Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.230 Parking and Loading

Section 17C.230.200 Bicycle Parking

1. Purpose.

Bicycle parking is required to encourage the use of bicycles by providing safe and convenient places to park bicycles.

2. Applicability.

1. The required number of bicycle parking spaces in all zones except Centers and Corridors for uses in SMC 17C.190 is identified in Table 17C.230.200-1. If the calculated number of required bicycle parking spaces results in a decimal the required number of spaces is rounded up.

1. 1. No short-term bicycle parking is required for the following uses.

1. 1. 1. All uses under “Residential categories”

1. 1. 2. Commercial parking

1. 1. 3. Drive-through facilities

1. 1. 4. All uses under “Other Categories”

1. 1. 5. All uses under “Industrial Categories”

1. 2. No long-term bicycle parking is required for the following uses.

1. 1. 1. Commercial parking

1. 1. 2. Drive-through facilities

1. 1. 3. Mini-storage facilities

1. 1. 4. Park and open areas

1. 1. 5. Schools

1. 1. 6. All uses under “Other Categories”

2. The required number of bicycle parking spaces for allowed uses in Center and Corridor Zones is identified in Table 17C.230.200-2. If the calculated number of required bicycle parking spaces results in a decimal the required number of spaces is rounded up.

1. 1. No short-term bicycle parking is required for the following uses.

1. 1. 1. Residential

1. 1. 2. Public parking lot

1. 1. 3. Drive-through business on pedestrian streets

1. 1. 4. Mobile food vending

1. 1. 5. Limited industrial

1. 1. 6. Heavy Industrial

1. 1. 7. Motor vehicle sales, rental, repair, or washing

1. 1. 8. Automotive parts and tires (with exterior storage or display)

1. 2. No long-term bicycle parking is required for the following uses.

1. 1. 1. Park and open areas

1. 1. 2. Structured parking

1. 1. 3. Public parking lot

1. 1. 4. Drive-through business on pedestrian streets

1. 1. 5. Self-storage or warehouse

1. 1. 6. Mobile food vending

3. Change of Use.

1. 1. When the use of an existing building changes, bicycle parking shall be provided to meet the standards set forth in this section, except where the new number of required spaces is within ten percent of the existing number of spaces.

4. The bicycle parking requirements of this section do not retroactively apply to established uses; however:

1. 1. When increasing the floor area or other measures of bicycle parking requirements by addition or alteration, spaces, as required for the increase, shall be provided; and

1. 2. The site to which a building is relocated must provide the required spaces.

5. Uses Not Mentioned.

1. 1. In the case of a use not specifically mentioned in Table 17C.230.200-1 or Table 17C.230.200-2, the requirements for bicycle parking shall be determined by the Planning Director.

3. Short-term bicycle parking standards

Short-term bicycle parking encourages shoppers, customers, and other visitors to use bicycles by providing a convenient and readily accessible place to park bicycles.

1. Bicycle racks designed to accommodate two bicycles, such as an inverted-u rack, are considered two (2) bicycle parking spaces.

2. Short-term bicycle parking shall be placed on stable, firm, and slip-resistant surfaces consistent with ADA requirements.

3. A bicycle rack must allow for the locking of the bicycle frame and one (1) wheel to the rack and shall support a bicycle in a stable position with a minimum of two points of contact to the bicycle frame and without damage to the wheels, frame, or components (see below for examples that meet and do not meet this requirement).

4. Short-term bicycle parking must be located:

1. 1. Within 50 feet of a main entrance; and

1. 2. On-site or within the adjacent public right-of-way.

1. 1. 1. If within the public right-of-way, bicycle racks must be entirely within the pedestrian buffer strip.

1. 3. Outside of a building or enclosure.

1. 4. As to not conflict with the opening of vehicle doors.

1. 5. At the same grade as the sidewalk or at a location that can be reached by an accessible route.

1. 6. Short-term bicycle parking where the number of required spaces is based on the provided vehicle parking (see Basic Utilities and Parks and Open Space in Table 17C.230.200-1) shall be grouped and located within or adjacent to the vehicle parking area.

1. 1. 1. If located within the vehicle parking area the bicycle racks shall be protected from vehicle interference such as the opening of car doors and potential collision by ensuring adequate space between vehicle parking stalls and bicycle parking.

5. Property owners and businesses located on the same side of the street and on the same block may establish a grouped bicycle parking area where short-term bicycle parking solutions may be implemented.

1. 1. These areas shall be located no further than 200 feet from the main entrance of each business or property they intend to serve.

1. 2. The racks shall be at a location that can be reached by an accessible route.

1. 3. Bicycle parking shall meet all other relevant standards of this section.

6. If the development is unable to provide short-term bicycle parking as described, the developer may explore options such as:

1. 1. On-site short-term bicycle parking beyond fifty (50) from the main entrance.

1. 2. Bicycle parking located at the rear of the building.

1. 3. Bicycle parking located within the building.

1. 4. As agreed between the applicant and the Planning Director.

4. Long-term bicycle parking standards

Long-term bicycle parking provides employees, students, residents, commuters, and others who generally stay at a site for several hours with a secure and weather-protected place to park bicycles.

1. Long-term bicycle parking must be located:

1. 1. Within a building.

1. 2. On-site, including parking structures and garages; or

1. 3. Within three hundred (300) feet of the site.

2. A garage dedicated exclusively to a residential unit may fulfill the requirements for one (1) long-term bicycle parking space.

3. Long-term bicycle parking must be provided in racks or lockers.

1. 1. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the racks must be horizontal to accommodate:

1. 1. 1. Those who cannot lift a bicycle into a vertical position; and

1. 1. 2. Cargo, tandem, long-tailed, or similar bicycles that do not fit into vertical bicycle racks.

4. Long-term bicycle parking spacing requirements.

1. 1. For horizontal racks such as the inverted-u rack:

1. 1. 1. A minimum of three (3) feet parallel spacing between each rack; and

1. 1. 2. A minimum of five (5) feet perpendicular access aisle between rows of bicycle parking; and

1. 1. 3. A minimum of two (2) feet six (6) inches of perpendicular spacing between bicycle racks and walls or obstructions; and

1. 1. 4. A minimum of two (2) feet for user access between a wall or other obstruction and the side of the nearest parked bicycle.

1. 2. For vertical wall-mounted racks:

1. 1. 1. A minimum of three (3) feet parallel spacing between each rack; or, A minimum of one (1) foot six (6) inches parallel spacing combined with a minimum of an eight (8) inch vertical off-set between each rack; and

1. 1. 2. A minimum of five (5) feet perpendicular access aisle between rows of bicycle parking; and

1. 1. 3. A minimum of one (1) foot six (6) inches for user access between a wall or other obstruction and the side of the nearest parked bicycle.