Chapter 19.51 OFF-STREET PARKING

Every building hereafter erected, moved, reconstructed, or structurally altered shall be provided with parking areas as provided in this chapter, and such parking areas shall be made permanently available and shall be maintained for parking purposes.
No building permit shall be issued until plans showing provisions for the required off-street parking have been submitted and approved as conforming to the standards of this chapter. Every lot or parcel of land used as a public or private parking area or new or used car sales area and having a capacity of three or more vehicles shall be developed and maintained in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

The director of public works, in conjunction with the police and fire chief, shall have authority to fix the location, width and manner of approach of vehicular ingress or egress from a building or parking area to a public street and to order alteration of existing ingress and egress as may be required to control traffic in the interest of public safety and general welfare. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Off-street parking spaces shall be located as specified herein. Where a distance is specified, the distance shall be the walking distance measured from the nearest point of the parking facilities to the nearest point of the building which it serves.
A. Parking for single- and multiple-family dwellings shall be on the same lot or building site with the building it serves;
B. Parking for all hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts in all zones, and RM-3 dwellings in the HBD zone, must be located within four hundred fifty feet of the building. There will be no exceptions or variances to location or number of spaces to be provided;
C. Parking for uses not specified above shall not be over three hundred feet from the building it serves;
D. All off-street parking spaces shall be located on land zoned in a manner which would allow the particular use the parking will serve; and
E. Parking shall be located at least twenty-five feet from any body of water. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

The required number of off-street parking spaces shall be as follows:

Land Use	Parking Requirements
Single-family units, duplex units and townhouse and mobile home units	2 per dwelling unit¹
Multifamily dwelling units	2 per dwelling unit up to 25 units 1.5 per unit for each unit after 25¹
Retirement housing	1 per dwelling unit
Assisted living	1 per dwelling unit plus 1 per employee on biggest shift
Fraternity, sorority, rooming and boarding houses	1 per person accommodated
Hospitals and emergency medical clinics	1 per 2 beds plus 1 per employee on shift with the greatest number of employees
Nursing home, institutions for the aged and children, welfare or correctional institutions	1 per 4 beds plus 1 per employee on shift with the greatest number of employees
Retail uses	4.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GLA
Banks and financial institutions	3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA
Professional and business offices	3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA, min. 5
Medical and dental clinics	1 per 200 sq. ft. GFA
Communications services (radio and TV stations, publishing services)	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA or 1 per employee, whichever is greater
Barber shops, beauty parlors	3 per operator
Personal services	4.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GLA
Day care facilities	One per employee plus off-street loading and unload area equivalent to one space for each ten children
Laundry and dry cleaning facilities	1 per 2 washing or drying machine
Theaters and movie theaters	1 per 4 seats
Bowling alleys	5 per lane
Skating rinks	1 per 165 sq. ft. GFA
Video arcades	1 per 150 sq. ft. GFA
Athletic facilities	1 per 200 sq. ft. GFA
Tennis courts, racquet clubs, handball courts and other similar commercial recreation	One per 40 sq. ft. of gross floor area used for assembly plus two per court
Dancehalls and dancing schools	1 per 75 sq. ft.
Restaurants, cafes and taverns	1 per 100 sq. ft. GFA, min. 5
Photography studio	1 per 300 sq. ft. GLA
Business schools	1 per 4 seats plus 1 per employee
Printing and duplicating shops	1 per 600 sq. ft. GFA
Country clubs, social clubs, fraternal lodges	1 per 400 sq. ft. GFA
Funeral parlors, mortuaries and cemeteries	1 per 4 seats or 8 ft. of bench or pew or 1 per 40 sq. ft. of assembly room used for services if no fixed seating is provided
Warehouse, storage buildings or structures used exclusively for storage purposes except for mini-storage	1 per 2,000 sq. ft. GFA or 1 per employee (whichever greater)
Mini-storage facilities	1 per 50 storage cubicles equally distributed and proximate to storage building. In addition, one space for each fifty storage cubicles to be located at the project office
Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and kennels and veterinary laboratories	1 per 500 sq. ft. GFA
Hotels, motels, includes indoor restaurants, gift shops and other businesses associated with a hotel or motel	1 per room + required spaces for restaurant/convention facilities
Bed and breakfast	2 per owner/occupant + 1 per available room
Stadiums, churches, theaters, sports arenas, auditoriums, clubs and lodges, and all assembly places with fixed seats	1 per 4 seats or 8 feet of pew or bench space
Commercial garages and automotive repair	1 per 200 sq. ft. GFA
Auto body shops	1 per bay and mechanic
Service stations	4 spaces plus 1 per bay plus queuing
Motor vehicle sales and service	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA plus 1 per 1,500 outdoor display
Motor vehicle or machinery repair without sales	One per 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Mobile home and recreational vehicle sales	1 per 3,000 sq. ft. of outdoor display area
Manufacturing and industrial uses of all types, except buildings used exclusively for warehouse purposes	1 per 1,000 GFA or 1 per employee based on largest shift, whichever is greater
Passenger terminals	One per 100 sq. ft. of gross area used for passenger waiting area
Libraries, art galleries, museums	One per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Public swimming pools	1 per 10 swimmers, based on pool capacity as defined by the Washington State Department of Health
Schools, public and private for elementary, intermediary, middle, junior high and high school	1 per 12 seats in auditorium or assembly room plus 1 space for each employee, plus sufficient off-street space for safe loading of students from school buses
Colleges or commercial schools for adults	1 per four seats in classroom plus one per employee
Auto wrecking yards	15 spaces for yards less than ten acres in size and 25 spaces for yards ten acres and larger in size
Utility and communications establishments without regular employment	One space
Automobile service stations	4 spaces plus one space for each greasing facility²

1 If an enclosed single car garage is provided per dwelling unit, a minimum of two outside parking spaces must be provided. If an enclosed garage for two or more vehicles is provided, a minimum of one outside parking space must be provided. Open carports may be counted as parking spaces to meet parking requirements, provided they shall not be enclosed. If enclosed, additional parking spaces shall be provided as required.

2 In order not to block public streets in Lynden, it is mandatory for each service station operator to provide off-street waiting facilities for customers. No on-street waiting for gasoline sales is allowed.

(Ord. 1051 § A(part), 1997; Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

A. Building sites which contain more than one hundred parking spaces shall be designed with access lanes and fire lanes to less than twenty-five feet in width. Mini-self-storage complexes shall be designed with access lanes not less than twenty-eight feet in width, within which loading areas, access and fire lanes, and any parking shall be located. Access lanes shall be designed so as to provide continuous, unrestricted vehicular movement and shall connect to public streets. In parking lots containing less than one hundred parking spaces emergency access shall be provided subject to approval of the fire marshal. Emergency access shall be provided to within fifty feet of any multiple-family building. If any of these requirements are impractical due to the peculiarities of the site and/or building, other provisions for emergency access may be approved by the fire marshal. Parking in fire lanes shall be prohibited, and indicated as being unlawful by signs and/or painting on the parking lot surface.
B. All parking stalls and aisles shall be designed according to the tables shown below unless all parking is to be done by parking attendants on duty at all times that the parking lot is in use for the storage of automobiles. When parking standards require ten or more parking spaces, up to thirty percent may be designated compact cars. Such compact car spaces shall be individually marked in the parking plan and on each constructed parking stall as being for compact only. Parking at any angle other than those shown is permitted, providing the width of the stalls and aisles is adjusted by interpolation between the specified standards. Parking shall be so designed that automobiles shall not back out into public streets.
The parking space standards are shown in the table below.

DESIGN STANDARDS IN FEET

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
Parking Angle	Stall Width	Stall Length	Aisle Width	Curb Depth per Car	Unit Width	Curb Length per Car
0	8.5 9.0	20 24	10 12	8.0 8.5	26 29	20 24
45°	8.5 9.0	18 21	13 13	17.0 19.5	47 52	12 13
60°	8.5 9.0	18 21	15 18	18.0 21.0	52 60	10 11
75°	8.5 9.0	18 21	19 20	17.5 21.0	54 62	9 9
90°	8.5 9.0	18 21	22 24	16.0 19.0	54 62	8 9

Reduced aisle width is for one-way traffic only. If two-way traffic is proposed, then the minimum aisle width is twenty-two feet.
The two figures are for compact cars and full size cars, shown in that order for each angular parking facility. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Where the parking requirements for a use are not specifically defined herein, the parking requirements for such use shall be determined by the city planner. Such determination shall be based upon staff investigation, parking requirements for comparable uses, and comparative data as may be available and appropriate for the establishment of minimum parking requirements. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Upon demonstration of the director of public works that effective alternatives to automobile access are proposed to be implemented, the director may reduce by not more than forty percent the parking requirements otherwise prescribed for the use or combination of uses, except those listed below, on the same or adjoining sites, to an extent commensurate with the permanence, effectiveness, and demonstrated reduction in off-street parking demand effectuated by such alternative programs. Alternative programs which may be considered by the director under this provision include, but are not limited to van pooling, ride matching for carpools, and provision of subscription bus service.
A. Retirement Apartments. Approved building plans shall show two parking spaces per dwelling unit. Installation of up to fifty percent of the required spaces may be deferred by the city planner, and held in reserve as landscaped area. Installation of the deferred parking space and landscaping will be required at such time the building is no longer used as a retirement apartment. A performance bond or alternate surety may be required in the amount of one hundred fifty percent of the cost of the deferred improvements to assure installation at a future date.
B. Retirement Housing. The requirement of one space per dwelling unit may be reduced to no less than one space for every three dwelling units as determined by the city planner. The determination shall be based on the following:
1. Demonstrated availability of private, convenient, regular transportation services to meet the needs of the retirement apartment occupant;
2. Accessibility to and frequency of public transportation;
3. Direct pedestrian access to health, medical and shopping facilities. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

In the case of mixed occupancies in the building or of a lot, the total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the various uses computed separately. Off-street parking facilities of a particular use shall not be considered as providing required parking facilities for any other use except as hereinafter specified for joint use. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

The city planner may, upon application of the owner or lessee of any property, authorize the joint use of parking facilities by the following uses or activities under the conditions specified herein:
A. Up to fifty percent of the parking required for a theater, bowling alley, dancehall, bar, restaurant, roller or ice skating rink, auditoriums, churches or other similar primarily nighttime use may be supplied by the off-street parking by other uses as approved by the city planner.
B. Up to fifty percent of the parking facilities required by this chapter for a use considered to be primarily a daytime use may be provided by the parking facilities of a use considered to be primarily a nighttime use or vice versa, provided that the reciprocal parking area shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 19.51.100, Conditions for joint use;
C. Up to one hundred percent of the Sunday and/or nighttime parking facilities required by this chapter for a church or auditorium incidental to a public or parochial school may be supplied by parking facilities required for the school use, provided, the reciprocal parking area shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 19.51.100, Conditions for joint use; and
D. For purposes of this section, the following uses are typical daytime uses: business offices, barber and beauty shops, manufacturing or wholesale buildings. The following uses are typical nighttime and/or Sunday uses: auditoriums incidental to a public or parochial school, churches, dancehalls, theaters and taverns. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

A. The building or use for which application is made for authority to utilize the existing off-street parking facilities provided by another building or use shall be located within one hundred fifty feet of the parking facilities;
B. The applicant shall show that there is not substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the buildings or uses for which the joint use of the parking facility is proposed; and
C. Parties concerned in the joint use of off-street facilities shall submit a proper written agreement defining the conditions of the joint use for review and approval of the planning department and city attorney.
D. In the event of a change in ownership or use, the joint use instrument may be terminated upon mutual agreement by all parties if reviewed and approved by the city planner. The existing and/or new uses shall comply with all parking and landscaping requirements of the city for said uses. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

On the same premises with every building, structure, or part thereof, erected and occupied for manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, department store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning, or other use involving the receipt or distribution of vehicles, material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services in order to avoid undue interference with the public uses of the streets or alleys. The space, unless otherwise adequately provided for, shall include a ten foot by twenty-five foot loading space, with fourteen foot height clearance for every twenty thousand square feet, or fraction thereof, of gross building area used or land used for above mentioned purposes. The space shall be so situated that no part of a truck or van using the loading space will project into the public right-of-way. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

All off-street parking areas shall be graded and before occupancy permit for the building use is issued, surfaced to standards for asphaltic concrete or other surfacing material sufficient to eliminate dust or mud, provide for proper storm drainage and allow for making of stalls and installation of other traffic control devices as set forth by the director of public works and this chapter. All traffic control devices such as parking strips designating car stalls, directional arrows or signs, curbs, bullrails, and other developments shall be installed and completed as shown on the approved plans. Hard surfaced parking areas shall use paint or similar devices to delineate parking stalls and directional arrows. Pedestrian walks shall be curbed or raised six inches above the lot surface. Once installed, they shall be maintained in good condition. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Any lights to illuminate any public parking area, any semi-public parking area, or used car sales area permitted by the ordinance codified in this title shall be arranged so as to reflect the light away from any dwelling unit and the public right-of-way. Approval shall be obtained from the State of Washington Department of Transportation and/or the director of public works for any lights which flash or blink, simulating traffic signals. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Landscape plans for parking areas are to be approved by the city planner. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Handicapped parking shall be installed in accordance with the “Regulations for Barrier-Free Facilities” as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Advisory Council or two percent of the required parking stalls, whichever is greater. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

A. Renovation of any building in the historic business district in existence on or before July 1, 2002, for commercial or residential purposes, shall be exempt from meeting the parking requirements of Section 19.51.030; provided, however, if the renovation adds gross floor area to the building, the additional gross floor area shall be considered new commercial or residential construction and shall be subject to the parking requirements listed in Section 19.51.160(B) and (C) below. Renovations which decrease gross floor area shall not be eligible for any parking credit or reimbursement.
B. The parking requirement for all new commercial construction within the area north of Judson Alley, south of Grover Street, west of Third Street and east of 7th Street, shall be one off-street parking stall per five hundred square feet of gross floor area, or any fraction thereof.
a. Instead of providing the required off-street parking, the owner may choose to pay a fee for every parking stall required by this chapter that cannot be supplied. The fee shall be set by resolution and placed in a special fund by the city of Lynden for the purchase and/or development of additional off-street parking facilities, or for repair or alteration of existing city owned off-street parking.
C. All new residential construction in the area defined in subsection (B) above shall be required to provide one off-street parking space per residential unit.
Off-street parking for new residential uses shall be located within three hundred feet of the dwelling unit.
D. Any new building erected in the historic business district on a lot in place of a building in existence on or before July 1, 2002 on the same lot, shall be granted a credit toward satisfying the parking requirement set forth in this section. The amount of the credit shall be determined by subtracting the gross floor area of the previously existing building from the gross floor area of the new building constructed in its place on the same lot. The resulting difference in gross floor area shall be the gross floor area from which the parking requirement is determined in accordance with Sections 19.51.160(B) and (C) above; provided that, if the gross floor area difference is a negative number because the new building is smaller, the city shall not be liable for any reimbursement or additional credits. Parking credits shall not be transferable between lots. (Ord. 1158 § B, 2002: Ord. 1136 § A, 2002: Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).

Owners of property in the Lynden business improvement area who have paid parking assessments will be subject to the parking requirements of Section 19.51.160. (Ord. 1000 § A(part), 1995).