Chapter 17.74
OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS
Sections:
17.74.010 Specific purposes.
17.74.020 Basic requirements for off-street parking and loading.
17.74.030 Off-street parking and loading spaces required.
17.74.040 Collective provision of parking.
17.74.050 Increased parking in senior citizens’ housing developments.
17.74.060 Reduced parking for other uses.
17.74.070 Parking spaces for the handicapped.
17.74.080 Bicycle parking.
17.74.090 Parking space dimensions.
17.74.100 Application of dimensional requirements.
17.74.110 Aisle dimensions.
17.74.120 Specific parking area design.
17.74.130 Parking access from street.
17.74.140 Driveway widths and clearances.
17.74.150 Driveways and intersections – Visibility.
17.74.160 Parking area screening – Walls and fences.
17.74.170 Lighting.
17.74.180 Parking lot landscaping.
17.74.190 Driveways and carports – Design and location in R districts.
17.74.200 Additional design standards for parking lots and structures.
17.74.210 Location and design of off-street loading spaces.
17.74.010 Specific purposes.
In addition to the general purposes listed in Chapter 17.04 BMC, the specific purposes of the off-street parking and loading regulations are to:
A. Ensure that off-street parking and loading facilities are provided for new land uses and for major alterations and enlargements of existing uses in proportion to the need for such facilities created by each use.
B. Establish parking standards for commercial uses consistent with need and with the feasibility of providing parking on specific commercial sites.
C. Ensure that off-street parking and loading facilities are designed in a manner that will ensure efficiency, protect the public safety, and, where appropriate, insulate surrounding land uses from adverse impacts. (Ord. 87-4 N.S., 1987).
17.74.020 Basic requirements for off-street parking and loading.
A. When Required. At the time of initial occupancy of a site, construction of a structure, or major alteration or enlargement of a site or structure, off-street parking facilities and off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accord with the regulations prescribed in this chapter, except that for the purposes of these requirements, "major alteration or enlargement" shall mean a change of use or an addition that would increase the number of parking spaces or loading berths by not less than 10 percent of the total number required prior to the alteration or enlargement.
B. Nonconforming Parking or Loading. No existing use of land or structure shall be deemed to be nonconforming solely because of the lack of off-street parking or loading facilities required by this chapter; provided, that facilities being used for off-street parking and loading as of the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this title shall not be reduced in number to less than that required by the provisions of this chapter.
C. Spaces Required for Alteration or Enlargement. The number of parking spaces or loading berths required for an alteration or enlargement of an existing use or structure, or for a change of occupancy, shall be in addition to the number of spaces or berths existing prior to the alteration, enlargement, or change of occupancy unless the preexisting number is greater than the number prescribed in this chapter. In this case, the number of spaces or berths in excess of the prescribed minimum shall be counted in determining the required number of spaces or berths.
D. Spaces Required for Multiple Uses. If more than one use is located on a site, the number of off-street parking spaces and loading berths to be provided shall be equal to the sum of the requirements prescribed for each use. If the gross floor area of individual uses on the same site is less than that for which a loading berth would be required by Schedule B of BMC 17.74.030, but the aggregate gross floor area of all uses is greater than the minimum for which loading berths would be required, the aggregate gross floor area shall be used in determining the required number of loading berths.
E. Joint Use. Off-street parking and loading facilities required by this chapter for any use shall not be considered as providing parking spaces or loading berths for any other use except where the provisions of BMC 17.74.040, Collective provision of parking, apply or a joint facility exists. Such a facility shall contain not less than the total number of spaces or berths as determined individually, subject to the provisions of subsection (G) of this section, or fewer spaces may be permitted where adjoining uses on the same site have different hours of operation and the same parking spaces or loading berths can serve both without conflict. A determination of the extent, if any, to which joint use will achieve the purposes of this chapter shall be made by the community development director, who may require submission of survey data necessary to reach a decision.
F. Location and Ownership. Parking in an R district required to serve a residential use shall be on the same site as the use served. Parking required to serve a nonresidential use may be on the same or a different site under the same or different ownership as the use served; provided, that parking shall be within the following distances of the use served, measured from the near corner of the parking facility to the entrance of the use served via the shortest pedestrian route:
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Customer/Visitor Spaces |
Employee Spaces |
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200 feet |
400 feet |
Facilities for off-site parking shall be restricted to that use by a recorded deed, lease, or agreement for a minimum period of 10 years from the date a zoning permit requiring the parking is issued; provided, that the community development director may lift the restriction upon finding that substitute parking facilities meeting the requirements of this chapter are provided. No use may be continued if the parking is removed unless substitute parking facilities are provided.
G. R Districts. No off-site parking for a nonresidential use shall be permitted in an R district unless the nonresidential use served is permitted or conditionally permitted in the R district where the off-site facility is to be located.
H. Reserved Parking Spaces for Multifamily Residential Uses. No more than one parking space shall be reserved for the exclusive use of an individual unit unless additional parking is provided above the amount required by BMC 17.74.030. Such additional parking may be assigned for the exclusive use of an individual unit.
I. Common Loading Facilities. The off-street loading facilities requirements of this chapter may be satisfied by the permanent allocation of the prescribed number of berths for each use in a common truck loading facility; provided, that the total number of berths shall not be less than the sum of the individual requirements. As a requirement of approval, an attested copy of a contract between the parties concerned setting forth an agreement to joint use of the common truck loading facility shall be filed with the application for a zoning permit.
J. Computation of Spaces Required. If, in the application of the requirements of this chapter, a fractional number is obtained, one parking space or loading berth shall be required for a fraction of one-half or more, and no space or berth shall be required for a fraction of less than one-half.
K. Uses Smaller than 2,000 Square Feet. Deviations from regular parking standards may be approved by the community development director for uses smaller than 2,000 square feet. Circumstances which would warrant such consideration and possible approval include:
1. A shared parking arrangement which meets the findings in BMC 17.74.040.
2. Submission of data substantiating that a particular use meets the findings in BMC 17.74.060.
3. Ample on-street parking.
4. A reduction in the standard parking requirement would result in an on-site benefit such as preservation of heritage trees, substantial landscape screening, a unique structure, or other similar site attributes. (Ord. 01-6 N.S., 2001; Ord. 87-4 N.S., 1987).
17.74.030 Off-street parking and loading spaces required.
Independently accessible off-street parking and loading spaces shall be provided in accord with the following Table 1 and Schedules A and B. For off-street loading, references in Schedule A are to Schedule B, which sets space requirements and standards for different groups of use classifications and sizes of buildings. References to spaces per square foot are to be computed on the basis of gross floor area unless otherwise specified, and shall include allocations of shared restroom, halls and lobby area, but shall exclude area for vertical circulation, stairs or elevators. Where the use is undetermined, the community development director shall determine the probable use and the number of parking and loading spaces required. In order to make this determination, the community development director may require the submission of survey data from an applicant or collected at an applicant’s expense.
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Use Classifications |
Downtown Mixed Use Districts |
Other Districts |
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Residential |
See Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan |
See Schedule A |
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Nonresidential |
See Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan |
See Schedule A |
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– First Floor |
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– Above First Floor |
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– Loading Spaces |
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Use Classification |
Off-Street Parking Spaces: Schedule A |
Off-Street Parking Spaces: Schedule B Group Number |
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Residential |
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Group Residential |
1 per 2 beds; plus 1 per 100 sq. ft. used for assembly purposes |
1 |
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Live/Work Quarters |
1 per unit |
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Multifamily Residential |
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Studio units |
1.2 spaces per unit |
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One or two bedroom units |
1.5 spaces per unit |
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Three or more bedrooms |
2.0 spaces per unit |
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At least one space per unit shall be covered. |
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Residential Care, Limited |
1 per 3 beds |
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Single-Family Residential |
2 including 1 covered/unit |
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Senior Citizens’ Housing |
0.50 spaces per unit. (Also see BMC 17.74.050) |
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Public and Semipublic |
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Cemetery |
As specified by use permit |
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Clubs and Lodges |
1 per 100 sq. ft. used for assembly purposes |
3 |
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Conference and Meeting Facilities |
1 per 100 sq. ft. used for assembly purposes or as specified by use permit |
2 |
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Convalescent Facilities |
1 per 3 patient beds |
3 |
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Cultural Facilities |
1 per 300 sq. ft. |
3 |
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Day Care, General |
1 per 7 children; maximum enrollment based on maximum occupancy load |
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Detention Facilities |
As specified by use permit |
3 |
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Government Offices |
1 per 300 sq. ft. |
2 |
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Heliports |
As specified by use permit |
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Hospitals |
1 per 1.5 beds |
3 |
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Maintenance and Service Facilities |
1 per 500 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Park and Recreation Facilities |
As specified by design review and use permit for private facilities |
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Public Safety Facilities |
As specified by use permit |
3 |
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Religious Assembly: |
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In an R District |
1 per 4 fixed seats, or 1 per 50 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats |
3 |
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In a C District |
1 per 8 fixed seats, or 1 per 100 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats |
3 |
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Residential Care, General |
1 per 3 beds; plus additional specified by use permit |
3 |
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Schools, Public or Private |
As specified by use permit |
1 |
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Utilities, Major |
As specified by use permit |
1 |
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Commercial |
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Adult Businesses |
1 per 250 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Ambulance Services |
1 per 500 sq. ft.; plus 2 storage spaces |
1 |
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Animal Sales and Services: |
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Animal Boarding |
1 per 400 sq. ft. |
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Animal Grooming |
1 per 400 sq. ft. |
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Animal Hospitals |
1 per 400 sq. ft. |
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Animals, Retail Sales |
1 per 250 sq. ft. |
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Artists’ Studios |
1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
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Banks and Savings and Loans: |
1 per 250 sq. ft. |
2 |
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Drive-Up Service |
Queue space for 5 cars per teller |
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Building Materials and Services |
1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area |
1 |
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Catering Services |
1 per 400 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Commercial Recreation and Entertainment: |
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Bowling Alleys |
3 per alley; plus 1 per 250 sq. ft. of public assembly and retail areas |
1 |
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Card Rooms |
1 per 25 sq. ft. of card-playing floor area |
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Electronic Game Centers |
1 per 400 sq. ft. |
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Skating Rinks |
1 per 5 fixed seats, or 1 per 35 sq. ft. seating area if there are no fixed seats; plus 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area not used for seating |
1 |
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Tennis and Racquetball Clubs |
4 per court |
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Theaters |
1 per 5 fixed seats, or 1 per 35 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats |
1 |
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Other Commercial Recreation and Entertainment |
As specified by use permit |
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Communications |
1 per 500 sq. ft. |
2 |
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Eating and Drinking Establishments |
1 per 4 fixed seats, or 1 per 50 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats |
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Cocktail Lounge |
1 per 3 fixed seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats |
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With Live Entertainment |
1 per 5 fixed seats, or 1 per 35 sq. ft. of seating area if there are no fixed seats; plus 1 per 35 sq. ft. of dance floor |
1 |
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With Take-Out Service |
3 per 100 sq. ft. of gross area; plus queue space for 5 cars for drive-up service |
1 |
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Food and Beverage Sales |
1 per 200 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Funeral and Interment Services |
1 per 35 sq. ft. of seating area |
1 |
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Horticulture, Limited |
1 per 2 acres |
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Laboratories |
1 per 500 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Maintenance and Repair Services |
1 per 500 sq. ft. |
1 |
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Marinas |
0.8 per berth |
1 |
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Marine Sales and Services |
1 per 350 sq. ft. |
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Nurseries |
1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area for first 10,000 sq. ft., 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. thereafter; plus 1 per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
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Offices, Business and Professional |
1 per 300 sq. ft. |
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Offices, Medical and Dental |
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