Chapter 17.84
PARKING AND LOADING
Sections:
17.84.020 Parking requirements generally.
17.84.030 Number of parking spaces required.
17.84.040 Parking requirements for other uses and areas.
17.84.050 Parking requirements for mixed occupancies – Cooperative provisions.
17.84.060 Parking space requirements.
17.84.065 Accessible parking facilities.
17.84.066 Design and construction.
17.84.070 Access for parking spaces.
17.84.075 Structured parking requirements.
17.84.080 Pavement for parking spaces.
17.84.090 Arrangements prerequisite to building permit issuance.
17.84.100 Ingress and egress specifications – City engineer authority.
17.84.110 Entrances and exits – Location restrictions – Approval required when.
17.84.120 Loading space requirements.
17.84.130 Waiver of requirements – Permitted when.
17.84.140 Conversions to Group B or M occupancies.
17.84.010 Intent.
The intent of this chapter is to reduce street congestion and traffic hazards in the city by incorporating safe, adequate, attractively designed facilities for off-street parking as a part of every use of land in the city requiring such facilities. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 2352, 1989).
17.84.020 Parking requirements generally.
A. Reservation and designation of an area for off-street parking facilities shall be required for all land uses in accordance with the standards and requirements of this chapter. Where existing buildings do not now meet these requirements, off-street parking shall be provided as required herein for the entire structure when proposals for enlarging or increasing capacity of that building or use are made.
B. Off-street parking spaces and driveways, when provided in accordance with these regulations, shall be paved with a durable, dust-free surface for vehicle parking.
C. The use of joint use or shared driveways shall be encouraged.
D. In any residential district except R-1 and R-2 none of the required off-street parking lot spaces shall be in the required front yard.
E. All off-street parking shall be located on the premises except for the districts specified in this subsection.
1. Property zoned C-1a located within 1,000 feet of the surface parking lots owned by the city abutting the Riverwalk trail located between the south right-of-way line of State Route 536 to approximately 90 feet south of the south right-of-way of West Kincaid Street are not required to provide on-site parking.
2. Property zoned C-1b or C-1c located within 500 feet of city owned surface parking lots designated by the city for public use are not required to provide on-site parking for nonresidential uses.
3. Property zoned P, H-D, R-O, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1 and M-2 may have the required off-street parking spaces within 500 feet of a building entrance, measured along a normal pedestrian route.
F. Lighting of areas provided for off-street parking shall be so arranged that it shall not constitute a nuisance or hazard to passing traffic. Where lots used for off-street parking share a common boundary with any residentially zoned property, the illumination devices shall be directed away from the more restrictively zoned property. (Ord. 3749 § 7, 2018).
17.84.030 Number of parking spaces required.
The minimum number of off-street parking spaces shall be as follows for the listed uses. Please note that when calculating the number of required spaces, do not round the number of spaces up.
A. Apartments and/or multifamily residential structures: two for each dwelling containing two or more bedrooms, one and one-half for each dwelling containing one bedroom, and one for each dwelling containing less than one bedroom; provided, that specialized housing for the elderly shall be provided 0.75 spaces per dwelling. Adequate parking for guests shall also be provided;
B. Banks, businesses, and professional offices: one for each 300 square feet of net floor area of the building;
C. Bowling alleys: five for each alley;
D. Churches, mortuaries, funeral homes: one for each five seats in the chapel or nave;
E. Dance halls, places of assembly, exhibition halls without fixed seats: one for each 75 square feet of net floor area of the building;
F. Drive-in restaurants, ice cream or soft-drink refreshment establishments, or similar drive-in uses which service auto-borne customers outside of the building: one for each 15 square feet of net floor area;
G. Educational Activities.
1. Elementary and middle schools: three parking spaces for each two teaching stations, plus adequate visitor parking;
2. High schools: one parking space for each employee, plus one parking space for each eight students;
3. School auditoriums, stadiums and sports arenas: subject to review by the hearing examiner and approval of the city council;
4. Colleges and universities: subject to review by the hearing examiner and approval of the city council;
5. Nursery schools and day care centers: one parking space for each employee plus loading and unloading areas;
H. Emergency shelter for the homeless: one parking space should be provided for every 10 residents and one parking space for each staff position on duty;
I. Food stores, markets, and shopping centers having less than 5,000 square feet of net floor area, exclusive of basements: one for each 300 square feet of net leasable floor area of the building;
J. Food stores, markets, and shopping centers having more than 5,000 square feet of net floor area, exclusive of basement: one for each 200 square feet of net leasable floor area of the building;
K. Hospitals, sanitariums, convalescent homes, specialized housing units for the elderly: one for each five beds, plus one for each regular employee on the maximum shift;
L. Hotels, motels: one for each room or suite;
M. Manufacturing uses, including research and testing, laboratories, creameries, soft-drink bottling establishments, bakeries, canneries, printing and engraving shops: one for each one and one-half employees, with a minimum of two spaces;
N. Medical and dental clinics and offices: one for each 250 square feet of net floor area;
O. Outdoor sports areas without fixed seats: subject to review by the hearing examiner and approval of the city council;
P. Other retail establishments, such as furniture, appliance, hardware stores, household equipment service shops, clothing or shoe repair or service shops: one for each 400 square feet of net floor area of the building, providing that each must have at least four parking spaces;
Q. Public and private vocational and technical schools: one space for each 450 square feet of net floor area;
R. Public and Recreational Uses.
1. Libraries and museums: one parking space per 250 square feet of net floor area;
2. Parks: as determined by the community and economic development director and/or hearing examiner on an individual basis;
S. Service shops: one for each employee, plus one for each piece of vehicular equipment;
T. Offices: one parking space for each 300 square feet of net floor area;
U. Meeting halls, courtrooms, and council chambers: one parking space for each 100 square feet of net floor area;
V. Restaurants, ice cream or soft drink establishments, or similar uses which service auto-borne customers, both within the building and outside the building: one for each 100 square feet of net floor area;
W. Rooming houses and lodging houses: one for each occupant;
X. Skating rinks, health spas, and other commercial recreation places: one for each 100 square feet of net floor area of the building;
Y. Stadiums, sports arenas, auditoriums and other places of assembly with fixed seats: one for each four seats;
Z. Theaters: one for each four fixed theater seats;
AA. Wholesale stores, warehouses and storage buildings, motor vehicle or machinery sales: one for each one and one-half employees, with a minimum of two spaces plus adequate spaces for customer parking. (Ord. 3749 § 8, 2018).
17.84.040 Parking requirements for other uses and areas.
A. The minimum required number of off-street parking spaces for uses not specifically set forth in MVMC 17.84.030 can be determined by reference to substantially similar uses. Substantially similar uses shall be determined by the DS director (or designee) as a Type I administrative determination.
B. Applicants can opt to have a parking study completed to determine the minimum number of off-street parking spaces their development will be required to provide.
1. These parking studies shall be completed by a registered, professional traffic engineer under contract with the city and applicants shall pay for all costs associated with these parking studies.
2. Parking studies in the C-1c zone can opt to evaluate on-street parking utilization and up to 35 percent of a development’s parking requirement can be satisfied with underutilized on-street parking if the study finds that allowing this reduction in off-street parking will not negatively impact parking demand for all other existing uses within a three-block radius of the proposed development.
3. The alternative number of parking spaces required to be created through this process can be approved by the DS director (or designee) as a Type I process if the reduction in the required number of parking spaces is within 20 percent of what would otherwise be required with application of the parking ratios provided in this chapter. Proposed reductions in parking that are greater than 20 percent of the standard are required to be approved by the hearing examiner through a Type III process. (Ord. 3749 § 9, 2018).
17.84.050 Parking requirements for mixed occupancies – Cooperative provisions.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent cooperative provision of off-street parking facilities for two or more buildings or uses; provided, that where the total combined area is less than 5,000 square feet, the total of such off-street parking spaces supplied cooperatively shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the various uses computed separately. Where adjoining off-street parking facilities of two or more ownerships can be developed and designed as one facility, and where efficiency of off-street parking and circulation and economy of space will result from joint development, and where the total building area involved is 5,000 square feet or greater, a reduction of 10 percent of the total combined required off-street parking spaces may be permitted. None of the above provisions shall prevent the overlapping cooperative use of off-street parking facilities when the times during which such facilities are used are not conflicting. The development services director shall consider all relevant factors before approving any reduction in the required number of off-street parking spaces and make a written report of findings. (Ord. 3749 § 10, 2018).
17.84.060 Parking space requirements.
The first parking space of off-street parking shall meet the van accessible size requirements of MVMC 17.84.066(B). Additional accessible parking shall meet the requirements of Table No. 1 (MVMC 17.84.065) and MVMC 17.84.065 and 17.84.066. All other off-street parking spaces shall meet the requirements shown in the following table:
|
Parking Area Dimensions |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
||
|
Parking Angle |
Stall Width |
Stall Depth |
Aisle Width |
Curb Length per Car |
Unit Width |
||
|
1-Way Traffic |
2-Way Traffic |
1-Way Traffic |
2-Way Traffic |
||||
|
0° |
8.0* 8.5 |
8.0* 8.5 |
12.0 |
20.0 |
20.0* 23.0 |
28.0** 29.0 |
36.0* 37.0 |
|
30° |
8.0* 9.0 |
14.9* 17.3 |
11.0 |
20.0 |
16.0* 18.0 |
40.9** 45.6 |
49.9** 54.6 |
|
45° |
8.0* 9.0 |
17.0* 19.8 |
12.0 |
20.0 |
11.3* 12.7 |
46.4** 51.6 |
53.9** 59.6 |
|
60° |
8.0* 9.0 |
17.9* 21.0 |
17.0 |
20.0 |
9.2* 10.4 |
53.2** 59.0 |
55.7** 62.0 |
|
90° |
8.0* 9.0 |
16.0* 19.0 |
23.0 |
24.0 |
8.0* 9.0 |
56.0* 61.0 |
57.0** 62.0 |
* For use with compact cars only.
** Any bays which contain combined compact and normal spaces.
Allowable compact spaces = 25 percent.
Required accessible spaces = per IBC Section 1106.
(Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3209, 2004; Ord. 2997 § 5, 2000).
17.84.065 Accessible parking facilities.
A. General. For other than International Building Code (IBC) occupancy Group R-1 and R-2 apartment buildings, where parking lots or garage facilities are provided, accessible parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with Table No. 1. This section shall be construed so as to be consistent with Chapter 19.27 RCW and WAC Title 51. In the event of a conflict between this section and other applicable state statute or state administrative regulation, then in that event the most restrictive statute, regulation, or ordinance shall apply.
B. Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Care Facilities. For IBC occupancy Group I-1 and I-2 units and facilities specializing in the treatment of persons with mobility impairments on an inpatient or outpatient basis, 20 percent, but not less than one, of the portion of the patient and visitor parking spaces serving rehabilitation facilities and outpatient physical therapy facilities shall be accessible.
C. Outpatient Medical Care Facilities. For IBC occupancy Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies providing outpatient medical care facilities, 10 percent of the parking spaces provided accessory to such occupancies shall be accessible.
D. Apartment Buildings. For IBC occupancy Group R-1 and R-2 apartment buildings where parking is provided, one accessible parking space shall be provided for each Type A dwelling unit and reserved for its occupants. In addition, where the total parking provided on a site exceeds one parking space per dwelling unit, not less than two percent, and in no case less than one space, of this additional parking shall be accessible.
E. Van Parking. Where accessible parking is required, one of every six accessible parking spaces, or fraction thereof, shall be designed to be accessible to vans.
F. Location of Parking. Accessible parking spaces shall be located on the shortest possible accessible route of travel to an accessible building entrance. In facilities with multiple accessible building entrances with adjacent parking, accessible parking spaces shall be dispersed and located near the accessible entrances. Wherever practical, the accessible route of travel shall not cross lanes of vehicular traffic. Where crossing traffic lanes is necessary, the route of travel shall be designated and marked as a crosswalk.
Exception: In multilevel parking structures, all accessible van parking spaces may be located on the same level.
Where a parking facility is not an accessory to a particular building, accessible parking spaces shall be located on the shortest accessible route to an accessible pedestrian entrance to the parking facility.
|
Total Parking Spaces in Lot or Garage |
Minimum Required Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
|
1 – 25 |
1 |
|
26 – 50 |
2 |
|
51 – 75 |
3 |
|
76 – 100 |
4 |
|
101 – 150 |
5 |
|
151 – 200 |
6 |
|
201 – 300 |
7 |
|
301 – 400 |
8 |
|
401 – 500 |
9 |
|
501 – 1,000 |
2% of total spaces |
|
Over 1,000 |
20 spaces plus 1 space for every 100 spaces or fraction thereof, over 1,000 |
(Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3213, 2004; Ord. 2997 § 6, 2000).
17.84.066 Design and construction.
A. General. Where accessible parking spaces are required by this chapter, they shall be designed and constructed in accordance with this section. This section shall be construed so as to be consistent with Chapter 19.27 RCW and WAC Title 51. In the event of a conflict between this section and other applicable state statute or state administrative regulation, then in that event the most restrictive statute, regulation, or ordinance shall apply.
B. Size. Parking spaces shall be not less than 96 inches (2,440 mm) in width and shall have an adjacent access aisle not less than 60 inches (1,525 mm) in width. Van-accessible parking spaces shall have an adjacent access aisle not less than 96 inches (2,440 mm) in width.
Where two adjacent spaces are provided, the access aisle may be shared between the two spaces. Boundaries of access aisles shall be marked so that the aisles will not be used as parking space.
C. Vertical Clearance. Where accessible parking spaces are required for vans, the vertical clearance shall be not less than 114 inches (2,895 mm) at the parking space and along at least one vehicle access route to such spaces from site entrances and exits.
D. Slope. Accessible parking spaces and access aisles shall be located on a surface with a slope not to exceed one vertical in 48 horizontal.
E. Surface. Parking spaces and access aisles shall be firm, stable, smooth and slip-resistant.
F. Signs. Every parking space required by this section shall be identified by a sign, centered between three and five feet (915 and 1,525 mm) above the parking surface, at the head of the parking space. The sign shall include the international symbol of access and the phrase “state disabled parking permit required.”
Van-accessible parking spaces shall have an additional sign mounted below the international symbol of access identifying the spaces as “van accessible.”
Exception: Where all of the accessible parking spaces comply with the standards for van-accessible parking spaces. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 2997 § 7, 2000).
17.84.070 Access for parking spaces.
Each off-street parking space shall be accessible from a street or alley. All of the streets and alleys that provide access to a site shall be paved. The circulation pattern of the parking lot shall be designed so that no maneuvering needs to take place on a city street (alleys may be used; provided, that safety considerations are met). No off-street parking facility for four or more spaces shall be designed so that vehicles must back across a sidewalk in order to gain access to a street or alley. Where an off-street parking facility does not abut a public or private street, alley or access easement, there shall be provided an access drive not less than 24 feet in width for two-way traffic, or where separated, one-way access drives are proposed, each shall not be less than 12 feet in width. In addition, the requirements of RCW 27.69.080 concerning fire lanes shall also be met. (Ord. 3429 § 139, 2008).
17.84.075 Structured parking requirements.
A. The dimensional parking requirements outlined within MVMC 17.84.060 and the requirements outlined in MVMC 17.84.070, 17.84.100, 17.84.110 and 17.84.120 may be modified by the hearing examiner as a Type III permit with submittal of a structured parking study stamped by a professional engineer addressing the design criteria outlined within subsection (C) of this section.
B. The structured parking study submitted to the city shall be reviewed and approved by the city’s traffic engineer prior to being forwarded to the hearing examiner for their approval.
1. The applicant will be responsible for paying the hourly rate for the staff time and the fees for the city’s traffic engineer required to review and process deviations for structured parking.
C. The design criteria for structured parking shall include all of the following:
1. Provisions for safe and convenient circulation of pedestrians.
2. Design speed not exceeding 10 miles per hour.
3. Traffic control measures provided at all locations where vehicle circulation crosses pedestrian walkways.
4. Minimum vertical clearances to accommodate passenger vehicles, accessible vans, commercial trucks, and maintenance equipment, as applicable.
5. Ramp grade transitions that provide maximum vertical clearances both above and below vehicles.
6. Installation of overhead height clearance bars at the entrance points and at the ramps.
7. Clear lines of sight at entrances and exits.
8. Minimizing cross-traffic at entry and exits.
9. Compliance with all federal, state and local ADA, fire, building, and engineering requirements.
10. Lighting requirements to ensure safety, aesthetics, and design review requirements when applicable.
a. Direct light from the parking structure shall be controlled such that it is screened from public view. (Ord. 3846 § 6, 2022).
17.84.080 Pavement for parking spaces.
The off-street parking area, aisles, access drives, and all areas where vehicle or motorized traffic will travel shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dust-free surface and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water without damage to private or public properties, streets or alleys. (Ord. 3429 § 140, 2008).
17.84.090 Arrangements prerequisite to building permit issuance.
Before the granting of a building permit for any new building or structure or for any enlargement thereof or change of use in any building involved in the aforementioned uses, the applicant for said building permit shall present evidence in writing that arrangements have been made to provide off-street parking and/or loading space in accordance with these provisions, or that the required amount of off-street parking facilities has been provided by a satisfactory written contract, or present evidence of participation in an association which is providing adequate public off-street parking so designated. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3213, 2004; Ord. 2352, 1989).
17.84.100 Ingress and egress specifications – City engineer authority.
The city engineer shall have the authority to fix the location and width of a vehicular ingress and egress from a building or off-street parking area to a public street or alley and to alter existing ingress and egress as may be required to control street traffic in the interest of public safety and general welfare. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3213, 2004; Ord. 2352, 1989).
17.84.110 Entrances and exits – Location restrictions – Approval required when.
Off-street parking area entrances or exits may not be located closer than 20 feet to an intersection of a public street or pedestrian crosswalk unless special approval is obtained from the public works director. (Ord. 3429 § 141, 2008).
17.84.120 Loading space requirements.
An off-street loading space, having access to a public street, shall be required adjacent to each commercial or industrial building hereafter erected or enlarged if the use of such building entails deliveries to it or shipments from it, and such loading space shall be of adequate size for accommodating the maximum number and size of vehicles simultaneously loaded or unloaded in connection with the business conducted in the building. No part of the truck or van using the loading space may project into the public street. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3213, 2004; Ord. 2352, 1989).
17.84.130 Waiver of requirements – Permitted when.
The minimum off-street parking requirements of MVMC 17.84.030 may be waived by majority vote of the city council, upon recommendation of the hearing examiner, for good cause shown, but such vote shall be discretionary. The hearing examiner may also make a recommendation for a waiver when reviewing a parking plan for a planned unit development (PUD) application. The proponent shall submit a parking study to the community and economic development director prior to any public hearing. (Ord. 3429 § 142, 2008).
17.84.140 Conversions to Group B or M occupancies.
Wherever a Group R-3 occupancy, as defined by the International Building Code (IBC), is converted pursuant to MVMC 15.04.105 to a Group B or M occupancy, as defined by the IBC, any requirements set forth in this chapter shall be modified as follows: The net area of the site (lot area minus building coverage) shall be developed for off-street parking, landscaping, screening, solid waste enclosures, etc., as required by this code. However, the number of required parking spaces may be reduced based on the net area of the lot available after landscaping, screening, solid waste enclosures, etc., have been deducted from the net area. At a minimum, one eight-foot-wide van-accessible parking space is required with an eight-foot-wide access aisle provided directly adjacent to the parking space. An accessible path shall be provided from the accessible parking space to the main entry of the building. (Ord. 3315, 2006; Ord. 3213, 2004; Ord. 2889 § 2, 1998).