(A)   Purpose.

      (1)   The regulations of this article are intended to ensure provision of off-street motor vehicle parking and loading facilities, bicycle parking areas, and other transportation access facilities in rough proportion to the generalized parking and transportation demands of different land uses. By requiring such facilities, it is the intent of this article to help avoid the negative impacts associated with spillover parking into adjacent areas, while at the same time avoiding the negative environmental and appearance impacts that can result from parking lots and other vehicular use areas.

      (2)   The provisions of this article are also intended to help protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by:

         (a)   Helping avoid and mitigate traffic congestion;

         (b)   Encouraging multi-modal transportation options and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety;

         (c)   Providing methods to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces in parking areas and adequate drainage structures in order to reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff; and

         (d)   Providing flexible methods of responding to the transportation and access demands of various land uses in different areas of the county.

   (B)   Applicability.

      (1)   General. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the regulations of this article apply to all districts and uses.

      (2)   New uses and development. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the regulations of this article apply to all new buildings constructed and all new uses established in all districts.

      (3)   Enlargements and expansions.

         (a)   Unless otherwise expressly stated, the regulations of this article apply whenever an existing building or use is enlarged or expanded to include additional dwelling units, floor area, seating capacity, employees or other units of measurement used for establishing off-street parking and loading requirements.

         (b)   In the case of enlargements or expansions triggering requirements for additional parking or loading, additional spaces are required only to serve the enlarged or expanded area, not the entire building or use. In other words, there is no requirement to address lawfully existing parking and loading space deficits.

      (4)   Change of use.

         (a)   Unless otherwise expressly stated, when the use of property changes, additional (vehicle and bicycle) parking spaces and loading spaces must be provided to serve the new use only when the number of spaces required for the new use exceeds the number of spaces required for the lawful use that most recently occupied the building, based on the regulations of this zoning ordinance. In other words, 100% "credit" is given to the most recent lawful use of the property for the number of parking and loading spaces that would have been required under this zoning ordinance, regardless of whether such spaces are actually provided. Any new parking spaces required must comply with all applicable parking and loading area design and layout standards.

         (b)   When the number of parking or loading spaces required for the new use exceeds the number of spaces required for the use that most recently occupied the property, additional spaces are required only to make up the difference between the number of spaces required for the previous use and the number of spaces required for the new use, based on the regulations of this zoning ordinance.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   The following rules apply when calculating the required number of off-street parking and loading spaces required under this zoning ordinance.

   (A)   Multiple uses. Unless otherwise expressly stated, lots occupied by more than one use must provide parking and loading in an amount equal to the total of the requirements for all uses that occupy the lot.

   (B)   Fractions. When measurements of the number of required spaces result in a fractional number, any fraction of less than ½ is rounded down to the next lower whole number, and any fraction of ½ or more is rounded up to the next higher whole number.

   (C)   Area measurements. All area-based (square footage) parking and loading standards must be computed on the basis of the total gross floor area devoted to such use, including accessory storage areas located within selling or working space such as counters, racks, or closets, and any floor area devoted to retailing activities, to the production or processing of goods, or to business or professional offices. However, for the purposes of determining off-street parking and loading space requirements the following areas are not counted as part of the gross floor area:

      (1)   Floor area devoted primarily to storage purposes (except as otherwise noted herein);

      (2)   Floor area devoted to off-street parking or loading facilities, including aisles, ramps and maneuvering space; or

      (3)   Mechanical or storage floor area other than area devoted to retailing activities, to the production of goods, or to business or professional offices.

   (D)   Seating or occupancy. A seat is the space intended for a single individual; in places where patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews, or other similar seating arrangements, each 20 linear inches of such seating is counted as one seat. In places without fixed seating, each eight square feet of seating floor area is counted as one seat.

   (E)   Employees. For the purpose of computing requirements based on employees, calculations must be based on the average number of persons working on any single shift.

   (F)   Unlisted uses. Upon receiving a development application for a use not specifically listed in an off-street parking schedule, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to apply the off-street parking ratio specified for the listed use that is deemed most similar to the proposed use or establish a minimum off-street parking requirement for the proposed use in accordance with division (G) of this section.

   (G)   Establishment of other parking ratios. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to establish required minimum off-street parking ratios for unlisted uses and in those instances where authority to establish a requirement is expressly granted. Such ratios may be established on the basis of a similar use/parking determination (as described in division (F) of this section), on parking data provided by the applicant or information otherwise available to the Zoning Administrator. Parking data and studies must include estimates of parking demand based on reliable data collected from comparable uses or on external data from credible research organizations (e.g., Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) or American Planning Association (APA)). Comparability will be determined by density, scale, bulk, area, type of activity and location. Parking studies must document the source of all data used to develop recommended requirements.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Minimum requirements. Except as otherwise expressly stated, off-street motor vehicle parking spaces must be provided in accordance with the following table:

 

   (A)   Description. Shared parking represents an arrangement in which two or more uses with different peak parking demand periods use the same off-street parking spaces to meet their minimum off-street parking requirements.

   (B)   Authorization and criteria.

      (1)   The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve shared parking arrangements for uses with different hours of operation.

      (2)   The Zoning Administrator may permit parking required for one use to be supplied by the off-street parking spaces provided for another use if the Zoning Administrator determines that the uses or activities will have peak parking demands at different periods of the day or week.

      (3)   In order to approve an alternative compliance parking plan for shared parking, the Zoning Administrator must find, based on competent evidence provided by the applicant, that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the uses for which the sharing of parking is proposed. The Zoning Administrator may utilize the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Shared Parking methodology as a guide in reviewing the shared parking proposal submitted by the applicant.

      (4)   A request for approval of a shared parking arrangement must be accompanied by such information determined by the Zoning Administrator to be necessary to evaluate the peak parking demand characteristics or difference in hours and/or days of operation, including, but not limited to, a description of the uses and their operational characteristics, a site plan, and a parking study that justifies the reduction in parking requested, as prepared by a licensed professional traffic engineer or other qualified professional.

   (C)   Location of shared parking. Shared parking arrangements are subject to the location standards of § 155-11.50.

   (D)   Shared parking agreement.

      (1)   An agreement providing for the shared use of parking areas, executed by the parties involved, must be filed with the Zoning Administrator in a form approved by the state's attorney and recorded with the county recorder of deeds.

      (2)   Shared parking agreements are binding upon applicants, their successors and assigns. Amendments to parking agreements require Zoning Administrator approval, based on whether the proposed amendment complies with all applicable zoning ordinance provisions.

      (3)   Shared parking privileges remain in effect only as long as the agreement, binding on all parties, remains in force. If a shared parking agreement lapses or is no longer valid, then parking must be provided as otherwise required by this article.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   General. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this zoning ordinance, required off-street parking spaces must be located on the same lot as the building or use they are required to serve.

   (B)   Off-site parking.

      (1)   General. All or a portion of required off-street parking for nonresidential uses may be provided off-site, in accordance with the provisions of this section. Required accessible parking spaces may not be located off-site.

      (2)   Location. Off-site parking areas must be located within a 600-foot radius of the use served by such parking, measured between the entrance of the use to be served and the outer perimeter of the furthest parking space within the off-site parking lot.

      (3)   Control of off-site parking area.

         (a)   The property to be occupied by the off-site parking facilities must be under the same ownership as the lot containing the use to be served by the parking. The off-site parking area may be under separate ownership only if a legal agreement is provided to the Zoning Administrator guaranteeing the long-term availability of the parking. The agreement must be in a form approved by the state's attorney and recorded with the county recorder of deeds.

         (b)   Off-site parking agreements are binding upon applicants, their successors and assigns. Amendments to off-site parking agreements require Zoning Administrator approval, based on whether the proposed amendment complies with all applicable zoning ordinance provisions.

         (c)   Off-site parking privileges remain in effect only as long as the agreement, binding on all parties, remains in force. If an off-site parking agreement lapses or is no longer valid, then parking must be provided as otherwise required by this article.

   (C)   Parking in setbacks and yard areas. In residential districts, parking is prohibited in street setbacks, except that parking spaces for residential uses may be located on a driveway leading to a garage or other allowed off-street parking area. In all other districts, parking spaces may be located in street setbacks unless otherwise expressly stated.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   (A)   Required off-street parking and loading areas may be used solely for the temporary parking and loading/unloading of licensed motor vehicles in operating condition.

   (B)   Required off-street parking and loading spaces are intended to serve residents, tenants, patrons, employees, or guests of the principal use. Parking spaces may be provided with or without charge.

   (C)   Outdoor parking spaces may not be used for sale, repair, dismantling, or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials, or supplies.

   (D)   Required off-street parking and loading spaces may not be used for the display of goods for sale or lease or for storage of building materials.

   (E)   Off-street loading spaces in residential and commercial districts may not be used for sale, repair, dismantling, or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials, or supplies. Off-street loading spaces in industrial districts may not be used for sale, repair, dismantling, or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials, or supplies if the loading facilities are located within 500 feet of a residential district. Washing of vehicles and emergency service required to start vehicles is permitted in loading spaces located in industrial districts.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

      (1)   Parking or storage of commercial vehicles or trucks displaying or requiring the display of an Illinois state license plate of greater than a D classification (or an out-of-state equivalent), including truck tractors and tow trucks, is prohibited on lots in A-2 and residential zoning districts, except as follows:

         (a)   When in the process of moving or delivering or receiving goods, materials or merchandise;

         (b)   When utilized in the process of installation, repair or maintenance of landscaping during the actual time of parking such vehicle;

         (c)   When involved in the installation, repair or maintenance of utilities; or

         (d)   When utilized in the construction, repair or maintenance of any building, structure or grading project, during the actual time of parking such vehicle.

      (2)   Parking or storage of commercial vehicles displaying or requiring the display of a Class “D” Illinois state license or less (or an out-of-state equivalent), or commercial trailers displaying or requiring the display of a class “TA” or “TD” Illinois state license plate or less (or out-of-state equivalent), is subject to the following regulations when located on lots in A-2 and residential zoning districts:

         (a)   The total number of such commercial vehicles or commercial trailers parked or stored outside of an enclosed building in A-2 and residential districts may not exceed the following limits:

 

 

         (b)   Commercial vehicles parked or stored outside of an enclosed building in A-2 and residential districts must:

            1.   Be parked on a constructed driveway;

            2.   Display a valid license for the use of such vehicle on any public road in the county;

            3.   Have no visible loads; and

            4.   Not exceed an overall vehicle height of 90 inches.

         (c)   Commercial trailers parked or stored outside of an enclosed building in A-2 and residential districts must:

            1.   Be parked on a constructed driveway;

            2.   Not block, extend or encroach into the right-of-way or over the public sidewalk;

            3.   Not be parked or stored in a side or rear yard, unless completely screened from view by a fence or wall;

            4.   Not exceed an overall height of 90 inches.

         (d)   Vehicles and trailers authorized under this section are included in the limit on the maximum number of vehicles parked on lots in A-2 and residential zoning districts (see § 155-11.50(D)).

      (1)   The total number of such noncommercial trailers and recreational vehicles parked or stored outside of an enclosed building in A-2 and residential districts may not exceed the following limits:

 

 

      (2)   Any noncommercial trailer or recreational vehicle permitted to be parked or stored outside of an enclosed building pursuant to this section must be parked on a constructed driveway. The vehicle may not extend or encroach into the right-of-way or over the public sidewalk.

      (3)   Whenever any recreational vehicles are parked or stored in compliance with this section are commonly used in conjunction with a trailer for towing purposes, such combination of recreational vehicle and trailer are counted as one recreational vehicle for the purposes of this section, regardless of whether an additional recreational vehicle is mounted on the trailer.

      (4)   Recreational vehicles and trailers authorized under this section are included in the limit on the number of vehicles parked on lots in A-2 and residential zoning districts (see § 155-11.50(D)).

(Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   All public and private parking areas, including non-accessory parking uses and vehicle and equipment sales and rental uses must be designed, developed, and maintained in accordance with the following requirements.

   (A)   Plans for the design of parking areas are subject to approval by the county.

   (B)   Parking areas must be graded for proper drainage and provided with an all-weather surface material capable of carrying a wheel load of 4,000 pounds maintained at all times in such a manner as to prevent the release of dust and to be free of dust, trash and debris. The use of pervious paving material is encouraged.

   (C)   Parking areas must be provided with entrances and exits of at least 12 feet in width and located to minimize traffic congestion. Except on residential lots, each off-street parking space must open directly upon an aisle or driveway at least 12 feet in width or such additional width and design to provide safe and efficient means of vehicular access to parking spaces.

   (D)   Parking areas must be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner that will least interfere with traffic movement.

   (E)   Except for parallel parking spaces, each required off-street parking space must be at least nine feet in width and at least 18 feet in length, exclusive of access drives or aisles, ramps, columns, or office or work space. Parallel parking spaces must be 22 feet in length. All parking spaces must have a vertical clearance of at least seven feet.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   Accessible parking facilities must be provided in accordance with the Illinois Accessibility Code (71 Illinois Administrative Code Ch. I, § 400.310).

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   General. This section establishes requirements for short-term bicycle parking and incentives for long-term bicycle parking and storage facilities.

   (B)   Spaces required. Short-term bicycle parking is required in accordance with the following minimum ratios:

 

 

   (C)   Short-term bicycle parking spaces.

      (1)   Purpose. Short-term bicycle parking is generally intended to serve the needs of cyclists who park their bicycles for short time periods, including customers, clients, students and other short-term visitors.

      (2)   Design and location.

         (a)   General. Required short-term bicycle parking spaces must:

            1.   Consist of bike racks or lockers that are anchored so that they cannot be easily removed;

            2.   Be of solid construction, resistant to rust, corrosion, hammers, and saws;

            3.   Allow both the bicycle frame and the wheels to be locked with the bicycle in an upright position using a standard U-lock;

            4.   Be designed so as not to cause damage to the bicycle;

            5.   Facilitate easy locking without interference from or to adjacent bicycles; and

            6.   Be in highly visible, active, well-illuminated areas that do not interfere with pedestrian movements.

         (b)   Location. At least 50% of required bicycle parking spaces must be located within 50 feet of a customer entrance, and the remainder must be located within 100 feet of any entrance. If required short-term bicycle parking spaces are not visible from the abutting street or the main customer entrance, signs must be posted indicating their location.

         (c)   Size. All required short-term bicycle parking spaces must have minimum dimensions of two feet in width by six feet in length, with a minimum overhead vertical clearance of seven feet.

   (D)   Long-term bicycle parking and storage spaces. Long-term bicycle parking is generally intended to serve the needs of cyclists who park their bicycles for long time periods. As a means of encouraging the provision of long-term bicycle parking spaces for nonresidential uses, off-street motor vehicle parking space requirements based on the number of employees may be reduced by one space for each eight long-term bicycle parking spaces provided. Off-street parking requirements based on other measures (e.g., floor area) may be reduced by one space for each ten long-term bicycle parking spaces provided. These provisions may not be used to reduce motor vehicle parking requirements by more than 33%. Long-term bicycle parking spaces must comply with the following provisions.

      (1)   Design and location.

         (a)   General. Long-term bicycle parking spaces must:

            1.   Be protected from weather and access by unauthorized persons;

            2.   Consist of bike racks or lockers anchored so that they cannot be easily removed;

            3.   Be of solid construction, resistant to rust, corrosion, hammers, and saws;

            4.   Allow both the bicycle frame and the wheels to be locked with the bicycle in an upright position using a standard U-lock;

            5.   Be designed so as not to cause damage to the bicycle; and

            6.   Facilitate easy locking without interference from or to adjacent bicycles.

         (b)   Location. Required long-term bicycle parking must be provided in at least one of the following locations:

            1.   In covered stationary racks or lockers that comply with the short-term bicycle parking location requirements of § 155-11.90(C)(2)(b).

            2.   In a locked room;

            3.   In a covered, locked area that is enclosed by a fence or wall with a minimum height of seven feet;

            4.   In a private garage or private storage space serving an individual dwelling unit within a multi-dwelling (residential) building;

            5.   In a covered area within clear view of an attendant or security personnel;

            6.   In a covered area continuously monitored by security cameras; or

            7.   In a covered area that is visible from employee work areas.

      (2)   Size. Required long-term bicycle parking spaces must have minimum dimensions of two feet in width by six feet in length, with a minimum overhead vertical clearance of seven feet. Bicycle lockers are exempt from overhead clearance requirements.

   (E)   Authorized administrative adjustments. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve an administrative adjustment reducing the number of bicycle spaces required and to modify the bicycle parking design and location requirements of this section in accordance with the administrative adjustment procedures of § 155-16.60.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   In parking lots containing over 20 motor vehicle parking spaces, motorcycle parking may be substituted for up to ten automobile parking spaces or 10% of required motor vehicle parking, whichever is less. For every four motorcycle parking spaces provided, the automobile parking requirement is reduced by one space. Each motorcycle space must have minimum dimensions of four feet by eight feet. This provision applies to existing and proposed parking lots.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Applicability.

      (1)   The regulations of this section apply to all uses that include drive-through facilities and to all portions of a development that comprise the drive-through facility.

      (2)   The regulations apply to new developments, the addition of drive-through facilities to existing developments, and the relocation of existing drive-through facilities.

   (B)   Parts of a drive-through facility. A drive-through facility is composed of two parts:

      (1)   The stacking lanes (the space occupied by vehicles queuing for the service to be provided); and

      (2)   The service area, where the service occurs. In uses with service windows, the service area starts at the service window. In uses where the service occurs indoors, the service area is the area within the building where the service occurs. For other facilities, such as gas pumps, air compressors, and vacuum cleaning stations, the service area is the area where the vehicles are parked during the service or operation.

   (C)   Setbacks and landscaping.

      (1)   Service areas and stacking lanes on parcels abutting residential zoning districts must be set back at least 50 feet and landscaped in accordance with the landscape buffer requirements of § 155-12.70.

   (D)   Stacking lanes. These regulations help ensure that there is adequate on-site maneuvering and circulation areas, that stacking vehicles do not impede traffic on abutting streets and that stacking lanes will not have nuisance impacts on nearby residential uses.

      (1)   All drive-through facilities must provide at least four stacking spaces for vehicles at the pick-up or teller window and at least four spaces from the order box. Each stacking space must be at least 20 feet in length.

      (2)   A stacking lane is not required for accessory facilities where vehicles do not routinely queue up while waiting for the service. Examples are window washing, air compressor and vacuum cleaning stations.

      (3)   Stacking lanes must be designed and laid out in accordance with all applicable ordinance requirements and engineering standards and specifications.

      (4)   All stacking lanes must be clearly identified, through such means as striping, landscaping, pavement design and signs. Such identification must comply with all applicable ordinance requirements and engineering standards and specifications.

   (E)   Noise. Speakers associated with drive-through facilities must be located and designed to minimize noise levels on nearby uses. Sound attenuation walls, landscaping or other mitigation measures may be required to ensure that the facility will not have adverse noise-related impacts on nearby residential uses.

   (F)   Site plans. Site plans must show the location of drive-through windows and associated facilities (for example: communications systems and access aisles), as well as adjacent residential uses.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Description and purpose. Cross-access refers to providing vehicular access between two or more contiguous sites so that motorists and pedestrians are not required to reenter the public road system to gain access to an abutting site. Cross-access between abutting properties reduces vehicular conflicts between motorists on the street and motorists entering and leaving driveways. Reduced traffic conflicts result in fewer accidents and improved traffic flow on the public road network.

   (B)   Requirements. Vehicular and/or pedestrian access between abutting parcels may be required in accordance with all applicable county requirements.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Required.

      (1)   Off-street vehicle loading and unloading areas must be provided for any new proposed public/ civic, commercial or industrial use or building expansion that would result in a building with a floor area of 20,000 square feet or more.

      (2)   Off-street vehicle loading and unloading areas must be provided for any new proposed residential use or building expansion that would result in project containing 50 or more dwelling units.

   (B)   Plans required. Off-street loading plans must be submitted with site plans, building permits and zoning certificates involving any use required or proposing to provide off-street loading facilities. Plans must accurately designate the required or proposed off-street loading spaces, dimensions and clearance, and access to the loading spaces. Plans for the design of loading areas are subject to approval by the county.

   (C)   Location and design. The following location and design regulations apply to all off-street loading facilities regardless of whether they are required to be provided by this zoning ordinance.

      (1)   Required off-street loading facilities must be located on the same lot as the use served.

      (2)   All loading areas adjacent to residential zoning districts must be screened from view of the residential zoning district in accordance with the ground-mounted equipment screening standards of § 155-12.80(A)(1).

      (3)   No loading spaces may be located within 30 feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two streets.

      (4)   Loading spaces may not be located in a required street setback.

      (5)   Loading areas and access drives must be paved and maintained with concrete, asphalt, or similar material of sufficient thickness and consistency to support anticipated traffic volumes and weights unless otherwise approved by the county engineer.

      (6)   Each required off-street loading berth must be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movement, and are subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)