Township of Buchanan, MI Parking and Loading Standards

§ 300-19.01 Off-street parking required.

In all zoning districts, off-street facilities for the storage and parking of self-propelled motor vehicles for the use of occupants, employees and patrons of all buildings hereafter erected, altered, or extended after the effective date of this chapter shall be provided as herein prescribed.

Whenever the use of a building, structure, or lot is changed, parking facilities shall be provided as required by this chapter for all new uses. If the intensity of use of any building, structure, or lot is increased through the addition of dwelling units, increase in floor area, increase in seating capacity, or through other means, additional off-street parking shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.

§ 300-19.02 General requirements.

In all zoning districts, off-street vehicle parking facilities shall be provided and maintained as herein prescribed:

Off-street parking spaces for one and two-family dwellings. Off-street parking facilities required for one and two-family dwellings shall consist of a parking strip, driveway, garage, or combination thereof and shall be located on the premises they are intended to serve. No parking shall be permitted in the required front yard except on a driveway which leads to an approved parking space.

Off-street parking for multiple-family and nonresidential uses. Off-street parking facilities required for multiple-family and nonresidential uses shall be located on the same lot or parcel as the building or use they are intended to serve, or within 300 feet of such building or use. Ownership or a use easement, duly recorded with the Township, shall be shown for all land areas intended for use as parking by the applicant.

Existing parking facilities. An area designated as required off-street parking facilities in existence at the effective date of this chapter shall not be reduced below the requirements for the use or building served as set forth in this chapter.

Joint use of facilities. Provision of common parking facilities for several uses in the same vicinity is encouraged. In such cases, the total space requirement is the sum of the individual requirements at the same time of day. The maximum joint requirements will be less than the total individual requirements if the peak needs for the uses occur at distinctly different times of the day from the peaks of the other uses.

Non-overlapping operating hours. In the instance of land uses requiring off-street parking spaces where operating hours of the uses do not overlap, the Planning Commission may grant an exception to the individual provisions of § 300-19.03.

Unsightly storage prohibited. Trailers, mobile homes, travel trailers, boats, boat trailers, and other like vehicles may not be stored in an unsightly condition.

Commercial vehicles shall not be parked or stored in the residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4L, R-4R, R-5).

Duration. Except when land is used as permitted storage space in direct connection with a business, a fourteen-day time limit for parking in nonresidential off-street parking areas shall prevail, provided that it shall be unlawful to permit the storage of wrecked, inoperable, or junked vehicles on any parking area in any district.

Use of loading space. Required loading spaces shall not be counted or used for required parking.

Gross and usable floor area. For the purpose of computing the number of parking spaces required, the definitions for gross and usable floor area in § 300-2.02 shall apply. See definition for "floor area."

Fractional requirements. When units or measurements determining number of required parking spaces result in requirement of a fractional space, any fraction up to and including one-half shall be disregarded and fractions over one-half shall require one parking space.

Uses not specified. For those uses not specifically mentioned under § 300-19.03, the requirements for off-street parking facilities shall be in accordance with a use which the Planning Commission considers to be similar in type.

No parking space shall be located in, or encroach upon, any public right-of-way.

Parking requirements for fueling station/convenience store operations shall be computed by adding together the parking space requirements for each separate use.

Whenever the use of a building, structure, or lot is changed, parking facilities shall be provided as required by this chapter for the new uses. If the intensity of use of any building, structure, or lot is increased through the addition of dwelling units, increase in floor area, increase in seating capacity, or through other means, additional off-street parking shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.

§ 300-19.03 Table of off-street parking requirements.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces by type of use shall be determined in accordance with the following schedule:

Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements
Use	Number of Required Parking Spaces
Residential
One-family and two-family dwelling including mobile homes	2 per dwelling unit
Residential, multiple-family	1 for each efficiency unit, 1 1/2 for each 1 bedroom unit, and 3 for 3 or more bedroom units
Residential, multiple-family and senior citizen housing	1 for each dwelling unit plus 1 for each employee. If units revert to general occupancy, then the requirements for multiple-family residential units above apply
Boarding, rooming, lodging establishments, tourist homes	1 parking space for each occupancy unit plus 1 parking space for each employee on the largest employment shift
Institutional
Churches, temples or synagogues	1 for each 3 seats, based on maximum seating capacity in the main unit of worship
Hospitals	1 for each patient bed, plus 1 additional space for every worker employed during the 8-hour shift in which the greatest number of employees are on duty
Homes: adult foster care, child-care institution	1 for each 3 beds, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Elementary and junior high schools	1 for each teacher, employee or administrator, plus 1 per classroom for visitor use in addition to the requirements for the auditorium, if provided
High schools	1 for each teacher, employee or administrator, 1 for each 10 students, and 1 per classroom for visitor use, in addition to the requirements for the auditorium and stadium, if provided
Private clubs or lodge halls	1 for each 3 persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by local, county, or state fire, building, or health codes
Fraternity or sorority	1 for each 5 permitted active members, plus 1 per employee on the largest employment shift
Boat launch, private or public	6 combined vehicle and boat trailer spaces for each 1 individual boat ramp
Theaters and auditoriums	1 for each 3 seats plus 1 for each 2 employees on the largest employment shift
Libraries, museums, cultural centers or similar facilities	1 for each 400 square feet of gross floor area
Child-care centers, group day-care home	1 for each 350 square feet of usable floor space
Recreational
For each use below, additional spaces shall also be provided as required for clubhouses, restaurants, bars, pro shops or other affiliated facilities
Archery facilities	1 for each 2 targets
Softball, baseball fields	25 for each playing field
Bowling establishments	6 for each lane
Dance halls, health spas, pool/billiard halls, skating rinks	1 for each 2 persons who may be admitted at 1 time based on the occupancy load established by local codes, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Football and soccer fields	30 for each field
Golf course, public or private	5 for each golf hole, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Golf course, miniature	2 for each golf hole, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Golf driving range	1 for each tee
Stadium, sports arena, or similar place of outdoor assembly	1 for each 3 seats or 6 feet of benches, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Swimming pools	1 for each 4 persons who may be legally admitted at 1 time based on occupancy load established by local codes, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Tennis clubs and court-type recreation uses	1 for each person admitted based on the capacity of the courts, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Business and Commercial
Animal hospitals	1 for each 400 square feet of usable floor area, plus 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Automobile service stations	2 for each lubrication stall, rack or pit; and 1 for each employee on the largest employment shift
Auto wash, quick oil change facilities	1 for each employee on the largest employment shift; in addition, stacking spaces for automobiles awaiting entrance to the auto wash shall be provided as required by § 300-19.05
Beauty parlor or barber shop	3 spaces for each of the first 2 beauty or barber chairs, and 1 1/2 spaces for each additional chair
Drive-in establishments	1 for each 30 square feet of usable floor area, with a minimum of 25 parking spaces, plus 8 stacking spaces for each drive-in or drive-through transaction station as required by § 300-19.05
Establishments for sale and consumption on the premises of beverages, food or refreshments	1 for each 50 square feet of usable floor area
Furniture/appliance, household equipment, repair shops, showroom of a plumber, decorator, electrician or similar trade, shoe repair, and other similar uses	1 for each 800 square feet of usable floor area, exclusive of the floor area occupied in processing or manufacturing; for which requirements see "industrial establishments" below 1 additional space shall be provided for each 1 person employed therein the largest employment shift
Ice cream parlors	1 for each 75 square feet of gross floor area, with a minimum of 8 spaces
Laundromats and coin-operated dry cleaners	1 for each 2 washing machines
Mortuary establishments	1 for each 50 square feet of assembly room parlor, and slumber room
Open air business	1 for each 600 square feet of lot area used in open-air business
Restaurant, carry-out	1 for each 100 square feet of gross floor area
Roadside stands	6 for each establishment
Retail stores, except as otherwise specified herein	1 for each 250 square feet of usable floor area
Offices
Banks, savings and loan offices	1 for each 100 square feet of usable floor area, and 4 stacking spaces for each drive-in or drive-through transaction station as required by § 300-19.05
Business/professional offices	1 for each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Medical or dental clinics	1 for each 100 square feet of usable floor area in waiting rooms and 1 for each examining room, dental chair or similar use area
Offices of local, state, or federal government or nonprofit agencies:	1 for each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Industrial
Industrial or research establishments	5 plus 1 for every 1 employee on the largest working shift; parking spaces on the site shall be provided for all construction workers during the period of plant construction
Wholesale or warehouse	5 plus 1 for every 1 employee on the largest working shift, or 1 for every 1,700 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater; any retail or service area shall be in addition to the above

§ 300-19.04 Barrier-free off-street parking.

Off-street parking facilities as required under this chapter shall include, in accordance with the following table and identified by signs, parking spaces which are barrier-free and designed in accordance with PA 1 of 1966, being MCLA §§ 125.1351 through 125.1356, as amended (Barrier Free Design), and reserved for physically handicapped persons. Signs shall be located approximately six feet above grade according to the accessibility (building) code in effect at time of placement. Each reserved parking space shall be not less than 12 feet wide in accordance with the building accessibility code in effect at the time the parking lot is configured. Where a curb exists between a parking lot surface and a sidewalk surface, an inclined approach or a curb cut with a gradient of not more than one foot in 12 feet and a width of not less than four feet shall be provided for wheelchair access, in accordance with the provisions of the building code and its referenced accessibility code. Barrier-free parking spaces shall be located as close as possible to walkways and building entrances. Signs shall be provided when necessary indicating the direction to a barrier-free entranceway into a building.

Barrier-Free Parking Spaces
Total Parking Spaces Provided	Required Minimum Number of Barrier-Free Spaces
1 to 25	1
26 to 50	2
51 to 75	3
76 to 100	4
101 to 150	5
151 to 200	6
201 to 300	7
301 to 400	8
401 to 500	9
501 to 1,000	2% of total
More than 1,000	20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000

§ 300-19.05 Off-street waiting area and stacking spaces for drive-through facilities.

On the same premises with every building, structure or part thereof, erected and occupied for the purpose of serving customers in their automobiles by means of a service window or similar arrangement, such as drive-in banks or cleaning establishments, where the automobile engine is not turned off, there shall be provided four off-street stacking spaces for each service window or transaction station. Eight off-street stacking spaces shall be provided for each drive-through transaction station of a restaurant.

Self-service motor vehicle car wash establishments shall provide three off-street stacking spaces for each washing stall. Quick oil change facilities and motor vehicle car wash establishments other than self service shall provide stacking spaces equal in number to three times the maximum capacity of the motor vehicle wash for automobiles awaiting entrance. "Maximum capacity" shall mean the greatest number possible of automobiles undergoing some phase of washing at the same time, which shall be determined by dividing the length of each wash line by 20 feet. A drying lane 50 feet long shall also be provided at the exit of the washing stalls in order to prevent undue amounts of water from collecting on the public street and thereby creating a traffic hazard.

An off-street waiting space is defined as an area 10 feet wide by 20 feet long.

§ 300-19.06 Off-street parking lot layout, construction and maintenance.

All off-street parking lots shall be laid out, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

Review and approval requirements.

(1)

In the event that new off-street parking is proposed as part of a development requiring site plan review, said proposed parking shall be shown on the site plan submitted to the Planning Commission for review in accordance with Article XXIII. Any construction of a new parking lot, paving of an unpaved parking lot, or expansion of an existing parking lot requires site plan review. Projects of less than 10% of the area of an existing development, or of 1,000 square feet or less, may, at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator, only be subject to the requirements for minor site plan under Article XXIII.

(2)

Upon completion of construction, the parking lot must be inspected and approved by the Zoning Administrator before a certificate of occupancy can be issued for the parking lot and for the building or use the parking is intended to serve.

Layout requirements. Plans for the layout of off-street parking facilities shall be in accordance with the following minimum requirements:

Parking	Maneuvering	Parking Space (width)	Parking Space (length)
0° (parallel parking)	12 feet	8 feet	23 feet
30° to 50°	12 feet	8 feet 6 inches	20 feet
54° to 74°	15 feet	8 feet 6 inches	20 feet
75° to 90°	20 feet	9 feet	20 feet

(1)

Access. All spaces shall be provided adequate access by means of maneuvering lanes. Backing directly onto a street or alley shall be prohibited.

(2)

Ingress and egress. Adequate ingress and egress to the parking lot shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited drives. No entrance or exit from any parking lot in a nonresidential district or from a nonresidential use shall be nearer than 20 feet to any residentially zoned district.

(3)

Surfacing and drainage. The entire parking area, including parking spaces and maneuvering lanes, shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water which might accumulate on such area in a manner which does not deposit silt elsewhere. No surface water from such parking area shall be permitted to drain onto adjoining private property or across a public sidewalk.

(4)

Bumper stops. Bumper stops or curbing shall be provided so as to prevent any vehicle from projecting beyond the parking lot area or bumping any wall or fence or encroaching upon landscaping.

(5)

In all cases where parking lots abut public or private sidewalks, continuous concrete curbing or bumper stops, at least six inches high, shall be placed so that a motor vehicle cannot be driven or parked on any part of the sidewalk. In all cases where necessary for the protection of the public and the adjoining properties, streets or sidewalks, curbs as described above shall be installed.

(6)

Striping. For paved or concrete surfaces all spaces shall be outlined with three-inch stripes of paint, the color of which contrasts with the parking lot surface.

(7)

Screening. All off-street parking areas, except those serving single- and two-family residences, shall be screened in accordance with the provisions set forth as required by Planning Commission.

(8)

Parking setbacks. All parking setbacks, as required elsewhere by this chapter, shall be maintained.

(9)

Landscaping. Where yard setbacks are required, all land between the required walls and the property lines, and other unpaved areas which are designed to break up the expanse of paving, shall be kept free from refuse and debris and shall be landscaped with lawns, deciduous shrubs, evergreen plant material, and ornamental trees in accordance with Article XX of this chapter. All such landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition, neat and orderly in appearance. All landscaping shall be protected by concrete, asphalt curbing or bumper stops.

(10)

Lighting. All lighting used to illuminate any off-street area shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the parking surface grade and shall be directed or shielded so as to not shine onto any adjacent properties or public rights-of-way.

(11)

Signs. Accessory directional signs shall be permitted in parking areas in accordance with the provisions of Article XXI.

(12)

Buildings. No building or structure shall be permitted on an off-street parking lot, except for a maintenance building or attendant shelter, which shall not be more than 50 square feet in area and not more than 15 feet in height.

(13)

Additional requirements. In addition to the above requirements, parking areas shall comply with additional requirements or conditions, which may be deemed necessary by the Planning Commission for the protection of abutting properties.

Delay in construction. In instances where the Building Inspector determines that weather conditions prohibit parking lot construction, the construction may be temporarily waived, pending suitable weather. But the Township shall require a cash or surety bond in the anticipated amount of the parking lot construction costs payable by the applicant and held by the Township in a non-interest bearing account until such time as the parking lot construction is completed, or a period of six months, whichever is less.

§ 300-19.07 Off-street loading space requirements.

On the same premises with every building, structure, or part thereof, involving the receipt or distribution of vehicles or materials or merchandise, including, but not limited to, department stores, wholesale stores, markets, hotels, hospitals, mortuaries, laundries, and dry-cleaning establishments, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot adequate space for standing, loading, and unloading in order to avoid undue interference with public use of dedicated rights-of-way and vehicular circulation on the site.

Such spaces shall be provided as follows:

(1)

All loading spaces shall be located in the nonrequired rear yard and meet all minimum yard setback requirements.

(2)

Loading space areas shall be provided with a pavement having an asphaltic, slag or crushed stone, or Portland cement binder so as to provide a permanent, durable and dustless surface.

(3)

All loading spaces shall have a minimum of fourteen-foot high clearance.

(4)

Loading areas shall not utilize any required area for maneuvering to parking spaces or block general vehicular circulation.

(5)

No loading space shall be located closer than 50 feet from any residentially zoned district unless located within a completely enclosed building or enclosed on all sides facing a residential zoning district by a solid masonry wall not less than six feet in height.

(6)

Central loading facilities may be substituted for individual loading spaces serving businesses on separate lots, provided that all of the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a)

Each business served shall have direct access to the central loading area without crossing streets or alleys.

(b)

Total loading space provided shall meet the minimum requirements specified herein, computed on the basis of total floor area of all businesses served by the central loading space.

(c)

No building served shall be more than 500 feet from the central loading area.

(7)

The storage of merchandise, sale of motor vehicles, storage of inoperable vehicles, or repair of vehicles is prohibited in required loading space.

§ 300-19.08 Permitted reductions in required parking and loading spaces.

Upon request at the time of site plan review, the applicant may seek the reduction in required parking stalls as otherwise outlined by this chapter.

In an effort to minimize stormwater runoff, reduce the area of impervious surfaces, eliminate unused parking spaces, reduce excessively large parking lots, and generally reduce the appearance of a "sea of asphalt," prevalent among commercial and industrial developments, the Planning Commission may waive up to 30% of the required number of parking stalls upon written presentation and justification by the applicant. The allowance in the reduction of the number of required parking stalls shall be directly proportional to an increase in open space and landscaping improvements.

The allowance for a reduction in parking stalls shall not be utilized to otherwise increase the size of the requested building. The applicant must show that they could locate and accommodate the required number of parking stalls and are only requesting approval to not construct 30% of the required stalls. Verification of a waiver by the Planning Commission shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which it was approved and placed as a condition upon approval of the applicant's site plan.