Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 22.178 Parking Permits

A.

The Parking Permit is established to provide an alternative to the parking requirements of Chapter 22.112 (Parking) in the event that a particular use does not have the need for such requirements.

B.

It is the intent to provide more flexibility in the design of particular uses that have special characteristics by reducing the number of parking spaces otherwise required for such uses including:

Certain uses where parking requirements are based upon floor area of a structure, but bear no relationship to the number of employees, customers, etc., on the premises or the trade conducted.

Businesses which provide their employees, customers, or others with positive incentives to use means of transportation other than the automobile.

C.

It is the intent to conserve land and promote efficient land use by allowing:

The dual or shared use of parking facilities by two or more uses.

Tandem parking for nonresidential uses.

Designated spaces for car share or other mobility services, such as bicycle or scooter share.

D.

It is the intent to provide greater flexibility and opportunity to meet the parking requirements by allowing:

Off-site parking facilities.

The short-term or long-term leasing of required parking spaces.

Transitional parking for lots with rear lot lines abutting Commercial or Industrial Zones.

(Ord. 2024-0036 § 15, 2024; Ord. 2019-0053 § 27, 2019; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

A.

Application Checklist. The application submittal shall contain all of the materials required by the Parking Permit Checklist.

B.

Type III Review. The application shall be filed and processed in compliance with Chapter 22.230 (Type III Review— Discretionary) and this Chapter.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

Unless specifically modified by a Parking Permit, all regulations prescribed in Chapter 22.112 (Parking) shall apply.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

A.

Common Procedures. Findings and decision shall be made in compliance with Section 22.222.200 (Findings and Decision) and include the findings in Subsection B, below.

B.

Findings.

There is no need for the number of vehicle parking spaces required by Chapter 22.112 (Parking) because of any of the following:

a.

The nature of the use is such that there is a reduced occupancy;

b.

The business or use has established a viable transportation program for its employees or customers to use transportation modes other than the single-occupant automobile. Such a program shall include positive incentives, such as van pools, transit fare subsidies, commuter travel allowances, car pools, or bicycle commuter facilities. Where appropriate, proximity to

freeways with high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, bus routes, park-and-ride facilities, people-movers, rapid transit stations, bikeways, or other similar facilities shall be a factor in this consideration;

c.

Sufficient land area is reserved or an alternative arrangement is approved to ensure that the parking requirements may be complied with should the use, occupancy, or transportation program change. If land area is reserved, the reserved land area shall be so located and developed in such a manner that it can be feasibly converted to parking, if needed; or

d.

The reduction in the number of vehicle parking spaces will be offset by the provision of bicycle parking spaces, at a minimum ratio of two bicycle spaces for every one vehicle parking space above the minimum number of bicycle parking spaces otherwise required under Section 22.112.100 (Bicycle Parking Spaces and Related Facilities).

There are no conflicts arising from special parking arrangements allowing shared vehicle parking facilities, tandem spaces, or vehicle share spaces because:

a.

Uses sharing parking facilities operate at different times of the day or days of the week;

b.

Parking facilities using tandem spaces will employ valets or will utilize other means to ensure a workable plan; or

c.

Parking facilities, including car share or other vehicle share spaces, will maintain an arrangement with a service provider offering rental vehicles accessible to the public.

Off-site facilities, leases of less than 20 years, rear lot transitional parking lots, and uncovered residential vehicle parking spaces will provide the required parking for uses because:

a.

Such off-site facilities are controlled through ownership, leasing, or other arrangement by the owner of the use for which the site serves and are conveniently accessible to the main use;

b.

Such leases are written in such a way as to prevent multiple leasing of the same spaces or cancellation without providing alternate spaces; such leases shall contain other guarantees assuring continued availability of the spaces; or

c.

Such transitional lots are designed to minimize adverse effects on surrounding properties.

The requested Parking Permit at the location proposed will not result in traffic congestion, excessive off-site parking, or unauthorized use of parking facilities developed to serve surrounding property.

The proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the yards, walls, fences, loading facilities, landscaping, and other development features prescribed in this Title 22.

(Ord. 2024-0036 § 16, 2024; Ord. 2019-0053 § 28, 2019; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

Conditions may be imposed in order to ensure that the approval will be in accordance with the findings required by Section 22.178.050 (Findings and Decision). Such conditions may include those in Section 22.158.060 (Conditions of Approval) and, in addition, the following conditions shall be imposed for vehicle parking, where applicable, unless specifically waived or modified:

A.

Where reduced occupancy is a primary consideration in the approval of a Parking Permit, the maximum occupant load for such use shall be established.

B.

Where special programs are proposed to reduce the parking requirement, they shall be reviewed annually to determine their effectiveness. In the event that such programs are terminated or unsuccessful, the property owner shall supply the required parking.

C.

The required vehicle parking spaces for all uses may be reduced to not less than 50 percent of the parking spaces required by Chapter 22.112 (Parking).

D.

Where land is required to be reserved to ensure that sufficient area is available to meet the vehicle parking requirements, restrictions shall be imposed on such land so that it can feasibly be converted to parking, if needed.

E.

Where shared parking facilities are approved, operating conditions, such as hours or days of operation, shall be established for each use sharing the facility.

F.

Where tandem parking is proposed for nonresidential uses, there shall be valets or other persons employed to assist in the parking of automobiles. The ratio of valets to parking spaces shall be established. The parking of automobiles by valets on public streets shall be prohibited. Each tandem parking space shall be eight feet wide; the length of the space shall be 18 feet for each automobile parked in tandem. Parking bays shall contain only two parking spaces where access is available from only one end. Bays of four parking spaces may be permitted where access is available from both ends.

G.

Where car share or other vehicle share spaces are proposed, there shall be an arrangement with a service provider demonstrating how the rental vehicles will be accessible to the public.

H.

If off-site parking facilities are proposed for nonresidential development, such facilities must be within 400 feet from any entrance of the use to which they are accessory. Parking for employees shall be located within 1,320 feet from the entrance to such use. Directions to such facilities shall be clearly posted at the principal use.

I.

Where leasing of parking facilities is proposed for any period less than 20 years, the applicant shall guarantee that the leased spaces are available for his sole use, the lease shall be recorded with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, and the applicant shall demonstrate that he has the ability to provide the required number of spaces should the lease be cancelled or terminated. Except for the term of the lease, the provisions of Subsection B (Alternative Compliance) of Section 22.112.050 relating to leases shall apply. A copy of such lease shall be submitted to the Director and County Counsel for review and approval. Other conditions including, but not limited to, requiring title reports, covenants, and bonding may also be imposed where necessary to ensure the continued availability of leased parking spaces.

J.

Where transitional parking is proposed for lots whose rear lot line adjoins or is separated only by an alley from a Commercial or Industrial Zone, no access is permitted from the parking facility to the street on which the lot fronts. The parking facility shall be developed in accordance with the standards of Chapter 22.112 (Parking) and Section 22.140.440 (Parking as a Transitional Use), unless specifically waived or modified by the Parking Permit. The hours and days of operation shall be established to prevent conflicts with adjoining less restrictive uses, and the facility shall be secured to prevent unauthorized use during times when the facility is closed.

K.

In the event that any applicant or property owner is unable to comply with the provisions of the Parking Permit, the use for which permit has been granted shall be terminated, reduced, or removed, unless some other alternative method to provide the required parking is approved by the Director.

L.

The Parking Permit shall be granted for a specified term where deemed appropriate.

(Ord. 2024-0036 § 17, 2024; Ord. 2019-0053 § 29, 2019; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

An approved Parking Permit shall terminate and cease to be in effect at the same time the principal use or occupancy for which such permit is granted terminates.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

A.

In addition to the covenant required by Chapter 22.222.260 (Performance Guarantee and Covenant), the covenant shall include that should such Parking Permit terminate, the owner or his successor in interest will develop the parking spaces needed to bring the new use or occupancy into conformance with the requirements of Chapter 22.112 (Parking) at the time such new use or occupancy is established.

B.

Where a Parking Permit is approved for off-site parking, the agreement shall be recorded on both the lot containing the principal use as well as the lot developed for off-site parking.

C.

All agreements shall be reviewed and approved by the Director and County Counsel prior to recordation.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)