(A) 
The minimum off-street parking and loading standards contained herein are established to secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; to lessen congestion in the street; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation; to conserve the value of buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land.
(B) 
Except as hereinafter provided, no building or structure or part thereof shall be erected, altered or converted for any use permitted in the district in which it is located unless there shall be provided on the lot or tract, or on an immediately adjacent lot or tract, or on an immediately adjacent lot or tract across an alley or a street, which parking at herein stated ratios of which spaces for the uses specified in the designated districts, except that an established use lawfully existing at the effective date of this ordinance need not provide which parking as hereinafter set forth unless it is remodeled or altered to the extent that paragraph 28.03(I) applies, and that no existing vehicle parking spaces in connection with said use at the effective date of this ordinance may be reduced below the minimum number of spaces as hereinafter required. As used herein, “immediately adjacent” means sharing a common boundary with at least one-half of the dimension of the boundary of the adjoining lot or tract, whether or not such lots or tracts are separated by a street or alley. Where off-street parking for any use is to be provided on an adjacent lot or tract, it shall be consolidated under a single certificate of occupancy with the main use. In the event that the parking area is sold separately from the main use, no building permits will be issued for construction on the parking area without first achieving compliance with the requirements for parking to be provided under separate ownership or providing replacement parking and securing a new certificate of occupancy for the main use.
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)
Floor area:
The gross floor area of the specific use.
Maneuvering space:
The space required for maneuvering vehicles into and out of parking spaces in such a manner as to preclude the backing of any vehicle into any street right-of-way.
Parking space:
An area measuring approximately one hundred eighty (180) square feet or as otherwise provided for in Section 28.06 not on a public street or alley, surfaced with an all-weather surface or gravel surface, enclosed or unenclosed, together with an all-weather surfaced driveway connecting the parking space with a street or alley permitted [permitting] unimpeded ingress and egress.
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)
(A) 
In computing the parking requirements for any building or development, the total parking requirements shall be the sum of the specific parking space requirements for each type of use included in the building or development.
(B) 
Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the largest whole.
(C) 
Where questions arise concerning the minimum off-street parking requirement for any use not specifically listed, the requirements shall be interpreted, as provided for in Section 15, as those of a similar listed use.
(D) 
Head-in parking at any angle adjacent to a public street wherein the maneuvering is done on a public street shall not be permitted. It shall be permitted for vehicles to back into the street from driveways serving single-family and duplex residential activities.
(E) 
No off-street parking shall be permitted in the required front yard in any district except upon a driveway providing access to a garage, carport, or parking area for a single-family or duplex dwelling, except as provided for in the R-2 District in Section 24.08 (25) [24.07].
(F) 
No supporting member or other portion of any garage, carport, or other vehicle storage structure shall be located within a required front yard.
(G) 
In certain cases, fire lanes are required; for applicability refer to Chapter 6, Section 602.6 of the 1988 Standard Fire Prevention Code as approved, adopted and amended by the City Council of the City of Atlanta.
(H) 
Stall bumpers of some form are desirable aids for quick, safe parking. They minimize the possibility of damage to vehicles in opposing stalls. They encourage drivers to pull all the way into a parking stall which creates a more uniform parking depth, leading to less aisle encroachment. The resulting orderly parking would allow vacant stalls to be located more easily.
(I) 
After the effective date of this chapter, whenever a property 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 of less than fifty (50) percent over the number of existing parking spaces, new parking spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. Whenever a building or use existing prior to the effective date of this chapter is enlarged to the extent of fifty (50) percent or more in floor area used, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise, said building or use shall then and thereafter comply with the parking requirements set forth herein.
(J) 
A building permit shall be required for any new parking area or change in an existing parking area. For new construction the permit may be considered part of the building permit for the structure.
(K) 
A driveway permit will be obtained from the City of Atlanta before any person removes, alters, or constructs a curb, approach, or gutter on any public property. One of the requirements in obtaining a permit is the submission of a scaled plat plan showing the location of property lines, streets, alleys, proposed construction, proposed and/or existing off-street stripped-off parking, and all existing buildings or structures on the lot.
(L) 
The Building Official has the authority to prohibit a driveway in a requested location as long as there is adequate access to the property.
(M) 
In cases where the provision of a driveway for access to a parking area would cause too many driveways to be located along a street in the opinion of the Building Official and City Manager, a legally documented access easement across adjacent property(s) may be required in order to aid in maintaining smooth traffic circulation and to minimize opportunities for conflicts between vehicles.
(N) 
In any case where the required parking spaces are not located on the same property with the activity or establishment, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, a written agreement thereby assuring their retention for such purposes shall be properly drawn and executed by the parties concerned, approved as to form by the city attorney and shall be filed with the application for a building permit. When required off-street parking is provided off-site, such site shall continue to be so used for parking only so long as the requirement exists or until another approved parking site is provided.
(O) 
Not more than fifty (50) percent of the parking spaces required for theaters, bowling alleys, dance halls, nightclubs or cafes, and up to one hundred (100) percent of the parking spaces required for a church or school auditorium may be provided and used jointly by banks, offices, retail stores, repair shops, service establishments and similar uses not open, used or operated during the same hours; provided that written agreement thereto is properly executed and filed in the office of the Building Official.
(P) 
Location of entrances and exits to parking areas shall be as near to the center of the block as practical so as to minimize traffic interference at the intersections. All entrances and exits must be clearly marked. The exact location of entrances and exits must be approved by the City on a site layout diagram at the time of issuance of a building permit. Entrances on state highways must be approved by the city as well as by the Texas Department of Transportation. The City reserves the right to reduce the number of entrances where requirements of traffic safety demand. The cost of such reductions and entrances will be borne by the applicant.
(Q) 
No building, pole, sign, bush, tree, vehicle or other obstruction to visibility at the intersection of exits or entrances to public streets or alley shall be erected, planted, allowed to grow or parked within a radius of 20 feet of said entrance or exit unless otherwise indicated.
(R) 
The radius of all drive approaches shall be constructed so that the radius shall not extend beyond the projection of the side property line from the front property line to the edge of the street pavement, except by written agreement of both property owners filed in the office of the Building Official. This requirement is illustrated in the following diagram:
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(S) 
The desirable curb return radii are between five (5) and twenty (20) feet. The width of the driveway, street widths, and traffic volumes must be considered when setting curb return radii so as to minimize hazards from entering and exiting traffic.
(T) 
As a general guide, any parking area having a capacity of more than seventy-five (75) spaces should have more than one (1) entrance and one (1) exit and any parking [area] having a capacity of more than one hundred fifty (150) spaces should have entrances and exits on more than one (1) public street or alley. The specific requirements for the number of entrances and exits will be determined by the nature of the establishment, anticipated traffic flow in and around the parking area, and the requirements of traffic safety.
(U) 
Adequate room in compliance with the standards of this ordinance shall be provided on private property for circulation within a parking lot to gain access to parking spaces. Public rights-of-way shall not be used or incorporated into a parking lot for circulation between parking aisles or bays.
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)
Accessible parking must be provided according to the standards in the Architectural Barriers Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)
Amusement park: One (1) space for each five (5) persons able to be accommodated.
Assembly hall (public or private, including churches, auditoriums, or meeting rooms): One (1) space per three (3) seats or per seventy-five (75) square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater.
Auto repair: One (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.
Auto sales: One (1) space per employee plus one (1) space per five hundred (500) square feet of indoor sales area.
Bank, savings and loan, or similar financial establishment: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area.
Bowling alley: Five (5) spaces for each lane.
Brick or lumber yard or similar outdoor storage area: One (1) space per two thousand (2,000) square feet of site area.
Commercial outdoor amusement: Twenty (20) spaces plus one (1) space for each one hundred (100) square feet of floor area over one thousand (1,000) square feet.
Car wash: One (1) space per five hundred (500) square feet of floor area. No parking is required at a self-service car wash.
Child care facilities: One (1) space per six (6) children or as otherwise provided for at the time of approval of a Special Use Permit.
Commercial sports arena, stadium or a gymnasium: One (1) parking space for each four (4) seats or seating spaces.
Dance, fitness, music, or drama studio: One (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.
Dance hall: One (1) space per three (3) seats or per seventy-five (75) square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater.
Driving range: One (1) space per each three (3) persons able to be accommodated plus one (1) space per employee.
Duplex: Two (2) spaces per dwelling unit.
Fraternity or sorority house: One (1) space for each member in residence plus one (1) space for each three (3) additional active members.
Furniture store: One (1) space per five hundred (500) square feet of gross floor area.
Gasoline service station: Minimum of six (6) spaces.
Golf course: Minimum of thirty (30) spaces.
Hospitals: One (1) space for every two (2) beds.
Hotel or motel: One (1) space for each room, unit or guest accommodation. Restaurants, meeting rooms, etc. are counted separate.
Library and museum: One (1) space per employee plus one (1) for each five hundred (500) square feet of floor area.
Lodge or fraternal organization building: One (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.
Machinery sales or repair (indoor): One (1) space per five hundred (500) square feet of gross floor area.
Machinery sales or repair (outdoor): One (1) space per two thousand (2,000) square feet of site area.
Medical or dental clinics or offices: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area (minimum of five (5) spaces).
Mini-warehouse or rental storage unit complex: Four (4) spaces per complex.
Miniature golf: One (1) space per four (4) persons able to be accommodated.
Mobile home: Two (2) spaces per mobile home.
Mortuary or funeral home: One (1) parking space for each fifty (50) square feet of floor space in slumber room parlors or individual funeral service rooms.
Multifamily dwelling: One and one-half (1.5) spaces per dwelling unit for residents plus one space per every five dwelling units for visitors.
Nursing or convalescent home: One (1) space per five (5) beds plus one (1) space for each day staff member.
Office: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area (minimum five (5) spaces).
Participant amusements: One (1) space per five (5) persons able to be accommodated
Quadraplex: Two (2) spaces per dwelling unit.
Retail or personal service: One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of floor area (minimum of five (5) spaces).
Retail sales (outdoor): One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of leasable area including customer circulation areas and display areas.
Residence home for the elderly: One (1) space per dwelling unit.
Restaurant: drive-in, fast food, take-out, or service to auto: Eight (8) spaces plus one (1) space per fifty (50) square feet of seating area.
Restaurant or cafeteria: One (1) space for every three (3) seats under maximum seating arrangement (minimum of five (5) spaces).
Rooming, boarding, or lodging houses: One (1) space per each three (3) sleeping accommodations.
School: business, commercial, or trade: One (1) space for each four (4) students able to be accommodated.
School: elementary, middle, or junior high: One (1) space for each classroom plus one (1) space for each four (4) seats in any auditorium, gymnasium, or other place of assembly.
School: high school or college: One (1) space per each classroom, laboratory or instruction area plus one (1) space for each four (4) students accommodated in the institution.
Single-family dwelling: Two (2) spaces per dwelling unit.
Skating rink: One (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area
Storage of sand, gravel, petroleum products, etc.: One (1) space per two thousand (2,000) square feet of site area.
Tavern, lounge, or private club: One (1) space per fifty (50) square feet of gross floor area.
Theater: One (1) space for each three (3) seats.
Triplex: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.
Unspecified commercial, industrial, and warehouse activities: One (1) space per three (3) employees on the maximum work shift or one (1) space per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater, plus space to accommodate trucks and other vehicles used in connection therewith.
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)
All business uses shall provide and maintain off-street facilities for the loading and unloading of merchandise and goods within the building or on the lot adjacent to a public alley or private service drive to facilitate the movement of traffic on the public street. Such space shall consist of a minimum area of ten (10) feet by twenty-five (25) feet and shall be provided as follows:
Square feet of Gross Floor Area
Loading or Unloading Berths
25,000 or less
1
25,001 to 84,000
2
84,001 to 158,000
3
158,001 to 230,000
4
238,001 [230,001] to 325,000
5
Each 100,000 additional
1 Additional
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)
The minimum parking space standards for the City of Atlanta are shown in Table 1 with all the dimensions being in feet. In Table 1, “long term parking” means that all parking spaces are occupied for a minimum of four hours’ duration. Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are illustrations of the dimensions listed in Table 1 for 8.0 feet stalls, one-way traffic, and commercial driveways. All parking spaces are to be delineated with permanent or semipermanent markings including but not limited to paint striping, concrete or wooden bumpers or curb stops, and pavement marking buttons.
Editor’s note–The parking space dimension table and related figures are located following subsection 28.03(R).
(Ordinance 2017-001 adopted 2/20/17)