El Monte Municipal Code § 17.70.100 Bicycle parking

These on-site parking requirements are established to:

A. Provide properly designated parking areas adequate in design, capacity and location to prevent traffic congestion and avoid hazards to the public's safety and welfare.

B. Ensure on-site parking areas are established in proportion to the needs of the facilities served and appropriate to the demand generated by a particular use and in such a manner as to maximize usefulness, protect the public safety and buffer adjacent land uses from potential negative impacts.

C. Offer opportunities and incentives for projects to reduce the number of required automobile parking stalls through alternative methods of accommodating arrival to a site and encouraging alternative modes of transportation (e.g. bicycling, transit use, walking, carpooling) to reduce demand for automobile parking.

D. Require that parking areas are designed to reduce potential environmental impacts, including minimizing stormwater runoff and the heat island effect.

E. Provide loading and delivery facilities in proportion to the needs of allowed uses.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Tables 17.70-1 prescribes when projects are required to comply with the on-site parking and loading space requirements of this chapter. Nonconforming uses shall also comply with Sections 17.16.040 and 17.16.050 (Nonconforming Provisions—Nonconforming Residential Uses and Nonresidential Uses, respectively) of this title:

Table 17.70-1—Applicability for On-site Parking and Loading Spaces

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Timing of Parking Requirements. On-site parking and loading facilities required by this chapter shall be submitted for approval and constructed at the same time or prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the uses that they serve. All plans shall clearly indicate the proposed development, including parking location, size, design, lighting, landscaping, curb cuts, ingress and egress.

B. Existing Parking and Loading. Parking and loading spaces shall not be reduced or changed in design, location or maintenance below the requirements for such use. Refer to Section 17.70.070 of this chapter for exceptions to this requirement.

C. Nonconforming Uses. Nonconforming uses shall comply with Section 17.16.040 (Nonconforming Provisions—Nonconforming Residential Uses) of this title.

D. Advertising on Vehicles. Vehicles shall not be parked solely for the purpose of advertising. Advertising shall comply with Chapter 17.80 (Sign Regulations) of this title.

E. Maintenance. All parking areas shall be permanently maintained in a safe and clean condition free of physical obstructions and in good condition. All areas, including landscaping, shall be kept free of trash and weeds. Any alteration, enlargement, maintenance or repairs shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

F. Additional Parking Space Requirements. Additional parking over and above the minimum standards required in this chapter may be required, upon determination of the Planning Commission or Zoning Review Committee that the specific type of business or use generates a greater demand for parking than the requirements of this chapter.

G. Right-of-way Parking. Land within the right-of-way of an existing or proposed street shall not be used to provide required parking and loading facilities.

H. Use of Parking Spaces. Required parking areas shall be used exclusively for vehicle parking in conjunction with a permitted use. Required parking spaces must be available for the use of residents, customers or guests of the use. Required parking spaces cannot be used for the parking of equipment or storage of goods or inoperative vehicles. In addition, required parking spaces cannot be rented out or used for another property except as permitted through subsection 17.70.070.D. of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Tables 17.70-2 and 17.70-3 prescribe the on-site parking requirements for single-family and multiple-family residential uses, respectively:

Table 17.70-2—On-Site Parking Requirements for Single-family Dwellings

Notes:

1 Dwelling size or number of bedroom, whichever is stricter

Table 17.70-3—On-Site Parking Requirements for Multiple-family Dwellings 2

Notes:

1 Dwelling size or number of bedrooms, whichever is greater.

2 Enclosed spaces—When less than 2 spaces are required, the unit shall have 1 enclosed/reserved space. When 2 or more spaces are required, the unit shall have 2 enclosed/reserved spaces. Fractional spaces—Fractional spaces shall be rounded to the nearest whole number as follows: 1) fractional spaces for guest parking and reserved for a specific unit shall be rounded up; 2) other fractional spaces of 0.5 or greater shall be rounded up; and 3) all other fractional spaces less than 0.5 may be rounded down. Density bonuses and other state provisions—The minimum parking requirements shall be prior to any density bonus or other state provision that permits a higher density than allowed in this title.

3 Requirements for applicable densities within the MMU and UMU zoning districts and within the Downtown Specific Plan (SP-4).

4 Requirements for applicable densities within the UMU zoning district and SP-4.

B. Table 17.70-4 prescribes the on-site parking requirements for other residential uses:

Table 17.70-4—On-Site Parking Requirements for Other Residential Uses 5

Notes:

5 Where less than 2 spaces are required, the unit shall have 1 enclosed/reserved space. Where 2 or more spaces are required, the unit shall have 2 enclosed/reserved spaces. Fractional spaces may be open and shall be unreserved. If they are reserved for a specific unit, the fractional space for each unit shall be rounded up.

6 For projects with market-rate units, the reduced parking ratios shall only apply to the affordable units. Market-rate units shall comply with the parking requirements of the underlying zoning districts. For projects with a density bonus, refer to Section 17.100.060 of this title.

7 For projects with market-rate units, guest parking shall comply with Table 17.70-3.

8 For projects with a density bonus, refer to Section 17.100.060 of this title.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Table 17.70-5 prescribes the on-site parking requirements for nonresidential uses (per square feet of gross floor area (GFA) or other metric):

Table 17.70-5—On-Site Parking Requirements for Nonresidential Uses

Notes:

9 Refer to Section 17.112.190 for additional parking information.

10 Refer to Section 17.112.200 for additional parking information.

11 Refer to Section 17.112.220 for additional parking information.

12 Refer to Section 17.70.070.C. for additional parking information.

B. For uses that are not listed in Table 17.70-5, the on-site parking requirements may be determined through either of the following:

1. The Community Development Director may determine the parking requirements for the proposed use based on similar uses listed in this chapter, subject to the following:

a. The Community Development Director finds that the proposed use will not have a negative impact related to traffic, noise, air quality, parking or public safety;

b. The Community Development Director finds that the proposed use will not have a negative effect on the welfare of other businesses or individuals in the underlying zoning district or surrounding area;

c. The applicant submits information that is substantial and compelling to support the Community Development Director's findings; and

d. The applicant agrees to any conditions placed by the Community Development Director to ensure the use is not altered over time to be inconsistent with the original request and approval.

e. Once the necessary information has been submitted, the Community Development Director shall make a Director's Determination in writing within thirty (30) days approving or denying the request. The director, at his or her discretion, may also refer the decision to the Planning Commission. The decision shall constitute the precedent for all future uses that match the same characteristics. The Director also has the authority to initiate the determination of additional parking requirements without a request from an applicant.

2. The applicant submits a parking demand study prepared by a traffic engineer and approved by the city that supports the proposed number of parking spaces. The request and supporting information shall be presented to the applicable review authority for final consideration and approval.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Thresholds for On-site Loading Spaces. Refer to Section 17.70.020 of this chapter.

B. Required Spaces. On-site loading spaces shall be provided in compliance with Table 17.70-6.

C. Amounts are Cumulative. Square footages shall be cumulative. If a grocery store is forty-five thousand (45,000) square feet in area, it will require one small loading space and two (2) full-size loading spaces. This shall also apply to additions. If an existing office is thirty thousand (30,000) square feet in area and constructs a forty thousand (40,000) addition, the loading shall be based on seventy thousand (70,000) square feet.

D. Loading Space Size. Small loading spaces shall be a minimum fifteen (15) feet wide by twenty-five (25) feet long. Full size loading spaces shall be a minimum fifteen (15) feet wide by forty (40) feet long with a clearance height of 14 feet.

E. Turning Radius. The minimum turning radius shall be thirty (30) feet for a small loading space and forty (40) feet for a full-size loading space.

Table 17.70-6—On-site Loading Requirements

F. Common Loading Facilities. The on-site loading requirements of this section may be satisfied by the permanent allocation of the identified number of spaces for each use in a common truck loading facility serving uses on adjacent properties and under different ownership.

1. The total number of loading spaces shall not be less than the sum of the combined square footages of all the uses.

2. An attested copy of a contract between the parties concerned containing an agreement to the joint use of the common truck loading facility shall be filed with the Planning Division.

G. Location and Access. Loading spaces shall not be located in required setbacks. All loading spaces shall have adequate ingress and egress and be designed and maintained so the maneuvering, loading and unloading of vehicles does not interfere with the orderly movement of traffic and pedestrians on any street or sidewalk. Vehicles shall not have to back in from, or onto, a public street.

H. Striping. Loading spaces shall be striped indicating the loading spaces and identifying the spaces as "loading only." The striping shall be permanently maintained by the property owner/tenant in a clear and visible manner at all times. "Loading only" signs may also be posted, but only in addition to striping requirements.

I. Screening of Loading Spaces. All full-size loading spaces shall be screened from adjacent streets. The screening may be a fence, hedge or wall with a minimum height of six (6) feet.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a reduction in on-site parking requirements may be authorized in accordance with this section.

A. Downtown Parking.

1. Table 17.70-7 prescribes the maximum allowable parking reductions for areas within the boundary of the Downtown Main Street specific plan. The reduced parking requirements shall not apply to any other area of the city.

Table 17.70-7—Reduced Parking Requirements (% reduced from Table 17.70-5)

13 Reductions shall be based on the parking requirements for the MMU zoning district.

2. Change of Use. No additional parking shall be required for a change of use in the Main Street and Zocalo Sub-areas for buildings constructed prior to January 1, 2022. This shall not apply to buildings that are reconstructed or the square footage of additions.

B. Downtown Parking Credits.

1. Applicability. This subsection shall only apply to the areas within the boundary of the Downtown Main Street specific plan.

2. Applications. Parking credits shall require the approval of a Director Level Zoning Clearance.

3. Land Uses. Parking credits shall not be available for residential uses in the Monte Vista Subarea and shall not be available for legal non-conforming uses in any Subarea. It may be available for all other residential and nonresidential uses permitted within the Downtown Main Street specific plan.

4. Pool of Public Spaces. Only public parking spaces shall be eligible for parking credits. This includes spaces within public parking lots and spaces along the street that are striped. A maximum subscription factor of two (2) shall apply towards the pool of public spaces (i.e. each public parking space shall equal two (2) parking credits). One parking credit shall be equal to one required parking space.

5. Requests. The requested number of parking credits shall be available for public parking (i.e. available within the pool of public spaces). The maximum number of parking credits an applicant may receive is fifty (50) credits. In addition, parking credits shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the parking requirements for the Monte Vista Subarea. Public parking spaces shall not be reserved for a specific use or property.

6. Compliance with Parking Requirements. The use requesting the parking credits shall comply with the parking requirements outlined in this chapter. This may be through a combination of on-site parking spaces, shared parking and parking credits. The applicant shall not receive more parking credits than the use requires. A Minor Variance shall not be permitted to reduce the number of required parking spaces.

7. Nontransferable. The parking credits shall not satisfy the parking requirements for any other use and shall not be transferred to another property.

8. Written Contract and Payments. Parking credits shall require a contract between the applicant and the City of El Monte. Payments for the parking credits shall be due annually at the time of business license application/renewal.

9. Time Periods. Parking credits shall be valid for one year. If the applicant has proceeded in good faith towards the implementation of the project, as determined by the Community Development Director, the applicant may request a 12-month extension. The extension shall be considered within thirty (30) days of the request. No further extensions shall be given and the number of parking credits shall return to the pool of public parking. If the property has been vacated for more than twelve (12) months, the application shall be null and void and the parking credits shall return to the pool of public parking.

C. Car Sharing, Residential Uses.

1. Applicability. This subsection shall only apply to residential uses permitted in the zoning districts and specific plan areas identified in Table 17.70-8.

2. Applications. Car sharing shall require the approval of a Minor Use Permit.

3. Land Uses and Properties. Car sharing may be available for one residential project with a minimum of twenty (20) dwelling units. In addition, it may be available for adjacent residential projects that have a combined twenty-five (25) or more dwelling units.

4. Compliance with Parking Requirements. Each car sharing vehicle shall have its own dedicated parking space. Car sharing vehicles shall count as required parking at a ratio of one car sharing space to five (5) standard spaces. Table 17.70-8 prescribes the maximum reductions from the required parking. Car sharing parking spaces shall also meet the requirements outlined in Table 17.70-9.

5. Calculating Spaces. Car sharing spaces shall not be included in the reductions outlined in Table 17.70-8. For example, if a project requires one hundred (100) parking spaces and is located in the Multiuse zoning district, the maximum percent reduction applied would be twenty (20) percent and the number of spaces required may be reduced to eighty (80) spaces. The car sharing calculation would be based on the 1:5 ratio for the twenty (20) spaces. Therefore, a minimum of four (4) of the eighty (80) spaces would need to be car sharing spaces.

Table 17.70-8 Maximum Parking Reduction for Car Sharing

6. Operations. Car sharing vehicles shall be administered by a car sharing company/organization and shall be accessed directly by users without any assistance or supervision by company personnel.

7. Annual Reporting. Verification of continued service shall be submitted to the Planning Division by January 1 st of each year.

8. End of Service. In the event that the car sharing service ends, the property owner and/or the property management company shall notify the Community Development Director within thirty (30) days, with a report identifying the deficiency in parking spaces as a result of the program ending, and the plans to bring the use into compliance with parking requirements. Options to bring the property into compliance include the following:

a. Entering into a contract with another comparable car sharing service;

b. Securing parking credits (for projects within the Downtown Specific Plan);

c. Constructing additional parking spaces on-site or off-site; and

d. Demonstrate compliance in some other manner.

9. Additional Findings. In addition to the required findings outlined in Section 17.123.030 (Conditional and Minor Use Permit—Necessary Findings) of this title, the following finding shall be made:

a. The adequacy of the proposed car sharing will equal or exceed the level that would have been expected had the minimum parking requirements outlined in Table 17.70-4 been met.

D. Shared Parking.

1. Applicability. This subsection shall apply to all nonresidential districts.

2. Applications. Shared parking shall require the approval of a Director Level Zoning Clearance.

3. Properties.

a. Same Property. May be two (2) or more uses on the same property.

b. Separate Properties. Uses and properties may be separated a maximum of two thousand (2,000) feet walking distance. This may be exceeded if there is a plan for shuttle services or other accommodation to move between the use and parking, including a demonstrated commitment to continue such accommodations indefinitely.

4. Parking Spaces.

a. Underutilized. A minimum twenty (20) percent of the parking for one or more use is unoccupied during the proposed shared parking period.

b. Analysis. The applicant shall submit a parking analysis using peer-reviewed methodologies developed by an acknowledged professional planning or engineering association [2] sufficient to determine the parking is underutilized and can be reasonably shared between the uses to fulfill parking requirements.

5. Decisions.

a. The Director shall approve the request if the application fully complies with this subsection.

b. The Director may approve or deny the request if the application does not fully comply with subsections 3. or 4. above.

6. Conditions of Approval.

a. Parking Agreement. If the application includes separate properties, a shared parking agreement shall be recorded against all the properties.

b. Annual Reporting. Verification of continued service shall be submitted to the Planning Division by January 1 st of each year.

E. Transitional Uses.

1. Minor Reduction. Transitional uses are permitted a twenty-five (25) percent parking reduction over what the required number of spaces for the transitional use would be if located in the General Commercial (C-3) zoning district.

2. Major Reduction. A twenty-six (26) to fifty (50) percent reduction may be approved by the Planning Commission or Zoning Review Committee if substantiated by a parking analysis using peer reviewed methodologies developed by an acknowledged professional planning or engineering association 15 . Options for allowing this reduction may include, but are not limited to, tandem parking, shared off-site parking, placing limits on the transitional use to reduce impacts (e.g. hours of operation, maximum occupancy, etc.) and partially demolishing the existing building.

F. Transit Oriented. Minimum parking requirements shall not be required for residential, commercial or other development project if the project is located within ½-mile of a Major Transit Stop, as defined in Section 21155 of the California Public Resources Code, and in accordance with Section 65863.2 of the California Government Code. However, this reduction shall not apply to disabled parking requirements, electric vehicle charging space/station requirement and projects subject to Downtown Parking Credits.

G. Other Reductions or Adjustments. Table 17.70-9 lists additional parking reductions and adjustments. A Minor Variance shall not be required to reduce the number of parking spaces.

Table 17.70-9 Parking Reductions and Adjustments

16 For existing projects constructed prior to January 1, 2022.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

Footnotes:

--- (2) ---

Examples of professional planning associations include the Urban Land Institute, National Parking Association and International Council of Shopping Centers.

A. Access and Safety. All on-site parking facilities shall be designed so as to provide safe and reasonable maneuverability for vehicles within the parking area and enable a vehicle entering the parking area to move from one location to any other location within the parking area without entering a public street.

B. Drainage. Drainage facilities shall be provided in all public parking areas capable of handling and maintaining the drainage requirements of the subject property and surrounding properties. Drainage facilities shall be designed to dispose of all surface water consistent with Regional Water Quality Control Board standards. Surface water from parking lots shall not drain over sidewalks or adjacent parcels.

C. Lighting, Nonresidential Uses. Lighting for parking lots shall be a minimum one foot candlepower across eighty-five (85) percent or more of the lot. Lighting shall not exceed one foot candlepower on any adjacent property zoned residential. Refer to Section 17.60.050 (General Development Standards—Outdoor Lighting) of this title for additional requirements.

D. Additional Parking Standards. Refer to Table 17.70-10 for additional parking lot and parking space standards:

Table 17.70-10—Parking Standards

Notes:

17 Los Angeles County Fire Department may require additional driveway widths.

Figure 17.70-1—Parking Space Degrees [Figure: Figure 17.70-1—Parking Space Degrees]

Figure 17.70-2—Access Triangle in Front of Garage Entrance [Figure: Figure 17.70-2—Access Triangle in Front of Garage Entrance]

Figure 17.70-3—Circular Driveway [Figure: Figure 17.70-3—Circular Driveway]

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Residential Thresholds. Residential Construction (minimum Level 1). The following thresholds shall apply:

1. Single-Family or Multiple-Family Residential Construction. Any new enclosed parking spaces shall be EV-capable, pre-equipped for electric vehicle (EV) charging units.

2. Multiple-Family Residential Construction with Ten (10) or More Units. Provide electrical charging stations at a rate of fifteen (15) percent of the required guest parking spaces, or two (2) spaces, whichever is greater.

B. Nonresidential Thresholds. Nonresidential Construction (minimum Level 1 for office uses; minimum Level 2 for all other uses). The following thresholds shall apply:

1. New Projects. Shall comply with EV charging space requirements based on the number of parking spaces required for the new project.

2. Building Expansions. Shall comply with EV charging space requirements based on the number of new parking spaces required for the building expansion.

3. Existing Parking Lots. Shall comply with EV charging space requirements if the entire parking lot is being reconstructed based on the total number of parking spaces. If only a portion of the parking lot is being reconstructed, the EV charging space requirements shall be based only on the number of spaces being reconstructed. EV charging spaces shall not be required if the parking lot is only being resurfaced (i.e. slurry seal or seal coat) and/or being restriped.

C. Number of Spaces. Table 17.70-11 prescribes the required number of capable and installed EV charging spaces and stations. For projects with ten (10) or more parking spaces, a conversion rate of two (2) Level 1 or 2 equipment stations for each Level 3 equipment stations may apply:

Table 17.70-11—Required Electric Vehicle (EV) Spaces

D. CALGreen Standards. When the requirements of this section differ from those of the California Green Building Standards Code, the stricter of the two (2) shall apply.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Thresholds. The following thresholds shall apply:

1. New Projects. Shall comply with short-term and long-term bicycle parking space requirements.

2. Building Expansions. Shall comply with short-term and long-term bicycle parking space requirements based on the added building square footage or added number of vehicular parking spaces, whichever is greater.

3. Tenant Improvements. Shall comply with long-term bicycle parking space requirements if more than fifty (50) percent of the interior walls are being demolished.

4. Existing Parking Lots. Shall comply with short-term bicycle parking space requirements if the entire parking lot is being reconstructed. If only a portion of the parking lot is being reconstructed, the bicycle parking space requirements shall be based on the number of spaces reconstructed. Bicycle parking spaces shall not be required if the parking lot is only being resurfaced (i.e. slurry seal or coat) and/or being restriped.

5. Condition of Approval. Short-term bicycle parking space requirements may be added as a condition of approval by any review authority.

B. Short-term Bicycle Parking. Shall be conveniently located and within two hundred (200) feet of all main building entrances for nonresidential uses.

C. Long-term Bicycle Parking. Shall be conveniently located from the street and shall meet one of the following:

1. Covered, lockable enclosures with permanently anchored racks for bicycles;

2. Lockable bicycle rooms with permanently anchored racks; or

3. Lockable, permanently anchored bicycle lockers.

D. Number of Spaces. Table 17.70-12 prescribes the required number of bicycle parking spaces:

Table 17.70-12—Required Bicycle Parking

E. Showers and Changing Rooms for New Office Construction:

1. Less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet (single building or complex): None.

2. Thirty thousand (30,000) square feet to one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet (single building or complex): One.

3. Greater than one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet (single building or complex): Two (2).

F. CALGreen Standards. When the requirements of this section differ from those of the California Green Building Standards Code, the stricter of the two (2) shall apply.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Recreational Vehicles (RVs).

1. Single-Family Residential Uses.

a. Definition. Recreational vehicles include, but are not limited to, motor homes, boats, dune buggies, campers, camper buses and RV trailers.

b. Location. The recreational vehicle shall be located on an approved paved area within the interior side yard or rear yard. It shall be prohibited within the front yard and street side yard. In addition, it shall not extend over any public sidewalk or public right-of-way.

c. Quantity. A maximum of one recreational vehicle may be parked on each property.

d. Registration. The recreational vehicle shall have a valid registration and be registered at the location where it is stored or parked. In addition, it shall be in operable condition.

e. Screening. The recreational vehicle shall be screened from public view by existing structures or solid walls or fences with a minimum height of six (6) feet.

f. Other. The recreational vehicle shall not be used for dwelling purposes and the connection of utilities, water, except for temporary maintenance purposes, are strictly prohibited.

2. Other Residential Uses. In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection A. above, a recreational vehicle shall not occupy or block access to required parking or required open space.

3. Mixed-Use Projects and Nonresidential Uses. The parking of recreational vehicles shall be prohibited, except as permitted for approved vehicle related uses.

B. Other Vehicles.

1. Residential Uses.

a. Permitted. Other passenger vehicles up to ten thousand (10,000) pounds (up to Class 2) and construction-related vehicles and equipment (for a maximum of forty-eight (48) hours or through a valid building permit in effect for construction).

b. Inoperable Vehicles. Any such vehicle must be parked within a fully enclosed garage. However, a single-family residential property may also park one additional inoperable vehicle within the interior side yard or rear yard, provided it is screened from public view by existing structures or solid walls or fences with a minimum height of six (6) feet. It shall be prohibited within the front yard and street side yard.

c. Prohibited. The parking of all other vehicles and equipment shall be prohibited, except as permitted for approved vehicle related uses.

2. Mixed-Use and Nonresidential Uses.

a. Permitted. Passenger vehicles up to fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds (up to Class 4) and construction-related vehicles and equipment (for a maximum of forty-eight (48) hours or through a valid building permit in effect for construction).

b. Prohibited. The parking of all other vehicles and equipment shall be prohibited, except as permitted for approved vehicle related uses.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)