Aliso Viejo Municipal Code Ch. 15.38 Parking

Sections:

15.38.010 Purpose and intent.

15.38.020 Determination of required parking.

15.38.030 Spaces required for residential uses.

15.38.040 Spaces required for nonresidential uses.

15.38.050 Approval of parking facilities.

15.38.060 Parking accessibility and location.

15.38.070 Parking facility design.

15.38.080 Parking structures.

15.38.090 Screening and landscaping.

15.38.100 Loading facilities.

15.38.110 RV, motorcycle and bicycle parking.

15.38.120 Modified parking standards.

15.38.130 Joint parking.

15.38.140 Alternative parking plans and off-site parking.

15.38.150 Valet parking.

15.38.160 Disabled parking.

15.38.170 Nonconforming parking.

A. Purpose. Off-street parking is required for all land uses in accordance with this chapter. These regulations are intended to: (1) provide for the demand for off-street parking generated by the various land uses in the city; (2) ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public by ensuring safe access to homes and businesses; and (3) provide for properly designed parking facilities with adequate numbers of parking spaces in order to reduce traffic congestion, promote business and enhance public safety.

B. Applicability. Off-street vehicle parking requirements shall be determined and provided in accordance with this chapter when a building is constructed or a use established or changed. [Ord. 2011-138 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-137 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-132 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Alternative Parking Standards. The number of parking spaces required for each land use pursuant to AVMC 15.38.030 and 15.38.040 shall be provided unless the city decision-making authority determines that an alternative standard is more applicable pursuant to the procedures of AVMC 15.38.120 and 15.38.140, as applicable.

B. Land Uses Not Listed. If no provisions for the required number of off-street parking spaces are set out in Table 15.38.030 or 15.38.040, the decision-making authority for the applicable use or project shall determine the number of parking spaces required.

C. Increase in Required Spaces. The required number of parking spaces for a use shall be increased in accordance with the parking ratios in this chapter if an existing building is expanded or dwelling units or guest rooms are added, or if a use is intensified by the addition of floor space or seating capacity or is changed to a use requiring additional parking.

D. Fractional Parking Spaces. Whenever the computation of the number of off-street parking spaces required by this chapter results in a fractional parking space, one additional parking space shall be required for one-half or more fractional parking space, and any fractional space less than one-half of a parking space shall not be counted.

E. Electric Charging Stations. Spaces with provision for electric vehicle charging shall be credited toward the off-street parking requirements of this chapter. [Ord. 2012-146 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-138 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-137 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-132 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

Residential land uses shall provide off-street parking in accordance with the following table unless modified per the provisions of AVMC 15.38.020.

TABLE 15.38.030:

RESIDENTIAL PARKING REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Off-Street Additional Land Use
Parking Requirement Requirements

Single-family detached and 2 spaces per unit in a garage Plus 0.5 off-street guest single-family attached spaces per unit if there is no on-street parking in front of the units. Each garage space Multifamily dwellings, 2 spaces per unit in a garage shall have minimum townhomes unobstructed interior dimensions of 10 ft. x 20 ft. Multifamily dwellings, apartments (either rental or condominium): • Studio: • 1 covered space per unit Plus 0.5 guest spaces per unit, with parking distributed so that all units • 1 bedroom: • 1.2 covered spaces per unit are within 150 feet of the resident’s assigned or reasonably available parking • 2 or more bedrooms: • 2 covered spaces per unit space and within 150 feet of

Minimum Off-Street Additional Land Use Parking Requirement Requirements the nearest designated guest Affordable housing pursuant space. to Chapter 15.58 AVMC: • Studio to 1 bedroom: 1 space per unit Spaces may be tandem or • 2 – 3 bedrooms: 2 spaces per unit uncovered. • 4 or more bedrooms: 2.5 spaces per unit Live/work and other mixed 2 spaces per unit in a garage Each garage space shall have use developments plus the spaces required for minimum unobstructed the nonresidential uses per interior dimensions of 10 ft. this chapter; or as required x 20 ft. in applicable specific plan Mobilehome parks 2 covered spaces per unit, which may be in tandem, plus 0.5 guest spaces per unit Single-room occupancy 1 space per dwelling unit housing Boarding or rooming houses 1 space per sleeping room Homeless and emergency 1 space per employee in the shelters largest shift; provided, that the required parking is no more than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone Transitional and supportive • 1 space per dwelling unit; If the number of beds is housing or uncertain at the time of city review, the requirement • 0.3 spaces per bed in shall be 0.3 spaces per each dormitory housing 100 sq/ft of sleeping area Alcoholism or drug abuse As required for the single- recovery facilities and family or multifamily residential care facilities; all dwelling unit in which the for 6 or fewer persons facility is located Clubhouses and community 1 space per each 500 sq/ft of pools and cabanas gross site area

[Ord. 2024-237 § 5; Ord. 2018-202 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-192 § 4; Ord. 2011-138 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-137 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-132 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Parking Required. Nonresidential land uses and uses in the special purpose districts (Chapters 15.18 and 15.26 AVMC) shall provide off-street parking in accordance with the following table unless modified per the provisions of AVMC 15.38.120.

B. Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking. In addition to the automobile parking spaces required per this section, bicycle and motorcycle parking shall be provided for certain nonresidential uses in accordance with AVMC 15.38.110.

TABLE 15.38.040:

NONRESIDENTIAL PARKING REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Off-Street
Parking Requirement Additional Land Use
Requirements (GFA = gross floor
area)

AUTOMOTIVE USES: Auto, motorcycle, truck, recreation 1 space per each 2,500 vehicle and marine sales and sq/ft of gross site area, service but not less than 8 Auto repair services, major and 1 space per 400 sq/ft minor (as a principal or accessory GFA, excluding areas use) used exclusively for storage Auto, truck, recreation vehicle and 1 space per each 5,000 marine storage and equipment sq/ft of gross site area, rental plus 1 for any caretaker’s residence Auto rental agencies 1 space for each 250 sq/ft GFA plus 1 space for each rental car allowed on the site at one time

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) Car washes, automated 1 space for self-drying after wash tunnel Car washes, full service 10 spaces, not counting Parking and stacking the wash queuing area requirements may be before the wash tunnel, modified if an exception plus a stacking area after permit is approved the wash tunnel equal to pursuant to AVMC five times the capacity of 15.74.070 the tunnel Gas stations 4 spaces, plus the spaces required for any fast food, convenience store, auto repair or other accessory uses DINING, DRINKING AND ENTERTAINMENT USES: Bars, taverns, cocktail lounges and 1 space per 80 sq/ft GFA microbreweries Coffee houses, cyber or Internet 1 space per 100 sq/ft cafes, and hookah lounges GFA Outdoor dining or Live entertainment and dancing as 1 space per 60 sq/ft GFA drinking area is included a principal use in GFA Restaurants, full-service 1 space per 80 sq/ft GFA Restaurants, drive-through, subject 1 space per 100 sq/ft to AVMC 15.38.070(H) GFA Retail sale of take-out food such as 1 space per 150 sq/ft GFA ice cream, frozen yogurt, and bakery goods, with ancillary seating Theaters and cinemas, live or See “Public, Recreation motion picture and Assembly Uses” Video arcades as a principal use 1 space per each 200 sq/ft GFA GROUP CARE USES: Child day care centers and 1 per employee plus 1 Access/drop-off plan may preschools drop-off space per each 8 be required children based on total capacity Health facilities, subject to AVMC 1 space per 1.5 patient 15.22.220 beds plus 1 space per 300 sq/ft of GFA of office area Homeless and emergency shelters 0.3 spaces per bed For shelter and dormitory space, if the Transitional/supportive housing • 1 space per dwelling number of beds is unit; or uncertain at the time of city review, the • 0.3 spaces per bed in requirement shall be 0.3 dormitory housing spaces per each 100 sq/ft of sleeping area LODGING USES: Hotels and bed Under 200 guest 1.1 spaces for each guest and breakfast rooms room plus 1 space for Plus the spaces requiredinns every 75 sq/ft of meeting for restaurants, retail room floor area stores and other ancillary 200 guest rooms 1.3 spaces for each guest facilities open to the or more room plus 1 space for public every 75 sq/ft of meeting room floor area Motels 1.2 spaces for each guest Plus the spaces required room plus 1 space for for restaurants, retail every 75 sq/ft of meeting stores and other ancillary room floor area facilities open to the public OFFICE, RETAIL AND SERVICE USES:

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) Animal boarding/kennels 1 space per 500 sq/ft GFA Animal grooming services 1 space per 250 sq/ft GFA Animal hospitals/veterinary clinics 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA Banks and other financial 1 space per 220 sq/ft institutions with tellers GFA Barber shops 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA Beauty, nail, tanning and similar 1 space per 150 sq/ft GFA salons Check cashing facilities 1 space per 250 sq/ft GFA Convenience stores and liquor 1 space per 250 sq/ft stores GFA Dry cleaners, with no central plant 1 space per 300 sq/ft on site GFA Fortune telling, palmistry and 1 space per 250 sq/ft similar services GFA Furniture and appliance stores 1 space per 500 sq/ft GFA Live/work and other mixed use 2 spaces per unit in a developments garage plus the spaces Each garage space shall required for the have minimum nonresidential uses per unobstructed interior this chapter; or as dimensions of 10 ft. x 20 required in an applicable ft. specific plan Laundromats 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA Massage parlors, massage centers, 1 space per 200 sq/ft day spas and any other GFA establishment offering massage services Miscellaneous small-scale services 1 space per 300 sq/ft such as travel services, photo GFA developing, shoe repair, appliance repair, and similar uses Office uses, general and 1 space per 250 sq/ft professional GFA Office uses, outpatient medical 1 space per 200 sq/ft uses GFA Pet stores selling live animals and 1 space per 250 sq/ft pet supplies and accessories GFA Plant nurseries and garden supply 1 space per 1,000 sq/ft of stores retail display area, plus 1 space per 500 sq/ft of any indoor display area Printing and copy services Services with self-service facilities for the public such as copiers, computers and similar: 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA. Services without facilities for the public: 1 space per 500 sq/ft GFA Retail home improvement and 1 space per 400 sq/ft Home improvement hardware stores over 80,000 sq/ft GFA stores under 80,000 GFA sq/ft shall conform to the general retail parking standard Retail stores, general,* under 1 space per 250 sq/ft 80,000 sq/ft GFA GFA

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) Retail stores, general,* over 1 space per 220 sq/ft 80,000 sq/ft GFA GFA *Such as supermarkets and other retail stores selling such items as food, apparel, shoes, books, office supplies, gifts, and similar merchandise to the general public. Typically open less than 24 hours/day. Shopping centers 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA Tattoo parlors 1 space per 220 sq/ft GFA Thrift stores and pawn shops 1 space per 300 sq/ft GFA Video rental stores 1 space per 250 sq/ft GFA PUBLIC, RECREATION AND ASSEMBLY USES: Bowling alleys 3 spaces per lane plus the spaces required for restaurant and bar area and other uses on the premises Churches, temples, other religious 1 space per every 35 sq/ft institutions of seating area in the main auditorium plus additional spaces for any ancillary facilities on the same site in the amount of 50 percent of the number of spaces required for the main auditorium. Such additional spaces may be provided off site and may be exempted from the locational limitations set forth in AVMC 15.38.060(B)(2) if approved by conditional use permit pursuant to AVMC 15.38.140 Cinemas and live theaters 1 space per every 3 fixed seats Clubs, lodges, union halls, and 1 space per each 75 sq/ft similar uses GFA Colleges and universities, public or 1 space per every 3 full- Additional spaces may be private time equivalent students required for athletic based on maximum facilities on the site such capacity, plus 1 space for as stadiums and every 2 faculty or staff gymnasiums and for members performance facilities such as performing arts theaters Community centers and senior 1 space per each 4 citizen centers persons based on the maximum capacity of all facilities capable of simultaneous use, as determined by the planning director Driving ranges, lighted or 1 space per tee plus the unlighted spaces required for other uses on the site Electric substations 1 space per each employee plus 1 space per each vehicle used in connection with the facility

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) Family/children entertainment centers, indoor, with climbing apparatus, play equipment, food 1 space per every 4 guests service, video games, party based on maximum facilities, and similar attractions capacity, plus bus and Family/children entertainment drop-off spaces as centers, outdoor, and similar determined for each use outdoor recreation uses, with such in the conditional use attractions as miniature golf, permit batting cages, boat rides. May also include indoor attractions Fire and police stations 1 per employee plus 1 per each fire, police or other emergency vehicle Golf courses, miniature, pitch and 3 per hole, plus the putt and par 3 spaces required for other uses on the premises Golf courses, regulation 5 per hole, plus the spaces required for other uses on the premises Government offices 1 space per 250 sq/ft GFA Group instruction (all floor area 1 space per 150 sq/ft GFA For purposes of this use, sizes) swimming pool area shall be counted as part of GFA Gymnasiums 1 space per every 3 seats, or 1 space per every 35 sq/ft of seating area where there are no fixed seats Health clubs (all floor area sizes) 1 space per 150 sq/ft GFA For purposes of this use, swimming pool area shall be counted as part of GFA Helicopter pads As required by conditional use permit Libraries and museums 1 space per 250 sq/ft GFA Mortuaries and funeral homes 1 space per every 3 seats, For bench/pew seating, plus 1 space per every 35 18 inches of lineal bench sq/ft of seating area in shall count as 1 seat. the main auditorium Spaces provided for where there are no fixed funeral services may be seats tandem if approved by conditional use permit Outdoor amphitheaters and 1 space per every 3 seats, stadiums or 1 space per every 35 sq/ft of seating area where there are no fixed seats Parks and open space, passive, As determined for each public park based on the size of the site and the facilities to be provided Pool halls/billiard centers as a 1 space per 200 sq/ft principal use GFA Roller and ice rinks, indoor 1 space per 100 sq/ft GFA Schools, private, with outdoor Additional spaces may be facilities: required for athletic • Elementary and middle schools • 2 spaces per classroom facilities on the site such as stadiums and• High schools • 1 space per every 6 full- gymnasiums and for time equivalent students performance facilities based on maximum

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) capacity, plus 1 space for such as performing arts each faculty or staff theaters member Schools, private, without outdoor 1 space per every 1.5 facilities, such as business, students, based on the vocational and professional maximum capacity Schools, public Same as private school requirements Skateboard, roller hockey, and 1 space per 500 sq/ft of stunt bike facilities, indoor or activity area outdoor Stations and terminals, train, bus As determined in the and taxi conditional use permit for each facility Tutorial services, not including 1 space per 250 sq/ft schools or colleges GFA RESEARCH, INDUSTRIAL AND HEAVY COMMERCIAL USES: Computer data centers and server 1 space per 1,000 sq/ft farms GFA or 1 space per employee, whichever is greater. The number of spaces per employee shall be based on the number of employees on duty during any 1 shift Contractor and construction 1 space per 300 sq/ft equipment yards, with outside GFA of associated office storage space plus 1 per vehicle stored on the premises Dry cleaners and laundries, central 1 space per 500 sq/ft plants GFA plus the spaces required for delivery vehicles Laboratories, dry 1 space per 400 sq/ft GFA Laboratories, wet, when accessory 1 space per 400 sq/ft to a permitted use and under 1,000 GFA sq/ft in floor area (wet laboratories as a principal use are listed under “Specialized research, development, manufacturing and wet laboratories,” below) Light manufacturing and light 1 space per 400 sq/ft industrial uses, including the GFA manufacture and assembly of products from materials such as cloth, fiber, fur, glass, leather, stone, wood, plastics, metal, and paper (except milling); may include offices, storage and other incidental uses on the same site Lumber yards and other building 1 space per 1,000 sq/ft of materials sales, outdoor outdoor retail display area, plus 1 space per 500 sq/ft of any indoor retail display area Pest control services 1 space per 500 sq/ft GFA Plumbing repair shops 1 space per 500 sq/ft GFA Recycling recovery facilities as a 1 space per every 1.5 principal use, with collection and employees sorting only (such as a materials recovery facility), not including auto salvage or junkyards

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirement Additional Land Use Requirements (GFA = gross floor area) Recycling collection facilities as an 5 spaces plus 1 space for accessory use, such as drop-off bins each attendant, if any and mobile recycling units Research and development, other 1 space per 400 sq/ft than specialized (see below) GFA Specialized research, development, 1 space per 400 sq/ft manufacturing and wet GFA laboratories, where chemicals, drugs or biological matter are tested and analyzed, typically requiring water, direct ventilation, specialized piped utilities and protective measures Storage facilities, personal, indoor, 1 space per every 4,000 such as miniwarehouses sq/ft of gross leasable area Welding, machine, milling and 1 space per 500 sq/ft plating operations GFA Warehouses and distribution 1 space per 1,000 sq/ft facilities as a principal use, for GFA or 1 space per storing or shipping food, employee, whichever is beverages, packages, merchandise greater or other items OTHER USES: Temporary uses and events As required in the temporary use permit Adult businesses, subject to 1 space per 150 sq/ft GFA