20.945.020 Applicability of Provisions.
A. General. When land is used for motor vehicle and/or bicycle parking, the provisions of this chapter shall apply unless otherwise noted.
B. Types of parking. For the purposes of this chapter, there are three types of parking:
1. Accessory parking is parking associated with a specific development that is reserved for the use of the customers, residents, employees, students and/or visitors associated with the development. Accessory parking shall be subject to the minimum vehicle parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2 and all of the other design and development standards in this chapter.
2. Non-Accessory Parking, which is any private or public vehicle and bicycle parking, either paid or free, which is not accessory to a specific development, including public and private parking structures and lots; transit park-and-ride lots; and free-standing fleet vehicle parking lots, per the definition in Section 20.160.020 VMC. Non-accessory parking shall be subject to all of the design and development standards in this chapter but exempt from the minimum parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2.
3. Valet Parking. The Planning Official may approve valet parking or stacked parking to meet a portion of the on-site parking requirement as appropriate for the use.
C. New construction. Prior to occupancy of a new structure within any zoning district, off-street vehicle parking shall be provided in accordance with Section 20.945.070 VMC.
D. Expansion of existing use. Prior to occupancy of an enlargement of a structure which increases the on-site vehicle parking requirements, off-street vehicle parking shall be provided in accordance with Section 20.945.070 VMC subject to the following:
1. The number of required vehicle parking and loading spaces shall be based only on floor area or capacity of such enlargement using the minimum parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2.
2. If the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the enlargement added to the existing on-site parking supply falls short of the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the project as a whole, the applicant shall provide additional spaces to bring the total supply up to the minimum required.
3. If the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the enlargement added to the existing on-site development exceed the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the whole project, the applicant may reduce the additional number of spaces provided, providing that the total supply still meets the minimum required.
E. Change of use. When an existing structure is changed from one use to another use as listed in Chapter 20.160 VMC, the following provisions shall apply:
1. If the parking requirements for each use are the same, no additional vehicle parking shall be required.
2. Where a change results in an intensification of use in terms of the number of vehicle parking spaces required, additional vehicle parking spaces shall be provided in an amount equal to the difference between the minimum number of spaces required for the existing use and the minimum number of spaces required for the more intensive use; unless there is an excess of vehicle parking on the site to accommodate the difference.
3. Where the change results in a decrease in intensity of use, the applicant may physically eliminate excess vehicle parking spaces in an amount equal to the difference between the minimum number of spaces required for the existing use and the minimum number of spaces required for the less intensive use. An applicant may request approval to reduce the number of excess spaces on the site by means of a Type I procedure.
F. Availability. The required minimum vehicle parking shall:
1. Be available for the parking of operable passenger vehicles of residents, patrons and employees only;
2. For nonresidential uses, it shall not be used for storage of vehicles or materials, or for fleet parking used in conduct of the business or use during regular business hours; and
3. Not be rented, leased or assigned to any other person or organization, unless as part of a joint parking agreement per Section 20.945.030(B) VMC. (Ord. M-3643, 2004)