SEC. 142. SCREENING AND GREENING OF PARKING AND VEHICULAR USE AREAS.

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

Off-street parking and Vehicular Use Areas adjacent to the public right-of-way shall be screened as provided in this Section 142. Where an existing Automotive Use converts to an Electric Vehicle Charging Location, the requirements of this Section shall not apply.

(a) Screening of Parking and Vehicular Use Areas less than 25 Linear Feet Adjacent to a Public Right-of-Way.

(1) Every off-street parking space within a building, where not enclosed by solid building walls, shall be screened from view from all Streets and Alleys through use of garage doors or by some other means.

(2) Along rear yard areas and other interior open spaces, all off-street parking spaces, driveways and maneuvering areas within buildings shall be screened from view and confined by solid building walls.

(3) Off-street parking spaces in Parking Lots shall meet the requirements of Section 156 and other applicable provisions of Article 1.5 of this Code. Such parking areas shall be screened from view as provided in Section 156(c) of this Code.

(4) Off-street parking in driveways as permitted in Section 152.3 is not subject to the screening requirements of this Section 142.

(b) Vehicular Use Areas That Are Greater than 25 Linear Feet along the Public Right-of-Way. All lots containing Vehicular Use Areas where such area has more than 25 linear feet along any public right-of-way shall provide screening in accordance with the requirements of this Section 142 and the Ornamental Fencing definition in Section 102. The following instances shall trigger the screening requirements for these Vehicular Use Areas:

(1) Any existing Vehicular Use Area that is accessory to an existing Principal Use if such use expands Gross Floor Area equal to 20% or more of the Gross Floor Area of an existing building;

(2) Any repair, rehabilitation, or expansion of any existing Vehicular Use Area, if such repair, rehabilitation or expansion would increase the number of existing parking spaces by either more than 20% or by more than four spaces, whichever is greater; or

(3) The excavation and reconstruction of an existing Vehicular Use Area if such excavation and reconstruction involves the removal of 200 square feet or more of the asphalt, concrete or other surface devoted to vehicular use. This provision does not apply to the resurfacing due to emergency work to underground utilities if such work is intended to maintain safety or other public purpose beyond the control of the property owner.

(c) Perimeter Screening. All Vehicular Use Areas that are greater than 25 linear feet adjacent to the public right-ofway shall provide a screening feature around the perimeter of the lot adjacent to the public right-of-way. Screening shall add to the visual diversity of the use and need not be an opaque barrier. This feature shall be at least one of the following:

(1) Ornamental Fencing or a solid wall that is 4 feet in height and a 5 foot deep Permeable Surface with landscaping along the perimeter of the lot that is adjacent to a public right-of-way and compliant with the applicable water use requirements of Administrative Code Chapter 63; or

(2) A combination of permeable landscaping compliant with the applicable water use requirements of Administrative Code Chapter 63 and Ornamental Fencing where the Permeable Surface and landscaping is the equivalent area of a 5 foot deep average perimeter landscaping that has been otherwise configured to result in either: (A) a public space or amenity that is accessible from the public right-of-way or (B) a natural drainage system, such as combined swales, retention basins, detention basins or rain gardens, to reduce stormwater runoff.

(d) Modification of Perimeter Screening Requirements. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to modify the requirements of subsection (c), thereby allowing alternative landscape treatments to partially or wholly satisfy this screening requirement provided that alternative landscape treatments such as landscaped berms, perimeter plantings, pedestrian lighting, benches and seating areas, or additional landscaping and tree plantings are provided elsewhere on the site and will be visible from the public right-of-way or are provided in the public right-of-way as regulated by Section 810B of the Public Works Code. The Zoning Administrator may authorize such modification only upon finding that the proposed alternative landscape treatment would:

(1) Provide a visual effect that promotes and enhances the pedestrian experience through the use of quality urban design;

(2) Promote the reduction of stormwater runoff; and

(3) Use climate appropriate plant materials, as defined in Public Works Code Section 802.1, that are compliant with the applicable water use requirements of Administrative Code Chapter 63.

(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 84-10, File No. 091453, App. 4/22/2010; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 10-26, File No. 250887, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (b)(3) amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Divisions (a)(1) and (a)(3) amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Section header, undesignated introductory paragraph, and divisions (a), (a)(3), (b)-(b)(3), (c)-(c)(2), (d), and (d)(2) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Divisions (b) and (b)(2) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Undesignated introductory paragraph amended; Ord. 190-22, Eff. 10/17/2022. Division (a)(4) added; Ord. 10-26, Eff. 3/16/2026.