Chapter 18.125 AUTOMOBILE PARKING STANDARDS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic and flexible standards for the development of vehicle and bicycle parking. The design of parking areas is critical to the economic viability of some commercial areas, pedestrian and driver safety, the efficient and safe operation of adjoining streets, and community image and livability. Historically, some communities have required more parking than is necessary for some land uses, paving extensive areas of land that could be put to better use. Because vehicle parking facilities occupy large amounts of land, they must be planned and designed carefully to use the land efficiently, minimize storm water runoff, and maintain the visual character of the community. This chapter recognizes that each development has unique parking needs and provides a flexible approach for determining parking space requirements (i.e., “minimum” and “performance-based” standards). This chapter also provides standards for bicycle parking because many people use bicycles for recreation, commuting, and general transportation. Children as well as adults need safe and adequate spaces to park their bicycles throughout the community. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(1)), 2006.]

18.125.020 Applicability.

All development subject to review including development of parking facilities, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(2)), 2006.]

Article II. Automobile Parking Standards

18.125.030 Vehicle parking – Minimum standards by use.

The number of required off-street vehicle parking spaces shall be determined in accordance with the standards in Table 18.125.030, Minimum Required Parking by Use, or alternatively, through a separate parking demand analysis prepared by the applicant and subject to a land use review. Where a use is not specifically listed in this table, parking requirements are determined by finding that a use is similar to one of those listed in terms of parking needs, or by estimating parking needs individually using the demand analysis option described above. Parking that counts toward the minimum requirement includes parking in garages, carports, parking lots, bays along driveways, shared parking, and designated on-street parking.

Table 18.125.030 – Minimum Required Parking by Use
Use Categories	Minimum Parking per Land Use (fractions rounded down to the closest whole number)
Residential Categories
Household Living
Accessory Dwelling	None
Single-Family Dwelling	2 spaces
Duplex	3 spaces per duplex
Multifamily	1 space per studio or 1-bedroom unit
	1.5 spaces/unit per 2-bedroom unit
	2 spaces/unit per 3-bedroom or larger unit
Group Living, such as nursing or convalescent homes, rest homes, assisted living, congregate care, and similar special needs housing	0.5 space per 4 bedrooms
Commercial Categories
Drive-Up/Drive-In/Drive-Through (drive-up windows, kiosks, ATMs)	No requirement.
Bed and Breakfast Inn	1 space per bedroom
Educational Services, not a school (e.g., tutoring or similar services)	2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. floor area
Entertainment, Major Event	Per CU review
Offices	2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. floor area
Outdoor Recreation, Commercial	Per CU review
Parking Lot (when not an accessory use)	Per CU review
Quick Vehicle Servicing or Vehicle Repair (See also Drive-Up/Drive-In/Drive-Through Uses)	2 spaces, or per CU review
Retail Sales and Service (See also Drive-Up Uses)	Retail: 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft., except bulk retail (e.g., auto, boat, trailers, nurseries, lumber and construction materials, furniture, appliances, and similar sales) 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.
	Restaurants and Bars: 8 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. floor area
	Health Clubs, Gyms, Continuous Entertainment (e.g., bowling alleys): 3 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.
	Lodging (hotels, motels, inns), (see also Bed and Breakfast Inns): 0.75 space per rentable room; for associated uses, such as restaurants, entertainment uses, and bars, see above
	Theaters and Cinemas: 1 space per 6 seats
Self-Service Storage	No standard
Industrial Categories
Industrial Service (See also Drive-Up Uses)	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Manufacturing and Production	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Warehouse and Freight Movement	0.5 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Waste-Related	Per CU review
Wholesale Sales
– fully enclosed	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.
– not enclosed	Per CU review
Institutional Categories
Basic Utilities	None
Colleges	Per CU review
Community Service	1 space per 200 sq. ft. of floor area
Daycare, adult or child daycare; does not include Family Daycare (12 or fewer children) under ORS 657A.250	1 space per 500 sq. ft. of floor area
Parks and Open Space	Determined per CU review for active recreation areas, or no standard
Religious Institutions and Houses of Worship	1 space per 75 sq. ft. of main assembly area; or per CU review, as applicable
Schools	Grade, elementary, middle, junior high schools: 1 space per classroom, or per CU review
Schools	High schools: 7 spaces per classroom, or per CU review
Other Categories
Accessory Uses (with a permitted use)	No standard, except some uses may be required to provide parking under the minimum standards for primary uses, as determined by the decision body through land use review, conditional use permit review, or site design review
Agriculture – Animals	None, or per CU review
Agriculture – Nurseries and similar horticulture	See Retail Sales and Wholesale Sales, as applicable
Mining	Per CU review
Radio Frequency Transmission Facilities	None
Rail Lines and Utility Corridors, except those existing prior to effective date of Development Code are allowed	None
Transportation Facilities (operation, maintenance, preservation, and construction [in accordance with the City’s Transportation System Plan])	None

[Ord. 319 § 20, 2013; Ord. 304 Art. IV(2), 2008; Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(A)), 2006.]

18.125.040 Vehicle parking – Minimum accessible parking.

A. Accessible parking shall be provided for all uses in accordance with the standards in Table 18.125.030; parking spaces used to meet the standards in Table 18.125.040, Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces, shall be counted toward meeting off-street parking requirements in Table 18.125.030;

B. Such parking shall be located in close proximity to building entrances and shall be designed to permit occupants of vehicles to reach the entrance on an unobstructed path or walkway;

C. Accessible spaces shall be grouped in pairs where possible;

D. Where covered parking is provided, covered accessible spaces shall be provided in the same ratio as covered nonaccessible spaces;

E. Required accessible parking spaces shall be identified with signs and pavement markings identifying them as reserved for persons with disabilities; signs shall be posted directly in front of the parking space at a height of no less than 42 inches and no more than 72 inches above pavement level. Van spaces shall be specifically identified as such.

Table 18.125.040 – Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces

Source: ADA Standards for Accessible Design 4.1.2(5)
Total Number of Parking Spaces Provided (per lot)	Total Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces (with 60" access aisle, or 96" aisle for vans*)	Van Accessible Parking Spaces with min. 96" wide access aisle	Accessible Parking Spaces with min. 60" wide access aisle
1 to 25	Column A 1	1	0
26 to 50	2	1	1
51 to 75	3	1	2
76 to 100	4	1	3
101 to 150	5	1	4
151 to 200	6	1	5
201 to 300	7	1	6
301 to 400	8	1	7
401 to 500	9	2	7
501 to 1,000	2% of total parking provided in each lot	1/8 of Column A**	7/8 of Column A***
1,001 or more	20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000	1/8 of Column A**	7/8 of Column A***
vans and cars may share access aisles 1 out of every 8 accessible spaces **7 out of every 8 accessible parking spaces

[Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(B)), 2006.]

18.125.050 On-street parking.

On-street parking shall conform to the following standards:

A. Dimensions. The following constitutes one on-street parking space:

1. Parallel parking, each 22 feet of uninterrupted curb;

2. Forty-five or 60 degree diagonal, each with 10 to 12 feet of curb;

3. Ninety degree (perpendicular) parking, each with 12 feet of curb.

B. Location. Parking may be counted toward the minimum standards in Table 18.125.030 when it is on the block face abutting the subject land use. An on-street parking space must not obstruct a required clear vision area and it must not violate any law or street standard.

C. Public Use Required for Credit. On-street parking spaces counted toward meeting the parking requirements of a specific use may not be used exclusively by that use, but shall be available for general public use at all times. Signs or other actions that limit general public use of on-street spaces are prohibited. [Ord. 304 Art. IV(3), 2008; Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(C)), 2006.]

18.125.060 Shared parking.

Required parking facilities for two or more uses, structures, or parcels of land may be satisfied by the same parking facilities used jointly, to the extent that the owners or operators show that the need for parking facilities does not materially overlap (e.g., uses primarily of a daytime versus nighttime nature; weekday uses versus weekend uses), and provided that the right of joint use is evidenced by a recorded deed, lease, contract, or similar written instrument establishing the joint use. The city may approve owner requests for shared parking through land use review. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(D)), 2006.]

18.125.070 Off-site parking.

Except for single-family dwellings, the vehicle parking spaces required by this section may be located on another parcel of land, provided the parcel is within 500 feet of the use it serves and the city has approved the off-site parking through land use review. The distance from the parking area to the use shall be measured from the nearest parking space to a building entrance, following a sidewalk or other pedestrian route. The right to use the off-site parking must be evidenced by a recorded deed, lease, easement, or similar written instrument. [Ord. 304 Art. IV(4), 2008; Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(E)), 2006.]

18.125.080 General parking standards.

A. Location. Parking is allowed only on streets, within garages, carports, and other structures, or on driveways or parking lots that have been developed in conformance with this code. Street parking spaces shall not include space in a vehicle travel lane (including emergency or fire access lanes), public right-of-way, pedestrian accessway, landscape, or other undesignated area.

B. Mixed Uses. If more than one type of land use occupies a single structure or parcel of land, the total requirements for off-street automobile parking shall be the sum of the requirements for all uses, unless it can be shown that the peak parking demands are actually less (i.e., the uses operate on different days or at different times of the day). The city may reduce the total parking required accordingly through land use review.

C. Availability of Facilities. Owners of off-street parking facilities may post a sign indicating that all parking on the site is available only for residents, customers, and/or employees. Signs shall conform to the standards of Chapter 18.120 GMC.

D. Lighting. Parking areas shall have lighting to provide at least two foot-candles of illumination over parking spaces and walkways. Light standards shall be directed downward only and shielded to prevent lighting spillover into any adjacent residential district or use.

E. Screening of Parking Areas. Parking spaces shall be located or screened so that headlights do not shine onto adjacent residential uses. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(F)), 2006.]

18.125.090 Parking stall design and minimum dimensions.

All off-street parking spaces shall be improved to conform to city standards for surfacing, storm water management, and striping. Standard parking spaces shall conform to the following standards and the dimensions in Figure 18.125.090(1), Parking Area Layout, and Figure 18.125.090(2), Disabled Person Parking Requirements, and Table 18.125.120, Minimum Required Bicycle Parking Spaces:

A. Motor vehicle parking spaces shall measure eight feet, six inches wide by 18 feet long or by 16 feet long, with not more than a two-foot overhang when allowed;

B. All parallel motor vehicle parking spaces shall measure eight feet, six inches by 22 feet;

C. Parking area layout shall conform to the dimensions in Figures 18.125.090(1) and (2), and Table 18.125.090, Parking Area Layout, below;

D. Parking areas shall conform to Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for parking spaces (dimensions, van accessible parking spaces, etc.). Parking structure vertical clearance, van accessible parking spaces, should refer to federal ADA guidelines; and

E. Bicycle parking shall be on a two-foot by six-foot minimum concrete pad per bike, or within a garage or patio of residential use.

Figure 18.125.090(1) – Parking Area Layout

Figure 18.125.090(2) – Disabled Person Parking Requirements

Table 18.125.090 – Parking Area Layout
	Parking Angle <°	Curb Length	Stall Depth		Aisle Width		Bay Width		Stripe Length
Standard	Parking Angle <°	Curb Length	Single D1	Double D2	One-Way A1	Two-Way A2	One-Way B1	Two-Way B2	Stripe Length
Space (See Figure 18.125.090(2) for ADA space requirements)	90°	8′-6′′	18′	36′	23′	23′	59′	59′	18′
	60°	10′	20′	40′	17′	18′	57′	58′	23′
	45°	12′	18′-6′′	37′	13′	18′	50′	55′	26′-6′′
	30°	17′	16′-6′′	33′	12′	18′	45′	51′	32′-8′′
	0°	22′	8′-6′′	17′	12′	18′	29′	35′	8′-6′′

[Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(G)), 2006.]

18.125.100 Important cross-references.

See also Section 2, Land Use District standards, for parking location requirements for some multifamily and commercial land uses; Section 3.1, Access and Circulation, for driveway standards; Section 3.2, Landscaping; and Section 3.5, Surface Water Management. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(3)(H)), 2006.]

Article III. Bicycle Parking Requirements

18.125.110 Background.

This article implements part of the Transportation Planning Rule, which requires bicycle parking. (OAR 660-012-0045)

All uses that are subject to site design review shall provide bicycle parking, in conformance with the standards in Table 18.125.120, and GMC 18.125.120 through 18.125.190. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)), 2006.]

18.125.120 Minimum required bicycle parking spaces.

Uses shall provide long- and short-term bicycle parking spaces, as designated in Table 18.125.120. Where two options are provided (e.g., two spaces, or one per eight bedrooms), the option resulting in more bicycle parking is used.

Table 18.125.120 – Minimum Required Bicycle Parking Spaces
Use Categories	Specific Uses	Long-term Spaces (covered or enclosed)	Short-term Spaces (near building entry)
Residential Categories
Household Living	Multifamily	1 per 4 units	2, or 1 per 20 units
Group Living		2, or 1 per 20 bedrooms	None
Group Living	Dormitory	1 per 8 bedrooms	None
Commercial Categories
Retail Sales and Service		2, or 1 per 12,000 sq. ft. of floor area	2, or 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Retail Sales and Service	Lodging	2, or 1 per 20 rentable rooms	2, or 1 per 20 rentable rooms
Office		2, or 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area	2, or 1 per 40,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Commercial Outdoor Recreation		8, or 1 per 20 auto spaces	None
Major Event Entertainment		8, or 1 per 40 seats, or per CU review	None
Industrial Categories
Manufacturing and Production		2, or 1 per 15,000 sq. ft. of floor area	None
Warehouse and Freight Movement		2, or 1 per 40,000 sq. ft. of floor area	None
Institutional Categories
Basic Utilities	Bus transit center	8	None
Community Service		2, or 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area	2, or 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area
	Park and ride	8, or 5 per acre	None
Parks (active recreation areas only)		None	8, or per CU review
Schools	Grades 2 – 5	1 per classroom, or per CU review	1 per classroom, or per CU review
	Grades 6 – 12	2 per classroom, or per CU review	4 per school, or per CU review
Colleges	Excluding dormitories (see Group Living, above)	2, or 1 per 20,000 sq. ft. of net building area, or per CU review	2, or 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of net building area, or per CU review
Medical Centers		2, or 1 per 70,000 sq. ft. of net building area, or per CU review	2, or 1 per 40,000 sq. ft. of net building area, or per CU review
Religious Institutions and Places of Worship		2, or 1 per 4,000 sq. ft. of net building area	2, or 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. of net building area
Daycare		2, or 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of net building area	None
Other Categories
Other Categories	Determined through land use review, site design review, or CU review, as applicable

[Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(A)), 2006.]

18.125.130 Exemptions.

This article does not apply to single-family and multifamily housing (attached, detached, or manufactured housing), home occupations, agriculture and livestock uses. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(B)), 2006.]

18.125.140 Location and design.

Bicycle parking should be no farther from the main building entrance than the distance to the closest vehicle space, or 50 feet, whichever is less. Long-term (i.e., covered) bicycle parking should be incorporated whenever possible into building design. Short-term bicycle parking, when allowed within a public right-of-way, should be coordinated with the design of street furniture, as applicable. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(C)), 2006.]

18.125.150 Visibility and security.

Bicycle parking for customers and visitors of a use shall be visible from street sidewalks or building entrances, so that it provides sufficient security from theft and damage. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(D)), 2006.]

18.125.160 Options for storage.

Long-term bicycle parking requirements for multiple family uses and employee parking can be met by providing a bicycle storage room, bicycle lockers, racks, or other secure storage space inside or outside of the building. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(E)), 2006.]

18.125.170 Lighting.

For security, bicycle parking shall be at least as well lit as vehicle parking. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(F)), 2006.]

18.125.180 Reserved areas.

Areas set aside for bicycle parking shall be clearly marked and reserved for bicycle parking only. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(G)), 2006.]

18.125.190 Hazards.

Bicycle parking shall not impede or create a hazard to pedestrians. Parking areas shall be located so as to not conflict with vision clearance standards (Section 3.1, Access and Circulation). [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(4)(H)), 2006.]

Article IV. Loading Areas

18.125.200 Background.

The loading area provisions are typical, except that GMC 18.125.250 allows for the use of a street right-of-way loading area under certain conditions. This exception is meant to conserve land for employment uses, particularly in the downtown and main street zones. Some cities’ codes prohibit vehicles backing onto a public right-of-way (except single-family uses), so it is important to check for that restriction and allow reasonable exceptions. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)), 2006.]

18.125.210 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to provide standards (1) for a minimum number of off-street loading spaces that will ensure adequate loading areas for large uses and developments, and (2) to ensure that the appearance of loading areas is consistent with that of parking areas. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)(A)), 2006.]

18.125.220 Applicability.

This article applies to residential projects with 50 or more dwelling units, and nonresidential and mixed-use buildings with 20,000 square feet or more total floor area. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)(B)), 2006.]

18.125.230 Number of loading spaces.

A. Residential Buildings. Buildings where all of the floor area is in residential use shall meet the following standards:

1. Fewer than 50 dwelling units on a site that abuts a local street: No loading spaces are required.

2. All other buildings: One space.

B. Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Buildings. Buildings where any floor area is in nonresidential use shall meet the following standards:

1. Less than 20,000 square feet total floor area: No loading spaces required.

2. Twenty thousand to 50,000 square feet of total floor area: One loading space.

3. More than 50,000 square feet of total floor area: Two loading spaces. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)(C)), 2006.]

18.125.240 Size of spaces.

Required loading spaces shall be at least 35 feet long and 10 feet wide, and shall have a height clearance of at least 13 feet. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)(D)), 2006.]

18.125.250 Placement, setbacks, and landscaping.

Loading areas shall conform to the setback and perimeter landscaping standards in Divisions II and III of this title. Where parking areas are prohibited between a building and the street, loading areas are also prohibited. The decision body may approve a loading area adjacent to or within the street right-of-way through site design review or conditional use permit review, as applicable, where it finds that loading and unloading operations are short in duration (i.e., less than one hour), do not obstruct traffic during peak traffic hours, or interfere with emergency response service. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.060(5)(E)), 2006.]