Chapter 3.3
PARKING AND LOADING

Sections:

3.3.100    Purpose.

3.3.200    Applicability.

3.3.300    Automobile parking standards.

3.3.400    Bicycle parking requirements.

3.3.500    Loading areas.

3.3.100 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic and flexible standards for development of vehicle and bicycle parking. The design of parking areas is critically important 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 stormwater 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. 08-06 § 3, 2008)

3.3.200 Applicability.

All developments subject to land use review or design review (Chapter 4.2 SDC), including modifications to existing parking facilities, must comply with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 08-06 § 3, 2008)

3.3.300 Automobile parking standards.

A. Vehicle Parking – Minimum Standards by Use. The number of required off-street vehicle parking spaces is determined in accordance with the standards in Table 3.3.300.A or, alternatively, through a separate parking demand analysis as described in subsection (A)(2) of this section.

1. 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 below.

2. An applicant may propose parking in amounts less than listed in Table 3.3.300.A by submitting a parking demand analysis to the community development director for review and approval. The parking demand analyses must be based on the proposed use and provide an estimate of parking demand based on the number of employees and customers/visitors who are likely to travel to the subject site by automobile, transit, bicycle and foot. The analysis is reviewed through a Type II land use review, or a Type III review if the request is part of an application that is already subject to Type III review. The reviewing body may approve, approve with conditions or deny the proposal.

3. Parking that counts toward the minimum requirement is parking in garages, carports, parking lots, bays along driveways, shared parking, and designated on-street parking when approved through land use review or design review, as applicable, and subject to subsection (C) of this section. In recognition that downtown is the most compact and walkable area of Silverton, off-street parking requirements are waived in the downtown commercial (DC) district.

Table 3.3.300.A – Minimum Required Parking by Use 

Use Categories (Examples of uses are in Chapter 1.6 SDC; definitions are in Chapter 1.5 SDC.)	Minimum Parking per Land Use (fractions rounded down to the closest whole number)
Residential Categories
Household Living
Accessory dwelling	None
Single-family dwelling, including attached and detached dwellings and manufactured homes	2 spaces per dwelling unit provided on-street parking is available. If on-street parking is not available, then each unit must provide 3 spaces.
Duplex	1 space per dwelling unit (2 per duplex)
Multifamily	1 space per studio or 1-bedroom unit plus 1 visitor space for each 4 units
	1.5 spaces per 2-bedroom unit plus 1 visitor space for each 4 units
	2.25 spaces per 3-bedroom or larger unit plus 1 visitor space for each 4 units
Group living, such as nursing or convalescent homes, rest homes, assisted living, congregate care, and similar special needs housing	1 space per 4 bedrooms plus 1 space per employee based on the largest shift
Commercial Categories
Drive-up/drive-in/drive-through facilities (drive-up windows, kiosks, ATMs, similar uses/facilities), per SDC 2.3.160	No parking requirement if drive-up/drive-in/drive-through is in conjunction with a business. If not in conjunction with a business, then one space per employee is required. See SDC 2.3.160 for queuing area requirements
Bed and breakfast inn	1 space per rentable bedroom plus 1 space for owner/manager
Educational services, not a school (e.g., tutoring or similar services)	1 space per 500 sq. ft. floor area
Entertainment, major event	1 space for every 4 event attendees plus 1 space for every 3 employees
Offices	1 space per 400 sq. ft. of floor area
Outdoor recreation, commercial	1 space for every 4 event attendees plus 1 space for every 3 employees
Parking lot (when not an accessory use)	None
Quick vehicle servicing or vehicle repair. (See also drive-up/drive-in/drive-through uses, per SDC 2.3.160)	2 spaces per service bay plus 1 per employee
Retail sales and service (See also drive-up uses)	Retail: 1 space per 400 sq. ft., plus 1 space for each 3 employees except bulk retail (e.g., auto, boat, trailers, nurseries, lumber and construction materials, furniture, appliances, and similar sales) 1 per 1,000 sq. ft.
	Restaurants and Bars: 8 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. floor area
	Health Clubs, Gyms: 1 space per piece of workout equipment or workout station; plus one space for every 3 employees
	Continuous Entertainment (e.g., bowling alleys): 1 space for every 4 patrons or 1 space per bowling lane plus 1 space for every 3 employees
	Lodging (hotels, motels, inns), (see also bed and breakfast inns): 1 space per rentable room plus 1 space for every 3 employees. For associated uses, such as restaurants, entertainment uses, and bars, see above
	Theaters and Cinemas: 1 space per every 4 seats
Self-service storage	2 spaces
Industrial Categories
Industrial service (See also drive-up uses)	A minimum of 2 spaces; 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Manufacturing and production	A minimum of 2 spaces; 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Warehouse and freight movement	A minimum of 2 spaces; 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area
Wholesale Sales
- Fully enclosed	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.: A minimum of 2 spaces
- Not enclosed	1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.: A minimum of 2 spaces
Institutional Categories
Basic utilities	None
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 drop-off space for every 10 children plus 1 space for each employee
Parks and open space	1 space for every 4 attendees or per CU review (Chapter 4.4 SDC) for active recreation areas
Religious institutions and houses of worship	1 space per every 4 seats of the main assembly area; or per CU review, as applicable
Schools	Grade, elementary, middle, junior high schools: 2 spaces per classroom
	High schools: 1 space per 6 students plus 1 space per full-time employee
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 review, or site design review
Agriculture – Nurseries and similar horticulture	See retail sales and wholesale, as applicable
Radio frequency transmission facilities	None
Rail lines and utility corridors, except those existing prior to effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.	None
Temporary uses (limited to “P” and “CU” uses), per SDC 4.9.100.	As determined per SDC 4.9.100
Transportation facilities (operation, maintenance, preservation, and construction in accordance with the city’s transportation system plan)	None

B. Vehicle Parking – Minimum Accessible Parking.

1. Accessible parking shall be provided for all uses in accordance with the standards in Table 3.3.300.B; parking spaces used to meet the standards in Table 3.3.300.B shall be counted toward meeting off-street parking requirements in Table 3.3.300.A;

2. 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;

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

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

5. 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 3.3.300.B – 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-inch access aisle, or 96-inch aisle for vans*)	Van Accessible Parking Spaces (with min. 96-inch-wide access aisle)	Accessible Parking Spaces (with min. 60-inch wide access aisle)
	Column A
1 to 25	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	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
**one out of every eight accessible spaces		***seven out of every eight accessible parking spaces

C. On-Street Parking. On-street parking shall conform to the following standards:

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

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

b. Diagonal (45- to 60-degree) parking, each with 12 feet of curb;

c. Ninety-degree (perpendicular) parking, each with nine feet of curb.

2. Location. When approved through land use review or design review, as applicable, on-street parking may be counted toward the minimum standards in Table 3.3.300.A when it is on the block face abutting the subject site. An on-street parking space must not obstruct a required clear vision area and it must not violate any law or street standard.

3. 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.

D. 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 or design review, as applicable.

E. Off-Site Parking. Except for single-family dwellings and duplexes, the vehicle parking spaces required by this chapter 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 or design review, as applicable. 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.

F. General Parking Standards.

1. Location. Parking is allowed only on streets, within garages, carports, and other structures, or on driveways or parking lots that have been designed and developed in conformance with this code. Article 2, Land Use (Zoning) Districts, prescribes parking location for some land uses (e.g., the requirement that parking for some multiple-family and commercial developments be located to the side or rear of buildings), and Chapter 3.1 SDC, Access and Circulation, provides design standards for driveways. Street parking spaces shall not include space in a vehicle travel lane (including emergency or fire access lanes), public right-of-way, pedestrian access way, landscape, or other undesignated area.

2. 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 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 or design review, as applicable.

3. Availability of Facilities. Owners of off-street parking facilities may post a sign indicating that such off-street parking, or portions thereof, is available only for residents, customers, and/or employees.

4. Lighting. Parking areas shall have lighting to provide not less than two footcandles of illumination over walkways leading to and from parking area. Similar lighting should be provided over parking areas but complete illumination of parking spaces at two footcandles is not required. Light standards shall be directed downward only and shielded to prevent lighting spillover into any adjacent residential district or use and to prevent light pollution in the night sky.

5. Screening of Parking Areas. Parking spaces shall be located or screened so that headlights do not shine onto adjacent residential uses, per subsection (E) of this section.

6. Carpool/Vanpool/Rideshare Parking. Parking areas that have designated employee parking and more than 20 vehicle parking spaces shall provide at least 10 percent of the employee parking spaces (minimum two spaces) as preferential carpool, vanpool, and rideshare parking spaces. Preferential carpool, vanpool, and rideshare parking spaces shall be closer to the employee entrance of the building than other parking spaces, with the exception of ADA accessible parking spaces.

7. Transit-Related Facilities in Parking Areas. Parking spaces and portions of parking areas may be used for transit-related uses such as transit stops and park-and-ride or rideshare areas, provided the improvements are identified in an adopted transit or transportation plan and applicable requirements in this section can still be met.

G. Parking Stall Design and Minimum Dimensions. All off-street parking spaces shall be improved to conform to city standards for surfacing, stormwater management, and striping. Standard parking spaces shall conform to the following standards and the dimensions in Figures 3.3.300.F(1) and (2), and Table 3.3.300.F:

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

2. All parallel motor vehicle parking spaces shall measure eight feet wide by 22 feet;

3. Parking area layout shall conform to the dimensions in Figures 3.3.300.F(1) and (2), and Table 3.3.300.F in this section;

4. Not more than 20 percent of the total parking spaces in a parking lot may be designated for compact cars and shall measure eight feet wide by 16 feet long. Such spaces must be signed and/or the space painted with “Compact Car Only”;

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

6. 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 3.3.300.F(1) – Parking Area Layout

Figure 3.3.300.F(2) Disabled Person Parking Requirements

 

Table 3.3.300.F – Parking Area Layout 

	PARKING ANGLE < °	CURB LENGTH	STALL DEPTH		AISLE WIDTH		BAY WIDTH		STRIPE LENGTH
			SINGLE D1	DOUBLE D2	ONE WAY A1	TWO WAY A2	ONE WAY B1	TWO WAY B2
Standard Space (See Figure 3.3.300.F(2) for ADA space requirements)	90° Compact	9 ft. 8 ft.	18 ft. 16 ft.	36 ft. 32 ft.	23 ft. 23 ft.	23 ft. 23 ft.	59 ft. 55 ft.	59 ft. 55 ft.	18 ft. 16 ft.
	60°	10 ft.	20 ft.	40 ft.	17 ft.	18 ft.	57 ft.	58 ft.	23 ft.
	45°	12 ft.	18 ft. 6 in.	37 ft.	13 ft.	18 ft.	50 ft.	55 ft.	26 ft. 6 in.
	30°	17 ft.	16 ft. 6 in.	33 ft.	12 ft.	18 ft.	45 ft.	51 ft.	32 ft. 8 in.
	0°	22 ft.	8 ft.	16 ft.	12 ft.	18 ft.	28 ft.	34 ft.	8 ft.
Important cross-references: See also Article 2, Land Use (Zoning) Districts, for parking location requirements for some multifamily and commercial land uses; Chapter 3.1 SDC, Access and Circulation, for driveway standards; and Chapter 3.2 SDC, Landscaping, Street Trees, Fences and Walls.

(Ord. 21-04 §§ 19, 20, 2021; Ord. 20-09 § 3 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 10-02 Exh. A § B, 2010; Ord. 08-06 § 3, 2008)

3.3.400 Bicycle parking requirements.

Except for single-family dwellings and duplex dwellings, all uses that are subject to land use review or site design review, as applicable, shall provide bicycle parking, in conformance with the standards in Table 3.3.400, and subsections (A) through (I) of this section.

A. Minimum Required Bicycle Parking Spaces. Uses must provide bicycle parking spaces, as designated in Table 3.3.400. Where two options are provided (e.g., two spaces, or one per eight bedrooms), the option resulting in more bicycle parking is used.

Table 3.3.400 

Use Categories	Specific Uses	Number of Spaces (near building entry)
Residential Categories
Multifamily dwellings (3 or more units)	Multifamily	2 or 1 space per unit
Group living	Group living	2 or 1 space per every 2 bedrooms
	Dormitory	1 per 2 bedrooms
Commercial Categories
Retail sales and service	Retail sales and service	2 or 1 space per every 10 automobile spaces required
	Lodging	2 or 1 per every 10 automobile spaces required
Office		2 or 1 space per every 10 automobile spaces required
Commercial outdoor recreation		8 or 1 per 10 automobile spaces
Major event entertainment		8 or 1 per 20 seats or per CU review
Industrial Categories
Manufacturing and production		2 or 1 per every 10 automobile spaces required
Warehouse and freight movement		2 or 1 per floor area
Institutional Categories
Basic utilities	Bus transit center	8
Community service	Community service	2 or 1 per every 10 required automobile spaces
	Park and ride	8
Parks (active recreation areas only)		8 or per CU review
Schools	Grades 2 – 5	1 per classroom, or per CU review
	Grades 6 – 12	4 per classroom, or per CU review
Colleges	Excluding dormitories (see group living, above)	2 or 4 per classroom, or per CU review
Medical centers		2 or 1 per 10 required automobile spaces, or per CU review
Religious institutions and places of worship		2 or 1 per 10 required automobile spaces
Daycare		2 or 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. of net building area
Other Categories
Other categories		Determined through land use review, site design review or CU review, as applicable

B. Exemptions. This section does not apply to single-family and duplex dwellings, home occupations, agriculture and livestock uses.

C. Long-Term Bicycle Parking. Long-term bicycle parking (covered or enclosed) may be used to fulfill bicycle parking requirements.

D. Location. Bicycle parking when located outside the building it is intended to serve must be no farther from the main building entrance than the distance to the closest motor vehicle space, or 50 feet, whichever is less.

E. Visibility and Security. Bicycle parking for customers and visitors of a use must be visible from street sidewalks or building entrances, so that it provides sufficient security from theft and damage.

F. Design Options. 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. For example, covered bicycle parking may be under a stairway, projecting walls, or roof overhangs. Bicycle parking, when allowed within a public right-of-way, must conform to the city of Silverton’s public works design standards.

1. Bike racks must be securely anchored to the ground, wall or other structure.

2. Racks for required bicycle parking spaces shall ensure that bicycles may be locked to them without undue inconvenience. Provision of bicycle lockers for long-term (employee) parking is encouraged but not required.

3. Bicycle parking spaces shall be at least two feet wide by six feet long and, when covered, have a vertical clearance of seven feet. An access aisle of at least five feet in width shall be provided and maintained beside or between each row of bicycle parking.

4. Each bicycle parking space must be accessible without moving another bicycle.

G. Lighting. For security, outdoor bicycle parking shall be at least as well lit as primary building entrances and vehicle parking areas.

H. Reserved Areas. Areas designated for bicycle parking shall be clearly marked and reserved for bicycle parking only; for example, with appropriate signage or pavement stenciling.

I. 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 (Chapter 3.1 SDC). (Ord. 08-06 § 3, 2008)

3.3.500 Loading areas.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for a minimum number of off-street loading spaces that will ensure adequate loading areas for large uses and developments, and to ensure that the appearance of loading areas is consistent with that of parking areas.

B. Applicability. This section applies to residential multifamily projects with 50 or more dwelling units, and nonresidential and mixed-use buildings with 20,000 square feet or more total floor area.

C. Number of Loading Spaces.

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

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

b. All other buildings: One space per 50 units.

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

a. Less than 20,000 square feet total floor area: no loading spaces required.

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

c. More than 50,000 square feet of total floor area: two loading spaces.

D. 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.

E. Placement, Setbacks, and Landscaping. Loading areas shall conform to the setback and perimeter landscaping standards in Articles 2 and 3. Where parking areas are prohibited between a building and the street, loading areas are also prohibited. In the downtown commercial (DC) and downtown commercial fringe (DCF) districts, the reviewing body may approve a loading area adjacent to or within the street right-of-way through design review or conditional use 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, and do not interfere with emergency response services. (Ord. 08-06 § 3, 2008)