23.47A.032

A. Access to parking 1. NC zones. The following rules apply in NC zones, except as provided under subsections 23.47A.032.A.2 and 23.47A.032.D: a. Access to parking shall be from the alley if the lot abuts an alley improved to the standards of subsection 23.53.030.C, or if the Director determines that alley access is feasible and desirable to mitigate parking access impacts. If alley access is infeasible, the Director may allow street access. b. If access is not provided from an alley and the lot abuts only one street, access is permitted from the street, and limited to one two-way curb cut. c. If access is not provided from an alley and the lot abuts two or more streets, access is permitted across one of the side street lot lines pursuant to subsection 23.47A.032.C, and curb cuts are permitted pursuant to Section 23.54.031 . d. For each permitted curb cut, street-facing facades may contain one garage door, not to exceed the maximum width allowed for curb cuts. 2. In addition to the provisions governing NC zones in subsection 23.47A.032.A.1, the following rules apply in pedestrian-designated zones, except as may be permitted under subsection 23.47A.032.D: a. If access is not provided from an alley and the lot abuts two or more streets, access to parking shall be from a street that is not a principal pedestrian street. b. If access is not provided from an alley and the lot abuts only a principal pedestrian street or streets, access is permitted from the principal pedestrian street, and limited to one two-way curb cut. 3. In C1 and C2 zones, access to off-street parking may be from a street, alley, or both when the lot abuts an alley. However, structures in C zones with residential uses, structures in C zones with pedestrian designations, and structures in C zones across the street from residential zones shall meet the requirements for parking access for NC zones as provided in subsection 23.47A.032.A.1. If two or more structures are located on a single site, then a single curb cut shall be provided according to the standards in subsections 23.47A.032.A.1 and 23.47A.032.A.2 and Section 23.54.031 . 4. In the event of conflict between the standards for curb cuts in this subsection 23.47A.032.A and the provisions of Section 23.54.031 , the standards in Section 23.54.031 shall control. B. Location of parking 1. The following rules apply in NC zones, except as provided in subsection 23.47A.032.D: a. Parking shall not be located between a structure and a street lot line (Exhibit A for 23.47A.032 ). Exhibit A for 23.47A.032 Parking Not Permitted Between a Structure and Street in NC Zones b. Within a structure, street-level parking shall be separated from street-level, street-facing facades by another permitted use. This requirement does not apply to access to parking meeting the standards of subsection 23.47A.032.A. c. Parking to the side of a structure shall not exceed 60 feet of street frontage (Exhibit B for 23.47A.032). Exhibit B for 23.47A.032 Parking to the Side of a Structure in NC Zones 2. In pedestrian designated zones, surface parking is prohibited abutting the street lot line along a principal pedestrian street. 3. Off-street parking may be located anywhere on a lot in C1 and C2 zones, except that structures with residential uses in C zones, structures in C zones with pedestrian designations, and structures in C zones across the street from residential zones shall meet the requirements for parking location for NC zones as provided in subsection 23.47A.032.B.1, except that if a lot in a C zone is bordered by streets on all sides, then parking may be provided between a street and a structure, but only on sides facing other commercially zoned lots. 4. Required parking shall be located no farther than 800 feet from the lot with the use to which it is accessory, and off-site parking shall comply with the provisions of Section 23.54.025 . C. When a lot fronts on two or more streets, the Director will determine which of the streets will be considered the front lot line, for purposes of this section only. In making a determination, the Director will consider the following criteria: 1. The extent to which each street's pedestrian-oriented character or commercial continuity would be disrupted by curb cuts, driveways or parking adjacent to the street; 2. The potential for pedestrian and automobile conflicts; and 3. The relative traffic capacity of each street as an indicator of the street's role as a principal commercial street. D. Exceptions to parking location and access requirements 1. Access to off-street parking may be from a street if, due to the relationship of an alley to the street system, use of the alley for parking access would create a significant safety hazard as determined by the Director. 2. If a lot borders an unopened right-of-way, the Director may apply the parking access and location requirements as if that street did not border the lot if, after consultation with the Director of Transportation, the Director determines that the street is unlikely to be opened or improved. 3. On waterfront lots in the Shoreline District, parking may be located between the structure and the front lot line, if necessary to prevent blockage of view corridors or to keep parking away from the edge of the water as required by the Shoreline Master Program. 4. For fire and police stations, the Director shall determine the appropriate access to parking based upon needs of emergency and other vehicles and the configuration of the site. E. When an existing building is proposed to be expanded, the Director shall determine the location of parking and access with the goal of minimizing the impact of parking and access along the front lot line. F. Access to a loading berth shall be from the alley if the lot abuts an alley improved to the standards of subsection 23.53.030.C, or if the Director determines that alley access is feasible and desirable to mitigate right-of-way impacts. G. Parking shall be screened according to the provisions of Section 23.47A.016 . H. Surface Parking. 1. Pedestrian access through surface parking areas. Where a pedestrian entrance to one or more general sales and service or major durables retail sales uses greater in the aggregate than 30,000 square feet is oriented to a parking lot, a 5-foot-wide pedestrian walkway through the parking lot to the pedestrian entrance shall be provided for each 50 spaces of parking provided. 2. Surface parking separating the building from the street. Where a pedestrian entrance to one or more general sales and service or major durables retail sales uses greater in the aggregate than 30,000 square feet is oriented to a surface parking area separating a building from a street, at least one 5-foot-wide pedestrian walkway from the street to the pedestrian entrance shall be provided. (Ord. 127376 , § 51, 2025; Ord. 125558 , § 17, 2018; Ord. 124843 , § 34, 2015; Ord. 124770 , § 7, 2015; Ord. 124378 , § 44, 2013; Ord. 123649, § 23, 2011; Ord. 123047, § 1, 2009; Ord. 122935, § 11, 2009; Ord. 122816, § 4, 2008; Ord. 122311 , § 44, 2006.)