20.945.070 Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements.
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A. Parking requirements for unlisted uses.
1. The planning official may rule that a use not specifically listed in Table 20.945.070-2 below is a use similar to a listed use and that the same parking standards shall apply. If the applicant requests that the planning official’s decision be rendered in writing, it shall constitute an interpretation, as governed by Chapter 20.255 VMC; and
2. The planning official shall maintain a list of approved unlisted use parking requirements that have the same effect as an amendment to this chapter.
B. Choice of parking requirements. When a building or use is planned or constructed in such a manner that a choice of parking requirements could be made, the use which requires the greater number of parking spaces shall govern.
C. Measurements. The following measurements shall be used in calculating the total minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required in this chapter:
1. Fractions. Fractional space requirements of up to 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next whole number and 0.5 or greater rounded up to the next whole number.
2. Employees. Where employees are specified for the purpose of determining the minimum vehicle parking spaces required, the employees counted are those who work on the premises during the largest shift at the peak season.
3. Students. When students are specified for the purpose of determining the minimum vehicle parking spaces required, the students counted are those who are on the campus during the peak period of the day during a typical school term.
4. Space. Unless otherwise noted, where gross square feet (gsf) are specified, the area measured shall be gross floor area under the roof measured from the faces of the structure, excluding only space devoted to covered off-street parking or loading.
D. Exclusions to minimum vehicle parking requirements. The following shall not be counted towards the computation of the minimum parking spaces as required in Table 20.945.070-2 below:
1. On-street parking. Parking spaces in the public street or alley shall not be eligible as fulfilling any part of the parking requirement except as provided elsewhere in this title;
2. Fleet parking. Required vehicle parking spaces may not be used for storage of fleet vehicles, except when a use can show that employee and fleet parking spaces are used interchangeably (e.g., the employee drives the fleet vehicle from home, or the spaces are used for fleet storage only at night and are available for employee use during the day). For the purposes of this title, space exclusively devoted to the storage of fleet vehicles will be considered as outdoor storage.
E. Reductions in minimum required vehicle parking.
1. The planning official may reduce the minimum off-street vehicle parking spaces required in Table 20.945.070-2 by up to 10 percent in new nonresidential developments by means of a Type I procedure, when an applicant for a development permit can demonstrate in a parking study prepared by a traffic consultant or in parking data from comparable sites that:
a. The requested reduction in parking will not have an adverse impact on uses in the immediate vicinity.
b. Use of transit, demand management programs, and/or special characteristics of the customer, client, employee or resident population will reduce expected vehicle use and parking space demand for this development, as compared with Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) vehicle trip generation rates and minimum city parking requirements.
c. The city shall not be responsible for providing parking for a development should a reduction in required parking under this section result in a deficit in parking that is not desirable to the owner of the property or use.
2. The planning official may reduce the minimum off-street vehicle parking spaces required in Table 20.945.070-2 up to 20 percent if the required conditions detailed in subsections (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section are met. Reductions in parking minimums shall be cumulative and inclusive of reductions allowed under any provision of this title.
a. For every five bicycle parking spaces provided which meet bicycle parking design standards or for each bicycle locker (two-bicycle capacity), the minimum motor vehicle parking requirement may be reduced by one space up to seven percent of total required vehicle parking spaces. Mixed-use developments using this provision shall provide bicycle parking indoors.
b. Sites where at least 20 parking spaces are required and where at least one street lot line abuts a designated arterial roadway, transit-supportive plazas may be substituted for up to five percent of required vehicle parking.
i. The plaza must be adjacent to the arterial street. If there is a bus stop along the site’s frontage, the plaza must be adjacent to the bus stop.
ii. The plaza must be at least 300 square feet in area and be shaped so that a 10-foot-by-10-foot square will fit entirely within the plaza.
iii. The plaza must be open to the public, contain a bench or other sitting area, contain a shelter or other weather protection covering at least 20 square feet, and shall have at least 10 percent and no more than 25 percent landscaping.
c. Building Orientation/Site Design Incentive. Developments which incorporate all of the following building orientation/site design characteristics into the site plan shall be eligible for a five percent reduction in required on-site parking:
i. Build to the Sidewalk. Buildings located as close as possible to the public street and sidewalk, preferably at the minimum required setback. Primary entrance shall be oriented toward the street.
ii. Provide public spaces. Commercial development should provide spaces for civic interaction. To make these more accessible and accommodating to the public, pedestrian plazas, street furniture and landscaped open spaces should be incorporated as site amenities.
iii. Build to the corner. Buildings on corner lots should be located on the street corner with building frontage on both streets with primary entrances oriented toward the intersection. If no buildings are located at street corners, pedestrian plazas and amenities should provide a focus for the area. Intersection vision clearance standards shall apply.
iv. Pad Development. Pad development should be located at the corners of a development or at the intersection created by the site driveway with the public street. The location and site design of pad development should integrate seamlessly with the on-site pedestrian circulation plan and all off-site pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities.
3. A request to reduce the required minimum parking more than 20 percent is subject to a Type II variance procedure.
F. Parking in City Center (CX) Zone. The following minimum requirements shall apply, in accordance with VMC 20.630.060, Parking Control, in all areas zoned City Center (CX) district:
|
Land Use |
Parking Requirements |
|---|---|
|
Multifamily housing, market rate and low-income |
0.75 space/dwelling unit |
|
Senior housing, and housing for persons with disabilities |
0 spaces for residential units 0.75 space per employee1 plus one visitor space per 10 residents |
|
All other residential uses |
1 space/dwelling unit |
|
Transient lodging |
1 space/living unit |
|
Congregate care facilities for nonsenior residents |
1 space/2 living units |
|
All other uses |
1 space/1,000 sq. ft. of floor area |
1The number of employees based on maximum number of employees present at any given time (i.e., during the largest shift of employees).
G. Parking in Transit Overlay District. Developments located within the Transit Overlay District may be subject to special parking standards contained in Chapter 20.550 VMC.
H. Application of Parking Requirements.
1. Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, no parking shall be required for any commercial use located in an existing structure which abuts Main Street between Fifth Street and McLoughlin Boulevard, up to and including the first two floors above street level, and any basement levels. The requirements for uses in all floors of three stories or above shall be the same as that in all other areas in the City Center district (CX).
2. In addition, notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, requirements for off-street parking shall not apply within the Community Commercial (CC) district extending from McLoughlin Boulevard to Fourth Plain Boulevard in the event of a change in commercial occupancy of a building or of a remodeling of a commercial structure if the original floor area is not exceeded by 25 percent. This provision does not apply to conversion of residential occupancy to commercial occupancy. The requirements for off-street parking for the Community Commercial (CC) district within this area shall be based on the City Center (CX) district parking requirements of Table 20.945.070-1 and shall only be for the total area of additions in excess of 25 percent of the floor area in existence on July 19, 2010.
3. Commercial uses in the Neighborhood Commercial (CN) district may count available on-street parking spaces which are immediately adjacent to the development toward the minimum on-site parking requirement.
4. Parking stalls used for electric vehicle basic charging stations and rapid charging stations shall be counted toward the minimum number of required parking stalls in a development.
I. Use of Public Parking. The requirements for off-street parking can be satisfied by execution of a long-term lease for a segment of equivalent parking in an existing public or private parking facility. Lease fees in public facilities would be at market rates as established and adjusted by the Vancouver city council after considering the advice of the parking advisory committee. Continued leasing of such space shall be required, and failure to provide the required parking shall be cause for revocation of the occupancy permit for the structure involved.
J. Specific requirements for minimum parking. Parking shall be provided for uses as per Table 20.945.070-2 below:
|
Use |
Minimum |
|---|---|
|
RESIDENTIAL |
|
|
Household Living |
See Housing Types below |
|
Group Living |
1.0 space per 7 residents served under age 12 1.0 space per resident served ages 12 – 17 1.0 space per resident served age 18 or older |
|
Transitional Housing |
1.0:3 beds |
|
Home Occupations |
None |
|
HOUSING TYPES |
|
|
Single Dwellings, Attached |
1.0/DU1 |
|
Single Dwellings, Detached |
1.0/DU |
|
Accessory Dwelling Units |
None |
|
Duplexes |
1.0/DU |
|
Market Rate Multifamily Dwelling Units |
0.75/DU if located within 0.25 mile of frequent transit line,6 1.0/DU if located 0.25 mile or further from a frequent transit line |
|
Housing for Low-Income Households Earning Under 60% Median Area Income |
0.75/DU |
|
Manufactured Home Subdivisions |
1.0/DU |
|
Manufactured Home Parks |
1.0/DU |
|
Senior Housing Facilities and Housing for People With Disabilities |
0 spaces for residential units 0.75 space per employee7 plus 1.0 visitor space per 10 residents |
|
CIVIC (Institutional) |
|
|
Basic Utilities |
None |
|
Community Centers |
Per approved parking study |
|
Community Recreation |
Per approved parking study |
|
Cultural Institutions |
1.0:400 sq. ft. |
|
Day Care |
|
|
– Child Care |
Family Day Care Home: none Institutional: 1.0/employee + 1.0/12 children served |
|
– Adult Day Care |
Family Day Care Home: none Institutional: 1.0/employee + 1.0/12 clients served |
|
– Dog Day Care |
1.0/employee + |
|
Emergency Services |
1.0:300 |
|
Medical Centers |
1.0/4 beds (hospital, residential care center); 1.0/2 beds for patients or residents (convalescent hospital, nursing home, congregate care facility) |
|
Parks/Open Space |
|
|
– Neighborhood Parks |
Parks Department to determine |
|
– Community Parks |
|
|
– Regional Parks |
|
|
– Trails |
|
|
Postal Service |
1.0:300 |
|
Religious Institutions |
1.0/6 seats or 12' of bench in main assembly area |
|
Social/Fraternal Clubs |
1.0/100 |
|
Transportation Facilities |
None |
|
Schools |
|
|
– Preschool |
2.0/classroom |
|
– Elementary and Middle |
1.0 space/4 seats or 8 feet of bench length in auditorium or assembly room, whichever is greater |
|
– High School |
1.0 space/employee, plus 1.0 space/each 6 students, or 1.0 space/4 seats or 8 feet of bench length in auditorium, whichever is greater |
|
– College* *Classrooms = 30 students. Lecture halls require additional parking of 12.0 spaces per 30 seats. Additional parking may be required as determined by planning official. |
1.0 space/3 seats in classrooms |
|
COMMERCIAL |
|
|
Commercial and Transient Lodging |
1.0/lodging unit |
|
Eating/Drinking Establishments |
1.0/250 |
|
Entertainment-Oriented |
|
|
– Adult Entertainment |
Refer to specific use, i.e., theater, book or video store |
|
Indoor Entertainment |
|
|
– Movie/Live Performance Theaters |
1.0/6 seats or 12' of bench |
|
– Skating Rinks/Arcades |
1.0/150 |
|
– Bowling Alleys |
5.0 spaces per lane |
|
– Shooting Ranges |
1.0 space per lane |
|
– Major Event Entertainment |
1.0/6 seats or 12' of bench |
|
General Retail |
|
|
– Sales-Oriented |
1.0/300 |
|
– Personal Services |
1.0/400 |
|
– Repair-Oriented |
1.0/400 |
|
– Bulk Sales |
(a) Properties with less than 10,000 square feet of open sales or rental area shall provide 1.0 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1.0 space for each 2,500 square feet of open sales or rental area. (b) Properties with 10,000 square feet or more of open sales or rental area shall provide 1.0 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 4.0 spaces, plus 1.0 space for each 10,000 square feet of open sales or rental area in excess of 10,000 square feet. |
|
– Outdoor Sales |
Same as Bulk Sales |
|
Animal Kennels/Shelters |
1.0/600 plus 1.0 per employee |
|
Motor Vehicle Related |
|
|
– Motor Vehicle Sales/Rental |
(a) Properties with less than 10,000 square feet of open sales or rental area shall provide 1.0 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1.0 space for each 2,500 square feet of open sales or rental area. (b) Properties with 10,000 square feet or more of open sales or rental area shall provide 1.0 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 4.0 spaces, plus 1.0 space for each 10,000 square feet of open sales or rental area in excess of 10,000 square feet. |
|
– Motor Vehicle Servicing/Repair |
1.0/500 |
|
– Vehicle Fuel Sales3 |
No less than 2.0 |
|
– Electric Vehicle Recharging Station |
None |
|
Office |
|
|
– General |
1.0/400 |
|
– Medical |
1.0/200 |
|
– Extended |
1.0/300 |
|
Nonaccessory Parking |
N/A |
|
Self-Service Storage |
Based on area of office |
|
Marinas |
|
|
INDUSTRIAL |
|
|
Industrial Services |
1.0/600 |
|
Manufacturing and Production |
1.0/800 |
|
Railroad Yards |
None |
|
Research and Development |
1.0/600 |
|
Warehouses/Freight Movement |
1.0/5,000 |
|
Wholesale Sales |
1.0/1,250 |
|
Waste-Related |
1.0 space per 200 square feet of office space, plus 1.0 space per employee |
|
OTHER |
|
|
Agriculture/Horticulture |
None |
|
Airports/Airparks |
None |
|
Cemeteries |
1.0/6 seats or 12' of bench in chapels |
|
Detention Facilities |
1.0/3 beds |
|
Heliports |
None |
|
Mining |
1.0 per employee maximum shift |
|
Rail Lines/Utility Corridors |
None |
|
Temporary Uses |
None |
|
Wireless Communication Facilities |
1.0 |
1DU = dwelling unit.
2Does not include outpatient clinics or medical offices; see Medical/Dental Offices.
3Gasoline stations offering other retail goods for sale, in enclosed spaces accessible by the customer, shall also comply with the parking requirements for convenience stores. Gasoline stations providing vehicle repair or maintenance services shall also comply with the parking requirements for vehicle repair or service facilities.
4Senior multifamily housing project shall provide on-site parking at a minimum rate of one space per dwelling unit.
5(Reserved for future use)
6“Frequent transit service” means a bus rapid transit or other high capacity transit corridor, or transit corridors, with existing weekday peak service frequencies of 35 minutes or less, as indicated in the C-Tran 2018-2033 Transit Development Plan.
7The number of employees based on maximum number of employees present at any given time (i.e., during the largest shift of employees).
(Ord. M-4425 § 5, 2023; Ord. M-4377 § 2(c), 2022; Ord. M-4255 § 12, 2018; Ord. M-4254 § 3(QQ), 2018; Ord. M-4223 § 4, 2017; ACM dated 2/18/2014, Correction to E.3 Type III Variance changed to Type II; Ord. M-4002 § 12, 2011; Ord. M-3959 § 48, 2010; Ord. M-3931 § 33, 2009; Ord. M-3922 § 44, 2009; Ord. M-3847 § 16, 2007; Ord. M-3701 § 33, 2005; Ord. M-3643, 2004)