Lomita Municipal Code § 11-1.66.03 Downtown Lomita

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Section 1 of Ord. No. 475, adopted Feb. 4, 1991, repealed former art. 66, §§ 11-1.66.01—11-1.66.06, and added a new art. 66, §§ 11-1.66.01—11.1.66.10. The Article was formerly derived from Ord. Nos. 276, 381, 391, 407, 410 and 440.

Sec. 11-1.66.01. - Intent and purpose.¶

The purpose of this article is to provide adequate off-street parking to meet the present and future traffic needs generated by the expanding population of the city and surrounding areas.

All property, regardless of location and use, is harmed by inadequate off-street parking facilities. As a result, cars parked on the street create a safety hazard, impede the flow of traffic, and delay firefighting equipment. The provision of adequate off-street parking benefits the property owner by adding security and stability to his property, and benefits the neighborhood by relieving congestion and allowing the streets to be used as traffic movers.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.02. - Definitions.¶

For the purpose of this article, unless otherwise apparent from the context, the following words and phrases used in this article are defined in article 15, definitions of the zoning ordinance: designated parking space, driveway, floor area, garage, gross floor area, landscaping, loading area, off-street parking, parking area, parking lot, parking aisle, parking space, shared parking space, short-term parking space, turnaround area and turning radius.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 847, § 4(B), 4-18-23)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.03. - Downtown Lomita and Neighborhood Commercial zoned properties…¶

(A) Applicability. The exemptions in subsection (B) apply to any downtown commercial (DC) zoned properties, and neighborhood commercial (NC) zoned properties abutting Narbonne Avenue, with primary commercial buildings built prior to June 30, 1964, unless:

(1) Improvements that have taken place since June 30, 1964 to a building occupied by the primary use of the lot exceeding the provisions in sections 11-1.70.17(E), (F), and (G) of this Code; or

(2) Any additions to these buildings or structures or any outdoor expansion of use, except to permit outdoor seating for restaurants in an area that does not reduce required parking spaces or adversely affect circulation. Parking requirements in section 11-1.66.04 apply to any additions or expansion.

(B) General requirements.

(1) Applicable properties are not required to meet the minimum parking requirements in Article 66, but are rather required to maintain the existing, lawfully established parking spaces. If any parking spaces were unlawfully removed, these spaces are required to be reinstated.

(2) Applicable properties are authorized to preserve existing parking spaces and circulation and can be occupied by permitted or conditionally permitted uses without having to add any new parking spaces.

(Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), adopted May 19, 2026, renumbered the former §§ 11-1.66.03—11-1.66.08 as §§ 11-1.66.04—11-1.66.09 and enacted a new § 11-1.66.03 as set out herein. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.04. - Parking requirements.¶

For the purpose of this article, unless otherwise stated, all requirements shall be calculated based on gross floor area.

(A) Residential parking requirements:
One-family and community care facilities with six (6) or fewer persons	Three (3) enclosed or unenclosed parking spaces for each unit of up to four (4) bedrooms and/or dens, and one additional unenclosed parking space for five (5) or more bedrooms and/or dens. Tandem parking is permitted by right.
Duplex, apartment house, and condominiums	Two (2) enclosed or unenclosed parking spaces for each unit of up to four (4) bedrooms and/or dens; three (3) enclosed or unenclosed parking spaces for five (5) or more bedrooms and/or dens. In addition, one guest parking space shall be required for each two (2) units. Said spaces shall not be located in the required front setback areas. Tandem parking for each unit is permitted by right.
For the purpose of this section only, a bedroom or a den is defined as any room containing sixty (60) square feet or more that is not a living room, dining room, family room, kitchen or laundry area.
Live-work/work-live units within a mixed-use project	Two (2) spaces per residential unit plus one space per two hundred seventy-five (275) square feet of commercial use. One guest space for every four (4) units.
Large family day care homes with no overnight care	Same parking required for the residential units. For legal, nonconforming residential properties due to less than required parking spaces, no additional parking spaces is required for use.
Retirement home, senior citizens' housing (units without kitchens and not defined as a community care facility)	One space for each three (3) guest rooms, plus one space for each resident employee.
Retirement home, senior citizens' housing (units with kitchens and not defined as a community care facility)	One space for each dwelling unit, plus one spaces for each resident employee.
State-licensed community care facilities with seven (7) or more residents in addition to the caregiver	One space for each three (3) guest rooms, plus one space for each resident employee.
Large family day care homes for seven (7) or more children	One unenclosed parking space in addition to the required for the residence, plus one space for each vehicle used directly in conducting of such use but not to exceed two (2) such vehicles. Tandem parking for the vehicles used in conducting the use is allowed.
Emergency shelters	Sufficient parking to accommodate all staff working in the emergency shelter, provided that the standards do not require more parking for emergency shelters than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone.
(B) Commercial and other uses—Shopping centers:
Mixed use commercial developments located on parcels of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area	One parking space for each one hundred seventy-five (175) square feet of gross floor area.
Mixed use commercial developments located on parcels between ten thousand (10,000) through fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of lot area	One parking space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.
Mixed use commercial developments located on parcels of over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of lot area	One parking space for each two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet of gross floor area.
In a mixed use commercial development, should a single use, other than offices, occupy fifty (50) percent or more of the development, the requirements for freestanding uses shall apply to the entire development.
(C) Commercial and other uses—Freestanding: The following minimum standards are set for specific types of developments with unique parking requirements where the uses are freestanding:
General Commercial:	General Commercial:
Automobile rentals	One space per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area devoted to office plus one-third (⅓) of the number of rental vehicles permitted.
Automobile, boat, trailer sales and rentals, plant nurseries and other open uses not in a building or structure	One parking space for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of open area devoted to sales or display; provided, however, that where such area exceeds ten thousand (10,000) square feet, only one space for each five thousand (5,000) square feet in excess of ten thousand (10,000) square feet shall be provided; plus one space for two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of buildings not devoted to display (i.e., office space).
Automobile service, body and repair facilities	Four (4) parking spaces for each service, body, and repair stall; and one space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of building area not devoted to such stalls; a stall shall mean either an area specifically designed for work on one automobile; or where there are open work areas which have not been so designed, the number of stalls shall be computed at the rate of one parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross building area designated for service, body or repair work.

(A) Residential parking requirements:
Banks, savings and loans, credit unions and financial institutions	One parking space for each two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces.
Business and professional uses and offices, including real estate, escrow, architect, income tax, and other professional uses but excluding professional training facilities	One parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces for new buildings.
Car wash, including gas pumps without servicing of cars	Six (6) 22-feet-long stacking spaces on site per wash bay, plus two (2) additional stacking spaces for each additional wash bay, plus three (3) parking spaces per each wash bay for drying of the cars and one space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross building area devoted to office, cashier and other uses.
Contractors' offices, including plumbing, electrical, general, etc., where all business is conducted inside an office and where all materials are stored in an enclosed building	One parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross building area, excluding storage areas, plus one space for each four hundred (400) square feet of storage area and one parking space for each vehicle operated or kept in connection with the business, not to exceed four (4) vehicles.
Mini-storage and self-storage facilities	One parking space for every 20 units of storage area, plus one space for each three hundred (300) square feet of office area, plus two (2) covered spaces for a caretaker unit.
Furniture, large appliances, instruments, flower shops and similar uses, with display areas of five hundred (500) square feet or larger; where the display area is less than five hundred (500) square feet, parking requirements for retail commercial shall apply	One parking space per each four hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces.
Hotels, motels, motor inns, and bed and breakfast	One parking space for each sleeping unit, plus two (2) spaces for a resident manager and one space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of office, lobby and other common areas. In addition, one space for each one hundred (100) square feet of conference rooms, restaurants, bars or other places of assembly, not to exceed forty (40) spaces for the assembly area. Ten (10) percent of the above spaces shall be oversized measuring ten (10) feet by twenty-five (25) feet by fourteen (14) feet vertical clearance.
Laundromats, self-service	One parking space for each two (2) washing machines, based on the maximum number of washing machines in the establishment.
Laundromats, full-service and dry cleaners	One parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces for new buildings.
Retail takeout food establishments, where no food is consumed on-premises	One parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) spaces for new buildings.
Retail commercial, including hardware and home improvement stores, pharmacies and drug stores, shoes, clothes and service commercial including beauty, nail, barber, tattoo, body art and tanning salons; pet grooming and similar uses	One parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces for new buildings.
Pet boarding and kennels	One space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area of building and outdoor kennel area.
Sandwich shops, ice cream parlors, donut shops and similar uses	One parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) spaces for new buildings.
Fueling service stations with no other uses on the site	One parking space for each two thousand (2,000) square feet of land area not devoted to any building or structure plus one space per each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area devoted to office, cashier and other uses.
Service stations with other uses on same site	Combined requirements for each individual use shall apply.
Commercial recreation:	Commercial recreation:
Arcades, billiards, pool halls, indoor recreational entertainment and similar uses	One parking space for each one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area, plus bicycle racks, the number of which shall be determined by the community and economic development director.
Ice and roller skating rinks	One parking space for each four (4) persons based on the occupant load of the rink as determined by the building department, plus one space for each one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area used for food consumption or other recreation area.
Tennis, pickleball, racquetball, handball courts	Two (2) parking spaces per court, plus one space for each two hundred (250) square feet of gross floor area of offices, storage and other areas.
Educational facilities:	Educational facilities:
Child or adult day care, pre-school, extended day care where no overnight care is provided	One parking space per five (5) children/adults based on the maximum number of children/adults allowed on the operator's license, plus a safe drop off and pick-up area for a minimum of three (3) cars; plus one space for each vehicle operated or kept in connection with the business, but not to exceed two (2) vehicles.
Elementary and junior high schools, private and public	Three (3) parking spaces per instructional classroom, plus one space per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of the office areas.

(A) Residential parking requirements:
Senior high schools	Six (6) parking spaces per instructional classroom, plus one space per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area of the office areas.
Colleges and universities	To be determined by the planning commission.
Trade schools, business colleges, commercial and professional schools	One parking space for each three (3) persons based on the maximum occupant load as determined by the department of building and safety.
Where an auditorium is on the same site as the school, the required parking for an auditorium, plus fifty (50) percent of the above requirements shall be used to determine the required parking spaces for said school.
Health facilities:	Health facilities:
Convalescent hospitals, nursing homes, group quarters, and similar uses	One parking space for each two (2) residents based on the maximum number allowed on the operators' license plus two (2) spaces for a resident manager, plus one space for each vehicle operated or kept in connection with the business, but not to exceed two (2) vehicles.
Hospitals	One and one-half (1½) parking spaces per patient bed.
Medical and dental offices, including outpatient clinics; veterinary clinics and hospitals	One parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than eight (8) parking spaces.
Places for public assembly:	Places for public assembly:
Auditoriums, assembly halls, cultural centers, workout, dance and yoga studios, live stage, theaters, night clubs, health clubs and other similar uses	One parking space for each three (3) persons (or fixed seats) based on the occupant load of the combined assembly areas, including stage and altar, as determined by the building official.
Above uses with schools, nursery or extended day care facilities	Same as above, plus two (2) parking spaces per classroom.
Museums and art centers	One for each two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet of gross floor area.
Place of worship, mortuaries	One space for each five (5) fixed seats (or seven and one-half (7½) linear feet of fixed pew or bench) in the largest assembly room. For the area within the largest assembly room not occupied by fixed seats, pew or bench, the off-street parking required shall be one space for each 35 square feet of net floor area.
Bars, cocktail lounges, nightclubs and other similar establishments	One parking space for each one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area, but not less than ten (10) parking spaces.
Brewery with tasting room and brewpub as defined in Section 11-1.15.02(B)	One parking space per four hundred (400) square feet of brewery, tasting area, kitchen, office and miscellaneous floor area, plus one (1) parking space for each one hundred fifty (150) square feet of dining area including outdoor dining area; and one parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of retail floor area.
	Pursuant to a minor conditional use permit, the planning commission may consider spaces in a municipal parking lot which is within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property for part of the parking requirement.
Restaurants and other places where food and beverages are served for on-site consumption	One parking space for each one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area including outdoor dining areas, but not less than ten (10) parking spaces.
	Pursuant to a minor conditional use permit, the planning commission may consider spaces in a municipal parking lot which is within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property for part of the parking requirement.
Manufacturing and other uses:	Manufacturing and other uses:
Manufacturing and warehousing	One parking space per four hundred (400) square feet of gross building area and one space for each vehicle operated or kept in connection with the use.
Public utility facilities	To be determined by the planning commission.
Uses otherwise not provided for	To be determined by the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 498, § 2, 7-20-92; Ord. No. 529, §§ 1—4, 11-21-94; Ord. No. 568, § 1, 10-21-96; Ord. No. 606, § 2, 5-3-99; Ord. No. 665, pt. 1, 6-21-04; Ord. No. 748, § 2(pt. 19), 1-17-12; Ord. No. 757, § 2, 6-3-13; Ord. No. 787, § 6, 5-2-17; Ord. No. 798, § 4, 5-15-18; Ord. No. 819, § 2, 12-1-20; Ord. No. 828, § 4, 1-18-22; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 845, § 4(I), 3-21-23; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.05. - Loading.¶

The following off-street loading spaces shall be provided and continuously maintained for all commercial uses. The loading spaces shall be not less than twelve (12) feet wide, thirty (30) feet long and have a vertical clearance of fourteen (14) feet. Office buildings shall be exempt from these requirements.

(A) Total Square Feet of Building Space (in gross floor area) Loading Spaces Required

7,000—20,000	1
20,001—45,000	2
45,001—70,000	3
70,001—100,000	4
Over 100,000	5

(B) All loading spaces shall be separate, striped spaces in addition to the required parking spaces and not located within any required parking area, including aisles, backout areas or driveways.

(D) Loading vehicles shall not be stored/parked in the loading space or anywhere in the parking area in excess of forty-eight (48) hours.

(E) Planning commission may waive or modify loading space requirement subject to the provisions for "Modifications" (section 11-1.70.08) and "Site plan review" (section 11-1.70.07).

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.06. - General provisions.¶

(A) Off-street parking facilities shall be provided for any new building constructed and any addition or expansion of an existing building in order to meet the demand of all activities on the lot. Additional off-street parking facilities shall not be required for minor additions to buildings located in commercial and manufacturing zones. A minor addition or expansion shall mean a change in use, expansion of use, or building addition which would increase the required number of parking spaces by ten (10) percent or less.

(B) Any use of property or building, both commercial and residential, which is nonconforming as to the off-street parking facilities may be continued in the same manner; except that for additions or enlargements of any existing building or use, or any change of occupancy or manner of operation that would increase the number of parking spaces required, additional parking spaces shall be required for the expanded portion of the building and use, unless a minor conditional use permit is granted by the planning commission or the city council.

(C) A certificate of occupancy for any new use, structure or premises shall not be granted until all of the required parking facilities, landscaping and other requirements of this article have been completed.

(D) Parking spaces within a commercial development shall not be designated for the exclusive use of any individual tenant, except as follows:

(1) Any commercial development with parking spaces in excess of the required parking may designate excess parking spaces for the exclusive use of a tenant(s).

(2) A commercial development that does not have parking spaces in excess of the required parking and is located on a parcel with over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of property area may designate up to seven and one-half (7.5) percent of the total number of approved parking spaces for the exclusive use of a tenant(s).

(3) A commercial development that does not have parking spaces in excess of the required parking and is located on a parcel with no more than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of property area may designate up to of the five (5) percent of the total number of approved parking spaces for the exclusive use of a tenant(s).

(E) Commercial developments may designate up to five (5) percent of the available parking spaces for short-term parking but no more than eight (8) spaces. Short-term parking shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes. The property owner may limit the timeframe that the parking spaces are available only for short-term parking.

(F) When calculating the number of parking spaces required, fractional space requirements totaling 0.5 or above shall be rounded up to the next whole space after calculating the total number of required spaces.

(G) Any off-street parking or loading facility which is permitted but not required shall comply with all provisions of this article in respect to location, design, improvement and operation.

(H) No repair or servicing of automobiles and other vehicles shall be conducted in the parking area of a commercial development.

(I) Areas for collection and loading of solid waste and recyclable materials shall be required pursuant to article 61, solid waste and recyclable materials collection and loading areas.

(J) If a building, structure or improvement requiring parking is located upon a separate recorded lot or overlaps the lot line of a separate lot from that upon which the parking is located, there shall be a lot merger covenant recorded in the office of the county recorder, pursuant to article 55 of the zoning ordinance.

(K) Bicycle parking shall be provided in compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code.

(L) Designated parking spaces for low-emitting, fuel-efficient and carpool/van pool vehicles shall be provided and marked as required by the California Green Building Standards Code.

(M) Parking spaces for electric vehicles (EV) and/or (EV) charging equipment shall be provided as required by the California Green Building Standards Code.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 527, § 2, 11-21-94; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 847, § 4(C, D), 4-18-23; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.07. - Landscaping.¶

(A) Required parking facilities for three (3) or more vehicles, in the commercial and industrial zones, shall contain landscaping to cover not less than six (6) percent of the area not occupied by structure(s). The planning commission as part of the review of a site plan, conditional use permit or zone variance application may modify the landscape coverage requirement where the subject property is already substantially developed, where little or no new building coverage is proposed and where the six (6) percent requirement would be a hardship. However, the landscape coverage shall not be modified to be less than the existing coverage except by approval of a zone variance.

(B) Both perimeter and nonperimeter landscaping shall be provided. Planting areas shall be distributed throughout the lot as evenly as possible.

(D) All plantings shall be permanently and regularly maintained not less than twice a month and shall be free of debris and weeds.

(E) All interior planting areas shall have a minimum width of three (3) feet.

(F) A five-foot planting bed or berm shall be provided along the entire frontage of the property (except for driveways and pedestrian walkways). On corner lots such landscaping shall be placed along both street sides of the lot.

(G) On lots over ten thousand (10,000) square feet, the perimeter landscaping shall not be counted towards meeting the requirement for landscaping.

(H) One tree (thirty-six (36) inch box) shall be provided for each six (6) parking spaces and shall be evenly distributed within the interior parking facility.

(I) One tree (thirty-six (36) inch box) shall be provided for each thirty (30) feet of a building frontage when the building is adjacent to the landscaped perimeter berm. One tree per fifty (50) feet of a building frontage shall be required when the building is recessed and not adjacent to the perimeter landscaping. The arrangement of such trees may be evenly spaced along the building frontage or be clustered, subject to approval by the planning commission as part of the site plan review process.

(J) The type of trees and vegetation used shall be approved by the director of community development and/or planning commission.

(K) Trees and vegetation shall be replaced if they are found to be in a deteriorating or diseased condition.

(L) All landscaped areas shall be separated by a standard six-inch-high concrete curb from vehicle parking or maneuvering areas.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 494, § 1, 3-16-92; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.08. - Required dimensions and parking lot design.¶

(A) Design of parking spaces:

(1) Parking spaces arranged at ninety (90) degrees to parking aisles shall be not less than set forth:

Type of Use Dimensions

	Width in Feet	Length in Feet
Residential	9	20
Nonresidential	9	19
Compact	8	15
Motorcycle	4	8

(2) Parking spaces adjacent to buildings, fences, walls, trash enclosures and similar structures shall be ten (10) feet wide.

(3) Each parking space in a residential garage shall be ten (10) feet wide, twenty (20) feet long, and have a vertical clearance of a minimum of seven (7) feet except when otherwise required by the building code, or as modified by the director of community development and/or planning commission.

(4) Parking spaces for other than ninety-degree angles shall be constructed in accordance with the attached figures.

(5) Compact parking spaces.

a. Subject to the director of community development and/or the planning commission, parking lots containing twenty (20) or more parking spaces may substitute standard spaces with compact spaces for up to thirty (30) percent of the total parking spaces required.

b. Designation. Each compact space shall be clearly labeled "COMPACT."

c. Location. Compact spaces shall be evenly distributed throughout the parking lot and may not be located within twenty-five (25) feet of a ramp, driveway or ground floor pedestrian entrance. Compact spaces shall not be located adjacent to retaining walls or other formidable barriers which prevent adequate vehicle overhang.

d. Compact spaces cannot be used to fulfill the off-street parking requirements of residential developments/uses. Except, compact spaces may be used for up to thirty (30) percent of the total required guest parking when more than ten (10) guest parking spaces are required.

(6) Motorcycle stalls may be used as an option to utilize areas that would otherwise not be of adequate size for conventional stalls. Each motorcycle stall shall be clearly labeled "MOTORCYCLE." Unless otherwise determined by the director of community development or planning commission, motorcycle stalls shall not count toward the number of required parking spaces.

(B) Parking aisle:

(1) Parking aisles for ninety-degree spaces shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet wide. Parking aisles for other than ninety-degree parking shall be in accordance with the attached figures [following this section].

(2) A ten-foot-wide turnaround area shall be provided at the end of a single access parking aisle. Said area shall be clear, unobstructed and free of any storage, debris and other materials or vehicles and shall be marked "NO PARKING" (figure P3).

(3) The clearance between a detached rear garage and the house shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet when the house overlaps the parking entrance of the garage by ten (10) feet or more. The clearance can be reduced by one foot for each foot overlap less than ten (10) feet (figure P4).

(C) Driveways and driveway depressions: The following dimensions for driveways and driveway depressions are required by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Unless modified by the fire department, director of community development and/or planning commission, the dimensions shall be as follows:

(1) Residential:

a. For two (2) or less units constructed on a lot or parcel of ground, no portion of which is more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street, a driveway and driveway depression not less than twelve (12) feet wide, but not to exceed sixteen (16) feet in width for a two-car garage, is required. For an attached three-car garage or larger, located at the front of the building, a twenty-foot-wide driveway and driveway depression may be provided.

b. For two (2) or less units constructed on a lot or parcel of land, any portion of which is more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street, a driveway and driveway depression twenty (20) feet in width shall be provided.

c. For three (3) or more units constructed on a lot or parcel of land, any portion of which is less than one hundred (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street, a driveway and driveway depression twenty (20) feet in width shall be provided.

d. For three (3) or more units constructed on a lot or parcel of land, any portion of which is more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street, a driveway and driveway depression twenty-six (26) feet in width shall be provided.

e. The required driveways shall be unobstructed in width and clear to the sky. Driveways and driveway landscaping shall be designed to maintain visibility and minimize interference with passing pedestrians. Landscaping adjacent to a driveway and the walls of the building shall be designed not to interfere with motorists' views of the sidewalk and pedestrians' views of vehicles exiting the project.

f. Off-street parking areas and driveways shall be paved, graded and drained in a manner to improve permeability and disposal of all surface water.

Alternative surfaces for parking and loading areas may be approved by the director of community development and public works director pursuant to site plan review, provided that the material used meets aesthetic standards as determined by the director of community development, and improves drainage and permeability.

(2) Nonresidential:

a. The minimum required driveway and driveway depression for one-way vehicular traffic shall be fifteen (15) feet in width where structures are located within one hundred fifty (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street and a minimum of twenty (20) feet where structures are located one hundred fifty (150) or more feet from said street.

b. The minimum required driveway and driveway depression for two-way vehicular traffic shall be twenty (20) feet wide where structures are located within one hundred fifty (150) feet from a dedicated street or private and future street and minimum of twenty-six (26) feet where structures are located one hundred fifty (150) or more feet from said street, except as specified below.

c. A thirty-foot-wide driveway and driveway depression for two-way vehicular traffic shall be required on major thoroughfares, including Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita Boulevard, Narbonne Avenue, Western Avenue and Palos Verdes Drive North.

d. The required driveways shall be unobstructed in width and clear to the sky.

e. Driveway approaches, for both commercial and residential developments, shall be constructed pursuant to the specifications of the Los Angeles County Public Works Department. Further, whenever feasible, the curb return adjacent to the driveway depression shall exceed the standard requirements.

Parking Illustration

× = Stall Not Accessible in Certain Layouts

Parking layout dimensions (in feet) for nine (9) feet × nineteen (19) feet stalls at various angles

	On	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N
Dimension	Diagram	0°	30°	45°	60°	90°
Stall width, parallel to aisle	A	—	18	12.7	10.4	9
Stall length of line	B	22	34.6	28	24.2	19
Stall depth to wall	C	9	17.3	19.5	20.5	19
Aisle width between stall lines	D	12	12	12	16	25
Stall depth, interlock	E	9	13.4	16.6	18.5	19
Module, wall to interlock	F	30	42.7	51	55	63
Module, interlocking	G	30	38.8	47.8	53	63
Module, interlock to curb face	H	30	41.4	48.2	63.2	61
Bumper overhang (typical)	I	—	1.3	2.0	2.3	2.5
Setback	K	—	16.4	13.1	9.5	—
Cross aisle, one-way	L	14	14	14	14	14
Cross aisle, two-way	—	25	25	25	25	25

Parking Principles,

[Figure]

Parking Illustration

Parking layout dimensions (in feet) for nine (9) feet × nineteen (19) feet stalls at various angles

	On	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N
Dimension	Diagram	0°	30°	45°	60°	90°
Stall width, parallel to aisle	A	—	18	12.7	10.4	9
Stall length of line	B	22	34.6	28	24.2	19
Stall depth to wall	C	9	17.3	19.5	20.5	19
Aisle width between stall lines	D	25	25	25	25	25
Stall depth, interlock	E	9	13.4	16.6	18.5	19
Module, wall to interlock	F	43	55.7	61.8	64.5	63
Module, interlocking	G	43	51.8	58.2	62.0	63
Module, interlock to curb face	H	43	54.4	59.1	61.7	60.1
Bumper overhang (typical)	I	—	1.3	2.0	2.3	2.1
Setback	K	—	16.4	13.1	9.3	—
Cross aisle, one-way	L	14	14	14	14	14
Cross aisle, two-way	—	25	25	25	25	25

Parking Principles,

[Figure]

Parking Illustration

× = Stall Not Accessible in Certain Layouts

Parking layout dimensions (in feet) for nine (9) feet × nineteen (19) feet stalls at various angles

	On	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N
Dimension	Diagram	0°	30°	45°	60°	90°
Stall width, parallel to aisle	A	—	18	12.7	10.4	9
Stall length of line	B	22	35.6	29	25.2	20
Stall depth to wall	C	9	17.8	20.5	21.8	20
Aisle width between stall lines	D	12	12	12	16	25
Stall depth, interlock	E	9	13.9	17.3	19.6	20
Module, wall to interlock	F	30	43.7	49.8	57.4	65
Module, interlocking	G	30	39.8	46.6	55.2	65
Module, interlock to curb face	H	30	42.6	47.6	55.1	63
Bumper overhang (typical)	I	—	1.3	2.0	2.3	2.5
Setback	K	—	17.3	14.1	10	—
Cross aisle, one-way	L	14	14	14	14	14
Cross aisle, two-way	—	25	25	25	25	25

Parking Principles,

[Figure]

Parking Illustration

Parking layout dimensions (in feet) for nine (9) feet × twenty (20) feet stalls at various angles

	On	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N	Angle N
Dimension	Diagram	0°	30°	45°	60°	90°
Stall width, parallel to aisle	A	—	18	12.7	10.4	9
Stall length of line	B	22	35.6	29	25.2	20
Stall depth to wall	C	9	17.8	20.5	21.8	20
Aisle width between stall lines	D	25	25	25	25	25
Stall depth, interlock	E	9	13.9	17.3	19.6	20
Module, wall to interlock	F	43	56.7	62.8	66.4	65
Module, interlocking	G	43	52.8	59.6	64.2	65
Module, interlock to curb face	H	43	55.4	60.8	64.1	62.5
Bumper overhang (typical)	I	—	1.3	2.0	2.3	2.5
Setback	K	—	17.3	14.1	10	—
Cross aisle, one-way	L	14	14	14	14	14
Cross aisle, two-way	—	25	25	25	25	25

Parking Principles,

[Figure]

Parking Illustration

[Figure]

Figure P4. Distance Between House and Detached Rear Garage

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.09. - Standards for developing parking facilities.¶

The following development standards shall be the minimum required for parking facilities:

(A) Except for single-family parking facility, parking spaces shall be arranged to permit vehicular traffic to move into and out of a parking area without backing onto a street, sidewalk or highway, except that an alley may be used for turning into and out of a parking space.

(B) The entrances and exits to parking areas shall be clearly marked. One-way driveways shall have directional signs placed on the pavement.

(D) Parking areas and spaces in a commercial garage or "tucked" under a building shall have a vertical clearance of not less than eight (8) feet, two (2) inches.

(E) Columns, pillars and other obstructions in a parking facility shall not encroach into the required dimensions of any parking space, aisle or driveway.

(F) Handicapped parking spaces shall be provided, marked and posted as required by the state.

(G) Wheel stops shall be provided for all parking spaces and located to prevent encroachment of cars over walkways, sidewalks, landscaped areas, etc. Wheel stops shall not be required in residential garages.

(H) Commercial subterranean garages, fully or partially underground, and aboveground commercial parking structures shall be subject to planning commission review and approval. Said garages shall be subject to design standards, setbacks and landscaping requirements as determined by the planning commission, and shall at minimum meet the requirements of this article. The height of the garages above the average natural grade and/or garage and structure above it shall not exceed the maximum allowed height of the zone in which such garage is located.

(I) Where a commercial development or parking facility is adjacent to a residential zone or use, a solid masonry wall not less than six (6) feet in height shall be constructed along the lot line adjacent to said zone or use, except that said wall shall step down to a maximum of forty-two (42) inches in height for a distance equal to the required front setback of an adjoining residential use.

(J) Where a wall of a commercial facility is constructed along a commercial driveway, said wall shall step down to a maximum of forty-two (42) inches in height for a distance of ten (10) feet from the property line.

(K) Where a commercial or a residential driveway is proposed along an existing wall/fence which is more than forty-two (42) inches high, the design of such driveway shall be satisfactory to the city. Further, it shall be located so that visibility of the vehicular and pedestrian traffic is not compromised.

(L) Where fences or walls are constructed for commercial parking areas along the front property line of an interior lot, or front and side property line on a corner lot, such wall or fence shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height. The height of such wall or fence for auto-related uses, contractor's yards and similar uses shall be determined by the planning commission.

(M) Where plants are used along property lines of commercial developments for screening, such plants shall be maintained at a height not to exceed the height of walls or fences permitted in the same location, unless otherwise approved by the planning commission.

(N) Lighting of parking and driveway areas shall be required. It shall be arranged so as to reflect the light away from any adjoining property. The lights shall be of energy efficient type, and be vandal resistant.

(O) All parking facilities, including parking spaces, aisles, driveways, etc., shall be constructed pursuant to Los Angeles County specifications.

(Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 763, § 2, 1-6-14; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— See editor's note, § 11-1.66.03.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.10. - Location of parking, storage and loading facilities.¶

(A) Ownership: Property on which required parking is established shall be under the same ownership as the use it is intended to serve, except as specified in section 11-1.66.11(B). Any joint ownership resulting from the establishment of collective parking facilities, as provided herein, shall be construed as complying with this provision.

(B) Residential uses:

(1) Required parking facilities for residential uses as specified in subsection (A) of section 11-1.66.04 (parking requirements) shall be located on the same lot or parcel of land as the use the parking facilities are intended to serve. Such facilities shall be conveniently accessible.

(2) Storage and/or parking of detached camper tops/shells, dismantled and inoperative vehicles and other auto and recreation equipment items shall not be permitted in the front-yard area. In addition, storage in the front-yard area of any materials (construction, lumber, metals, plastic, etc.), fixtures, appliances, machines, trash or waste, or other materials which are not customarily considered as decorative landscaping features are hereby prohibited.

(3) Storage and/or parking of boats, trailers, other vehicles and similar equipment as well as camper tops, auto- and recreation-related and domestic items in the rear and side yard areas shall be screened by a solid wall or opaque fence six (6) feet high to minimize any undesirable appearance from the street and surrounding properties. On the street side of corner lots, no storage and/or parking shall be permitted closer to the street than the required front yard setback of the adjacent interior lot.

(4) Parking pads or spaces other than a driveway shall not be permitted in the front-yard area unless they have been reviewed and approved by the director of community development and/or the planning commission pursuant to article 70, "Zoning ordinance administration." Only recreation equipment and/or operable vehicles may be stored/parked on such approved pads.

(5) Storage of any commercial or construction equipment, materials, or nursery stock or storage and/or parking of boats, house trailers, camper trailers, detached camper tops, vehicles or dismantled vehicles and similar items on vacant lots shall not be permitted, except for materials and equipment being used for construction on the premises where a valid building permit has been issued or applied for.

(6) House trailers, motor homes, mobile homes, campers, boats and similar uses shall not be occupied or used as a dwelling unit in any land use district unless located in a trailer or mobile home park which has been approved by the City of Lomita.

(7) Operative automobiles and motor vehicles may be parked or stored in the front yard setback area only on an approved driveway which leads directly to a garage.

(8) Dismantled and/or inoperative vehicles may not be parked or stored in a location which prevents access to an approved driveway leading to a garage and shall be screened by a solid wall or opaque fence six (6) feet high to minimize any undesirable aesthetic impacts from the street and surrounding properties. On the street side of corner lots, storage and/or parking of dismantled and inoperative vehicles shall not be permitted closer to the street than the required front yard setback of the adjacent interior lot.

(1) Parking facilities: Required parking facilities for uses other than residential shall be located in compliance with one of the following options, unless a minor conditional use permit for shared parking or off-site parking is granted by the planning commission or the city council as specified in section (section 11-1.66.11(B).

a. On the same lot or parcel of land as the use such parking facilities are intended to serve; or

b. On a lot or parcel of land held under joint ownership, provided such parking facilities are located adjoining the use or uses served and contiguous for a distance not less than twenty (20) feet; [or]

c. On a parcel of land separated only by an alley from the lot or parcel of land which the use or uses served are located provided:

That said lots or parcels of land are in the same or joint ownership and separated only by an alley; and
That said lots or parcels of land would be contiguous if not separated by said alley, for a distance of not less than twenty (20) feet; and
That the direct vehicular passage between said lots or parcels of land would be possible in conformance with section 11-1.66.08; and
That such parking facilities are in close proximity to the actual use or uses served.

(2) Storage of any commercial or construction equipment, materials, or nursery stock or storage and/or parking of boats, house trailers, camper trailers, detached camper tops, vehicles or dismantled vehicles on vacant lots shall not be permitted, except for materials and equipment being used for construction on the premises where a valid building permit has been issued or applied for, and where such use has been approved pursuant to the Lomita Zoning Ordinance.

(3) Storage and/or parking of bins, steel or other storage containers, except for loading vehicles as permitted in section 11-1.66.05(D) and recycling containers, is hereby prohibited.

(4) Reduction or encroachment:

a. Land within the right-of-way of a proposed street or highway, or within the planned ultimate right-of-way of a street or highway proposed to be widened, shall not be used to provide required parking or loading facilities.

b. Required parking or loading facilities may not be reduced or encroached upon except upon approval by the planning commission and subject to the provisions of article 72, "Variances and conditional use permits."

(5) Combined parking or loading facilities:

a. Required parking facilities may be provided collectively for two (2) or more buildings or uses located on separate lots or parcels of land provided a minor conditional use permit for shared parking or off-site parking is granted by the planning commission or the city council as specified in section (section 11-1.66.11(B).

b. Parking and loading facilities designated for one use may not be counted or considered as also providing required parking or loading facilities for any other use, unless a minor conditional use permit for shared parking is granted by the planning commission or the city council as specified in section (section 11-1.66.11(B)).

(Ord. No. 498, § 2, 7-20-92; Ord. No. 701, § 2(pt. 1), 6-4-07; Ord. No. 733, § 2(pt. 2), 9-7-10; Ord. No. 839, § 13, 9-6-22; Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), adopted May 19, 2026, repealed § 11-1.66.10 and renumbered § 11-1.66.09 as § 11-1.66.10. Former § 11-1.66.10 pertained to approval procedures and derived from Ord. No. 475, § 1, 2-4-91; Ord. No. 733, § 2(pt. 2), adopted Sept. 7, 2010; and Ord. No. 839, § 13, adopted Sept. 6, 2022.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 11-1.66.11. - Approval procedures.¶

(A) A site plan shall be submitted to the planning division pursuant to the provisions of article 70, "Administration," for any parking facilities with three (3) or more motor vehicles, except parking for single-family residences. The site plan shall contain a detailed parking arrangement, accurately dimensioned, showing individual parking spaces, aisles and driveways, adequate ingress and egress, and all other requirements of this article.

(B) Provisions for parking space reduction, shared parking and off-site parking. A minor conditional use permit for parking space reduction, shared parking and off-site parking may be allowed in commercial zones, and a parking space reduction may be allowed for senior citizen and multi-family housing development.

(1) Applicability. A minor conditional use permit may be approved for:

a. A reduction in the number of spaces specified in section 11-1.66.03;

b. Shared provision of parking serving more than one use;

c. Off-site provision of parking; or

d. Any combination of the above, subject to specific findings and conditions of approval.

(2) Findings. In addition to the findings in section 11-1.70.09 for a minor conditional use permit, the findings below shall be made in consideration of a parking space reduction, shared parking and off-site parking.

a. In regard to a reduction in parking spaces for commercial zones that:

There is clear and convincing evidence that the parking demand will be less than the requirement in section 11-1.66.03. In reaching a decision, the planning commission shall consider survey data submitted by an applicant or collected at the applicant's request and expense; and
That the probable long-term occupancy of the building or structure, based on its design, will not generate additional parking demand.

b. In regards to reduction in parking spaces for senior citizen and multi-family housing development that:

The intent of the parking regulations, in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this chapter, is met; and
Sufficient parking would be provided to serve the use intended and potential future uses of the subject parcel.

c. In regard to shared or off-site parking for commercial zones that:

The peak hour parking demand from all uses does not coincide and/or the uses are such that the hours of operation are different for various portions of the business;
The quantity, circulation and location of parking provided will equal or exceed the level that can be expected if shared or off-site parking is not provided;
The adjacent or nearby properties will not be adversely affected relative to parking;
The proposed traffic circulation will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of residents residing or working in or adjacent to the neighborhood; and
The off-site parking is within a three hundred (300) feet legal distance or suitable distance subject to planning commission approval of the premises upon which the building or use is located.

(3) Agreement. As a condition of such minor conditional use permit approval the planning commission shall require a written agreement between landowner(s) and the city, in a form satisfactory to the city attorney, which shall include:

a. A guarantee that there will be no substantial alteration in the uses that will create a greater demand for parking;

b. A guarantee among the landowner(s) for access to and use of the shared or off-site parking facilities;

c. Remedies in the event that there is a change in use on the property or in the event that the shared or off-site parking is lost;

d. A provision that the city may require parking facilities in addition to those originally approved, after notice and hearing, upon a finding by the planning commission that adequate parking to serve the use(s) has not been provided; and

e. A provision stating that the city, acting through the planning commission, may, for due cause and upon notice and hearing, modify, amend, or unilaterally terminate the agreement at any time.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such parking reduction, shared parking or off-site parking request also includes other discretionary actions to be considered by the city council, the planning commission shall make a recommendation to city council in conjunction with such other discretionary actions. The city council, in considering the parking request, shall make such findings and include necessary conditions as provided in this section.

(Ord. No. 887, § 5(Exh. A), 5-19-26)

Exceptions & meaning →

Lomita Municipal Code § 11-1.66.03 Downtown Lomita and Neighborhood Commercial zoned properties…

Sec. 11-1.66.01. - Intent and purpose.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.02. - Definitions.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.03. - Downtown Lomita and Neighborhood Commercial zoned properties…¶

Sec. 11-1.66.04. - Parking requirements.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.05. - Loading.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.06. - General provisions.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.07. - Landscaping.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.08. - Required dimensions and parking lot design.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.09. - Standards for developing parking facilities.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.10. - Location of parking, storage and loading facilities.¶

Sec. 11-1.66.11. - Approval procedures.¶

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