Town of Coventry
Town of Coventry Zoning Ordinance
§ 255-1220

Minimum off-street parking requirements.

§ 255-1220. Minimum off-street parking requirements. [Amended 3-25-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]

  • A. For the purposes of this chapter, the following minimum parking space requirements shall apply for each land-use. The Town Engineer or Planning Commission when applicable may lower the minimum parking spaces if they feel it is warranted. A parking space including aisles shall be no less than 350 square feet per vehicle with a minimum width of 8.5 feet and a minimum length of 18 feet. Any uses not specifically delineated in the following tables shall have their parking requirements determined during the development plan review process pursuant to Article XVI of this chapter.

  • B. Parking or storage of commercial vehicles in residential districts. The parking or storage of commercial vehicles of over one (1)-ton capacity shall not be permitted in a residential district, except where such parking or storage is directly related and accessory to a permitted use or lawful nonconforming use on the premises. Parking or storage of one commercial vehicle up to four-ton carrying capacity in a rural residential zoning district may be permitted where the property contains a minimum of two acres. Where such parking is permitted, the vehicle shall be stored in a building or in an area screened and/or landscaped as specified in Article XVII of this chapter.

  • C. Parking or storage of major recreation equipment in residential district. In residential districts, the parking or storage of major recreation equipment, which includes transient trailers, pick-up campers, coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, boats, boat trailers and similar equipment belonging to the property owner, but does not include mobile homes, shall be regulated as follows:

    • (1) One transient trailer, pick-up camper, coach motorized dwelling, tent trailer, or boat trailer may be parked or stored on any lot in a residential district provided that such equipment be not more than 10 feet in height.

    • (2) Only one boat, not to be in excess of 25 feet in length, may be stored in a residential district provided that such equipment be not more than 15 feet in height measured from ground level to the highest point.

    • (3) No such major recreation equipment, while parked or stored, shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping.

    • (4) Where possible, such recreation equipment must be stored in the rear yard.

    • (5) No major recreation equipment shall be stored out of doors in residential districts unless it is in condition for safe and effective performance of the function for which it was intended or can be made so within a six-month period.

Table 12-1 - Residential
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Single-, Two- or Multifamily2 per dwelling unit
Boarding and rooming houses2 for the owner/occupant and 2 for each sleeping room
Mobile home park2 for each dwelling unit
Hotels and motels1 space for every room, plus 1 for each 400 square feet of public meeting and banquet area, plus one for every 75 square feet of restaurant gross floor area (GFA)
Table 12-2 - Industrial and Wholesale
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
All uses permitted in an I1 or I2 District1 for every 2 employees on the shift with the greatest employment, plus 1 for each motor vehicle maintained or used on the premises (minimum of 4 spaces)
Table 12-3 - Commercial
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Automobile service stations (full-serve)1 for each employee, 2 for each service bay, and 1 for each gas pump
Self-service with convenience store1 for each employee, 1 for each gas pump, and 1 for each 150 square feet of GFA
Commercial drive-in establishments (excluding restaurants)1 space for each employee on the shift of greatest employment, plus 6 for each drive-in window
Lunchrooms, restaurants, taverns, etc.1 for every 3 seats, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
Restaurants, fast food1 for each 50 square feet of GFA
Table 12-3 - Commercial
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Retail stores (under 2,500 square feet GFA)1 for each 150 square feet of GFA (minimum of 3 spaces)
Retail stores (over 2,500 square feet GFA) and shopping centers1 for each 200 square feet of GFA
Convenience store1 for every 150 square feet of GFA
All other types of business or commercial uses permitted1 for each 300 square feet of GFA (minimum of 3 spaces)
Table 12-4 - Personal, Business and Professional Services
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Offices, public or professional administration or service buildings3 plus 1 for each 250 square feet of floor area
Banks, financial institutions and similar uses3 plus 1 for each 250 square feet of floor area
Theaters, auditoriums and similar uses1 for each 4 seats of total capacity
Funeral homes and similar uses1 for each 3 seats total capacity, plus 1 for every employee
Medical and dental offices1 for every 200 square feet floor area of examination, treating room, office and waiting room (minimum of 4 spaces)
Table 12-5 - Recreation
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Athletic fields and courts1 for each 2 persons of total capacity
Bowling alleys4 for each lane plus 50% of the spaces otherwise required for accessory uses (i.e., restaurant, bar, game room)
Swimming pools, ice rinks, clubs or halls1 for each 5 persons capacity plus 1 for each 4 seats or 1 for each 30 square feet floor area used for seating purposes, whichever is greater
Golf course (9 holes)100 spaces; plus 50% of spaces otherwise required for any accessory use (i.e., restaurant, bar, shop)
Golf course (18 holes)200 spaces; plus 50% of spaces otherwise required for any accessory use (i.e., restaurant, bar, shop)
Table 12-6 - Government, Institutional and Educational
Type of UseMinimum Parking Spaces Required
Churches and places of religious assembly1 for each 4 seats
Hospitals1 for each bed, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
    • Sanitariums, homes for the aged, nursing homes, 1 for each 4 beds, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift asylums and similar uses of greatest employment Libraries, museums, art galleries 1 for each 400 square feet of GFA for public use, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment Elementary schools 2 spaces for each classroom plus one for every 6 seats in auditoriums or assembly halls High schools 1 for every 10 students, plus 1 for every employee Business, technical and trade schools 1 for each 2 students Colleges, universities 1 for each 4 students Kindergartens, child-care centers, nurseries, etc. 1 for each employee, plus 1 for every 10 students based on capacity enrollment for safe and convenient loading and unloading