Washington City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IV
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 350-18 Purpose.
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.
§ 350-19 Parking spaces.
Parking spaces shall meet the following minimum dimensions:
Table 401: Parking Space Standards | ||
|---|---|---|
Type of Parking Space | Width (feet) | Length (feet) |
Angle or 90° | 9 | 18 |
Parallel | 8 | 22 |
Handicapped | 14 | 19 |
Van accessible | 17 | 19 |
§ 350-20 Parking areas.
A.
Off-street parking areas shall be oriented to and within a reasonable walking distance of the buildings they are designed to serve.
B.
Parking lots shall be designed so that vehicles are not required to back onto the street right-of-way.
C.
When possible, parking lots should be located to the rear or side of all structures.
D.
Access to parking areas shall be designed so as not to obstruct free flow of traffic. There shall be adequate provision for ingress to and egress from all parking spaces to ensure ease of mobility, ample clearance and safety of vehicles and pedestrians.
E.
The width of aisles providing direct access to individual parking stalls shall be in accordance with the requirements specified below. Only one-way traffic shall be permitted in aisles serving single-row parking spaces placed at an angle other than 90°.
F.
Table 402: Minimum required width of aisles.
Table 402: Minimum Required Width of Aisles. | |
|---|---|
Parking Angle | Access Lane (feet) |
30° | 12 |
45° | 13 |
60° | 18 |
90° | 24 |
G.
Where sidewalks occur in parking areas, parked vehicles shall not overhang the sidewalk unless an additional one foot is provided in order to accommodate such overhang.
H.
Markings. In all paved parking areas which contain five or more spaces, all parking spaces shall be clearly delineated by painted lines marked with durable white or yellow paint in stripes a minimum of four inches wide extending the length of the parking space. All vehicular entrances and exits to parking areas shall be clearly marked for all conditions. Short-term visitor parking spaces shall be differentiated from long-term employee spaces by suitable markings.
I.
Lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be designed to reflect the light away from the adjoining premises of any residential zoning district or residential use and away from any streets or highways. Light standards shall not exceed 15 feet in height. The lighting system shall furnish an average minimum of 1.0 footcandle during hours of operation and shall be designed with full cutoff luminaries with a cutoff angle of 90°.
J.
Stormwater management. All paved areas shall be designed so that stormwater runoff shall not adversely affect adjacent properties. The method of stormwater management and the design of the proposed facilities shall be subject to the requirements of the Stormwater Management Ordinance[1] and to review and recommendation by the Municipal Engineer.
§ 350-21 Parking spaces required.
A.
An adequate number of off-street parking spaces shall be required in all developments to accommodate residents and visitors. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided as listed in Table 403.
B.
For any use not specified in Table 403, Council, after recommendation by the Planning Commission, shall determine the appropriate parking space requirements based on a parking needs study.
C.
The Central Business District (CBD) shall be exempt from the parking requirements found in Table 403.
D.
When determination of off-street parking results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction will be counted as one parking space.
E.
Where more than one use occupies a given lot, building or structure, off-street parking equal to the sum of that required for each use shall be required.
F.
Where more than one use occupies a given lot, building or structure, off-street parking equal to the sum of that required for each use shall be required.
G.
In no case shall the public right-of-way be used for meeting a required parking requirement.
H.
A one-car garage and driveway shall count as two off-street parking spaces, provided the driveway measures a minimum of 18 feet in length between the face of the garage door and the sidewalk, or 25 feet to the curbline. A two car garage and driveway combination shall count as four off-street parking spaces, provided the minimum width of the driveway is 20 feet and its minimum length is as specified above for a one-car garage.
Table 403: Minimum Number of Required Off-Street Parking Spaces | |
|---|---|
Use | Required Off-Street Parking Spaces per Indicated Area |
Class I: Residential | |
Single-family, attached and detached | 2 spaces |
Two-family/duplex | 2 spaces |
Multifamily | 1 bedroom - 1.25 spaces per dwelling unit 2 bedrooms - 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit 3 bedrooms or more - 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
Assisted living and nursing facilities | 1 space per 3 beds and 1 for each employee on the peak shift |
Bed-and-breakfasts | 1 space for each guest room, plus 2 spaces for the owner/operator |
Dormitories and theme housing | 1 space for every 2 beds, provided that the college/university certify in writing that the student-to-automobile ratio for residents does not exceed 1 vehicle for every 2 beds; or the college/university shall provide 1 additional space for each additional vehicle and agree to monitoring |
Group residential living facilities | 1 space for every 3 rooms, plus 1 space per employee on the peak shift |
Class II: Moderate Intensity Nonresidential | |
Clinic | 1 space for every 350 sf of GFA |
Funeral home | 1 space for every 50 sf of GFA in the parlors, plus 1 per 300 sf of remaining GFA |
Hospital | 2.2 spaces for each bed proposed to be constructed |
Offices | 1 space for every 400 sf of GFA |
Personal and business services | 1 space for every 250 sf of GFA |
Veterinary clinic | 1 space for every 300 sf of GFA |
Class III: Educational and Religious | |
Art gallery/museum | 1 space for every 325 sf of GFA in exhibit area or gallery space |
Day-care center | 1 space for every employee on duty during largest shift plus 1 for every 5 children in attendance when the facility is operating at maximum capacity |
Library | 1.2 spaces for every 1,000 sf of GFA |
School, elementary | 1.5 spaces per 30-person classroom |
School, middle/high | 3.5 spaces per 30-person classroom |
School, college, university, or trade | 1 space for every 3 employees plus 1 space for every 10 students residing on campus and/or 1 space for every 5 students not residing on campus |
Religious institution | 1 space for every 5 fixed seats in auditorium/sanctuary; if no fixed seats, 1 space for every 40 sf of GFA in main auditorium or sanctuary |
Class IV: Commercial | |
Bank | 1 space for every 350 sf of GFA plus 3 spaces for each ATM not located in a drive-through |
Club or lounge (including outdoor seating areas | 1 space for every 100 sf of GFA |
Food and grocery store and/or convenience store | 1 space for every 300 sf of GFA |
Greenhouse, commercial and/or garden center and/or nursery | 1 space for every employee on largest shift plus 1 space for every 400 sf of growing and display area accessible to the public |
Hotel/motel | 1 space for each guest room, plus 1 space for each 10 rooms, plus 1 space for every 3 employees |
Restaurant/tavern (including outdoor seating areas) | 1 space for every 125 sf of GFA |
Retail store | 1 space for every 300 sf of GFA |
Class V: Industrial | |
Gasoline service station | 1 space for each employee on duty during largest shift plus 2 for each service bay plus 1 space per 250 sf of GFA of convenience store, if applicable |
Heavy manufacturing | 1 space for every 400 sf of GFA of office space, plus 1 space per 2,000 sf of GFA of warehouse, assembly, or storage space |
Light manufacturing | 1 space for every 400 sf of GFA of office space, plus 1 space per 1,500 sf of GFA of warehouse, assembly, or storage space |
Research and development and/or laboratory | 1 space for each 2,000 sf plus 1 space for every 3 employees |
Self-storage facility | 1 space for every 40 storage units or bays |
Transportation depot | 1 space for every 150 sf of waiting area |
Truck terminal | 1 space for 1,000 sf of GFA plus 1 space for every 3 employees |
Vehicle/car wash | 2.5 spaces for each bay or stall for stacking space |
Vehicle repair | 2 spaces for each service bay |
Vehicle sales, rental, and service | 1 space for every 180 sf of GFA |
Warehouse and/or distribution facility | 1 space for every 400 sf of GFA of office space, plus 1 space per 1,700 sf of GFA of wholesale/warehouse space |
Wholesale establishment | 1 space for each 3,500 sf of GFA plus 1 space for every 3 employees |
Class VI: Recreation | |
Community or club swimming pool | 1 space for every 1.5 members |
Driving range (golf) | 1 space for each tee |
Golf course | 4 spaces for every green |
Health club | 1 space for every 200 sf of GFA |
Miniature golf | 1 space for each hole |
Movie theater | 1 space for every 3 seats |
Park pavilion | 1 space for each picnic table |
Recreation, municipal or private (5-10 acres) | 1 space for the first 2 acres and 1 space for each additional acre plus any additional parking for any other facilities or land uses constructed within the park as provided herein |
Recreation, municipal or private (over 10 acres) | 5 spaces for the first acre and 1 space for each additional 10 acres plus any additional parking for any other facilities or land uses constructed within the park as provided herein |
Recreation, indoor | 1 space for every 300 sf of GFA |
Theater or auditorium | 1 space for every 3 seats |
Note: sf = square footage; GFA = gross floor area |
§ 350-22 Staged parking plan.
Where the total number of off-street parking spaces required are not immediately required for a particular use, a staged development plan may be permitted requiring that only a portion of the parking area, but not less than 65% of the required spaces, be completed initially, subject to the following requirements:
A.
The site plan shall clearly indicate both the portion of the parking area to be paved initially and the total parking needed to provide the number of spaces required. The part of the parking area to be paved shall be paved with a solid, dustless and impervious material normally used for the paving of parking areas (i.e., macadam, asphalt or concrete).
B.
The site plan shall provide for adequate drainage of both the partial and total parking areas.
C.
The portion of the parking area not to be paved initially shall be landscaped with a ground cover to prevent erosion. The ground cover shall be appropriate for soil conditions, water availability and the environment.
D.
The applicant shall post separate performance guarantees, in addition to the performance guarantees required by this chapter, which shall reflect the cost of installing the additional parking facilities necessary to provide the total number of parking spaces required.
E.
In lieu of a permanent certificate of occupancy, a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a period of two years. Prior to the expiration of the two-year period, the applicant may either install the additional parking shown on the site plan and apply for issuance of a permanent certificate of occupancy, or apply to the Planning Commission after the use has been in operation a minimum of 18 months for a determination as to whether or not the initial parking area provided is adequate. If the Planning Commission determines that the parking facility is adequate as originally constructed, the performance guarantees shall be released and a permanent certificate of occupancy issued. If, however, the Planning Commission determines that partial off-street parking area is not adequate, the applicant shall be required to install the additional parking facilities in accordance with the terms of the performance guarantees prior to issuance of a permanent certificate of occupancy.
F.
Any change of use on a site for which the Planning Commission may have approved a partial paving of off-street parking areas to a use which require more parking spaces than are provided on the site shall require submission of a new site plan.
§ 350-23 Special parking provisions.
If the number of off-street parking spaces required by this section cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot where the principal use associated with these parking spaces is located, then parking spaces may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use as a conditional use pursuant to the provisions below. These off-site spaces are referred to in this section as satellite parking spaces.
A.
All such satellite parking spaces (except spaces intended for employee use) must be located within 500 feet of the lot on which the principal use associated with such parking is located.
B.
Walking paths shall be provided between the principal use and the parking lot. Such paths shall not cross streets except at designated crosswalks.
C.
All such parking spaces must be located in a zoning district that permits the principal use.
D.
Two or more nonresidential uses may jointly provide and use parking spaces when their hours of operation do not normally overlap, provided that a written agreement shall be filed with the application for a zoning certificate.
E.
A shared parking plan shall be enforced through written agreement. An attested copy of the agreement between the owners of record shall be submitted to the municipality, who shall forward a copy to the Municipal Solicitor for review and approval. Proof of recordation of the agreement shall be presented to the municipality prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The agreement shall:
(1)
List the names and ownership interest of all parties to the agreement and contain the signatures of those parties;
(2)
Provide a legal description of the land;
(3)
Include a site plan showing the area of the parking parcel;
(4)
Describe the area of the parking parcel and designate and reserve it for shared parking unencumbered by any conditions which would interfere with its use;
(5)
Agree and expressly declare the intent for the covenant to run with the land and bind all parties and all successors in interest to the covenant;
(6)
Assure the continued availability of the spaces for joint use and provide assurance that all spaces will be usable without charge to all participating uses; and
(7)
Describe the method by which the covenant shall, if necessary, be revised.
F.
If the agreement expires, each owner shall provide the required parking spaces for their principal use.
§ 350-24 Accessible parking.
A.
Parking spaces for use by persons with disabilities shall meet the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design, as updated or amended.
B.
Such parking spaces shall be located as close as possible to ramps, walkways, entrances and elevators. Where feasible, these parking spaces shall be located so that the physically handicapped are not forced to wheel or walk across main traffic lanes or behind parked cars to reach the ramps and other facilities. The spaces shall be situated in those areas of the parking lots located nearest to each primary building entrance.
§ 350-25 Loading and unloading areas.
A.
In any district, in connection with every building or building group or part thereof that is to be occupied by commercial, industrial or other nonresidential uses that rely on the delivery or distribution of materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same lot with such buildings off-street loading berths in accordance with the standards provided in Table 404.
Table 404: Minimum Loading Berths Required | |
|---|---|
Use and/or Gross Floor Area of Building (square feet) | Number of Loading Berths Required |
Schools | 1 |
Commercial uses less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area (building) | 1 |
Commercial and/or industrial uses of 10,000 square feet or more of gross floor area (building) | 1 |
For each additional 20,000 square feet of gross floor area or fraction thereof | 1 additional |
B.
Each loading and unloading space:
(1)
Shall be at least 15 feet wide, 60 feet long and shall have at least a fifteen-foot vertical clearance;
(2)
Shall have an all-weather surface to provide safe and convenient access during all seasons; and
(3)
Shall not be constructed between the street right-of-way line and the building setback line.
C.
Required off-street parking spaces (including aisles) shall not be used for loading and unloading purposes.
D.
Loading and unloading facilities shall be designed so that a truck or any portion thereof need not park in or effectively block in any manner any public right-of-way or need not back out onto a street.