8.2.3.11 Landscaping for Parking Structures . — Belmont Zoning Code

(a) Landscaped Buffer for Parking Structure. A parking structure that does not incorporate ground-floor nonresidential or residential use or is not otherwise screened or concealed at street frontages on the ground level, must provide a landscaped area at least 10 feet wide between the parking garage and public street.
- (b) Residential Districts and Institutional Premises. All open automobile parking areas containing more than four parking spaces must be effectively screened on each side adjoining or fronting on any property situated in a Residential District or any institutional premises by a wall, fence or densely planted compact hedge not less than four feet nor more than six feet in height. Screening must conform with the front and side yard setback requirements of the district in which the parking is located.
- (c) Parking Structure Rooftop Planting . Uncovered parking on the top level of a parking structure must have rooftop planters with a minimum dimension of 24 inches around the entire perimeter of the top floor.
8.2.3.12 Screening . To the extent feasible, new parking areas should be screened from public streets and adjacent lots in a more restrictive district, according to the following standards.
- (a) Height . Screening of parking lots from adjacent public streets must be three feet in height. Screening of parking lots along interior lot lines that abut residential districts shall be six feet in height, except within the required front setback of the applicable zoning district, where screening must be three feet in height.
- (b) Materials . Screening may consist of one or any combination of the methods listed below.
  - (1) Walls . Low-profile walls consisting of brick, stone, stucco, or other quality durable material and including a decorative cap or top finish as well as edge detail at wall ends. Plain concrete blocks are not allowed as screening wall material unless capped and finished with stucco or other material.
  - (2) Fences . An open fence of wrought iron or similar material combined with plant materials to form an opaque screen. Use of chain-link or vinyl fencing for screening purposes is prohibited.
  - (3) Planting . Plant materials consisting of compact evergreen plants that form an opaque screen. The plant materials must achieve a minimum height of two feet within 18 months after initial installation.
  - (4) Berms . Berms planted with grass, ground cover, or other low-growing plant materials.
8.2.3.13 Lighting . Except for those facilities serving four or fewer residential units, all open parking areas must have with exterior lighting meeting the following minimums:
- (a) The lighting system must provide not less than one footcandle and not more than five footcandles overall average illumination with a minimum of one-fourth footcandles on the parking surface.

City of Belmont Zoning Ordinance

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(b) All lighting must be on a time clock or photo-sensor system so as to be turned off during daylight hours and during any hours when the parking area is not in use. This requirement does not apply to security lighting.
- (c) All parking area lighting must meet applicable energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code s .
- (d) All lighting must be designed to confine direct rays to the premises. No light fixture may emit any direct light above a horizontal plane through the fixture. No spillover beyond the lot line is permitted, except onto public thoroughfares.
8.2.3.14 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. The number of required electric vehicle (EV) charging stations must be consistent with the number required by applicable Building Codes and the City’s Reach Codes at the time of permit application. These spaces may be counted towards parking requirements.
- (a) Size . Electric vehicle charging stations must be the same size as other spaces, and electric vehicle charging equipment shall not reduce the size of the space.
- (b) Signage . Each electrical vehicle charging station must be clearly marked with a sign reading “Electrical Vehicle Charging Station” and the associated California Vehicle Code restrictions, and only a vehicle that is connected for electric charging may park in the stalls or spaces so designated.
- (c) Equipment . Electrical vehicle charging stations must be wired for a minimum of 240 volts and 32 amps, designed to allow for future provision of higher amperage conduit, equipped with electrical outlets, and may also be equipped with card readers, controls, connector devices and other equipment, as necessary for public use.