Southampton, NY Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Under 5,000 sq ft
- no space required, absent Planning Board finding
- 5,000 to 14,999 sq ft
- 1 loading space required
- 15,000 to 40,000 sq ft
- 2 loading spaces required
- Over 40,000 sq ft
- 1 more space per additional 40,000 sq ft
- Design standards include
- curbing, paving, shielded downward lighting
- Enforced by
- Town of Southampton Building Inspector
Summary
In the Town of Southampton outside the villages, every nonresidential building or lot must set aside off-street truck loading spaces sized to its floor area under Town Code § 330-96: none required under 5,000 square feet unless the Planning Board finds one necessary, one space from 5,000 to 14,999 square feet, two from 15,000 to 40,000 square feet, and one more for every additional 40,000 square feet above that.
§ 330-96. Off-street truck loading space requirements. ... Every building or structure or lot used for nonresidential purposes shall be provided with off-street truck loading spaces in accordance with the following schedule: Floor Area (square feet) Number of Spaces Required Under 5,000 None, unless the Planning Board deems 1 necessary 5,000 to 14,999 1 15,000 to 40,000 2 Over 40,000 1 for each additional 40,000 square feet above the requirement for the first 40,000 square feet
Full Breakdown
Section 330-96 sits within Article XV's off-street parking and truck loading rules, which under § 330-92 apply whenever a nonresidential building or structure is newly erected, altered or enlarged, or a use is newly established or changed. For buildings under 5,000 square feet of floor area, the schedule normally requires no dedicated loading space at all, though the Planning Board can still require one if it deems it necessary for the specific use. Above that, the requirement steps up: one space from 5,000 up to 14,999 square feet, two spaces from 15,000 up to 40,000 square feet, and beyond 40,000 square feet, one additional space for every further 40,000 square feet on top of what the first 40,000 required.
Once sited, loading areas fall under § 330-99's design standards, which require curbing, paving, drainage facilities meeting Town specifications, and lighting that is shielded and projects downward so it does not spill onto neighboring properties. Loading areas approved as part of a site plan under § 330-181 can only be relocated or altered with further Planning Board review, tying the loading-space count directly to what the Building Inspector will accept before issuing a certificate of occupancy.
Violations & Fines
Operating a nonresidential use without the loading spaces required by § 330-96, or altering an approved loading layout without Planning Board review, is a Chapter 330 violation enforced by the Building Inspector under § 330-186: up to $1,000 or six months in jail for a first offense, $500 to $1,500 for a second offense within five years, and $1,500 to $2,500 for a third offense within five years, with each week of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every commercial building in Southampton need a truck loading space?
How many loading spaces does a 20,000-square-foot store need in Southampton?
Can loading area lighting shine onto a neighboring property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton
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Loading Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle loading zones.