10.4.2 Parking Space Design Standards

Each required off-street parking space shall open directly onto an aisle or driveway which is designed to provide safe and efficient access to each parking space. Parking shall not be allowed to impede traffic movement on alleys or streets or to impede pedestrian or bicycle activities.

(1) A required off-street parking space shall be at least eight feet, six inches in width and 18 feet in length exclusive of any access drives, aisles, or columns.

(2) Within parking structures, columns can extend into a parking space as follows:

(a) Encroachments are not allowed for compact spaces;

(b) A maximum of 30% of the total number of parking spaces within the structure can be affected by an encroachment.

(c) If the encroachment impacts only one space, then the maximum amount of encroachment shall be 18 inches. If the encroachment impacts two or more adjacent spaces, then the maximum amount of encroachment shall be 24 inches, with a maximum individual encroachment of 18 inches.

A compact vehicle space shall be at least seven feet, six inches in width and at least 14 feet in length, exclusive of access drives, aisles, or columns.

Parallel parking spaces shall be increased by five feet in length for both regular and compact parking.

2. Aisles shall not be less than 24 feet wide for 90 degree parking, 18 feet wide for 60 degree parking, 16 feet wide for 45 degree parking and 12 feet wide for parallel parking. The angle shall be measured between the centerline of the parking space and the centerline of the aisle. No parking shall be allowed in the aisles.

3. The maximum grade permitted for any required parking shall not exceed 8%.

a. Parking spaces using geometric standards other than those specified in this Ordinance may be approved by the City Transportation Director or designee if the alternative standards are developed and sealed by a registered engineer with expertise in parking facility design, demonstrating that the alternate dimensional standards satisfy off-street parking requirements as adequately as would a facility using standard Ordinance dimension.

Valet parking can be approved as a means of satisfying otherwise applicable off-street parking design requirements where all of the following standards are met:

(1) Adequate assurance of the continued operation of the valet parking, such as a contractual agreement for valet services or the tenant’s affidavit agreeing to provide such services, is provided.

(2) An equivalent number of valet spaces shall be available to replace the required parking spaces. Such valet spaces do not require individual striping, and can include the tandem or mass parking of vehicles.

(3) If located off-site, valet parking shall meet the requirements of paragraph 10.3.1C.1, except for paragraph 10.3.1C.1(c).

Parking design for nonresidential and multifamily uses shall be approved as part of site plan review.

Parking lot lighting shall be shielded so that it does not cast direct light beyond the property line (see Sec. 7.4, Outdoor Lighting). Parking lots shall be illuminated during night business hours.

Parking spaces and driveways must be clearly defined, constructed, and maintained with a hard all-weather surface, or as otherwise specified below. Grass, landscaped areas, and bare earth areas are prohibited for any driveway or parking unless associated with an approved temporary use.

Commentary: Paving shall be required to adhere to any standards maintained by the City Public Works Department.

All required vehicle use areas and driveways, except for those associated with single family detached dwellings, shall be covered with an all-weather surface designed to support anticipated loads.

a. Loose material surfaces shall be contained with a permanent edging.

b. The surface shall be maintained so that traffic may move safely in and out of the parking area.

c. When loose material is used, parking blocks are required to designate each parking space when the vehicle use area is greater than ten parking spaces.

(1) All required vehicle use areas and driveways, except for those associated with single-family dwellings, shall be paved.

(2) All excess vehicle use areas, and those associated with single-family dwellings, shall be covered with an all-weather surface designed to support anticipated loads.

(3) Loose material surfaces shall be contained with a permanent edging.

(4) The surface shall be maintained so that traffic may move safely in and out of the parking area.

(5) When loose material is used, parking blocks are required to designate each parking space when the vehicle use area is greater than ten parking spaces.

All vehicle use areas and driveways shall be paved.