Parking requirements

No land shall be used or occupied, and no structure shall be erected or used, unless the off-street parking spaces required herein are provided. Such parking spaces are not required (a) for any structure or use existing prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendment thereto, provided however, that parking spaces as specified in this ordinance shall be provided subject to the requirements of this section for any enlargement, alteration or change to any such existing structure or use and also provided that no existing parking shall be decreased below the minimum requirements herein, or (b) for any structure or use for which an application for master plan, preliminary plan, or final plan approval was submitted prior to the effective date of the amendment to this ordinance that first established the off-street parking space requirements described in parking schedules 801 A and 801 B.

The number of off-street parking spaces required shall be determined by reference to parking schedule 801 A (residential uses) and schedule 801 B (nonresidential uses) below. As noted in schedule 801 A, the required number of spaces required for some residential uses will be reduced if the proposed use meets the specified thresholds for inclusion of deed-restricted affordable housing and/or is within the specified distance from public transit.

Alternatives to the parking standards shown in the schedules below shall be considered by the board upon submission of an application for a special use permit, which shall include a parking demand and impact assessment, as described in section 514.13(b).

PARKING SCHEDULE 801 A
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL USES

The number of off-street parking spaces required for each residential use shall be as follows:

 

Notes:

• • 1. Affordable housing bonus. Residential developments that include a minimum of 15 percent of units designated as deed-restricted affordable housing units for households earning 60 percent of AMI or less are eligible for a 25 percent reduction in required parking for each affordable unit. A special use permit is not required, but applicants must provide evidence of the deed restrictions or a signed commitment to provide the number of deed-restricted affordable units for which they are seeking a reduction in parking.

  • 2. Transit oriented development bonus. Residential developments that are located within 1,500 feet walking distance of a fixed-route public transit route stop are eligible for a 25 percent reduction in required parking. A special use permit is not required, but applicants must provide a map that illustrates the distance from the proposed development to the transit stop.

  • 3. Off-site parking spaces. Parking requirements may be satisfied by spaces at an off-site location in accordance with the requirements for a special use permit as described in section 514.13(c).

  • 4. Shared parking. Parking requirements may be satisfied by spaces shared with other uses in accordance with the requirements for a special use permit as described in section 514.13(b).

  • 5. Maximum lot coverage. These parking requirements do not supersede the maximum lot coverage (building footprint plus the area of all paved surfaces) shown in section 401 residential zones. If the minimum number of parking spaces cannot be provided without exceeding the maximum lot coverage, then applicants must apply for a dimensional variance for the area in excess of the maximum lot coverage and submit plans that show permeable paving material will be used for an area equal to or greater than the excess. The maximum number of spaces will be allowed only if they can be provided without exceeding the maximum lot coverage.

  • 6. Fractional spaces. Whenever the application of the parking schedule results in a fractional parking space greater than one-half, a full space shall be required.

  • 7. Conant Thread TOD district. These parking requirements do not apply to development within the Conant Thread district. See section 604.

  • 8. Parking structures. Maximum vehicle spaces allowed does not apply to parking structures.

PARKING SCHEDULE 801 B
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL USES

The number of off-street parking spaces required for each nonresidential use shall be as follows:

 

Note:

• • 1. Parking structures. Maximum vehicle spaces allowed does not apply to parking structures.

Any parking that is proposed as part of a development must conform to the following standards:

801.1 - Location of parking spaces. All off-street parking spaces must be on the same lot as the structure or use they are intended to serve or on an abutting lot but may not be located in the front yard. Off-street parking spaces for commercial or industrial uses shall not be located in any residence district where such commercial or industrial use is prohibited.

801.2 - Minimum size of parking spaces. Each parking space shall be marked by painted lines and contain the following minimum dimensions affecting the width and length of individual parking stalls and the width of aisles in all districts, exclusive of necessary drives and other access ways. A driveway beside a dwelling may be considered a required parking space only for a detached single- or two-family dwelling and need not contain painted lines.

 

801.3 - Setbacks of parking spaces. No parking space or aisle (back-up space) shall be less than ten feet from any front property line; for corner lots, the front yard setback requirement applies to both property lines that have street frontage. No parking space or aisle shall be less than five feet from any building, except where greater setbacks are required. Parking spaces less than ten feet from any building shall be separated from such building by raised curb, bumper or wheel guards. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to detached single-or two-family dwellings.

801.4 - Entrance and exit.

• • • A. Each parking space shall be designed with [an] adequate off-street area for approach, turning, and exit without the need or ability to use any part of a street. All driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width for each lane of traffic using such driveway. The width of any driveway shall not exceed 30 feet. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to detached single- or two-family dwellings.

    • B. The planning board may modify this requirement during the land development review and approval process.

  801.5 - Driveways.

  • • A. Nonresidential driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width. The width shall not exceed 30 feet.

    • B. Residential driveways shall be a minimum of eight feet in width. The width shall not exceed 16 feet.

  801.6 - Construction requirements. Every parcel of land which, after the effective date of this ordinance or any amendment thereto, is changed to a parking area for more than ten vehicles, or to a drive-in business or motor vehicle sales or service establishment, shall be developed as follows, subject to the approval of plans thereof by the building official.

  • • A. Such parking area shall be treated with bituminous or other surfacing and shall have appropriate bumper or wheel guards where needed. However, use of pervious materials, such as gravel, is encouraged within 200 feet of the Blackstone River or other water bodies and wetlands.

    • B. The perimeter of parking areas facing streets or R zones shall be suitably landscaped with trees, shrubs, vegetation and groundcover. Landscaped areas shall be separated and protected from parking areas by curbing or other means.

    • C. Any light used to illuminate said parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises and streets.

    • D. Border screening using dense shrubbery or solid fence of at least four feet in height shall be required wherever parking areas abut residential uses or R zones.

(Ord. of 12-8-25(1), § 1)