Parking Lots and Parking Garages

Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. XXIX, ch. 417

in effect

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.01 License required.

Sec. 417.01. - License required. No person shall engage in the business of keeping, conducting or operating any parking lot or parking garage in Saint Paul without a license. (Code 1956, § 344.02; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.02 Definitions.

Sec. 417.02. - Definitions. Except where otherwise expressly stated, the following terms, wherever used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section: "Government parking garage" means any garage owned by a governmental unit where the owner or person storing or parking such vehicle is not charged a fee. "Light color" means any surface color with a minimum light reflective value of seventy-five (75) percent or more as indicated by standard paint color charts. "Parking garage" means a building or structure, or part thereof, in which the primary use of at least one structural level (a structural level is a level with space below) is for parking, storing, or maintaining motor vehicles. "Parking lot" or "parking lot or building" means and includes any premises where ten (10) or more motor vehicles are parked, stored or allowed to remain, and where the owner or person storing or parking such vehicle is charged a fee therefor. "Parking lot" excludes any parking area other than a parking garage that is exclusively used by or leased to occupants of a residence on the same or other premises for use only in connection with and as accessory to the occupancy of such residence. "Private parking garage" means any parking garage which is exclusively used by or leased to occupants of a residence or business on the same or other premises for use only in connection with and as accessory to the occupancy of such residence or business, and where the owner or person storing or parking such vehicle is not charged a fee. "Type I structural condition survey" means visual observations performed under the direct supervision of a professional engineer licensed by the State of Minnesota of all structural components including, but not limited to, the top and bottom side of all structural floors, helixes, and all supporting beams, columns, or walls. "Type II structural condition survey" means a Type I survey plus nondestructive tests such as, but not limited to, chain dragging, half-cell testing, and drilling for chloride ion concentration tests, and/or destructive tests such as, but not limited to, removal of concrete for compression strength tests, or to observe steel reinforcing, pre-stressed or post-tensioned tendons, post-tension anchors, expansion or contraction joints, or any other buried steel. (Code 1956, § 344.01; Ord. No. 16973, 11-16-82; Ord. No. 17658, § 1, 6-8-89; Ord. No. 17828, § 1, 5-9-91; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98; C.F. No. 99-233, § 1, 4-14-99; C.F. No. 09-390, § 1, 5-13-09)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.03 Separate licenses.

Sec. 417.03. - Separate licenses. Whenever any person operates more than one (1) parking lot or parking ramp, a separate license must be obtained for each such parking lot. No licenses issued hereunder shall be transferable from person to person or place to place. (Code 1956, § 344.03; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.04 Fees.

Sec. 417.04. - Fees. The license fees for such parking lots or parking garages shall be as set forth in section 310.09(b) and 310.18 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. (Code 1956, § 344.03; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98; C.F. No. 99-233, § 2, 4-14-99)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.05 Licensing requirements.

Sec. 417.05. - Licensing requirements. (a) Application. Any person desiring a license to operate a parking lot or parking garages shall deposit with the department of safety and inspections the amount of the license fee herein provided, and the department of safety and inspections shall thereupon take the application upon forms provided by the department, which forms shall afford information relative to the owner, address, size of such parking lot or parking garages and the number of cars proposed to be parked thereon, together with any other information deemed necessary by the department of safety and inspections. The department of safety and inspections shall refer such application to the director of the department of police. It is hereby made the duty of the director of the department of police to inquire into the character of the applicant and report the result of such inquiry to the department of safety and inspections, together with his opinion whether such applicant is a proper person to receive such a license. It is hereby made the duty of the director of the department of safety and inspections to inspect and examine, or to have inspected and examined, the premises described in the application, and report the result of such inspection to the inspector, together with his opinion whether the premises are proper for the conduct of such a business. Upon receipt of such report and opinions, the director of the department of safety and inspections shall transmit the same, together with the director(s own opinion of the premises and applicant, to the city council for its consideration, and the city council shall then, by resolution, grant or deny the application. (b) Plans; building; zoning. Applicants for licenses are hereby required to furnish to the department of safety and inspections plans containing a general description of the security system to be provided, the layout showing driveways of the proposed lot or parking garage and the legal description of the property. All plans for new parking lots or parking garages shall be referred by the department of safety and inspections to the planning division of the department of planning and economic development for "site plan" review and approval prior to the issuance of any license. The plans will be reviewed for compliance with sections 417.07 and 62.104 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code as well as any other applicable city standards, including the structural review requirement of the certificate of occupancy and of section 417.07(10). (c) Enclosure. Except for places of entrance and exit, every such parking lot or parking garages shall be completely enclosed in the manner hereinafter specified: Said enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to withstand the shocks and stresses to which they will normally be subjected and be such as to ensure that no portion of any vehicle parked on said parking lot shall project beyond the property line of said lot. Where such motor vehicle parking lot abuts a building, such enclosure shall be so placed that it will prevent motor vehicles from striking such building. Said enclosure may be posts and rails eighteen (18) inches high which will engage the bumper of any motor vehicle parked in said lot, or it may be concrete wheel stops conforming to the following: (1) Precast concrete units shall be a minimum of eight (8) inches high and shall be securely fastened in place in a manner approved by the building official. (2) Cast-in-place monolithic concrete curbs shall extend at least six (6) inches above the finished grade of the lot and shall be of a design approved by the building official. Said enclosure may be of a standard type as designated by the building official or any other type approved by him following submission of plans and specifications thereof. The type and arrangement of the enclosure shall be such as to ensure that the vehicles parked on said lot shall not project over the property line or strike any building abutting such parking lot and shall be specifically approved by the building official for each location. A permit for the construction or erection of every such enclosure shall be obtained from the director of the department of safety and inspections in accordance with the procedures of the building code. Every such parking lot shall be suitably surfaced with a dustless surface approved by the director of the department of safety and inspections or his or her designee, who shall cause regular inspections to be made of all such parking lots to determine that all conditions contained in this chapter or special conditions specified by the city council under the provisions of the zoning code shall have been complied with. The director shall report to the inspector and the city council any and all violations or failures to so comply. All plans and specifications for enclosures shall be approved by the building official. (Code 1956, §§ 344.04—344.06; Ord. No. 17658, § 2, 6-8-89; Ord. No. 17828, § 2, 5-9-91; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98; C.F. No. 99-233, § 3, 4-14-99; C.F. No. 07-149, § 183, 3-28-07)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.06 Regulations.

Sec. 417.06. - Regulations. The following regulations shall apply to all licensed parking lots or parking garages: (1) The charge, if any is to be made for parking any motor vehicle, shall be posted at the entrances to any such parking lot or parking garages in letters of sufficient size to be readily seen from the street, and no licensee shall charge or permit to be charged any greater fee than such posted amount; provided, however, that weekly or monthly charges need not be posted. The price posted at the time of entry shall govern the charge for the period of parking. A violation of this or any other provision of this chapter shall be deemed sufficient cause for revocation of any license granted hereunder. (2) No operator or employee of any parking lot or parking garage shall operate or drive an automobile on, over or along any sidewalk other than on driveways provided therefor. It shall be unlawful for any licensee hereunder, or other person herein permitted to operate a parking lot without a license, to park any automobile on any street, driveway or sidewalk. (3) No licensee shall permit more cars to be parked or stored in his parking lot than can be readily accommodated without encroaching upon any sidewalk, street or alley, nor upon the property of any other person unless permission of such person has been given. (4) No licensee or other person herein permitted to operate with or without a license shall solicit business for any parking lot or parking garage while on the street or sidewalk. (5) No licensee shall at any time place upon the street, curb or sidewalk any accumulation of snow, ice or rubbish; licensees shall at all times keep all driveways leading to their parking lot or parking garage, and sidewalks and curbs along such parking lot or parking garage, free and clear of all accumulations of snow, ice and rubbish. (6) Every licensee shall at all times keep such parking lot thoroughly treated with oil or other substance so that dust will not be raised or blown about upon public streets and adjoining property. (7) Every licensee shall keep posted in a conspicuous place in or upon the premises a legibly written or printed sign with letters at least three (3) inches high bearing the following words: "This parking lot or parking garage operated under City License No...." and shall insert therein the number of his license. (8) It is hereby made the duty of every licensee to notify the director of the department of police whenever any automobile remains in any such parking lot or parking garage for a period of time exceeding seven (7) consecutive days. (9) In parking lots or parking garages which require or allow patrons to leave keys in parked cars, the attendant in charge shall, before leaving the lot or garage at the closing hour, lock all unlocked cars remaining on the lot. This shall include the locking of all doors of cars equipped to be so locked, as well as locking the ignition or dash lock. (10) The keys shall then promptly be delivered by said attendant to a responsible party within two (2) blocks of said lot or garage, who shall deliver the keys to the owner upon proper identification and presentation of the claim check, and without any additional charge to the owner. (11) There shall be posted in a prominent place in each parking lot or parking garage coming within the provisions of this chapter a sign or signs notifying patrons of the time of closing, that the lot will be unattended after closing time, and the address where patrons may pick up the keys to their cars. (12) The above-mentioned sign or signs shall be not less than two (2) feet by one (1) foot in size, made of wood or metal, printed in legible black letters not less than one (1) inch in height on a white background. Said sign or signs shall be lighted in such a manner that they may be easily seen and read at night, after the parking lot or parking garage has closed. Said signs need not be kept lighted if at the time the attendant closes the lot or garage and leaves it unattended no cars remain parked in said lot. (13) No person, firm or corporation operating a parking lot or parking garage shall require, as a condition for permitting any person to park a car in such lot or garage, any customer to purchase gasoline, oil or any other substance from the operator of said parking lot. (14) All parking lots or parking garages shall post the street address (number and name of street) at all vehicular entrances on a sign at least four (4) inches by one (1) foot. Signs must be made of wood, plastic or metal, printed in legible black letters not less than one (1) inch in height on a white background. (Code 1956, § 344.07; Ord. No. 17828, § 3, 5-9-91; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.07 Safety requirements.

Sec. 417.07. - Safety requirements. The operator of parking lots or parking garages shall maintain each lot or garage in a condition so as not to constitute a hazard to its patrons or the motor vehicles parked therein, and shall also comply with the following requirements: (1) All open lots shall be lit so that all spaces may be observed from the adjoining public streets, alleys or walkways or, if the open lot is one that is not observable from adjoining public streets, alleys or walkways, it shall comply with the licensing and safety requirements for enclosed parking lots applicable to that particular open lot. (2) On and after January 1, 1991, the lighting in every part of all enclosed parking lots or buildings in which attendants do not park all vehicles shall be maintained to the standards contained in "Horizontal Illuminances for Parking Facilities," as adopted by the Illuminating Engineering Society Handbook, 1987 Edition, which is incorporated herein by reference. Consistent with such standards, floor level illumination throughout the ramp excluding areas between parked vehicles shall be maintained at an average of five (5) footcandles with a minimum measured light level of one and one-half (1.5) footcandles within pedestrian and driving areas. Pedestrian areas are defined by the handbook as the area between bumpers of parked vehicles plus walkways to stairways and elevators including open areas with the ramp which are not occupied by parked vehicles. Exit corridors shall be lighted to I.E.S. (Illuminating Engineering Society) standards of five (5) footcandles in corridors and ten (10) footcandles in stairways. Emergency lighting requirements must meet the standards established in the Minnesota Uniform Building Code. The license holder shall provide evidence that lighting requirements have been met. On and after January 1, 1990, interior walls shall be of a light color, at least four (4) feet wide and one (1) foot up from the floor. The license division may grant an extension for compliance with this provision to any parking lot or building for the minimum period required to complete renovations for any parking lot or building that began planning renovations prior to September 1, 1989, but could not complete those renovations which include new lighting by January 1, 1991. (3) All enclosed parking lots or buildings in which attendants do not park all of the vehicles shall be in compliance with the Minnesota State Fire Code and Building Code regulations, and in particular fire suppression equipment. (4) All enclosed parking lots or buildings in which attendants do not park all of the vehicles shall provide, during all normal operating hours, either: a. A phone or push button or sound-activated alarm on each floor, which equipment will be strategically located, visibly marked and accessible to the handicapped; or b. Escort services by an employee readily identifiable as a representative of the parking lot, the times for which are clearly posted on signs as required in subsection (7) below. Where a security guard is employed, the security guard may provide the required escort services. (5) All enclosed parking lots or buildings or parking garages that provide escort service shall post a sign at all pedestrian entrances clearly defining how to obtain escort services. All signs shall be in the shape of a rectangle and shall be posted in a conspicuous location. All signs shall be made of a durable substance to avoid allowing vandalism and weather conditions to destroy the message offered by the sign. (6) All parking lots or parking garages shall post a sign as required in subsection (7) below at all entrances in a conspicuous location, clearly advising customers of the type of security system that is provided on the premises. All parking lots or parking garages that do not provide escort services shall post a sign as required by subsection (7) below at all entrances and in a conspicuous location, clearly advising customers that no escort services are provided on the premises. (7) All signs shall be uniform in dimensions and colors as established by the department of public works, traffic division. The license division shall make signs available to licensees but licensees shall not be required to purchase signs produced by the traffic division. Signs shall be posted in a conspicuous location approved by the license inspector. Other signs may be posted in conjunction with or separately from escort or security system signs. (8) All parking lots or parking garages shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, including the removal of all hazardous and nonhazardous obstacles, so as to avoid the appearance of clutter. (9) The proper maintenance of a parking lot or parking garage is essential to security. Therefore, management shall be responsible for checking for abandoned vehicles or the storage of items such as off-season machine equipment, construction material, crates or other material, and removal of these materials. (Ord. No. 17658, § 3, 6-8-89; Ord. No. 17828, § 4, 5-9-91; C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 417.08 Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance.

Sec. 417.08. - Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance. (a) Structural condition surveys. Unless otherwise waived every parking garage shall have a structural condition survey performed yearly per the following schedule: (1) No structural condition survey is required for five (5) years after initial construction. (2) A minimum of a Type I structural condition survey is required by the end of the sixth year. (3) A minimum of a Type I structural condition survey is required by the end of the seventh year. (4) A Type II structural condition survey is required by the end of the eighth year. (5) Following the end of the eighth year, as a minimum, a three-year cycle of a Type I condition survey, followed by another Type I condition survey, and then a Type II condition survey shall be maintained. In the event that structural condition surveys have not been performed per the schedule above DSI's staff structural engineer must approve the level of survey to be performed. A written report documenting the results of the survey shall be provided to the department of safety and inspection's (DSI) staff structural engineer. The report shall identify scope-of-services, background information (history, or information provided by others), procedures, factual results, and the engineer's opinion of the severity of deterioration and recommended prioritizing for repair. (b) Ongoing maintenance. Based on the reported results the parking garage shall be maintained as required in order to minimize the risk of localized or catastrophic structural collapse, and such that the rate of ongoing restoration work does, at a minimum, keep pace with the rate of deterioration. Restoration work shall be performed under permit. Deviation from the above schedule may be permitted when judged most appropriate by the reviewing engineer and accepted by DSI's staff structural engineer. The reviewing engineer must substantiate his/her recommendation that the deviation is appropriate. Such substantiation is to include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Documentation of previous repair work and/or maintenance to the structure or portions of the structure resulting in the actual age of the structure not being a true indicator of potential distress. (2) Documentation of on-site engineering involvement during recent restoration work. (C.F. No. 98-311, § 1, 5-13-98; C.F. No. 09-390, § 2, 5-13-09)

Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITXXIXLI_CH417PALOPAGAFetched: 11/1/2026