The purposes of this article are to adequately provide for the parking needs of all uses in the Township, to reduce traffic congestion on public streets by getting parking off streets and to allow faster emergency access. The secondary purposes include providing for special parking needs of handicapped drivers and providing flexibility in meeting the Township's parking needs by methods such as common parking arrangements.
A. 
Basic requirements. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements in § 395-156 below. All such off-street parking areas shall be provided on the same parcel of land as the use or building they serve, except as modified by § 395-158.
B. 
Existing structures and uses. No building or use of land lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be subject to the requirements of § 395-156, so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed so as to require additional parking.
C. 
Provision and retention of facilities. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the use exists which the facilities were designed to serve. Off-street parking facilities shall not be reduced in total extent except when such reduction is in conformity with this article.
D. 
Change or extension of use. Whenever a structure is altered or a use is changed or extended which increases the parking requirements of § 395-156, then the total additional parking required for the alteration, change or extension shall be provided in accordance with § 395-156.
A. 
Where a use is not specifically listed in this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall apply the standards of the most similar use listed to determine the number of parking spaces required.
B. 
If the computation of the parking ratios listed in § 395-156 results in a fraction, an additional parking space shall be required.
C. 
All parking areas, loading areas and driveways shall be graded and surfaced with asphalt or other suitable materials to prevent dust and erosion. Such areas shall also be drained in conformance with Township standards to prevent excessive water flow onto streets or adjoining properties.
D. 
In off-street parking areas with five or more spaces, each space shall be clearly line-striped and maintained.
E. 
Freestanding establishments located within shopping centers shall have adequate parking as required in § 395-156 and will not rely on common parking to meet the aforementioned requirements, except where the conditions of § 395-158 are met.
F. 
All parking areas with five or more spaces shall be adequately lighted so as to assist in the safe maneuvering of motor vehicles and to provide security for users of the lot. All lighting shall be arranged to avoid glare on adjacent properties.
G. 
Parking or storage of disabled, partially dismantled, or junk cars, trucks, boats or other vehicles shall be permitted on a lot for a continuous period of not more than 10 days.
H. 
Parking areas serving townhouse or multifamily developments of 10 or more units shall provide off-street parking spaces for guests, in addition to the spaces required in § 395-156. Such additional spaces for guests shall be provided at a rate of one space for every 10 spaces provided.
I. 
Where a use is not specifically listed in this chapter or no parking standards are provided for the use, the Zoning Officer shall apply standards of the most similar use to determine the number of parking spaces.
A. 
Residential uses.
Use
Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1)
Single-and two-family dwelling
3 for every dwelling unit
(2)
Townhouse
3 for every dwelling unit
(3)
Multifamily dwelling
1 1/2 for one-bedroom unit, 2 1/2 for two-bedroom unit, and 3 for three-bedroom unit
(4)
Conversion
2 per unit
(5)
Community residence facility
1 for every 2 bedrooms, plus 1 for each employee
B. 
Public or private recreational uses.
Use
Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1)
Private clubs
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area, plus the requirements for bars and restaurants (§ 395-156D) below
(2)
Bowling alley
4 for each lane, plus the requirements for any accessory uses within bowling alley
(3)
Gymnasium stadium
1 for every 4 seats
(4)
Outdoor recreation
1 for every 2,000 square feet of area devoted to such use
(5)
Indoor recreation
1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area
C. 
Governmental, institutional and educational uses.
Use
Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1)
Auditoriums, churches, and other places of public assembly
1 for every 3 seats, plus 1 for every 150 square feet of meeting room area
(2)
Community center, municipal building, library or similar use
1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area
(3)
Child day-care center
1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each adult attendant. This shall be in addition to the parking requirements of the primary use, such as a school or church, if applicable
(4)
Secondary, primary, and nursery schools
1 for each faculty member or other full-time employee, plus 2 for each classroom, plus 1 for every 12 students aged 16 years or older
(5)
Business or trade school
1 space for each teacher, plus 1 for each classroom, plus 1 for every 2 full-time students, plus 1 for every 2 full-time employees
(6)
Museum
1 space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area
D. 
Retail, commercial and other business uses.
Use
Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1)
Retail store or shop
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area
(2)
Furniture or appliance store
1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area
(3)
Convenience store
1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 for every 2 employees on shift of greatest employment
(4)
Supermarket
1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area
(5)
Personal service businesses such as barber shops, shoe repair, etc.
1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 for every 2 employees on shift of greatest employment
(6)
Shopping center
1 for every 250 square feet of gross leasable floor area
(7)
Professional and other offices
1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area
(8)
Banks, credit unions, and savings and loans
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 for very 2 employees on shift of greatest employment
(9)
Medical, dental, veterinary offices or clinics
1 for every 100 square feet of waiting room space, plus 2 for each practitioner
(10)
Restaurant
(a)
Sit-down
1 for every 3 seats or 1 for every 40 square feet devoted to patron use, whichever is greater, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
(b)
Restaurant, drive-through
1 for every 75 square feet of drive-through gross floor area, plus 1 for every 2 service employees on the shift of greatest employment
(11)
Bar, tavern
(a)
Without live entertainment and/or dancing,
1 for every 100 square feet of gross floor area
(b)
With live entertainment and/or dancing
1 for every 30 square feet of gross floor area of said bar, tavern, cocktail lounge, night club, including hotels and motels with similar uses
(12)
Movie theater or place of amusement
1 for every 3 seats, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment
(13)
Funeral home
1 for every 75 square feet of floor area in viewing rooms or parlors, plus 1 for each official funeral car, plus 1 for every 2 employees exclusive of the resident family members
(14)
Bed-and-breakfast
1 for every lodging room, plus 2 for the resident family, plus 1 for each employee where such employees are present
The facility shall comply with all other applicable requirements of this article
(15)
Hotel, motel, inn, lodge
1 for each unit, plus 1 for every 3 seats in any restaurant or banquet facility accessory to said hotel, motel, inn, or lodge, plus 1 for every 2 employees on shift of greatest employment
(16)
Car wash
(a)
Standard
10 per bay for stacking, plus 4 for standing between the exit of the facility and the street, plus 1 for each employee on shift of greatest employment
(b)
Self-service
4 per bay for stacking, plus 2 per bay for standing between the facility and the street
(17)
Laundromat
1 for every 2 washing self-service machines
(18)
Automobile service and repair
2 spaces, either within or outside the structure, for every 200 square feet of floor or devoted to repair or service facilities, plus such space as is necessary for vehicles purchasing gasoline or being stored. In no case shall the spaces for permitted motor vehicle storage in conjunction with a service station be fewer than 5
(19)
Repair or tradesman's shop, e.g., carpenter, plumber, etc.
1 for every 400 feet of gross floor area
(20)
Temporary uses such as sale of Christmas trees, flowers, produce and other goods
1 for every 200 square feet of sales space, but in no case fewer than 3 spaces
(21)
Marina
1 for each boat slip, plus 1 for every 400 square feet of retail sales area or boat service or repair or area
E. 
Industrial and other related uses.
Use
Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1)
Research, development, light assembly, air freight
For buildings with less than 10,000 gross floor area, 1 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, but not less than 5 spaces
For buildings with 10,000 square feet or more of gross floor area, 1 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, but not less than 10 spaces
(2)
Storage, manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, wholesale, heavy industry
For buildings with less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, 1 for every 1,500 square feet of gross floor area, but not less than 5 spaces
For buildings with 10,000 square feet or more of gross floor area, 1 for every 1,500 square feet of gross floor area, but not less than 10 spaces
(3)
Small collection facility for recycling
2 for each facility
(4)
Buildings or uses other than specified
1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area for buildings. For open areas, 1 for every 300 square feet of lot area, except when otherwise authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception consistent with the principles set forth herein for comparable buildings
A. 
The size of a standard parking space shall be nine feet wide by 18 feet long, an area of 162 square feet.
B. 
Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be 13 feet wide by 18 feet long, an area of 234 square feet. Parking spaces for the handicapped must be located as close as possible to public entrances and ramps to buildings. Each space must be clearly marked with proper signage.
C. 
Handicapped spaces shall be provided in the amounts required below:
Total Parking Spaces
Number of Required Handicapped Spaces
10 to 25
1
26 to 50
2
51 to 75
3
76 to 100
4
100+
Maintain 1:25 ratio of handicap to total parking spaces
D. 
In parking areas with 20 or more spaces, a maximum of 20% of the spaces may be designated for compact cars. Such spaces shall be eight feet wide and 16 feet long and shall be clearly marked "for compact cars only."
E. 
All parking areas for five or more vehicles shall be designed so that vehicles need not back directly into a public street but can enter and leave the parking area in a forward motion.
F. 
All parking shall be accessible from a street or driveway. A minimum driveway width of 24 feet is required for two-way traffic.
G. 
Every parking lot or area with 10 or more off-street spaces shall be separated from the street or highway by a raised curb, planting strip, wall or other suitable barrier of not less than five feet wide against un-channeled motor vehicle entrance or exit, except for necessary accessways or exits.
H. 
Drive-through establishments such as fast order and pick-up, automatic bank teller and similar uses shall provide no fewer than five waiting spaces for each drive-through lane. This is in addition to the space for the car being serviced.
I. 
Where a parking lot is a main use, such lot shall be enclosed by a fence or wall.
A. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent collective provision of off-site parking facilities for two or more nonresidential buildings or uses. However, the total of such off-site parking facilities provided collectively shall be not less than the sum of requirements for the various uses compiled separately and provided that such off-site parking is not farther than 500 feet from the use farthest from the parking area. The Township Commissioners must approve off-site facilities.
B. 
Two or more nonresidential uses may provide for required parking in a common parking area, provided that such area is on or adjacent to such uses. The number of spaces required in such a common parking area may be reduced below the sum of the total requirements if it can be demonstrated to the CEO that the hours or days of peak parking demand for the uses are so different that a lower overall total of parking spaces will adequately provide for the uses to be served. In such case sufficient parking shall be provided to meet the minimum needs of the use that requires the greater parking area.
A. 
The minimum size loading space shall be 50 feet long by 12 feet wide, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served. Any overhead canopy should extend a minimum of four feet beyond a loading dock.
B. 
All loading spaces shall have adequate access from a street or way that does not block or interfere with required parking as specified in § 395-156. This required loading space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
C. 
Every building or use of land consisting of over 5,000 square feet of gross floor area designed or used for commercial or industrial uses shall be provided with loading spaces as follows:
Total Gross Floor Area
Number of Loading Spaces Required
Between 5001 and 15,000 square feet
1 space
15,001 to 50,000 square feet
2 spaces
50,001 to 100,000 square feet
3 spaces
Each additional 100,000 square feet
1 additional space
D. 
In no case shall public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials. Furthermore, no loading dock or space shall be located or arranged in such a way that it is necessary to back any vehicle into or off any public right-of-way or require the use of any public right-of-way maneuvering space.
E. 
All accessory driveways and entrance ways shall be graded, paved and drained to Township standards to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance of dust, erosion, or excessive water flow across streets and adjoining properties.
F. 
All off-street loading berths shall be provided on either the side or rear of the lot. In no case shall off-street loading berths be provided in the front of the lot.
G. 
Such facilities shall be designed and created to constitute, at no time, a nuisance, hazard, or impediment to traffic.
A. 
Screening between any parking area and the street line shall be effective at the time of occupancy, subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
All off-street parking areas that provide more than five parking spaces shall be screened from any abutting property in a more restrictive zoning classification.
(2) 
Effective screening may be accomplished through the use of the following: plant materials, fencing or walls and/or mounding through the use of an earthen berm forming a continuous visual buffer.
(3) 
The area for planting and fencing, walls or earthen berms shall not extend beyond the street line.
(4) 
When planted visual screens are employed, the following shall apply:
(a) 
A buffer planting strip shall be provided. It shall be a minimum of five feet in width unless specifically required otherwise in this chapter.
(b) 
Planted visual screens shall be of sufficient height and density to constitute a continuous visual screen six feet in height at the time of planting except as provided below.
(5) 
Whenever fencing or walls are employed, they shall meet the provisions of the Tinicum Township Fence Ordinance No. 709.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 131, Fences.
(6) 
Whenever earthen berms are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual screen shall be not less than five feet.
B. 
Landscaping within any parking area which provides 20 or more parking spaces shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
Off-street parking areas shall be landscaped to reduce wind and air turbulence, heat, noise and the glare of automobile lights; to reduce the level of carbon dioxide; to provide shade; to improve stormwater drainage problems; to replenish the groundwater table; and to provide for a more attractive setting.
(2) 
The interior of each parking lot shall have at least one three-inch-caliper deciduous shade tree for every 15 parking spaces if there are no existing shade trees to satisfy this requirement. Shrubs and other plant materials are encouraged to be used to complement the trees but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping. These trees shall be in addition to those required as an effective screen. Trees selected for landscaping in parking areas shall be of a species proven to be salt and dust resistant.
(3) 
Landscaped areas at least five feet wide shall be provided around the periphery of parking areas. Such areas shall, at a minimum, extend the full length for necessary accessways, to prevent the encroachment of moving vehicles into parking areas.
(4) 
Planted landscaped islands between every 20 parking spaces or at the end of each parking row, whichever is less, shall be provided and shall be the length and width of the parking spaces.
(5) 
Existing plant material and trees with a caliper of six inches or more shall be preserved wherever possible during construction. Such existing plants may be credited toward the amount of required plantings.