Methuen, MA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Article VIII of the Methuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance regulates loading alongside off-street parking. Section 8.4A(1) fixes the size of each required space at no less than 12 feet in width, 14 feet in height and 30 feet in length in a Business District, or 50 feet in length in an Industrial District. Those dimensions exclude drives and maneuvering space, and the space, including necessary maneuvering areas, must be entirely on the lot being served. Section 8.4A(2) adds that spaces, maneuvering areas and access drives must be designed and used so that they never constitute a nuisance, a hazard or an unreasonable impediment to traffic on public ways or in parking lots open to the public.

Article II separately defines a loading space as an off-street space at least 12 feet in width, 50 feet in length and with a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet, with an area of not less than 1,300 square feet including access and maneuvering space, used exclusively for loading and unloading of goods and materials from one vehicle. Under that definition the Building Commissioner can reduce the dimensions to not less than 300 square feet, including access and maneuvering space, when it is clearly evident that the service vehicles using the space will not require the larger area.

Section 8.4B lets loading spaces be enclosed in a structure and requires enclosure if the space is located within 50 feet of an RR or Residence (R) District where the use involves regular night operation. Section 8.4C requires all accessory driveways, entranceways and loading areas to be graded, surfaced and drained to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, to the extent necessary to prevent nuisances of dust, erosion or excessive water flow across public ways.

Section 8.5A requires off-street loading bays for new structures and new additions according to a table keyed to gross floor area in thousands of square feet. One row covers retail trade, wholesale, storage, industry, communications and utilities; the other covers office, hotel, institution, dormitory, recreation and education. Section 8.6 protects residential neighbors: loading areas must be reached from a public way or through a Business or Industrial District rather than through an RR or Residential (R) District, must be screened, and any lighting must be continuous and shielded so it does not shine directly on property in a Residential District.