Chapter 21.37 OFF-STREET PARKING AND INTERIOR LOT CIRCULATION

Chapter 21.37
OFF-STREET PARKING AND INTERIOR LOT CIRCULATION

Sections:

21.37.010 Purpose.

21.37.020 Applicability.

21.37.030 Nonconformance parking.

21.37.040 Parking for shell buildings.

21.37.050 General provisions.

21.37.060 Off-street parking requirements.

21.37.070 Parking design standards.

21.37.080 Modifications to off-street parking requirements.

21.37.090 Bicycle parking.

21.37.100 Loading spaces.

21.37.110 Parking for carpool/vanpool.

21.37.120 Transit facilities improvements.

21.37.130 Pedestrian circulation and access.

21.37.140 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

21.37.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Ensure that parking facilities are properly designed and located to satisfy the parking needs created by specific uses;

(2) Increase pedestrian mobility;

(3) Achieve safe and efficient vehicular and nonmotorized circulation and reduce visual impacts in the design and location of parking facilities; and

(4) Protect surrounding land uses from adverse impacts commonly associated with parking facilities. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.020 Applicability.

(1) All new construction, building additions, expansion of existing uses, or a change in use shall be subject to the requirements in this chapter. An expansion of use shall include adding or increasing the gross floor area of the use including mezzanines.

(2) In cases where a change of use is proposed within an existing development, the requirements of this chapter only apply if the proposed use has a higher parking requirement computed pursuant to WMC 21.37.060 than the most recent permitted use. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.030 Nonconformance parking.

(1) A use that satisfied the parking requirements in effect at the time it was approved but subsequently does not satisfy parking requirements currently in effect, may continue to operate with the parking deficiency, provided there is no expansion or change in use made that would result in an increase in parking under this chapter.

(2) When a use with legally established nonconforming parking is expanded or enlarged so as to increase the requirements for parking, the requirements of this chapter shall apply only to the expansion or enlargement.

(3) When an existing building containing a use with nonconforming parking is remodeled or rehabilitated, additional parking is not required unless the remodel or rehabilitation results in an expansion of the gross floor area in which case the requirements of this chapter shall apply only to the expansion of the gross floor area.

(4) When an existing use with nonconforming parking is terminated, a new use having a parking requirement greater than the terminated use shall not occupy the same space unless the new use can satisfy the parking requirements of this chapter.

(5) When additional uses are placed on the same lot having the nonconforming parking, the requirements of this chapter shall apply only to the additional uses. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.040 Parking for shell buildings.

(1) When a permit application is received for a shell building with unknown tenants, parking requirements shall be based on the range of likely possible uses as determined by the Director. In determining the range of likely possible uses, the Director may rely on recent economic trends, mixture of uses from recent projects, or other reasonable measurements.

(2) Shell buildings designed for industrial, or warehousing shall include a minimum 20 percent of the gross floor area to be calculated as professional office space when calculating parking requirements. (Ord. 769 § 3, 2024; Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.050 General provisions.

(1) No building or structure shall be approved for occupancy, or use of land allowed, unless adequate parking facilities are provided consistent with the requirements of this chapter.

(2) All required parking spaces shall be made available and continuously maintained for the parking of residents, customers, patrons, and employees of the related uses.

(3) It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that parking areas, drive aisles, and driveways associated with their property are continually maintained in good condition and free of refuse and debris. All required landscaping for parking facilities shall be kept in a healthy condition and properly maintained.

(4) No business, or permanent display, or other nonparking activity may occur on any required parking space, except such activities may occur on parking spaces in excess of those required by this chapter. (Ord. 769 § 4, 2024; Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.060 Off-street parking requirements.

(1) Minimum Required. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for uses shall be provided in accordance with the corresponding off-street parking ratios set forth in Table 21.37.060.

(2) Maximum Allowed.

(a) The maximum number of parking spaces shall not exceed 110 percent of the minimum number of parking spaces required, except as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(b) Parking spaces provided inside of structured parking facilities/garages shall not count towards the maximum number of parking spaces if the entire area above the structured parking facility/garage has a building story as defined in the building codes approved for occupancy.

(3) Unspecified Parking. If a parking requirement for a use is not specified in this chapter, the director shall establish the minimum parking requirement using the most recent version of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Parking Generation Manual, or other professional sources approved by the Director.

(4) Calculations.

(a) Off-street parking ratios shall be based on the gross floor area measured as the definition prescribes in WMC 21.11A.070 to include the sum of area of each floor level expressed as square footage of a building, including cellars, basements, mezzanines, occupiable penthouses, hallways and corridors, lobbies, storage, and other occupiable floor space that are within the principal outside face of exterior walls and have floor surfaces with clear standing head room of six feet, six inches, and greater.

(b) Outdoor areas used as floor space for commercial activity shall be included in the calculation for off-street parking as follows:

(i) The outdoor floor space is accessory to an indoor commercial use, and the following conditions are present:

(A) The outdoor floor space is covered, and the commercial use of the covered space is of a permanent nature as determined by the Director; and

(B) The outdoor covered floor space may include temporary enclosures; and

(D) The cover is not required to be of a solid shelter as pergolas, canopies, and similar coverings may be included as outdoor covered floor space; and

(E) Table umbrellas and similar temporary small coverings shall not be included as outdoor covered floor space; and

(F) The first 250 square feet of outdoor covered floor space may be excluded from the calculations for off-street parking; or

(ii) The outdoor floor space, whether covered or uncovered, serves as the primary floor space for the commercial establishment; and

(A) The use of the outdoor floor space for commercial use is of a permanent nature as determined by the Director; and

(B) The use is not expressly listed as an outdoor use (e.g., outdoor recreational facilities/parks, uncovered storage areas, dealership sales, etc.) in Table 21.37.060; and

(C) Only the floor area accessible to customers shall be counted in determining the outdoor gross floor area used for calculating off-street parking; or

(iii) The Director may waive the requirement for including outdoor areas in the off-street parking calculation if a parking study approved by the Director demonstrates that the use of the outdoor area will not generate a demand for parking.

(d) If the formula for calculating off-street parking spaces results in a fraction, the number of off-street parking spaces shall be rounded to the nearest whole number with fractions of 0.50 and greater rounded up, and fractions below 0.50 rounded down.

(5) Parking spaces on public and private streets shall not be used to meet minimum parking requirements. No development plans shall assume that excess vehicles can be parked on the streets.

Table 21.37.060: Minimum Parking Required
Use		Minimum Parking Required
Residential Land Uses
Single-family detached		2 stalls per dwelling
Duplex and townhouse	Lot area less than 6,000 square feet	1 stall per dwelling
	Lot area 6,000 square feet and larger and having 2 bedrooms or less	1.33 stalls per dwelling
	Lot area 6,000 square feet and larger and having more than 2 bedrooms	2 stalls per dwelling
	Guest parking for duplexes and townhomes (minimum 4 dwellings on a lot)	1 stall per 4 dwellings, which may be satisfied with on-street parking adjoining the site
Multifamily dwelling	Senior (55+) – all	1 stall per dwelling
	Lot area less than 6,000 square feet	1 stall per dwelling
	Lot area 6,000 square feet and larger and having 2 bedrooms or less	1.33 stalls per dwelling
	Lot area 6,000 square feet and larger and having more than 2 bedrooms	1.5 stalls per dwelling
Affordable housing designated at 80% area median income or less and consistent with the other provisions in WMC 3.43.050(7)		Per the standards in this table, except required parking may be reduced by 1 stall for each on-street parking space adjoining the site
Accessory dwelling unit		1 stall per dwelling
Recreational/Entertainment
Arts and cultural uses not listed		1 stall per 500 square feet
Theater and entertainment facilities with fixed seating		0.2 stall per each fixed seat
Theater and entertainment facilities without fixed seating		1 stall per 200 square feet
Athletic facilities – racquet sports		1 stall per court; plus 1 stall per 300 square feet of clubhouse facility
Athletic facilities – fitness/health club		1 stall per 200 square feet
Indoor recreational facilities not listed		1 stall per 300 square feet
Outdoor recreational facilities/parks/playfields		Per parking study
General Sales, Office and Services Uses
Retail, wholesale to the public, and personal service establishments	2,000 square feet or less	1 stall per 750 square feet
	Over 2,000 square feet and less than 30,000 square feet	1 stall per 350 square feet
	30,000 square feet and over	1 stall per 500 square feet
Professional office		1 stall per 300 square feet
Food and grocery stores		1 stall per 275 square feet
Eating and drinking places	No indoor seating	1 stall per 200 square feet
	With indoor seating	1 stall per 125 square feet
Trade contractors (excluding areas counted under outdoor storage areas)		1 stall per 550 square feet
Tasting rooms*	750 square feet or less	1 stall per 200 square feet
Tasting rooms*	Over 750 square feet	1 stall per 100 square feet
*Unless separated from other uses by a permanent barrier that is at least 60 percent of the vertical room height, the entire floor area shall be designated as tasting room. Doors and windows may be included in the barrier, provided they do not open up the floor area of the other uses to tasting or event activities.
General sales and services not listed		1 stall per 350 square feet
Education, Public Administration, Healthcare, and Other Institutional Uses
Public administration		1 stall per 300 square feet
Public safety facilities (e.g., police and fire)		Per parking study
Essential public facilities – Uses with occupancy		Per parking study
Education	Day care/preschool	1 stall per 440 square feet
	Elementary school (includes all associated enclosed spaces)	1 stall per 990 square feet
	Jr. high/middle school (includes all associated enclosed spaces)	1 stall per 1,500 square feet
	High school (includes all spaces)	1 stall per 625 square feet
	Post secondary school (includes all associated enclosed spaces excluding athletic facilities)	1 stall per 270 square feet
	Specialized instruction schools	1 stall per classroom; plus 1 stall per 2 students
Health care	Hospital	1 stall per 450 square feet
	Medical/dental clinics/offices	1 stall per 300 square feet
	Long-term care facilities	0.4 stall per unit/bed
Veterinary		1 stall per 300 square feet
Transportation Uses
Auto and vessel service centers		1 stall per 600 square feet
Dealership sales of vehicles, trucks, vessels, and RVs		1 stall per 320 square feet of indoor area
Heavy equipment service centers		1 stall per 1,250 square feet
Fuel service stations	As a primary use with service bays and/or convenience store	1 stall per 350 square feet of store; plus 1 stall per bay; plus 3 stalls per facility
Fuel service stations	As an accessory use (no service bays or convenience store)	1 stall per facility
Industrial/Warehouse Uses
Light industrial		1 stall per 1,500 square feet
Manufacturing/production, excluding light industrial		1 stall per 1,000 square feet
Research and development		1 stall per 400 square feet
Warehousing, excluding accessory sales areas, which shall count under general sales and services		1 stall per 2,500 square feet
Wholesale trade, excluding accessory sales area, which shall count under general sales and services		1 stall per 1,250 square feet
Uncovered storage areas		1 stall per 3,500 square feet (areas used for overnight storage shall not count toward the required number of parking stalls)
Self-service storage		1 stall per 3,500 square feet of storage area (includes indoor and outdoor storage areas); plus 1 stall per 300 square feet of office
Other Uses
Temporary lodging		1 stall per room
Bed and breakfast		1.1 stalls per room
Religious facilities, excluding areas for schools, which shall count under education uses		1 stall per 100 square feet
Emergency shelters		Per parking study
Public areas of assembly not listed		1 stall per 50 square feet
Funeral services		1 stall per 75 square feet
Cemetery		Per parking study
Utility facilities		Per parking study
Level 3 staffed wireless communication and information facilities (other wireless facilities do not require off-street parking)		Per parking study
Uses not identified in the table		See WMC 21.37.060(3)

(Ord. 769 § 5, 2024)

21.37.070 Parking design standards.

(1) Maximum Distance. Where off-street parking facilities are not abutting the use they serve, the maximum distance of parking facilities as measured from the center of the nearest building entrance shall be as follows:

(a) For commercial, industrial, and public uses, at least 25 percent of the required parking spaces shall be located within 500 feet;

(b) For detached single-family dwellings, parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the dwelling they service;

(c) For dwellings that are not detached single-family, at least 25 percent of the required parking spaces shall be located within 100 feet; and

(d) For nonresidential uses permitted in a residential zone, parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use they serve and at least 25 percent of the required parking spaces shall be located within 150 feet.

(2) Parking Lot Design. The minimum parking lot stall and aisle design standards are set forth in Figure 21.37.070(2)(a) and the corresponding dimensional standards in Tables 21.37.070(2)(b), 21.37.070(2)(c), and 21.37.070(2)(d) unless exempt pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.

(a) Figure 21.37.070(2)(a), Parking Lot Design Standards:

Figure 21.37.070(2)(a). Parking Lot Design Standards

(b) Residential Dimensional Standards for Parking. All parking stalls and aisles supporting residential uses shall comply with the dimension standards in Table 21.37.070(2)(b).

Table 21.37.070(2)(b): Residential Parking Lot Dimensional Standards
A	B	C	D	E
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	Aisle Width
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	One-Way	Two-Way
0° (Parallel)	20 feet	20 feet	8 feet	12 feet	20 feet
45°	8 feet	11.5 feet	19 feet	12 feet	20 feet
60°	8 feet	9.5 feet	20 feet	18 feet	20 feet
90°	8 feet	8 feet	18 feet	24 feet	24 feet

(c) Nonresidential Dimensional Standards for Surface Parking. Parking stalls and aisles located within surface parking lots supporting nonresidential uses shall comply with the dimension standards in Table 21.37.070(2)(c).

Table 21.37.070(2)(c): Nonresidential Parking Lot Dimensional Standards
A	B	C	D	E
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	Aisle Width
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	One-Way	Two-Way
0° (Parallel)	22.5 feet	22.5 feet	9 feet	12 feet	20 feet
45°	9 feet	12.5 feet	19 feet	12 feet	20 feet
60°	9 feet	11 feet	20.5 feet	18 feet	20 feet
90°	9 feet	9 feet	18 feet	24 feet	24 feet

(d) Nonresidential Dimensional Standards for Structured Parking. Parking stalls and aisles located within structured parking facilities supporting nonresidential uses shall comply with the dimension standards in Table 21.37.070(2)(d).

Table 21.37.070(2)(d): Nonresidential Structured Parking Lot Dimensional Standards
A	B	C	D	E
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	Aisle Width
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Curb Length	Stall Depth	One-Way	Two-Way
0° (Parallel)	22.5 feet	22.5 feet	8.5 feet	12 feet	20 feet
45°	8.5 feet	12 feet	19 feet	12 feet	20 feet
60°	8.5 feet	10 feet	20 feet	18 feet	20 feet
90°	8.5 feet	8.5 feet	18 feet	24 feet	24 feet

(3) Width Measurement. The stall width of each parking space shall be measured from inside between the stall stripes, except the stall width of each nonresidential parking space may include up to two inches of width from each side of the stall’s striping.

(4) Columns. In structured parking facilities, structural columns may encroach up to six inches in a parking stall; provided, that placement does not interfere with door swing or maneuverability in and out of the stall.

(5) Compact Stalls. Compact parking stalls are prohibited for satisfying parking requirements.

(6) Tandem Parking. The use of tandem or end-to-end parking spaces to satisfy parking requirements is prohibited, except residential developments may have tandem parking spaces authorized that are assigned to individual dwelling units.

(7) Driveways. Within residential developments, driveways passing through required zoning setback areas may be used for parking when serving detached single-family dwellings but shall not be included for purposes of calculating the number of parking spaces.

(8) Parking Construction Standards.

(a) All parking facilities shall be constructed with a dust-free and all-weather surface, except:

(i) Parking for residential only uses may use grass block pavers for a parking surface; or

(ii) Parking for residential-only uses may have a gravel surface for up to six parking stalls, provided the stalls with the gravel surface are derived from existing parking that meet the definition of a nonconforming structure due in whole or in part to the gravel surface.

(b) Parking facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the transportation infrastructure standards and specifications adopted pursuant to Chapter 12.09 WMC. This includes grading requirements set forth in Chapter 15.05 WMC and drainage requirements set forth in Chapter 13.05 WMC.

(d) Landscape Clearance Area. Any parking spaces abutting a landscaped area shall provide an additional 12 inches above the minimum stall width to provide a place to step other than in the landscaped area. The additional width shall be separated from the adjoining parking stall by a parking stall division stripe.

(e) Pedestrian circulation in accordance with WMC 21.37.130 shall be incorporated into the design of the parking facilities.

(f) Parking Lot Lighting. Adequate lighting shall be provided for the safety of traffic and pedestrian circulation on the site pursuant to WMC 21.33.190. Lighting shall be designed to minimize direct illumination of abutting properties and adjoining streets. The Director may waive the requirements for installation of lighting if it is determined to not be necessary for the safety of traffic and pedestrian circulation.

(g) Limits on Alley Access. Any alley that dead-ends may provide access to no more than eight off-street parking spaces, except for single-family and duplex developments, where access is to no more than a total of eight dwelling units, excluding accessory dwelling units.

(h) Off-street parking and access shall be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and designed using standards set forth in Washington State regulations for barrier-free accessible facilities (WAC 50-50-005). (Ord. 769 § 6, 2024)

21.37.080 Modifications to off-street parking requirements.

(1) In accordance with the provisions prescribed by this section, the Director may approve modifications to the required minimum number of off-street parking spaces set forth in WMC 21.37.060, provided only one of the following parking modifications may be utilized per site.

(a) Multiple Use Shared Parking. Two or more tenants/uses may share parking stalls and reduce the total number of required parking spaces as follows:

(i) The use requiring the highest number of parking spaces under WMC 21.37.060 shall provide parking at 100 percent of the parking required for that use;

(ii) The use requiring the second highest number of parking spaces under WMC 21.37.060 shall provide parking at 85 percent of the parking required for that use;

(iii) The use requiring the third highest number of parking spaces under WMC 21.37.060 shall provide parking at 75 percent of the parking required for that use;

(iv) All other uses within the development shall provide parking at 65 percent of the parking required for each of the uses;

(v) Where multiple tenants have the same use category in Table 21.37.060 (e.g., eating and drinking places), the parking requirements for each tenant shall be combined as a single use for purposes of applying subsections (1)(a) through (1)(d) of this section; and

(vi) The Director may require a covenant, written contract, or agreement to be recorded with King County Records for the sharing of parking. The form and content of the document must obtain approval from the Director. The agreement shall be applicable to all relevant parties/owners sharing the parking and shall not be modified or revoked without the expressed authorization of the Director.

(b) Optional Multiple Use Shared Parking. The total number of required parking spaces may be reduced based on two or more tenants/uses sharing parking stalls based on a parking study prepared in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, provided the following are satisfied:

(i) Parking is provided in common facilities accessible to tenants/patrons of the uses sharing the parking;

(ii) The total number of parking spaces shall not be less than the highest peak hour parking demand of all uses sharing the parking;

(iii) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b)(ii) of this section, in no case shall the total number of parking spaces be less than 60 percent of those required pursuant to WMC 21.37.060; and

(iv) The director may require a covenant, written contract, or agreement to be recorded with King County Records for the sharing of parking. The form and content of the document must obtain approval from the Director. The agreement shall be applicable to all relevant parties/owners sharing the parking and shall not be modified or revoked without the expressed authorization of the Director.

(c) Predicted Parking Demand. The total number of required parking spaces may be reduced based on predicted parking demand determined by a parking study prepared in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, provided the following are satisfied:

(i) The parking is not shared with other tenants or users, except to the extent parking stalls available outside of the hours of peak parking demands are contracted for daily carpool/transit services;

(ii) The total number of parking spaces shall not be less than 75 percent of those required pursuant to WMC 21.37.060; and

(iii) The Director may require a covenant or an agreement to be recorded with King County Records to enforce any conditions that may be applied in granting a modification to the minimum required parking.

(d) Residential Parking Reductions Near Transit. In accordance with RCW 36.70A.620, minimum parking space requirements for specified residential uses may be reduced pursuant to subsections (2)(a) through (2)(d) of this section.

(i) For dwelling units that are affordable to very low-income or extremely low-income households as defined by RCW 36.70A.030, and that are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service at least two times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum parking requirements for one-bedroom and studio units are reduced to one parking space per one-bedroom unit and 0.75 space per studio unit. The Director shall require the applicant/property owner to record a covenant that prohibits the rental or sale of a unit subject to this parking reduction for any purpose other than providing for housing for very low-income or extremely low-income individuals.

(ii) For senior citizen households or housing units specifically for people with disabilities that are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum parking space requirements are eliminated for residents. The Director shall require an applicant/property owner to record a covenant that prohibits the rental or sale of a unit subject to this parking restriction for any purpose other than providing for senior citizen households or housing for people with disabilities.

(iii) For market rate multiple dwelling units that are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service from at least one route that provides service at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum parking requirements for one-bedroom and studio dwelling units are modified to require one parking space per one-bedroom unit and 0.75 space per studio unit.

(iv) When utilizing parking space reductions for one-bedroom and/or studio dwelling units in subsections (1)(d)(i) through (1)(d)(iii) of this section, those dwelling units shall provide additional guest parking at one parking space per four dwelling units.

(2) When a modification to the minimum required parking involves sharing parking between residential and nonresidential uses, only parking stalls satisfying the dimensional standards for nonresidential parking spaces may be utilized for shared parking. (See WMC 21.37.070(2)(c) and (2)(d) for nonresidential dimensional standards.)

(3) Parking Study.

(a) To be valid, parking studies must obtain approval from the Director. The Director may require the parking study to be prepared by a licensed professional traffic engineer and such studies shall be in a form and content approved by the Director using the following guidance:

(i) Project description including project location, boundaries of the study area, and vicinity map;

(ii) Current and assumptions of proposed uses, including gross square footage of the space for each use;

(iii) Current and proposed parking inventory with drawings showing the conceptual layout and dimensions of the off-street parking facilities;

(iv) An analysis of the required minimum parking pursuant to WMC 21.37.060;

(v) A parking demand analysis, which should include, but is not limited to, sources and assumptions, peak parking demand, time-of-day distribution of parking demand separated by uses, and day-of-week and seasonal variations;

(vi) When a parking demand study involves conducting a parking occupancy data collection survey, the parking survey should be performed over multiple days and timeframes pre-approved by the Director; and

(vii) The Director may require other documentation or information as necessary to support the parking conditions used in a parking modification request.

(b) In lieu of a survey collecting parking occupancy data, the Director may approve using data from the most recent version of the Institute of Traffic Engineer Parking Generation Manual, or the Urban Land Institute’s Shared Parking Manual, or other professional sources in preparing a parking demand study.

(c) The use of internal capture rates, which describe the characteristics of trip generation between two or more land uses within a single development, shall not be considered in determining modifications to parking requirements; except this provision does not apply to the parking data from the most recent version of the Urban Land Institute Shared Parking Manual when only this data is used exclusively in the parking demand study.

(d) In determining allowances for modifications to the minimum parking requirements, the Director may consider opportunities to reduce parking demand through the application of advanced parking management techniques prescribed in subsection (4) of this section.

(e) The Director may require a parking study to be evaluated by an independent qualified professional selected by the City at the applicant’s expense when the Director determines the independent evaluation to be necessary for reviewing a proposal.

(4) Parking Management Techniques. The following is a nonexhaustive list of possible implementation strategies for managing the supply of parking spaces and anticipated parking demand:

(a) Ride sharing (incentives for carpools, vanpooling, and other programs to encourage high occupancy vehicle travel);

(b) Transit use if transit stops are located within 660 feet of the closest point of occupiable buildings within the development;

(c) Alternative styles of transportation (encourage bicycles, motorcycles, walking, consider market rates for employee parking, promote off-peak trips, etc.);

(d) Efficient use of parking (supply a mix of short-term and long-term parking, cluster uses sharing parking, minimize reserved spaces, consider permits, etc.);

(e) Effective management of parking such as assigning administrative responsibilities for a program to a person or company, achieving consistency in policy and enforcement, undertaking periodic monitoring, filing update reports with the City, etc.;

(f) Other parking management techniques not listed and approved by the Director.

(5) Defined Terms. The following defined terms apply to this section:

(a) “Total parking demand” means the accumulation of vehicles parked at a given site at any associated point in time. This value should be the highest number of vehicles within the period of observation under what are considered normal conditions.

(b) “Peak period of parking demand” means the hour or hours of the day during which the highest total parking demand typically occurs within a development.

(c) The Director may apply other terms to implement this section using professional sources such as the Institute of Transportation Engineer Parking Generation Manual. (Ord. 769 § 7, 2024)

21.37.090 Bicycle parking.

(1) Applicability. This section applies to all new development including change of use and all existing development required to provide a total of six or more parking spaces pursuant to WMC 21.37.060. Developments required to provide less than six parking spaces per WMC 21.37.060 and detached single-family dwelling developments are not required to provide bicycle parking. The provisions for nonconformance pursuant to WMC 21.37.030 shall apply as appropriate in determining bicycle parking requirements.

(2) Types of Bicycle Parking.

(a) Short-term bicycle parking is intended for trips of a short time duration and should be simple to find from the street or other public ways.

(b) Long-term bicycle parking is intended to allow building users such as employees or residents to park their bicycles during work hours or overnight in the case of residential development.

(3) Table 21.37.090(3) sets forth the minimum requirements for bicycle parking spaces.

Table 21.37.090(3): Minimum Bicycle Parking Required
Use	Short-Term	Long-Term
Residential Uses
Detached single-family/ duplexes	None	None
Multifamily	1 stall per 20 units	1 stall per 2 units
Townhouse	1 stall per 20 units	1 stall per 2 units, excluding each unit having an individual garage
Commercial Uses
General sales and service	1 stall per 2,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 4,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Eating and drinking establishments	1 stall per 2,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 4,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Tasting rooms	1 stall per 2,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 4,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Professional office	1 stall per 5,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 10,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
All automotive, heavy equipment and transportation	1 stall per 5,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 10,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Industrial/Manufacturing
All industrial	1 stall per 20,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 40,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Education, Public Administration, Healthcare and Other Institutional Use
Educational facilities	1 per classroom	None
Religious facilities	1 per 2,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 4,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Public administration, healthcare, and other institutional uses not listed	1 stall per 5,000 gross square feet indoor floor area	1 stall per 10,000 gross square feet indoor floor area
Other Uses
All other uses not listed	1 stall per 20,000 gross square feet in-door floor area	1 stall per 40,000 gross square feet indoor floor area

(4) Adjustments to Bicycle Parking.

(a) The Director may reduce the requirements for short-term or long-term bicycle parking if the applicant can demonstrate that bicycle activity reasonably will not occur at that location.

(b) The Director may increase the requirement for short-term bicycle parking spaces if, in the Director’s opinion, the use or its location can reasonably be anticipated to generate a high volume of bicycle activity. Such a determination might include, but is not limited to, the following uses:

(i) Parks and playfields;

(ii) Athletic and sports facilities;

(iii) Uses that generate high foot traffic and are located within close proximity to developed or projected bicycle trails and routes.

(5) Design Requirements.

(a) Short-term bicycle parking shall:

(i) Use bike racks securely attached to a paved surface that enable a U-lock to lock both the frame and wheel to the bike rack;

(ii) Be located within 100 feet of the building entrance and located in safe, well-lighted, visible areas that do not impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow;

(b) Long-term bicycle parking shall:

(i) Be provided in a secured room or area enclosed by a fence with a locked gate, or in locker-type facility, or similar facility approved by the Director;

(ii) Be located on site for residential uses, and within 100 feet of the building entrance for nonresidential uses in safe, well-lighted areas that do not impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow;

(iii) Bicycle spaces located inside of dwelling units shall not be considered to satisfy bicycle parking requirements. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.100 Loading spaces.

Loading areas may share designated parking spaces, so long as loading/unloading occurs when the use is closed for business and during which time parking is not needed or used.

(1) Every nonresidential building, excluding self-service storage facilities, and every building having 40 multiple dwelling units or more, shall provide loading spaces in accordance with the nonresidential indoor usable floor area square footage of buildings and/or number of dwelling units, and the corresponding number of nonresidential loading spaces in Table 21.37.100(1) and multiple dwelling unit load spaces in Table 21.37.100(2).

(2) Each loading space shall be:

(a) A minimum of 10 feet wide, 30 feet long, and have an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet, six inches, except loading spaces for multiple dwelling units may have minimum dimensions of nine feet wide, 18 feet long, and have an unobstructed vertical clearance of 10 feet;

(b) Constructed pursuant to the applicable provisions in WMC 21.37.070(6);

(d) Located so that vehicles do not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic movement or project into any roads or rights-of-way;

(e) Separated from required parking areas and signed as designated loading spaces; and

(f) The Director may modify the provisions in subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), (2)(c), and (2)(e) of this section when application of the standards is not feasible due to site constraints. Modified standards must be of an adequate size and dimensions to accommodate vehicles loading and/or unloading in connection with the business conducted in such building as the loading space supports.

(3) Loading spaces located within 100 feet of areas zoned residential shall be screened and operated as necessary to reduce noise and visual impacts.

(4) Multistory self-service storage facilities shall provide two loading spaces, and single-story facilities one loading space, adjacent to each building entrance that provides common access to interior storage units. Each loading berth shall measure not less than 25 feet by 12 feet with an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet, six inches.

Table 21.37.100(1): Nonresidential Loading Spaces
Total Usable Floor Area Square Feet	Minimum Required Number of Loading Spaces
0 – 9,999	None
10,000 – 40,000	1
40,001 – 70,000	2
70,001 – 100,000	3
100,001 – 140,000	4
140,001 – 200,000	5
200,001 – 260,000	6
260,001 and for each additional 140,000 or fraction thereof	1 additional space

Table 21.37.100(2): Multiple Dwelling Unit Loading Spaces
Total Usable Floor Area Square Feet	Minimum Required Number of Loading Spaces
0 – 399	None
40 – 150	1
151 and for each additional 150 or fraction thereof	1 additional space

(5) In buildings containing mixed residential and nonresidential uses, the number of multiple dwelling unit loading spaces may be reduced by a corresponding number of nonresidential loading spaces shared and available to the residential uses. For example, a mixed-use building with 20,000 square feet of nonresidential usable floor area and having 150 multiple dwelling units would be required to provide only one nonresidential loading space for the building. A mixed-use building having 20,000 square feet of nonresidential usable floor area and having 200 multiple dwelling units would be required to provide one nonresidential loading space plus one multiple dwelling unit loading space for the building. (Ord. 769 § 8, 2024; Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.110 Parking for carpool/vanpool.

(1) The following uses generating a requirement for 20 or more parking spaces pursuant to WMC 21.37.060 shall provide carpool/vanpool parking spaces in accordance with this section:

(a) All professional offices;

(b) All short-term lodging;

(d) Wholesale trade/warehousing;

(e) All industrial uses;

(f) Public administration, safety, and other public agency facilities;

(g) Hospitals;

(h) Religious facilities;

(i) All educational facilities; and

(j) Automotive parking facilities.

(2) A minimum of one parking space for every 20 required parking spaces or fraction thereof (e.g., 20 to 39 spaces require one space, 40 to 59 spaces require two spaces, etc.) pursuant to WMC 21.37.060 including any parking reductions applied shall be reserved for carpool/vanpool parking.

(3) Multitenant developments shall apply the requirements for carpool/vanpool on an individual basis to each tenant within the development. In the case of a shell building designed for multiple tenants, the provisions in WMC 21.37.040 shall apply in determining assumed uses upon which to apply the carpool/vanpool parking requirements.

(4) The carpool/vanpool parking shall be located closer to the primary employee entrance than any other parking except parking required for barrier-free accessibility.

(5) Reserved spaces shall have markings and signage indicating the space is reserved for carpool/vanpool.

(6) Carpool/vanpool spaces shall be reserved for carpools and vanpools established through ride share programs by public agencies and for vehicles satisfying the minimum rideshare qualifications set by the employer.

(7) Carpool/vanpool parking shall have a minimum unobstructed vertical clearance of seven feet, three inches. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.120 Transit facilities improvements.

All developments requiring 200 or more parking spaces pursuant WMC 21.37.060, which abuts a public transit route, are required to provide transit shelters, bus turnout lanes, or other transit improvements unless not required by the agency providing the transit service. This section does not preclude the application of State Environmental Policy Act substantive authority to require transit improvements to mitigate for a project’s impacts. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.130 Pedestrian circulation and access.

(1) All uses, except detached single-family dwellings, shall provide pedestrian access and internal circulation within the development consistent with this section.

(2) Pedestrian access onto the site shall be provided at all pedestrian arrival points to a development including but not limited to the property edge, adjoining lots, abutting street improvements, trails, walkways, and transit stops. Pedestrian access at a minimum shall be located in accordance with the following:

(a) Access points at property edges and to abutting lots shall be coordinated with existing development to provide pedestrian circulation between developments to the extent feasible; and

(b) Residential developments shall provide internal pedestrian walkways and/or trails along cul-de-sacs and/or groups of buildings to allow pedestrian access from within the development and from adjoining developments to connect with activity centers, parks, common tracts, open spaces, schools, and/or other public facilities, transit stops and streets.

(3) Pedestrian walkways shall be designed to form an on-site circulation system that minimizes conflicts between pedestrians and other traffic at all points of pedestrian access to on-site parking and building entrances.

(4) Pedestrian walkways are required where access points at the property edges and/or any parking spaces are more than 75 feet from the nearest primary or secondary building entrances, or for outdoor uses the primary on-site destination activity area. These pedestrian walkways shall satisfy the conditions in subsection (5) of this section and the following criteria:

(a) Developments containing multiple buildings shall provide internal pedestrian walkways connecting the primary entrances of buildings on site;

(b) Buildings set back more than 100 feet from streets shall include pedestrian walkways from primary building entrances directly to adjoining lots, or to pedestrian walkways connecting to adjoining lots;

(i) Pedestrian walkways shall run parallel to the parking rows and shall be provided at a minimum of one for every four rows;

(ii) Pedestrian walkways running perpendicular to the parking rows shall be provided at a minimum crossing of every 20 parking spaces; and

(iii) Landscaping, barriers, or other means to encourage pedestrians to use the walkways shall be incorporated between pedestrian walkways within parking lots;

(5) Pedestrian access and walkways must satisfy the following design standards:

(a) Pedestrian access and walkways shall be sufficiently lighted and separated from drive aisles and parking spaces by landscaping, barriers, grade separations, or other means of protecting pedestrians from vehicular traffic;

(b) Pedestrian access and walkways shall be a minimum 60 inches wide of unobstructed walking surface and satisfy parking lot design standards set forth in the Transportation Infrastructure Standards and Specifications adopted in Chapter 12.09 WMC;

(c) Pedestrian walkways should incorporate features for sight impaired pedestrians such as grade change, texture surfaces, or other techniques accepted by the Director;

(d) A marked pedestrian crosswalk is required where pedestrian walkways cross driveways or drive aisles available for vehicle travel; and

(e) Where pedestrian walkways cross lanes of vehicle travel, raised crosswalks, speed bumps or similar measures approved by the Director shall be incorporated to slow traffic down and provide pedestrian safety. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)

21.37.140 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

(1) Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is permitted in all zones and is required to be provided pursuant to the state building code, WAC 51-50-0429. When electric vehicle charging infrastructure is not required, it is encouraged to be included with parking facilities.

(2) Repealed by Ord. 769.

(3) Spaces reserved for electric vehicle charging may be included in the minimum required parking spaces pursuant to other provisions of this chapter.

(4) The design and location of parking spaces reserved for electric vehicle charging shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) The space shall satisfy the dimensional requirements set forth in WMC 21.37.070;

(b) The space shall include posted signage indicating the following:

(i) The parking space is for electrical vehicle charging, and the days and hours of availability if time limits or tow-away provisions are applicable; and

(ii) Information on the charging station, identifying voltage and amperage levels and any time of use, fees, or safety information;

(d) Electric vehicle charging infrastructure for accessible parking spaces should be located in close proximity to the building or facility entrance and such parking spaces shall be connected to a barrier-free accessible route of travel.

(5) Electric vehicle charging infrastructure shall be maintained in all respects and shall include signage containing contact information for reporting equipment not functioning or other problems encountered.

(6) Where electrical vehicle charging infrastructure is installed, adequate site lighting shall exist for such parking spaces, unless charging is for daytime use only.

(7) Electric vehicle charging infrastructure may be located to support on-street parking spaces subject to the City’s Transportation Infrastructure Standards and Specifications as adopted in Chapter 12.09 WMC, and as approved by the Director. (Ord. 769 § 9, 2024; Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)