Page 211 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

DRAFT 135-4. PArKiNG

Site Access and Driveways

merchandise carried by vehicles rated by the Federal 135-4.13 Site Access and Driveways
Highway Administration as “heavy duty” (i.e., Class 7
or higher and with a gross trailer weight rating of over 4.13.1 iNteNt
26,000 lbs.), must provide off-street loading facilities. Driveways must be minimized to the extent practical
4.12.2 MiNiMUM lOADiNG SPAce reQUireMeNtS and located to have the least impact on pedestrian and
non-motorized transportation accessibility, safety, and
Uses subject to off-street loading regulations must comfort.
provide loading spaces in accordance with the
minimum requirements of Table 4.12-1. 4.13.2 NUMBer AND lOcAtiON OF DriVeWAYS
TAble 4.12-1. lOADING SPACe ReQUIReMeNTS A. Quantity. The number of allowed driveways is
Gross Floor Area (sq. ft.) Minimum Loading Spaces established by the building type regulations of
0–24,999 0 Chapter 135, Article 1.
25,000–49,999 1 B. Hierarchy of Drive locations. The hierarchy of
drive locations is as follows:
50,000–74,999 2
75,000–99,999 3 1. Alley. Where an alley exists, driveways must be
accessed from the alley.
100,000–249,999 4 2. Non-Primary Street. Where no alley exists,
250,000+ 1 per each add’l 250,000 sq. ft. driveways must be accessed from non-primary
4.12.3 ADDitiONAl reGUlAtiONS streets.
All required and non-required loading areas must 3. Primary Street. Where no alley and no non-
comply with the additional regulations of this primary street exists, driveway may be accessed
subsection (135-4.12.3). from a primary street.
A. Loading spaces must have a minimum width of 4. Exception. Alternative driveway locations may be
10 feet and a minimum length of 25 feet, with a approved in accordance with the type 1 design
minimum overhead clearance of 15 feet. exception procedures of section 135-6.2.2.
B. No loading space may be located on a front facade. c. Shared Driveways. Shared driveways between
abutting lots are encouraged.
c. Except as expressly allowed in designated
commercial loading zones (pursuant to Sec. 114-607 D. Driveways and curb cuts. Applicants must
of the municipal code) vehicle maneuvering areas comply with curb cut specifications issued by the city
and loading and unloading activities must occur engineer.
on-site, not within the public right-of-way. e. circular Drop-Off Drives. Where permitted by
D. All loading spaces must be posted with “No Idling” building type, circular drop-off drives are permitted
signs. on lots with a minimum width of 100 feet, with front
yards at least 20 feet deep.
e. All loading areas and access drives must be surfaced
and maintained with an asphaltic or Portland 4.13.3 DiMeNSiONS & DeSiGN
cement binder concrete or other dustless, all- A. curb cuts and Driveway Width at Property
weather surface approved by the city engineer. line. The following widths apply to all driveways at
F. See Chapter 135, Article 5 for landscape and any street or alley entrance.
screening requirements. 1. Maximum Width. Maximum driveway width shall
be 22 feet, measured at the right-of-way and not
including curb radii, unless otherwise approved
by the city engineer.
2. N and NX Districts.
a. Driveways serving one- and 2-unit buildings
must be at least 8 feet in width and no
wider than 10 feet within any front yard,
except in N1 and N2 district. In N1 and N2,
20,000 sq. ft. These provisions are new/revised. the maximum width is .14 ft.

CITY OF DES MOINES CHAPTER 135: PLANNING AND DESIGN DRAFT 135-4-11