Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 20 — ZONING ORDINANCE›Division III — MENDOCINO TOWN ZONING CODE
Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.664.055 Minimum Vehicle Parking for MC Districts
Mendocino County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Mendocino County
Cite as: Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.664.055 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 20.664.005 - Intent.¶
This district is intended to provide an area within the Town suitable: for commercial development compatible with existing commercial uses; to support existing visitor accommodations in the Visitor Serving Facilities Combining District on sites designated with an asterisk (*) or asterisk-B (*B) on the certified Town Plan Land Use and Zoning Maps.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.010 - Permitted Uses for MC Districts.¶
(A) The following use type which does not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area per lot is the principal permitted use in the MC District:
(1) Commercial Use Types
Administrative and Business Offices
Medical Services
Personal Services
Retail Sales: Limited
(B) The following use types are permitted in the MC District:
(1) Residential Use Types
Family Residential: Single Family
Family Residential: Two (2) Family
Family Residential: Three (3) Family
(2) Civic Use Types
Administrative Services Government
Clinic Services
Community Gardens
Cultural Exhibits and Library Services
Lodge, Fraternal and Civic Assembly
Minor Impact Utilities
Religious Assembly
(3) Visitor Accommodation Use Types
Visitor Serving Facilities (Existing):
Hotels, Inns (*)
Bed and Breakfast Accommodations (*B)
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 4395, § 2, adopted November 17, 2017 amended § 20.664.010 to read as set out herein. Previously § 20.664.010 was titled "Principal Permitted Uses for MC Districts."
Sec. 20.664.015 - Uses for MC Districts Subject to a Minor Use Permit.¶
The following use types may be permitted in the MC District upon issuance of a minor use permit:
(A) Civic Use Types
Day Care Facilities/Small Schools
Minor Impact Utilities
(B) Commercial Use Types
Business Equipment Sales and Services
Food and Beverage Preparation: Without Consumption
Food and Beverage Retail Sales
Repair Services, Consumer Retail Sales: General
(C) Visitor Accommodation Use Types
Single Unit Rentals
Vacation Home Rentals
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.020 - Uses for MC Districts Subject to a Major Use Permit.¶
The following use types may be permitted in the MC District upon issuance of a major use permit.
(A) Civic Use Types
Educational Facilities
Major Impact Services and Utilities
(B) Commercial Use Types
Agricultural Sales and Services
Animal Sales and Services: Household Pets Animal Sales and Services: Veterinary (Small Animals)
Automotive and Equipment: Gasoline Sales
Automotive and Equipment: Repairs
Building Maintenance Services
Commercial Recreation: Indoor Sports and Recreation
Commercial Recreation: Indoor Entertainment
Communication Services
Construction Sales and Services
Custom Manufacturing
Eating and Drinking Establishments
Financial Services
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.025 - Minimum Lot Area for MC Districts.¶
Twelve thousand (12,000) square feet.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.030 - Maximum Dwelling Density for MC Districts.¶
Dwelling units per parcel, or portion thereof, are subject to minimum lot area per dwelling unit limitations as follows:
(A) One (1) dwelling unit for the first six thousand (6,000) square feet of lot area; and
(B) A second residential dwelling unit for an additional three thousand (3,000) square feet of lot area; and
(C) A third dwelling unit for an additional three thousand (3,000) square feet of lot area; and
(D) A fourth dwelling unit for an additional three thousand (3,000) square feet of lot area; and
(E) A fifth dwelling unit for an additional three thousand (3,000) square feet of lot area; and
(F) One (1) additional dwelling unit for each additional six thousand (6,000) square feet of lot area.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.035 - Minimum Front and Rear Yards for MC Districts.¶
None. (Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.040 - Minimum Side Yards for MC Districts.¶
None. (Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.045 - Setback Exception for MC Districts.¶
Exceptions to the strict application of building setbacks may be allowed, or greater setbacks may be required, where it is found that strict compliance would have adverse impacts to community character, historic structures, open space or public views. Exceptions may only be allowed pursuant to the review process in Chapter 20.760.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.050 - Maximum Building Height for MC Districts.¶
Structures shall be limited to a maximum height of twenty-eight (28) feet above natural grade. Exceptions to the strict application of maximum building heights may be allowed for the Father Time and the Maiden sculpture-monument, church steeples, flag poles, water towers, and utility poles where such exceptions are consistent with the intent of the Zoning District and with Chapter 20.760 (Historical Preservation District). Reduced heights may be required where it is found that building heights would have adverse impacts to community character, historical structures, public open space, or significant public views. Exceptions may only be allowed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 20.724 (Variances) or Chapter 20.760.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.055 - Minimum Vehicle Parking for MC Districts.¶
(A) On-site Parking: One and one-half (1½) on-site parking spaces for each dwelling unit, and one (1) off-street parking space for each four hundred (400) square feet of non-residential gross floor area.
(B) Bicycle Parking: The approval authority may require, as mitigation for potentially significant impacts of development on public parking, the development to provide on-site bicycle parking, or where such on-site bicycle parking is infeasible, off-site bicycle parking on a publicly owned parcel that can accommodate it consistent with this Division. Each bicycle parking space provided in a development shall be deemed to count as one-tenth ( 1/10 ) of an automobile parking space for calculation of any required in-lieu parking fee pursuant to Chapter 20.714. If such bicycle parking facilities are required, the location and design of such facilities, if within Mendocino Historical Preservation District Zone A or Zone B, shall be shown on the development site plans and shall also be subject to approval of design and location by the Mendocino Historical Review Board.
(C) Automobile Parking: The size, shape, topography, or historical character of, or the presence of existing buildings on, some sites in Historical Zone A or Historic Zone B may make it infeasible for development to meet the on-site automobile parking requirements off this Division. Where it is infeasible for development to meet the on-site parking requirements of this Division, the following shall apply: provided that the o Mendocino Historical Review Board shall review the proposed parking pursuant to Section 20.724.010(A).
(1) Off-Site Automobile Parking: Parking requirements may be satisfied by supplying the required parking on another site within the Commercial Zoning District, Mixed Use Zoning District, the Public Facility District, or the Open Space Zoning District as provided in Chapter 20.714, provided that any such off-site parking shall not be permitted to be located where it would substantially interfere with existing public access along the streets, alleys, roads, or highway in the Town of Mendocino, or to and along the shoreline. Approval of off-site parking on a parcel (lot) in private ownership shall require the development applicant and owner of said parcel (lot) to record a restriction for such off-site parking use, to run with the land and bind all successors, heirs, or assigns.
(2) Joint Use or Shared Automobile Parking: A reduction in parking requirements may be allowed for mixed use developments which have different peak hours or intensities of operation, and as a result may utilize the same parking spaces to satisfy their respective parking requirements. Approval of joint use or shared parking will require submittal of a shared parking study by a traffic engineer which demonstrates that the combined peak parking demand is less than the normal standards due to diverse different, off-setting parking activity or intensity patterns of the businesses in the development, or there is a relationship among the uses that results in the attraction of patrons to two (2) or more uses with a single auto trip to the development.
(D) One (1) off-street parking space for each visitor accommodation lodging unit, or where available space or the requirements this Division preclude off-street parking, payment of an in-lieu fee as required by Chapter 20.714.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.664.060 - Maximum Lot Coverage for MC Districts.¶
Twenty-five (25) percent.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.065 - Minimum Lot Width for MC Districts.¶
Sixty (60) feet.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.070 - Maximum Lot Depth for MC Districts.¶
Eighty (80) feet.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.664.075 - Additional Requirements for MC Districts.¶
(A) The maximum gross floor area of all structures shall not exceed one-half (½) square foot for each square foot of lot area. In no case shall gross floor area under one (1) roof exceed eight thousand (8,000) square feet.
(B) All commercial lots fronting on Main Street and accessible from Albion Street between Woodward Street and Ford Street shall comply with the following:
(1) Where vehicular access is proposed to serve commercial development, vehicular access shall be provided from Main Street; and
(2) No vehicular access to serve commercial development shall be provided from Albion Street.
(C) No residential dwelling unit or portion thereof shall be converted to any non-residential use except as provided by Chapter 20.684 (Mendocino Visitor Serving Facilities Combining District) or by Chapter 20.748 (Single Unit Rentals and Vacation Home Rentals).
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
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