The purpose of this chapter is to provide adequate parking for all uses permitted in the code; to reduce demand for parking by encouraging shared parking, alternative means of transportation including public transit, ride-sharing and bicycles; and to increase pedestrian mobility in the City of University Place by:
A. 
Requiring compliance with design standards for surface and structured parking;
B. 
Setting minimum and maximum off-street parking standards for different land uses that assure safe, convenient and adequately sized parking facilities;
C. 
Providing incentives to rideshare through preferred parking arrangements;
D. 
Providing for parking and storage of bicycles; and
E. 
Requiring uses which attract large numbers of employees or customers to provide transit stops.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
Off-street parking spaces shall be provided as an accessory use in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
Off-street parking facilities shall be located as hereinafter specified; where a distance is specified, such distance shall be the walking distance measured from the nearest point of the parking facilities to the nearest point of the building that such facility is required to serve.
A. 
Surface parking lots within the MU, MU-O, MU-M, MU-N45, MU-U75, MU-U/I75 and MU-C110 zones shall comply with design standards for location of surface parking lots as described in the applicable design standards.
B. 
For a detached single-family dwelling, middle housing, or multifamily dwellings, the parking facilities shall be located on the same lot or building site as the building they are required to serve, except as allowed for unit lots approved through the unit lot subdivision process.
C. 
For churches, hospitals, large group homes, institutions, rooming and lodging houses, nursing and convalescent homes, and community clubs, primary parking facilities shall be located not farther than 150 feet from the facility.
D. 
For uses other than those specified, parking facilities shall be located not farther than 500 feet in the Mixed Use – Urban zone and 300 feet in all other zones from the facility.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 662 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020; Ord. 797, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Off-street parking areas shall contain at a minimum the number of parking spaces stipulated in UPMC § 19.60.050. If the formula for determining the number of parking spaces results in a fraction, the number of spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
B. 
Tandem parking spaces are spaces which have sufficient areas to provide parking for two or more vehicles, one in front of or behind the others, with a single means of ingress and egress. Tandem parking spaces shall count toward meeting minimum off-street parking spaces requirements at a rate of one space for every 20 linear feet, provided, tandem parking spaces shall not be less than 20 feet long per space (40 feet long for two spaces), nor shall tandem parking exceed 20 feet long per space (40 feet long for two spaces).
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020; Ord. 797, 12/1/2025)
Unless otherwise specified the number of parking spaces required is calculated on a per-square-foot basis. For example, if 200 appears in the table next to the use type, then one parking space is required for every 200 square feet of floor area. In commercial centers, the required parking is calculated for each use separately to determine the total amount of parking required. Tandem parking spaces count toward meeting minimum off-street parking space requirements at a rate of one space for every 20 linear feet. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required shall be as set forth in the following table:
Residential Uses
Parking Requirements
Adult Family Home (6 or Fewer)
1 per employee1 + 2
Assisted Living Facility
0.5 per bed
Senior Multifamily Housing2 and Housing for People with Disabilities3
0.6 per unit
0.0 per unit4
Affordable Multifamily Housing4
0.75 per unit
Bed and Breakfast
0.5 per room
Group Home
0.5 per bed
Mobile/Manufactured Home
1 per unit
Multifamily Housing
 
Studio and 1 Bedroom Unit
1 per unit
2 Bedroom Units
1.25 per unit
3+ Bedroom Units
1.5 per unit
Transit Proximity Multifamily5
0.75 per unit
Nursing Home
0.25 per bed
Single-Family Housing (Attached)
2 per unit
Single-Family Housing (Attached) in Small Lot Development
1.5 per unit + 1 guest stall
Single-Family Housing (Detached) in Small Lot Development
2 per unit + 1 guest stall
Single-Family (Detached) Housing
2 per unit
Middle Housing
1 per unit for lots 6,000 sq. ft. or less
2 per unit for lots greater than 6,000 sq. ft.
Civic and Recreation Uses
Parking Requirements
Cemetery/Mortuary
1 per 5 seats
Community Centers and Clubs
200
Cultural Service (Museum, Library)
250
Day Care Center (Exceeds 12)
1 per employee1+ 1 per 10 clients
Government Service
400
High School
1 per employee1 + 1 per 10 students
Elementary and Intermediate
1 per employee1 + 10
Hospital and 24-Hour Medical Clinic
1 per employee1 + 1 per bed
Recreation – Public
2/acre of open space
Recreation – Nonprofit
2/acre of open space
Religious Assembly
1 per 5 seats
Utility and Public Maintenance Facility
400
Vocational and Specialty School
1 per student
Utilities and Resource Uses
Parking Requirements
Utilities Use
 
Comm. and Personal Wireless Telecommunication Facility
400*
Essential Public Facilities Use
 
Organic Waste Processing Facility
1 per employee1 + 10
Sewage Treatment Facility
1 per employee1 + 10
Resource Use
 
Agricultural Sale
250
*Note: For telecom towers = 1 per tower.
Commercial Uses
Parking Requirements
Office/Business Uses
 
Administrative and Professional Office
400
Veterinary Clinic/Animal Hospital
400
Retail/Services/Entertainment
 
Adult Entertainment
200
Amusement and Recreation (Private)
200
Business Service
400
Eating and Drinking Establishment
200
Garden Supply (Nursery)
250
Health Club (a.k.a. Fitness Center)
200
Kennel
1 per employee1 + 1 per 10 cages
Limited Accessory Retail (MUO Only)
250
Lodging – Hotel and Motel (No RV)
1 per room
Marina and Other Boating Facility
1 per slip
Medical and Dental Office
250
Mini Casino
200
Movie Theater (Indoor Only)
1 per 4 seats
Mobile, Manufactured and Modular Home Sales
400
Motor Vehicle and Related Equipment Sales
400
Pawn Shop
250
Personal Service
250
Rental and Repair Service
400
Retail Sales
250
Wholesale Trade
250
Industrial Uses
Parking Requirements
Boat Building
400 office, 1,000 other
Bulk Fuel Dealer
400 office, 1,000 other
Buy-Back Recycling
400 office, 1,000 other
Contractor Yard
400 office, 1,000 other
Craft Production Facility
400 office, 1,000 other
Food and Related Products
400 office, 1,000 other
Industrial Service and Repair
400 office, 1,000 other
Limited Manufacturing
400 office, 1,000 other
Microbeverage Production Facility
400 office and tasting room, 1,000 other
Motion Picture, TV and Radio Production Studio
400
Printing, Publishing and Related Industry
400 office, 1,000 other
Salvage Yard
400 office
Storage Unit
2,500
Warehousing, Distr. and Freight Movement
400 office, 2,000 other
1 Employees per largest shift.
2 “Senior” means dwelling units specifically designed for and occupied by elderly persons under a Federal, State or local government program or occupied solely by persons who are 62 or older or houses at least one person who is 55 or older in at least 80 percent of the occupied units, and adheres to a policy that demonstrates intent to house persons who are 55 or older.
3 “Disabilities” means dwelling units specifically designed for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or to otherwise provide physical access to the dwelling unit by individuals with disabilities.
4 For dwelling units that are specifically designed for seniors or people with disabilities and are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours per day. Parking shall be required only for staff and visitors per the existing use standards.
5 “Affordable” means dwelling units priced, rented or leased only to very low-income or extremely low-income households and that are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service at least two times per hour for 12 or more hours per day. “Very low-income” households means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is at or below 50% of the median household income adjusted for household size for Pierce County, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development. “Extremely low-income” households mean a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is at or below 30% of the median household income adjusted for household size for Pierce County, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development.
6 “Transit proximity” means market rate multifamily dwelling units that are located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop that receives transit service from at least one route that provides service at least four times per hour or 12 or more hours per day.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 514 § 4, 2008; Ord. 559 § 8 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 628 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 662 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 688 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020; Ord. 760 § 10 (Exh. G), 2022; Ord. 788 § 6 (Exh. F), 2025; Ord. 797, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Nonresidential building engaged in retail, restaurant, wholesale, manufacturing or storage activities, excluding self-service storage facilities, shall provide loading spaces in accordance with the standards listed below:
Gross Floor Area
Number of Loading Spaces
10,000 to 16,000 sf
1
16,001 to 40,000 sf
2
40,001 to 64,000 sf
3
64,001 to 96,000 sf
4
96,001 to 128,000 sf
5
128,001 to 160,000 sf
6
160,001 to 196,000 sf
7
For additional 35,000 sf
1 additional
B. 
Hospital, church, auditorium, convention hall, exhibition hall, sports arena/stadium, or other similar assembly type uses shall provide loading spaces in accordance with the standards listed below:
Gross Floor Area
Number of Spaces
40,000 to 60,000 sf
1
60,001 to 160,000 sf
2
160,001 to 264,000 sf
3
C. 
Hotel, office building and restaurant shall provide a minimum of one loading space; provided, any of these uses over 50,000 square feet shall provide two loading spaces.
D. 
Each loading space shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide, 30 feet long, and have an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet, six inches. Loading spaces shall be located to prevent trucks from projecting into any public right-of-way, parking area, and parking aisle. All loading spaces shall be designated and located in the rear or side of the building and away from frontage roads.
E. 
Exceptions. Upon written request the required number of loading spaces may be reduced or eliminated if the person making the request can demonstrate that less or no loading spaces are required because of the type of use, location of shared loading spaces, location of use in relation to delivery truck accessibility and ability to front load. The amount of reduction or if no loading spaces are to be required shall be determined by the Director.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
In the case of a use not specifically mentioned in this chapter, the requirements for off-street parking facilities shall be determined by the Director. Such determination shall be based upon the requirements for the most comparable use specified.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
When two or more uses occupy the same building or when two or more buildings or uses cooperatively share an off-street parking facility, the total requirements for off-street parking and loading facilities shall be at least the sum of the requirements for the greater of the uses at any one time or as allowed by the Director. All applications for cooperative parking shall be reviewed and approved by the Director as an administrative decision. The following review criteria shall be considered by the Director:
A. 
The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with design standards for encouraging joint-use parking areas within MU, MU-O and MU-M zones as described in Chapter 19.50 UPMC.
B. 
The applicant shall demonstrate that there will not be a conflict with the operating hours of the businesses that seek to have cooperative parking.
C. 
The applicant shall submit a formal cooperative parking agreement.
D. 
A change of one or more of the uses voids the agreement. A new agreement shall be prepared for consideration.
The discontinuation of a use or uses subject to a cooperative parking agreement shall terminate such agreement and shall require the submittal of a new agreement for the Director’s approval.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 662 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
Provided existing parking conforms with parking requirements at the time the use was established, additional parking shall not be required as a result of a building remodel or tenant improvement, a change in use or tenancy, or a new certificate of occupancy; provided, such changes result in no more than a 25 percent increase in the required off-street parking spaces. If the required number of off-street parking spaces exceeds 25 percent, then additional parking shall be provided in accordance with the parking requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of a motor vehicle, boat, or trailer to park it or allow it to be parked on City property, a vacant lot or parking lot owned by another person for the purpose of displaying it for sale, unless the property is zoned for such use. It shall also be unlawful for the owner or lessee of such property to allow another person to park a motor vehicle or trailer on the property for the purpose of displaying it for sale unless the property is zoned for such use.
(Formerly 19.60.110. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
In R1 and R2 residential zoning districts, parking other than on designated driveways is not permitted in front setback areas. Parking shall be permitted in and upon designated driveways as provided in this section. The designated driveway is defined as the paved, graveled or similar road-way leading from the street to a garage or covered parking area or as otherwise determined by the Director where there is no garage or carport.
(Formerly 19.60.120. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
A. 
Driveway and parking lot designs shall comply with the Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound, prepared by the Washington State University Extension and Puget Sound Partnership, to the extent practicable. Required driveways and areas for required loading, parking and maneuvering shall have a paved surface (asphalt, concrete or pervious pavement approved by the City) which is durable and able to withstand all weather conditions, unless modified with approval of the Director.
B. 
Off-street parking areas and driveways that are not required for the purposes of meeting the minimum off-street parking and loading requirements shall use pervious pavement to the extent practicable.
C. 
Required off-street parking areas for residential use may consist of grass block pavers (e.g., grasscrete or turf stone) as approved by the City.
(Formerly 19.60.130. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 559 § 8 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 688 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020; Ord. 797, 12/1/2025)
The maximum number of parking spaces shall not exceed 15 percent over the minimum standards identified in this chapter. A request to allow for greater than 15 percent over the minimum parking standards shall be reviewed as a variance in accordance with UPMC § 19.85.030.
(Formerly 19.60.140. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 688 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
In any development containing 20 or more parking spaces, a minimum of 25 percent and a maximum of 50 percent of the total number of the spaces shall be sized to accommodate compact cars. Developments containing less than 20 parking spaces may designate up to 50 percent of the total number of spaces as compact spaces. Compact spaces shall comply with the following:
A. 
Each space shall be clearly identified as a compact car space by painting the word “COMPACT” in capital letters, a minimum of eight inches high, on the pavement at the base of the parking space and centered between the striping;
B. 
Aisle widths shall conform to the standards set in Figures 1 and 2 in UPMC § 19.60.180.
(Formerly 19.60.150. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 559 § 8 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
Off-street parking and access for physically handicapped persons shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 19.27 RCW, State Building Code, as detailed in Chapter 51-40 WAC or as revised by SBCC.
(Formerly 19.60.160. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
The number of bicycle parking spaces shall be 10 percent of the number of required off-street parking spaces for nonresidential and multifamily uses. Bicycle parking shall be provided in racks or other similar facility and shall not be located within a required off-street parking space.
(Formerly 19.60.170. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
All land uses that include government/business and manufacturing shall be required to reserve one parking space of every 20 required spaces for ride-share parking as follows:
A. 
The parking spaces shall be located closer to the primary employee entrance;
B. 
Reserved areas shall have markings and signs indicating the space is reserved; and
C. 
Parking in reserved areas shall be limited to vanpools and carpools established through ride-share programs by public agencies and to vehicles meeting minimum ride-share qualifications set by the employer.
(Formerly 19.60.180. Ord. 307 § 2, 2001; Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020)
Each off-street parking space and access aisle shall meet all applicable provisions of this section. The dimensions for parking lots, wheel stops, spaces, drive aisles, etc., are as set forth in Figures 1 and 2 of this section. Minimum width for parking spaces for residential use, whether required or voluntary, shall be eight feet wide, including for angled and compact spaces, except for required parking for people with disabilities.
Figure 1. Parking Lot Dimensions
Dimension
Two Way Traffic
One Way Traffic
Standard
Compact
Standard
Compact
Lot Width (LW)*
 
 
 
 
45°
 
 
48'/44'
42'/38'
60°
62'/59'
52'/50'
54'/51'
46'/43'
75°
 
 
59'/57'
49'/47'
90°
61'
51'
 
 
Aisle Width (AW)
 
 
 
 
45°
 
 
15'
13'
60°
26'
21'
18'
15'
75°
 
 
22'
17'
90°
26'
21'
 
 
Stall Width (SW)**
 
 
 
 
Parallel
22'
 
22'
 
45°
9'/12.7'
8'/11.3'
9'/12.7'
8'/11.3'
60°
9'/10.4'
8'/9.3'
9'/10.4'
8'/9.3'
75°
9'/9.3'
8'/8.3'
9'/9.3'
8'/8.3'
90°
9'
8'
9'
8'
Stall Depth (SD) ***
 
 
 
 
Parallel
8'
8'
8'
8'
45°
16.5'/14.5'
14.2'/12.3'
16.5'/14.5'
14.2'/12.3'
60°
18'/16.5'
15.4'/14'
18'/16.5'
15.4'/14'
75°
18.5'/17.5'
16'/15.1'
18.5'/17.5'
16'/15.1'
90°
17.5'
15'
17.5'
15'
* Wall to Wall/Interlock to Interlock
** Width/Width Parallel to Aisle
*** Depth to Wall/Depth of Interlock
Figure 2. Wheel Stops
(Formerly 19.60.190. Ord. 394 § 1, 2003; Ord. 443 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 514 § 4, 2008; Ord. 607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 741 § 1 (Exh. M), 2020; Ord. 797, 12/1/2025)