Oakland Municipal Code § 17.116.010 Title, purpose, and applicability

The provisions of this Chapter shall be known as the Off-street Parking and Loading Requirements. The purpose of these regulations is to require adequate off-street parking and loading, thereby reducing traffic congestion, allowing more efficient utilization of on-street parking, promoting more efficient loading operations, and reducing the use of public streets for loading purposes. Except as may otherwise be specified in Chapter 17.101E for the D-CE Zones, these requirements shall apply to the indicated activities as specified hereinafter. See Chapter 17.101E Central Estuary District Zones Regulations for parking regulations specific to Boat and Marine-Related Sales, Rental, Repair and Servicing for the D-CE Central Estuary District Zones.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13168, § 5(Exh. A-2), 6-18-2013; Prior planning code § 7500)

A. New Parking and Loading to Be Provided for New Facilities and Additions to Existing Facilities. The off-street parking and loading requirements of this Chapter shall only apply to activities occupying any portion of new facilities and new additions to existing facilities. The required amount of new parking and loading shall be based on the cumulative increase in floor area, or other applicable unit of measurement, and any minimum size for which parking or loading is required in Articles II and IV of this Chapter.

B. Changes in Activity within an Existing Facility. No additional parking and loading spaces are required for a change of activity within an existing facility. However, if the number of existing parking spaces on the lot equals or is less than required, then these parking spaces must be preserved with the change of activity. If there are more parking spaces on the lot than required, then the number of spaces can be reduced to the minimum required.

C. New Living Units in Existing Facilities. Except as provided for Accessory Dwelling Units in Section 17.103.080 and Chapter 17.88, no additional parking and loading spaces are required for newly established living units located entirely within an existing facility and outside of the S-9 Fire Safety Protection Combining Zone. However, if the number of existing parking spaces on the lot equals or is less than required, then these parking spaces must be preserved with the establishment of new living units. If there are more parking spaces on the lot than required, then the number of spaces can be reduced to the minimum required.

D. Existing Required Parking and Loading to Be Maintained. Existing parking or loading that is equal to or less than the minimum required shall not be reduced in amount unless equivalent substitute facilities are provided. These substitute facilities must be consistent with the standards and requirements described in this Chapter.

E. Parking to be Provided for Existing Residential Facilities. When a conditional use permit is required by Section 17.102.300 for the alteration of, or addition to, an existing Residential Facility in order to create a total of five (5) or more bedrooms in any dwelling unit, the off-street parking requirement of Subsection 17.102.300.C shall apply to the entire facility, including the existing facility and any alteration or addition.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13677, § 4(Exh. A), 1-18-2022; Ord. No. 13518, § 4(Exh. A), 2-5-2019; Ord. No. 13393, § 2(Exh. A), 10-4-2016; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13276, § 5(Exh. A), 12-9-2014; Ord. No. 13241, § 5(Exh. D), 7-1-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Prior planning code § 7501)

Whenever a single lot contains different activities with the same off-street parking or loading requirement, the overall requirement shall be based on the sum of all such activities, and the minimum size prescribed hereafter for which any parking or loading is required shall be deemed to be exceeded for all such activities if it is exceeded by their sum. Whenever a single lot contains activities with different off-street parking or loading requirements, the overall requirement shall be the sum of the requirements for each such activity calculated separately; provided, however, that the minimum size prescribed hereafter for which any parking is required shall be deemed to be exceeded on said lot for all activities for which the same or a smaller minimum size, expressed in the same unit of measurement, is prescribed, if said minimum size is exceeded by the sum of all such activities on the lot.

(Ord. No. 13393, § 2(Exh. A), 10-4-2016; prior planning code § 7503)

In the case of activities for which the Director of City Planning is required to prescribe a number of parking spaces or loading berths, he or she shall base his or her determination on the traffic generation of the activities, the amount and frequency of loading operations thereof, the time of operation of the activities, their location, and such other factors as affect the need for off-street parking or loading. At his or her discretion, the Director of City Planning may require the applicant to provide an analysis of parking demand and capacity from an independent professional. Any such determination shall be subject to appeal pursuant to the administrative appeal procedure in Chapter 17.132.

(Ord. No. 13393, § 2(Exh. A), 10-4-2016; prior planning code § 7509)