The purpose of this article is to ensure the provision of off-street parking facilities that are sufficient in number, adequately sized and properly designed to meet the range of parking needs and demands that are associated with land uses now in place in the City or with land uses allowed by this chapter.
A. 
Where required. In all zoning districts, off-street parking facilities for the storage and parking of vehicles for the use of occupants, employees, and patrons of the buildings hereafter erected, altered, or extended after the effective date of this chapter shall be provided as herein prescribed.
B. 
Existing off-street parking at effective date of chapter. Off-street parking existing at the effective date of this chapter which serves an existing building or use shall not be reduced in size to less than that required under the terms of this chapter.
C. 
Parking in the required greenbelt and setbacks. Off-street parking, including maneuvering lanes, shall not be located within the required front yard setback, except as expressly permitted by this chapter. The Plan Commission may permit parking within the front yard setback when it can be demonstrated that no other reasonable alternative exists. Off-street parking shall be permitted within the required side or rear yard setbacks, provided that when adjacent property is zoned for residential use a minimum ten-foot setback with appropriate screening shall be provided between off-street parking and the side and rear lot lines adjacent to the residential zone. The Plan Commission in the course of its site plan review process may permit off-street parking, including maneuvering aisles, to be placed up to the lot line, provided such parking is screened in accordance with § 770-90D, Screening between land uses.
D. 
Parking duration. Except when land is used as storage space, authorized in connection with a principal permitted or special land use, a twenty-four-hour time limit for parking in nonresidential off-street parking areas shall be required. It shall be unlawful to store or park a wrecked, inoperable and/or unlicensed vehicle within any off-street parking area contained within any zoning district. Parking areas shall not be used for the storage of nonmotorized vehicles or trailers or equipment.
E. 
Units and methods of measurement. For the purpose of determining off-street parking requirements, the following units of measurement shall apply:
(1) 
Floor area. Where floor area is the unit for determining the required number of off-street parking spaces, said unit shall mean the usable floor area, unless otherwise noted herein.
(2) 
Occupancy. For requirements stated in terms of occupancy, the calculation shall be based upon the maximum permitted occupancy determined by the City of Royal Oak Fire Marshal.
(3) 
Places of assembly. In stadiums, sports arenas, religious institutions, theaters, auditoriums, and other places of assembly in which those in attendance occupy benches, pews, or other similar seating facilities, each 24 inches of such shall be counted as one seat. In cases where a place of assembly has both fixed seats and open assembly area, requirements shall be computed separately for each type and added together.
(4) 
Fractional requirements. When units or measurements determining number of required parking spaces result in requirement of a fractional space, any fraction shall require one parking space.
F. 
Location of parking.
(1) 
One-family and two-family dwellings. The off-street parking facilities required for one-family and two-family dwellings shall be located on the same lot as the dwellings that are intended to be served but shall not be considered a parking lot under the provisions of this article. Off-street parking shall be located within the side or rear yards.
(a) 
Parking may be located within the front yard, providing a permit is granted by the Engineering Department, based upon the following conditions:
[1] 
For a horseshoe-shaped driveway on a lot with a minimum width of 60 feet, a minimum front yard depth of 35 feet, and a minimum front yard area of 2,100 square feet.
[2] 
For a T-shaped driveway on a lot with a minimum width of 50 feet, a minimum front yard depth of 30 feet, and a minimum front yard area of 1,500 square feet. The appendage of the T-shaped driveway which lies parallel to the street shall be located not less than 15 feet from the front lot line.
(b) 
Off-street parking areas or an area used for the storage of vehicles shall be hard surfaced as required in Subsection A of § 770-109, Off-street parking lot design and construction.
[Amended 10-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-11]
(c) 
There shall be no more than one driveway per residential dwelling. Said driveway shall be a minimum of eight feet in width and constitute a contiguous area and be hard surfaced as required in Subsection A of § 770-109, Off-street parking lot design and construction.
[Amended 10-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-11]
[1] 
A ribbon driveway consisting of two noncontiguous wheel tracks with a reinforced turf median may be allowed for single-family and two-family dwellings. Each wheel track shall be hard surfaced as required in Subsection A of § 770-109, Off-street parking lot design and construction. The width of each wheel track shall not be less than two feet but shall not exceed three feet. The width as measured from the outside edges of each wheel track shall not be less than the minimum width identified in Subsection F(1)(c) above but shall not exceed 10 feet. The width of the reinforced turf median shall not exceed four feet.
(d) 
Portions of the front, side and rear yards not utilized for such a driveway shall be landscaped.
(2) 
Multiple-family residential. The off-street parking facilities for multiple-family dwellings shall be located on the same lot or site as the dwellings that are intended to be served, and shall consist of a parking lot as set forth in this article. In no event shall any parking space be located further than 300 feet from any principal building.
(3) 
Other land uses. The required off-street parking facilities for other uses shall be located on the same lot or may be serviced by a parking lot within 300 feet of such principal use measured along lines of public access to the property between the nearest points of the parking facility and the principal use to be served. Parking lots for these land uses may also provide the required spaces through collective facilities, as provided for in § 770-106C, Collective provisions.
G. 
Use of parking spaces. The use of required parking spaces for material storage, refuse storage and containers, storage and display of vehicles and/or other merchandise, or for vehicle or machinery repair or maintenance is expressly prohibited.
A. 
The amount of required off-street parking spaces for new uses or buildings, additions thereto, and additions to existing buildings shall be determined in accordance with the schedule set forth in § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements. Parking requirements listed in § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, shall not include off-street stacking spaces for drive-through facilities as set forth in § 770-111, Off-street stacking spaces and lanes for drive-through facilities.
B. 
Similar uses and requirements. When a use is not specifically mentioned in § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, the requirements of off-street parking for a similar use shall apply, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
C. 
Collective provisions. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent collective provisions of off-street parking facilities for two or more buildings or uses, provided such facilities with two or more uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator collectively shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the various individual uses computed separately in accordance with § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, unless otherwise permitted in this chapter. However, the parking requirements may be reduced by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the following rules and standards:
(1) 
Uses for which the joint off-street parking facilities are to serve do not operate during the same hours of the day or night.
(2) 
Not more than 50% of off-street parking facilities required for theaters, auditoriums, religious institutions, bowling alleys, dance halls, and similar establishments or for any restaurants and establishments serving alcoholic beverages, may be supplied by off-street parking facilities provided for other buildings or uses.
(3) 
The required off-street parking for a particular use shall be reduced by its proportionate share of any publicly owned parking lot for which it has been specially assessed.
(4) 
A copy of the executed agreement between joint users of required parking shall be filed with the application for site plan approval. The agreement shall consist of a permanent property easement, lease, or memorandums of lease. The agreement shall be recorded with the Oakland County Register of Deeds with a copy provided to the City of Royal Oak Planning Department before issuance of a building permit.
D. 
Flexibility in application. The City recognizes that, due to the specific requirements of any given development, inflexible application of the parking standards set forth in § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, may result in development with inadequate parking or parking far in excess of that which is needed. The former situation may lead to traffic congestion or unauthorized parking on adjacent streets or neighboring sites. The latter situation may result in excessive paving and stormwater runoff, depreciation of aesthetic standards, and a waste of space, which could be left as open space.
(1) 
Waiver based on use. The Zoning Administrator may grant a waiver in cases where the applicant has sufficiently demonstrated that the minimum parking requirements of § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, are excessive for their use. Such waivers may be approved if no more than 10% of the required parking per § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements, is being waived. The approved waivers shall apply only to the current site use, and shall not be carried over to another use or occupant of the site.
(2) 
Land banking. The Plan Commission may permit land banking up to 20% of the required parking spaces through the special land use review process. Sufficient land shall be available in the case that the Plan Commission determines the banked spaces need to be constructed based on observed usage. After such determination, banked parking spaces shall be constructed within six months of written notification by the Zoning Administrator. Such land banking requests shall require special land use approval, subject to the requirements of § 770-11, Special land uses; permit procedures, and the posting of an appropriate bond in an amount to be established by the Zoning Administrator or his designee.
E. 
Parking within the Central Business District Zone. The provision of off-street parking is not required in the Central Business District Zone, except in the case of residential dwellings, hotels and motels, religious institutions, private and public schools and universities, hospitals, congregate care facilities, senior housing, convalescent or nursing homes. Parking spaces for such uses shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Requirements.
[Amended 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-15; 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-16; 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-08; 7-27-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07; 1-23-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-08]
The amount of required off-street parking space for new uses or buildings, additions thereto, and additions to existing buildings shall be determined in accordance with the tables on the following pages. Based upon the submitted floor plan, the Zoning Administrator or his designee shall determine the usable floor area where applicable for each use and the required off-street parking provisions identified in this section.
Use
Required Number of Parking Spaces Per Each Unit of Measure
Unit of Measurement
Residential Uses
Residential dwellings, one-, two- and multiple-family
2
Per each dwelling unit
Dwellings within the CBD Zone
1.5
Per each dwelling unit
Adult foster care family homes and senior housing, assisted living facilities
0.5
Per each dwelling unit
Senior housing, independent living
1
Per each dwelling unit
Institutional Uses
Churches and other religious institutions
1
Per each 4 seats based on maximum seating capacity in the area(s) of assembly therein
Private service clubs, social organizations, lodge halls, banquet and rental halls, and similar meeting and assembly
1
Per each 4 individual members allowed within the maximum occupancy as established by local code
Hospitals
1
Per each 2 beds, with no more than 1 space per each 1 bed
Convalescent centers and adult foster care congregate facilities
1.5
Per each 4 beds or 2 rooms, whichever is greater
Day-care centers
1
Per each 350 square feet of usable floor area
Child and adult foster care group home
1
Per each 4 beds or 2 rooms, whichever is greater
Family and group day-care homes:
1
Per dwelling unit
1
Per 6-person capacity as licensed by the State of Michigan
Municipal, county, state or federal administrative or service buildings
1
Per each 350 square feet of usable floor area
Libraries, museums and fine art centers
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area, excluding area devoted to bookshelves
Business and/or technical schools:
1
Per each classroom, plus
1
Per each 150 square feet of classroom floor area
Elementary and junior high schools:
1
Per each classroom, plus
1
Per 5 seats in an appurtenant stadium or gymnasium
Senior high schools:
1
Per each classroom, plus
1
Per 5 seats in an appurtenant stadium or gymnasium
General Commercial Uses
Retail sales
1
Per each 250 square feet of usable floor area
Carry-out restaurants (no seating)
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Convenience, grocery or liquor stores
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Large-scale retail establishments, supermarkets, department stores, garden centers or nurseries
1
Per each 300 square feet of usable floor area, with no more than 1 space per each 250 square feet of usable floor area
Shopping centers
1
Per each 300 square feet of usable floor area, with no more than 1 space per each 250 square feet of usable floor area. Standard or fast-food restaurants and bars or lounges shall be required to meet off-street parking provisions for that specific use(s) as identified in this section.
Video rental stores
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Transient merchant
1
Per each 250 square feet of usable floor area or exterior sales area
Hotels and motels and bed-and-breakfast operations:
1
Per each sleeping or lodging unit, plus
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area other than sleeping or lodging unit. Restaurants, bars and lounges, assembly and meeting rooms, and similar uses shall be required to meet the off-street parking provision for that specific use(s) as identified in this section.
Drive-in restaurants
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area in addition to service stalls for customers
Standard and fast-food restaurants
1
Per each 65 square feet of usable floor area including any outdoor cafe
Bars and cocktail lounges
1
Per each 65 square feet of usable floor area including any outdoor cafe
Retail sales, repair and service of furniture, appliances, bicycles, business machines, lawn mowers and lawn equipment and wholesale stores
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Shops of interior decorators, plumbers, electricians, exterminators and similar services and trades
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Theaters, cinemas, auditoriums, and concert halls
1.5
Per each 4 seats or 8 feet of bench seating based on the maximum seating capacity
Laundromats
1
Per every 2 washing and/or drying machines
Dry-cleaning outlets
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Funeral homes
1
Per 4 people based on the maximum occupancy as established by building code
Dance halls and nightclubs
1
Per 3 people based on the maximum occupancy as established by building code
Mechanical amusement arcades
1
Per 60 square feet of usable floor area
Smoking lounges and cigar bars
1
Per each 65 square feet of usable floor area
Tobacconists, with or without smoking lounges
1
Per each 250 square feet of usable floor area
Marihuana retailers
1.5
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Marihuana microbusinesses
1.5
Per each 200 square feet of usable retail floor area, plus
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable growing and processing floor area
Automotive Uses
Automobile dealer for sales and rental
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Automobile filling station:
1
Per each fuel pump or dispenser, plus
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Automobile repair garages:
1.5
Per each stall or service area, plus
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Automobile service stations:
1
Per each stall or service area, plus
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Automobile washes (self-serve)
Stacking spaces required per § 770-111E
Automobile washes (automatic):
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area, plus
2
For post-wash detailing
Stacking spaces required per § 770-111E
Recreation vehicle sales and rentals
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Office and Services Uses
Medical and dental offices, up to 25% retail sale of drugs and health care products
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Outpatient medical clinics
1
Per each 400 square feet of usable floor area, with no more than 1 space per each 300 square feet of usable floor area
Business, administrative and professional offices
1
Per each 225 square feet of usable floor area
Banks and other financial institutions:
1
Per each 225 square feet of usable floor area
2
Per each walk-up automated teller machine
Barbershops, hair salons, manicurists, tattoo parlors, massage establishments, tanning salons, and other personal service establishments
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Veterinary offices and hospitals
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Data processing centers
1
Per each 250 square feet of usable floor area
Recreational Uses
Bowling alleys
5
Per bowling lane
Roller and ice skating rinks
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Billiard halls
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Gymnasiums, fitness centers and health clubs
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Miniature golf courses, driving ranges or batting cages
1
Per each hole, tee, or cage
Golf courses
4
Per each hole
Music, dance and artistic studios
1
Per each 200 square feet of usable floor area
Tennis or racquet clubs
4
Per each court
Swimming pools
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Indoor soccer centers and athletic fields:
10
Per each field, plus
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy for spectator seating as established by building code
Indoor recreation centers
1
Per 4 people based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Stadiums and arenas
1
Per every 4 seats based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Assembly halls, convention halls, exhibition halls, and similar places of public assembly
1
Per every 4 seats based upon maximum occupancy as established by building code
Industrial Uses
Manufacturing, research, design, processing, assembly, packaging, fabrication, servicing, testing and repair factories or plants
1
Per each 400 square feet of usable floor area
Self-storage facilities:
3
Spaces, plus
1
Per each 50 storage units
Warehouses and distribution centers
1
Per each 1,000 square feet of usable floor area
Contractor's establishments
1
Per 400 square feet of usable shop and storage floor area
Metal fabrication and tool and die shops
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable shop floor area
Material recovery facilities:
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable shop floor area, plus
1
Per each 1,600 square feet of exterior lot area
Kennels, animal boarding, animal shelters, and animal training facilities
1
Per each 400 square feet of usable floor area
Broadcast or recording studios
[Added 1-24-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-01]
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
Motion-picture studios
[Added 1-24-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-01]
1
Per each 1,000 square feet of usable floor area, including any outdoor sets or production facilities
Marihuana growers, processors, secure transporters, and safety compliance facilities
1
Per each 800 square feet of usable floor area
On each site proposed for use, addition, and/or conversion for which a site plan is required to be submitted by this chapter, off-street parking space shall be designed pursuant to the State of Michigan Barrier-Free Design Standards. Required barrier-free parking spaces shall be in addition to those required under § 770-107, Table of Off-Street Parking Spaces.
The construction of any parking lot shall be in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of this chapter, and such construction shall be completed and approved by the Building Official before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Unless incorporated in a site plan prepared and approved in accordance with § 770-12, Site plan review, plans for the development of any parking lot must be submitted to the Building Official, indicating existing and proposed grades, drainage, pipe sizes, layout and dimensions of parking, curbing, drive and aisle dimensions, lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, and surfacing and base materials to be used.
A. 
All such parking lots, maneuvering aisles, driveways, and loading areas shall be hard surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or a similar impervious pavement; or an acceptable pervious or permeable pavement, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, such as porous asphalt, pervious concrete, permeable interlocking pavers, or a similar material. Loose aggregate, gravel, stone, unreinforced grass or sod, soil, and similar materials shall be prohibited. Pervious or permeable pavement shall be prohibited in areas where fuel or lubricants are dispensed directly into motor vehicles or where hazardous liquids could be absorbed into the soil through such materials. All such surfaces shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water pursuant to City ordinances and shall be completely constructed prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued.
[Amended 10-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-11]
B. 
Except for one-family and two-family residential parking lots, all lots shall be illuminated after dark throughout the hours when they are accessible to the public. Such lighting shall comply with the illumination standards set forth in § 770-96, Glare and exterior lighting.
C. 
Parking lot landscaping and buffering requirements shall meet the standards set forth in § 770-90, Landscaping, greenbelts, buffers and screening.
D. 
Adequate ingress and egress to the parking lot, by means of limited and clearly defined driveways, shall be provided for all vehicles in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Additionally, all ingress and egress points shall be located no less than 25 feet from any street intersection, and shall be no more than 25 feet wide in a residential zone, and 30 feet wide in all other zones measured at the property line.
E. 
No portion of a parking space and/or maneuvering aisle shall obstruct or encroach upon a public sidewalk or required pedestrian walkway.
F. 
The layout and striping of off-street parking facilities shall be in accordance with the following minimum regulations [See Figure 13, Parallel Parking, Figure 14, Parking (30° to 53°), and Figure 15, Parking (54° to 90°).[1]]:
Maneuvering Lane Width
Parking Pattern
One-Way
Two-Way
Parking Space Depth
(feet)
Parking Space Length
(feet)
0° (parallel)
12
20
9
25
30°-53°
12
20
9
20
57°-74°
15
20
9
20
75°-90°
N/A
20
9
20
[1]
Editor's Note: Figures 13, 14 and 15 are included as attachments to this chapter.
On the same premises with every building or part thereof, erected and occupied for any uses which involve receiving or distribution of trucks and/or delivery vehicles, material or merchandise, except where sufficient loading and unloading areas can be provided in the public alley as determined by the Plan Commission, adequate space for loading and unloading shall be provided in accordance with the following:
A. 
Such loading and unloading space, unless completely and adequately provided for within a building, shall be an area 12 feet by 50 feet, with clearance of 14 feet high, and shall be provided according to the following schedule:
Gross Floor Area of Building
(square feet)
Required Loading and Unloading Spaces
First 2,000
None
2,000-20,000
1
20,000-100,000
1 plus 1 for each 20,000 square feet in excess of 20,000 square feet
100,000-500,000
5 plus 1 for each 40,000 square feet in excess of 100,000 square feet
Over 500,000
15 plus 1 for each 80,000 square feet in excess of 500,000 square feet
B. 
Required greenbelt, setbacks, and screening.
(1) 
Off-street loading shall not be located in a front yard; nor a side yard of a building facing and directly visible from a street, unless the Plan Commission determines such location is necessary due to the building's location or placement, existing street and traffic patterns, or other relevant factors. Off-street loading shall be located at the maximum distance possible from adjacent residential zones.
(2) 
Off-street loading which abuts residentially zoned property shall be screened in accordance with § 770-90, Landscaping, greenbelts, buffers and screening.
C. 
Double count. Off-street loading space areas shall not be counted as off-street parking spaces, nor shall they conflict with the maneuvering lanes required to access off-street parking.
D. 
Flexibility in application. The Zoning Administrator may grant a waiver in cases where the applicant has sufficiently demonstrated that the minimum loading and unloading requirements of § 770-110, Off-street loading requirements, are excessive for their use. The approved waiver shall apply only to the current site use, and shall not be carried over to another use or occupant of the site.
All businesses which provide drive-through facilities for serving customers within their automobile shall provide adequate off-street stacking spaces and lanes which meet the following requirements (See Figure 16, Off-Street Stacking Spaces and Lanes for Drive-Through Facilities.[1]):
A. 
Each stacking space shall be computed on the basis of nine feet in width and 20 feet in length. Each stacking lane shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width.
B. 
No stacking space shall occupy or extend into any street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way, or obstruct any required parking space, maneuvering aisle, or loading area, and shall be sufficiently set back to not obstruct the intersection of any driveway and a right-of-way line. The Plan Commission may permit the use of an alley for the required escape lane when it can be demonstrated that no other reasonable alternative exists and minimal conflict would exist between users of the public right-of-way. City Commission approval where necessary.
C. 
Clear identification and delineation between the drive-through facility and parking lot shall be provided. Drive-through facilities shall be designed in a manner which promotes pedestrian and vehicular safety.
D. 
All drive-through facilities shall provide an escape lane, which allows other vehicles to pass those waiting to be serviced.
E. 
The number of stacking spaces per service lane shall be provided for in accordance with the following table. When a use is not specifically mentioned, the requirements for off-street stacking space for a similar use shall apply as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
Use
Stacking Spaces Per Service Lane
Banks or other financial institutions
5
Photographic service, drugstores, dry-cleaning outlets
4
Fast-food restaurants
8
Automobile service stations
2
Car washes (self-service)
Entry
3
Exit
1
Car washes (automatic)
Entry
16
Exit
2