Chapter 20.72
OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
Sections:
20.72.015 Change of use, alteration, expansion or enlargement.
20.72.020 General requirements.
20.72.030 Minimum requirements.
20.72.045 Landscaping, buffering, fencing and solid waste receptacles.
20.72.050 Development standards.
20.72.005 Policy.
In all districts except a C-3 district, minimum off-street parking space, with adequate provision for ingress and egress to the street, in accordance with this chapter, shall be provided to accommodate new structures, enlarging, moving or increasing dwelling units, commercial or industrial floor space, or increasing seating facilities. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2198 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 1829 § 3, 1994: Ord. 1765 § 1 (part), 1992).
20.72.010 Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to:
A. Assure that space is provided for the parking, loading and unloading of motor vehicles on the site of premises or uses which attract the motor vehicles;
B. Provide minimum standards of space and parking arrangements, and for the movement of motor vehicles into and out of such spaces;
C. Avoid or reduce traffic congestion on public streets by:
1. Keeping the need for on-street parking to a minimum; and
2. Controlling access to sites;
D. Enhance safety for pedestrians and motor vehicle operators;
E. Encourage the creation of an aesthetically pleasing and functionally adequate system of off-street parking and loading facilities. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2198 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.72.015 Change of use, alteration, expansion or enlargement.
Whenever a building is enlarged or altered, or whenever the use of a building is changed, off-street parking shall be provided for such expansion, enlargement or change in use in accordance with the requirements of this title; provided, however, that no additional off-street parking space need be provided where the number of parking spaces required for such expansion, enlargement or change in use since the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title is less than ten percent of the parking spaces specified in this chapter. Nothing shall be construed to require additional off-street parking spaces for those portions of a building existing at the time of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2198 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 1829 § 4, 1994).
20.72.020 General requirements.
A. Off-street parking spaces and driveways shall not be used at any time for purposes other than their intended use, i.e., the temporary storage of motor vehicles used by persons visiting or having business to conduct on the premises for which the parking is provided.
B. Minimum parking space required and intended for use by occupants or users of specific premises shall not be leased or rented to others, nor shall such space be made unavailable through other means to the users for whom the parking spaces are intended. This, however, does not preclude shared parking arrangements.
C. Except where specifically permitted in certain zoning districts, off-street parking spaces shall not be used for loading or unloading of commercial vehicles larger than those vehicles for which the parking spaces are intended.
D. Whenever a building or a piece of land is put to a use different from the immediately preceding use, or when a building is remodeled, reconstructed or expanded, adequate off-street parking shall be provided consistent with the new use, reconstruction or expansion of the premises.
E. Required off-street parking areas in residential zones shall not be located in a front yard or in a side yard setback area, as required by the zoning code, along a flanking street of a corner lot. Approved access to off-street parking areas for the purposes of ingress and egress must be approved by the city of Centralia engineering department.
F. Access over curbs and sidewalks without approved driveways is prohibited.
G. An uncovered parking area must be located to meet setback requirements for accessory structures so it may be covered later.
H. Tandem parking (front to rear) shall not be permitted.
Exception:
1. Uncovered parking spaces in front of a garage when located on a private road servicing thirty homes or less may be allowed. Vehicles may not encroach on the road right-of-way or the sidewalk.
I. All parked vehicles must comply with the city’s clear vision area requirements.
J. Landscaping and screening of parking lots shall be in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 20.50 CMC, Landscaping, Buffering, Fencing, and Solid Waste Receptacles.
K. No part of any vehicle may overhang onto a public sidewalk or within five feet of a street curb where no sidewalk exists.
L. Parking spaces and driveways located in residential, commercial, and industrial zones shall be a hard surface approved by the city, such as concrete, asphalt, paving blocks, or turf stone. All such areas must meet the current adopted city of Centralia design and development guidelines. Asphalt must be installed in the right-of-way unless existing curb, gutter and sidewalks are concrete. Other hard surface materials may be used on private property, as approved by the city engineer.
Exceptions:
1. Residentially zoned lots that are serviced by a preexisting gravel road shall have the option of using an all-weather surface material for the driveway only. All-weather surfacing may include gravel, slag, or similar materials. Parking areas (twenty feet in front of the garage and the interior of the garage) shall be a hard-surface material. All-weather surfaced driveways shall be designed to not track material into the public right-of-way to the satisfaction of the city engineer.
2. Residentially zoned lots that are serviced by a hard surfaced road and a driveway of more than two hundred feet in length have the option of installing a hard surface driveway for the first two hundred feet only, as approved by the city engineer. The remaining length up to two hundred feet in front of the garage may be of an all-weather hard surface such as gravel, slag, or similar material. Twenty feet in front of the garage and the interior of the garage must be a hard surface.
3. A request to qualify for an exception must be submitted in writing with a detailed construction plan. Exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the site plan review committee prior to installation. (Ord. 2505 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2445 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2020: Ord. 2395 § 14, 2017: Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2198 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 1976 § 1, 1998: Ord. 1765 § 1 (part), 1992).
20.72.030 Minimum requirements.
A. The owner, developer or operator of the premises for which the parking facilities are intended shall be responsible for providing adequate amounts and arrangement of space for the particular premises.
B. Residential Uses.
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Residential: Single-family dwellings, manufactured homes, mobile homes |
2:dwelling unit – 2 covered in a minimum of a 20 ft. by 20 ft. garage; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Residential: Duplexes, twinhomes, townhomes |
2:dwelling unit; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Residential: Triplexes, fourplexes |
2:dwelling unit; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Residential: Multiple-family dwellings |
2:dwelling unit, plus guest parking of 1 space per 3 units; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Residential: studio apartments, efficiency dwelling units, or single-room housing |
1:dwelling unit, plus guest parking of 1 space per 3 units; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Assisted living housing intended for the exclusive use of, and occupied by, senior citizens |
1 space for every 3 dwelling units, plus 1 additional space per 5 dwelling units and 1 space for each employee on shift |
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Mobile home parks, manufactured home parks, manufactured home subdivisions, and PUDs that consist entirely of manufactured homes |
2:dwelling unit; in mobile home parks, parking spaces in excess of 1 per dwelling unit may be grouped in shared uncovered parking areas |
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Accessory dwelling units |
1:dwelling unit; this space is in addition to the required parking for the primary residence; parking is not permitted in the front or side setbacks |
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Emergency housing/homeless housing, up to 6 occupants |
2:unit |
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Emergency housing/homeless housing, 7 or more occupants |
1.5:unit or 0.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. whichever is more plus 1 space for each employee on shift |
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Emergency shelters |
0.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. plus 1 space for each employee on shift |
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Permanent supportive housing |
1.5:unit |
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Transitional housing |
1.5:unit |
C. Commercial, Industrial and Other Nonresidential Uses.
|
USE |
MINIMUM NUMBER OF SPACES |
|---|---|
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Auditoriums, public assembly, private clubs, health clubs, theaters |
1:100 sq. ft. or 1:5 seats |
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Auto repair, major |
1:100 sq. ft. |
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Auto repair, minor |
1:300 sq. ft. |
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Automobile service stations |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Banks, financial institutions |
1:250 sq. ft. plus 5 stacking places for drive-thru |
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Bars, taverns, night clubs, clubs |
1:100 sq. ft. |
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Barber shops/beauty shops |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Bed and breakfasts/boarding houses |
1:guest room not located in any required setback |
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Car washes |
2 spaces plus 3 stacking spaces per bay |
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Caretaker, security guard residence |
1 covered in a minimum 10-ft.-by-20-ft. garage not in front or side setback |
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Child care centers |
1:employee, plus 1:10 children |
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Churches |
1:5 seats or 90 lineal inches per pew |
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Community centers |
1:250 sq. ft. |
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Dance halls |
1:4 persons based on the maximum allowable occupancy |
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Educational facilities: |
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Elementary |
2:classroom |
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Middle or junior high |
3:classroom |
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High school |
7:classroom |
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College |
10:classroom |
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Vocational/technical |
1:2 students |
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Elderly housing |
1:unit plus 0.25 spaces per unit for guest parking |
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Government offices/facilities |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Hospitals |
1:2 beds, plus 1.5 spaces per each emergency room examination table or bed, plus 1 space per employee on the major shift other than doctors, plus 1 per doctor assigned to the staff |
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Indoor recreation facilities/amusement centers/arcades |
1:100 sq. ft. |
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Bowling alleys |
4:lane |
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Industrial uses/manufacturing/assembly/distribution/warehousing/wholesale |
1:employee on the highest shift; plus one sq. ft. parking per sq. ft. of display/retail gross floor area; plus one space for each vehicle owned, leased or operated by the company |
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Kennels/veterinarians |
1:600 sq. ft. |
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Libraries |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Mixed occupancies/uses (different uses in the same building or sharing a lot) |
The total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the several uses computed separately |
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Mobile homes |
2:unit |
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Mortuaries |
1:50 sq. ft. of assembly room area |
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Motels/hotels |
1:room |
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Restaurants/cocktail lounges |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Banquet/meeting rooms |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Nursery schools/day care centers |
1:employee + 2 visitor spaces + sufficient drop-off/pick-up space to be determined by the planner |
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Nursing homes/retirement homes |
1:3 residents plus 1 per employee |
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Offices: general/professional |
1:300 sq. ft. |
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Offices: medical/dental |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Parks, open space |
Based on anticipated parking demand |
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Personal services |
1:200 sq. ft. |
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Recreation facilities: |
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Batting cages |
1:cage |
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Miniature golf courses |
2:hole |
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Recycling centers |
1:500 sq. ft. of enclosed area |
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Repair services (bikes, appliances, etc.) |
1:300 sq. ft. |
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Restaurants—Fast food/drive-thru |
1:100 sq. ft. plus 6 stacking spaces for drive-thru |
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Restaurants—Freestanding |
1:100 sq. ft. |
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Retail uses—Large retail—(Furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.) |
1:600 sq. ft. |
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Retail uses—Small retail—(Grocery, convenience, personal) |
1:300 sq. ft. |
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Retirement/senior housing/nursing homes |
1:employee on highest shift plus 0.4:unit |
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Shopping centers |
The total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the several uses computed separately |
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Skating rinks |
1:200 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
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Stadiums, sports arenas and similar open assembly places |
1:4 seats; one seat is equal to five feet of bench length |
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Storage buildings/spaces |
0.5:1,000 sq. ft. of storage space |
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Unlisted uses |
The community development department and city engineer shall determine which of the uses is most similar based upon staff experience with various uses and information provided by the applicant |
D. Modification. The community development department with the city engineer may authorize a modification from the minimum parking requirements for a specific development should conditions warrant. When seeking a modification from the minimum parking requirements, the developer or building occupant shall provide the community development department with a written justification for the proposed modification. Modification of these standards requires written approval from the community development department and the city engineer. (Ord. 2539 § 26, 2023; Ord. 2477 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2456 § 8, 2020: Ord. 2395 § 15, 2017: Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2198 § 1 (part), 2007; Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.72.040 Off-street loading.
A. Off-street loading spaces shall be required for all commercial establishments, except core commercial, which are engaged in the retailing or wholesaling of merchandise requiring regular delivery such as food retailers, lumberyards, hardware stores, department stores and the like:
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Total Gross Floor Area of Building(s) |
Space Required |
|---|---|
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Less than 5,000 sq. ft. |
1 |
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5,000 sq. ft. to 25,000 sq. ft. |
2 |
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25,000 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof |
3 |
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Each additional 50,000 sq. ft. or fraction thereof in excess of 25,000 sq. ft. |
1 additional |
B. All off-street loading and unloading spaces shall be of adequate size and with adequate access thereto to accommodate a vehicle forty-five feet in length, eight feet in width and fourteen feet in height. Each loading space shall be surfaced with an asphalt, concrete or similar pavement so as to provide a surface that is durable and dust free and shall be so graded and drained as to properly dispose of all surface water. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.72.045 Landscaping, buffering, fencing and solid waste receptacles.
All parking areas located adjacent to any private street or public street right-of-way shall provide a minimum five-foot planted buffer strip between the parking area and the private street or public right-of-way and meet the requirements in Chapter 20.50 CMC, Landscaping, Buffering, Fencing, and Solid Waste Receptacles. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.72.050 Development standards.
A. Parking lot construction shall comply with standards set forth by the public works department.
B. Parking area design shall include:
1. Ingress and Egress. The location of all points of ingress and egress to parking areas shall be subject to the review and approval of the public works department.
2. Backing Out Prohibited. In all commercial and industrial developments and in all residential buildings containing five or more dwelling units, parking areas shall be so arranged as to make it unnecessary for a vehicle to back out into any street or public right-of-way.
3. Parking Spaces—Access and Dimensions. Adequate provision shall be made for individual ingress and egress by vehicles to all parking stalls at all times by means of unobstructed maneuvering aisles. Maneuvering aisles and parking stall dimensions shall be as shown in Figures 20.72.050(B)(1), (2) and (3).
4. Small Car Parking Spaces. In all parking facilities containing twenty-five or more parking spaces, a maximum of twenty-five percent of the required parking spaces may be reduced in size for the use of small cars, provided these spaces shall be clearly identified with a sign permanently affixed immediately in front of each space containing the notation, “Compacts Only.” Spaces designed for small cars may be reduced in size to a minimum of seven and one-half feet in width and fifteen feet in length. Where feasible, all small cars shall be located in one or more contiguous areas and/or adjacent to ingress/egress points within parking facilities. Location of compact car parking spaces shall not create traffic congestion or impede traffic flows.
5. Setback of Buildings from Public Right-of-Way.
a. When parking is not to be provided between the building and the right-of-way line, the building setback shall be:
i. Forty-five feet from the centerline of the right-of-way; or
ii. Half the right-of-way width plus fifteen feet, whichever is greater.
b. When parking is to be provided between the building and the right-of-way, the building setback shall be:
i. Forty-five feet (five feet is for planted buffer strip along right-of-way line) from the centerline of the right-of-way; or
ii. Half the right-of-way width plus five feet (five feet is for planted buffer strip along right-of-way line), whichever is greater; plus
iii. The distance needed for appropriate parking and internal circulation as shown in the design standards of this section.
6. Paving. All vehicular maneuvering and parking areas, including but not limited to off-street parking areas, truck and mobile equipment loading, unloading, storage and maneuvering areas, and related accesses to and from public right-of-way, shall be paved with asphalt or equivalent material.
The community development director, after consulting with the city engineer, may waive the paving requirements in the following instances:
a. Areas used only for the storage and operation of heavy equipment, tracked vehicles, trucks and other large-tire vehicles as well as storage of large items unsuitable or unnecessary to store within a structure and where such areas are not generally used for regular deliveries or access by the general public. All such areas must be fenced with a six-foot chain link fence and contain a twenty-five-foot asphalt or concrete apron for any and all access points to the public right-of-way; and
b. The property is zoned for and is conforming to either open space/public facility, commercial or industrial uses.
7. Stormwater Runoff. All stormwater runoff shall be retained and disposed of on site or disposed of in a system designed for such runoff and which does not flood or damage adjacent properties. Systems designed for runoff retention and control shall be subject to the specifications provided by the public works department, and shall be subject to its review and approval.
Figure 20.72.050(B)(1)
Figure 20.72.050(B)(2)
Figure 20.72.050(B)(3)
(Ord. 2308 § 1, 2013: Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).