Cherokee County › Zoning Ordinance

Article 12 — Off Street Parking Regulations

current as of 2011-11-03verified current · checked 2026-07-13enacted lawofficial source ↗6 sections · full chapter

§ 12.1

Off-Street Parking Regulations by Use

12.1Off-Street Parking Regulations by Use Except as otherwise provided in this Resolution, when any building or structure is hereafter erected or structurally altered, or any building or structure hereafter erected is converted for the uses listed in Article 12.1 adequate off-street parking shall be provided as indicated in the following tables.

Type of Use Parking Requirements Accessory retail sales Number required for office and/or institutional, services motel, hotel, high- rise apartment use to which it is accessory. If it is a permitted secondary use in a structure other than the primary use one space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Agricultural produce stands 3 spaces per stand Ambulance services 1 space per employee, l space per ambulance parked on site Ambulance services, if 1 space per ambulance parked on site accessory to hospitals or funeral homes Amphitheaters 1 space per 4 seats in amphitheater Amusement centers 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. (gross) of site area, with a minimum of 25 spaces assigned and a minimum of 100 spaces Ancillary retail sales Number of spaces required for the primary use Animal hospitals 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Appliance repair (major) 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per loading dock Asphalt plants 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Assembly halls 1 space per 3 seats for every person lawfully permitted within the assembly hall at one time Athletic and health clubs 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Automobile, truck, and 1 space per employee, l space per vehicle trailer lease and rental parked on site facilities (accessory use)

Automobile, truck, and 1 space per employee, 1 space per 250 sq. ft.

trailer lease and rental (net) of floor space, 1 facilities (principal use)

space per vehicle parked on site Automotive and truck sales 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, and service facilities 1 space per vehicle parked on site Automotive paint and body 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, repair shops 1 space per vehicle parked on site Automotive parking lots or As may be required to serve the principal use garages (see specific principal use for requirement), not applicable for freestanding parking garage Automotive Repair 3 spaces per bay, 1 space per employee Establishment Automotive storage yards 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, and wrecker services 1 space per employee, with a minimum of 5 spaces Automotive upholstery shops 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per employee Aviation airports (private) 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per hanger or tie down pad Bank/financial institutions 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, with drive-in establishments 3 additional per automated transfer machine, automated transfer machines 5 queue spaces per drive in teller Billiards and pool halls 2 spaces per pool table Bio-medical waste transfer 1 space per employee and disposal facilities Boat sales and service 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, facilities 1 space per employee, 1 space per boat parked on site Breeding and boarding 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, kennels 1 space per employee Building materials stores 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per vehicle parked on site, 1 space per loading dock Bus stations 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Bus stations for freight 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per loading dock Car washes 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 5 queue spaces per service line Cemeteries 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Chemical plants or storage 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, facilities 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Churches, chapels, temples, 1 space per 4 seats in the principal place of synagogues, and other worship, provided that the number of spaces places of worship thus required may be reduced by not more than 50% if the place of worship is located within 500 feet of any public parking lot or any commercial parking lot where sufficient spaces are available by permission of the owner(s) without charge, during the time of services to make up the additional spaces required Clinics 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Clubs or lodges 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (net) of floor space non-commercial Coliseums, stadiums and 1 space per 3 seats for every person lawfully convention centers permitted within the coliseum or stadium at one (privately owned) time plus 1 space per employee Colleges and universities 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of site area (private), including but not limited to research and training facilities Commercial greenhouses and 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, plant nurseries 1 space per employee Commercial indoor 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space recreation uses Community fairs 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of site area Community retail uses 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Composting plants 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Concrete plants 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Condominiums 2 spaces per dwelling unit Contractors (general, 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, heavy, special) 1 space per vehicle parked on site Convenience food stores Minimum of 5 spaces, 1 space per employee with self-service fuel sales Corporate or administrative 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space offices with any permitted uses Crematories 1 space per employee Cultural facilities 1 space per 400 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Customary home occupations See Article 9 Dairies 1 space per employee Designated recycling Minimum of 10 spaces collection locations Dry cleaning plants 1 space per employee Eating and drinking 1 space per 100 sq. ft. of floor space establishments (including drive-in fast food restaurants Electrical supply stores 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per loading dock Exterminating facilities 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, insect and/or rodent) 1 space per vehicle parked on site Farm and garden supply 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, stores 1 space per loading dock Film developing and 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space printing establishments Flea markets 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of site area Fraternity and sorority 1.5 spaces per bedroom, 1 space per employee houses/residences halls Freight terminals 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Fuel and ice dealers 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Full service gasoline 3 spaces per bay, 1 space per employee stations Funeral homes 1 space per 4 seats in assembly room, 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Golf courses (Par 3) 5 spaces per hole, 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Golf courses (18-hole 5 spaces per hole, 1 space per 300 regulation: public and sq. ft. (net) of floor space private)

Group homes 1 space per 2 residents Halfway houses 1 space per 1.5 residents Hazardous waste sites 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Heavy manufacturing 1 space per employee, 1 space per loading dock Heavy repair services and 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, trade stores 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Helicopter landing areas N/A High-rise apartments 1.75 spaces per dwelling unit Hospitals 1 space per 2 beds Hotels 1.25 spaces per unit In-home day care Landfills (private) 1 space per employee, with a minimum of 5 spaces Laundry and dry cleaning 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, pick-up establishments 2 queue spaces for each drive in window Light manufacturing 1 space per employee, 1 space per loading dock establishments Linen and diaper services 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle parked on site Livestock sales pavilions 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of site area Machine shops 1 space per employee Manufactured Home sales 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of site area Mausoleums 1 space per employee Medical and dental 1 space per employee laboratories, provided that no chemicals are manufactured on site Mining operations 1 space per employee Motels 1.25 spaces per unit Motorcycle, all-terrain 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space vehicles (ATV) and three-wheel vehicles sales and service facilities Multi-family dwelling units 1.75 spaces per dwelling unit Neighborhood retail uses 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Newspaper publishing 1 space per employee, 1 space per vehicle facilities parked on site, 1 space per loading dock Nightclubs 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Non-automotive repair 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net)

of service establishments 1 space per vehicle parked on site Non-profit riding stables 1 space per employee, 1 space per stable Non-profit (seasonal use) N/A fishing lakes Nursery schools and child Minimum of 20 spaces day care centers Offices not elsewhere classified 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Office service and supply 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, establishments 1 space per employee Other consumer goods and 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space services Other facilities for 1 space per employee disposal of the deceased Other service establishments 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) floor space Outdoor commercial racing (motorcycle, automobile, truck, tractor, and motorized vehicles)

Outdoor golf driving ranges 1.5 spaces per tee, 1 space per l00 sq. ft.

(net)of floor space for pro shop/clubhouse Overnight travel trailer N/A parks Pawn shops 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Petroleum or bulk storage 1 space per employee, 1 space stations per vehicle parked on site Photography studios 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Plumbing and/or heating 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space equipment dealers 1 space per employee, 1 space Poultry hatcheries per vehicle parked on site Printing, publishing, and 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, lithography establishments 1 space per employee Private community centers 1 space per every person lawfully permitted within the assembly area at one time plus 1 space per employee. In the absence of designated assembly area, 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Private parks 1 space per 3,000 sq. ft. of site area Private schools of general 2 spaces per classroom, 1 space per employee and special education Pro shops (accessory to driving 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (net) of floor space ranges/golf courses)

Professional offices 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Radio and television 1 space per 285 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, stations 1 space per employee Radio, television, and N/A other communication towers and antennae Rail stations 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Railroad car classification 1 space per employee yards Railroad stations for 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) floor space, of freight 1 space per employee Recreational grounds other 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. of area than tennis courts and golf courses Recycling drop-off centers Minimum of l0 spaces Research and development 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, centers 1 space per employee Research testing 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, laboratories 1 space per employee Rest/personal care/ 1 space per 4 beds convalescent homes Upholstery and furniture 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, repair establishments 1 space per employee Rooming and boarding houses 1 space per 2 residents Self-service laundry 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (net) of floor space facilities Self-service storage Minimum of 5 spaces facilities Shelters (homeless) 1 space per employee Signs and outdoor 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, advertising facilities 1 space per employee Single-family dwelling 2 spaces per dwelling unit units (attached)

Single-family dwelling 2 spaces per dwelling unit units (detached)

Studios and supplies 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Taxi stands and dispatching agencies N/A Telephone business offices N/A Temporary uses N/A Theaters 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Tire retreading and 1 space per employee, 1 space recapping facilities per vehicle parked on site Townhouse dwelling units 2 spaces per dwelling unit (attached)

Transportation equipment 1 space per employee storage and maintenance facilities Truck terminals 1 space per employee Two-family dwelling units 4 spaces per dwelling unit (duplex)

Utility facilities (private) 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, 1 space per employee Vending machine sales, 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, service, rental, or repair 1 space per loading dock establishments Vocational schools 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of site area (commercial)

Warehouse and storage 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of space, storage facilities with a minimum of 5 spaces Wholesale sales offices 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space Wholesale trade and 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, distribution facilities 1 space per loading dock Wholesale trade offices 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (net) of floor space, in conjunction with offices 1 space per loading dock showrooms

§ 12.2

Interpretation of Parking Requirements Chart:

12.2Interpretation of Parking Requirements Chart:

1.The use regulations for each district are not affected by arrangement of uses in the chart.

2.The parking requirements in the chart are in addition to space for storage of trucks or other vehicles used in connection with any use.

3.The parking requirements in the chart do not limit other parking requirements contained in the district regulations.

4.Floor area as used in the chart shall be defined in Article 4.

5.Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next highest whole number.

6.Except as otherwise provided, the number of employees shall be compiled on the basis of the maximum number of persons employed on the premises at one time on an average day or average night, whichever is greater. Seasonal variations in employment may be recognized in determining an average day.

7.The parking space requirements for a use not specifically listed in the chart shall be the same as for a listed use of similar characteristics of parking demand generation.

8.In the case of mixed uses, or uses with different parking requirements occupying the same building or premises, or in the case of joint use of a building or premises by more than one use having the same parking requirements, the parking spaces required shall equal the sum of the requirements of the various uses computed separately.

9.Whenever a building or use is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise, to create a need under the requirements of this article for an increase in parking spaces of ten percent or more than those required before the change or enlargement, such additional spaces shall be provided on the basis of change or enlargement. No additional spaces shall be required for the first change or enlargement which would result in an increase of spaces of less than ten percent of those required for the first change or enlargement which would result in an increase of spaces of less than ten percent of those required before the change or enlargement, but this exception shall not apply to a series of changes or enlargements which together result in a need for an increase in parking spaces of ten percent or more.

§ 12.3

Joint Use and Off-Site Facilities

12.3Joint Use and Off-Site Facilities

1.All parking spaces required herein shall be located on the same lot with the building or use served, except that where an increase in the number of spaces is required by a change or enlargement of use or where such spaces are provided collectively or used jointly by two or more building or establishments, the required spaces may be located and maintained at a distance not to exceed 300 feet from an institutional building or other non-residential building served.

2.Up to 50 percent of the parking spaces required for (a) theaters, public auditoriums, bowling alleys, dance halls and night clubs, and up to l00 percent of the parking spaces required for a church auditorium, may be provided and used jointly by (b) banks, offices, retail stores, repair shops, service establishments and similar uses not normally open, used or operated during the same hours as those listed in (a),and up to l00 percent of parking spaces required for schools may be provided and used jointly by a church auditorium, provided that written agreement thereto is properly executed and recorded as specified below.

3.In any case where the required parking spaces are not located on the same lot with the building or use served, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, such parking space shall be established by a recorded covenant or agreement as parking spaces to be used in conjunction with the principal use and shall be reserved as such through an encumbrance on the title of the property to be designated as required parking space, such encumbrance to be valid for the total period the use or uses for which the parking is needed are in existence. A certificate of recording of the covenant or agreement shall be furnished to the Zoning Administrator.

§ 12.4

Design Standards

12.4Design Standards

1.Minimum Area For the purpose of these regulations, an off-street parking space is an all-weather surfaced area not in a street or alley and having an area of not less than 200 square feet, exclusive of driveways, permanently reserved for the temporary storage of one vehicle and connected with a street or alley by a paved driveway which affords ingress and egress for an automobile without requiring another automobile to be moved.

2.Drainage and Maintenance Off-street parking facilities shall be drained to eliminate standing water and prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys, and surfaced with erosion-resistant material in accordance with applicable town specifications.

Off-street parking areas shall be maintained in a clean, orderly, and dust-free condition at the expense of the owner or lessee and not used for the sale, repair, dismantling or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials or supplies.

3.Separation from Walkways and Streets Off-street parking spaces shall be separated from walkways, sidewalks, streets or alleys by a wall, fence, curbing or other approved protective device, or by distance so that vehicles cannot protrude over publicly owned areas.

4.Entrances and Exits Location and design of entrances and exits shall be in accord with the applicable requirements of Cherokee County regulations and standards. All entrances and exits from or to any State of Georgia highway shall be approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation prior to construction. Landscaping, curbing or approved barriers shall be provided along lot boundaries to control entrance and exit of vehicles or pedestrians.

5.Interior Drives Interior drives shall be of adequate width to serve the particular design arrangement of parking spaces.

6.Marking Parking spaces in lots of more than ten spaces shall be marked by painted lines, curbs or other means to indicate individual spaces. Signs or markers shall be used as necessary to ensure efficient traffic operation of the lot.

7.Lighting Adequate lighting shall be provided if off-street parking spaces are to be used at night. The lighting shall be arranged and installed to minimize glare on property in any residential district.

8.Screening When off-street parking areas for ten or more automobiles are located closer than 50 feet to a lot in a residential district, or to any lot upon which there is a dwelling as a permitted use under these regulations, and where such parking areas are not entirely screened visually from such lot by an intervening building or structure, there shall be provided a continuous, visual screen with a minimum height of six feet. Such screen may consist of a compact evergreen hedge or foliage screening or louvered wall or fence.

9.Corner Visibility Clearance

§ 12.5

Off-Street Loading Requirements by Use

12.5Off-Street Loading Requirements by Use

1.Except as otherwise provided in this Resolution, when any building or structure is hereafter erected or structurally altered to the extent of increasing the floor area by 25 percent or more, or any building is hereafter converted, for the uses listed in Table 12.2.

Table 12.2 Minimum Off-Street Loading Requirements Use or Use Category Floor area As Defined Loading Spaces Req'd Retail Store, depart- 2,000-10,000 One ment store, restaurant, 10,000-20,000 Two wholesale house, ware- 20,000-40,000 Three house, general service, 40,000-60,000 Four manufacturing, or Each 50,000 over One additional industrial establish- 60,000 ment Use or Use Category Floor area as Defined Loading Spaces Req'd Apartment building 5,000-10,000 One motel, hotel, offices 10,000-100,000 Two or office building, 100,000-200,000 Three hospital or similar Each 100,000 over One additional institutions or 200,000 places of public assembly Funeral home or 2,500-4,000 One mortuary 4,000-6,000 Two Each 10,000 over One additional 6,000

2.Interpretation of the Chart

a.The loading space requirements apply to all districts but do not limit the special requirements which may be imposed in the district regulations.

b.Under the provisions of Article l5, the Board of Appeals may waive or reduce the loading space requirements whenever the character of the use is such as to make unnecessary the full provisions of loading facilities, where provision is made for community loading facilities or where provision of loading space for uses which contain less than 10,000 square feet of floor area.

3.Mixed Uses in One Building Where a building is used for more than one use or for different uses, and where the floor area used for each use for which loading spaces is required is below the minimum for required loading spaces but the aggregate floor area used is greater than such minimum, then off-street loading space shall be provided as if the entire building were used for that use in the building for which the most spaces are required. In such cases, the Zoning Administrator or his designee may make reasonable requirements for the location of required loading spaces.

4.Design standards

a.Minimum size For the purposed of these regulations, a loading space is a space within the main building or on the same lot, providing for the standing, loading or unloading of trucks, having a minimum area of 608 square feet, minimum width of 13.5 feet, a minimum depth of 45 feet and a vertical clearance of at least 14.5 feet.

b.Loading Space for Funeral Homes Loading spaces for a funeral home may be reduced in size to by 25 feet and vertical clearance reduced to eight feet for all but one space when multiple spaces are provided.

c.Drainage and Maintenance Off-street loading facilities shall be drained to eliminate standing water and prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys, and surfaced with erosion-resistant material in accordance with applicable town specifications. Off-street loading areas shall be maintained in a clean, orderly and dust-free condition at the expense of the owner or lessee and not used for the sale, repair, dismantling or servicing of any vehicles, equipment, materials or supplies.

d.Entrances and Exits Location and design of entrances and exits shall be in accord with applicable requirements of town traffic regulations and standards. Where the entrance or exit of a building is designed for truck loading and unloading, such entrance or exit shall be designed to provide at least one off-street loading space.

§ 12.6

Parking of Vehicles.

12.6Parking of Vehicles.

All parking of vehicles shall be in compliance with the Cherokee County Property Maintenance Ordinance.