The purpose of the following requirements is to prevent or alleviate the congestion of public streets and to promote the safety and welfare of the public by establishing minimum standards and requirements for the off-street parking, loading and unloading of motor vehicles. Additional provisions related to ancillary parking are enumerated in § 264-102 of this chapter.
The provisions of this section shall apply to
all new and existing uses, except as may be provided otherwise in
the following Subsections A, B and C:
A.
Whenever a use existing on the effective date of this
amendment is changed thereafter to a new use, parking facilities shall
be provided as required herein for such new use, except that when
any such existing use was deficient in required parking spaces on
such effective date, such new use may be established with a deficiency
in required spaces equal to the preexisting deficiency.
B.
Whenever the intensity of use of any building, structure
or use is increased by at least 10%, through the addition of dwelling
units, gross floor area, seating capacity or other units of measurement
specified for parking requirements, such increase must provide additional
parking for the total aggregate increase.
C.
Preexisting off-street parking areas and lots which are nonconforming with respect to any of the design standards specified in § 264-43 may be lawfully continued, provided that such nonconforming parking area is not enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity. Where the premises served by such nonconforming parking area are substantially improved, the parking area shall also be improved in compliance with the design standards specified herein.
Refer to § 264-50 for landscaping requirements for parking areas.
All commercial properties located adjacent to
a public right-of-way where on-street parking is permitted may receive
credit for one off-street parking stall for each 20 linear feet of
abutting right-of-way for parallel parking and 13 linear feet of abutting
right-of-way for diagonal parking, excluding curb cuts. This provision
shall be applied for on-street parking on the same side of the street
as the proposed land use or on the opposite side of the street if
the property on that side of the street does not have the potential
for future development. In considering credit for on-street parking,
all fractional spaces are rounded down.
[Amended 3-23-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No.
2011-15]
A.
Location. Parking spaces and/or driveways in residential
zones permitted or required by this chapter shall be located on the
same lot as the principal use for all uses in the Residential Districts
R-1, RH-1, R-2, RH-2 and R-3.
(1)
Parking in front yards. No driveway or parking area
shall be established in the area bounded by the extension of the side
building lines of a principal structure to the front property line
of that lot unless the driveway leads to a garage built into or attached
to the principal structure.
(2)
Limits on paving in front yards. Paving using brick, asphalt, concrete, gravel, shale, stone, or other similar materials in front yards shall only be for the purposes of providing a driveway/parking area [as permitted in Subsection A(1)] or walkways. Walkways shall be limited to five feet in width and may connect a driveway or sidewalk to a front door, porch or deck steps. No walkway parallel to a public sidewalk shall be permitted unless the distance between any structure and the public sidewalk exceeds 10 feet and the distance between the private walkway and the public sidewalk exceeds five feet. Gravel, shale, stone or other similar materials may be used only on level surfaces.
B.
Access.
(1)
Access to a parking area or space shall be via a driveway which has a curb cut approved by the City Engineering Department. The driveway shall be set back two feet (except as provided in § 264-43D below) from any abutting property line and must be at least 8 1/2 feet wide, except as hereinafter provided. Where a driveway was legally established prior to the effective date of this amendment, it is grandfathered and may be repaired or replaced in its present location, or where adjoining property owners have filed the necessary legal easements of access with the Schenectady County Clerk to establish a common or shared driveway, then the required driveway setback of two feet from abutting property lines shall be waived.
(2)
For all residential uses with five or more parking
spaces and all parking areas for mixed uses (residential and nonresidential
in the same building) or nonresidential uses, unobstructed access
to and from a street, designed so as not to require the backing of
any vehicle across a sidewalk or into a street right-of-way, shall
be provided for all parking and loading spaces. Every parking garage
or parking area containing 25 or more spaces shall be provided with
a two-way driveway at least 20 feet in width or two one-way driveways,
each at least 12 feet in width.
C.
Parking space dimensions.
(1)
Each off-street parking space shall have the following
minimum dimensions in feet:
|
Schedule E
Minimum Parking Space and Aisle Dimensions
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Parking Angle
(A)
|
Stall Width
(B)
|
Curb Length
(C)
|
Aisle Width
(One-Way)
(D)
|
Aisle Width
(Two-Way)
(D)
|
Stall Depth
(E)
| |
|
0° (parallel)
| ||||||
|
Standard
|
8 feet
0 inches
|
24 feet
0 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
8 feet
0 inches
| |
|
Compact
|
7 feet
0 inches
|
21 feet
0 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
7 feet
0 inches
| |
|
30°
| ||||||
|
Standard
|
8 feet
6 inches
|
18 feet
0 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
17 feet
0 inches
| |
|
Compact
|
8 feet
0 inches
|
16 feet
0 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
15 feet
0 inches
| |
|
45°
| ||||||
|
Standard
|
8 feet
6 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
17 feet
0 inches
| |
|
Compact
|
8 feet
0 inches
|
11 feet
6 inches
|
12 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
17 feet
0 inches
| |
|
60°
| ||||||
|
Standard
|
8 feet
6 inches
|
10 feet
0 inches
|
18 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
| |
|
Compact
|
8 feet
0 inches
|
9 feet
6 inches
|
18 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
18 feet
0 inches
| |
|
90°
| ||||||
|
Standard
|
8 feet
6 inches
|
8 feet
6 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
| |
|
Compact
|
7 feet
6 inches
|
8 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
20 feet
0 inches
|
16 feet
0 inches
| |
|
| ||||||
|
Definitions for letters in parenthesis appear
in Figure 264-43C below.
| ||||||
|
Dimensions of parking spaces for the disabled
are regulated by Section 1106 of the Building Code of New York State.
| ||||||
|
Figure 264-43C
 |
(2)
Parking spaces for compact automobiles shall be permitted
only in parking lots or garages having 10 spaces or more, shall be
appropriately and clearly marked and shall comprise not more than
30% of the spaces provided.
(3)
Handicapped-accessible parking shall be provided in
accordance with Section 1106 of the Building Code of New York State.
D.
Yard requirements. No parking space, area or access
drive serving any nonresidential use shall be constructed or established
nearer than 15 feet from a lot line of any residentially zoned property.
Such required yard shall be curbed and landscaped with appropriate
trees, shrubs and other plant material or fencing sufficient to largely
obscure the parking area from adjoining residential uses when viewed
from the ground level.
E.
Setback from sidewalk. No parking space or area, except
for necessary access drives or circulation elements, shall be located
within four feet of a sidewalk or lot line.
F.
Parking structure. Parking garages and structures,
and storage garages, shall conform to the yard requirement of the
district in which such use is located.
G.
Barriers. On premises containing more than five off-street
parking spaces located within 10 feet of the boundaries of the premises,
all such parking spaces shall be equipped with a barrier, curbing,
fence or low wall which is sufficient to confine vehicles entirely
within said premises and to protect any plantings and landscaping.
H.
Surface. In any district other than the M-1 and M-2
Districts, every off-street parking area and space shall be constructed
in a manner so as to provide an all-weather, durable and dustless
surface and shall be graded and drained to dispose of all surface
water accumulation in the area without shedding additional water on
an adjoining property or right-of-way. Individual parking spaces shall
be clearly identified by markings four inches to six inches in width.
[Amended 3-23-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No.
2011-15]
A.
For the uses listed in Schedule F, Minimum Parking
Space Requirements, located in this section, off-street parking shall
be provided as required and subject to the following rules and requirements:
(1)
When determination of the number of required parking
spaces results in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction
up to and including 1/2 shall be disregarded, and fractions over 1/2
shall require one parking space.
(2)
When parking spaces are required on the basis of the
number of employees or staff, the maximum number present at any one
time shall govern.
(3)
For uses not expressly listed in Schedule F, parking
spaces shall be provided on the same basis as required for the most
similar use listed or as determined by the Zoning Officer.
(4)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the collective provision of off-street parking spaces for two or more nonresidential uses, provided that in such case the total requirements for off-street parking spaces shall meet the shared parking standards of § 264-46.
(5)
Minimum parking standards. Required off-street parking spaces shall be calculated using the standards outlined in Schedule F. Required spaces represent the minimum required number of spaces except as otherwise stated in Subsection A(6) of this section. All vehicle parking standards are based on gross square feet of building area, unless otherwise noted.
(6)
Nonresidential uses located in the C-4 Downtown Mixed Use District or within 500 feet of a municipally owned parking lot shall be exempt from the minimum parking space requirements of § 264-44.
(7)
Parking facility location. Parking facilities may
be provided either on the same premises with the parking generator
or in any parking facility, the property line of which is located
within 500 feet of the primary entry area to the building.
B.
Schedule of minimum parking space requirements.
[Amended 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-07]
|
Schedule F
Minimum Parking Space Requirements
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Use
|
Number of Parking Spaces
| |
|
Residential Uses
| ||
|
Boardinghouses
|
1 for each bedroom
| |
|
Family-care homes and group residences
|
1 for each staff member, plus 1 for each 8 residents
| |
|
Two-family and multiple-family dwellings
|
1.5 for each dwelling unit
| |
|
Senior citizens housing units
|
1 for each 4 dwelling units
| |
|
Single-family dwellings
|
1 for each dwelling unit
| |
|
Supervised residential institutions
|
1 for each 4 residents
| |
|
Commercial, Business, Industrial, and
Institutional Uses
| ||
|
Bars, taverns, cocktail lounges and nightclubs
with live entertainment and/or dancing
|
12 for each 1,000 square feet of customer floor
area
| |
|
Bed-and-breakfast/tourist homes, inns and hotels
|
1 for each sleeping unit
| |
|
Business and commercial establishments, except
as otherwise specified
|
1 for each 300 square feet of floor area
| |
|
Business incubator
|
1 for each 1,000 square feet of floor area
| |
|
Community center, cultural facilities and museums
|
1 for each 400 square feet of gross floor area
| |
|
Day-care centers
|
1 for each 6 children enrolled
| |
|
Eating and drinking establishments
|
10 for each 1,000 square feet of customer floor
area
| |
|
Furniture, lighting, and floor-covering stores
|
1 for each 600 square feet of floor area
| |
|
Laundromats and coin-operated cleaners
|
1 for each 4 machines
| |
|
Motor vehicle rental, repair and sales
|
2 for each 1,000 square feet of floor area with
a minimum of 4 spaces
| |
|
Professional offices in residential districts
|
As required by special use permit
| |
|
Self-service storage facility
|
1
| |
|
Light industrial and manufacturing
|
1 for each 2 employees on the largest shift,
with a minimum of 2 spaces
| |
|
Research and development facilities
|
1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area
| |
|
Trucking, warehousing, wholesale, and storage
establishments
|
1 for each 10,000 square feet
| |
|
Colleges and universities, business technical,
and private schools
|
1 for each 6 students of driving age, plus 1
for each faculty member, plus 1 for each 3 staff members
| |
|
Hospitals, nursing homes and similar health-related
facilities
|
1 for each 3 beds, plus 1 for each 2 staff members
on the largest shift
| |
|
Retail and services
| ||
|
Under 10,000 square feet
|
1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area, not to exceed
20 spaces
| |
|
10,000 square feet and above
|
1 for each 500 square feet of gross floor area
| |
|
Taxi and taxi dispatch companies
|
1 for each taxi
| |
|
Medical hospitality house
|
1 for each bedroom
| |
|
Places of Assembly and Recreational Uses
| ||
|
Religious institutions
|
1 for each 10 seats
| |
|
Private clubs and lodges
|
1 for each 50 square feet of assembly area
| |
|
Theaters and auditoriums, other than school
|
1 for each 5 seats
| |
|
Bowling alleys
|
1 for each lane
| |
|
Golf courses
|
4 per hole
| |
|
Skating rinks
|
1 for each 200 square feet of floor area
| |
|
Stadium and sports arenas
|
1 for each 5 seats
| |
|
Athletic facilities
|
10 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
| |
[Amended 3-23-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-15]
A.
The maximum number of off-street parking spaces for
any building or use located in the use district shall not exceed the
amount determined as follows:
(1)
In all residential districts and in the I, C-1, C-2,
C-3 and C-4 Districts, parking lots may not have more than 110% of
the number of spaces identified in Schedule F, not including accessible
space.
(2)
In the C-5, M-1, and M-2 Districts, parking lots may
not have more than 120% of the number of spaces identified in Schedule
F, not including accessible space.
B.
Schedule of maximum parking space requirements.
|
Schedule G
Maximum Parking Space Requirements
| |
|---|---|
|
District
|
Maximum Standard Percentage
|
|
R, RH-1, R-2, RH-2, R-3 Residential Districts
|
110%
|
|
C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 Commercial Districts
|
110%
|
|
C-5 Business District
|
120%
|
|
I Institutional District
|
120%
|
|
M-1, M-2 Manufacturing and Warehousing Districts
|
120%
|
|
Examples:
A 2,800-square-foot retail store would be required to provide
eight spaces and could provide no more than nine spaces in the C-2
District (which allows a maximum of 110% of the minimum parking space
required).
| |
|
A 20,000-square-foot incubator located in the M-1 District (which
allows a maximum of 120%) would be required to provide 20 spaces and
could provide no more than 24 spaces.
|
A.
The Zoning Officer may allow for shared or combined
parking if an applicant demonstrates that adjacent land uses have
different hours of operation.
B.
General provisions.
(1)
Authority. In order to eliminate multiple entrances
and exits, to reduce traffic hazards, to conserve space and to promote
orderly development, the Zoning Officer is authorized to group cooperative
parking facilities in such a manner as to obtain the maximum efficiency
in parking and vehicular circulation.
(2)
Agreement. If authorized by the Zoning Officer, an
agreement establishing shared or combined use of a parking area, approved
by the Corporation Counsel, shall be recorded with the County Clerk.
Such agreements shall run with the land for all properties with shared
or combined parking and require City approval for any change or termination.
(3)
Termination of combined or shared use. Sufficient parking, pursuant to Schedule F of § 264-44, must be provided for all partners in a combined or shared agreement or that portion of the use out of compliance with this chapter shall be terminated.
(4)
Shared parking allocation. For land uses in close
proximity of each other that operate or are used at entirely different
times of the day or week, the Zoning Officer may allow shared parking
facilities to satisfy the parking requirements of such uses if the
parking facilities are within 500 feet of all primary entry areas
to buildings being served by such facilities.
(a)
When two or more land uses, or uses within a
building, have distinctly different hours of operation (e.g., office
and religious institution), such uses may qualify for a shared parking
credit. Required parking shall be based on the use that demands the
greatest amount of parking.
(b)
If two or more land uses, or uses within a building,
have different daytime hours of operation (e.g., bowling alley and
auto parts store), such uses may qualify for a total parking area
reduction of no more than 50%.
(5)
Combined parking allocation. Two or more uses which have similar hours of operation and combine parking facilities may qualify to decrease the number of parking spaces. The combined parking facility must be cooperatively established and operated in accordance with Subsection B above. The Zoning Officer may require a parking demand study to ensure sufficient parking is provided.
[Amended 3-23-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No.
2011-15]
A.
Loading spaces shall, as required herein, be provided
for each commercial or business use in sufficient location and size
so that no loading and unloading operations infringe upon any sidewalk
or street, unless a legal instrument, approved as to form and manner
of execution by the Corporation Counsel, is executed by the owners
of two or more uses requesting the joint use of off-street loading
facilities and is filed with the Zoning Officer with evidence that
the joint use will provide sufficient off-street loading facilities.
B.
Required spaces. The number of loading spaces required
is based on the gross floor area of the building or use, as follows:
|
Schedule H
Required Spaces for Off-Street Loading
Facilities
| |
|---|---|
|
Gross Floor Area of Building or Use
(square feet)
|
Number of Loading Docks Required
|
|
0 to 8,000
|
0
|
|
8,001 to 60,000
|
1
|
|
60,001 to 100,000
|
2
|
|
Over 100,000
|
3, plus 1 for each additional 80,000 square
feet
|
C.
Location. No loading space shall be located within
any required front yard. No loading space shall be located closer
than 15 feet from a lot line abutting any residentially zoned or developed
property.
[Amended 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-15]
A.
Outdoor storage of no more than one boat and boat trailer, camping
trailer, or recreational vehicle, provided that no part of such storage
area shall be located in the front yard, and provided that such boat,
vehicle or trailer shall not be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping
purposes.
B.
It shall be a violation of this chapter to park and/or store a motor vehicle, trailer, boat, commercial equipment or parts thereof in violation of the standards and regulations pertaining to parking and storage as set forth in Article VI.
C.
Proper service of violations of this section shall be by posting
a notice of violation on the motor vehicle, boat, trailer, commercial
equipment or parts thereof, or in a conspicuous place on or about
the lot or building affected by the notice, and by mailing a copy
by registered mail to the owner, agent or operator of the motor vehicle,
trailer, boat, commercial equipment or parts thereof or the property
owner of record.
