§ 17.44.150. Parking and loading space

The intent of this section is to encourage the parking of vehicles off the public streets so as to improve safety, reduce congestion, and facilitate street maintenance and traffic circulation.

A. Off-Street Parking Required. There shall be provided at the time of the erection of any building, or at the time any main building is enlarged or increased in capacity, minimum off-street parking space with adequate provisions for ingress and egress from the street to each parking space by standard-sized automobiles as hereinafter provided. A minimum area of two hundred (200) square feet, plus adequate provision for ingress and egress from the street to each parking space shall be considered as a space for one automobile.

B. Parking Space for Dwellings. In all zones, except those in which dwellings are not permitted, there shall be provided space for the parking of one automobile for each dwelling unit in a new dwelling, or each dwelling unit added in the case of the enlargement of an existing building. Where the designated parking space is not enclosed in a private garage or carport or other building, sufficient yards surrounding the parking space shall be provided so that the automobile can be enclosed within a building or carport having yards which will comply with the requirements set forth in this title except as may be permitted by the board of adjustment.

C. Parking Space for Buildings or Uses Other Than Dwellings. For a new building, or for any enlargement or increase in setting capacity, floor area, or guest rooms of any existing main building, off-street parking shall be provided and maintained as follows:

1. For churches, theaters, general auditoriums and stadiums, at least one parking space for every ten seats in the main assembly hall;

2. For schools, at least one space for each teaching station;

3. For hospitals, at least one parking space for each two beds;

4. For medical and dental clinics, at least two parking spaces shall be provided for each doctor or dentist having offices in such clinic, or one space for each four hundred (400) square feet of office floor space, whichever is greater;

5. For tourist courts, hotels and apartment hotels, at least one parking space for each individual sleeping room or living unit up to and including the first twenty (20) units, and at least one parking space for each one and one-half units in excess of twenty (20) units;

6. For boarding houses, lodging houses and dwelling units occupied by more than three persons not related by blood or marriage, at least one parking space for each automobile used or parked on or about the premises by persons accommodated in such building;

7. For restaurants, cafes and similar eating establishments that serve meals, lunches or drinks to patrons inside a building and for retail stores selling directly to the public, and for dance halls and recreational places of assembly, at least one parking space shall be provided, for each four hundred (400) square feet of floor space in the building, and at least one space for each two employees working on the highest employment shift;

8. For drive-ins that sell ice cream, soft drinks or other food to customers in automobiles, at least twelve (12) off-street parking spaces;

9. For mortuaries, at least thirty (30) parking spaces or one space for each twenty-five (25) square feet in the assembly room or chapel;

10. For all industrial uses not listed above, one parking space for each two employees working on the highest employment shift.

Where benches are used, twenty (20) inches of bench space shall be considered as space for one seat. Where movable chairs are used seven square feet of floor space shall be considered as space for one seat.

D. Location of Parking Space—Collective Use.

1. Parking space as required above shall be on the same lot as the main building except as allowed under collective use; provided, however, that parking space for buildings in the C-1 central commercial zone shall be located within a distance of not to exceed four hundred (400) feet from said building.

2. Parking space for two or more buildings, as required in this title, may be combined into one lot provided the number of parking spaces is at least equal to the number required when computed separately.

E. Parking Space Regulations. Every parcel of land hereafter used as a parking lot shall have appropriate bumper guards where needed, as determined by the zoning administrator. Any lights used to illuminate the area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any residential zone. No parking space shall be located within the required front yard or within the required side yards which face upon a public street. All parking spaces shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of the building except in the C-1 zone.

F. Off-Street Truck Loading Space. On the same premises with every building used for the storage and warehousing of goods or for the receipt and distribution of goods by automobile vehicles, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services in order to avoid undue interference with public use of the street or alleys. Such space unless otherwise adequately provided for, shall include a ten foot by twenty-five (25) foot loading space with a minimum fourteen (14) feet height in clearance for every twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of floor space or fraction thereof in the building.

(Zoning ordinance, §§ 4-15—4-15-6)