City of Lavon, TX Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations

No more than two (2) rows of parking with a combined maximum of sixty (60) feet in width shall be allowed for nonresidential uses between the principal building or use and the front yard. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the main street zoning district all parking shall be to the side and rear of the principal building.

Parking shall be primarily to the side and rear of the principal use and shall not be within the front yard or the side yard.

Cross access easements shall be required of retail developments to adjoining retail or commercial zoned areas to ensure cross access to future median breaks of public highways and streets and to reduce the number of needed curb cuts for driveways.

(d)

Shared parking agreements shall be required at final platting where proposed shared parking is approved as a way to reduce parking space requirements otherwise required by this division or other city ordinance.

(e)

Access/ingress/egress.

Driveways from a public street to the required parking space shall be constructed of reinforced concrete[.]

Driveways serving all uses should be spaced a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the intersection of a public street or as required by the Texas Department of Transportation on state maintained roads.

All ingress and egress driveways shall have a minimum turning radius of thirty (30) feet unless more is required for truck delivery.

(4)

Driveways shall maintain the required sight distance triangle at all perimeter entrances and exists.

(5)

Nonresidential development main entrances shall be located at the public street or road median breaks providing a left turn access to and from the site.

(6)

Cross access easements from adjoining commercial property shall be required.

(7)

Main entrance drives should connect to a “straightaway” aisle that does not dead end or require an immediate turn to approach the principal use.

(8)

Parking aisles intersecting with entrance drives shall be spaced at a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the property line to provide for smooth turning movements.

(9)

The standard required parking space shall be not less than one hundred sixty-two (162) square feet - measuring approximately, in feet, nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet.

(10)

A compact car space shall be no less than one hundred twenty-eight square feet (128') measuring approximately, eight (8) feet by sixteen (16) feet.

(11)

Bus or recreational vehicle parking shall not be less than six hundred (600) square feet measuring approximately ten (10) feet by fifty (50) feet.

(12)

The surface of the area of a residential off-street parking area shall be constructed of four (4) inches of reinforced concrete or one and one-half (1-1/2) inches of hot mix asphalt, cobble stones or bricks, on a stabilized base four (4) inches thick, or by special permission of the city engineer or director of public works, other suitable surfaces that complement the architectural style of the property shall be allowed.

(13)

Commercial parking areas and lots shall be constructed of six (6) inches of reinforced concrete.

(f)

Street/driveway intersection visibility/site triangles.

All site plans shall show the required site triangle on both sides of each proposed drive/street to the proposed principle use or proposed development with the grades, curb, elevations, proposed street/drive locations and all items (both natural and manmade) within the site triangle. The plan for the site triangle shall show no visibility restrictions either horizontal or vertical within the site triangle area.

No fence, wall, screen, sign face, tree or shrub, foliage, berm or other item either manmade or natural shall be maintained, erected or planted in the site triangle area; provided however, on non-residentially zoned lots, a mounting of a single pole for a sign not exceeding twelve (12) inches in diameter shall be allowed, provided every portion of the sign other than the pole has a minimum height clearance of nine (9) feet.

Vision clearance, at all intersections, shall be clear at elevations between twenty-four (24) inches and nine (9) feet above the top of the curb elevation within a triangle area formed by extending the two (2) curb lines from their point of intersection for the minimum distances listed below for the applicable intersection, and connecting these points with an imaginary line, thereby making [a] triangle. If no curbs are proposed or exist, the triangle area shall be formed by extending the property lines from their point of intersection for a distance, as noted below and connecting these points with an imaginary line, thereby making a triangle as shown below.

Two (2) public streets - the minimum required distance along each curb, from the curbs’ point of intersection shall be thirty (30) feet, and the minimum required distance along each property line, from the point of intersection of the property lines, within a curb, shall be twenty (20) feet.

Public street intersection with a private driveway - the minimum required distance, along the curb, from the curb point of intersection with the driveway shall be fifteen (15) feet, and the minimum required distance along the property line from the property line intersection, on streets without a curb, shall be ten (10) feet.

Public street intersections with an alley - minimum required distance, along the curb, from the curb intersection shall be twenty-five (25) feet, and the minimum required distance along the property line, from the property line intersection, on streets without a curb, shall be 15 feet.

(D)

The required standards for both vertical and horizontal sight distance requirements set forth in the latest edition of AASHTO green book “policy on geometric design of highways and streets” for the construction of both public street intersections and private drive intersections shall be met unless otherwise approve[d] by the city engineer. If in the opinion of the city engineer, a proposed street or drive intersection may not meet these standards, additional engineering information exhibiting how the standards have been addressed may be required for submission and approval by the city engineer.

(g)

Parking lots shall be adequately lit and shall include pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks and pedestrian ways perpendicular to the main building. Trash receptacles shall be provided. Grocery cart parking shall be placed in controlled areas throughout the parking lots when carts are provided.

(h)

Minimum one (1) pedestrian walkway (minimum five (5) foot wide (beyond the bumper overhang) through the parking lot to the building shall be provided.

(i)

Parking lots shall be screened from view along sidewalks and roadways through the combined use of free forming berms, low masonry walls and plantings.

(j)

Trees shall be placed in islands, medians, and perimeter areas adjacent to the parking lots (excluding street trees).

(k)

No landscaped area within the parking lot shall be less than one hundred (100) square feet.

(l)

Landscape islands, medians, perimeter curbs and sidewalks shall contain an eighteen (18) inch wide concrete or decorative paver curb along the inside of the feature that abuts parking stalls to allow patrons to avoid treading over landscaping.

(Ordinance 2018-03-02, sec. 9.1.8.2, adopted 3/20/18)

§ 9.03.173 Off-street parking requirements.

In all zoning districts, off-street parking, also known as on-site parking, shall be provided for each of the uses identified herein-below at the ratios specified herein at the time any building or structure is (1) erected; or (2) structurally altered, or at such other time when the use of an existing building is changed, except as otherwise specified by this chapter. The ratios specified herein shall be considered the minimum number of on-site vehicle parking spaces required by the city and these minimum ratios are not intended to be reflective of current market or industry trends.

Parking requirements:

Alcohol: brewpub (on- and/or off-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of retail or event area for businesses including on-premises consumption, plus one (1) parking space per employee on the largest shift.

Alcohol: manufacturing and distribution (on- and/or off-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of retail or event area for businesses including on-premises consumption, plus one (1) parking space per employee on the largest shift. Businesses within this use without on-premises consumption, one (1) parking space per employee and one (1) space for each five hundred (500) square feet of showroom space.

Alcohol: mixed beverage package store/retailer (on- and/or off-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of building floor area.

(4)

Alcohol: mixed beverage sales (on-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of building floor area.

(5)

Alcohol: wine and malt beverage package store/retailer (on- and/or off-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of building floor area.

(6)

Alcohol: wine and malt beverage sales (on-premises consumption) - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of building floor area.

(7)

Auditorium or similar gathering assembly - one (1) parking space for every four (4) seats.

(8)

Bank or financial institution - one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of floor area.

(9)

Cemetery or mausoleum - cemetery parking requirement at a rate of 2.5 percent of the cemetery site dedicated to off street parking. For a cemetery gathering building, room or public structure the parking requirement shall be a minimum of one (1) parking space for each 300 (three hundred) square feet of building or structure space. The interior roadways (non-public streets and roadways) of the cemetery may act to meet the cemetery parking requirement except for the building parking space requirement which shall be at a rate of 300 per square feet.

(10)

Church - one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of floor area, except that for assembly areas one (1) space shall be provided for every four (4) seats in an assembly area.

(11)

Civic center - one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of floor area, except that for assembly areas one (1) space shall be provided for every four (4) seats in an assembly area.

(12)

Educational facility - one (1) parking space per each employee plus one (1) parking space for every four (4) classrooms for elementary levels, plus one (1) parking space for every four (4) students for secondary and higher levels of education.

(13)

General office - one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of floor space.

(14)

Group home - four (4) parking spaces.

(15)

Home based bed and breakfast business - one (1) parking space for each sleeping room.

(16)

Hospital or medical/health care facility - one (1) parking [space] for every two (2) patient beds plus one (1) parking space for every one and one-half (1-1/2) employees.

(17)

Hotels and motels: one (1) parking space for each sleeping room plus one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of meeting or commercial assembly floor area.

(18)

Library - one (1) parking space for every four hundred (400) square feet of floor area.

(19)

Manufacturer home park development - two (2) parking spaces per single residential unit and one (1) community parking space within a community parking area for every two (2) residential units.

(20)

Manufacturing and assembly - one and one half (1-1/2) parking spaces for every one (1) employee for businesses with two (2) or more work shifts, one (1) parking space per employee for businesses with one (1) work shift.

(21)

Medical office or clinic - one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of floor area.

(22)

Multifamily dwellings.

One (1) parking space for each dwelling unit have two (2) or fewer bedrooms.

Two (2) parking spaces for each dwelling unit have more than two (2) bedrooms.

One (1) guest parking for every five (5) dwelling units.

(D)

Recreational vehicle and utility vehicle storage area of one (1) space for every five (5) dwelling units.

(23)

Personal services including spas, beauty and barber shops, one (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of floor area.

(24)

Recreational, amusement, health club, country clubs, and similar membership uses - public or private:

One (1) parking space for every two hundred (200) square feet of building floor area.

Two (2) parking spaces for every outside or inside game court.

One (1) parking space for each four (4) seats of outdoor assembly bleachers or indoor seating.

(D)

Seventy (70) spaces for every playing field used for league play.

(E)

Two (2) parking spaces for every golf course green or driving range tee.

(F)

Five (5) parking spaces for every bowling alley.

(25)

Retail sales uses, including general merchandise and/or grocery store - one (1) parking space for every two hundred and fifty (250) square feet of building floor area.

(26)

Restaurants - one (1) parking space for every three (3) seats with a minimum of eight (8) parking spaces provided and one and one-half (1-1/2) parking spaces per employee.

(27)

Service providers to the general public other than listed in this division - one (1) parking space for every three hundred (300) square feet of building floor area.

(28)

Single dwelling unit including a manufactured home - two (2) covered parking spaces for each dwelling unit located behind the front yard building line and not within the side yard.

(29)

Warehousing/distribution center - one (1) parking space per each employee on one (1) shift and one and one half (1-1/2) parking spaces per employee for two (2) or more work shifts.

Mini-warehouses, self-storage - one (1) parking space per employee and one (1) parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of office and showroom space.

Retail showroom/warehouse - one (1) parking space per employee and one (1) space for each five hundred (500) square feet of showroom space.

(30)

Unclassified use - for uses not included above, one (1) parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area.

Rules for computing number of parking spaces. In computing the number of parking spaces required for each of the above uses the following rules shall govern:

The term “floor area” means the gross floor area of the specific use.

Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be constructed to be the next higher whole number.

Whenever a building or use is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity, or otherwise, to create a need for an increase in the number of existing parking spaces, such spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. Whenever any building is enlarged to the extent of 50 percent or more in floor area or in the area used, said building or use shall then and thereafter comply with the parking requirements set forth herein.

(4)

In the case of mixed uses, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.

(5)

In the case of potential conflicts between parking requirements in computation of requirements, the requirement resulting in the most required spaces shall apply.

(Ordinance 2018-03-02, sec. 9.1.8.3, adopted 3/20/18; Ordinance 2022-07-02 adopted 7/19/22)

§ 9.03.174 Off-street loading site design requirements.

Exterior loading space(s) shall be located to the rear or side of the principal use and not within the front yard or side yard. A minimum ten (10) foot screening wall of masonry or dense landscaping shall be required to screen views of loading docks and loading spaces from any public right-of-way or adjoining residential zone or residential use. If masonry is utilized said masonry shall match the masonry used on the principal building.

Driveways from the public street to the loading space shall be constructed of reinforced concrete.

Drive through service bays shall not be located adjacent to a residential zone or residential property.

(Ordinance 2018-03-02, sec. 9.1.8.4, adopted 3/20/18)

§ 9.03.175 Off-street loading space requirements.

For alcohol-related uses:

A minimum of one striped off-street loading space, not conflicting with fire lanes, drive aisles, or off-street parking, shall be required for alcohol-related uses as follows:

Alcohol: manufacturing and distribution without on-premises consumption - 12 feet by 60 feet.

All other alcohol-related uses – 12 feet by 35 feet.

Distance from property lines shall be as follows:

Any loading dock or structure and its associated loading spaces shall be:

(i)

Set back a minimum distance of 200 feet from any adjacent residential use or zoning district;

(ii)

Set back a minimum distance of 75 feet from any public street or front property line; and

(iii)

Oriented away from the street frontage.

Any loading spaces not associated with a loading dock or structure shall be set back a minimum distance of 50 feet from any adjacent residential use or zoning district, and there shall be no minimum setback if the subject property abuts a nonresidential use or lot line.

In instances where a property has more than one street frontage, the bay doors shall be oriented away from the street frontage with the greatest width. If the streets are the same width, then the bay doors shall be oriented away from the property’s front lot line.

Loading docks which customarily receives goods between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and are adjacent to a residential use or districts shall be designed and constructed to enclose the loading operation on three sides to reduce noise, with the open end directed away from residential property.

Amusement, health club and similiar uses - one (1) loading space plus one (1) additional loading space for each twenty-five thousand (25,000) squart feet of building space over twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet.