A. 
It is the purpose and intent of this article to assure that parking spaces and loading spaces are provided off the street in such number and with suitable design and construction to accommodate the motor vehicles of all persons normally using or visiting a use, building or other structure at any one time. Off-street parking and loading spaces required to be provided by this article shall be permanently maintained and made available for occupancy in connection with and for the full duration of the use of land, buildings and other structures for which such spaces are herein required. If any existing use of land, buildings or other structures, conforming to the requirements of this article, is changed to a use requiring additional off-street parking or loading spaces to comply with this article, the additional spaces shall be provided for the new use in accordance with the standards hereinafter specified. All off-street parking and loading spaces hereafter established shall conform to the design and construction standards specified in this article as well as to the site development and landscaping standards of Article V and any conditions attached to the approval of a site plan or special exception under these regulations.
B. 
Definitions. For the purpose of this article, one parking space shall constitute an area with such shape, vertical clearance, access and slope as to accommodate one automobile having an overall length of 18 feet and shall contain an area of 180 square feet, except that zero degree (parallel) parking spaces shall contain a minimum area of 176 square feet and further excepting that the minimum area may be reduced to 160 square feet for spaces located in or on a building or structure; one loading space shall constitute an area 12 feet in width and 30 feet in length with a vertical clearance of 15 feet with such shape, access and slope as to accommodate one truck having an overall length of 30 feet.
[Amended 10-16-2007]
A. 
For each use of land, buildings and other structures, off-street parking spaces shall be provided in such number and in the location specified as follows:
[Amended 11-22-2000]
Use
Minimum Required Parking Spaces
Church; synagogue; auditorium; theater; places of worship or assembly
1 space per 4 seats
Banks and similar financial institutions (freestanding)
8 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Business offices
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Bowling alleys; indoor tennis; indoor athletic
3 spaces per alley or court
Convalescent or nursing home
1 space per 2 beds
Church; synagogue, place of worship
1 space per 6 seats
Funeral home
1 space per 75 square feet of assembly room area
Home occupation; office in residence
3 spaces in addition to residential requirement
Industrial; manufacturing
2 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Medical, dental, health care office
5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Membership club
10 spaces per 1,000 square feet of assembly area
Public library; museum, philanthropic institution
5 spaces per 1,000 square feet accessible to the public
Research institute; laboratory
2 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Residential: assisted living
0.75 space per dwelling unit
Residential: housing for elderly
1 space per dwelling
Residential: one- and two-family
2 spaces per dwelling
Residential: multifamily
2 spaces per dwelling
Residential: rooming house, dormitory
0.5 space per guest room or resident
Restaurant, sit down
1 space per 2 seats
Restaurant, take out
14 spaces per 1,000 square feet of space utilized by public
Retail: individual stores; personal service (under 50,000 square feet)
6 spaces per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
Retail: supermarket; shopping center (over 50,000 square feet)
5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
Schools: elementary
2 spaces per classroom plus space for auditorium/gymnasium
Schools: high school
4 spaces per classroom plus space for auditorium/gymnasium
Warehouse and other enclosed storage
1 space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Wholesale food; discount and home improvement center
5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
Mixed uses
The sum of the requirement of the component uses computed separately
Other uses not listed above
See Subsection B(3) below
B. 
Interpretation of required parking spaces.
(1) 
The parking required herein is in addition to space for storage of trucks or other vehicles used in connection with a business, commercial or industrial use.
(2) 
Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next highest whole number.
(3) 
The parking space requirements for a use not specifically listed in this section shall be determined by the Commission based on parking demand generation for a listed use of similar characteristics or based on data provided by such authoritative sources as the Urban Land Institute or the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
[Amended 11-22-2000]
(4) 
Off-street parking requirements shall be waived for all but residential uses within 300 feet of a municipal parking facility. Distance shall be measured from property to property along the center line of the nearest street line or other public right-of-way.
(5) 
Unless otherwise specified, for the purpose of determining the number of spaces, the floor area shall be deemed to be net floor area. Net floor area shall be either 85% of the gross floor area or, when an actual floor plan is provided for retail establishments, shall be the floor area developed to customer use.
[Amended 11-22-2000]
(6) 
An applicant may request, and the Commission may approve, a special exception to reduce the number of parking spaces required herein when the applicant can demonstrate through the presentation of historical data or by similar means that a lesser number of spaces will be sufficient to accommodate the proposed use and the Commission finds that the intent of this article will be satisfied by such reduction in the number of spaces.
[Amended 11-22-2000]
A. 
In all residential zones, no off-street facilities shall be designed and/or located in any required front yard except for the paved portion of the driveway which gives access to said facility.
B. 
In residential zones, parking spaces required for all uses shall be provided on the same lot as the principal use.
C. 
In nonresidential zones, off-street parking facilities may abut the front property line. However, a landscaped strip in accordance with § 195-59F(1) of these regulations shall be provided whenever possible. The Commission may require a wider front landscaped buffer when deemed appropriate by the Commission to facilitate a visual break between the parking area and the street and/or to enhance the visual aesthetics of the nonresidential zones.
D. 
In all nonresidential zones, required parking facilities may be required to be located on the same lot as the building they serve or on a lot within 300 feet from such building. If the parking facility is not located on the same lot it is intended to serve, a written affidavit of agreement, binding each participating owner and successor in interest for the life of the joint use of the facility, shall be recorded in the land records prior to endorsement of any site plan. A site plan of the off-site parking facility prepared in accordance with Article V of these regulations indicating those parking spaces devoted to the off-site use shall be submitted with an application for site plan approval. Two or more parking facilities on adjoining lots, if designated for use as a single parking area, may be required to use the same means of access.
E. 
Any vacant parcel of land in a nonresidential zone intended for use as a parking facility in connection with an off-site use shall be designed and improved in accordance with these regulations.
The Commission may reduce the parking requirements no more than 50% for sites where uses will be generating a demand for parking during periods when other uses are not in operation in accordance with the following:
A. 
Joint off-street parking facilities provided by another building or use shall be within 300 feet of the property they are intended to serve.
B. 
A written affidavit of agreement, binding each participating owner and successor in interest for the life of the joint use of the facility, shall be signed by the owners of the properties involved and shall be recorded in the land records prior to Commission endorsement of the plan.
C. 
The use of land in any residential zone for parking in connection with and adjacent to a use in a nonresidential zone shall not be extended into the residential zone more than 30 feet.
D. 
Any vacant parcel of land in a nonresidential zone intended for use as a parking facility in connection with an off-site use shall be designed and improved in accordance with these regulations.
E. 
Public parking facilities shall not be used to satisfy parking requirements for residential uses.
On the same premises with every building devoted to retail trade, retail and wholesale food markets, warehouses, supply houses, wholesale or manufacturing trade, hotels, hospitals, laundry, dry-cleaning establishments or other buildings where large amounts of goods are received or shipped erected in any district after the date of the adoption of these regulations loading and unloading space shall be provided as follows:
A. 
Loading space shall be not less than 12 feet wide, 30 feet long and 15 feet high.
B. 
Every building or block of buildings containing more than 5,000 square feet of gross floor space: one loading space.
C. 
Every building or block of buildings containing more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area: one loading space for each 20,000 square feet or fraction thereof.
D. 
No such space shall be located closer than 50 feet to any other lot in any residence zone, unless wholly within a completely enclosed building or unless enclosed on all sides by a wall or opaque fence not less than six feet in height.
E. 
Such loading space, maneuvering space and all vehicles using the loading space shall be contained within the lot.
All off-street automobile parking facilities shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley as well as maneuvering areas. The Commission shall determine the appropriate curb cut when a site plan is submitted and detailed plans of driveway and curb cuts shall be submitted to the State Highway Department as appropriate for approval for all curb cuts or driveway openings before a permit may be obtained therefor.
A. 
Parking spaces and loading facilities and access roadways shall have adequate all-weather surfacing with proper drainage and shall be capable of allowing free and safe movement of all vehicles customarily using the facility.
B. 
Any parking area designed or intended for use by three or more vehicles which is located adjacent to any public sidewalk or the planned location of a public sidewalk shall be separated from such sidewalk by a suitable barrier so placed as to prevent the encroachment or parking of automobiles on such public sidewalk or planned location thereof.
C. 
Lighting of parking areas and access driveways shall have the light source shaded to substantially protect contiguous landowners and public streets.
All off-street parking facilities shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley as well as maneuvering areas. The layout and traffic circulation of parking and loading areas shall be designed so as to avoid unsafe conditions and traffic congestion in the streets upon which the area has access according to the following standards:
A. 
Curb cuts. The Commission shall determine the appropriate curb cut when the site plan is submitted. Detailed plans of driveway and curb cuts shall be submitted to the State Highway Department, as required, for approval of all curb cuts or driveway openings involving state roads before a zoning permit is issued.
B. 
Fire lanes. Where required, fire lanes shall be designated on the site plan. Fire lanes shall be at least 10 feet in width and shall be marked "No Parking Fire Lane." No required parking or loading space shall encroach on any required fire lane.
C. 
Adjoining lots. The interconnection of adjoining parking lots shall be encouraged where said connections would result in improved circulation, increased parking spaces, decreased curb cuts and/or signalized access. Parking spaces lost or abandoned due to adjoining parking lots may be exempted from the minimum parking requirements by the Commission.
D. 
Drainage.
(1) 
Off-street parking and loading facilities and access roadways/driveways for all commercial and industrial uses shall be paved with a durable and dustless surface consisting of three inches of bituminous concrete over four inches of three-fourths- to one-and-one-fourth-inch processed aggregate base and eight inches of rolled gravel base. Proper drainage shall be provided as specified in Article V of these regulations. No surface water from any parking lot shall be permitted to drain directly onto adjoining property without drainage easements and/or rights to drain.
(2) 
Except for one-, two- and three-family dwellings, all residential off-street parking facilities and access roadways/driveways shall be paved with three inches of bituminous concrete over four inches of three-fourths- to one-and-one-fourth-inch processed aggregate base and eight inches of rolled gravel base. Proper drainage infrastructure shall be provided as specified in Article V of these regulations. No surface water from any parking lot shall be permitted to drain onto adjoining property.
(3) 
The Commission may waive the foregoing requirements with respect to the type of surfacing and drainage infrastructure:
(a) 
For areas where existing drainage problems warrant use of porous material;
(b) 
For groundwater recharge areas (or potential recharge areas) where surfacing and change in drainage patterns will reduce or increase groundwater levels;
(c) 
For areas where surfacing and change in drainage patterns will be detrimental to the hydrology and wildlife of surface water bodies, streams or wetlands;
(d) 
For industrial uses not devoted to employee and/or public parking and only when it is proven that any and all proposed uses will not pollute potential ground and surface water supplies;
(e) 
For sites proposed for recreation activities; or
(f) 
For proposals located within a floodplain.
(4) 
Such conditions shall be documented in a detailed report prepared by a licensed professional engineer, hydrogeologist and/or biologist, where applicable. Said report shall be subject to review and approval the City Engineer, Department of Public Works or any other agency the Commission deems necessary to review the report, prior to Commission approval. A request for waiver shall be submitted in writing and accompany the development application.
E. 
Marking. All required parking spaces, except for single-family or two-family residences, shall be marked by painted lines, curbs or other means to indicate individual spaces.
F. 
Landscape buffer.
(1) 
In cases where a nonresidential parking facility abuts a residential use, a landscaped buffer area at least 25 feet in depth and located on the nonresidential property shall be required by the Commission and shall be maintained by the owner and/or occupants of such parcel. Landscaping of such buffer shall be in accordance with § 195-25E(1) of these regulations.
[Amended 1-1-2006]
(2) 
The Commission may require that the area lying between the front property line and the parking facility consist of a landscaped berm, mound, wooden fence or masonry wall which may be planted with shrubs, hedges and/or flowering plants, so as to provide effective screening from the street and to improve the appearance of the site.
G. 
Design. All off-street parking facilities shall be laid out with standard size parking spaces. Such standard size spaces shall have a width of 10 feet and a length of 18 feet, except for zero degree (parallel) parking spaces which shall have a minimum width of eight feet and a minimum length of 22 feet.
[Amended 10-16-2007]
(1) 
Ninety-degree parking. The overall wall-to-wall width shall be 60 feet, including a two-foot allowance for bumper overhang. Aisle width shall be 24 feet for two-way traffic.
(2) 
Sixty-degree parking. The overall wall-to-wall width shall be 58 feet, including a two-foot allowance for bumper overhang. Aisle width shall be 18 feet for one-way traffic.
(3) 
Forty-five-degree parking. The overall wall-to-wall width shall be 51 feet, including a one-and-five-tenths-foot allowance for bumper overhang. Aisle width shall be 13 feet for one-way traffic.
(4) 
Thirty-degree parking. The overall wall-to-wall width shall be 45 feet, including a one-and-five-tenths-foot allowance for bumper overhang. Aisle width shall be 12 feet for one-way traffic.
(5) 
Zero degree parking spaces, if located adjacent to a building or property line, shall be separated from the building or property line by a curb and landscaping and/or a sidewalk that is at least 48 inches wide. Zero degree (parallel) parking spaces shall be designed in a manner which avoids conflicts with other parking spaces, parking aisles and/or other site plan requirements.
(6) 
Sidewalks. Concrete sidewalks a minimum of four feet in width shall be installed on site and along the street frontages to provide walkways between parking areas and building and/or principal or accessory uses when deemed necessary and appropriate for pedestrian safety and convenience. Such walkways shall provide handicapped access ramps in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes and the State Building Code.
(7) 
Lighting. Adequate lighting shall be provided in lots of more than 10 spaces if off-street parking spaces are to be used at night. The lighting shall be arranged and installed to minimize glare beyond the property line.
The Commission may, depending on the specific parking needs of a particular use, approve a phased development of the off-street parking area for a proposed or an existing development, in accordance with the following conditions:
A. 
The total number of spaces required to be shown on the site plan shall be determined in accordance with the standards for that particular use, as specified in § 195-54 of these regulations.
B. 
The construction of the parking area and the installation of the spaces may be phased according to short-term requirements as designated on the plan, except that no less than 50% of the total spaces required shall be constructed as part of the short-term requirement.
C. 
The balance of the spaces not constructed shall be designated as "reserve spaces" on the site plan and laid out as an integral part of the overall parking layout and must be located on land suitable for parking area development and either left in its natural state or suitably landscaped.
D. 
Under any circumstances, the owner may construct the total number of parking spaces required as per § 195-54 of these regulations, or, if the Zoning Officer determines that additional spaces, identified as reserve spaces on the site plan, may be required, he shall notify the owner of the property concerning his findings, and the owner shall construct the required spaces within six months of such notification.
A. 
In all districts, an access drive to an accessory garage, parking area or truck loading space may be located within a required side yard.
B. 
In any residence district, a private garage or parking area may be utilized only as an accessory to the main use, except that one parking space in a private garage accessory to a one-family or two-family dwelling may be rented to a person who is not a resident of the main building.
C. 
In any residence district, not more than one commercial vehicle, with a gross weight limited to two tons, may be housed on any lot, and then only in a private garage, except that motorized equipment properly accessory to a farm, or to a group of multiple-family dwellings, may be housed, but only within a roofed enclosure.
D. 
In any residence district, not more than 50% of the area of a minimum required rear yard shall be used as a parking area.
E. 
In all districts, required parking areas for dwellings shall be on the same lot with the main building.
F. 
No public or private garage accommodating more than five vehicles and no gasoline station shall be located or shall have any entrance or exit within 200 feet of the entrance to a public school, public library, theater, assembly hall, church, hospital, public park, or playground or fire station.
G. 
All public garages and gasoline stations shall be so arranged, and all gasoline pumps shall be so placed, as to permit all services to be rendered entirely within the lot lines. No gasoline or oil pump shall be placed within 15 feet of any street line or side lot line.
H. 
Parking for the physically handicapped. Parking shall be provided for the physically handicapped in accordance with the Basic Building Code of the State of Connecticut.
I. 
Parking exemption areas. The Commission, after due notice and public hearing as required for adoption or amendment of these regulations, may delineate areas of the City which shall be exempt from the required provision of off-street parking spaces. Such delineation shall be shown on the Zoning Map and may be made only after the Commission determines that the City of Derby or a combination of the City of Derby and property owners will provide sufficient and permanent off street parking spaces to carry out the purpose and intent of this article.