Acworth › Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 73)
73-9 — Streets and Traffic
§ 73-9.1
Street Access and Curb Cuts
1.Each building shall be located on a lot or parcel which abuts a public street for at least 40 feet or has access to a public street by means of a recorded access easement if approved by the Public Works Director.
2.Street access and curb cuts for service drives, entrances, exits and other similar facilities on public streets in other than residential districts shall be approved by the Public Works Director.
1.Curb cuts constructed for new driveways to developments on arterial and collector streets shall be aligned directly across from existing curb cuts.
2.The Public Works Director may approve other locations when it is determined that alignment with an existing curb cut is not appropriate.
3.No curb cuts shall be located within 40 feet of any intersection or within 30 feet of another curb cut measured along the curb line.
4.A curb cut shall be no greater than 30 feet in width, and no closer than 20 feet to any property line unless approved by the Public Works Director.
3.All entrances or exits of any street or drive, public or private, from or to any state highway shall be approved by the state highway department prior to the construction of such street or drive, or the issuance of any development permit for any improvement to be served by such street or drive.
4.No curb cuts for commercial developments may be placed along residential streets.
5.All entrances or exits of any non-residential development or place of business shall be kept free and clear of any obstructions, including but not limited to parked vehicles or storage of materials, so as not to impede the flow of traffic onto or off a property.
§ 73-9.2
Street Improvements
1.The Public Works Director may require improvements such as the widening of streets, deceleration lanes and/or rights-of-way or the addition of curbs and gutters, in order to accommodate the increased traffic due to proposed developments.
2.Existing streets shall be connected and extended throughout the limits of proposed developments. If such street is already used primarily for residential access, requested street improvements to provide access to a proposed non-residential use must be approved by the Board of Aldermen before being connected, extended, or in any way provided access to the non-residential use.
§ 73-9.3
Corner Visibility Clearance
In all districts, no fence, structure, sign, planting or other obstruction (above a height of 3 feet) shall be maintained within 15 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way unless approved by the Public Works Director. This requirement may be waived in the C-1 district, with the approval of the Public Works Director.
§ 73-9.4
Private Streets
1.Private streets within any district shall not be used to satisfy the off-street parking requirements of this article.
2.Private streets within any district shall be assigned names and locations and names of such streets shall be shown on plans required for the issuance of building and development permits.
3.All private street names shall be approved by the City to avoid conflicting street names.
§ 73-9.5
Access management
1.All off-street parking lots shall have access to a paved public or private street and be served by a paved access drive.
2.Inter-parcel access is required between all abutting parking lots and sites based on site conditions and provide a cross-access drive and pedestrian access to allow circulation between sites.
1.Inter-parcel access is not required between non-residential uses and single-family residential uses.
2.This shall be accomplished by stubbing a connection to each adjacent the property line. The property owner shall grant an access easement granting public access through the lot. This easement shall be submitted and recorded by the applicant or property owner with the Clerk of the Superior Court of Cobb County.
3.If full access between or among lots is implemented after initial site development, any deficiencies created to formalize the connection are permitted without need for any formal relief through the variance process (e.g.: removing a required parking space to accommodate the connection will render it nonconforming but is permitted to prioritize the connectivity).
4.Joint driveways between properties shall be established wherever feasible along a major thoroughfare or arterial or collector street.
3.All developments shall have access to a public right-of-way. The number of access points shall be in accordance with Table 73-9.5.C.
Table 73-9.5.C - Minimum Number of Access Points
| Type of Development | Minimum Number of Access Points |
|---|---|
| Residential, 30 or fewer units | 1 |
| Residential, 31—150 units | 2 |
| Residential, 151—300 units | 3 |
| Residential over 300 units | 4 |
| Nonresidential, 50,000 sf or less gross floor area | 1 |
| Nonresidential, 50,001-200,000 sf gross floor area | 2 |
| Nonresidential, 200,001 sf or more gross floor area | >2 |
Section.
Table 73-9.5D – Driveway Separation
| Posted Speed Limit of Road | Minimum Driveway Separation |
|---|---|
| Less than 35 mph | 125 feet |
| 36 to 45 mph | 245 feet |
| Greater than 45 mph | 440 feet |
emergency vehicles.
3.Along thoroughfares, arterials, or collector streets, a deceleration lane, a turn lane, larger or reduced turning radius, traffic islands or other devices or designs, including traffic calming devices and designs, may be required to avoid specific traffic hazards which would otherwise be created by the proposed driveway location. The submission of a traffic analysis based on the scale and scope of the project to determine required improvements.
4.Deceleration lanes are required for access to residential uses containing 20 or more units that provide less sight distance (in feet) than ten (10) times the posted speed limit (in miles per hour) in accordance with Table 73-9.5.G.
may be extended to the intersection.
Table 73-9.5.G - Deceleration Lanes
| Operating Speed | Deceleration Lane Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Subdivision streets | Not required |
| 35 mph | 150’+50’ taper |
| 40 mph | 150’+50’ taper |
| 45 mph | 150’+50’ taper |
| 55mph | 200’+150’taper |
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§ 73-9.6
Parking Spaces Required
1.Exceptions, the required number of parking spaces shall be provided on the same lot with the use it serves, except:
1.If vehicular parking or storage space required cannot be reasonably provided on the same lot on which the principal use is conducted, the Board of Aldermen may permit such space to be provided on other off-street property.
2.If a user within a planned shopping center is unable to meet the required parking spaces, no more than 10 percent (10%) of the required parking spaces may be shared on an adjacent parcel of the same planned development and shall be located no more than 250 feet of the main entrance of the subject parcel. Such vehicular parking space shall be associated with the permitted use and shall not hereafter be reduced or encroached upon in any manner.
2.General Provisions,
1.The required parking spaces of any number of separated uses may be combined in one (1) lot, but the required spaces assigned to one use may not be assigned to another use at the same time, except that places of assembly whose peak attendance will be at night or on Sunday may be assigned to a use which will be closed at night or on Sunday.
2.The provisions of the required spaces on a temporary basis on a hard surfaced sub-base (subgrade plus an asphalt first layer or bound crushed stone aggregate) shall satisfy this requirement.
3.All parking facilities, including entrances, exits, and maneuvering areas shall comply with the following:
1.Design of parking areas, including space and driveway arrangement, shall conform to the geometric design standards of the Institute of Traffic Engineers, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. The City Clerk shall maintain a copy of said standards of the Institute of Traffic Engineers on file for inspection by the public.
2.Have access to a public street and be graded and paved. Curbing may be required when needed for effective drainage control to prevent damage to abutting property or public streets, subject to approval by the Public Works Director.
3.Have all spaces marked with paint lines, curb stones or other similar designations (single family residential uses are exempt if fewer than 3 spaces are provided).
4.Provide individual parking spaces with dimensions not less than 9 feet wide and 20 feet deep, exclusive of passageways. If a commercial or industrial land-use is required to provide 50 or more parking spaces, the parking requirement can be reduced by 10% for every space beyond the 50th. For example, if the total requirement is 100 parking spaces, a reduction of 10% would allow 95 spaces instead of the full 100.
5.For 90° parking, provide interior drive aisles with a minimum width of 24 feet which connect each space with a public street. For 60° parking, provide interior drive aisles with a minimum width of 20 feet.
4.Parking areas established within a residential district for a permitted non-residential use shall provide visual screening between vehicle use areas, including all accessways, and the abutting residential property.
1.Such screening may consist of a wall or solid fence no less than five
(5)feet in height and/or a vegetative row of hedges and trees sufficient in nature to provide continuous visual screening.
2.Such screening improvements shall be located upon a non-paved surface at least 5 feet in width and are subject to approval.
5.Adequate lighting shall be provided if the facilities are to be used at night. Such lighting shall be arranged and installed so as not to reflect or cause glare on abutting properties.
6.No parking or loading area shall be established in the required front yard of any residential district, except for a single family residential use, no more than 35 percent of the required front yard may be paved or used for parking in such case.
7.The parking areas shall be permanently maintained by the owners or the occupants for their invites or licensees so long as the use(s) exists.
8.No street parking spaces may be allowed as meeting the parking requirement except in the Character Overlay District
9.Stacking spaces shall be provided for any use having a drive-through facility or areas having drop-off and pick up services.
1.Stacking shall begin at the window or communication/mechanical device (e.g. order board) first encountered by the vehicle user.
2.All stacking spaces shall not impede upon on and off site traffic movements or create a potentially unsafe condition for either pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
3.No more than 10 percent (10%) of the total parking spaces required for a user may be counted as stacking spaces.
10.Vehicles parked within a non-residential parking area shall be parked within the designated parking spaces unless the vehicle is within a designated loading/unloading zone. Said parking spaces shall be clearly designated through paint lines, curb stones or other similar designations as approved by staff.
11.ADA accessible spaces shall not be counted toward the parking requirement enumerated in Table 73-9.6
12.No parking area may be used for the sale, repair, dismantling, servicing or long-term storage of any vehicle or equipment.
13.Required spaces. Table 73-9.6 enumerates the minimum off-street parking provision standards for all properties within the City.
14.If a building or development contains multiple uses, the number of spaces required shall be calculated by summing the amount required by each individual use.
15.Parking areas are encouraged to be set to the side or rear of the primary building in such a manner as to reduce visibility from the street (see individual zoning districts for density bonuses relating to parking location and/or structures).
16.At least 30% of required parking spaces shall be in the side or rear yard of all lots in commercial (C- 1, C-2, OP), industrial (LI, HI), residential-medium density cluster-type housing such as condominiums (R-5) and multi-family (RM-6, RM-8) zoned districts.
17.Where parking spaces are provided in on-site underground or deck parking, a bonus floor area of 350 square feet for each provided parking space shall be allowed and an overall reduction of 15% in the minimum number of parking spaces required.
18.All developments wherein the front door is located within 250 feet of a public transit stop shall be allowed a 25% reduction in required parking.
19.In order to accommodate seasonal peak parking demand, a number of overflow spaces per square foot of gross floor area shall be allowed above and beyond the maximum number of paved spaces stipulated in Table 73-9.6.
Table 73-9.6.
Table 73-9.6 – Parking Spaces Required
| Use | Required Spaces |
|---|---|
| Residential | |
| Dwelling | 2 per dwelling unit. |
| Dwelling (senior restricted) | 0.5 per dwelling unit. |
| Group living/boarding/rooming houses | 1 per employee, plus 1 per bedroom. |
| Independent, assisted living, retirement home | 1 per 4 beds, plus 1 per 2 employees. |
| Commercial—Retail | |
| Automobile, boat, and truck sales & service | 1 space per 250 square feet of sales floor area, plus 2 spaces per service bay. |
| Furniture, home furnishing and equipment store | 1 per 500 square feet GFA, 2 space minimum. |
| Retail sales | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Restaurant, high turnover / fast food | 1 space per 125 square feet of GFA. |
| Restaurant or other eating and drinking establishment | 1 per 150 square feet GFA. |
| Shopping center | 5 per 1,000 square feet GLA. |
| Commercial—Service and entertainment | |
| Entertainment | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Automobile repair and body shop | 1 per 150 square feet GFA. |
| Personal services | 1 per 400 square feet of GFA. |
| Bed and breakfast home | 1 per guest room, plus 2 per owner dwelling unit. |
| Brewery/pub/distillery/winery | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Car Washes | 1 per 2 employees |
| Dry cleaning/laundromat | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Funeral home/mortuary | 0.25 per seat. |
| Gas station, full service | 2 per fuel pump plus 3 per service bay. |
| Gas station, self serve (fuel only) | 2 per fuel pump. |
| Health club and facilities | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Hotel/motel | 1 per sleeping room or suite, plus 1 additional space per 2,000 GFA. |
| Offices (business, medical, dental, and professional) | 1 per 225 square feet GFA . |
| Pet shop and dog grooming shop | 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Printing, publishing and engraving | 1 per 300 square feet of sales space. |
| Repair, service, general merchandise | 1 per 300 square feet of sales space. |
| Shooting range, indoor | 1 per 400 square feet of GFA. |
| Studio for art, photograph and similar uses | 1 per 400 square feet GFA |
| Theater, movie or drama | 1 per 3 seats. |
| Truck terminal | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA. |
| Veterinary clinic | 1 per 225 square feet GFA . |
| Industrial—Storage, warehousing, wholesale trade | |
| Mini-warehouse (self-service storage facilities) | 1 per 9 storage units. |
| Warehouse and storage buildings | 1 per 500 square feet of GFA. |
| Junkyard, salvage yard | 2 per employee. |
| Wholesale, trade establishments | 1 per 500 square feet of GFA. |
| Industrial—Manufacturing establishment, processing | |
| Manufacturing and industrial uses | 1 per 1,000 square feet of GFA. |
| Contract construction | 1 per 250 square feet of gross office space. |
| Mineral extraction and processing | 1 per 2 employees on maximum working shift. |
| Institutional | |
| Art gallery/museum | 1 per 250 square feet GFA. |
| Places of assembly | 1 per 4 seats or bench seating spaces. |
| Cemetery, mausoleum | 1 per employee. |
| Childcare facilities | 1 per each 1.5 employees, plus 1 per 4 pupils. |
| Convent and monastery | 1 per 2 beds. |
| Hospital, health, and medical institution | 3.3 per 1,000 square feet of GFA. |
| Library | 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Recycling center | 1 per employee. |
| School, public or private: elementary and middle | 2 per classroom, but not less than 5 spaces |
| School, public or private: high school | 4 per classroom, but not less than 15 spaces |
| School public or private: college | 10 per classroom. |
| School public or private: vocational/technical | 20 per classroom. |
| Transportation, communication, utilities | |
| Bus, rail terminal | 4 per each loading and unloading bay. |
| Radio, TV and communication transmission tower | 1 per 2 employees on premises, plus 1 per 300 square feet of sales or customer space. |
| Utility facilities | 1 per employee, plus 1 per stored vehicle. |
| Water treatment facilities | 1 per employee. |
| Park, recreation, conservation | |
| Golf courses and club houses | 6 per hole, plus additional spaces for each accessory facility. |
| Golf driving range | 2 per each driving tee. |
| Shooting range, outdoor; skeet range and trap range | 1 per employee, plus 1 for each shooter. |
| Shooting range, outdoor: target range | 1 per employee, plus 1 per shooting lane. |
| Skating rink, roller and ice | 1 per 200 square feet of GFA. |
| Agriculture | |
| Agricultural services | 2 per 3 employees or 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Kennel | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA. |
| Nursery/greenhouse | 1 per 400 square feet of GFA, plus 1 per 2,000 square feet of exterior nursery area |
| Sawmill/stockyard/lumberyard | 1 per employee. |
Table 73-9.6.
| Gas station, self serve (fuel only) | 2 per fuel pump. |
|---|---|
| Health club and facilities | 1 per 200 square feet GFA. |
| Hotel/motel | 1 per sleeping room or suite, plus 1 additional space per 2,000 GFA. |
| Offices (business, medical, dental, and professional) | 1 per 225 square feet GFA . |
| Pet shop and dog grooming shop | 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Printing, publishing and engraving | 1 per 300 square feet of sales space. |
| Repair, service, general merchandise | 1 per 300 square feet of sales space. |
| Shooting range, indoor | 1 per 400 square feet of GFA. |
| Studio for art, photograph and similar uses | 1 per 400 square feet GFA |
| Theater, movie or drama | 1 per 3 seats. |
| Truck terminal | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA. |
| Veterinary clinic | 1 per 225 square feet GFA . |
| Industrial—Storage, warehousing, wholesale trade | |
| Mini-warehouse (self-service storage facilities) | 1 per 9 storage units. |
| Warehouse and storage buildings | 1 per 500 square feet of GFA. |
| Junkyard, salvage yard | 2 per employee. |
| Wholesale, trade establishments | 1 per 500 square feet of GFA. |
| Industrial—Manufacturing establishment, processing | |
| Manufacturing and industrial uses | 1 per 1,000 square feet of GFA. |
| Contract construction | 1 per 250 square feet of gross office space. |
| Mineral extraction and processing | 1 per 2 employees on maximum working shift. |
| Institutional | |
| Art gallery/museum | 1 per 250 square feet GFA. |
| Places of assembly | 1 per 4 seats or bench seating spaces. |
| Cemetery, mausoleum | 1 per employee. |
| Childcare facilities | 1 per each 1.5 employees, plus 1 per 4 pupils. |
| Convent and monastery | 1 per 2 beds. |
| Hospital, health, and medical institution | 3.3 per 1,000 square feet of GFA. |
| Library | 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Recycling center | 1 per employee. |
| School, public or private: elementary and middle | 2 per classroom, but not less than 5 spaces |
| School, public or private: high school | 4 per classroom, but not less than 15 spaces |
| School public or private: college | 10 per classroom. |
| School public or private: vocational/technical | 20 per classroom. |
| Transportation, communication, utilities | |
| Bus, rail terminal | 4 per each loading and unloading bay. |
| Radio, TV and communication transmission tower | 1 per 2 employees on premises, plus 1 per 300 square feet of sales or customer space. |
| Utility facilities | 1 per employee, plus 1 per stored vehicle. |
| Water treatment facilities | 1 per employee. |
| Park, recreation, conservation | |
| Golf courses and club houses | 6 per hole, plus additional spaces for each accessory facility. |
| Golf driving range | 2 per each driving tee. |
| Shooting range, outdoor; skeet range and trap range | 1 per employee, plus 1 for each shooter. |
| Shooting range, outdoor: target range | 1 per employee, plus 1 per shooting lane. |
| Skating rink, roller and ice | 1 per 200 square feet of GFA. |
| Agriculture | |
| Agricultural services | 2 per 3 employees or 1 per 400 square feet GFA. |
| Kennel | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA. |
| Nursery/greenhouse | 1 per 400 square feet of GFA, plus 1 per 2,000 square feet of exterior nursery area |
| Sawmill/stockyard/lumberyard | 1 per employee. |
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source ↗
§ 73-9.7
Required Surface Parking Standards
1.The parking of any vehicle (including, but not limited to trailers and boats) on any lot in any district on other than a surface treated and hardened to accommodate vehicles up to 8,000 pounds gross axle weight is prohibited.
1.Properties shall be limited to concrete, asphalt, or brick surfaces.
2.Properties may use stone surfaces or tar-treated stone surfaces provided that if such property is improved in any manner that construction costs exceed 50% of the assessed property value, the current standard shall apply.
2.Minimum standards for surfaces treated and hardened to accommodate vehicles up to 8,000 pounds are as follows:
1.Concrete: 4 inches of 3,000 psi concrete with control joints at least every 20 feet, control joints utilized, wire reinforcement throughout.
2.Asphalt: Binder and topping course mixes at least 3” thick.
3.Brick: Bricks laid in a 4” inch concrete base, sand/granite leveling base
4.Tar-treated stone: Hot liquefied asphaltic application overlaid with #57 stone.
5.Pervious paving materials as approved by City Staff.
§ 73-9.8
Overflow Parking Standards
1.Overflow parking spaces shall be relegated to the rear and side yards in all zoning categories. Overflow parking areas must be designed to accommodate vehicles up to 8,000 pounds and shall be constructed entirely of pervious paving materials.
These may include pervious asphalt, permeable pavement blocks, or grass (sod).
Suitable permeable paving surfaces include:
1.Grasspave•, a system with coverage by a plastic network and grass infilling.
2.Gravelpave•, a system with coverage by a plastic network and gravel infilling.
3.Turfstone•, a system of hollow core impervious blocks and grass infilling.
4.UNI Eco-Stone•, a system of hollow core impervious blocks and gravel infilling.
5.Any other surfaces approved by the City Engineer.
§ 73-9.9
Parking in Residential Districts
1.Business vehicles under 8,000 pounds axle weight shall be allowed to park in the side or rear yard of the residentially zoned property.
1.Business vehicles weighing or exceeding 8,000 pounds axle weight shall be allowed to park in residentially zoned property during daylight hours, but not overnight or on Saturdays or Sundays.
2.Daylight hours shall mean 30 minutes after dawn to 30 minutes before sunset.
2.Vehicle repair may not be conducted on vehicles located on any public street.
This prohibition shall not apply to emergency repairs taking less than 24 hours to complete.
3.Trailers, boats, and recreational vehicles must be stored to the side or rear of the principal structure or stored in an entirely enclosed structure. Trailers, boats and recreational vehicles must be parked on an improved surface such as concrete or pervious pavers.
1.Junk vehicles, as defined in Section 73-15.4 are considered outside storage and subject to Section 73-7.1.2 provisions for outside storage.
2.Trailer beds that are used for storage are subject to Section 73-7.1.2 provisions for outside storage.
4.Recreational vehicles and trailers shall not be parked on an R-zoned lot that does not contain a permanent dwelling unit or other structure intended for permanent human habitation.
5.Recreational vehicles may only be occupied for human habitation in the C-2 district.
Habitation may occur for a maximum of 14 days in any 30-day period.
6.Exemptions. Restrictions on vehicles regulated by this Section shall not apply when:
1.Vehicle/trailer is located within a completely enclosed building or structure;
2.Vehicle/trailer is temporarily parked for the purpose of active loading/unloading;
3.The subject lot is occupied by a permitted non-residential use.
4.Vehicle is designed or intended for the transport of the physically impaired; or Vehicle is being used for active construction, or other professional service being performed on the subject property
§ 73-9.10
Off-Street Loading Requirements
Where required, off-street loading spaces shall be provided on the same or adjoining premises with the facility it serves, either inside or outside a building. A loading berth shall have a minimum dimension of 12 feet by 35 feet by 14 feet overhead clearance. Such facilities must be designed so that no truck/vehicle maneuvering occurs on the public right of way nor in areas designated for the parking of vehicles except in the Character Overlay District in which case designated loading zones may also be utilized. Loading areas must be adequately screened from residentially zoned properties, subject to approval.
Table 73-9.10 – Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use
| Use | Required Loading Spaces |
|---|---|
| Retail operations, including accessory uses within hotels or office buildings | One per 20,000 square feet of gross floor area (or fraction thereof) |
| Office buildings and hotels | One per 75,000 square feet of gross floor area (or fraction thereof) |
| Industrial, manufacturing, warehouse and distribution uses | One per 40,000 square feet of gross floor area (or fraction thereof) |
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source ↗