Article 65 — PARKING AND LOADING
Lynwood Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Lynwood
25-65-1: INTENT AND PURPOSE: ¶
The purpose of the parking and loading regulations is to ensure that all land uses provide adequate off street parking facilities and adequate facilities for vehicle movement and loading activities associated with a use. The intent of these regulations is to ensure that the use of land does not negatively interfere with the use of and circulation on public rights of way, and that private on site circulation does not pose a potential safety problem. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-2: APPLICABILITY: ¶
A. The minimum standards of this article shall apply to all proposed land uses, buildings, and structures.
B. The minimum standards of this article shall also apply to all proposed additions, and substantial modifications to existing land uses or structures. At the time the building or structure is added onto, enlarged, or the use is intensified so as to cause a need for additional parking, parking and loading spaces shall be provided for both the existing units and the modified or enlarged portions so as to conform to provisions of this article. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-3: SITE PLAN AND BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED: ¶
A. A site plan shall be required for all required parking facilities. The plan shall consist of a detailed layout of the parking facility, site, and parking lot landscaping. The plan shall be accurately dimensioned, showing all required parking spaces, landscaped areas, driving aisles, ingress/egress points, etc. The plan shall be submitted and reviewed in conjunction with any application for planning, land use, engineering, or building permit.
B. A parking facility or driveway shall have a building and engineering permit for the facility or driveway in accordance with applicable provisions contained in this municipal code. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-4: ENCROACHMENT INTO RIGHT OF WAY PROHIBITED: ¶
Land within the right of way of a proposed street or highway, or within the planned ultimate right of way on a street or highway proposed to be widened, shall not be used to provide required parking and loading facilities. The right of way shall not be used as a turnaround or a backup area. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-5: LOCATION OF PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES: ¶
Per section 25-65-8 of this article, parking on unpaved areas is prohibited in all residential and commercial zone districts. Drives and parking areas in industrial zones, if not paved, shall be surfaced with such combination of gravel and dust control materials as approved by the city engineer, to prevent wind erosion and dust drift.
A. Residential Uses: Required parking facilities for residential zone districts shall be located on the same lot or parcel of land as the use the parking facilities are intended to serve, or within a single development as approved by the development services director. The facilities shall be conveniently and safely located on the site. Required parking facilities provided by a given project shall be used exclusively for parking purposes by that project or residence, and shall not be leased, sold, or utilized by other projects or entities.
Within a required front yard area, vehicles may be parked only on a parking space as defined in section 25-65-8 of this article. Vehicles parked within a front yard area may not extend past the right of way line at the front of the lot.
Vehicles may be parked in a side or rear yard area, or within the buildable area of a lot on a parking space as defined in section 25-65-8 of this article, provided that a minimum of four feet (4') of clearance is provided between the vehicle and the adjacent outside wall of any structure containing windows. Such vehicles shall be parked on permanently spaced areas.
B. Nonresidential Uses: Required parking for nonresidential uses shall be located:
On the same lot or parcel of land as the use which the facilities serve; or
On an adjoining lot or parcel of land under the same ownership as the lot supporting the use the parking facilities serve, provided that the adjoining lot is merged with the property containing the primary use for which the parking is required; or a covenant of easement is recorded for parking purposes in accordance with subsection 25-65-9A of this article.
On a lot or parcel of land separated only by an alley (20 feet wide or less) from the lot or parcel supporting the use the parking facilities serve, provided:
a. That said lots or parcels are under the same ownership; and
b. That said lots or parcels would be contiguous if not separated by the alley; and
c. That direct vehicular and pedestrian passage between said lots or parcels would be possible if the alley were vacated; and
d. That the parking and vehicular access on said lots or parcels can be designed to ensure safe pedestrian movement between the parking and the property containing the primary use it is intended to serve; and
e. That a covenant of easement is recorded for parking purposes in accordance with subsection 25-65-9A of this article. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-6: NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED: ¶
A. Required Spaces: Table 65-1 of this section specifies the number of off street parking spaces required for specific uses. The requirement for a use not specifically mentioned shall be the same as for a specified use which has the most similar traffic and/or parking generating characteristics. The development services director shall determine what constitutes similar traffic generating characteristics.
As provided in article 140, “Minor Variances”, of this chapter, the development services director may approve up to a ten percent (10%) reduction in the number of required parking spaces. Reductions of more than ten percent (10%) may be approved by the planning commission, as provided in article 135, “Major Variances”, of this chapter.
B. Fractional Spaces: If the calculation of required parking spaces results in a fractional number, that number shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
C. Handicapped Parking: Parking for handicapped persons shall be provided pursuant to the provisions of title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
D. Compact Parking: Compact parking spaces are not permitted. However, such spaces existing on the effective date of this zoning code shall be exempted. Parking lots which contain compact spaces as of the effective date of this code which are restriped to eliminate compact spaces will not be subject to the parking requirements of this
article, if the elimination of compact spaces results in a deficit of parking (as calculated using the standards in this article).
E. Bicycle Parking: Parking spaces for bicycles shall be provided as required by table 65-2 of this section. For any use for which bicycle parking is required, a minimum of four (4) bicycle spaces shall be provided. (Ord. #1563, §3)
TABLE 65-1
NUMBER OF AUTOMOBILE PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Residential uses: | |
| Single-family, detached and attached, in R-1 zone districts |
If the primary residence consists of 3 bedrooms or fewer, the primary residence shall have a 2 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 20 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. If the primary residence consists of 4 or more bedrooms, the primary residence shall have a 3 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 30 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. If there is more than 1 residence on a lot, that residence shall have a 2 car garage. Carports may be approved in addition to the required garage(s), but in no way shall be used to replace the required garage. |
| Single-family, duplex units and multiple- family units in the R-2 zone districts |
If a residence consists of 3 bedrooms or fewer, that residence shall have a 2 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 20 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. If a residence consists of 4 or more bedrooms, that residence shall have a 3 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 30 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. Carports may be approved in addition to the required garage(s), but in no way shall be used to replace the required garage. In addition, 1 guest space shall be provided for every 2 dwelling units, not including spaces on driveways, plus the following: |
| 3 spaces for each on site rental or sales office for development of 100 units or less, plus 1 additional space for each additional 100 units or fraction thereof |
|
| Single-family, duplex units and multiple- family, condominiums, townhouses, and similar developments in the R-3 and PRD zone districts |
If a residence consists of 3 bedrooms or fewer, that residence shall have a 2 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 20 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. If a residence consists of 4 or more bedrooms, that residence shall have a 3 car garage, which shall be at least 20 feet by 30 feet of interior space, and an additional delineated parking area. Carports may be approved in addition to the required garage(s), but in no way shall be used to replace the required garage. In addition, 1 guest space shall be provided for every 2 dwelling units, not including spaces on driveways, plus the following: |
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
| --- | --- |
| 3 spaces for each on site rental or sales office for developments of 100 units or less, plus 1 additional space for each additional 100 units or fraction thereof |
|
| Apartments in the R-3 zone districts | 2 spaces per unit, with 1 space required to be covered, plus 1 guest space for every 2 dwelling units, plus the following: |
| 3 spaces for each on site rental or sales office for developments of 100 units or less, plus 1 additional space for each additional 100 units or fraction thereof |
|
| Mobilehome park | 2 spaces per unit, plus 1 guest space per every 2 units, plus 2 spaces for each on site sales or rental office |
| Fraternity/sorority/rooming house | 1 space per bed |
| Convalescent facility | 1 space for every 4 beds, plus parking for on site employee housing |
| Public assemblyand communityuses: | |
| Church, chapel, religious facility, cemetery, mortuary |
1 space per 3 fixed seats (or 54 inches of bench seating), or 1 space per 25 square feet of gross floor area of assembly area where there are no fixed seats |
| College or university | 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 3 students based on maximum student capacity |
| Daycare, nursery school | 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 10 children based on facilitycapacity |
| Hospitals and medical centers (providing acute care, clinical, surgical, teaching, research and office services) |
1 space per 2 patient beds, plus 1 space for each employee and staff member on largest shift |
| Libraries | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
| Museums, art galleries | 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
| Private elementary and junior high school | 1.5 spaces per classroom, plus 1 space per 5 fixed seats in auditorium, gymnasium or similar public assembly facility, or 1 space per 35 square feet of gross floor area of assembly area where there are no fixed seats |
| Private high school | 1.5 spaces per classroom, plus 1 space per 5 students based on maximum student capacity |
| Theaters: | |
| Live performance | 1 space per 4 fixed seats |
| Movie - multiple screen | 1 space per 5 seats, plus 7 spaces for employees |
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
| --- | --- |
| Movie - single screen | 1 space per 5 seats, plus 5 spaces for employees |
| Trade school, business school, adult education |
1 space per 3 students, plus 1 space for each staff member, faculty member, and employee |
| Union halls, lodges, clubs and other places of public assembly |
1 space per 50 square feet of gross floor area |
| Businesspark/light industrial uses: | |
| General manufacturing and processing uses (not including buildings used exclusively for warehouse purposes) |
1 space per 500 square feet of industrial/manufacturing area, plus 1 space per 250 square feet of office use, plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of warehouse area (Note: Buildings in the M zone district which are built with the intention of converting to a more parking intensive use at a later date may be required to submit a parking plan showing the configuration of parking for the ultimate use.) |
| Ministorage warehouse | 1 space per 2,500 square feet of gross floor area of warehouse area, plus additional spaces as required for any associated residential use |
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Research and development | 1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area |
| Warehouses used exclusively for storage | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of warehouse area, plus 1 space per 300 square feet of office use |
| Office uses: | |
| Business and professional (except medical offices): |
|
| Up to 2,000 square feet of gross floor area | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area |
| 2,001 to 5,000 square feet of gross floor area |
1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area |
| 5,001 and over square feet of gross floor area |
1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area |
| Financial services (banks, savings and loans, credit unions) |
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area, with a minimum of 4 spaces |
| Medical and dental offices | 1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area, with a minimum of 4 spaces |
| Veterinary office | 1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area,with a minimum of4spaces |
| Commercial uses - retail, service, and other: | |
| Automobile sales | 1 space per 2,000 square feet of gross land area |
| Automotive car wash | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross land area |
| Automotive service and repair | 2 spaces, plus 3 spaces per service bay (service bays do not count as spaces) |
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
| --- | --- |
| Dance studio, karate studio and the like | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
| Furniture stores | 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area |
| General retail of less than 25,000 square feet of gross floor area |
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area, with a minimum of 4 spaces If restaurant space occupies more than 10 percent of total gross floor area, or if an individual restaurant contains more than 1,000 square feet, then additional parking shall be provided for excess restaurant space beyond the 10 percent or 1,000 square feet. The additional parking shall be calculated at the restaurant rate |
| General retail of 25,000 square feet or greater |
1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area |
| Hotels and motels | 1 space per guestroom, plus additional spaces for restaurant and public assembly areas as required for those uses |
| Laundromat | 1 space per 3 washing machines |
| Outdoor sales, including lumberyards, salvage yards |
1 space per 1,000 square feet gross outdoor retail area, plus additional parking as required for indoor sales area, service facilities,and other uses |
| Plant nurseries | 1 space per 1,000 square feet indoor gross floor area, plus 1 space per 2,000 square feet gross outdoor retail area |
| Residential sales office (temporary) | 3 spaces per model home or unit, including at least 1 space designated for vehicles displaying a handicapped placard |
| Self-service car wash | 2 spaces per wash bay (wash bays do not count as spaces) |
| Temporary sales (Christmas tree/pumpkins) |
1 space per each 500 square feet of tree/pumpkin display area. Minimum number of spaces is subject to review and approval by the city; at least 1 space must be designated for vehicles displaying a handicapped placard |
| Recreation uses: | |
| Arcades, billiard parlor | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
| Bowling alley | 5 spaces per lane, plus auxiliary uses calculated separately as required by this section |
| Dance halls | 1 space per 20 gross square feet dance floor area, plus 1 space per 3 fixed seats. Where there are no fixed seats, 1 space per 20 square feet of seating area |
| Driving range | Parking requirements subject to case by case review |
| Use | Required Number Of Spaces |
| --- | --- |
| Golf course - regulation and pitch and putt | Parking requirements subject to case by case review |
| Gym, spa, health club | 1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area |
| Handball/racquetball - commercial facility | 3 spaces per court, plus other uses calculated separately as required by this section |
| Miniature golf | 1.5 spaces per hole, plus other uses calculated separately as required by this section |
| Public swimming pool (as defined by the uniform building code) |
10 spaces, or 1 space per 1,000 square feet of lot area, plus 1 space per 2 employees, whichever is greater |
| Skating rink - ice or roller | 1 space per 100 square feet of rink, plus other uses calculated separately as required by this section |
| Temporary Christmas tree, pumpkin, and other seasonal sales |
1 space per 500 square feet of display and sales areas |
| Temporary residential home or lot sales | 1 space per 200 square feet office sales area, with minimum of 4 spaces |
| Tennis courts - commercial facility or associated with private club |
3 spaces per court, plus other uses calculated separately as required by this section |
| Restaurants: | |
| Drive-in, fast food, and walk-up restaurants, as defined in article 200 of this chapter |
Minimum of 5 spaces plus the greater of 1 space for every 3 seats or 10 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area Restaurants with drive-through areas must provide at least 6 on site queuing spaces for patron vehicles ahead of the menu board, or as approved by the city |
| Outdoor dining areas in excess of 16 seats for sit down or fast food restaurants |
The greater of 1 space per 200 square feet of outdoor seating area or 1 space for every 3 seats |
| Sit down restaurants, as defined in article 200 of this chapter |
1 space per 100 square feet of gross floor area or 1 space for every 3 persons (as determined byoccupancyload) |
(Ord. #1572, §8)
TABLE 65-2
NUMBER OF BICYCLE PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
| Use | Required Spaces - Percent Of Auto Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential uses: | |
| Single-family | 0 |
| Multi-family | 1 space per each 4 units |
| Use | Required Spaces - Percent Of Auto Requirement |
| --- | --- |
| Public assemblyand communityuses: | |
| Childcare, preschools, senior centers | 10 |
| Libraries, auditoriums, museums, galleries, stadiums, theaters |
5 |
| Private schools, private colleges, trade schools |
20 |
| Industrial uses: | |
| Manufacturing and warehousing | 10 |
| Office uses: | |
| Banks, savings and loans | 15 |
| General office | 10 |
| Medical,dental,and veterinaryoffices | 5 |
| Commercial uses: | |
| Bowling alleys, billiard parlors, roller and ice rinks, private clubs |
10 |
| Health clubs and studios | 10 |
| Hospitals and medical centers | 10 |
| Hotels and motels | 5 |
| Restaurant | 10 |
| Retail | 10 |
(Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-7: PARKING FACILITY LAYOUT AND DIMENSIONS: ¶
Parking facilities shall be designed to conform to the following minimum standards:
A. Access:
Off street parking: Fully accessible, adequate and safe ingress and egress shall be provided from and to a street, highway, alley, or driveway, as required by the city of Lynwood.
On street parking: No on street shall be permitted on roadways with a right of way width of less than thirty two feet (32'). For roadways with right of way width between thirty two feet (32') and forty feet (40'), parallel parking shall be permitted on one side only. Parallel parking may be allowed on both sides on roadways with a right of way width greater than forty feet (40'). Signs shall be provided to restrict or prohibit parking in accordance with this section.
On street parking shall not be permitted within industrial parks.
B. Parking Space Dimensions: The minimum size of a standard parking space shall be nine feet (9') wide and twenty feet (20') long. The minimum size of a handicapped parking space shall be as directed by title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
C. Parking Access: Access leading to parking facilities, including garages for private residences, shall meet the following dimensions:
Width: The minimum width shall be twenty feet (20') for one-way traffic and twenty five feet (25') for two-way traffic. Where one-way drives exist, pavement graphics and directional signs and arrows shall be provided. Greater widths may be required at the discretion of the city.
Minimum Residential Driveway Length: Driveways for single-family or duplex units in any zoning district shall be a minimum of twenty feet (20') in length as measured from sidewalk to the front of the garage door.
Limit On Residential Driveways: The number of permitted driveways shall be one per fifty feet (50') of lot frontage, or fraction thereof, not to exceed a total of two (2) driveways. A curved driveway with two (2) entrances shall count as one driveway for the purposes of this section.
Maneuvering Areas: Except for residential uses of two (2) or fewer units per building site, access facilities adjoining roadways classified as collector street or higher in the general plan circulation element shall be arranged so that any vehicle can leave the parking area and enter into an adjoining vehicular right of way traveling in a forward direction.
D. Interior Parking Lot Dimensions: The minimum dimensions and layout of interior circulation drives and other maneuvering areas shall be subject to the review and approval of the city traffic engineer. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-8: PARKING FACILITY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: ¶
A. Paving Required: All parking spaces and associated driveways shall be entirely paved with concrete or asphalt type surfacing as per city standards and requirements.
All newly constructed driveways and parking areas shall be concrete, asphalt, or as otherwise approved by the city.
Parking on areas which do not meet the above standards shall be prohibited.
B. Parking Space Delineation: Each parking space shall be clearly marked with four inch (4") width paint or another easily distinguishable material.
Spaces in which vehicles are reasonably expected to park for an average of less than thirty (30) minutes shall be delineated with double lines.
Spaces in which vehicles are reasonably expected to park for an average of thirty (30) minutes or more may be delineated with single or double lines.
C. Construction: All driveways and parking areas shall be constructed and striped in accordance with road and drainage standards established by the city engineer and the fire department.
Wheel stops, ground mounted bumpers, and similar devices are permitted. Curbs shall be used in conjunction with landscaped areas, as approved by the city.
D. Lighting: Lighting of outdoor parking areas shall be designed and maintained in a manner to prevent glare or direct illumination from intruding into any areas outside the parking lot.
E. Landscaping And Screening: Parking lot landscaping shall be provided and maintained as required in this zoning code. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-9: COMBINED OR SHARED PARKING FACILITIES: ¶
A. For Uses On Separate Lots Or Parcels: Required parking facilities for nonresidential uses may be provided collectively for two (2) or more buildings or uses located on the same or separate contiguous lots or parcels of land, provided that the total combined parking facilities meet or exceed all other minimum parking capacity requirements for the buildings or uses. A covenant, approved as to form by the city attorney, shall be recorded describing the combined parking arrangement and granting reciprocal access rights to the parking facilities.
B. Shared Parking For Separate Uses Within The Same Development: Where two (2) or more uses are located on the same parcel, the applicant may propose the use of shared parking, provided that a “shared parking analysis” is approved by the city, demonstrating that sufficient parking will be provided at all times for all uses. Such shared parking analysis shall be prepared pursuant to guidelines published by the Urban Land Institute or other guidelines as approved the city. Where separate parcels exist within a single development, a parking agreement shall be required, per subsection A of this section. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-10: LOADING SPACE REQUIREMENTS: ¶
A. Number Of Spaces Required: Required loading spaces will be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the requirements of each project.
B. Dimensions: The dimensions of loading spaces will be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the requirements of each project (including the length of trucks to be served and the configuration of buildings on the site).
C. Location: All loading areas shall be located outside of any required aisles or other circulation areas. Adequate turning radii shall be provided to allow a vehicle to maneuver without backing into a street or without backing into the loading space from the street. (Ord. #1563, §3)
25-65-11: BICYCLE PARKING STANDARDS: ¶
A. Separation From Automobile Parking: Bicycle parking spaces shall be separated from automobile parking spaces or aisles by a wall, fence, or curb, or by at least five feet (5') of open space where parking is prohibited.
B. Aisles: Aisles or walkways providing access to bicycle parking spaces shall be at least five feet (5') wide.
C. Signs: Signs which are clearly readable from the automobile parking area shall be displayed to indicate the availability and location of bicycle parking. (Ord. #1563, §3) Table of Contents Previous Next
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