6.3.1 Objectives and Applicability:
6.3.1.1 Objectives: The objectives of this section of the bylaw are as follows:
(a) Promote traffic safety by assuring adequate places for storing of motor vehicles off the street and for their orderly access and egress to and from the public street;
(b) Increase the traffic-carrying capacity of street and highways in the town and obtain a more efficient utilization of on-street curbside parking;
(c) Reduce hazards and nuisances to pedestrians on public sidewalks and ways.
6.3.1.2 Applicability: No building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued for the construction of a new building, the enlargement of an existing building, the development of a use not located in a building, the redevelopment of an existing building or the change from one type of use to another, unless off-street parking is provided and detailed on a plot plan in accordance with this section of the bylaw.
6.3.2 Location of Parking Facilities:
6.3.2.1 Parking shall be on the same lot as the principal use, with the following exceptions for off-site parking:
Central Business District:
A Special Permit by the Planning Board subject to the provisions of section 6.3.8 and Site Plan Approval by the Board of Selectmen when required.
There will be no off-street parking requirement for any existing structure in the Central Business District, provided that any alteration, rehabilitation or addition to any existing structure does not increase the requirements as outlined in Section 6.3.3.
6.3.2.2 Location on Site: Such parking facilities may be provided within a structure, above or below ground, or outside at grade level.
6.3.3 Minimum Number of Spaces by Use:
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Use |
Requirement |
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1. Residential a).Single or two Family b) Greater than two family
c) Congregate living d) Assisted living, long-term care e) SRO |
a) 2 per dwelling unit b) 2.1 per dwelling unit, any space requirement in access of 2.0 per dwelling unit shall not be assigned, conveyed or transferred and shall be clearly marked for visitor or guest parking. c) .75/ bedroom d) .4/ living unit e) 2.1 spaces per dwelling unit, any space requirement in excess of 2.0 per dwelling unit shall not be assigned, conveyed or transferred and shall be clearly marked for visitor or guest parking. Or to act in any other manner in relation thereto. |
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2. Institutional/ Public assembly a) Elementary, day care, pre-school b) Secondary, college, tech school
c) Church, temple, club, lodge, comm. Center, any place of public assembly |
a) 2 per each classroom plus 30% for visitors, staff b) 1 for 8 seats c) 1 per 4 seats according to maximum occupancy |
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3. Commercial/ Business a) Medical/ dental office b) Business, professional, administrative office c) Retail/ personal service establishment |
a) 1 per every 200 square feet of gross floor area b) 1 per every 350 square feet of gross floor area c) 1 per every 350 square feet of gross floor area |
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4. Food Service Establishments a) Restaurants/ diners |
a) 1 per 3 seats |
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5. Hospitals |
1 per 400 square feet of gross floor area |
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6. Hotels |
1 for every rental room plus 1 per 3 people at maximum occupancy of assembly room, plus 33% |
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7. Warehouse, storage, wholesale, or similar use |
1 per 750 square feet of gross floor area |
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8. Any other commercial or business use not listed |
1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
6.3.3.1 Calculations: Any parking calculations or .5 or greater shall be rounded up to the next space.
6.3.3.2 Unspecified Uses: Parking for any unspecified use requiring a Special Permit under this bylaw shall be determined by the Planning Board.
6.3.4 Facility Design Standards
6.3.4.1 Parking Spaces
6.3.4.1.1 Parking spaces shall each be a minimum of nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet or (9) nine feet by (22) twenty-two feet in length for parallel parking exclusive for drives, walks, and maneuvering space.
6.3.4.1.2 Parking spaces for vehicles such as commercial trucks, buses or other vehicles that exceed 7 ½ by 18 feet in size must be specifically identified upon a plan and be of such dimensions as to accommodate the specified type of vehicle. Such vehicles shall be permitted to park only in the stalls so identified and approved.
6.3.4.2 Layout:
1. Access to and egress from all parking areas shall be only via driveways which meet the design standards of Section 6.3.6;
2. Except for Residence A and B, all portions of all parking spaces, loading areas and maneuvering aisles shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any street or way and meet the side and rear setback requirements for the district. Curbs, wheel stops, screening or similar barriers shall be installed along the setback line for parking and loading to prevent vehicles from being parked or driven within required setback areas or required landscaped areas;
3. Aisle Widths-Each off-street parking space shall have direct access to an aisle or driveway having a minimum width of 24 feet in the case of two-way traffic or the following widths in the case of one-way traffic only.
Angle of Parking |
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Minimum Aisle Width |
Parallel |
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12 feet |
30 degrees |
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11 feet |
45 degrees |
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13 feet |
60 degrees |
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18 feet |
90 degrees |
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20 feet |
4. Each required off-street parking space shall be designed so that any motor vehicle may proceed to and from said parking space without requiring the moving of any other vehicle or the passing over of any other parking space;
5. Each parking area shall be designed to provide a circulation system within the lot so that all vehicles may exit from and enter into the adjacent street or way by being driven in a forward direction and no vehicle shall be required to enter or leave by backing.
6. All required parking areas shall be paved and parking spaces marked to provide delineation between parking stalls and aisles. Such markings shall be maintained so as to be plainly visible with color and markings according to acceptable industry standards as per the Town Engineer.
7. Handicapped Parking: Specially designated parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be provided, as described in Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 521 CMR Rules and Regulations of the Architectural Access Board or any successor state law or regulations governing architectural access. Spaces for the handicapped shall be clearly identified by a sign indicating those spaces are reserved for physically handicapped persons. Such spaces shall be located in that portion of the parking lot nearest to the entrances to the use or structure which the parking lot serves. Van accessible stalls are required in accordance with the 521 CMR Rules and Regulations of the Architectural Access Board.
8. Surfacing and Drainage: Such parking facilities shall be suitably graded, surfaced and drained so as to dispose of all surface water without detriment to surrounding uses.
9. Maintenance of parking facility: Lots shall be kept clean and free from rubbish and debris.
Snow Storage: The layout of the parking area shall allow sufficient space for the storage of plowed snow so as not to diminish the capacity to meet the minimum parking requirements.
6.3.5 Lighting and Screening:
6.3.5.1 All illumination on parking lots must be shielded so as not to shine upon abutting properties.
6.3.5.2 Properties other than the use served by the parking lot, which abut the parking lot shall be protected from headlight glare by either:
A strip at least four (4) feet wide, densely planted with shrubs or trees which are no more than four (4) feet high at the time of planting and which are of a type that may be expected to form a year-round dense screen, or
A wall, barrier or fence of uniform appearance at least five (5) feet high but not more than six (6) feet above finished grade. Such wall, barrier or fence may be opaque or perforated, provided that not more than fifty percent (50%) of the face is open and must be constructed in accordance with Section 6.5 of this bylaw.
6.3.5.2.1 Such screening shall be maintained in good condition at all times. Such screening or barrier may be interrupted by normal entrances and exits.
6.3.6 Driveway Access Permits:
(a) Prior to issuance of a building permit, a driveway/access permit must obtained from Public Works Department for all new or relocated driveways or parking lots except those which are governed by other state or federal statute. (10_21_85, Art.~5; 5_4_92)
(b) No such driveway or access shall exceed a grade slope in excess of thirteen percent (13%)
(c) Driveway/access slopes shall be calculated from the street layout line back edge of sidewalk to the termination of the driveway or the garage floor. For purposes of calculating the slope in (b) in areas where curbing and/or sidewalks have yet to be installed, the elevation at the back edge of the sidewalk shall be assumed to be ten (10) inches above the existing or proposed gutter grade. (10-25-90)
(d) In all districts the number of driveways permitting entrance to and exit from a lot shall be limited to two per street line. Driveways shall be located so as to minimize conflict with traffic on public streets and where good visibility and sight distances are available to observe approaching pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(e) No private way or driveway which serves a non-residential use in a non-residential district shall be built through a residential district.
6.3.7 Off-Street Loading:
6.3.7.1 Applicability:
6.3.7.1.1 The provisions of this Section shall apply to any building or structure, or addition thereto, to be utilized for any use within any zone except those allowed in Residence A, Residence B and Open Space Districts, containing more than five thousand (5,000) gross square feet.
6.3.7.2 Number of Off-Street Loading Areas Required:
6.3.7.2.1 There shall be one (1) off-street loading area for each twenty five (25,000) square feet, or portion thereof, of gross floor area.
6.3.7.3 Design:
6.3.7.3.1 Each off-street loading area shall be not less than ten (10) feet in width, thirty-five (35) feet in length, and twelve (12) feet in height, exclusive of driveways.
6.3.7.3.2 Off-street loading areas shall be located entirely on the lot to be served, and shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley.
6.3.7.3.3 Off street loading areas shall be suitably graded, surfaced and drained so as to dispose of all surface water without detriment to surrounding uses.
6.3.8 Special Permits For Parking:
6.3.8.1 Special permit for a change in parking space requirements: the number of off-street parking spaces required by Section 6.3.3, of this bylaw for a use or uses in the Central Business District and in the Commercial I District for Banquet Facilities, Function Halls and Dinner Theaters may be changed by Special permit in accordance with the following provisions: (7-28-03, Art. 4)
Special permit criteria: The Planning Board, by special permit, may allow remote parking lots, or shared parking lots which it deems reasonable, based on the following criteria, and other applicable provisions presented in this subsection:
The capacity, location and current level of use of existing parking facilities, both public and private;
The efficient and maximum use in terms of parking needs and services provided;
The relief of traffic and parking congestion;
The safety of pedestrians;
The provision of reasonable access either by walking distance or shuttle vehicle arrangements;
(f) The maintenance of the character of the area.
2. The following are allowed by Special Permit:
(a) The substitution of parking spaces within municipal parking lots in lieu of or in reduction to the parking requirements of this section, provided they are located within 1600 feet of the building which is intended to be served.
(b) A reduction in parking space requirements: The number of off-street parking spaces required by Section 6.3.3 of this bylaw for a use or uses in the non-residential districts may be reduced by special permit in accordance with the following provisions:
1. Shared parking: Shared private parking facilities for different buildings or uses may be allowed by Special Permit, subject to the following provisions:
(a) Up to fifty percent (50%) of the parking spaces serving a building may be used jointly for other uses not normally open, used or operated during similar hours. The applicant must show that the peak parking demand and principal operating hours for each use are suitable for a common parking facility.
(b) A written agreement defining the joint use acceptable to the Planning Board of the common parking facility shall be executed by all parties concerned and approved by the Planning Board as part of the special permit process. Such agreement shall be recorded at the Middlesex Registry of Deeds.
(c) Any subsequent change in land uses for which the shared parking proposal was approved, and which results in the need for additional parking spaces, shall require a new special permit application under this subsection.
2. Remote parking: Remote (satellite) parking areas may be authorized by the Planning Board by special permit, subject to the following provisions:
The satellite parking spaces will be used solely by the employees and, where practicable, clientele of the commercial use;
(b) The off-site parking spaces shall be located to adequately serve the proposed use and shall be within six hundred (600) feet of the building served for clientele of the commercial use. Off-site parking for employees of the business may be located within a distance of one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet, unless shuttle vehicle arrangements are provided as a condition of the special permit . The parking distance shall be measured by the shortest route of pedestrian access, entrance to entrance.
3. Pedestrian access: Any proposals submitted, which, in the opinion of the Planning Board, provide direct and vital pedestrian access to other abutting commercial properties and serve to improve pedestrian accessibility may reduce the number of parking spaces required by fifteen percent (15%). Pedestrian access shall be provided enough improved pathways, stairway access or other physical improvements, and such access shall be clearly marked. (Art. 27, 10-25-99)
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