The purpose of this chapter is to provide adequate parking for all uses allowed in this title; to reduce demand for parking by encouraging alternative means of transportation including public transit, rideshare and bicycles; and to increase pedestrian mobility in urban areas by:
A. 
Setting minimum off-street parking standards for different land uses that assure safe, convenient and adequately sized parking facilities within activity centers;
B. 
Providing incentives to rideshare through preferred parking arrangements;
C. 
Providing for parking and storage of bicycles;
D. 
Providing safe direct pedestrian access from public rights-of-way to structures and between developments; and
E. 
Requiring uses which attract large numbers of employees or customers to provide transit stops.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Before an occupancy permit may be granted for any new or enlarged building or for a change of use in any existing building, the use shall be required to meet the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
If this chapter does not specify a parking requirement for a land use, the director shall establish the minimum requirement based on a study of anticipated parking demand. In the study the applicant shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the parking demand for a specific land use will be satisfied. Parking studies shall be prepared by a professional engineer with expertise in traffic and parking analyses, unless an equally qualified individual is authorized by the director.
C. 
If the required amount of off-street parking has been proposed to be provided off-site, the applicant shall provide written contracts with affected landowners showing that required off-street parking shall be provided in a manner consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The contracts shall be reviewed by the director for compliance with this chapter and, if approved, the contracts shall be recorded with the county records and elections division as a deed restriction on the title to all applicable properties. These deed restrictions may not be revoked or modified without authorization by the director.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Except as modified by subsections (B) through (D) of this section, off-street parking areas shall contain at a minimum the number of parking spaces as stipulated in subsection (F) of this section. The director shall have authority to require additional off-street parking spaces if warranted by a traffic study or by recommended guidelines of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Off-street parking ratios expressed as number of spaces per square feet means the usable or net square footage of floor area, exclusive of nonpublic areas. Nonpublic areas include but are not limited to building maintenance areas, storage areas, closets, or restrooms. If the formula for determining the number of off-street parking spaces results in a fraction, the number of off-street parking spaces shall be rounded to the nearest whole number with fractions of 0.50 or greater rounding up and fractions below 0.50 rounding down.
B. 
Where other provisions of this code stipulate maximum parking allowed or reduced minimum parking requirements, those provisions shall apply.
C. 
An applicant may request a modification of the minimum required number of parking spaces by providing a study that substantiates parking demand can be met with a reduced parking requirement. In such cases, the director may approve a reduction of up to 50 percent of the minimum required number of spaces. Said study shall be prepared by a qualified professional approved by the director.
D. 
When the city has received a shell building permit application, off-street parking requirements shall be based on the possible tenant improvements or uses authorized by the zone designation and compatible with the limitations of the shell permit. When the range of possible uses results in different parking requirements, the director will establish the amount of parking based on a likely range of uses.
E. 
In any development required to provide six or more parking spaces, bicycle parking shall be provided. Bicycle parking shall be bike rack or locker-type parking facilities unless otherwise specified.
1. 
Off-street parking areas shall contain at least one bicycle parking space for every 12 spaces required for motor vehicles except as follows:
a. 
The director may reduce bike rack parking facilities for patrons when it is demonstrated that bicycle activity will not occur at that location;
b. 
The director may require additional spaces when it is determined that the use or its location will generate a high volume of bicycle activity. Such a determination will include but not be limited to the following uses:
i. 
Park/playfield;
ii. 
Marina;
iii. 
Library/museum/arboretum;
iv. 
Elementary/secondary school;
v. 
Sports club; or
vi. 
Retail business (when located along a developed bicycle trail or designated bicycle route).
2. 
Bicycle facilities for patrons shall be located within 50 feet of the building entrance and shall be designed to allow either a bicycle frame or wheels to be locked to a structure attached to the pavement.
3. 
All bicycle parking and storage shall be located in safe, visible areas that do not impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow, and shall be well lit for nighttime use.
4. 
When more than 10 people are employed on site, enclosed locker-type parking facilities for employees shall be provided. The director shall allocate the required number of parking spaces between bike rack parking and enclosed locker-type parking facilities.
5. 
One indoor bicycle storage space shall be provided for every two dwelling units in townhome and apartment residential uses, unless individual garages are provided for every unit. The director may reduce the number of bike rack parking spaces if indoor storage facilities are available to all residents.
F. 
Minimum Off-Street Parking Space Requirements.
Land Use
Minimum Parking Spaces Required
1. RESIDENTIAL (NMC § 18.08.030(A)):
Single detached
2.0 per dwelling unit
Townhome
2.0 per dwelling unit (tandem spaces allowed)
Middle housing ≤ 6,000 sf lot
1.0 per lot
Middle housing> 6,000 sf lot
2.0 per lot
Middle housing 0.5 mile of major transit stop
0
Apartment:
Studio units
1.0 per dwelling unit*
One-bedroom units
1.0 per dwelling unit*
Two-bedroom units
1.5 per dwelling unit* (tandem spaces allowed)
Three-bedroom units or larger
2.0 per dwelling unit* (tandem spaces allowed)
Co-living housing < 0.5 mile of major transit stop
0
Co-living
0.25 per dwelling unit
Mobile home park
2.0 per dwelling unit
Senior citizen assisted
1 per 3 dwelling units
Community residential facilities
1 per 2 bedrooms
Dormitory, including religious
1 per 2 bedrooms
Hotel/motel, including organizational hotel/ lodging
1 per bedroom
Short-term rental
1 additional per short-term rental property
*Plus one extra space for every 10 dwelling units rounded upward to the nearest multiple of 10. The applicant may demonstrate through a traffic study that on-street parking is adequate to wholly or partially fulfill this guest parking requirement.
2. RECREATIONAL/CULTURAL (NMC § 18.08.040(A)):
Recreation/culture uses:
3 per 1,000 square feet
Exceptions:
Bowling center
5 per lane
Golf course
3 per hole, plus 3 per 1,000 square feet of clubhouse facilities
Golf driving range
1 per tee
Park/playfield
(Director)
Theater
1 per 3 fixed seats
Conference center
1 per 3 fixed seats, plus 1 per 50 square feet used for assembly purposes without fixed seats, or 1 per bedroom, whichever results in the greater number of spaces
Churches, synagogues, temples, and other group assembly
1 per 5 fixed seats, plus 1 per 50 square feet of gross floor area without fixed seats used for assembly purposes
3. GENERAL SERVICES (NMC § 18.08.050(A)):
General services uses:
3 per 1,000 square feet
Exceptions:
Funeral home/crematory
1 per 50 square feet of chapel area
Daycare I
2 per facility
Daycare II
2 per facility, plus 1 space for each 20 children
Outpatient and veterinary clinic offices
3 per 1,000 square feet of office, labs and examination rooms
Nursing and personal care facility
1 per 4 beds
Hospital
1 per bed
Elementary schools
1 per classroom, plus 1 per 50 students
Secondary schools
1 per classroom, plus 1 per 50 students
Middle/junior high schools
1 per classroom, plus 1 per 10 students
High schools
Greater of 1 per classroom plus 1 per 10 students, or
High schools with stadiums
1 per 3 fixed seats in stadium
Vocational schools
1 per classroom, plus 1 per 5 students
Specialized instruction schools
1 per classroom, plus 1 per 2 students
4. GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS SERVICES (NMC § 18.08.060(A)):
Government/business services uses:
3 per 1,000 square feet
Exceptions:
Courts
3 per courtroom, plus 1 per 50 square feet of fixed seat or assembly area
Police facility
(Director)
Fire facility
(Director)
Self-service storage
1 per 3,500 square feet of storage area, plus 2 for any resident manager unit
Office
2 per 1,000 square feet
5. RETAIL/WHOLESALE (NMC § 18.08.070(A)):
Retail trade uses:
3 per 1,000 square feet
Exceptions:
Gasoline service stations without grocery
3 per facility, plus 1 per service bay
Gasoline service stations with grocery, no service bays
1 per facility, plus 1 per 300 square feet of store
Restaurants, delis, bakeries and prepared foods
1 per 100 square feet in dining, lounge and customer ordering area
Shopping plaza
4.5 per 1,000 square feet
Wholesale trade uses
0.9 per 1,000 square feet
6. MANUFACTURING (NMC § 18.08.080(A)):
Manufacturing uses
0.9 per 1,000 square feet
Winery/brewery
0.9 per 1,000 square feet, plus 1 per 100 square feet of testing or tasting area
7. RESOURCES:
Resources uses
(Director)
8. REGIONAL (NMC § 18.08.100(A)):
Regional uses
(Director)
G. 
Parking Conditions.
1. 
This standard applies to all shopping plaza tenants regardless of land use, except for the following uses:
a. 
Residential, per NMC § 18.08.030(A);
b. 
Recreational/cultural, per NMC § 18.08.040(A);
c. 
Gasoline service stations;
d. 
Elementary schools;
e. 
Secondary schools;
f. 
Middle/junior high schools;
g. 
High schools;
h. 
Nursing and personal care facility;
i. 
Hospital.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
These standards apply to all housing meeting the definition of middle housing in NMC § 18.06.388.5 except as noted in subsection (C) of this section.
B. 
Off-street parking for middle housing shall be subject to the following:
1. 
No off-street parking shall be required within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop.
2. 
A maximum of one off-street parking space per unit shall be required on lots no greater than 6,000 square feet, before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits.
3. 
A maximum of two off-street parking spaces per unit shall be required on lots greater than 6,000 square feet before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits.
C. 
The provisions of subsection (A) of this section do not apply to:
Portions of the city for which the Department of Commerce has certified a parking study in accordance with RCW 36.70A.635(7)(a), in which case off-street parking requirements shall be as provided in the certification from the Department of Commerce.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Except as modified by subsections (C) through (E) of this section, off-street parking areas shall contain no more than the maximum number of parking spaces as stipulated in subsection (B) of this section.
B. 
Parking for a specific use shall be limited to no more than two times (or 200 percent of) the minimum parking required by NMC § 18.18.030 through § 18.18.080, unless otherwise specified.
C. 
Restaurants and other prepared food uses may have up to three times (or 300 percent of) the minimum parking required by NMC § 18.08.070.
D. 
LID BMPs shall be employed for parking proposals that exceed the minimum parking standard by more than 20 percent, where site and soil conditions make LID feasible and where approved by the city based on review of material prepared and submitted by the applicant. The use of the LID BMPs shall be for the entire parking facility and not just the area that exceeds 120 percent of the minimum parking required under NMC § 18.18.030 through § 18.18.080.
E. 
The director shall have the authority to allow additional off-street parking spaces above the maximum amounts stated above if warranted by a traffic study or by recommended guidelines of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In making such decision, the director shall also consider whether the proposal is consistent with the Community Business Center/Lake Boren Corridor Master Plan. The director shall also have the authority to restrict parking for a specific use to an amount that is less than the maximum amount allowed in this section if the proposal would substantially conflict with the stated purposes, objectives, goals or policies contained in the Community Business Center/Lake Boren Corridor Master Plan.
F. 
Parking spaces provided above/below grade shall be exempt from all maximum parking requirements.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
The amount of off-street parking required by NMC § 18.18.030 may be reduced by an amount determined by the director when shared parking facilities for two or more uses are proposed, provided:
A. 
The total parking area exceeds 5,000 square feet;
B. 
The parking facilities are designed and developed as a single on-site common parking facility, or as a system of on-site and off-site facilities, if all facilities are connected with improved pedestrian facilities and no building or use involved is more than 800 feet from the most remote shared facility;
C. 
The amount of the reduction shall not exceed 20 percent for each use, unless:
1. 
The normal hours of operation for each use are separated by at least one hour; or
2. 
A parking demand study is prepared by a professional traffic engineer and submitted by the applicant documenting that the hours of actual parking demand for the proposed uses will not conflict and that uses will be served by adequate parking if shared parking reductions are authorized;
3. 
The director will determine the amount of reduction but subject to subsection (D) of this section;
D. 
The total number of parking spaces in the common parking facility is not less than the minimum required spaces for any single use;
E. 
A covenant or other contract for shared parking between the cooperating property owners is approved by the director. This covenant or contract must be recorded with the county records and elections division as a deed restriction on both properties and cannot be modified or revoked without the consent of the director; and
F. 
If any requirements for shared parking are violated, the affected property owners must provide a remedy satisfactory to the director or provide the full amount of required off-street parking for each use, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, unless a satisfactory alternative remedy is approved by the director.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
The requirement of one off-street parking space per two bedrooms may be reduced to no less than one space for every four bedrooms, as determined by the director based on the following considerations:
1. 
Availability of private, convenient transportation services to meet the needs of the CRF residents;
2. 
Accessibility to and frequency of public transportation;
3. 
Pedestrian access to health, medical, and shopping facilities.
B. 
If a CRF facility is no longer used for such purposes, additional off-street parking spaces shall be required in compliance with this chapter prior to the issuance of a new certificate of occupancy.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
Off-street parking and access for physically handicapped persons shall be provided in accordance with section 7503 of the regulations adopted pursuant to Chapter 19.27 RCW, State Building Code, and Chapter 70.92 RCW, Public Buildings – Provisions for Aged and Handicapped.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Every nonresidential building engaged in retail, wholesale, manufacturing or storage activities, excluding self-service storage facilities, shall provide loading spaces in accordance with the standards listed below.
Gross Floor Area
Required Number Of Loading Spaces
10,000 to 16,000 square feet
1
16,001 to 40,000 square feet
2
40,001 to 64,000 square feet
3
64,001 to 96,000 square feet
4
96,001 to 128,000 square feet
5
128,001 to 160,000 square feet
6
160,001 to 196,000 square feet
7
For each additional 140,000 square feet
1 additional
B. 
Every building engaged in hotel, office building, restaurant, hospital, auditorium, convention hall, exhibition hall, sports arena/stadium, or other similar use shall provide loading spaces in accordance with the standards listed below.
Gross Floor Area
Required Number Of Loading Spaces
40,000 to 60,000 square feet
1
60,001 to 160,000 square feet
2
160,001 to 264,000 square feet
3
264,001 to 388,000 square feet
4
388,001 to 520,000 square feet
5
520,001 to 652,000 square feet
6
652,001 to 784,000 square feet
7
784,001 to 920,000 square feet
8
For each additional 140,000 square feet
1 additional
C. 
Each loading space required by this section shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide, 30 feet long, and have an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet six inches, and shall be surfaced, improved and maintained as required by this chapter. Loading spaces shall be located so that trucks shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic movement or project into any public right-of-way. All loading space areas shall be separated from required parking areas and shall be designated as truck loading spaces.
D. 
Any loading space located within 100 feet of areas zoned for residential use shall be screened and operated as necessary to reduce noise and visual impacts. Noise mitigation measures may include architectural or structural barriers, beams, walls, or restrictions on the hours of operation.
E. 
Multi-story self-service storage facilities shall provide two loading spaces, and single-story facilities one loading space, adjacent to each building entrance that provides common access to interior storage units. Each loading berth shall measure not less than 25 feet by 12 feet with an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet six inches, and shall be surfaced, improved and maintained as required by this chapter. Any floor area additions or structural alterations to a building shall be required to provide loading space or spaces as set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
Every multifamily building and mixed use building where at least 50 off-street parking spaces are required shall address how short-term parking is provided to accommodate parcel delivery vehicles, for-hire rideshare vehicles, taxis and similar vehicles. Short-term parking shall not conflict with handicap parking, fire lanes, or other site requirements. The director shall evaluate short-term parking through the site plan or binding site plan application process.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
A stacking space shall be an area measuring eight feet by 20 feet with direct forward access to a service window of a drive-through facility. A stacking space shall be located to prevent any vehicles from extending onto the public right-of-way, or interfering with any pedestrian circulation, traffic maneuvering, or other parking space areas. Stacking spaces for drive-through or drive-in uses may not be counted as required parking spaces.
B. 
Uses providing drive-up or drive-through services shall provide vehicle stacking spaces as follows:
1. 
For each drive-up window of a bank/financial institution, business service, or other drive-through use not listed, a minimum of five stacking spaces shall be provided; and
2. 
For each service window of a drive-through restaurant, a minimum of seven stacking spaces shall be provided.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Land uses reserving rideshare parking per Chapter 14.20 NMC shall do so as follows:
1. 
The parking spaces shall be located closer to the primary employee entrance than any other employee parking except handicapped;
2. 
Reserved areas shall have markings and signs indicating that the space is reserved; and
3. 
Parking in reserved areas shall be limited to vanpools and carpools established through rideshare programs by public and private agencies and to vehicles meeting minimum rideshare qualifications set by the employer.
B. 
The director may reduce the number of required off-street parking spaces when one or more scheduled transit routes provide service within 660 feet of the site. The amount of reduction shall be based on the number of scheduled transit runs between 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. each business day up to a maximum reduction as follows:
1. 
Four percent for each run serving land uses in NMC § 18.08.060(A), Government/business services, and NMC § 18.08.080(A), Manufacturing, up to a maximum of 40 percent;
2. 
Two percent for each run serving land uses in NMC § 18.08.040(A), Recreational/cultural land uses, 18.08.050(A), General services land uses, and 18.08.060(A), Business services land uses, up to a maximum of 20 percent; and
C. 
All uses which are located on an existing transit route and are required under the computation for required off-street parking spaces in NMC § 18.18.030(A) to provide more than 200 parking spaces may be required to provide transit shelters, bus turnout lanes or other transit improvements as a condition of permit approval. Uses which reduce required parking under subsection (B) of this section shall provide transit shelters if transit routes adjoin the site.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
To ensure an effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations, the regulations in this section provide a framework for when a private property owner chooses to provide electric vehicle charging stations.
A. 
Purpose. For all parking lots or garages, except those that include restricted electric vehicle charging stations.
B. 
Number. No minimum number of charging station spaces is required.
C. 
Minimum Parking Requirements. An electric vehicle charging station space may be included in the calculation for minimum required parking spaces that are required pursuant to other provisions of this code.
D. 
Location and Design Criteria. The provision of electric vehicle parking will vary based on the design and use of the primary parking lot. The following required and additional locational and design criteria are provided in recognition of the various parking lot layout options.
1. 
Where provided, parking for electric vehicle charging purposes is required to include the following:
a. 
Signage. Each charging station space shall be posted with signage indicating the space is only for electric vehicle charging purposes. Days and hours of operations shall be included if time limits or tow away provisions are to be enforced.
b. 
Maintenance. Charging station equipment shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the charging equipment. A phone number or other contact information shall be provided on the charging station equipment for reporting when the equipment is not functioning or other problems are encountered.
c. 
Lighting. Where charging station equipment is installed, adequate site lighting shall exist, unless charging is for daytime purposes only.
2. 
Parking for electric vehicles should also consider the following:
a. 
Notification. Information on the charging station, identifying voltage and amperage levels and any time of use, fees, or safety information.
b. 
Signage. Installation of directional signs at the parking lot entrance and at appropriate decision points to effectively guide motorists to the charging station space(s).
E. 
Data Collection. To allow for maintenance and notification, the location, date of installation, equipment type and model, and owner contact information will be provided to the Newcastle department of community development. The information above will be updated with the department of community development if any changes occur.
F. 
Accessible EV Charging Stations. Where charging station equipment is provided within an adjacent pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or accessible route to the building entrance, the charging equipment shall be located so as not to interfere with accessibility requirements of WAC 51-50-005. Where electric vehicle charging stations are provided in parking lots or parking garages, accessible electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided in the ratios shown in the following table:
Number of EV Charging Stations
Minimum Accessible EV Charging Stations
1 – 50
1
51 – 100
2
101 – 150
3
151 – 200
4
201 – 250
5
251 – 300
6
Accessible electric vehicle charging stations should be located in close proximity to the building or facility entrance and shall be connected to a barrier-free accessible route of travel. It is not necessary to designate the accessible electric vehicle charging station exclusively for the use of people with disabilities.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
All uses, except single detached building permits, shall provide pedestrian access onto the site. Pedestrian access points shall be provided at all pedestrian arrival points to the development including the property edges, adjacent lots, abutting street intersections, crosswalks, and at transit stops. Pedestrian access shall be located as follows:
1. 
Access points at property edges and to adjacent lots shall be coordinated with existing development to provide circulation patterns between developments; and
2. 
Residential developments shall provide links between cul-de-sacs or groups of buildings to allow pedestrian access from within the development and from adjacent developments to activity centers, parks, common tracts, open spaces, schools or other public facilities, transit stops and public streets.
B. 
Pedestrian walkways shall form an on-site circulation system that minimizes the conflict between pedestrians and traffic at all points of pedestrian access to on-site parking and building entrances. Pedestrian walkways shall be provided when the pedestrian access point or any parking space is more than 75 feet from the building entrance or principal on-site destination and as follows:
1. 
All developments which contain more than one building shall provide walkways between the principal entrances of the buildings;
2. 
All nonresidential buildings set back more than 100 feet from the public right-of-way shall provide for direct pedestrian access from the building to buildings on adjacent lots; and
3. 
Pedestrian walkways across parking areas shall be located as follows:
a. 
Walkways running parallel to the parking rows shall be provided for every four rows. Rows without walkways shall be landscaped or contain barriers or other means to encourage pedestrians to use the walkways; and
b. 
Walkways running perpendicular to the parking rows shall be no further than 20 parking spaces. Landscaping, barriers or other means shall be provided between the parking rows to encourage pedestrians to use the walkways.
C. 
Pedestrian access and walkways shall meet the following minimum design standards:
1. 
Access and walkways shall be well lit and physically separated from driveways and parking spaces by landscaping, berms, barriers, grade separation or other means to protect pedestrians from vehicular traffic;
2. 
Access and walkways shall be a minimum of 60 inches of unobstructed width and meet the surfacing standards of the city of Newcastle standards for walkways or sidewalks;
3. 
Access shall be usable by mobility impaired persons and shall be designed and constructed to be easily located by the sight impaired pedestrian by either grade change, texture or other equivalent means;
4. 
A crosswalk shall be required when a walkway crosses a driveway or a paved area accessible to vehicles;
5. 
Wherever walkways are provided, raised crosswalks or speed bumps shall be located at all points where a walkway crosses the lane of vehicle travel.
D. 
Blocks in excess of 900 feet shall be provided with a crosswalk at the approximate midpoint of the block.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Off-street parking areas shall not be located more than 500 feet from the building they are required to serve for all uses except those specified below; where the off-street parking areas do not abut the buildings they serve, the required maximum distance shall be measured from the nearest building entrance that the parking area serves:
1. 
For all single detached dwellings, middle housing units, and accessory dwelling units on a single parcel or parent lot, the parking spaces shall be located on the same lot they are required to serve;
2. 
For any parcel affected by unit lot subdivision, parking spaces shall be located on the parent lot of the units they serve, with unit lots having access guaranteed with an easement, or may be located on the unit lot. Parking may never be further than 100 feet from the buildings they serve;
3. 
For all other residential dwellings at least a portion of parking areas shall be located within 100 feet from the building(s) they are required to serve; and
4. 
For all nonresidential uses permitted in residential zones, the parking spaces shall be located on the same lot they are required to serve and at least a portion of parking areas shall be located within 150 feet from the nearest building entrance they are required to serve; except that for home occupations, parking may be provided off site, provided the following criteria are met:
a. 
Off-site parking shall be reviewed and approved as part of the home occupation permit application pursuant to Chapter 18.30 NMC. The use of off-site parking by existing home occupations shall require amendment to the home occupation permit;
b. 
The off-site parking shall result in equivalent or reduced visual impacts as compared to locating the parking on the subject property. Alternatives to reduce visual impacts include, but are not limited to, existing or proposed landscaping, topography, buildings or other features to screen the off-site parking;
c. 
The off-site parking shall be designed to be compatible with the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood. Alternatives to achieve compatibility include, but are not limited to, access design, configuration, orientation, fencing, and landscaping;
d. 
The off-site parking area shall comply with the landscaping standards for surface parking areas in Chapter 18.16 NMC;
e. 
The off-site parking area shall provide a direct pedestrian link to the nonresidential use. The pedestrian link can include existing or proposed sidewalks, trails or other pedestrian walkways;
f. 
The lease or agreement for use of the off-site parking area shall be provided to the city for review and approval. The lease or agreement shall include a provision that adequate notice is provided to the city prior to the termination of the off-site parking. Failure to provide notice of the termination of the off-street parking shall constitute grounds for revocation of the home occupation permit;
g. 
The owner of the home occupation permitted for use of an off-site parking area shall execute and record an agreement with the city that specifies as follows:
i. 
The off-site parking area shall be removed and restored to its original condition when the home occupation ceases operation or the property permitted for the home occupation is sold, whichever is earlier;
ii. 
Adequate notice shall be provided to the city prior to cessation of the home occupation or sale of the property permitted for the home occupation;
iii. 
Failure to remove and restore the off-site parking area to its original condition shall constitute a nuisance and be subject to immediate abatement procedures, including, but not limited to, civil penalties and liens as authorized by NMC Title 4; and
h. 
Use of existing parking areas for off-site parking for home occupations may be permitted provided the existing parking lots were legally established and the off-site parking area meets the criteria in subsections (A)(3)(a), (A)(3)(e) and (A)(3)(f) of this section.
B. 
The minimum parking space and aisle dimensions for the most common parking angles are shown on the chart below. For parking angles other than those shown on the chart, the minimum parking space and aisle dimensions shall be determined by the director. Regardless of the parking angle, one-way aisles shall be at least 10 feet wide, and two-way aisles shall be at least 20 feet wide. Parking plans for angle parking shall use space widths no less than nine feet for a standard car parking space design. The director may modify minimum parking stall and aisle dimensional standards for structured parking if the applicant demonstrates that the proposed design is adequate to safely accommodate typical motor vehicle dimensions, maneuverability and demand.
MINIMUM PARKING STALL AND AISLE DIMENSIONS
A
B
C
D
E
F
Parking Angle
Stall Width
Curb Length
Stall Depth
Aisle Width
Unit Depth
1-Way
2-Way
1-Way
2-Way
0
Min 9.0
22.5
9.0
12.0
20.0
29.0
37.0
30
Min 9.0
18.0
16.0
10.0
20.0
42.0
53.0
45
Min 9.0
12.5
17.0
12.0
20.0
50.0
58.0
60
Min 9.0
10.5
18.0
18.0
20.0
58.0
60.0
90
Min 9.0
9.0
18.0
23.0
23.0
63.0
63.0
C. 
Compact Parking. Up to 25 percent of the minimum required parking may be in the form of compact parking spaces. Compact parking spaces shall be striped to a minimum width of seven and one-half feet and a minimum depth of 16 feet. An increase in the maximum number of compact parking spaces may be authorized by the director if a need is demonstrated through submittal of a parking analysis.
D. 
Maximum Bumper Overhang. Parking areas may be designed so that the car bumper overhangs the curb into the landscape areas. If overhangs are provided, then the stall length may be reduced by the same distance as the bumper overhang up to the following:
Standard Space
Compact Space
Parking Angle Less Than 60°
2 feet
1.5 feet
Parking Angle Greater Than 60°
2.5 feet
2 feet
E. 
Any parking spaces abutting a landscaped area on the driver or passenger side of the vehicle shall provide an additional 18 inches above the minimum space width requirement to provide a place to step other than in the landscaped area. The additional width shall be separated from the adjacent parking space by a parking space division stripe. The parking space depth may be reduced when vehicles overhang a walkway under the following conditions:
1. 
Wheel stops or curbs are installed;
2. 
The remaining walkway provides a minimum of 60 inches of unimpeded passageway for pedestrians; and
3. 
The amount of space depth reduction is limited to a maximum of 18 inches.
F. 
Reserved.
G. 
Driveways providing ingress and egress between off-street parking areas and abutting streets shall be designed, located and constructed in accordance with the provisions of city of Newcastle street standards. Driveways for single detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units, and non-cottage middle housing, no more than 20 feet in width, may cross required setbacks or landscaped areas in order to provide access between the off-street parking areas and the street, provided no more than 15 percent of the required landscaping or setback area is displaced by the driveway. Driveways for all other developments may cross required setbacks or landscaped areas in order to provide access between the off-street parking areas and the street, provided no more than 10 percent of the required landscaping or setback area is displaced by the driveway.
H. 
Lighting shall be provided for safety of traffic and pedestrian circulation on the site, as required by the Washington State Energy Code. It shall be designed to minimize direct illumination of abutting properties and adjacent streets. The director shall have the authority to waive the requirement to provide lighting.
I. 
Tandem or end-to-end parking is allowed in single detached residential developments. Driveways crossing required setback areas may be used for parking when serving single detached dwellings but shall not be considered for purposes of calculating required parking. Apartment, townhome, accessory dwelling units, and middle housing developments may have tandem parking areas for each dwelling unit but shall not combine parking for separate dwelling units in tandem parking areas.
J. 
All vehicle parking and storage for all dwellings must be in a garage, carport or on an approved impervious surface. Any impervious surface used for vehicle parking or storage must have direct and unobstructed driveway access.
K. 
Vanpool/carpool parking areas shall meet the following minimum design standards:
1. 
A minimum vertical clearance of seven feet three inches shall be provided to accommodate van vehicles if designated vanpool/carpool parking spaces are located in a parking structure; and
2. 
A minimum turning radius of 26 feet four inches with a minimum turning diameter (curb to curb) of 52 feet five inches shall be provided from parking aisles to adjacent carpool/vanpool parking spaces.
L. 
Direct access from the street right-of-way to off-street parking areas shall be subject to the requirements of NMC § 18.28.120.
M. 
No dead-end alley may provide access to more than eight required off-street parking spaces.
N. 
Any parking stalls located in enclosed buildings must be totally within the enclosed building.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
A. 
Off-street parking areas shall have dust-free, all-weather surfacing. Permeable pavement is an acceptable all-weather surface and is encouraged where site and soil conditions make it feasible and where approved by the city based on review of material prepared and submitted by the applicant. Typical approved sections are illustrated below. Frequently used (at least five days a week) off-street parking areas shall conform to the standards shown in (A) below or an approved equivalent. If the parking area is to be used more than 30 days per year but less than five days a week, then the standards to be used shall conform to the standards shown in (B) below or an approved equivalent. An exception to these surfacing requirements may be made for certain uses that require intermittent use of their parking facilities less than 30 days per year. Any surface treatment other than those graphically illustrated below must be approved by the director.
MINIMUM SURFACING REQUIREMENTS
B. 
Grading work for parking areas shall meet the requirements of the International Building Code. Drainage and erosion/sedimentation control facilities shall be provided in accordance with the city's grading ordinance.
C. 
Asphalt, concrete, or permeable surfaced parking areas shall have parking spaces marked by surface paint lines or suitable substitute traffic marking material in accordance with the Washington State Department of Transportation standards. Wheel stops are required where a parked vehicle would encroach on adjacent property, pedestrian access or circulation areas, right-of-way or landscaped areas. Typically approved markings and wheel stop locations are illustrated below.
STALL MARKINGS AND WHEEL STOP LOCATIONS
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)
LID BMPs shall be employed for parking proposals that exceed the minimum parking standard by more than 20 percent where site and soil condition make LID feasible and where approved by the city based on review of material prepared and submitted by the applicant. The use of the LID BMPs shall be for the entire parking facility and not just the area that exceeds 120 percent of the minimum parking required under NMC § 18.18.030 through § 18.18.080.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 9)