Chapter 17.52 — OFF-STREET LOADING STANDARDS

§ 17.52.010. Purpose. ¶

These provisions establish comprehensive standards to regulate the number, design, and location of off-street loading areas, in a manner which, ensures the following:

A. Accessible, attractive, secure, and well maintained loading and delivery facilities.
B. Reduces potential for traffic congestion and hazards.
C. Protection for adjacent parcels and surrounding neighborhoods from the effects of vehicular noise and traffic generated from the anticipated land use and loading activities.
D. Loading and delivery services in proportion to the needs generated by the proposed land use which are clearly compatible with adjacent parcels and the surrounding neighborhood.
(Prior code § 159.26.010)

§ 17.52.020. Applicability. ¶

Every nonresidential land use shall have permanently maintained off-street loading areas pursuant to the following provisions.

(Prior code § 159.26.020)

§ 17.52.030. Number of loading spaces required. ¶

A. Off-street freight and equipment loading spaces shall be provided for all offices, hospitals, institutions, hotels, senior group housing, schools, day care centers, and other commercial and industrial land uses.
B. The following minimum number of loading spaces shall be provided for each use—Commercial, industrial, office, institutional, hospital, hotel, schools:

Gross foor area	Spaces required
Less than 25,000 sf of gfa	1
25,001 + sf	1+ additional as required by the Director

C. Requirements for uses not specifically listed shall be determined by the Director based upon the requirements for comparable uses and upon the particular characteristics of the proposed use, pursuant to Section 17.04.070(C) (Similar Uses Permitted).
(Prior code § 159.26.030)

§ 17.52.040. Design standards. ¶

Off-street loading spaces shall be provided in the following manner:

A. Access. When the lot upon which the loading space is located abuts an alley, the loading space shall have access from the alley.
B. Dimensions. Required freight and equipment loading spaces shall be no less than 15 feet in width, 50 feet in length, with 14 feet of vertical clearance.
C. Lighting. Loading areas shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting standards shall be energy efficient and in scale with the height and use of the structure. Any illumination, including security lighting, shall be directed away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way.
D. Location. Loading spaces shall be located and designed as follows:
1. Adjacent to, or as close as possible to, the main structure.
2. Situated to ensure that all loading and unloading takes place on site and in no case within adjacent public rights-of-way, or other traffic areas on site.
3. Situated to ensure that all vehicular maneuvers occur on site.
E. Passenger Loading. Passenger loading spaces shall be provided in addition to any required freight and equipment loading spaces whenever required by a Development Permit. Passenger loading spaces shall be no less than 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, shall be located in close proximity to the structure entrance, and shall not require pedestrians to cross a driveway, parking aisle, alley, or street in order to reach the structure entrance. Required loading spaces shall not count as required parking spaces.
F. Screening. All loading areas abutting residentially designated property shall have a 6-foot-high solid architecturally treated decorative masonry wall approved by the Director; a higher screening wall may be required as determined appropriate by the Director. All wall treatments shall occur on both sides. In addition, adequate area shall be provided adjacent to public rightsof-way to accommodate a required 3-foot-high permanently maintained and irrigated landscaped berm.
G. Security. All loading facilities shall be designed, constructed, and maintained with security as a priority to protect the safety of the users.
H. Striping. Loading areas shall be striped indicating the loading spaces and identifying the spaces for loading only. The striping shall be permanently maintained in a clear and visible manner.
I. Surfacing. Loading areas shall be surfaced with a minimum thickness of 4 inches of asphaltic concrete over a minimum thickness of 6 inches of an aggregate base material or an equivalent structural section to be approved by the City Engineer.
J. Wheel Stops/Curbing. Continuous concrete curbing at least 6 inches high and 6 inches wide shall be provided for all loading spaces, and shall be set at least 3 feet from any wall, fence, property line, walkway or structure.
(Prior code § 159.26.040)