Warminster Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 22
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 27-2200 Off-street parking space requirements.
[Ord. No. 762, 5/7/2020]
1.
Off-street parking spaces shall be provided and satisfactorily maintained in accordance with the following provisions for each use established, erected, enlarged or altered for any of the following purposes in any district. Where the computation of required parking space results in a fractional number, it shall be rounded up to the next higher number. Handicap parking shall be required in accordance with applicable law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act,[1] as amended.
A.
Agriculture: no required parking unless there is retail sale of farm products, in which case adequate off-road parking shall be provided for patrons.
B.
Lawn and garden center: one space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
C.
Uses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, all residential uses except mobile home park (Use 8) and transit-oriented development (Use 9) (see use regulations in Part 17): two spaces per dwelling unit. Garage spaces do not count as required parking spaces.
D.
Place of worship: one off-street parking space for each 150 square feet provided for patron use in the main assembly area.
E.
Public or private school:
(1)
Kindergarten, elementary and middle school: one space for every teacher and employee, plus one space per every three classrooms.
(2)
High school: one space for every teacher and employee, plus one space per every 10 students of school capacity. Additional parking shall be required to accommodate special events, athletic meets, and other school activities. The amount shall be determined in consultation with the Board of Supervisors.
(3)
College, university, or trade school: One space for each faculty member and employee, plus one space per 10 students of building capacity.
F.
Library or museum: one space per 500 square feet of gross floor area available for patron use.
G.
Public recreational facility: to be determined by the Board of Supervisors based on facility use and design.
H.
Fitness Center: one space per every 200 square feet of gross floor area.
I.
Golf course: one off-street parking space per four people of total capacity, which is defined as the total for all uses based on the maximum capacity of the course, plus capacity of the restaurant.
J.
Private club or lodge: one space for each 100 square feet of total floor area.
K.
Community center: one space for each 100 square feet of total floor area.
L.
Day-care center and adult day care: one space for each teacher, administrator, and maintenance employee, plus one space for every five persons receiving care which can be accommodated at the center.
M.
Hospital campus: one space for each bed or treatment space in the facility.
N.
Nursing home/personal care facility: one space for every three beds.
O.
Sober living facility (Use 25): a minimum of three spaces per facility. Garage spaces do not count as required parking spaces. One additional off-street parking space shall be provided for each nonresident staff person. One additional off-street parking space shall be provided for each additional two residents over five, unless demonstrated that such individuals are incapable or not permitted to operate a motor vehicle during the period of residency.
P.
Alternative therapy provider/massage therapy center (Use 27, 28): one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.
Q.
Day Spa (Use 45): one space per every 400 square feet of gross floor area.
R.
Medical/dental/veterinarian office or clinic: one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.
S.
Business, professional, or governmental offices: one space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area.
T.
All retail and consumer service uses, except for those uses where another parking requirement is specified: one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.
U.
Restaurant: one off-street parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area. If the use is takeout only and provides no seating, the parking requirement for retail use shall be met.
V.
Tavern and hookah bar/lounge (Use 38, 39): one off-street parking space for every three seats or one off-street parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater.
W.
Mortuary or funeral home: one space for each 200 square feet of gross floor are used or intended to be used in the operation of the establishment.
X.
Hotel: one off-street parking space for each rental room or suite.
Y.
Bed-and-breakfast: one off-street parking space for each rental room or suite. If special events are permitted, parking to accommodate attendees, at a rate of one space per every two attendees of capacity, shall be provided.
Z.
Indoor commercial entertainment and adult business: one space for each 200 square feet of gross floor area.
AA.
Outdoor private recreation: one space for each five persons of total capacity.
BB.
Kennel: one space for every 10 animals of capacity in the kennel.
CC.
Motor vehicle fueling station: one off-street parking space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area devoted to convenience commercial sales, plus two off-street parking spaces for each service bay. Off-street parking spaces shall not be part of, nor interfere with, access to fueling pumps.
DD.
Car wash: one space per employee on duty at any one time, not counting those spaces required for a car wash for a stacking area.
EE.
Sale or rental of automobiles: one off-street parking space for each 100 square feet of interior sales area, plus six spaces for each service bay. Spaces within service bays or showrooms shall not count as required parking spaces. These spaces shall be differentiated on all plans submitted for review and approval.
FF.
Motor vehicle sales: one off-street parking space for each 100 square feet of interior sales area, plus six spaces for each service bay. Spaces within service bays or showrooms shall not count as required parking spaces. These spaces shall be differentiated on all plans submitted for review and approval.
GG.
Motor vehicle repair garage: one off-street parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area devoted to retail activities, plus six off-street parking spaces for each service bay, plus one space for each employee. Spaces within service bays shall not be used to meet off-street parking requirements.
HH.
Emergency services: for uses with a community room or training room, one space for every four persons of capacity.
II.
Medical marijuana dispensary (Use 61): one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.
JJ.
Municipal uses. Off-street parking shall be determined by the Board of supervisors based on anticipated use for the type of facility involved.
KK.
Railway/transportation station: off-street parking spaces as the Board of Supervisors shall determine adequate to serve customers, patrons, visitors, employees and vehicles normally parked on the premises.
LL.
Truck terminal: off-street parking spaces as the Board of Supervisors shall determine adequate to serve customers, employees, visitors, and vehicles normally parked on the premises.
MM.
Trade or professional school: one off-street parking space per faculty member and employee, plus one space per five students expected to be present at a time.
NN.
Equipment rental or motor vehicle leasing: one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.
OO.
All industrial uses: one space per 3,000 square feet of gross floor area.
PP.
No-impact home-based business: no additional parking required.
QQ.
Accessory office: three off-street parking spaces in addition to spaces otherwise required.
RR.
Banquet and catering facility: 25 spaces per every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
§ 27-2201 Modification of parking requirements.
[Ord. No. 762, 5/7/2020]
1.
In order to prevent the establishment of a greater number of parking spaces than is actually required to serve the needs of nonresidential uses, the Board of Supervisors may permit a reduction of parking space if the following conditions are satisfied:
A.
The design of the parking lot, as indicated on the land development plan, must designate sufficient space to meet the parking requirements of this chapter. The plan shall also illustrate the layout for the total number of parking spaces.
B.
The reduction shall provide for the establishment of not less than 70% of the required number of parking spaces, as specified in this chapter.
C.
The balance of the parking area reserved shall not include areas for required bufferyards, setbacks, or areas which would otherwise be unsuitable for parking spaces due to the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this chapter. The developer shall provide a landscaping plan for the reserved area with the land development plan.
D.
The developer shall enter into a written agreement with the Board of Supervisors guaranteeing that the additional parking spaces shall be provided at the developer's or owner's expense should it be determined that the required number of parking spaces are necessary to satisfy the need of the particular land development. This decision shall be made at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors.
E.
At the time of the above-stated agreement, the developer or owner shall post securities to cover the cost of installing the required parking. The Board of Supervisors shall determine if the additional spaces shall be provided by the developer or if the area shall remain as open space.
§ 27-2202 Existing parking; shared parking; location of spaces; maintenance requirements.
[Ord. No. 762, 5/7/2020]
1.
Existing parking. Structures and uses in existence at the date of adoption of this chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this Part 22 so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed and provided that any parking facility now serving such structures or uses shall not in the future be reduced below such requirements.
2.
Conflict with other uses. No parking area shall be used for any use that interferes with its availability for the parking need it is required to serve.
3.
Shared parking. Two or more uses may provide for required parking in a common parking area if the total space provided is not less than the sum of the spaces required for each use individually. However, the number of spaces required in a common parking facility may be reduced below this total if it can be demonstrated to the Township that the hours or days of peak parking needed for the uses are different and that a lower total will provide adequately for all uses served by the facility. Shared parking will be permitted under the following circumstances:
A.
The uses subject to shared parking must be either part of a single lot, such as an office park, industrial park, or mixed-use development; or the uses must be on lots that are physically adjacent to each other, with cross-easements or other arrangements that allow for shared driveways and shared parking.
B.
Owners or applicants for all uses proposing to use the shared parking arrangement must provide written agreements, in a form acceptable to the Township, outlining the terms of the shared parking arrangement.
C.
Authority for shared parking shall be pursuant to conditional use approval granted by the Board of Supervisors.
4.
Location of parking spaces. Required off-street parking spaces shall be on the same lot or premises with the principal use served. If this requirement cannot be met, then the size or capacity of the proposed use must be reduced so that all parking requirements can be met.
A.
Parking spaces should be no closer than 10 feet from the property line in any direction.
5.
Off-site parking. Parking may be provided off site in accordance with the following requirements and only if approved as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors:
A.
The applicant shall provide an agreement, in writing, that the parking spaces are available and secured by lease or license, or the applicant shall provide proof of the availability of the required parking spaces which are not needed to meet the requirements of another use which can be used for parking purposes by the applicant.
B.
This option may be used to meet up to 50% of the parking requirement.
C.
The use for which off-site parking is provided shall be discontinued immediately upon loss of parking arrangements. Renewal of the lease or license shall be provided to the Township annually.
D.
Off-site parking space arrangements are permitted only where the off-site parking is located no more than 200 feet from the property line of the use it serves and only for nonresidential uses; or, in the case where safe, protected pedestrian pathways are provided, the distance may be extended to 300 feet from the property line.
6.
Maintenance of parking areas. All parking areas shall be graded, surfaced with asphalt or other suitable material, and drained to the satisfaction of the Township to the extent necessary to prevent dust, erosion, and/or flow across streets or other property. All off-street parking spaces shall be marked so as to indicate their location.
§ 27-2203 Off-street loading.
[Ord. No. 762, 5/7/2020]
Suitable and safe off-street loading shall be provided for every facility where the use exceeds 6,000 square feet. Loading docks, truck accessways, clearances, and turning radii shall be shown on all land development or zoning permit applications. If it is determined that the use will be served by trucks for loading and unloading, then loading spaces on the site shall be provided in accordance with need. No on-street loading or unloading is permitted.
§ 27-2204 Regulations for parking tractor-trailers, commercial vehicles, and major recreational equipment.
[Ord. No. 762, 5/7/2020; Ord. No. 777, 9/5/2024]
1.
No tractor-trailer truck or trailer from a tractor-trailer truck shall be stored or parked for more than 48 hours within any seven-consecutive-day period in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, CCRC, CCRC-2, or AQC Zoning Districts unless it is stored within a completely enclosed building or is located at least 100 feet from the property line.
2.
No commercial vehicle or part thereof having a gross weight of more than 20,000 pounds or in excess of 18 feet in length shall be stored or parked on a parcel of land within the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, CCRC, CCRC-2, or AQC Zoning Districts for more than 48 hours within any seven-consecutive-day period unless it is stored within a completely enclosed building or is located at least 100 feet from the property line.
3.
Major recreational equipment, including, but not limited to, boats and boat trailers, travel trailers, pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers or similar equipment, shall not be parked or stored on any public street within the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, CCRC, CCRC-2, or AOC Zoning Districts for more than 48 hours within any seven-consecutive-day period. All such major recreational equipment may be parked or stored on an approved lot, provided it is located as follows:
A.
Within a carport;
B.
Within a completely enclosed building;
C.
Within the side or rear of a lot, but no closer than five feet to a property line;
D.
Within the front yard provided that the major recreational equipment is located as follows:
(1)
Located on a paved or modified/crushed stone driveway.
(2)
Recreation equipment parked in the front yard may not cause ingress and egress sight line and safety issues for adjacent properties' driveways as determined by the Warminster Township Police Department or the Warminster Township Zoning Officer.
E.
No more than two major recreational equipment items may be located on the exterior of a parcel. Any additional equipment must be located in a completely enclosed structure.
F.
On a nonresidential lot that has been previously approved for storing major recreational equipment.
4.
No construction equipment or commercial vehicles shall be stored in the front yard.
5.
Major recreational equipment is permitted as an accessory use of a single-family detached dwellings and two family attached dwellings.
6.
No such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot or in any location not approved for that lot.