Warrington Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Off-Street Parking, Loading, and Unloading
§ 370-601 General regulations.
[Amended 4-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-O-06; 1-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-O-2; 3-10-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-O-01]
A.
Off-street parking, loading, and unloading facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion in the streets. The facilities required herein shall be available 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 lot space located off the public street line.
B.
Surfacing. Any off-street parking area shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be surfaced so as to provide a paved surface and shall be so arranged as to provide for orderly and safe parking and storage of vehicles. Temporary overflow parking, beyond the minimum required, must be durable and dustless and can include compacted gravel when approved by the Board of Supervisors.
C.
Lighting: in accordance with the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
D.
For other uses which do not fit into one of the categories listed in § 370-602, determination of the appropriate parking space requirement shall be submitted by the applicant to be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Officer, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors.
E.
Parking area screening. All nonresidential off-street parking areas which provide more than five parking spaces shall be screened from any abutting property zoned residential or used for residential purposes.
F.
All parking areas shall be designed in accordance with standards and guidelines established by the United States Department of Justice 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Uniform Construction Code, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
G.
Parking area restrictions.
(1)
All off-street parking areas, in all districts (except for motor vehicle service stations and automobile sales), shall be reserved and used for automobile parking only, with no sales, dead storage, repair work, dismantling or servicing of any kind.
(2)
In motor vehicle service stations, automobile body repair and paint shop and truck repair and sales, the parking of an automobile or truck for sale, storage, repair, dismantling or servicing of any kind, for any automobile not bearing a valid and current state inspection or current and valid vehicle registration, shall not exceed 30 days.
(3)
The parking of one commercial vehicle up to one-ton load capacity is permitted in residential districts if needed by an individual for their livelihood for a business not conducted on the premises; or one recreational vehicle dwelling is permitted to be parked and is not to be used for sleeping, as a short-term rental, recreational or living purposes at any time or in any way, shape or form. Commercial and recreational vehicles cannot be parked in any required setbacks or in front of any building.
(4)
Vehicles displaying commercial signs cannot be parked in the front yard of a commercial building/use or in a customer or required parking space. As used herein, "front yard" means the area from the front of the building to the street, for the entire length of the street frontage.
H.
Conditional parking reduction. To minimize the creation of excess parking spaces and impervious areas, the Board of Supervisors, after consulting with the Planning Commission and Township Engineer, may permit a conditional reduction of parking space under the following conditions:
(1)
The land development plan shall provide the parking requirements established by this chapter. The plan shall also provide a layout for the total number of parking spaces.
(2)
The conditional reduction shall not exceed 25% of the required number of parking spaces as specified in this chapter or a total number of parking spaces as proven by the applicant with credible evidence and approved by the Board of Supervisors. This initial phase of the parking provisions shall be clearly indicated on the plan.
(3)
The balance of the parking area conditionally reserved shall not include areas for required buffer yards, setbacks or areas that would otherwise be unsuitable for parking due to the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this chapter. The parking area which is conditionally reduced shall be located so as to provide usable open space if the additional parking spaces are not required. The developer shall provide a landscaping plan for the reserved area with the land development plan.
(4)
Land which has been determined and designated by the Board of Supervisors to remain as public or open space rather than as required parking shall not be used to provide parking spaces for any additional or future expansion of the business use.
I.
Off-street parking and loading space as required in this section shall be provided for all new buildings and structures and for additions to existing buildings or structures. The word "addition" as used above shall include any development (as defined), reconstruction, structural alteration, or alteration intended to enlarge or increase capacity by adding or creating dwelling units or gross floor area.
J.
Existing off-street parking or loading facilities provided at the effective date of this chapter and actually being used at that time in connection with the operation of an existing use shall not be reduced below the minimum required in this chapter.
K.
Whenever the existing use of a building, structure or land shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if the said building or structure was erected or the use of land established prior to the effective date of this chapter, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements of the new use would exceed this for the existing use.
L.
Shared parking: collective or mixed uses; off-street parking and loading requirements. Collective provision of off-street parking and loading facilities for two or more buildings or uses located on the same or adjacent lots is permitted to allow for the sharing of such facilities for commercial and mixed-use development. Reduction of parking is permitted if credible justification is provided by the applicant that peak period parking for each specific use is not needed. The applicant shall provide, in the traffic impact study, as required by the SALDO, credible evidence that the actual demand for parking will be met during peak business hours for all shared uses.
M.
Parking, access and circulation roads, driveways and loading and unloading area setbacks, unless specified in Article III, Use Regulations, and Article IV, Classification of Districts, shall be as provided for in Table 7:
Table 7 Land Use Type Setbacks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Uses | Buildings (feet) | Street Line (feet) | Property Lines | |
Like Uses (feet) | Unlike Uses (feet) | |||
Single-family detached | 0 | NA | 5 | 5 |
Other residential | 53 | 10 | 102 | 1 |
Commercial/institutional | 10 | 15 | 10 | 1 |
Office/industrial | 10 | 15 | 10 | 1 |
Other uses | 10 | 15 | 10 | 1 |
NOTES: | |
1 | See § 370-806, Buffering, screening, and planting strip requirements. |
2 | No setback for attached dwelling units. |
3 | No setback for attached garages. |
N.
Access drives and parking bays.
(1)
All access drives and parking bays shall be set back and buffered with a minimum planting strip of 10 feet when directly adjacent to building walls except in loading and unloading areas, drive-through lanes, and single-family detached dwellings. Single-family detached dwellings require a minimum planting strip of five feet, as shown on Table 7.
(2)
Contents of this planting strip are subject to Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development.
O.
Electric vehicle charging space standards.
(1)
All new, expanded, and reconstructed parking areas may provide the electrical capacity necessary to accommodate the future hardwire installation of electric vehicle charging spaces.
(2)
Parking configurations, stall dimensions, signage, and the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment shall be designed to the standards of this chapter, as approved by the Township.
(3)
At-home, personal chargers not associated with use H12, Electric vehicle charging station may be permitted to count toward the minimum parking requirements as outlined in this chapter.
(4)
At-home, personal electric vehicle chargers shall only be used by occupants of the property, shall not be advertised or held out as available to the public, and are not required to meet the electric vehicle charging station standards of this chapter.
§ 370-602 Required off-street parking space.
[Amended 2-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-O-1; 3-10-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-O-01]
Off-street parking facilities shall be provided as follows, unless specified in parking standards per district or Article III, Use Regulations:
A.
Residential parking requirements.
(1)
An attached or unattached garage or carport on the premises does not count towards the parking requirement. Driveways not included in the street line do count towards the parking requirement.
(2)
Apartment structures in combination with permitted commercial uses shall provide parking spaces as required as if both uses were established separately.
(3)
Required parking may be permitted in driveway front yards.
(4)
There shall be a minimum of 18 feet between the face of the garage and the street line.
Table 8 Residential Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Uses | Required Parking Spaces for Each Dwelling Unit |
Single-family detached dwelling Mobile/manufactured home park | 2 |
Single-family zero lot line dwelling | 2 |
Two-family detached dwelling (duplex) | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Two-family semidetached dwelling (twin) | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Townhouse Townhouse village development Traditional townhouses | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Four-family semidetached dwelling Multiplex | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Garden apartment | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Midrise apartment Town center apartments | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Conservation residential development Mixed residential community | 2.5 (includes designated visitor and common parking) |
Village house | 2 |
Manor house | 2 |
Live-work units | 1.5, plus 1 per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
Rooming house or boardinghouse | 1 per each room in a unit, plus 1 caretaker space per room |
B.
Nonresidential parking.
Table 9 Nonresidential Parking Requirements | |
|---|---|
Uses | Required Parking Spaces |
Agricultural sales/roadside farm stands | 1 for every 200 square feet of retail space |
Kennel | 1 for each employee, plus 1 for each 8 animals in capacity except for training where 1 shall be provided for each 3 animals |
Riding academy/livery or boarding stable | 1 for every 3 persons present at such facilities when they are used to capacity |
Nursery | 1 for every 250 square feet of retail space |
Cemetery | 1 for each employee, plus 1 for each 4 visitors in total capacity for an on-site chapel |
Crematorium | 1 for each 4 seats for patron use or 1 for every 50 square feet |
Hospital | 1.5 for each patient bed, plus 1 for each staff and visiting doctor; plus 1 for each employee on the 2 largest shifts |
Library or museum | 3 per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area |
Municipal use | 1.2 for each 250 square gross floor area used by the public, plus 1 per employee |
Nursing home | 1 per 2 patient beds, plus 1 for each staff and visiting doctor; plus 1 for each employee on the 2 largest shifts |
Assisted living/personal care facility | 1 per 2 patient beds, plus 1 for each staff and visiting doctor, plus 1 for each employee on the 2 largest shifts |
Recreation facility community center | 1 for each 4 seats provided for patron use or 1 for each 50 square feet of gross floor area, whichever requires the greatest number of spaces, plus 1 additional for each employee |
Continuing care retirement community | 1 per 2 patient beds, plus 1 for each staff and visiting doctor, plus 1 for each employee on the 2 largest shifts |
School | 12 per 100 students for elementary school, 15 per 100 students for middle/junior high school, and 38 per 100 students for high school |
Academic or administrative building for educational facilities of higher learning | 1.3 per employee, plus 1 per each 3 students |
Place of assembly - theater | 22 per 100 theater seats |
Place of worship | 1 for each 2 seats provided for patron use or 1 for each 40 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater, plus 1 for each full-time employee |
Professional or business office | 5 per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area |
Veterinary office | 1.4 per 500 square feet of gross area |
Medical service, clinic, urgent care | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Research and development lab | 3.5 per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 per employee |
Medical service - physician's office | 4.3 per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area |
Medical services integrated medical health center | 3 per exam/procedure unit, plus 1 per employee (including doctors and nurses) on the largest shift |
Adult-oriented business | 1 for each 4 seats devoted to patron use or 1 for each 50 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater, plus 1 for each employee |
Financial establishment | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Automotive body repair Automotive repair Truck repair | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area devoted to retail, plus 4 per each service bay, plus 1 for each employee |
Automotive sales | 1.5 per 1,000 square feet of gross area, plus 1 per employee |
Motor vehicle service station | 1.7 per 1,000 square feet of gross area, plus 1 per employee |
Car wash | 1 per employee, plus 1 per vacuum |
Restaurant Tavern Restaurant, fast-food Nightclub Brewpub Microbrewery Similar uses | 1 per employee, plus 1 per 2 persons of capacity or 2 seats (whichever is greater) |
Private club | 1 per 5 members, plus 1 per 50 square feet of service area, plus 1 per employee |
Bed-and-breakfast | 1 for each guest room, plus 1 for each employee, plus 2 for the owners of the property |
Private recreation area Outdoor entertainment | 1 for every 3 persons of maximum occupancy |
Retail/store, trade and service | 1.3 for each 250 square feet of sales floor area |
Personal service business establishment | 1 for each 100 square feet of building floor area up to 400 square feet, plus 1 for each 200 square feet of building floor area above 400 square feet |
Repair shop Smoking lounge | 1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
Golf course | 1 per 5 people of total capacity, including accessory uses, plus 1 per employee |
Hotel/motel | 1.1 per room, plus the required parking for associated uses, such as restaurant, banquet, assembly, and meeting rooms, etc. |
Mini warehouse Limited-access self-storage facility | 1 per 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, plus 1 for each 20 rental units |
Sale of fireworks | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Pet day-care | 1 per employee, plus 1 for each 5 dogs/animals |
Convenience store with fuel sales | 1.6 for every 125 square feet of sales floor area |
Shopping center | 5 for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area; if the shopping center has multiple tenants, parking calculations for each business shall be calculated separately |
Garden center | 5 per 1,000 gross floor and display area (both indoor and outdoor) |
Day-care center | 1 per employee and 1 dropoff space per 10 patrons |
Dwelling in combination with a business | 2 per dwelling unit |
Combined office/commercial multifamily building | 1 per 250 square feet of nonresidential gross floor area, plus 1.25 per efficiency unit, 1.5 per one-bedroom unit, and 2 per two-bedroom unit |
Short-term rental | 1.5 per dwelling unit, plus 2 if the primary dwelling is owner-occupied |
Private kindergarten, child nursery, or day-care | 1 for each 600 square feet of building floor area |
Indoor entertainment facility Athletic recreation facility | 1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Medical service lab | 1 per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Commercial school | 1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area |
Medical marijuana dispensary | 1 per 150 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 per employee |
Funeral home | 1 per 4 seats or 1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area used for viewing or ceremonial purposes, plus 1 per employee |
Village shops | 1 for each 150 square feet of gross floor area |
Utility operating facility | 2 or 1 per employee, whichever requires the greatest number of spaces |
Emergency services | 3 per 4 employees or 4 per fire truck |
Truck terminal | 1 per 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each company vehicle |
Manufacturing | 1.2 per employee on the largest shift |
Laboratories, research and testing | 1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area |
Wholesale business/wholesale storage Warehouse | 1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each company vehicle normally stored on the premises |
Flex space | 1 per employee or 1 per 250 square feet of total floor area |
Transfer station | 1 per employee plus 2 visitor spaces |
Quarry | 1.1 for each employee on the largest shift, plus 1 in a dedicated area for utility vehicles |
Junkyard | 1.1 for each employee on the largest shift |
Contracting | 3 per 4 employees on the largest shift or 1 per 500 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater, plus 1 for each company vehicle normally stored on the premises |
Fuel storage and distribution | 1 per each employee, plus 1 for each company vehicle normally stored on the premises |
Medical marijuana grower/processor | 1 per 450 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 per each employee |
Multigenerational apartment | 1 per multigenerational apartment in addition to the parking requirement for the primary dwelling |
Professional home occupation | 1.25 per employee in addition to the parking requirement for the primary dwelling |
§ 370-603 Additional parking standards for nonresidential land use.
A.
Parking prohibitions. Nonresidential parking shall not be permitted along the street (cartway) except in designated areas.
B.
Agricultural uses. One off-street parking space shall be provided for every 200 square feet of agricultural use with a devoted retail component, such as a roadside farm stand, with a minimum of three off-street parking spaces required. Vehicle ingress and egress is exempt from parking surface requirements and the required landscaping requirements.
C.
All other nonresidential land uses. If a parking requirement for a nonresidential land use is not listed on the tables in § 370-602B, the parking requirement for such use will be as follows:
(1)
Less than 400,000 square feet of gross floor area: one parking space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area.
(2)
More than 400,000 square feet of gross floor area: one parking space for each 200 square feet of gross floor area.
§ 370-604 (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 370-604, Additional specific parking standards per district, as amended, was repealed 3-10-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-O-01.
§ 370-605 Loading dock and dropoff area.
A.
Each off-street loading, unloading and dropoff area shall be 12 feet wide and a minimum of 30 feet long for small vehicles, such as passenger cars, and panel or pickup (city-delivery-type) trucks, or an area of 14 feet wide and a minimum of 55 feet long for larger vehicles, such as buses and tractor-trailer-type trucks.
B.
All loading, unloading and dropoff areas shall have unobstructed access from a street, service driveway or alley and are to be located as separate as possible from parking areas and access aisles or drives, and shall be designed and marked to preclude the use thereof for general parking, and so as not to impede emergency access or pedestrian or vehicular movements.
[Amended 4-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-O-06]
C.
If not required to be completely enclosed, all loading/unloading areas shall be adequately screened by the use of dense evergreen planting, earth berms or solid walls or fences, so as not to be visible from any street or residential property.
§ 370-606 Access to off-street parking and loading areas.
Access to and from all off-street parking, loading and vehicle service areas along street lines shall consist of well-defined separate or common entrances and exits and shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
Access drives shall not open upon any public ultimate right-of-way within 80 feet of the nearest ultimate right-of-way line of any intersecting public street or highway.
B.
Access drives shall not open upon any street line where the sight distance in either direction along the public thoroughfare would be less than 500 feet when the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour; however, when the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, the sight distance requirement may be reduced to 250 feet.
§ 370-607 Parking and loading area setbacks.
All structures and paved areas shall be subject to lot area and bulk regulations, except:
A.
All nonresidential parking and loading areas and parallel circulation and service lanes shall be separated from the paving edge of a public thoroughfare or adjoining property lines by a planting strip no less than 20 feet in depth in nonresidential districts. If additional lanes or roadway are dedicated to the Township, the width of the required plant strip may be reduced to not less than 10 feet. For buffer requirements, see Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of Warrington.
B.
In any district, a driveway otherwise permitted may extend into a front yard for the purpose of reaching the street.
