City of Garfield, NJ Parking Spaces and Loading Berths

Parking requirements. No building shall be built or erected nor shall any building be altered so as to expand its usable floor area, nor shall any use listed below be instituted, unless there are provided parking spaces upon the same premises on which the use or structure is located or upon such nearby premises as provided for herein or otherwise within the zoning regulations, in accordance with the following schedule:

[Amended 2-18-1986 by Ord. No. 1902; 5-5-1987 by Ord. No. 1944]; 11-20-1990 by Ord. No. 2047; 2-11-2003 by Ord. No. 2359; 6-14-2022 by Ord. No. 2937]

Type of Use	Minimum Parking Spaces
Single- and two-family dwellings:
2 bedrooms	1.5 spaces
3 bedrooms	2 spaces
4 bedrooms	2.5 spaces
5 bedrooms	3.0 spaces
Garden and low-rise apartments:
1 bedroom	1.8 spaces
2 bedrooms	2.0 spaces
3 bedrooms	2.1 spaces
High-rise apartments:
1 bedroom	0.8 space
2 bedrooms	1.3 spaces
3 bedrooms	1.9 spaces
Townhouses:
1 bedroom	1.8 spaces
2 bedrooms	2.3 spaces
3 bedrooms	2.4 spaces
Retail store	1 for each 200 square feet
Service establishment exceeding 1,000 square feet of floor area	1 for each 400 square feet
Bank	1 for each 300 square feet
Office:
Professional office	1 for each 250 square feet
Medical office	1 space per 200 square feet of floor area plus 1 space per employee
General/Business office	1 space per 300 square feet of floor area
Restaurants with a seating capacity	1 for each 3 seats
Bars and taverns	1 space per 2 seats
Bowling alleys	3 per alley
Printing and publishing establishment	1 for each 2 employees
Automobile sales agency	1 per 300 square feet of office and showroom
Auto repair	1 space per 200 square feet of floor area or 2 spaces per bay, whichever is greater
Laundromats	1 space per 2 washing machines
Barber shops/beauty parlors	1 space per chair plus 1 space per employee
Child-care center	1 space per employee
Funeral parlors	1 space per 75 square feet of viewing area
Research and development	1 space per 100 square feet of floor area
Rooming house or tourist house	1 space per bedroom in excess of 2
Houses of worship	1 space per 3 seats plus 1 space per 75 square feet of assemblance area. One seat shall be considered 30 inches in calculating the capacity of pews and/or benches. Houses of worship without benches or pews shall provide parking at a rate of 1 parking stall for each 75 square feet of floor space utilized for prayer and/or assembly.
Places of public assembly, and/or auditoriums, excluding houses of worship	1 for each 4 seats existing, planned or potential, whichever is greater. For this purpose, the number of seats shall be whichever is the greater of the following: the number of actual seats in existence; or the total number of seats existing and planned; or 1 parking stall for each 50 square feet of floor space in the place of assembly or auditorium. If benches are provided, 1 seat shall be considered 24 inches in calculating the capacity of persons
Shops, mills and factories	1 for each 4 employees, but not less than 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of floor area
Warehouse and storage houses	1 space per 1,000 square feet of floor area plus 1 space per 2 employees

Parking spaces required by this chapter may be provided on premises other than those upon which the use is located. A permit may issue for the same by either the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, whichever has primary jurisdiction over the application, but in either case, only as provided in § 341-53B of this chapter.

[Amended 5-20-1980 by Ord. No. 1723; 12-19-1989 by Ord. No. 2029]

Required off-street parking shall not be reduced or encroached upon except on approval of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, whichever has primary jurisdiction, and only under the following two circumstances:

[Amended 5-20-1980 by Ord. No. 1723; 12-19-1989 by Ord. No. 2029]

(1)

Such space may be reduced by the amount to which other off-street parking space, satisfying the requirements of this chapter, is provided for under the use involved in the application.

(2)

Such space may be reduced by such amount as may be justified by reason of a reduction in the size or nature of use to which such space is appurtenant.

For multifamily dwellings in a R-TH District there shall be required off-street parking of two parking spaces per townhouse or garden apartment unit, and an additional one off-street parking space for each four garden apartments or townhouse units, and:

[Added 5-5-1987 by Ord. No. 1944]

(1)

Parking shall not be permitted in the required front yard, nor shall parking be permitted on interior streets or access drives.

(2)

If parking spaces are sold or leased, they shall be owned or leased by or to occupants of the individual garden apartment or townhouses exclusively.

For office townhouses in a R-TH District there shall be required off-street parking of one space per 250 square feet of gross floor space, and:

[Added 5-5-1987 by Ord. No. 1944]

(1)

Parking shall not be permitted in the required front yard nor shall parking be permitted on interior streets or access drives.

(2)

If parking spaces are sold or leased, they shall be owned by or leased to the occupants of the office units.

For multifamily dwellings in a R-2 District there shall be required 1 1/2 off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit and an additional one off-street parking space for each four dwelling units.

[Added 5-5-1987 by Ord. No. 1944]

Type of Use	Minimum of One Loading Space for Each
Retail store	8,000 square feet of floor area or major fraction thereof in excess of first 3,000 square feet
Service establishment	Same as for retail
Printing and publishing	10,000 square feet of floor area or major fraction thereof
Shops, mills and factories	5,000 square feet of floor area or major fraction thereof, except that 1 space shall be provided for each 10,000 square feet of floor area in excess of first 7,500 square feet
Warehouse and storage	Same as for shops, mills and factories

[Added 6-14-2022 by Ord. No. 2937]

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote and encourage the use of electric vehicles by requiring the safe and efficient installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces through municipal parking regulations and other standards. EVSE and make-ready parking spaces will support the state's transition to an electric transportation sector, reducing automobile air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and stormwater runoff contaminants. The goals are to:

(1)

Provide adequate and convenient EVSE and make-ready parking spaces to serve the needs of the traveling public.

(2)

Provide opportunities for residents to have safe and efficient personal EVSE located at or near their place of residence.

(3)

Provide the opportunity for nonresidential uses to supply EVSE to their customers and employees.

(4)

Create standard criteria to encourage and promote safe, efficient, and cost-effective electric vehicle charging opportunities in all zones and settings for convenience of service to those that use electric vehicles.

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

The certificate provided for in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2, indicating that the construction authorized by the construction permit has been completed in accordance with the construction permit, the Act and the regulations. See the State Uniform Construction Code Act, P.L. 1975, c. 217 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.) and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

CHARGING LEVEL

The amount of voltage provided to charge an electric vehicle varies depending on the type of EVSE as follows:

(1)

Level 1 operates on a fifteen- to twenty-amp breaker on a 120-volt AC circuit.

(2)

Level 2 operates on a forty- to 100-amp breaker on a 208- or 240-volt AC circuit.

(3)

Direct-current fast charger (DCFC) operates on a sixty-amp or higher breaker on a 480-volt or higher three-phase circuit with special grounding equipment. DCFC stations can also be referred to as rapid charging stations that are typically characterized by industrial grade electrical outlets that allow for faster recharging of electric vehicles.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets, and operates either partially or exclusively using an electric motor powered by an externally charged on-board battery.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY/SERVICE EQUIPMENT or EVSE

The equipment, including the cables, cords, conductors, connectors, couplers, enclosures, attachment plugs, power outlets, power electronics, transformer, switchgear, switches and controls, network interfaces, point-of-sale equipment, and associated apparatus designed and used for the purpose of transferring energy from the electric supply system to a plug-in electric vehicle. EVSE may deliver either alternating-current or, consistent with fast-charging equipment standards, direct-current electricity. "EVSE" is synonymous with "electric vehicle charging station."

MAKE-READY PARKING SPACE

The pre-wiring of electrical infrastructure at a parking space, or set of parking spaces, to facilitate easy and cost-efficient future installation of electric vehicle supply equipment or electric vehicle service equipment, including, but not limited to, Level Two EVSE and direct-current fast chargers. Make-ready includes expenses related to service panels, junction boxes, conduit, wiring, and other components necessary to make a particular location able to accommodate electric vehicle supply equipment or electric vehicle service equipment on a plug-and-play basis. "Make-ready" is synonymous with the term "charger ready," as used in P.L. 2019, c. 362 (N.J.S.A. 48:25-1 et seq.).

PRIVATE EVSE

EVSE that has restricted access to specific users (e.g., single- and two-family homes, executive parking fleet parking with no access to the general public).

PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE EVSE

EVSE that is publicly available (e.g., park and ride, public parking lots and garages, on-street parking, shopping center parking, nonreserved parking in multifamily parking lots, etc.).

Approvals and permits.

(1)

An application for development submitted solely for the installation of EVSE or make-ready parking spaces shall be considered a permitted accessory use and permitted accessory structure in all zoning or use districts and shall not require a variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70.

(2)

EVSE and make-ready parking spaces installed pursuant to Subsection D below in development applications that are subject to site plan approval are considered a permitted accessory use as described in Subsection C(1) above.

(3)

All EVSE and make-ready parking spaces shall be subject to applicable local and/or Department of Community Affairs permit and inspection requirements.

(4)

The Administrative Official, Zoning Officer, or Municipal Engineer shall enforce all signage and installation requirements described in this section. Failure to meet the requirements in this section shall be subject to the same enforcement and penalty provisions as other violations of the City of Garfield's land use regulations.

(5)

An application for development for the installation of EVSE or make-ready spaces at an existing gasoline service station, an existing retail establishment, or any other existing building shall not be subject to site plan or other land use board review, shall not require variance relief pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. or any other law, rule, or regulation, and shall be approved through the issuance of a zoning permit by the Administrative Officer, provided the application meets the following requirements:

(a)

The proposed installation does not violate bulk requirements applicable to the property or the conditions of the original final approval of the site plan or subsequent approvals for the existing gasoline service station, retail establishment, or other existing building;

(b)

All other conditions of prior approvals for the gasoline service station, the existing retail establishment, or any other existing building continue to be met; and

(c)

The proposed installation complies with the construction codes adopted in or promulgated pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code Act, P.L. 1975, c. 217 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.), any safety standards concerning the installation, and any state rule or regulation concerning electric vehicle charging stations.

(6)

An application pursuant to Subsection C(5) above shall be deemed complete if:

(a)

The application, including the permit fee and all necessary documentation, is determined to be complete;

(b)

A notice of incompleteness is not provided within 20 days after the filing of the application; or

(c)

A one-time written correction notice is not issued by the Administrative Official or Zoning Officer within 20 days after filing of the application detailing all deficiencies in the application and identifying any additional information explicitly necessary to complete a review of the permit application.

(7)

EVSE and make-ready parking spaces installed at a gasoline service station, an existing retail establishment, or any other existing building shall be subject to applicable local and/or Department of Community Affairs inspection requirements.

(8)

A permitting application solely for the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment permitted as an accessory use shall not be subject to review based on parking requirements.

Requirements for new installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces.

(1)

As a condition of preliminary site plan approval, for each application involving a multiple dwelling with five or more units of dwelling space, which shall include a multiple dwelling that is held under a condominium or cooperative form of ownership, a mutual housing corporation, or a mixed-use development, the developer or owner, as applicable, shall:

(a)

Prepare as make-ready parking spaces at least 15% of the required off-street parking spaces, and install EVSE in at least 1/3 of the 15% of make-ready parking spaces;

(b)

Within three years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in an additional 1/3 of the original 15% of make-ready parking spaces; and

(c)

Within six years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in the final 1/3 of the original 15% of make-ready parking spaces.

(d)

Throughout the installation of EVSE in the make-ready parking spaces, at least 5% of the electric vehicle supply equipment shall be accessible for people with disabilities.

(e)

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict the ability to install electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready parking spaces at a faster or more expansive rate than as required above.

(2)

As a condition of preliminary site plan approval, each application involving a parking lot or garage not covered in Subsection D(1) above shall:

(a)

Install at least one make-ready parking space if there will be 50 or fewer off-street parking spaces.

(b)

Install at least two make-ready parking spaces if there will be 51 to 75 off-street parking spaces.

(c)

Install at least three make-ready parking spaces if there will be 76 to 100 off-street parking spaces.

(d)

Install at least four make-ready parking spaces, at least one of which shall be accessible for people with disabilities, if there will be 101 to 150 off-street parking spaces.

(e)

Install at least 4% of the total parking spaces as make-ready parking spaces, at least 5% of which shall be accessible for people with disabilities, if there will be more than 150 off-street parking spaces.

(f)

In lieu of installing make-ready parking spaces, a parking lot or garage may install EVSE to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

(g)

(h)

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a retailer that provides 25 or fewer off-street parking spaces or the developer or owner of a single-family home shall not be required to provide or install any electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready parking spaces.

Minimum parking requirements.

(1)

All parking spaces with EVSE and make-ready equipment shall be included in the calculation of minimum required parking spaces, pursuant to § 341-41.

(2)

A parking space prepared with EVSE or make-ready equipment shall count as at least two parking spaces for the purpose of complying with a minimum parking space requirement. This shall result in a reduction of no more than 10% of the total required parking.

(3)

All parking space calculations for EVSE and make-ready equipment shall be rounded up to the next full parking space.

(4)

Additional installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces above what is required in Subsection D above may be encouraged, but shall not be required in development projects.

Reasonable standards for all new EVSE and make-ready parking spaces.

(1)

Location and layout of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces is expected to vary based on the design and use of the primary parking area. It is expected flexibility will be required to provide the most convenient and functional service to users. Standards and criteria should be considered guidelines, and flexibility should be allowed when alternatives can better achieve objectives for provision of this service.

(2)

Installation:

(a)

Installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces shall meet the Electrical Subcode of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.16.

(b)

Each EVSE or make-ready parking space that is not accessible for people with disabilities shall be not less than nine feet wide or 18 feet in length. Exceptions may be made for existing parking spaces or parking spaces that were part of an application that received prior site plan approval.

(c)

To the extent practical, the location of accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities with EVSE and make-ready equipment shall comply with the general accessibility requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.

(d)

Each EVSE or make-ready parking space that is accessible for people with disabilities shall comply with the sizing of accessible parking space requirements in the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.

(3)

EVSE parking:

(a)

Publicly accessible EVSE shall be reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles only. Electric vehicles shall be connected to the EVSE.

(b)

Electric vehicles parked in a publicly accessible EVSE stall shall be permitted for a maximum of two hours.

(c)

Electric vehicles may be parked in any parking space designated for parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other vehicle that would park in that space.

(d)

Public parking. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2, publicly accessible EVSE parking spaces shall be monitored by the municipality's Police Department and enforced in the same manner as any other parking. It shall be a violation of this section to park or stand a nonelectric vehicle in such a space, or to park an electric vehicle in such a space when it is not connected to the EVSE. Any nonelectric vehicle parked or standing in an EVSE parking space or any electric vehicle parked and not connected to the EVSE shall be is subject to a fine and/or impoundment of the offending vehicle as follows:

[1]

First-time offense: $75.

[2]

Second-time offense: $125.

[3]

Additional offenses: $150 per offense.

(e)

Private parking. The use of EVSE shall be monitored by the property owner or designee.

(4)

Safety.

(a)

Each publicly accessible EVSE shall be located at a parking space that is designated for electric vehicles only and identified by green-painted pavement and/or curb markings, a green-painted charging pictograph symbol, and appropriate signage pursuant to Subsection F(5) below.

(b)

Where EVSE is installed, adequate site lighting and landscaping shall be provided in accordance with City of Garfield's ordinances and regulations.

(c)

Adequate EVSE protection such as concrete-filled steel bollards shall be used for publicly accessible EVSE. Nonmountable curbing may be used in lieu of bollards if the EVSE is set back a minimum of 24 inches from the face of the curb. Any standalone EVSE bollards should be three to four feet high with concrete footings placed to protect the EVSE from accidental impact and to prevent damage from equipment used for snow removal.

(d)

EVSE outlets and connector devices shall be no less than 36 inches and no higher than 48 inches from the ground or pavement surface where mounted, and shall contain a cord management system as described in Subsection F(4)(e) below. Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, bollards, or other devices shall be designated and located as to not impede pedestrian travel, create trip hazards on sidewalks, or impede snow removal.

(e)

Each EVSE shall incorporate a cord management system or method to minimize the potential for cable entanglement, user injury, or connector damage. Cords shall be retractable or have a place to hang the connector and cord a safe and sufficient distance above the ground or pavement surface. Any cords connecting the charger to a vehicle shall be configured so that they do not cross a driveway, sidewalk, or passenger unloading area.

(f)

Where EVSE is provided within a pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or other accessible route to a building entrance, the EVSE shall be located so as not to interfere with accessibility requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.

(g)

Publicly accessible EVSEs shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the equipment. A twenty-four-hour on-call contact shall be provided on the equipment for reporting problems with the equipment or access to it. To allow for maintenance and notification, the City of Garfield shall require the owners/designee of publicly accessible EVSE to provide information on the EVSE's geographic location, date of installation, equipment type and model, and owner contact information.

(5)

Signs.

(a)

Publicly accessible EVSE shall have posted regulatory signs, as identified in this section, allowing only charging electric vehicles to park in such spaces. For purposes of this section, "charging" means that an electric vehicle is parked at an EVSE and is connected to the EVSE. If time limits or vehicle removal provisions are to be enforced, regulatory signs, including parking restrictions, shall be installed immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the EVSE. For private EVSE, installation of signs and sign text is at the discretion of the owner.

(b)

All regulatory signs shall comply with visibility, legibility, size, shape, color, and reflectivity requirements contained within the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as published by the Federal Highway Administration.

(c)

Wayfinding or directional signs, if necessary, shall be permitted at appropriate decision points to effectively guide motorists to the EVSE parking space(s). Wayfinding or directional signage shall be placed in a manner that shall not interfere with any parking space, drive lane, or exit and shall comply with Subsection F(5)(b) above.

(d)

In addition to the signage described above, the following information shall be available on the EVSE or posted at or adjacent to all publicly accessible EVSE parking spaces:

[1]

Hour of operations and/or time limits if time limits or tow-away provisions are to be enforced by the municipality or owner/designee;

[2]

Usage fees and parking fees, if applicable; and

[3]

Contact information (telephone number) for reporting when the equipment is not operating or other problems.

(6)

Usage fees.

(a)

For publicly accessible municipal EVSE, in addition to any parking metered fees, the fee to use parking spaces within the municipality identified as EVSE spaces shall be:

[1]

$1 per hour for vehicles parked in the designated EV parking spaces up to a maximum of two hours.

[2]

$3 per hour, or any part thereof, for vehicles parked in the designated EV parking spaces beyond the two-hour charging period.

(b)

This fee may be amended by a resolution adopted by the governing body.

(c)

Private EVSE. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude a private owner/designee of an EVSE from collecting a fee for the use of the EVSE, in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. Fees shall be available on the EVSE or posted at or adjacent to the EVSE parking space.