Nota Parkeernormen gemeente Bergen (L.) – Dutch Municipal Parking Standards
The Nota Parkeernormen gemeente Bergen (L.) is the official regulatory framework issued by the Municipality of Bergen in the province of Limburg, Netherlands. Effective from May 9, 2023, this policy document establishes a uniform assessment framework for evaluating parking solutions within spatial development projects. It operates under the wider legal context of the CROW-publicatie 381 (Toekomstbestendig parkeren, Van parkeerkencijfers naar parkeernormen) and the ASVV 2021 for technical design specifications.
The document governs a wide range of regulatory domains including residential housing, retail, commercial services, healthcare, and recreation. It applies specifically to nieuwbouw (new construction), verbouw (renovation), uitbreiding (expansion), and wijziging van functies (change of use) that require a permit. The policy defines three distinct geographic zones: Centrum (specifically for the core of Nieuw Bergen), Rest bebouwde kom (covering Afferden, Siebengewald, Well, and Wellerlooi), and Buiten de bebouwde kom. It details attendance percentages for shared use, calculation values for on-site parking, and requirements for sustainable mobility infrastructure like electric charging points and shared transport.
Professional users can refer to the structured chapters for the Toetsingskader (Assessment Framework), the step-by-step Stappenplan for parking plans, and comprehensive annexes containing specific parking quotas for dozens of building functions.
Assessment Framework and Zoning
The municipality utilizes the average values from CROW publication 381 to determine parking requirements. The total municipality of Bergen (L.) is classified as a non-urban area (niet stedelijk gebied) with an address density of fewer than 500 addresses per square kilometer. Requirements are differentiated based on four spatial zones:
- Centrum Nieuw Bergen: The primary shopping and service core, including the Mosaïque and Rembrandtplein areas.
- Rest bebouwde kom: Built-up areas outside the Nieuw Bergen center, including the villages of Afferden, Siebengewald, Well, and Wellerlooi.
- Buiten de bebouwde kom: Areas outside the defined village boundaries.
- Schil rond het centrum: Not separately defined for Bergen, as the municipality lacks traditional overflow areas seen in larger cities.
On-Site Parking and Calculation Factors
A core principle is that parking demand must be met on private property (parkeren op eigen terrein). For residential functions, the standard includes a fixed visitor share of 0.3 spaces per dwelling. Because private garages are often used for storage or other purposes, the document applies specific calculation factors to determine how much a private facility contributes to the overall requirement:
- Driveway with garage: Counts as 1.0 parking space (minimum 6m deep, 2.5m wide).
- Garage without driveway: Counts as 0.0 parking spaces.
- Carport or driveway/parking spot: Counts as 1.0 parking space.
- Double driveway (side-by-side): Counts as a minimum of 2.0 parking spaces.
- Clustered garage box: Counts as 0.4 parking spaces (minimum 5m deep).
Shared Use and Attendance Percentages
To prevent an oversupply of parking spaces, the municipality allows for shared use (dubbelgebruik) when multiple building functions are combined. This is calculated using Aanwezigheidspercentages (attendance percentages) for different times of the week.
- Workday Night: Resident parking is calculated at 100%, while offices and shops are at 0%.
- Workday Afternoon: Offices and commercial services are at 100%, while residents are at 50%.
- Saturday Afternoon: Retail and supermarkets are at 100%, while residents are at 60%.
- Evening: Sports facilities and cinemas often peak at 90-100%.
Sustainable Mobility and Special Provisions
The policy integrates modern mobility trends, including requirements for electric vehicles and shared mobility concepts. It also provides mechanisms for deviations in specific circumstances.
- Electric Vehicles: Large parking locations (>50 spaces) must allocate a minimum of 2% of capacity for electric charging points.
- Disabled Parking: Locations with more than 50 spaces must designate at least 2% as general disabled parking spots, situated as close as possible to the main entrance.
- Exemptions: Projects with a total parking demand difference of less than 1.5 spaces (excluding housing) may be exempt from additional requirements.
- Alternative Mobility Discount: A maximum discount of 10% on the parking norm may be granted for high-quality shared mobility solutions (e.g., shared cars/e-bikes) backed by a mobility plan.
- Walking Distances: Maximum acceptable walking distances are defined as 100 meters for residential functions and 200 meters for retail and work functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mandatory visitor parking quota for new houses in Bergen?
The visitor share is fixed at 0.3 parking spaces per dwelling or apartment.
Does a private garage count as a parking space in calculations?
A garage alone counts as 0.0 spaces; it only counts as 1.0 space if it is accompanied by a driveway at least 6 meters deep.
Which spatial zone applies to the village of Well?
The village of Well falls under the 'Rest bebouwde kom' (Rest of built-up area) classification.
Is there a minimum distance requirement for disabled parking spots?
Yes, general disabled spots must be located as close as possible to the main entrance of the facility they serve.
Can I get a discount on parking requirements by providing shared cars?
The College of B&W may grant a discount of up to 10% on the total parking demand if a high-quality alternative mobility plan is provided.
What happens if a building has been vacant for over five years?
If a facility has been unused for more than five years, its historical parking credit is considered zero (nihil) when calculating requirements for a new function.
What is the maximum walking distance from a parking spot to a shop?
The maximum acceptable walking distance for retail (shopping) functions is 200 meters.
Are residential projects eligible for the 1.5-space parking exemption?
No, the 1.5-space exemption for small deviations does not apply to developments with a 'residential' function.
