, vehicle traffic and access in order to provide orderly and adequate development and, in so doing, promote the safety and well being of the citizens of the city. Subsequently, there shall be provided at the time of the erection of any main building or at the time any main building is enlarged or increased, minimum off street parking space with adequate provisions for ingress and egress by standard sized automobiles. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

   A.   Residential Dwellings: In all zones that allow residential dwellings, there shall be provided in a private garage or in an area properly located for a future garage:

      1.   Single-family dwelling: Two (2) side by side parking spaces.

      2.   Two-family dwelling: Four (4) side by side parking spaces.

      3.   Housing exclusively for persons with disabilities, troubled youth or elderly: One parking space per unit for the first thirty (30) units, 0.75 space per unit for the next twenty (20) units and 0.5 space per unit for each unit in excess of fifty (50) in the development.

      4.   If any dwelling unit is increased by occupant use after the original building permit is issued, the parking requirements shall reflect that increase.

      5.   In addition to the above parking space requirements, three- fourths (3/4) parking space shall be provided for each rental sleeping room in a dwelling unit.

   B.   Access: Access to lots in subdivisions shall be across the front lot line abutting a public or private street approved by the city or as otherwise approved by the planning commission. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

   A.   Required: Except as may be provided elsewhere in this title, there shall be provided at the time of erection of any building, or at any time any main building is enlarged or increased in capacity, minimum off street parking space with adequate provisions for ingress and egress by standard sized automobiles. If any land, structure or use is changed from one use to another which requires more off street parking spaces as specified in subsection C of this section, there shall be provided such additional off street parking for the new use as is required by this chapter.

   B.   Parking Lot Characteristics: On each parcel of land developed for nonresidential uses, parking lots shall be constructed as follows:

      1.   Surfacing: Each parking lot shall have an all weather surfacing material and be maintained in good condition and kept clear and in an unobstructed and usable condition at all times. Responsibility for maintenance of the lot shall rest with the property owner. The lot shall provide adequate access to a street or alley.

      2.   Grading: Parking lots shall be graded for proper drainage with surface water, diverted in such a way as to keep the parking area free of accumulated water or ice.

      3.   Lighting: Lots shall be properly illuminated with standards arranged so as to reflect light away from any adjoining residential buildings.

      4.   Size Of Spaces: Each parking space shall measure at least nine feet (9') wide by eighteen feet (18') long.

   C.   Specific Requirements For Each Land Use: Required off street parking shall be provided for each use as listed below. Parking for uses not specifically listed below shall be provided in the same ratio as the use most nearly approximating the characteristics of the unlisted use, as determined by the planning commission. Parking shall be provided as follows, with spaces passed upon one or a combination of uses listed:

 

(Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

The planning commission may adjust the required number of spaces listed in this chapter if in its determination unusual or unique circumstances or conditions relating to the operational characteristics of the use exist in a manner or to such a degree that such adjustment is equitable and warranted. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

When measurements determining number of required parking spaces result in a fractional space, any fraction up to one- half (1/2) shall be disregarded, and fractions including one- half (1/2) and over shall require one parking space. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

   A.   Public Parking Lot Standard: Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public parking area shall be paved with an asphalt or concrete surface and shall have appropriate bumper guards or curbs where needed, as determined by the building inspector, to protect adjacent property owners or persons using a sidewalk. Catch basins and drains shall be provided to collect surface drainage of all paved areas at a minimum rate of one inch (1") an hour rainfall. Surface drainage is not allowable across pedestrian walkways.

   B.   Maximum Yard Area To Be Used For Parking And Vehicle Access Lanes: For all uses permitted in a residential zone, none of the front yard area required by the respective zones shall be used for parking, but shall be left in open green space, except that access across and over the required front yard is allowed to the side or rear yards, or to a garage, whether attached or detached. In the case of multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential uses in a residential zone, not more than fifty percent (50%) of the required side and rear yards shall be used for parking. Any said yard area used in excess of said limits shall be provided in an equivalent amount of land elsewhere on the same lot as the building as open green space, patios, play areas or courts.

   C.   Additional Provisions: The design and maintenance of off street parking facilities shall be subject to the following provisions:

      1.   Each parking space shall encompass not less than one hundred eighty (180) square feet of net area. Each parking space shall be not less than nine feet (9') wide, the width being measured at a right angle for the sidelines of the parking space.

      2.   Adequate automobile access to and from parking area for interior block developments shall be provided. Minimum size of the access right of way shall be as follows based on the number of units to be served:

         a.   Up to and including four (4) dwelling units, sixteen feet (16').

         b.   Five (5) or more dwelling units, one 24-foot two-way access right of way, or two (2) 16-foot one-way access rights of way. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

         c.   A greater size of access right of way may be required as deemed necessary by the planning commission, especially in cases where access rights of way will create corner lots from otherwise interior lots. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005; amd. 2013 Code)

      3.   All off street parking spaces and associated access lanes shall be effectively screened on any side adjoining any property in a residential zone by a masonry wall or fence not less than four feet (4') nor more than seven feet (7') high, except that some type of hedgerow shrubs may be used in place of a wall or fence, provided the hedge is continuous along adjoining property and at maturity is not less than five feet (5') nor more than seven feet (7') high. Hedgerow shrubs shall be maintained and replaced where necessary in order that the hedge may become an effective screen from bordering property within a maximum five (5) year period. Front yard and corner lot fences or plantings shall maintain height requirements of their respective zones.

      4.   Lighting and signs shall conform to the requirements set forth in this title.

      5.   Parking requirements for dwellings will be located on the same lot with the dwelling.

      6.   All private parking facilities must be improved with a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt, and must be sloped and graded to prevent drainage of stormwater onto adjacent properties. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

   A.   General: There shall be provided at the time of erection of any main building, or at the time any main building is enlarged or increased in capacity, minimum off street parking space with adequate provision for ingress and egress by standard sized automobiles in accordance with the requirements herein.

   B.   Size: For the purpose of this chapter, one parking space shall be assumed to be one hundred eighty (180) square feet, exclusive of adequate interior driveways.

   C.   Access: Adequate ingress and egress to all uses shall be provided as follows:

      1.   Access shall be by either:

         a.   A maximum of two (2) driveways for each one hundred feet (100') of frontage on a public street, such driveways to be not over thirty feet (30') in width, or less than twelve feet (12') for one-way traffic; provided, however, that in commercial zones, the planning commission may require the said driveways to be thirty six feet (36') in width; or

         b.   A maximum of one driveway for each one hundred feet (100') of frontage on a public street, such driveways to be not over fifty feet (50') in width.

      2.   Access driveways shall not be closer to each other than twelve feet (12').

      3.   No residential driveway shall be closer than twenty feet (20'), measured along the property lines to the point of intersection of two (2) property lines at any corner.

      4.   In a commercial zone, no driveway shall be closer to an intersection of two (2) streets than forty feet (40'), measured from the corner point of the property line.

      5.   Height, location, structural specifications, maximum and minimum curb radii permitted, and minimum roadway approach angles to the centerline of the street, are subject to city standards.

   D.   Floor Area Defined: "Floor area", in the case of offices, merchandising or service types of uses, shall mean the gross floor area used or intended to be used by tenants or for service to the public as customers, patrons, clients or patients, including areas occupied by fixtures and equipment used for display or sales or merchandise. It shall not include areas used principally for nonpublic purposes, such as cooking, storage, incidental repair, processing or packaging of merchandise.

   E.   Alternatives To On Site Parking: For any new use, structure or building other than a dwelling, required off street parking which, due to the size or location cannot be provided on the premises, may be provided on other property not more than five hundred feet (500') distant from the nearest point of the parcel, or for a use in a commercial zone (C1, C2) not more than six hundred feet (600') distant.

   F.   Parking Areas; Development And Maintenance: Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public or private parking area, including a commercial parking lot and also an automobile, farm equipment or other open air sales lot, shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

      1.   Screening: The side of any off street parking area for more than five (5) vehicles shall be effectively screened by fencing or landscaping of acceptable design, such wall or fence shall be not less than four feet (4') nor more than six feet (6') in height and shall be maintained in good condition with no advertising thereon.

      2.   Landscaping: Landscaping for off street parking and loading shall be incorporated in the landscape plan and shall meet the requirements of chapter 12 of this title.

      3.   Surfacing: Every parcel of land hereafter used as a public parking area shall be paved with an asphaltic or concrete surfacing, shall have appropriate bumper guards where needed, as determined by the zoning administrator, and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading or unloading and parking and storage of vehicles.

      4.   Lighting: Lighting used to illuminate an off street parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

Service stations, roadside stands, public parking lots, and all other businesses requiring motor vehicle access shall meet the following requirements:

   A.   Access: Access to the station, other structure or parking lot shall be by not more than two (2) roadways for each one hundred feet (100'), or fraction thereof, of frontage on any street.

   B.   Distance: No two (2) roadways shall be more than thirty four feet (34') in width and shall not be closer than twenty feet (20') to the point of intersection of two (2) property lines or any street corner.

   C.   Access Limited: A curb, hedge or fence of not more than two feet (2') in height shall be provided by the owner to limit access to the permitted roadway.

   D.   Exception: Service stations in commercial zones may have a maximum roadway width of fifty feet (50'). (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

Privately owned land within an area zoned for residential purposes shall not be used as a regular means of vehicular passage to and from property in commercial zones. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)

One concrete or asphalt slab for the purpose of providing additional off street parking may be constructed in one required side yard of a dwelling; provided, that:

   A.   The dwelling unit has the minimum number of required off street parking spaces as stipulated by this chapter.

   B.   The slab is at least eight feet (8') wide and is of sufficient length to accommodate the vehicle with no portion of the vehicle extending forward of the front face of the dwelling.

   C.   The appurtenant driveway to the slab must be tapered to use the existing driveway approach, or a new approach must be installed for the new driveway.

   D.   Any slab constructed must remain open and unobstructed to the sky.

   E.   No vehicle shall be parked in the required side yard unless the parking area is improved with hard surface material, such as concrete or asphalt.

   F.   All stormwater runoff from the hard surface of the slab must be directed so as to prevent drainage onto adjacent properties. (Ord. 182-05, 2-1-2005)