Section 7.0 Parking Standards

Closed19 Jul, 2022, 12:00pm - 19 Jul, 2022, 12:01pm

The purpose and application of parking standards is to ensure that when assessing development proposals, consideration is given to accommodating vehicles that will potentially be generated by the development proposed, in accordance with national and regional policy objectives, and to facilitate a modal shift towards more sustainable forms of transport.

7.1     Car Parking

Car parking should be provided in accordance with the standards set out in Table 7.1 below. Spaces may be provided on site or on street. Appropriately designed on-street car parking will be encouraged to facilitate increases in residential densities at appropriate locations. This parking may be provided as a shared parking area or bay which may be integrated into the overall development, or provided on- street where road widths are developed to adequate standards.

In general, no more than 10-15 spaces will be provided in a shared parking cluster, in the interest of visual amenity. Within group parking areas, consideration will be given to the visibility of residents’ cars (from their homes if possible), convenience and the need to soften the impact of group parking by landscaping.

7.2     Parking Requirement for Changes of Use

Where an application for change of use is made, the parking requirements will be the difference between the new use parking requirement, and the existing use parking requirement.

In Waterford City Centre, with a view to encouraging utilisation of upper floors, the parking requirement will be reduced by 50% for first floor change of use, where applicable, and there will be no parking requirement for second floor and subsequent floors.

*Note: In certain categories, different car parking standards apply to Waterford City Centre from other locations in the County. The car parking standards that apply to Waterford City Centre also apply within 250m of a Public Transport Route.

Table 7. 1 Car Parking Standards

Land Use – Residential

Car Spaces

House/Dwelling/Apartment

Waterford City Centre/Urban Town Centres/ Neighbourhood Centres - (unless otherwise deemed to be required on a site by site basis): 
0 spaces required

In all other areas in the City - (unless otherwise not deemed to be required on a site by site basis):
1 space required

In all other areas in the County - (unless otherwise not deemed to be required on a site by site basis and excluding apartment developments):
1-2 bedrooms: 1 space
3 bed +: 2 spaces

For every 4 residential units provided with only 1 space, 1 visitor space shall be provided in addition.

*Parking areas should be designed in accordance with Section 4.4.9 of the DMURS Guidelines. A mix of on-street and in-curtilage parking is encouraged in residential settings.

Hotel Accommodation (excluding bars, function rooms, etc.)

1 per 2 bedrooms in Waterford City Centre*

1 per bedroom in all other locations

B&B/ Guesthouse

1 per 2 bedrooms in Waterford City Centre*
1 per bedroom in all other locations

Motel Accommodation

1 per 2 bedrooms in Waterford City Centre*
1 per bedroom in all other locations

Hostel accommodation

1 per 8 bed spaces

Self-Catering Accommodation

1 per unit

Land Use – Employment

 

Manufacturing Industry

1 per 80 sq.m gross floor area

Light Industrial Use

1 per 60 sq.m gross floor area & 1 HGV space
per 2,300 sq.m gross floor area.

Warehousing

1 per 100 sq.m gross floor area

Office Use

1 per 100 sq.m gross floor area in Waterford City Centre*

In all other locations 1 per 50 sq.m gross floor area

Parking for visitors may also be provided at the discretion of the Planning Authority.

Land Use – Commercial

 

Retail Shops and Supermarkets

1 per 50 sq.m net floor space.

Non Food Retail

1 per 25 sq.m net floor area

Retail Warehousing

1 per 50 sq.m gross floor area

Cash and Carry

1 per 90 sq.m gross floor area

Banks

1 per 100 sq.m gross floor area

Restaurants

1 per 30 sq.m net floor area

Bars, Lounges, Function Rooms including such spaces in Hotels

1 per 30 sq.m

Night Club/ Dance Hall

1 per 20 sq.m of public area

Retail Outlets within Service Garages

1 per 10 sq.m of net floor area

Caravan Park

1 space per unit

Land Use – Health and Education Facilities

Hospitals

1 space per bed
1 space per doctor/consultant
1 space per 3 nursing & ancillary staff

Medical Clinics & Surgeries

1 per consulting room in Waterford City Centre* & 1 per employee.

In all other locations 2 per consulting room & 1 per employee.

Nursing Homes/Residential Institution

1 space per 4 beds and 0.5 space per employee

Primary School

 

Secondary School

1 per classroom + dedicated set down area and sufficient bus circulation/ off-loading provision

1.25 per classroom

Colleges/ Third Level Institutions

1 per staff member, + 1 per 20 students

Land Use – Community Facilities

Place of Public Worship/ Community Centre/ Hall; Cinema/ Theatre

1 per 10 seats

Libraries

1 per 32 sq.m gross floor area

Conference Centre

1 per 50 sq.m gross floor area in Waterford City Centre*

Crèche

1 per employee & dedicated set down area, and 1 per 4 children

Cinema/Theatre

1 per 10 seats, + 1 per staff member

Funeral Home

1 per 20 sq.m gross floor area

Leisure Centre

1 space per 50 sq.m, + 0.5 space per staff member

Land Use – Sports Facilities

 

Sports Clubs – including tennis courts, swimming pools, etc.

2 per court, 5 per 100 sq.m

Golf/ Pitch & Putt courses

2 per hole

Golf Driving Range

1 per bay

Stadia

1 per 15 seats, + 1 coach space per 500 spectators

  EV Charging Points

 

Residential multi-unit developments both new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovations (with private car spaces including visitor car parking spaces).

A minimum of 1 EV charge point space per five car parking spaces (ducting for every parking space shall also be provided)

New dwellings with in-curtilage car parking

Installation of appropriate infrastructure to enable installation of a recharging point for EVs

Non-residential developments (with private car parking spaces including visitor car parking spaces with more than 10 spaces e.g. office developments,)

Provide at least 1 recharging point, and a minimum of 1 space per five car parking spaces should be equipped with one fully functional EV Charging Point

Developments with publicly accessible spaces (e.g. supermarket car park, cinema etc.)

Provide at least 1 recharging point, and a minimum of 1 space per five car parking spaces should be equipped with one fully functional EV Charging Point

Advisory Notes

  • In the case of any specific uses not listed in the above table, Waterford City & County Council will specify its requirements in relation to parking.
  • The above car parking standards shall be applied at the discretion of Waterford City & County Council having regard to the availability and adequacy of on street parking, existing or proposed off street parking to serve the development and the overall locational context of the proposed development.
  • Car parking standards (unless otherwise stated), are set down as “maxima” standards.
  • Parking facilities for mobility impaired drivers and their vehicles shall be provided at the general rate of 2 per 100 spaces, such spaces shall be proximate to the entry points of the proposed buildings.
  • Adequate car parking bays should be provided within the confines of the public areas of residential areas to address public needs.
  • Refer to the Design Standards for New Apartments in relations to reduced car parking requirements for developments adjacent to existing and future rail stations and minimum requirements in peripheral /or less accessible urban locations.

7.3     Loading & Unloading

In addition to the general car parking requirements, service parking spaces may be required for cars or other vehicles necessary in the operation of the business or a particular building, e.g. delivery and collection of goods. In all major developments of an industrial / commercial nature, developers will be required to provide loading and unloading facilities sufficient to meet the likely demand of such development. Off-street loading facilities shall be designed to conform to the following requirements:

Photo of O'Connell Street, Waterford City

Development Management DM 38

  • Each required space shall be not less than 3.7m in width, 6m in length and 4.3m in height  exclusive of driving and manoeuvring space and located entirely on the site being served;
  • Loading spaces may be enclosed within a structure and must be enclosed if located within 15m of the curtilage of the residence where the use involves regular night operation;
  • There shall be appropriate means of access to a street or road as well as adequate manoeuvring space;
  • The maximum width of driveway openings at the street boundary shall be 6 metres and the minimum width shall be 3.6m

Applications for development should also provide for:

Development Management DM 39

Standard Car Parking

  • Parallel parking to kerb: 6.0m x 2.5m
  • Perpendicular parking (not including minimum 0.3m footpath overhang). Use only on roads with low traffic volumes and speeds: 5.0m x 2.5m

Disabled Parking

  • A minimum of 5% of car parking spaces provided should be designed for disabled car parking.
  • Where the nature of particular developments are likely to generate a demand for higher levels of disabled car parking, the Planning Authority may require a higher proportion of parking for this purpose.
  • All disabled parking should be conveniently located in proximity to building entrance points and allocated and suitably signed/demarcated.
  • Parking bays for disabled persons should be a minimum of 6.0m x 3.6m including 1.2m transfer hatching to side and rear for more information please see Section 1.4.2 Car Parking Spaces of Building for Everyone A Universal Design Approach published by the National Disability Authority.

Age Friendly and Parent & Child Parking Spaces

  • Age Friendly and Parent and Child Parking spaces, in main towns, near strategic areas e.g. Post office, credit union, doctors’ surgery, civic buildings, etc. - a minimum 2% of each category of such car parking spaces as accessible parking bays, to be applied at the discretion of the Council, depending on the nature of the proposal.

EV charging points

  • All developments should provide facilities for charging battery operated cars at a rate of up to 10% of the total car parking spaces. The remainder of the parking spaces should be constructed so as to be capable of accommodating future charging points, as required.
  • Electric car charging spaces should be clearly demarcated with appropriate signage.

Rapid Charge Points:

  • Should be provided within centres of commercial activity and clearly demarcated with appropriate signage, in collaboration with ESB Networks.

7.4     Cycle Parking

Secure cycle parking facilities shall be provided in new office blocks, public buildings, apartment blocks, shopping centres, hospitals, employment generating developments etc. Bicycle racks shall be provided in all cases where the Council consider such parking facilities necessary. In general, the provision of cycle parking should consider:

Photo of Bicycle Parking Bay

Development Management DM 40

  • Secure cycle compounds/ bicycle parking racks should be provided where feasible and, in particular, in large office/ commercial and enterprise developments, education facilities, multi-storey car parks, and bus/railway stations/stops and specifically within 25 metres of a destination for short-term parking (shops), and within 50 metres for long-term parking (school, college, office).
  • Cyclists should be able to secure both frame and wheels to the cycle parking stand.
  • All cycle facilities in multi-storey car parks shall be at ground floor level and segregated from vehicle traffic. Cyclists should also have designated entry and exit routes at the car park.
  • Cycle parking facilities shall be conveniently located, secure, easy to use, adequately lit and well posted.
  • Weather protected facilities should be considered where appropriate.
  • In addition, such parking should be placed within a populated, well-supervised area, and monitored by CCTV where possible.
  • All long-term (more than three hours) cycle racks shall be protected from the weather.

The cycle parking standards set out in the tables below are the minimum provisions (sum of both short-stay and long-stay), and a higher quantum may be required to meet national sustainable travel targets as per ‘Smarter Travel’, or higher targets associated with a Travel Plan for a proposed development.

Cycle parking provision shall be provided as per the following tables:

Table 7. 2 Cycle parking for public uses

Development type

Parking spaces
(Minimum of 10 spaces in each case)

Multi-Storey Car park

10% of car parking spaces

Public Buildings

5% of number of visitors per day

Train Stations

5 per number of trains at 2-hour peak period

Park and Ride

20% of car parking or as agreed

Bus Interchanges

1 per 50 passengers peak flow

Table 7. 3 Bicycle Parking Standards for residential developments

Residential Development type

1 short stay (visitor) parking space per: (Min. of 2 spaces)

1 long stay parking space per: (Min. of 2 spaces)

Apartments, Flats, Sheltered housing

5 units

1 unit

Houses - 2 bed dwelling

5 units

1 unit

Houses - 3+ bed dwelling

5 units

1 unit

Sheltered housing

5 units

1 unit

Student Accommodation

5 bedrooms

2 bedrooms

Table 7. 4 Bicycle Parking Standards for non-residential developments

Development type

1 short stay (visitor) parking space per: (Min. of 2 spaces)

1 long stay parking space per: (Min. of 2 spaces)

Auditorium, Theatre, Cinema

10 seats

5 Staff

Amusement Centre, Entertainment

10 visitors

5 Staff

Bank, Building Societies, Estate Agents, Betting Shop

100m² GFA

5 staff

Bars, Lounges, Function Rooms, Dance Hall, Private Dance, Clubs, Discotheques, Night-club

100m² PFA

5 staff

Bowling Alley

Lane

Lane

Fast foods

50m² PFA

50m² PFA

Cafés, Restaurants

100m² PFA

5 staff

Childcare Services

10 children

5 Staff

Church, Places of Public Worship

20 seats

5 Staff

College of Higher Education, University

5 students

5 staff

Conference facility

20 seats

5 Staff

Driving Ranges (Golf)

9m of base line

5 staff

Funeral Home

2 spaces per parlour

2 spaces per parlour

Garden Centre

200m² GFA

5 Staff

Golf or Pitch and Putt Courses

1 per hole

5 Staff

General Warehousing, Storage Centre

1000m² GFA

500m² GFA

Health Clinics and Group Medical Practices – doctor, dentist, vet, consultant

2 consulting rooms

5 Staff

Holiday Caravan Park, Camping, Self-Catering Accommodation

5 units

5 staff

Hospital

10 beds

5 staff

Hostel Accommodation, Guest House

10 beds

5 staff

Hotel, Motel

10 beds

5 staff

Institutions, Community Centres, Library, Museum, Art Gallery

100m² GFA

5 Staff

Manufacturing / Light Industry

200m² GFA

200m² GFA

Marinas

Each berth

Each berth

Nursing Home, Elderly Persons Home, Children’s Home

10 residents

5 Staff

Offices - Business, Professional

200m² GFA

200m² GFA

Primary Schools

5 Students

5 staff

Post-Primary Schools

5 Students

5 Staff

Residential Mobile Home Park

5 units

5 staff

Retail – Food (supermarkets)

100m² GFA

5 staff

Retail - Comparison

100m² GFA

5 Staff

Retail - Shopping Centres and Stores

100m² GFA

5 staff

Retail Warehousing in Industrial Areas, General Industrial

500m² GFA

200m² GFA

Riding Centre, Equestrian Use

200m² GFA

5 staff

Science and Technology Based

200m² GFA

200m² GFA

Retail Showrooms

500m² GFA

200m² GFA

Sports Club/Recreation Centre/ Gymnasium

100m² GFA

5 Staff

Sports Grounds, Courts

12 per ha. Pitch area/4 per court

5 staff

Stadia

20 seats

5 Staff

Vehicle Service Station

0.5 parking space

5 staff

Swimming Pool

10m² pool area and 5 fixed seats

5 Staff

Other uses not in table

Car space

Car space

Note 1.          GFA = Gross floor area; PFA = Public Floor Area;

The following should be noted when providing cycle parking for residential areas:

Development Management DM 41

  • Private houses: Cycle parking should preferably be provided within the footprint of the dwelling site, but should not require the bike to be brought through the house. Where no private or communal garage is provided, bikes should be stored in private garages, a shed in the garden or secure communal cycle parking compounds. Wall bars or rings are acceptable at the front of a house for short term parking.
  • Private garages: Garages used to store bikes must be large enough to enable them to be removed without first taking out any car(s) parked within them and designers will be required to demonstrate how this will be achieved.
  • Apartments and office buildings: Bike parking should not be provided within individual apartments, offices, stairwells or balconies. Secure, covered communal parking should be provided at ground floor level as close as possible to the main entrances. Small apartment blocks may be best served by the provision of secure cages assigned to individual dwellings within a communal area at ground level or the provision of store rooms/lockers close to entrances with internal and external accesses.
  • Communal parking: Where cycle parking cannot be provided within the footprint of the dwelling, secure common communal cycle parking containing Sheffield stands should be provided.

In relation to long stay parking space highlighted in the above table which, where the number of staff is not known at planning application stage, the following can be used as a guide:

  • Office type uses: 1 space/ 20 m2 per staff member
  • Warehousing or small industry type uses 50 m2 per staff member
  • All other uses including retail, 40 m2 per staff member

As part of the cycle parking quantum for various land uses in Table 7.2, Table 7.3 and Table 7.4, consideration should be given to providing some short terms cycle parking for Cargo Bikes or Tricycles, for developments where there may be a demand, such as retail.

7.5     Shower and Changing Facilities

For all new build development proposals, and where possible and appropriate in ‘retrofit’ developments, showers and lockers should be provided in all places of employment for employees that wish to cycle, walk or travel to the work by means of sustainable/ active transport. Shower facilities should be provided so that they can be easily accessed by people arriving, without disturbing other staff members, or students. Showers should also be located conveniently to the bike parking facility.

It would be desirable for all employees to have access to a drying room or clothes rack which would allow for people to hang up and dry their clothes, shoes, jackets, gloves and helmets, before travelling home at the end of the day. Such drying provision could be in the form of a designated well-ventilated room/closest, which can only be accessed by specific staff.

7.6     Lockers

The number of lockers provided should relate to the number of cycle parking spaces. Lockers should be well ventilated, secure and lockable, and should be located close to the showers, positioned in locations that can be accessed without blocking through-routes. Lockers should be of a suitable size to allow storage of biking equipment such as a helmet, shoes and a change of clothes. Lockers that facilitate multiple short-term users are recommended.

The following standards of cycling facilities will be sought for non-residential developments:

Development Management DM 42

1 shower per workplaces over 100 m2 (approximately 5 employees).

A minimum of 2 showers for workplaces over 500m2 (approximately 25 employees).

1 shower per 1,000m2 thereafter.

Lockers for the storage of clothing and equipment, in addition to that provided for staff personal effects, etc should be provided for 20% of all staff members.

7.7     Covered Bike Parking

Sheltered (covered) cycle parking can provide a higher quality of short-term parking. Cycle shelters offer weather protection and can help protect bikes from accidental damage by providing greater separation from a sidewalk or parking area. Installing cycle parking underneath awnings, overhangs or stairways can also provide good shelter and may avoid extra construction costs. An enclosed structure provides the best shelter however a simple covering will still help to protect bikes and cyclists from rain and snow.

Development Management DM 43

A minimum of 50% of short-term cycle parking and all long-term cycle parking should be covered. Individual bike lockers can also be provided to provide safe cycle parking.

7.8     Assessment Criteria for Deviation from Car and Bicycle Parking Standards

The Planning Authority MAY consider relaxing, or deviating from the above-specified Parking Standards under certain circumstances, and subject to an assessment in respect of the following criteria:

Development Management DM 44

  • Proximity to public transport services and level of service and interchange available.
  • Walking and cycling accessibility/permeability and any improvement to same.
  • The need to safeguard investment in sustainable transport and encourage a modal shift.
  • Availability of car sharing and bike / e-bike sharing facilities.
  • Existing availability of parking and its potential for dual use.
  • Particular nature, scale and characteristics of the proposed development (as noted above deviations may be more appropriate for smaller infill proposals).
  • The range of services available within the area.
  • Impact on traffic safety and the amenities of the area.
  • Capacity of the surrounding road network.
  • Urban design, regeneration and civic benefits including street vibrancy.
  • Robustness of Mobility Management Plan to support the development.
  • The availability of on street parking controls in the immediate vicinity.
  • Any specific sustainability measures being implemented including but not limited to:
    • The provision of bespoke public transport services.
    • The provision of bespoke mobility interventions.

 

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