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City of Santa Monica Bicycle Parking Ordinance

9.28.140 Bicycle Parking

  1. Applicability. Every new building, change of use, or every building enlarged by 10 percent or more shall provide short- and long-term bicycle parking in the amount specified in Table 9.28.140, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter.
  2. Number of Spaces. The required minimum number of bicycle parking spaces for each use category is shown on Table 9.28.140. The required minimum number of bicycle parking spaces is based on the primary uses on a site. There are no bicycle parking requirements for accessory uses. When there are 2 or more separate primary uses on a site, the required bicycle parking for the site is the sum of the required parking for the individual primary uses.
  3. Exemptions. No long-term bicycle parking is required on a site where there is less than 2,500 square feet of gross building area.
  4. General Requirements.
  5. Bicycle parking shall be provided in a convenient, highly visible, and well-lit area.
  6. Bicycle parking shall be at least as conveniently located as the most convenient automobile spaces, other than those spaces for persons with disabilities. Safe and convenient means of ingress and egress shall be provided that does not interfere with accessible paths of travel or accessible parking as required by this Code.
  7. Bicycle parking facilities within auto parking areas shall provide a minimum of 24 inches of separation between the parking space and a parked bicycle to prevent damage by automobiles or other moving vehicles with the exception of bicycle racks provided above ground at the head of the parking space. If provided at the head of the parking space, the space must be assigned to the same user of the bicycle rack. Barriers may be in the form of curbs, wheel stops, poles, or other similar features if they do not interfere with the adjacent parking stall or pathway.
  8. Bicycle parking facilities shall be located on or within a concrete or similar surface and designed to support bicycles in a stable position without damage to wheels, frames, or other components.
  9. Facilities shall be securely anchored to the surface to prevent easy removal and shall be of sufficient strength to resist vandalism and theft.
  10. Bicycle parking areas shall contain signage that clearly shows how the bicycle should be locked for optimum security and a number where to contact the owner with questions or report theft.
  11. Bicycle parking wayfinding signage is required for every site.
  12. Vertical bicycle parking racks must allow a user to securely lock a bike tire and frame to the rack.
  13. Bicycle parking facilities and bicycle parking racks, shall be designed and located to meet the following criteria:
  14. Each bicycle parking space shall be designed with at least 2 feet in width by 6 feet in length to allow sufficient space between parked bicycles.
  15. Twenty-four inches of minimum clearance shall be provided between bicycle parking spaces, poles, landscaping, street furniture, drive aisles, and pedestrian ways.
  16. Bike racks must be located a minimum of 30 inches from a perpendicular wall, as measured from the edge of the facility closest to the wall and in the direction bicycles are to be parked.
  17. Provide a minimum 5-foot wide aisle or space behind all required bicycle parking to allow room for bicycle maneuvering.
  18. No more than 50 percent of the total bike parking required may be provided in a vertical or hanging rack.
  19. At least 10 percent of the total bike parking must be provided to accommodate 10-foot long bicycles such as bicycles with trailers, recumbent, and cargo style bicycles.
  20. If senior housing is provided, bicycle parking areas must accommodate tricycle style bicycles.
  21. Alternative Bicycle Parking Area Designs. Alternative bicycle parking configurations and designs such as double decker lift assisted racks may be approved by the Director if it is determined that they provide adequate access, are easy to use, and allow a bike to be locked securely to the rack.
  22. Short-Term Bicycle Parking. Short-term bicycle parking shall be provided, according to the provisions of this Section, in order to serve shoppers, customers, messengers, guests, and other visitors to a site who generally stay for a short time, typically less than 4 hours.
  23. Standards for Short-Term Bicycle Parking.
  24. Location. Short-term bicycle parking shall be located in well-lit and convenient areas outside of the public right-of-way and pedestrian walkways and within 50 feet of a main entrance to the building it serves.
  25. Multi-Tenant Commercial Buildings. Bicycle parking shall be located within 50 feet of an entrance to each store. Bicycle parking shall be visible from the street or from the main building entrance, or a sign must be posted at the main building entrance indicating the location of the parking.
  26. Downtown. Bicycle parking in the Downtown Districts may be located within the public right-of-way subject to selection of rack design, review of location, and approval from the Director and the Director of Public Works, pursuant to a license or other agreement, provided an unobstructed sidewalk clearance of four-feet is maintained for pedestrians at all times.

iii.    On-Site Requirement. The required short-term bicycle parking for new construction projects shall be provided on-site. For existing buildings and changes of use where existing site constraints prohibit locating short-term bicycle parking on-site, the applicant shall satisfy the short-term bicycle requirements by paying a fee per space, to be established by City Council resolution including the cost of rack and installation, for each space that cannot be located on-site.

  1. Anchoring and Security. For each bicycle parking space required, a stationary, securely anchored object shall be provided to which a bicycle frame and 1 wheel can be secured with a high-security U-shaped shackle lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle. One such object may serve multiple bicycle parking spaces.
  2. Short-term secure bicycle parking must be provided for any special event at a rate of 35 percent of the expected attendees.
  3. Long-Term Bicycle Parking. Long-term bicycle parking shall be provided, according to the provisions of this Section, in order to serve employees, students, residents, commuters, and others who generally stay at a site for 4 hours or longer.
  4. Standards for Long-Term Bicycle Parking. Long-term bicycle parking shall meet the following standards:
  5. Location. Long-term bicycle parking shall be located on the same parcel as the use it serves. Long-term bicycle parking for commercial tenants shall be located on the ground floor within 75 feet of a building entrance if ground floor automobile parking is provided. If no ground floor automobile parking is provided, the bicycle parking may be located on the level immediately below or above the ground floor level within 75 feet of a public elevator or stairway.
  6. Covered Spaces. All required long-term bicycle parking shall be covered. Covered parking can be provided inside buildings, under roof overhangs or awnings, in bicycle lockers, or within or under other structures.
  7. Security. Long-term bicycle parking shall be in at least one of the following facilities:
  8. An enclosed bicycle locker;
  9. A fenced, covered, locked or guarded bicycle storage area with bike racks within;

iii.    A rack or stand inside a building that is within view of an attendant or security guard or visible from employee work areas; or

  1. A secure, non-public parking garage.
  2. Electric Bicycles. At least 1 electrical outlet shall be available in each long-term bicycle parking area for the use of electrical assisted bicycle charging.
  3. Except for new buildings, in lieu of providing the long-term parking on-site, the Director may determine that placement of the long-term spaces on-site is infeasible due to existing site conditions and allow the long-term bicycle parking requirement to be fulfilled by payment of a fee per space to be established by City Council resolution including the cost of locker and installation.

 

TABLE 9.28.140: BICYCLE PARKING REGULATIONS
Land Use Classification Required Spaces for Short-Term Parking Required Spaces for Long-Term Parking
Residential Uses
All Residential uses, excluding Single Unit Dwellings, Duplexes, and Family Day Care 10% of Long-Term; minimum 2 spaces per project 1 space per bedroom, including studios
Senior Housing 25% of Long-Term; minimum 2 spaces per project 0.5 spaces per bedroom; minimum 2 spaces per project
Public and Semi-Public Uses
Colleges and Trade Schools, Public and Private 1.5 spaces for each 10 students 0.5 space per classroom
Day Care Facility 1.5 spaces for each 20 students 0.5 space per classroom
Hospitals or Clinics 1 space per 4,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 spaces per project 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 spaces per project
Parks and Recreation Facilities, Public 5% of maximum daily attendance 1 space per 20 employees
Schools, Public and Private 1.5 spaces for each 20 students 0.5 space per classroom
Commercial Uses
All Commercial and Public/Semi-Public uses except those listed below 1 space per 4,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 per project 1 space per 3,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 per project
Parking Facility 1 space per 10 spaces; minimum 6 spaces per project 1 space per 20 spaces; minimum 4 spaces per project
Office 1 space per 8,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 spaces per project 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of floor area, minimum 4 spaces per project
Hotels 8 spaces 0.20 per room
Industrial Uses
Industrial Uses 1 space per 12,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 spaces per project 1 space per 12,000 sq. ft. of floor area; minimum 4 spaces per project

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2520CCS § 28, adopted June 14, 2016; Ord. No. 2567CCS § 7, adopted December 12, 2017)

 

 

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