Washington City Zoning Code
165.22 OFF-STREET
PARKING AREAS AND LOADING SPACES.
1. Loading and Unloading Areas. In all districts, in connection with every building or part thereof hereafter erected, having a gross floor area of 2,500 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by uses requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same premises with such building at least one off-street loading space accessible from an alley, easement of access, or, when there is no such alley or easement of access, from a street, plus one additional such loading space for each 10,000 square feet or major fraction thereof of gross floor area so used in excess of 15,000 square feet. Such space may occupy all, or any part of a required rear yard or with authorization of the Board of Adjustment, part of any other yard or court space on the same premises.
2. Off-Street Parking Areas. In all districts except B-1, off-street accessory parking areas, in the open or in a garage, shall be provided in connection with the uses set forth hereinafter and to the extent indicated therewith, in addition to the above required loading and unloading spaces. Such areas in the case of R Districts and for dwellings in other districts, shall be on the premises intended to be served; and in the case of B-2, or I-1 Districts, and in connection with uses other than dwellings, such areas shall be on the premises intended to be served or on adjoining or nearby property within 100 feet of any part of said premises and in the same or less restricted district. In the case of Ground Level Residential Conversions, the applicant shall provide one off-street parking stall per residential unit on the site being converted.
3. Number of Parking Spaces Required.
USE | PARKING SPACES REQUIRED |
USE | PARKING SPACES REQUIRED |
Automobile or machinery sales and service garages | 1 for each 1,000 square feet of floor area plus 1 for each full-time employee |
Banks, business and professional offices | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area |
Bowling alleys | 6 for each alley |
Churches and schools | 1 for each 4 seats in principal auditorium |
Convenience stores: drug, grocery, hardware and similar stores | 1 for each 300 square feet of floor area devoted to sales plus 1 for each full-time employee |
Dance halls and assembly halls without fixed seats | 1 for each 50 square feet of floor area used for assembly or dancing |
Drive-in eating establishments | Not less than one-half of the total ground area to be devoted exclusively to parking and accessways |
Dwellings: Single-family detached | 2 for each dwelling unit |
Elderly apartment house in R-5 District | 3/4 for each dwelling unit |
All other | 2 for each dwelling unit |
Food pick-up establishments | Minimum of 2 plus 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area |
Funeral homes, mortuaries | 6 per chapel room or parlor or 1 per 50 square feet of rooms used for services, whichever is greater |
Hospitals, nursing homes and similar care centers | 1 for each 5 beds plus 1 for each 2 doctors and employees |
Manufacturing plants, research or testing laboratories, bottling plants | 2 for each 3 employees on maximum working shift |
Medical or dental clinics | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area plus 1 for each full-time employee and 1 for each doctor |
Motels or motor hotels | 1 for each unit, plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Motor fuel stations | 1 for each employee on duty plus 2 for each service bay |
Service establishments: Barber shops | 2 for each chair plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Beauty shops | 1 for each dryer plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Coin-operated laundries and/or dry cleaning establishments | 1 for each 3 washers and/or cleaning machines plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Restaurants | 1 for each 3 seats plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Shoppers’ goods - appliance, household equipment, furniture and similar stores | 1 for each 500 square feet of floor area plus 1 for each full-time employee |
Taverns and bars | 1 for each 2 seats plus 1 for each 2 employees on maximum shift |
Theaters | 1 for each 4 seats |
Wholesale establishments | 1 for each 4 employees on maximum shift |
In the case of any use which is not specifically mentioned in this subsection, the provisions for a similar use which is mentioned shall apply.
4. Units of Measurement.
A. Parking Space. Each parking space rectangular in shape shall not be less than eight and one-half feet wide and 20 feet long, or not less than 170 square feet in area exclusive in access drives or aisles.
B. Loading Space. Each loading space shall not be less than 10 feet wide, 40 feet in length and 14 feet in height, exclusive of access and turning area.
C. Floor Area. In the case of merchandising or service types of uses, “floor area” means the gross floor area used or intended to be used by tenants, or for service to the public as customers, patrons or clients, but shall not include areas used principally for nonpublic purposes, such as toilet or rest rooms, utilities, or dressing rooms.
D. Hospital bassinets. In hospitals, bassinets shall not be counted as beds.
E. Benches in place of public assembly. In stadiums, sports arenas, churches and other places of public assembly in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews, or other similar seating facilities, each 20 inches of such seating facilities shall be counted as one seat for the purpose of determining requirements for off-street parking facilities under this chapter.
5. Development Standards. Off-street accessory parking areas shall be of usable shape, and shall be improved, in accordance with requirements of the Council, with a durable and dustless surface and so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulation within the area. Any lighting used to illuminate such parking areas shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any R District.
6. Exceptions.
A. The Board of Adjustment may authorize on appeal a modification, reduction or waiver of the foregoing requirements, if it should find that in the particular case the peculiar nature of the use, or other exceptional situation or condition would justify such modification, reduction or waiver.
B. The Commission, in consultation with other City departments and agencies, shall make studies as found advisable of various areas in the City for the purpose of determining the areas within which there is need for off-street parking facilities to be provided by the municipality and to be financed wholly, or in part, by a special assessment district or other means. Where such need is found, the Commission shall report its recommendation for the acquisition of such off-street parking facilities to the Council. Each report shall include recommendations on the type, size, location and other pertinent features of the proposed off-street parking facilities and the area they are intended to serve.