Valley Stream City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXIII
Off-Street Loading
§ 99-2301 General requirements.
A.
Existing uses. Every use enumerated herein and established or existing prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be required to comply with the off-street loading requirements prescribed herein only where sufficient on-site loading area is actually being used for loading and then only to the extent possible to meet the loading requirements prescribed herein.
B.
Future uses. Every use enumerated herein and established after the effective date of this chapter shall be required to comply with the off-street loading requirements prescribed herein for the use or uses of such building, structure, lot or use.
C.
Future enlargements. After the effective date of this chapter, if a building, structure, lot or use is enlarged or altered, the off-street loading requirements as specified in this chapter for such use shall apply to such enlargement or alteration only where such enlargement or alteration increases the gross floor area by 50% or more.
D.
Similar uses. Loading requirements for a use not specifically listed herein shall be the same as for a listed use similar in character and as determined by the Superintendent.
E.
Change of use. Any change of use of any building, structure or lot, on or after the effective date of this chapter, shall comply with the off-street loading requirements set forth in this chapter for such changed use.
F.
Multiple uses. Where any building, structure or lot contains two or more uses, the off-street loading requirements prescribed by this chapter for each specific use shall apply.
G.
Primary use of spaces. All required accessory off-street loading space, open or enclosed, shall be used primarily for the owners, occupants, employees or inventory suppliers of the use or uses to which such spaces are accessory.
H.
Joint facilities. Required off-street loading, open or enclosed, may be provided in spaces designated to serve jointly two or more uses, provided that the number of required spaces applicable to such joint facilities (uses) shall not be less than the total required by this chapter for all such uses.
I.
Conditional certificates of occupancy. All certificates of occupancy shall be considered conditioned upon the continuance and availability of the loading spaces required for each specific use.
J.
Fees prohibited. No required off-street loading spaces may be sold, leased or rented, nor any fee charged for the use thereof.
K.
Computing gross floor area; exclusions. For purposes of computing gross floor area in calculating required off-street loading for a specific use or uses, bathrooms, cellars, mechanical equipment rooms, stairwells and other nonhabitable areas may be excluded.
L.
Lighting. All loading areas shall be adequately lighted for security purposes during nighttime hours. All such lighting shall be directed away from residential areas.
§ 99-2302 Interpretation of provisions.
A.
The loading space requirements apply to all use districts and to such uses permitted in such districts as specifically enumerated in this article.
B.
The loading requirements in this article do not limit additional or special requirements which may be imposed in connection with special use permits or site plan review to ensure proper circulation and traffic safety.
§ 99-2303 Mixed uses in one building.
Where a building is used for more than one use and where the floor area used for each use for which loading space is required is below the minimum for required loading spaces but the aggregate floor area is greater than such minimum, off-street loading space shall be provided as if the entire building were used for that use in the building for which the most spaces are required.
§ 99-2304 Design standards.
Loading space. Any off-street space designated for the loading or unloading of goods shall have minimum dimensions of not less than 15 feet wide, 25 feet long and 14 feet high, except that where two or more loading spaces are required, each space after the first space shall measure 15 feet wide, 40 feet long and 14 feet high.
§ 99-2305 Table of Required Loading Spaces.
[Amended 1-14-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
A.
Loading spaces shall be required on all properties located in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 Districts excluding residential properties in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 Districts.
B.
Loading space shall be provided for every 25,000 square feet, or portion of 25,000 square feet, of floor area provided on a property as follows:
Floor Area | Loading Spaces Required |
|---|---|
5,000 to 25,000 square feet | 1 |
25,000 to 50,000 square feet | 2 |
50,000 to 75,000 square feet | 3 |
75,000 to 100,000 square feet | 4 |
§ 99-2306 Location of access to street.
Ingress and egress to all required loading spaces and loading areas shall be designed to cause the least amount of impact on vehicular and pedestrian traffic on streets and sidewalks servicing such loading spaces and areas. Access from the street to such loading space shall have a continuous vertical clearance of not less than 12 1/2 feet. All traffic to and from such loading areas shall be directed away from residential uses and areas. Loading areas may be accessible through a parking area and shall provide unobstructed driveway access, at least 12 feet wide to and from a street. No off-street loading space shall be located between the street line and front building line of the principal building.
§ 99-2307 Screening.
A loading space shall be screened from any residence district boundary in accordance with the provisions for screening off-street parking areas.