Fowler Municipal Code Ch. 9.215 Drive-Through Uses

This Chapter establishes the regulations and criteria for the development and operation of drive-through uses. The intent of these standards is to regulate these uses for compatibility with surrounding uses.

The regulations and standards contained in this Chapter shall apply to any use containing a drive-through facility.

All drive-through uses subject to the standards contained in this Chapter shall require approval of the specified permit as designated in Article 3 (Zones) Tables of Allowed Land Uses and Approval Requirements.

A. Ingress and Egress. Ingress and egress shall occur via shared points of ingress and egress to the site. Dedicated points of ingress and egress for drive-through facilities is not allowed.

B. Pedestrian Walkways. Pedestrian walkways shall not intersect drive-through lane, unless no alternative exists due to physical site constraints as determined by the City Engineer. Pedestrian walkways crossing a drive-through lane must be clearly delineated with striping or contrasting paving. Signage notifying drivers in the drive-through lane of the pedestrian crossing shall be provided.

C. Traffic Management. A traffic management plan, demonstrating adequate circulation and maximum vehicle stacking (during peak hours) shall be approved by the City Engineer. The plan shall take into consideration the:

1. Nature of the product or service being offered.

2. Time required to serve a typical customer.

3. Peak demand hours.

4. Anticipated vehicles served.

5. Design of the drive-through site including striping, signage, delineation, and related elements.

D. Signage and Menu Boards. Signage shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 9.185 (Sign Regulations). Menu board speakers shall be oriented away from residential uses located within one hundred (100) feet.

E. Landscaping and Screening. To shield vehicles and associated headlights in a drive-through lane from view of adjacent street rights-of-way, a minimum five-foot-wide planter shall be provided. A landscape barrier or decorative wall of at least three (3) feet, but no more than four (4) feet, in height shall be provided. Trimming and pruning of the landscape barrier shall be performed in a manner that maintains the shielding of vehicle headlights in the drive-through lane from adjacent street rights-of-way. The landscape barrier site design shall not preclude or impede safe and secure ingress and egress from the facility while providing screening from the public right-of-way.

F. Waste Receptacles. Fast food and take out restaurants shall provide exterior waste receptacles at public entrances and at drive-through exits in addition to the enclosures required by this Chapter.

G. Hours of Operation. Should a drive-through facility be located closer than one hundred (100) feet from a Residential District, the drive-through shall close no later than 10:00 p.m.

H. Equal Access. Whenever service is limited to drive-through facilities, customers using non-motorized transportation shall have equal access to service.