Sec. 44-336. - Commercial landscape provisions. — La Palma Zoning Code

(a)

Applicability. This section provides landscaping and irrigation requirements for new construction on vacant property and for new construction increasing an existing development by 50 percent or more.

(b)

Required landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided for all setback areas adjacent to public rights-of-way, plus a minimum of three percent in the parking areas and three percent in the non-parking areas of all remaining areas of the site where no building will be located.

(c)

Exceptions. The approval authority may approve exceptions to the above requirements for plans that demonstrate exceptional creativity.

(d)

General design standards. The following features shall be incorporated into the design of the proposed landscape and shown on the required landscape plans:

(1)

Landscaping shall be planned as an integral part of the overall project design considering the benefits of cooling, reduced evaporation, special continuity, and aesthetics. Landscaping shall not simply be located in excess space left over after parking areas and structures have been planned.

(2)

Pedestrian access, solar access, and shading of window areas shall be considered in the design of landscaped areas.

(3)

Landscaping adjacent to driveways and parking areas shall be protected from vehicle damage through the provision of minimum six-inch high concrete curbs or other types of barriers as approved by Community Development Director.

(4)

Landscaped planter areas shall have a minimum inside width of three feet where trees and/or shrubs are provided and six feet where turf is provided.

(5)

Landscaping within traffic safety triangles on corner lots shall be provided in compliance with Section 44276.

(6)

Re-circulating water shall be used for all decorative water features.

(e)

Plant materials. Plant materials shall be selected and installed to comply with the following requirements:

(1)

A mix of plant materials and sizes shall be planted. Plant type variety is required to be attractive and to reduce the chance of landscape failure due to disease infestation. In addition, it is recommended that plant container sizes vary in order to further provide visual interest during initial project planting.

(2)

Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained so that at maturity they do not interfere with utilities and traffic safety sight areas.

(3)

Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained in a manner that protects the basic rights of adjacent property owners.

(4)

Trees planted near public sidewalks or curbs shall be planted and maintained in a manner that prevents physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and other public improvements.

(5)

Ground cover shall be of live plant material, although limited quantities (ten percent maximum) of gravel, bark, or similar materials may be used in combination with a living ground cover.

(6)

The landscape design plan shall provide for water-efficient landscaping.

(7)

Turf areas shall not exceed 50 percent of the landscaped area with the following exceptions:

a.

Public parks.

b.

Child day care facilities.

(8)

A two-inch layer of bark mulch shall be installed in areas where lawn or other ground cover material is not provided.

(9)

A permit shall be required for the installation of artificial turf in any non-residential zoning district.

(f)

Irrigation design standards.

(1)

Water efficiency. The irrigation design plan shall provide for a permanent water-efficient irrigation system (i.e., drip systems, bubblers, or soakers).

(2)

Runoff and overspray. Soil types and infiltration rates shall be considered when designing irrigation systems. Irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage, overspray, and other similar conditions. Appropriate irrigation equipment and schedules shall be used to closely match application rates to rates of infiltration. Special attention shall be given to avoid runoff on slopes and overspray in narrow planting areas and median strips.

(3)

Equipment.

a.

Controllers. Automatic controllers are required for all irrigation systems and shall be able to accommodate all aspects of the design.

b.

Sprinkler heads. Heads and emitters shall have consistently matched precipitation rates within each control valve circuit. Sprinkler heads shall be selected for proper area coverage, application rate, adjustment capability, operating pressure, and ease of maintenance.

c.

Rain-sensing override devices. Rain-sensing override devices are encouraged on all irrigation systems.

(g)

Maintenance. Landscaping shall be maintained in an orderly and healthy condition. This shall include proper pruning, mowing of turf, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and application of appropriate quantities of water to all landscaped areas. Practices may include performing routine irrigation system repair and adjustments, scheduling irrigation based on CIMIS (California Irrigation Management Information System), using moisture-sensing or rain shut-off devices, conducting water audits, and prescribing the amount of water to be applied per landscaped area.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 14, 5-3-2022)

Secs. 44-337—44-360. - Reserved. DIVISION 4. - PARKING AND LOADING

Sec. 44-361. - General parking standards.

(a)

Spaces accessible and usable. Off-street parking spaces, whether in a garage, carport, or open area, shall be located so as to be accessible and usable for the parking of motor vehicles at all times.

(b)

Parking purposes only. Required parking shall be maintained exclusively for parking purposes and shall not be used for storage or other purposes. Outdoor storage of any kind is prohibited on driveways, drive aisles, and parking lots (e.g. containers, repair work, dismantling, or servicing of any motor vehicle, inoperable vehicles, commercial trucks, trailers, airplane, boat, construction equipment, loose rubbish, garbage, junk, or their receptacles, or building materials).

(c)

Provided on same lot. Parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use they are intended to serve unless a reciprocal parking agreement is approved by the City Council. Said reciprocal parking agreement shall be recorded on the title of all properties subject to the agreement in the County ClerkRecorder's office, a copy of which agreement shall be given to the City.

(d)

Multiple uses on a lot. Where there is more than one type of use on a lot, the parking requirements shall be the sum total of the requirements for the individual uses. A reduction in this parking requirement may be supported by a site-specific parking study and a parking management plan subject to review and approval of a minor conditional use permit.

(e)

Alternatives to parking and loading standards. The City recognizes that many uses and sites are unique and that certain components of parking and loading may be tailored to better comply with these standards based on factors such as irregular site shape and unique types or combinations of uses. As such, the City may consider shared parking, joint use of parking, and modifications to certain provisions of the parking

and loading standards to achieve safe and adequate parking and loading facilities, subject to review and approval of a minor conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2016-06, § 17, 5-3-2016; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 15, 5-3-2022; Ord. No. 2024-04, § 4, 12-10-2024)

Sec. 44-362. - Nonresidential parking standards.

(a)

Dimensions. Parking spaces may include a two-foot overhang into landscape areas provided that concrete barriers (wheel stops) are provided and the landscaping is appropriately designed to accommodate the overhang.

(b)

Clearly marked. Parking spaces shall be clearly marked, maintained in an easily discernible manner, and conform to the adopted striping requirements of the City.

(c)

Surface and parking area. The thickness of paving and base material shall be established by a recognized soils engineer. However, the minimum thickness shall be two inches asphaltic concrete or three and onehalf inches Portland cement concrete.

(d)

Border barricades. Every parking area that is not separated by a wall from a street or alley shall be provided with a concrete barrier not less than six inches in height. No portion of the barrier shall be closer to the back of the sidewalk or the required yard line than two feet. Barriers shall be securely installed and maintained.

(e)

Lighting. Lighting shall be provided to illuminate parking areas for safety and security. Illumination levels shall comply with Section 44-278. Lighting shall be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining or nearby residential properties.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015)

Sec. 44-363. - Residential parking standards.

(a)

Garage dimensions. When an enclosed garage is required, the minimum interior dimension for each parking space shall be ten feet wide by 20 feet deep.

(b)

Doorway width. Parking spaces within a garage or carport shall have a doorway not less than eight feet in width.

(c)

Required driveway. Parking spaces within a garage or carport shall be provided with an unobstructed driveway area of at least 20 feet in length paved with Portland cement concrete. The driveway shall have a vertical clearance of not less than eight feet.

(d)

Driveway width. The entire length of a driveway shall extend the full width of the garage or carport entry. The entire driveway in a residential district shall be paved with Portland cement concrete or other comparable nonasphaltic material as approved by the City Engineer. The width of a driveway shall not be in excess of that specified by a precise plan or by a conditional use permit except that the Community Development Director may issue a permit for a paved ancillary parking area.

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(e)

Paved ancillary parking area.

(1)

Paved ancillary parking areas must be designed and constructed to the specifications required by this Code for driveways. All material utilized for the paved ancillary parking area shall be consistent with the driveway material.

(2)

Paved ancillary parking areas shall not exceed ten feet in width and may extend from the front of the garage to the back of the right-of-way providing access to the driveway.

(3)

Paved ancillary parking areas shall be located on the side of the original driveway that is closest to an adjacent property line. Where it is not obvious which side of the driveway is the closest to an adjacent property line, the Community Development Director shall make the determination.

(4)

The proposed widening shall not be detrimental to the adjacent property by creating conditions that would result in an appreciable diminution of adjoining property values or a potential traffic hazard.

(5)

Modifications to the public right-of-way are not permitted unless an encroachment permit is obtained from the Community Services Department.

(6)

Paved ancillary parking areas shall have the same parking and storage standards as driveways.

(f)

Drive aisles. If the driveway does not connect directly to a street or alley, a drive aisle paved with Portland cement concrete shall be provided. For drive aisles not exceeding 100 feet in length, the width shall be not less than ten feet. For drive aisles over 100 feet in length, the width shall be at least 15 feet.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2018-03, § 7, 5-15-2018; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 16, 5-3-2022)

Sec. 44-364. - Parking calculations.

Parking calculations for all zoning districts shall be determined by use, as identified in the following table.

TABLE III-7. PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY LAND USE

TABLE III-7. PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY LAND USE
Land use	Minimum vehicle spaces required
Single-family residential	Two parking spaces in a fully enclosed garage for each dwelling unit
Multiple-family residential	Up to 2 bedrooms	1.5 uncovered spaces per unit
	3 bedrooms	2 plus 0.5 guest space—at least 50% covered
	4 bedrooms	4 plus 1 guest space—at least 40% covered
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)1, 2 3	One parking space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less. Spaces can be provided uncovered on a driveway as tandem parking spaces to the garage, an uncovered ancillary parking space to the side of the driveway, or a garaged parking space in addition to the main homes standard two parking spaces in a fully enclosed garage. The requirement shall not apply to an ADU if any of the following are true: • The ADU is within one-half mile walking distance from public transit; or • The ADU is part of (i.e. contained within) the footprint of an existing primary residence or an existing accessory building; or • Is in an area where on-street parking permits are required, but not ofered to the occupancy of the ADU; or • Is located within one block of a car share area; or • The ADU is proposed to be constructed with a new primary dwelling on the same lot which would otherwise be exempt from ADU parking requirements;

	or •The ADU is otherwise exempt from parking requirements pursuant to State law.
Emergency shelter (homeless)	One parking space for every staf person during peak hours.
Religious institutions	One parking space for each 3 seats in the main sanctuary or assembly area. Where no fxed seats are provided, 1 space for every 30 sq. ft. in the main assembly room.
Congregate care/ assisted living facilities	0.5 space for each residential unit, plus one space for each 4 units for guests unless specifed in an approved precise plan.
Hospitals	One space for each 2 patient beds the facility is licensed to accommodate plus required spaces for ancillary uses as determined by the planning division.
Hotels/motels	One space for each guest room, plus 0.75 space for each employee, plus any spaces required for ancillary uses.
Self-storage, personal storage facilities	One space for each 10 storage units but not less than 6 spaces total, plus 2 spaces for the manager's ofce. If a resident caretaker is provided, an enclosed garage, 20 feet by 20 feet shall be included in the parking requirements.
Ofces	One parking space for each 250 square feet of gross foor area.
Restaurants	One parking space for each 100 square feet of gross foor area.
Retail and services	One parking space for each 200 square feet of gross foor area.
Schools (private) elementary/junior high	1.5 spaces for each classroom, plus one space for every 75 sq. ft. of assembly area in an auditorium, plus one bus loading space for each 100 students or portion thereof.
High school	Five spaces for each classroom, plus one space for each 75 square feet in assembly rooms and auditoriums, plus one bus loading space for each 150 students or portion thereof.
Trade and business schools	One space for each student.
Tutoring facilities	One space for every 50 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Service stations (including multi-use stations)	One space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross foor area, plus 3 spaces for each service bay. 50 percent of the parking provided at pump islands may be credited towards meeting parking requirements.
Light manufacturing and warehouses	First 25,000 sq. ft.: 1 for every 500 sq. ft.
	25,001 to 100,000 sq. ft.: 1 for every 750 sq. ft.
	100,001 to 200,000 sq. ft.: 1 for every 1,000 sq. ft.

	Anything over 200,000 sq. ft.: 1 for every 2,000 sq. ft.
	(This is a cumulative requirement: for example, a 250,000 sq. ft. building requires 50 + 100 + 100 + 25 = 275 spaces)
	Incidental ofce areas for warehousing and distribution facilities exceeding 15 percent of the gross building area will require one parking space for each 300 square feet of foor area.
Emergency shelter (homeless)	One parking space for every 5 beds and 0.5 space per bedroom designed as a family unit with children, plus 1 space for every employee and/or volunteer staf member on duty. Each shelter shall also provide a bike rack for clients in a secured area.

1 ADUs that are created through the conversion of a garage, carport or covered parking structure are not required to provide replacement off-street parking spaces.

2 Off-street parking shall be permitted in setback areas in locations determined by the City or through tandem parking, unless specific findings are made that parking in setback areas or tandem parking is not feasible based upon specific site or regional topographical or fire and life safety conditions.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2018-03, § 7, 5-15-2018; Ord. No. 2020-03, § 7, 6-2-2020; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 17, 5-3-2022; Ord. No. 2023-03, § 6, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 2024-04, § 4, 12-10-2024)

Sec. 44-365. - Minimum dimensions for angled parking layouts.

The following table depicts the minimum parking space dimensions for all parking areas:

TABLE III-8. MINIMUM DIMENSIONS FOR ANGLED PARKING LAYOUTS

TABLE III-8. MINIMUM DIMENSIONS FOR ANGLED PARKING LAYOUTS
Angle (a)	Curb length per vehicle (b)	Stall length (c)	Aisle dimension (d)	Bay width (e)
30°	18'-0"	18'-0"	11'-0"	47'-0"
45°	12'-9"	20'-0"	13'-0"	53'-8"
60°	10'-5"	21'-0"	18'-0"	60'-0"
90°	9'-0"	20'-0"	25'-0"	65'-0"

For parallel parking, the dimensions of the parking stall shall be not less than ten feet in width and 23 feet in depth.

Where two-way traffic is desired, the aisle width shall be a minimum of 25 feet.

The location of bumpers or wheel stops shall depend on the angle of parking, ranging from at least two feet from the property line for 90-degree parking to one foot from the property line for 30-degree parking.

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(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015)

Sec. 44-366. - Loading.

(a)

Every hospital, institution, hotel, commercial, or industrial building shall have and maintain off-street loading spaces in addition to required off-street parking requirements as follows:

TABLE III-9. LOADING REQUIREMENTS BY LAND USE AND BUILDING SIZE

Type A loading spaces shall be not less than 20 feet in length and 12 feet in width, with 14 feet of vertical clearance.

Type B loading spaces shall be not less than 40 feet in length and 12 feet in width, with 14 feet of vertical clearance.

Total Gross Floor Area (Square Feet) Loading Spaces Required Commercial Buildings 3,000 to 15,000 One Type A

15,001 to 50,000	Two Type A
50,001 and over	Three Type A
Hospitals and Institutions
3,000 to 20,000	One Type A
20,001 to 50,000	Two Type A
50,001 to 80,000	Three Type A
80,001 to 110,000	Four Type A
110,001 and over	Five Type A
Hotels and Ofce Buildings
3,500 to 50,000	One Type A
50,001 to 100,000	Two Type A
100,001 and over	Three Type A
Industrial Buildings
3,000 to 15,000	One Type B
15,001 to 50,000	Two Type B
50,001 and over	Three Type B

(b)

Loading areas shall be clearly marked with striping and lettering to indicate that such areas are for loading purposes only. Parking and circulation areas shall not be used for loading purposes.

(c)

Loading areas may be used for truck parking when the associated facility is closed.

(d)

Loading, unloading, opening, closing, or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, or similar objects shall not occur in commercial or industrial areas abutting residential zoning districts between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2021-01, § 6, 8-3-2021)

Sec. 44-367. - Electric vehicle charging stations.

Sections 44-367 through 44-373 of this Code is and may be cited as the "City of La Palma's Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Process." The electric vehicle charging station permitting process is

enacted pursuant to Government Code §§ 65850.7 and 65850.71 as established by Assembly Bill 1236(2015) and Assembly Bill 970(2021).

(Ord. No. 2023-02, § 7, 2-7-2023)