§ 25-85. Off-street loading and unloading space.

Off-street loading and unloading spaces shall be provided as hereinafter required by this chapter.

(1)

Size of off-street loading spaces. Each off-street loading space shall have minimum dimensions of fourteen (14) feet in height, twelve (12) feet in width, and fifty (50) feet in length. However, upon sufficient demonstration that a particular loading space will be used exclusively by shorter trucks, the zoning administrator may reduce the minimum length accordingly as to as little as twenty-five (25) feet.

(2)

Connection to street or alley. Each required off-street loading space shall have access to a street or alley or have a driveway which offers satisfactory ingress and egress for trucks and which shall meet the requirements of section 33.1-198 of the Code of Virginia, and the minimum standards of entrances to state highways and shall be approved by the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation resident engineer.

(3)

Floor area over ten thousand (10,000) square feet. There shall be provided for each hospital, hotel, commercial or industrial building, or similar use requiring the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise and having a floor area of more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, at least one (1) off-street loading space for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of floor space or fraction thereof. Such space shall be so located as to not hinder the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles over a sidewalk, street or alley.

(4)

Floor area less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet. There shall be provided for each hospital, hotel, commercial or industrial building requiring receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise and having a floor area of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet sufficient off-street loading space (not necessarily a full space if shared by an adjacent establishment) so located as not to hinder the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles over a sidewalk, street or alley.

(5)

Bus and truck terminals. There shall be provided sufficient space to accommodate the maximum number of buses and trucks to be stored or to be loaded at the terminal at any one time.

(6)

Location of off-street loading spaces. All required off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the building which they are intended to serve or on an adjacent lot when shared with the use occupying an adjacent lot.

(7)

Permanent reservation. Area reserved for off-street loading in accordance with the requirements of this chapter shall not be reduced in area or changed to any other use unless the use which is served is discontinued or modified, except where equivalent loading space is provided and is approved by the zoning administrator.

(Ord. of 5-25-88)

(Ord. of 5-25-88)