Chapter 18.210
LOADING AREAS AND OFF-STREET PARKING

Sections

18.210.010    Title.

18.210.020    Application.

18.210.030    Purpose.

18.210.040    Authority.

18.210.050    Off-street parking and loading areas required.

18.210.060    General requirements.

18.210.070    Modification of parking provisions.

18.210.080    Parking spaces to serve one use, building, or complex – Exceptions.

18.210.090    Required number of off-street parking spaces.

18.210.100    Compact car allowance.

18.210.110    Off-site parking.

18.210.120    Design requirements.

18.210.130    Parking area dimensions.

18.210.140    On-site driveway location.

18.210.150    Parking area and parking area entrance and exit slopes.

18.210.160    Driveways and maneuverability.

18.210.170    Surface.

18.210.180    Lighting.

18.210.190    Curb cuts.

18.210.200    Vehicle circulation between adjoining properties required.

18.210.210    Obstructions.

18.210.220    Landscaping and screening.

18.210.230    Walkways required.

18.210.240    Parking for the handicapped.

18.210.250    Parking and storage of recreational, utility, and commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.

18.210.260    Required loading areas.

18.210.270    Code official.

18.210.280    Enforcement.

18.210.010 Title.

This chapter shall be entitled “Loading Areas and Off-Street Parking.” [Ord. 1591 § 505, 2014.]

18.210.020 Application.

This chapter shall be applicable to all zones as set forth herein. [Ord. 1591 § 506, 2014.]

18.210.030 Purpose.

It is the purpose of this chapter to specify off-street parking and loading requirements, describing design standards and other required improvements, in order to provide for adequate, convenient, and safe off-street parking and loading areas for the different land uses described in this Title. [Ord. 1591 § 507, 2014.]

18.210.040 Authority.

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the provisions of chapters 35.63, 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW and other applicable laws. [Ord. 1591 § 508, 2014.]

18.210.050 Off-street parking and loading areas required.

Every parking space or facility and vehicle sales areas, trailer sales areas, and boat sales areas, shall be developed, improved, and maintained as provided within this chapter.

(1) Preexisting Parking Spaces. A development in existence prior to May 8, 1987, or at the time of its annexation to the City if later, which does not have sufficient parking space on the basis of this section, may continue to operate with the parking deficiency as long as no enlargement or other change is made which would require additional parking spaces.

(2) Off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided as an accessory use in accordance with the provisions of this chapter for every building hereafter erected, altered, enlarged, relocated, or at the time there is a change in its principal use.

(3) When there are alterations or additions to a nonresidential building or when an alteration or addition results in an increase in the number of dwelling units in a multifamily residential structure, off-street parking shall be provided for any increase in the number of dwelling units or increase in gross floor area in accordance with the requirements of DMMC 18.210.090; however, no parking spaces need be provided in the case of an enlargement or expansion where the number of parking spaces required for expansion or enlargement is less than 10 percent of the parking spaces specified for a similar structure. [Ord. 1591 § 509, 2014.]

18.210.060 General requirements.

(1) Off-Street Parking Development Permit Required. No off-street parking facility or spaces, nor enlargement thereof, shall be constructed without having first secured an off-street parking development permit from the code official; provided, that no such permit shall be required if a building permit is required. Such permit shall be authorized upon the approval of a parking plan as provided in subsection (2) of this section and adherence to the provisions of this chapter and shall be subject to such inspections deemed necessary by the code official to ensure compliance.

(2) Parking Plan Required. Prior to issuance of a building permit for any new building or structure or for the enlargement of the floor area of an existing building or structure, the use of which requires off-street parking facilities to be provided as set forth in this Title, and prior to issuance of an off-street parking development permit; a plan of the parking area accurately showing grades and other required design features, shall be approved by the code official.

(3) Compliance Required Prior to Certificate of Occupancy or Issuance of Business License. Parking facilities and traffic-control devices such as parking stripes designating car stalls, directional arrows, etc., as provided in this chapter, shall be installed and completed prior to issuance of an occupancy permit or business license.

(4) Parking Stall Use Restricted – Commercial Zones. Parking stalls shall be used for the temporary parking of motor vehicles only of patrons, personnel, residents, and the like. Parking stalls shall not be used for storage of motor vehicles or materials, signs, sales, repair work, or dismantling of motor vehicles, etc.

(5) Maintenance. Maintenance of all areas provided for off-street parking shall be required and shall include removal and replacement of dead and dying trees, grass, and shrubs, removal of trash and weeds, and repair of traffic-control devices, signs, light standards, fences, walls, surfacing materials, curbs, and railings. [Ord. 1591 § 510, 2014.]

18.210.070 Modification of parking provisions.

(1) Number of Spaces. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee may by formal action waive or modify the number of spaces required, establishing the amount of required parking for uses involving very limited number of employees or which do not require personnel and daily attendance or for which the number of parking spaces proposed is demonstrated sufficient to fully serve the use, is consistent with the intent of this chapter and when strict application of the code would result in unnecessary hardship. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Parking Generation Manual or an independent consultant study are examples that could be used to demonstrate sufficiency of proposed parking.

(2) Dimensions. In cases where the strict application of this Title would unreasonably limit full utilization of a site for parking, the code official may authorize a reduction of up to three percent of any minimum dimension required in this chapter, except where such reduction would substantially restrict ease of travel or maneuverability of vehicles using the parking facility.

(3) Marina District. The parking provisions for commercial uses established by DMMC 18.210.090 are waived; provided, that there is compliance with all the following standards:

(a) The property is zoned Downtown Commercial according to the official zoning map.

(b) Residential uses within a mixed use development are not included in this exemption. Residential uses in a mixed use building shall comply with the requirements established by DMMC 18.210.090.

(c) The property owner shall enter into a no protest agreement regarding the formation of a downtown business or parking improvement district.

(d) This provision is only valid until December 31, 2015.

(4) Interim Uses. The City Manager or City Manager’s designee may, by formal action, waive or modify other requirements of this chapter for uses not to exceed five years including but not limited to exceptions for nonconflicting time in use and design requirements in DMMC 18.210.220 through 18.210.240 for commercial developments, upon approval of a plan that is consistent with the intent of this chapter and when strict application of the code would result in unnecessary hardship. The site plan showing the location of the parking on the property and parking plan must include provisions for:

(a) Improved parking meeting all City design requirements meeting at least 50 percent of the required parking.

(b) User safety, including lighting and site security.

(c) The required number of ADA parking stalls per the International Building Code and required pedestrian access to and from the building for physically disabled as well as able bodied.

(d) Adequate site drainage.

(e) Safe vehicle access to and egress from the parking lot.

(f) A parking operations plan including:

(i) The hours of operations;

(ii) A detailed description of the parking operation including methods to control noise, glare from impacting adjacent properties, and methods to eliminate any impacts on adjacent or nearby residential neighborhoods;

(iii) The name, address and phone number of the operator of the parking.

(5) Assurances and guarantees to suspend interim parking use at the end of the permitted period unless extended and restore the site.

The interim use may be extended an additional three years upon application. In approving the plan or the extension request, the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee may impose additional conditions including but not limited to a requirement for the applicant to post a performance bond or other security guaranteeing that it will cease the interim use at the end of approved period. [Ord. 1592 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1591 § 511, 2014.]

18.210.080 Parking spaces to serve one use, building, or complex – Exceptions.

(1) Off-street parking facilities approved in conjunction with one use, building, or complex of buildings shall not be considered as providing required parking facilities for any other use, except as hereinafter provided.

(2) Exception for Cooperative Use. Where adjoining parking facilities of two or more land uses can be joined or coordinated to achieve efficiency of vehicular and pedestrian circulation, provision of additional landscaping or usable public open space, economy of space, and a superior grouping of buildings or uses, a reduction of 20 percent of the total combined required parking may be permitted when consistent with the intent of this chapter. The common parking facilities for residential and nonresidential uses within a mixed use development may be included in the Pacific Ridge Zone established by chapter 18.135 DMMC. The residential allowance shall not apply to residential land uses within other Commercial Zones of the City. Where cooperative use is permitted, assignment of parking spaces to individual uses or buildings shall be prohibited.

(3) Exception for Nonconflicting Time in Use. A reduction of up to 50 percent of required parking stalls, except for residential, may be authorized under the following conditions, as long as the total reduction doesn’t fall below the levels for residential uses:

(a) The building or use for which application is made to utilize off-street parking facilities provided by another building or use shall be located within 500 feet of such parking facilities and shall be connected by continuous pedestrian walkways or sidewalks to the parking facility.

(b) The applicant must show that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the two buildings or uses for which joint use of off-street parking facilities is proposed, i.e., no more than one hour overlap in operating hours exists.

(i) For the purposes of this chapter, the following uses are considered as daytime uses: banks, business offices, retail stores, personal service shops, household equipment or furniture shops, clothing or shoe repair or service shops, manufacturing or wholesale buildings, and other similar primarily daytime uses.

(ii) Nighttime or Sunday uses include: auditoriums incidental to a public or private grade school, churches, bowling alleys, dance halls, theaters, bars, or restaurants, and other similar primarily nighttime uses.

(4) Exemptions granted under the above provisions shall be made after filing with the City a record of covenant or other contract between the cooperating property owners approved by the City Attorney. Joint-use privilege shall continue in effect only so long as such agreement, binding on all parties, remains in force. If such agreement becomes legally ineffective due to changed circumstances including but not limited to a change in the type or nature of business activities, then parking shall be provided as otherwise required by this chapter.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent cooperative provision of off-street parking facilities for two or more buildings or uses when the total off-street parking is not less than the sum of the required parking facilities for the various uses computed separately. [Ord. 1591 § 512, 2014.]

18.210.090 Required number of off-street parking spaces.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required of each use shall be provided as follows:

(1) Appliance (retail), bakeries, cabinet shops, dry-cleaning, furniture stores, heating services: one parking space per 400 square feet of gross floor area.

(2) Auto and boat sales, new and used: one space per 1,000 square feet of floor space of showroom and service facilities; but in no case shall there be less than six spaces provided.

(3) Day care centers and mini-day care programs: one space for each 10 children or one for each staff member, whichever is greater, and one passenger loading and unloading space for each 20 children.

(4) Hardware and building supplies: one space per 400 square feet of gross floor area.

(5) Industrial and Manufacturing Activities.

(a) Freight terminals and wholesale facilities: one parking space per two employees on a maximum work shift, or one per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area; use whichever is greater.

(b) Manufacturing, including but not limited to the following, except that no retail operations are included: research and testing laboratories, creameries, bottling establishments, bakeries, upholstery shops, printing and engraving shops: two parking spaces for each three employees on a maximum work shift, or one space per 700 square feet of gross floor area; use whichever is greater.

(c) Uncovered storage area: one parking space for each 2,000 square feet of area.

(d) Warehouse and storage: two parking spaces for each three employees or one space for each 1,500 square feet of gross floor area; use whichever is greater.

(6) Laundry, self-service: one parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.

(7) Medical Facilities.

(a) Convalescent, rest homes, retirement homes, nursing and health institutions: one parking space for each two employees, plus one space for each four beds.

(b) Hospitals: one parking space for each three beds, plus one parking space for each staff doctor, plus one parking space for each three employees.

(8) Motels, motor hotels, and hotels: one parking space per hotel room plus two parking spaces for a resident manager or employees. In Pacific Ridge, this is reduced to 0.9 parking spaces per hotel room when no airport shuttle is provided and to 0.75 parking spaces per hotel room when airport shuttle is provided.

(9) Motor vehicle, small engine, and boat repair and services: one parking space for each 600 square feet of gross floor area.

(10) Offices, including professional and business, banks, and related activities: one space per 350 square feet of gross floor area.

(11) Offices not providing customer services on the premises: one space for each 800 square feet of gross floor area.

(12) Personal Services.

(a) C-C Zone: one parking space per 300 square feet of gross floor area.

(b) D-C, PR and T-C Zones: one parking space per 350 square feet of gross floor area.

(c) H-C Zone: one parking space per 200 square feet of gross floor area.

(d) W-C Zone: one parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.

(13) Pleasure craft moorage: one parking space for each two moorage stalls.

(14) Public Assembly and Recreation.

(a) Assembly halls, auditoriums, stadiums, sports arenas, and community clubs: one parking space for every three persons based on occupancy load.

(b) Churches: one parking space per five seats in the principal place of assembly for worship, including balconies and choir loft.

Where fixed seats consist of pews or benches, the seating capacity is computed upon not less than 20 lineal inches of pew or bench length per seat. If there are no fixed seats, then one parking space for each 40 square feet of gross floor area in such principal place of assembly or worship shall be provided.

(c) Libraries and museums: one parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.

(d) Parks: as determined by the City Council.

(e) Theaters: one parking space for each three seats.

(15) Residences.

(a) Single-family: two parking spaces per dwelling unit.

(b) Duplex and townhouse: two parking spaces per dwelling unit and one parking space for every five dwellings for use as visitor parking. A minimum of one visitor parking space shall be provided.

(c) Multifamily.

(i) Two parking spaces per dwelling.

(ii) One guest parking space shall be provided per each 10 dwellings.

(iii) For one-bedroom dwellings within the PR Zone: one and one-half parking spaces per dwelling.

(d) Retirement apartments: one parking space per dwelling unit, except that the plan shall show two parking spaces, spaces not initially installed. The additional parking spaces plus required landscaping shall be installed at such time that the structure is not used for retirement apartment purposes.

(e) Rooming and lodging houses: one space per occupant.

(f) Children’s institutions, homes for the retired (group homes): one space for each five employees plus one for each four beds.

(g) Mixed Use.

(i) Except as provided below, two parking spaces per dwelling.

(ii) For one-bedroom dwellings within the PR Zone: one and one-half parking spaces per dwelling.

(iii) On-site parking for nonresidential areas shall be provided based upon the ratio specified by this section.

(iv) Multifamily (As Part of a Mixed Use Development) in the T-C Zone.

(A) For a studio dwelling: one parking space.

(B) For one-bedroom dwellings: one parking space.

(C) For two-bedroom or more dwellings: 1.75 parking spaces.

(D) One guest parking space shall be provided per each 10 dwellings.

(h) Accessory dwelling units: one parking space.

(i) Emergency Housing and Emergency Shelter. One parking space for each two employees plus one space for each four beds.

(j) Permanent Supportive Housing and Temporary Housing. One parking space for each two employees plus one parking space for each dwelling unit in all residential zones, and one-half parking space for each dwelling unit in the C-C, D-C, H-C, I-C, N-C, PR-C, PR-R, T-C and W-C Zones.

(16) Restaurants, including drive-in restaurants, night clubs, taverns, and lounges: one parking space for each 125 square feet of gross floor area, except that none shall be required for establishments under 2,000 square feet located in the D-C and PR Zones.

(17) Retail, Other.

(a) C-C Zone: one parking space per 300 square feet of gross floor area.

(b) D-C and PR Zones: one parking space per 350 square feet of gross floor area.

(c) H-C Zone: one parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area, except there are a minimum of six spaces.

(d) T-C Zone: one parking space per 400 square feet of gross floor area, except there shall be a minimum of six spaces.

(e) W-C Zone:

(i) For properties north of South 268th Street, one parking space per 250 square feet of gross floor area.

(ii) For properties south of South 268th Street, one parking space per 300 square feet of gross floor area, except there shall be a minimum of six spaces.

(18) Uses Not Specified. The parking requirements for a use not provided for in this section is determined in the manner set forth in DMMC 18.05.110, and such determination is based upon the requirements for the most comparable use specified in this section.

(19) Fractional Spaces. When units of measurement determining the number of required parking spaces result in requirements of a fractional space, a fraction one-half or more shall require one parking space.

(20) Maximum Number of Off-Street Spaces. Within the Pacific Ridge area, the number of off-street spaces provided shall not exceed 150 percent of the minimum number of spaces specified by this section. [Ord. 1750 § 9, 2021; Ord. 1656 § 5, 2016; Ord. 1655 § 19, 2016; Ord. 1618-A § 12, 2015; Ord. 1601 § 16, 2014; Ord. 1591 § 513, 2014.]

18.210.100 Compact car allowance.

(1) A maximum of 50 percent of the total required off-street parking stalls may be permitted and designated for compact cars.

(2) Each compact stall shall be designated as such.

(3) Dimensions of compact parking stall shall be eight feet by 16 feet, 128 square feet, as depicted in the table on the following page.

(4) Compact stalls shall be dispersed throughout the parking facility.

Table 1

TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

Compact Car Stall Dimensions: minimum 8’ x 16’, 128 square feet.

[Ord. 1591 § 514, 2014.]

18.210.110 Off-site parking.

(1) Use Agreement. Off-site parking areas shall be provided through:

(a) Deed, Easement, or Covenant. The term of such legal agreement shall be at least as long as the reasonable life of the premises served thereby. Evidence shall be provided of such covenant, deed, or other agreement prior to parking plan approval. The document shall be filed with the King County Director of Records and Elections, providing that the area used for parking shall not be diverted or converted to any other use as long as the principal building or use to which the parking is accessory continues to exist; or

(b) Ground Lease. The ground lease shall include a legal description of the area being leased, the purpose of the lease and the terms of the lease and signatures of all parties with an interest in the lease. Evidence of the ground lease must be submitted prior to approval of the parking plan. A copy of the ground lease shall accompany the application for a City business license and all subsequent yearly renewals. If the ground lease expires or is not provided, then the City shall deny the business license application or yearly renewal. In order to obtain a new business license after a denial the applicant shall demonstrate that sufficient parking is provided based on the parking requirements effective at the time of the new application either on-site or off-site through a new easement, deed, covenant, or ground lease.

(2) Off-Site Parking Permitted. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee shall have the authority to approve an off-street parking facility; provided, adherence to the following:

(a) Compliance with subsection (1) of this section.

(b) The location of the parking facility off the subject property will conform to the intent and purpose of this chapter, and safe vehicular and pedestrian connections between the parking facility and the principal use exist. Where a distance is specified, such distance shall be the walking distance measured from the nearest point of the parking facilities to the nearest point of the building that such facility is required to serve.

(i) For single-family, duplex, and medium-density multiple dwellings, parking facilities shall be located on the same lot or building site as the building they are required to serve. For townhouse dwellings, parking shall be located not more than 200 feet from the townhouse dwelling it is required to serve, with connecting permanent pedestrian access;

(ii) For high-density and maximum-density multiple dwellings, the parking facilities shall be located on the same site as the dwellings they are required to serve;

(iii) For churches located in a Single-Family Residential, RA-3,600 or RM-2,400 Zone, parking facilities shall be located on-site; for churches located in any other zone, parking facilities shall be located not farther than 150 feet and not in a Single-Family Residential Zone;

(iv) For hospitals, sanitariums, homes for the aged, children’s institutions, homes for the retired, nursing and convalescent homes, dormitories, boarding, rooming, and lodging houses, community clubs, and fraternity, sorority, and group student houses, not more than 400 feet from the building they are required to serve; and

(v) For uses other than those specified, parking facilities shall be located not over 600 feet from the building served.

(c) Any parking facility not on the same lot with the principal use to which it is accessory shall be considered, for bulk regulation purposes, a principal use on the lot on which located. [Ord. 1591 § 515, 2014.]

18.210.120 Design requirements.

Any off-street parking facility shall be developed in accordance with the design specifications set forth in DMMC 18.210.130 through 18.210.240. [Ord. 1591 § 516, 2014.]

18.210.130 Parking area dimensions.

Minimum parking area dimensions for surface and structured parking facilities shall be as provided in Table 1 following DMMC 18.210.100. [Ord. 1655 § 20, 2016: Ord. 1591 § 517, 2014.]

18.210.140 On-site driveway location.

The following requirements shall apply:

(1) Single-Family Dwellings. A driveway serving individual single-family dwellings shall maintain a minimum five-foot setback from an interior lot line, a 20-foot setback from any alley right-of-way parallel to the driveway (except where access to the driveway is from the alley), a 25-foot setback from any street right-of-way parallel to the driveway, and a 45-foot setback from any arterial street right-of-way parallel to the driveway; provided further, however, that with regard to the 45-foot setback from arterial streets the City Manager or City Manager’s designee shall be authorized to permit the location of a driveway at a point less than 45 feet but not less than 25 feet from an arterial street where the size of the lot is such that the 45-foot requirement is impractical; and provided further, that no driveway in which parking is permitted may be located under this subsection where in the professional opinion of City Manager or City Manager’s designee, documented in writing, dangerous traffic conditions may result.

(2) Duplexes. A driveway serving a duplex constructed on a single lot, except in planned unit developments, shall have a maximum width of 24 feet at its intersection with the street; the width of all driveways serving a particular lot shall consist of not more than 40 percent of the lot frontage footage; the driveway shall maintain a 20-foot setback from any alley right-of-way parallel to the driveway (except where access to the driveway is from the alley), a 25-foot setback from any street right-of-way parallel to the driveway, and a 45-foot setback from any arterial right-of-way street parallel to the driveway; provided further, however, that with regard to the 45-foot setback from arterial streets the City Manager or City Manager’s designee shall be authorized to permit the location of the driveway at a point less than 45 feet but not less than 25 feet from an arterial street where the size of the lot is such that the 45-foot requirement is impractical; and provided further, that no driveway in which parking is permitted may be located under this subsection where in the professional opinion of the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee, documented in writing, dangerous traffic conditions may result.

(3) Townhouse Dwellings. A driveway serving one or more townhouse dwellings shall have a maximum width of 24 feet at its intersection with the street, a minimum 20-foot setback from any alley right-of-way parallel to the driveway (except where access to the driveway is from the alley), a 25-foot setback from any street right-of-way parallel to the driveway, and a 45-foot setback from any arterial street right-of-way parallel to the driveway; provided further, however, that with regard to the 45-foot setback from arterial streets the City Manager or City Manager’s designee shall be authorized to permit the location of a driveway at a point less than 45 feet but not less than 25 feet from an arterial street where the size of the lot is such that the 45-foot requirement is impractical; and provided further, that no driveway in which parking is permitted may be located under this subsection where in the professional opinion of the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee, documented in writing, dangerous traffic conditions may result. [Ord. 1591 § 518, 2014.]

18.210.150 Parking area and parking area entrance and exit slopes.

In order to encourage the construction of usable, convenient, and safe parking areas, a maximum pavement slope of five percent shall be permitted. A maximum slope of 14 percent shall be permitted for driveways or aisles between separated parking areas. The long dimension of a parking stall shall be generally parallel to ground contours. If existing ground slopes in a proposed parking area exceed 10 percent, the code official may require the submission of a topographic survey showing existing and proposed contours. Parking lots depressed two or three feet below the level of the street shall be encouraged wherever possible. Plans for adequate drainage shall be approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director. [Ord. 1591 § 519, 2014.]

18.210.160 Driveways and maneuverability.

(1) Adequate ingress to and from each parking space shall be provided without moving another vehicle and without backing more than 50 feet, except that vehicles may be parked in a stacked or tandem way on commercial properties only upon City approval of a stacked or valet parking plan developed in accordance with subsection (7) of this section. All parking spaces shall be so arranged that ingress and egress is possible without backing over a sidewalk or walkway/bicycle area unless specifically approved by the City Manager or City Manager’s designee.

(2) Turning and maneuvering space shall be located entirely on private property except that the usable portion of an alley may be credited as aisle space subject to approval as to safety by the City Manager or City Manager’s designee.

(3) Backing onto public streets to exit a parking stall shall be prohibited, except in Single-Family Residential and RA Zones.

(4) When off-street parking is provided in the rear of a building and a driveway lane alongside the building provides access to the rear parking area, such driveway shall require a minimum width of 12 feet and a sidewalk of at least a three-foot section, adjoining the building, curbed or raised six inches above the driveway surface.

(5) Ingress and egress to any off-street parking lot shall not be located closer than 20 feet from point of tangent to an intersection or crosswalk. They may not be permitted where, in the opinion of the City Manager or City Manager’s designee, dangerous or confusing traffic patterns would result.

(6) Driveway intersections with north-south bearing streets shall be minimized to the extent possible in order to diminish traffic hazards, to conserve space and to promote orderly development generally. Driveways shall be limited to one per building site per street frontage, except the lesser of one driveway for each 150 feet of street frontage or three driveways for two lots having common parking may be permitted upon a finding of the City Manager or City Manager’s designee that smoother or safer flow of traffic can result without significant disruption of the streetscape.

(7) Stacked or Valet Parking Plan Requirements.

(a) Stacking spaces for vehicle parking or for auto rental/sales uses may be allowed on commercial properties; provided, that the area utilized for stacking spaces conforms with the parking lot landscaping requirements of DMMC 18.210.220. Stacking of required off-street parking spaces shall not be allowed for employee or customer parking. Stacking aisle widths shall be a minimum of eight feet, six inches.

(b) Stacking spaces for commercial uses other than vehicle parking or auto rental/sales may be allowed through the use of valet parking, upon approval of a valet parking plan, by the City Manager or City Manager’s designee. The area of the lot utilized for stacking spaces shall conform with the parking lot landscaping requirements of DMMC 18.210.220. Stacking aisle widths shall be a minimum of eight feet, six inches. At a minimum, the valet parking plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) A site plan showing the location of the valet parking on the property;

(ii) The hours of operations;

(iii) A detailed description of the valet parking system’s operation including methods to control noise, glare from impacting adjacent properties, and methods to eliminate any impacts on adjacent or nearby residential neighborhoods;

(iv) The name, address and phone number of the operator of the valet parking.

Valet parking is allowed on or off site. No valet parking shall be allowed on public rights-of-way. [Ord. 1655 § 21, 2016: Ord. 1591 § 520, 2014.]

18.210.170 Surface.

(1) The surface of any required off-street parking or loading facility and accessory accessways (driveways) shall be paved with asphalt or concrete to a standard comparable to the standard for the public street providing access thereto and shall be graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water, but shall not drain across sidewalks. Modifications for wheel strip driveways and permeable pavements pursuant to the City’s adopted drainage standards may be considered.

(2) Paved parking areas except in Single-Family Zones shall use paint or similar devices to delineate car stalls and direction of traffic.

(3) Pedestrian walks, used for the use of foot traffic only, shall be curbed or raised six inches above the lot surface. All pedestrian walks shall be conspicuously delineated.

(4) Wheel stops shall be required to protect landscaping and to prevent vehicles from striking buildings, overhanging walkways, property lines, or other limits of a parking facility. Wheel stops shall be installed a minimum of two feet from the end of parking stalls, except in Single-Family Residential Zones. [Ord. 1737 § 13, 2020; Ord. 1591 § 521, 2014.]

18.210.180 Lighting.

Any lighting on a parking lot shall illuminate only the parking lot, and be designed to avoid undue glare or reflection on adjoining premises, including public streets. Where a common boundary is shared with any residential property, illuminating devices shall be so shaped and directed to focus their light away from residential property. Parking lot lighting shall not exceed 20 feet in height, except that the City Manager or his designee may approve a taller lightpost standard based on an energy-efficient lighting design. [Ord. 1655 § 22, 2016: Ord. 1591 § 522, 2014.]

18.210.190 Curb cuts.

All parking facilities shall have specific entrance and/or exit areas to a street or alley. Access roads and curb cuts shall be minimized and shall not exceed 24 feet in width for combined ingress/egress points and 12 feet for one-way entrances or exits unless recommended by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director to facilitate left turn lanes or otherwise foster safe movement of vehicles and upon a finding that pedestrian safety is not adversely affected. [Ord. 1591 § 523, 2014.]

18.210.200 Vehicle circulation between adjoining properties required.

Parking lots shall be designed to provide for off-street vehicle circulation to adjoining properties and parking areas where physically feasible. [Ord. 1591 § 524, 2014.]

18.210.210 Obstructions.

No obstruction which would restrict car door opening shall be permitted within five feet of the centerline of a parking space. [Ord. 1591 § 525, 2014.]

18.210.220 Landscaping and screening.

Landscaping and screening shall be provided in accordance with chapter 18.195 DMMC. [Ord. 1591 § 526, 2014.]

18.210.230 Walkways required.

Marked walkways, separated from traffic lanes and vehicle overhangs, shall be provided from parking areas to the entrances of establishments and from parking areas to right-of-way sidewalks/walkways. [Ord. 1591 § 527, 2014.]

18.210.240 Parking for the handicapped.

Parking and access for physically handicapped shall be provided in accordance with Section 7503 of the regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 19.27 RCW, State Building Code, chapter 70.92 RCW, Public Buildings – Provision for Aged and Handicapped, and RCW 46.61.581. [Ord. 1591 § 528, 2014.]

18.210.250 Parking and storage of recreational, utility, and commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.

(1) Exemptions. Vehicles 10,000 pounds gross weight or less and not exceeding 20 feet in length or 7.5 feet in width, with or without a mounted camper unit, which are primarily used by the property owner for transportation purposes are exempt from this subsection.

(2) Recreational and utility vehicles are defined as travel trailers, folding tent trailers, motor homes, truck campers removed from a truck or pickup, horse trailers, boat trailers with or without boats, and utility trailers. Recreational and utility vehicles may be parked in residential areas provided the following conditions are met:

(a) Vehicles shall not intrude into publicly maintained rights-of-way or obstruct sight visibility from adjacent driveways.

(b) Vehicles shall not be parked in the front building setback unless there is no reasonable access to the building side yards or rear yards because of topography or other physical conditions of the site.

(c) Vehicles shall be maintained in a clean, well-kept state which does not detract from the appearance of the surrounding area.

(d) At no time shall parked or stored recreational vehicles be occupied or used as permanent or temporary dwelling units on the host’s premises for more than four weeks except when specifically allowed under DMMC 18.170.070.

(e) For the purposes of this section, commercial vehicles are defined as any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals or passengers for hire.

(f) For the purposes of this section, publicly maintained right-of-way is defined as right-of-way currently opened and maintained by City.

(3) Truck Tractors, Trailers, and Large Commercial Vehicles. Parking of commercial vehicles is prohibited in residential areas, except on a temporary and nonregular basis not exceeding 24 hours when sight visibility is not obstructed. [Ord. 1591 § 529, 2014.]

18.210.260 Required loading areas.

(1) Every department store, freight terminal or railroad yard, hospital or sanitarium, industrial or manufacturing establishment, retail or wholesale store or storage warehouse establishment, or any similar use, which has or is intended to have an aggregate gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more, shall provide truck loading or unloading berths in accordance with the following table:

Square Feet of Aggregate Gross Floor Area

Required Number of Berths

10,000 up to and including 16,000

1

16,001 up to and including 40,000

2

40,001 up to and including 64,000

3

64,001 up to and including 96,000

4

96,001 up to and including 128,000

5

128,001 up to and including 160,000

6

160,001 up to and including 196,000

7

For each additional 36,000

1 additional

(2) Every auditorium, convention hall, exhibition hall, sports arena, hotel, office building, restaurant, or any similar use, which has or is intended to have an aggregate gross floor area of 40,000 square feet or more, shall provide off-street truck loading or unloading berths in accordance with the following table:

Square Feet of Aggregate Gross Floor Area

Required Number of Berths

40,000 up to and including 60,000

1

60,001 up to and including 160,000

2

160,001 up to and including 264,000

3

264,001 up to and including 388,000

4

388,001 up to and including 520,000

5

520,001 up to and including 652,000

6

652,001 up to and including 784,000

7

784,001 up to and including 920,000

8

For each additional 140,000

1 additional

(3) Each loading space shall measure not less than 30 feet by 12 feet, and shall have an unobstructed height of 14 feet 6 inches, shall be made permanently available for such purpose, and shall be surfaced, improved, and maintained as required. Such facilities shall be located so that trucks using the loading space do not interfere with areas reserved for off-street parking nor project into any public right-of-way or off-site, or be situated along any street frontage, and shall be adjacent to the building to be served thereby.

(4) Any floor area provided by additions to or structural alterations to a building shall be provided with loading space or spaces as set forth in this chapter whether or not loading spaces have been provided for the original floor space. [Ord. 1591 § 530, 2014.]

18.210.270 Code official.

The code official is the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee or his/her designated representative. [Ord. 1591 § 531, 2014.]

18.210.280 Enforcement.

Enforcement of the parking requirements contained in this chapter for new construction, alterations to a structure, or change in principal use, shall be in accordance with the enforcement sections of the buildings and construction code (Title 14 DMMC) or the provisions of this code regulating business licenses (chapter 5.04 DMMC), as the case may be. Enforcement of any violation of this chapter shall be pursuant to DMMC 18.01.080 through 18.01.110. [Ord. 1591 § 532, 2014.]