City of Watertown, MA Automotive and Bicycle Parking Requirements

In order that all structures and land uses eventually be provided with sufficient off-street parking to meet the needs of persons employed at or making use (e.g.: customers, visitors, patrons, patients, occupants, etc.) of such structures or land, no land shall be used and no building shall be erected, enlarged or used unless off-street parking spaces meeting the requirements of this Section are provided. Said off street parking space requirements shall not apply to the storage and/or display of motor vehicles which shall be provided in accordance with § 6.05 hereof.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for particular uses of land (hereinafter called "required off-street parking spaces") is set forth in the following table:

PRINCIPAL USE	UNIT
One- and two-family house	2 per dwelling unit
	3 per dwelling unit if more than 4 bedrooms
	Minimum	Maximum
Townhouse and Rowhouse	2.0/unit	2.5/Unit
Multi-Family	0.75/studio	1.00/Studio
	1.00/1 bedroom	1.25/1 Bedroom
	1.50/2 bedrooms	1.75/2 Bedroom
	2.00/3+ bedrooms	2.25/3+ Bedroom
Mixed Use	The sum of commercial and residential requirements consistent with this Ordinance; except in CB district, 1 space per dwelling unit and commercial uses consistent with § 6.01(f) may be reduced by SP.
Hotels, motels, licensed lodging houses-	1 per employee on shift at peak occupancy plus 0.75 per guest room plus 1 per table or 5 seats in a restaurant plus 1 per 250 square feet of space in function rooms not designed for eating
Accessory home occupations	1 per 2 rooms used for a home occupation
Accessory lodgings	1 per 2 rooms offered for rent
Other places of public assembly such as for meetings, entertainment, recreation, adult education	1 per 5 fixed seats or 10 linear feet of bench floor area open to public assembly where no seats or benches are provided.
Retail with Accessory Food or Beverages	1 per table or 4 seats plus 1 per 250 square feet of function rooms not designed for eating.
Restaurants	1 per 4 seats and 1 per every 4 linear feet of standing table space
Funeral parlor, undertaker	1 per 5 seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft in parlor, whichever is greater
Bowling alleys	2 per bowling alley
Hospitals, and Nursing Home	1 per staff plus 1 per 4 patient beds
Assisted Living	See § 5.11(d)
Veterinary Clinic	1 per 350 square feet
Schools	1 per staff member plus 1 per 3 students driving age (unless car usage is prohibited) or 1 per 8 seats in largest place of assembly, whichever is greatest
Other institutions, such as museum, private, professional or trade school	1 per 600 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Retail Sales/Service and Office	1 per 350 square feet of Gross Floor Area 1 per 400 square feet of Gross Floor Area Above the Ground Floor
Fitness Center	1 per 400 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Bank	1 per 300 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Bank Kiosks (with no staff)	5 spaces per automatic teller
Industrial, including also 1 gasoline service station, printing and publishing	1 per 600 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Warehouse, public utility stations	1 per 1,200 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Research and Development	1 per 600 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Auto repair garage, and similar uses	1 per 200 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Kennels	1 per 300 square feet of Gross Floor Area
Auto sales, leasing and Rentals display (new and used)	1 per 600 square feet of space devoted to showrooms for customer use. For automobile display or storage lots, there shall be 150 square feet of total land area in said lots for each automobile stored or displayed.
Self Storage facility	2 spaces per 10,000 s.f. of Gross Floor Area with a minimum requirement for 6 parking spaces
Drive-ins (exclusive of food)	1 per 350 square feet of Gross Floor Area

The Planning Board shall be the determining authority in the event of a conflict in interpretation as to the category of the principal use, or as to the gross floor (or open lot) area in a given use.

Where the computation of required spaces results in a fractional number, a fraction of one-half or more shall be counted as one.

The aggregate number of spaces required for each of several uses separately may be provided on a common parking lot serving all of these uses. Projects in close proximity to one another are encouraged to provide shared parking plans that meet the individual requirements per § 6.01(b) across multiple properties by special permit. Developers are also encouraged to "unbundle" parking by separating the cost of parking from the cost of ownership or rental.

Where it can be demonstrated that the combined peak parking needs of all the uses sharing the lot will, because of differences in peak hours or days, be less than required by § 6.01(b), the number of parking spaces to be provided may be reduced accordingly by Special Permit.

Developments that encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation may be eligible to receive a reduction of the required amount of automobile parking spaces by Special Permit. This credit may be achieved by demonstrating a reduced demand for automobile parking by the encouragement of cycling, walking, car sharing, and use of public transit. The reduced parking requirement shall correspond to the reduced automobile parking demand, but in no case shall exceed 25%.

Required off-street parking areas shall be provided on the same lot they serve, except that the SPGA may grant a special permit for off-street parking areas to be provided on another lot; and any such parking lot shall not be otherwise used or diminished in size unless the SPGA finds the lot is no longer required by the principal use it serves.

For projects subject to a special permit, the SPGA may permit the applicant to indicate on an approved site plan where up to 20% of the required parking can legally be built but not be required to be built (shadow parking) to receive an occupancy permit. All or portions of said shadow parking may be required to be built out as shown if at any time the SPGA by a majority vote, deem it appropriate to do so. All allowed shadow parking areas shall be designed and maintained as naturally vegetated open space.

Residential and mixed-use developments required to provide 50 or more parking spaces per § 6.01(b) are required to provide a minimum of one parking space with an additional one parking space per 15 spaces, up to a maximum of three spaces, designated for a car sharing program. In all developments requiring more than 100 parking spaces per § 6.01(b), two electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided, with an additional one charging station per 50 additional parking spaces thereafter up to a maximum of five charging stations. These parking spaces shall be counted towards the total number required by § 6.01(b). These requirements may be met through an approved shared parking plan with an adjacent property per Special Permit.

(j)

No structure constructed, or use instituted, prior to 1988 shall be required to meet the off-street parking requirements per § 6.01(b) unless there is a substantial change in the structure or in the use of the structure or land.

For purpose of this section, "change" means any enlargement, conversion or alteration in structure or use. A "substantial change" means more than a 40% difference between (a) and (b) as follows: (a) the number of parking spaces required under the current Zoning for the structure or use, as it existed in 1988, and (b) the number of parking spaces required under the current Zoning for the proposed structure or use. [Substantial change: b - a = c, if c/a > .40 (40%)]

If the change is not a substantial change, no additional off-street parking is required.

If the change is a substantial change, the use must comply with the net increase in parking demand of the entire structure or use.

§ 6.02 Location and design of off-street parking spaces.

Areas of required Off-street parking may be open or enclosed in a structure provided that if open, such areas shall be graded, drained and surfaced in conformance with currently applicable engineering standards as determined and promulgated by the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. Permeable paving or other stormwater techniques should be employed to allow for natural groundwater recharging. In no instance shall surface drainage be permitted to drain into land of adjacent property owners or the City right of way except in the case of single and two-family homes.

Except as provided in § 6.02(n) below, each required off-street parking space shall be marked and shall not be less than eight and one-half (8 1/2) feet in width and 18 feet in length for angle parking or 22 feet in length for parallel parking, exclusive of drives, walks and maneuvering space. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to show on the site plan for the proposed development the provision of adequate automobile maneuvering space acceptable to the Planning Board. In addition to the above requirements, the applicant may reduce the width of not more than 10% of the required parking spaces, and not more than 10% of any parking spaces in excess of the required amount which he may choose to provide, to eight feet.

Except as required in § s 6.02(d), (e), (f) or (n) below, each required off-street parking space shall have direct access to an aisle or driveway having a minimum width of 24 feet in the case of two-way traffic or the following widths in the case of one-way traffic only:

Angle of Parking	Minimum Aisle Width
Parallel	12 feet
30	11 feet
45	13 feet
60	18 feet
90	20 feet

For one and two family houses, the off-street parking requirements of § 6.01 may be satisfied with the use of stacked parking configuration to the extent that all other applicable provisions for parking, driveway and area lay-out are met. For the purpose of this § 6.02(d), stacked parking shall mean a parking layout where spaces are provided one vehicle directly behind another vehicle, including an enclosed garage parking space, with a maximum limit of four in number.

For three and four family houses, upon the granting of a special permit, parking space requirements of § 6.01 may be satisfied with the use of stacked parking configuration to the extent that all other applicable provisions for parking, driveway and area layout are met. For the purpose of this § 6.02(e), stacked parking shall mean the parking of one vehicle directly behind another vehicle, limited to a total of three vehicles in a stack in all instances inclusive of where vehicle space may be provided as an enclosed garage parking space.

For row houses, the off-street parking requirements of § 6.01 may be satisfied with the use of stacked parking configuration to the extent that all other applicable provisions for parking, driveway and area layout are met. For the purpose of this § 6.02(f), stacked parking shall mean a parking layout where spaces are provided with one vehicle directly behind another vehicle, limited to a total of two vehicles in a stack in all instances inclusive of where vehicle space may be provided as an enclosed garage parking space.

In no instance may the open space required for each Lot be used for the provision of required off-street parking spaces.

No driveway or sidewalk opening providing access to an area of required off-street parking spaces, measured at the street lot line may be more than 24 feet, except as allowed in § 6.02(i) below. In addition, no such driveways or sidewalk openings shall have shrubs, walls, signs or fences in excess of 30 inches in height from the entrance of the driveway to a point 15 feet into such driveway or in excess of 36 inches along the front lot line.

For a site upon which new construction is proposed; to which an increase in the number of existing bedrooms or units is sought; or to which modifications to existing construction of driveways or parking areas are proposed for either one, two, three, or four family dwellings or row houses, the following design standards shall apply: There shall be allowed a maximum of two curb cuts per site at a maximum of 11 foot width, with a minimum distance of 20 feet between curb cuts. No curb cut, or combination of curb cuts shall exceed a maximum of 40% of the lot frontage, or 22 feet, whichever is less.

(j)

No area of the required Building Front Yard shall be used for parking or driveway area. In cases where there is a garage attached to a single-family dwelling and is located in the building front yard area, driveway and parking in front of the garage shall be allowed provided access is via one 12' curb cut. Driveway must maintain 5' front setback, be at least 18' in depth and then permitted to flare out to the width of the garage door. A Special Permit is required in cases where there is a garage attached to a two-family dwelling located in the building front yard area, provided the driveway maintain 5' front setback and be at least 18' in depth for parking in front of the garage(s). For one, two, three, four family and/or row houses, no driveway and/or parking area shall be closer than four feet from the side lot line, 10 feet from the rear lot line, or five feet from the front lot line. No setbacks from structures on the lot shall be required. All other stated dimensional requirements shall prevail.

(k)

Except as set forth in § 6.02(j) and 6.02(n), the surfaced area of off-street parking areas shall be set back a minimum of five feet from all buildings and lot lines except as allowed in § 6.02(e). Such setback areas, except for entrance and exit drives, shall be properly landscaped with grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, or other landscaping materials of adequate height and density so as to visually obscure parked vehicles from view. In addition, at least 5% of the interior of any parking area with 20 or more parking spaces shall be landscaped and continuously maintained. This landscaping shall be distributed in islands and shall include one or more shade trees of a species as approved by the Watertown Tree Warden with a 3-inch caliper or greater per island. The location of trees within parking areas shall maximize shade on vehicles and pavement to reduce the "heat island" effect. In addition, landscaping shall use non-invasive species and should consider drought-tolerant and native plantings where appropriate. Where feasible, landscaped islands shall be built below the grade of the impermeable parking surfaces so that runoff from the site is directed into them. Planting along the perimeter of a parking area whether for required screening or general landscaping, shall not be considered as part of this 5% landscaping.

(l)

No reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces which are required by this Article shall be allowed and no existing off-street parking spaces shall be eliminated by the replacement or enlargement of an existing building or structure; provided, that this subsection shall not operate to prevent the elimination of existing parking spaces which are in excess of the number required by this article.

(m)

Any outdoor lighting designed for the purpose of illuminating outdoor areas such as walks, driveways, doorways, outdoor recreational facilities and all accessory uses shall be continuous non-flashing, indirect and installed and shielded in such a manner that will prevent direct light from shining upon any other property in a residence district.

(n)

In the Business Zones and Industrial Zones, PSCD and RMUD, the off-street parking requirements of § 6.01 may be satisfied with the use of a stacked parking configuration. For the purposes of this § 6.02(n) stacked parking shall mean a parking space, including enclosed garage parking spaces, where within a parking space vehicles may be parked with one vehicle behind another, with a maximum two vehicles in each stack. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 6.02(b) above, each parking space shall be marked and shall not be less than eight feet in width and 17 feet in length for angle parking or 22 feet in length for parallel parking, exclusive of drives, walks and maneuvering space. One of the two vehicles in each stack shall have direct access to an aisle or drive-way having a minimum width of 24 feet in the case of two-way traffic or in the case of one-way traffic the minimum aisle width provided in § 6.02(c). The surfaced area of off-street parking areas shall be set back a minimum of five feet from all buildings and lot lines. Such setback areas, except for entrance and exit drives, shall be properly landscaped with grass, trees, shrubs, flowers and other landscaping materials.

§ 6.03 Required off-street loading spaces.

Off-street loading facilities shall be provided for new structures and new additions in accordance with the following table:

Type of Use	Number of Loading Bays Required by Gross Floor Area of Structures (in 1000's of sq ft)
	For each
	2-15	15-50	50-100	100-150	add'l 150
Retail trade, wholesale, storage industry, communications and utilities	1	2	3	4	1
Office building, hotel, dormitory, institution, recreation and education	1	1	1	1	1

The Planning Board shall be the determining authority in the event of a conflict in interpretation as to the category of the principal use, or as to the Gross Floor Area (or open lot) in a given use.

Where the computation of required off-street loading spaces results in a fractional number, a fraction of one-half or more shall be counted as one.

The aggregate number of spaces required for each of several uses separately may be provided on a common lot serving all of these uses.

§ 6.04 Design and layout of off-street loading facilities.

Each required space shall be no less than 12 feet in width, 14 feet in height and 30 feet in length in a Business District and 50 feet in length in an Industrial District (except for entirely residential projects in the I-3 District and Hotels in the I-1 District), exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served.

There shall be appropriate means of access to a street or alley as well as adequate maneuvering space.

The maximum width of driveways and sidewalk openings measured at the street lot line shall be 30 feet; the minimum width shall be 20 feet.

Loading spaces may be enclosed in a structure and must be so enclosed if located within 50 feet of a residence district where the use involves regular night operation.

All accessory driveways and entrance-ways shall be graded, surfaced, drained, to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, to the extent necessary to prevent nuisances of dust, erosion, or excessive water flow across public ways, or onto adjacent properties.

Such facilities shall be designed and used in such a manner as at no time to constitute a nuisance, or a hazard or unreasonable impediment to traffic.

§ 6.05 Outdoor automobile storage, new or used vehicles.

All storage of motor vehicles in connection with any permitted use, including new and used automobile sales and display, and motor vehicle service, repair and auto body work shall be regulated by the provisions of this § 6.05, except for gasoline service stations, which shall be regulated by § 6.06 below.

Storage of motor vehicles may be provided in a stacked configuration. For purposes of this § 6.05, a stacked configuration shall mean placing vehicles one directly behind another and/or directly beside another.

Any layout of an area for the storage of motor vehicles shall be designed to provide sufficient pedestrian access to all stored vehicles and the storage area of the lot by emergency vehicles and equipment to maintain adequate safety standards.

Any layout of an area for the storage of motor vehicles shall be designed to provide adequate space for the movement and maneuvering of the vehicles on the lot as to minimize the use of public ways for the maneuvering of vehicles.

The maximum width of driveways and sidewalk openings measured at the street lot line shall be 24 feet; the minimum width shall be 20 feet.

All accessory driveway and entrance ways shall be graded, surfaced, and drained to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works and to the extent necessary to prevent nuisances of dust, erosion or excess water flow across public ways or onto adjacent properties.

All areas used for the storage of motor vehicles shall be designed and used in such a manner as at no time to constitute a nuisance, hazard, or unreasonable impediment to traffic.

All storage of motor vehicles shall be screened as provided in § 4.14.

Any outdoor lighting designed to illuminate any outdoor areas used for the storage of motor vehicles, or areas related thereto such as walks, driveways, or doorways shall be continuous, non-flashing, indirect and installed and shielded in such a manner that will prevent direct light from shining upon any other property in a residence district.

(j)

The storage of non-garaged unregistered motor vehicles for more than 60 days on parcels not authorized by this Zoning Ordinance for the storage or repair of said motor vehicles is prohibited, and shall constitute a violation of this ordinance.

§ 6.06 Gasoline service stations.

The use of a lot as a gasoline service station permitted by this Zoning Ordinance shall be regulated by the provisions of this § 6.06.

No driveway shall be permitted to any street that carries traffic at such speed or in such quantity that the Board of Appeals deems that access to or egress from a gasoline service station at such a location will create hazardous conditions.

The maximum width of driveways and sidewalk openings measured at the street lot line shall be 24 feet; the minimum width shall be 20 feet.

The minimum distance of driveways, measured at lot line, shall be used as follows: from corner lot line, 20 feet; from interior side lot line, 10 feet; from other driveway on same lot, 20 feet.

The minimum setback of gasoline pumps from all street lot lines shall be 12 feet.

A raised curb at least six inches in height shall be constructed along all lot lines except at driveway openings.

Unless located in an I-1 District, all major repairs, including bodywork and all washing and lubricating, shall be carried on inside the building.

The area of the lot not landscaped and so maintained shall be graded, surfaced with asphalt or other suitable material, and drained to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works to the extent necessary to prevent nuisances of dust, erosion, or excessive water flow across public ways or onto adjacent properties.

All vehicles on a lot used as a gasoline service station shall be screened from any lot which is in a residence district as required by § 4.14 or as may be otherwise required by the Board of Appeals.

§ 6.07 Bicycle parking.