Earlier editions: 2026-09
Oxnard Municipal Code Div. 2 Parking Space and Loading Requirements
Oxnard Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Oxnard
Cite as: Oxnard Municipal Code Division 2 · Text as of 2026-10-04
SEC. 16-620. COMPUTATION OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES.¶
When the computation of the number off-street parking spaces required by this section results in a fractional parking space requirement, any fraction less than ½ may be disregarded, and any fraction equaling ½ or more shall be construed as requiring one full parking space.
(`64 Code, Sec. 36-7.1.7) (Ord. No. 2021)
SEC. 16-621. INCREASES AND DECREASES IN REQUIREMENTS.¶
(A) Increases - The number of parking spaces required by this article may be increased as a condition of the development permit approval if it can be demonstrated through a parking study that the proposed use would have a parking demand in excess of the requirements of this article.
(B) Decreases - The number of parking spaces required by this article may be decreased pursuant to sections 16-650 and 16-651.
(`64 Code, Sec. 36-7.1.8) (Ord. No. 2021)
SEC. 16-622. SCHEDULE OF VEHICLE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS.¶
(A) The table on the following pages contains the minimum vehicle off-street parking requirements. Special requirements for each use are provided under the “Notes” columns where appropriate.
(B) The parking requirement for uses not specifically listed in the table shall be determined by the approval body for the proposed use on the basis of requirements for similar uses, and on any traffic engineering and planning data that is appropriate to the establishment of a minimum requirement.
(C) Several uses listed in the table require that the parking be determined by the approval body for the proposed use. An applicant proposing to develop or expand one of these uses must submit four copies of a parking study to the development services department which provides justification for the parking requirement proposed. The approval body for the proposed use will review this study along with any traffic engineering and planning data that is appropriate to the establishment of a parking requirement for the use proposed.
(D) In situations where a combination of uses are developed on a site, parking shall be provided for each of the uses on the site according to this article unless a reduction is granted pursuant to sections 16-650 and 16-651.
(E) (1) An applicant may propose to provide tandem parking spaces for a proposed use, but tandem parking spaces, whether or not in garages, and whether for residents, visitors or customers of the proposed use, shall not be counted toward satisfaction of the parking requirement for the proposed use.
(2) The amount, configuration, design and location of proposed tandem parking shall be subject to the approval of the director.
(F) The following table lists the minimum off-street parking requirements for the city.
| Uses | Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential: | Residential: | Residential: |
| Detached single-family units: | Detached single-family units: | |
| Detached single-family units on separate lots | Two garage spaces for up to five bedrooms Three garage spaces for six bedrooms; four garage spaces for seven bedrooms; five garage spaces for eight or more bedrooms | Administrative review and approval is required for single-family additions resulting in a requirement for four or more garage spaces. No more than three garage spaces may face any public street. All garage spaces shall be provided onsite. |
| Accessory Dwelling Units | See Section 16-465.9 | |
| Townhouses | Two garage spaces | |
| Apartments: | Apartments: | Garage for second unit may not be in an arrangement with garage for primary residential unit. All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Studio and one bedroom | One garage space per unit | Garage for second unit may not be in an arrangement with garage for primary residential unit. All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Two or more bedrooms | Two garage spaces per unit | Garage for second unit may not be in an arrangement with garage for primary residential unit. All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Visitor spaces | One visitor space per unit which need not be covered for the first 30 units; after the 31st unit, 0.5 visitor space per unit required | Garage for second unit may not be in an arrangement with garage for primary residential unit. All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Multi-family cluster development including units with at least one common wall such as condominium, stock cooperative or townhouse condominium developments on lots less than 6,000 square feet: | Multi-family cluster development including units with at least one common wall such as condominium, stock cooperative or townhouse condominium developments on lots less than 6,000 square feet: | All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Studio and one bedroom | One garage space per unit | All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Two or more bedrooms | Two garage spaces per unit | All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Visitor requirement | One visitor space per unit which need not be covered for the first 30 units; after the 31st unit, 0.5 visitor space per unit required | All required garages shall be assigned to a specific unit. Covered spaces are not permitted. All visitor spaces shall be striped Visitors Only. Developments having three units or less may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces. Developments having four or more units may count driveway parking as required visitor spaces provided not more than 50% of the required visitor spaces are provided in this manner and all units counting driveway parking have individual driveways. |
| Boarding homes, etc.: | Boarding homes, etc.: | Boarding homes, etc.: |
| Rooming, boarding homes, clubs or fraternity-type housing with sleeping facilities | One off-street space for each bedroom or boarder, whichever is more | The official building occupancy load shall be used to determine the number of boarders permitted. |
| Mobile home park: | Mobile home park: | These requirements may be modified by the commission in order to provide a better design of the mobile home park |
| Mobile home space | Two off-street spaces per mobile home space; one space shall be covered | |
| Visitor parking | One space for every five mobile home pads; visitor parking must be in centralized bays located no further than 150 feet from mobile homes being served | |
| Community recreation facilities | One space for every 15 mobile homes | |
| Recreational vehicle parking | Centralized storage areas for recreational vehicles shall be provided at ratio of one storage space for each four mobile home spaces | |
| Senior citizen housing development: | Senior citizen housing development: | Senior citizen housing development: |
| Independent living for senior citizens as defined in Cal. Civil Code 51.11 | One space per unit; One visitor space per 5 units; and One space for each employee on-site at peak staffing | |
| Independent living for senior citizens as defined in Cal. Civil Code 51.11, where facility provides residents with transportation for medical, retail and social purposes or is located within 0.5 mile of a major transit stop | 0.5 space for each unit. One visitor space per 5 units; One space for each employee on-site at peak staffing; and One shuttle van parking space | |
| Small residential health or care facility, board and care home with serving up to six persons | See applicable parking requirement for single-family or multi-family residence | |
| Residential care facility or assisted living residential facility where units do not include individual kitchens, and facility provides residents with transportation for medical, retail and social purposes | One visitor space per 5 units; One space for each employee on-site at peak staffing; and One shuttle van parking space | |
| Congregate living facility, convalescent home, nursing homes, memory care, or skilled nursing facilities | One visitor space per ten beds; One space for each employee on-site at peak staffing; and One shuttle van parking space | |
| Special housing: | ||
| Emergency shelter, permanent or low-barrier navigation center | One off-street space for the on-site manager | See Section 16-504 |
| Group quarters style facility | One off-street space for every six farm workers. One space for every four facility employees, up to four maximum. | The official building occupancy load shall be used to determine the number of farm workers permitted. |
| Single and multi-family housing units | The same as required elsewhere in this table | |
| Single-room occupancy | One off-street space per two units and one easily accessible long-term bicycle storage space per unit; With the exception of one manager s space, off-street vehicle parking is not required when the development is located within one- half mile walking distance of public transit, including transit stations and bus stops; See senior citizen housing development parking requirements for projects that allow only senior citizens as defined in Cal. Civil Code Section 51.3. | See Section 16-441 Refer to Oxnard Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Master Plan for long-term bicycle storage |
| Supportive housing or transitional housing | See applicable parking requirement for single-family or multi-family residence | |
| Commercial: Commercial and service uses located in independent structures or independent parcels shall provide parking according to the following standards. | ||
| Auto repair, automobile service station and auto parts sales | Three spaces for each service bay, plus one space for every 300 square feet of retail parts sales areas | Automobile repair facilities providing service bays may count the service bays towards the parking requirement when the areas conform to these sections of the code and adequate parking on-site and adequate circulation is provided. If towing service is provided, space shall be provided to accommodate the tow truck. All required customer spaces shall be striped Customers Only. |
| Auto sales | One customer space per 400 square feet of gross floor area for automobile sales area | Automobile repair facilities providing service bays may count the service bays towards the parking requirement when the areas conform to these sections of the code and adequate parking on-site and adequate circulation is provided. If towing service is provided, space shall be provided to accommodate the tow truck. All required customer spaces shall be striped Customers Only. |
| Auto washing (self-service or coin-operated) | Two spaces for each washing stall exclusive of vacuum unit space | |
| Barber shop or beauty parlor | Two spaces for each barber chair; three spaces for each beautician station | |
| Banks and commercial savings and loan institutions | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | Special design requirements apply if drive-through facilities are proposed. |
| Hotel/motel | One space for each room where no cooking facilities are provided; living units with cooking facilities shall provide two spaces per each unit | When banquet or convention facilities are to be provided in addition to room facilities, they shall be considered separately in determining the required number of spaces at the ratio of one space per five seats or one space per 35 square feet of gross floor area. |
| Lumberyards and plant nurseries | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area for indoor retail area and one space per 1,000 square feet of outdoor area devoted to displays and storage | |
| Offices | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | |
| Non-fast-food restaurants | One space per 75 square feet of gross floor area up to 6,000 square feet of gross floor area; thereafter, one space per 180 square feet of gross floor area | Restaurant facilities which contain dance floor areas shall provide additional parking spaces based upon one space per 35 square feet of dance floor area. |
| Fast-food restaurants | One space per 50 square feet of gross floor area | Special design requirements are required if a drive- through facility is proposed. Stacking credit in drive through lane may count toward the required parking at basis of one auto per each 23 lineal feet of striped stacking line. A maximum credit not to exceed 30 percent of total requirement or no more than 20 spaces may be applied for stacking credit, whichever is less. |
| Retail, general merchandising which is not located in a shopping center | One space per 300 square feet of gross floor area | |
| Retail, furniture and appliance | One space per 300 square feet of gross floor area display and one space per 800 square feet of warehouse storage area | |
| Shopping centers | The following additional parking spaces are required when the described uses are located in shopping centers. | |
| Neighborhood | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | Cinemas: A center with less than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area requires three additional parking spaces for every 100 cinema seats for cinemas occupying up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area. Centers having 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 450 cinema seats without providing additional parking. For every 100 seats above the initial 450 seats, three additional spaces per 100 seats are required. A shopping center with over 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 750 seats without providing additional parking spaces. For every 100 seats above the initial 750 seats, three additional spaces are required. Office spaces comprising up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area can be accommodated without increasing the parking spaces required to serve the center. Office space exceeding 10 percent of the center will require additional parking based on the professional office service standards. |
| District | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | Cinemas: A center with less than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area requires three additional parking spaces for every 100 cinema seats for cinemas occupying up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area. Centers having 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 450 cinema seats without providing additional parking. For every 100 seats above the initial 450 seats, three additional spaces per 100 seats are required. A shopping center with over 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 750 seats without providing additional parking spaces. For every 100 seats above the initial 750 seats, three additional spaces are required. Office spaces comprising up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area can be accommodated without increasing the parking spaces required to serve the center. Office space exceeding 10 percent of the center will require additional parking based on the professional office service standards. |
| Community | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | Cinemas: A center with less than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area requires three additional parking spaces for every 100 cinema seats for cinemas occupying up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area. Centers having 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 450 cinema seats without providing additional parking. For every 100 seats above the initial 450 seats, three additional spaces per 100 seats are required. A shopping center with over 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 750 seats without providing additional parking spaces. For every 100 seats above the initial 750 seats, three additional spaces are required. Office spaces comprising up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area can be accommodated without increasing the parking spaces required to serve the center. Office space exceeding 10 percent of the center will require additional parking based on the professional office service standards. |
| Regional | One space per 225 square feet of gross floor area for regional shopping centers not exceeding 600,000 square feet of gross floor area; one space per 200 square feet of gross floor area for shopping centers exceeding 600,000 square feet of gross floor area | Cinemas: A center with less than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area requires three additional parking spaces for every 100 cinema seats for cinemas occupying up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area. Centers having 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 450 cinema seats without providing additional parking. For every 100 seats above the initial 450 seats, three additional spaces per 100 seats are required. A shopping center with over 200,000 square feet of gross floor area can accommodate up to 750 seats without providing additional parking spaces. For every 100 seats above the initial 750 seats, three additional spaces are required. Office spaces comprising up to 10 percent of the total gross floor area can be accommodated without increasing the parking spaces required to serve the center. Office space exceeding 10 percent of the center will require additional parking based on the professional office service standards. |
| Educational: | Educational: | Educational: |
| Libraries | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area | |
| Day-care preschool and nursery schools | One space per staff member, plus one space per five children or one space per ten children if adequate drop-off facilities are provided | Drop-off facilities must be designed to accommodate a continuous flow of passenger vehicles to safely load and unload children. The adequacy of drop-off facilities shall be determined by the approval body for the proposed use. |
| Private elementary and junior high schools | One space for each classroom, plus one space for each five fixed seats of any area utilized for auditorium purposes or for each 35 square feet of seating area where there are no fixed seats in any area utilized for auditorium purposes | |
| Private high schools | Five spaces for each classroom, plus one space for each five fixed seats of any area utilized for auditorium purposes or for each 35 square feet of seating area where there are no fixed seats for areas used as an auditorium | |
| Private colleges and universities | Seven spaces for each classroom, plus one space for each five fixed seats of any area utilized for auditorium purposes or for each 35 square feet of seating area where there are no fixed seats for areas used as an auditorium | |
| Professional business or trade schools, including beauty colleges and dance schools | One space for each 75 square feet of gross floor area of classroom, plus one space for each 250 square feet of office space or other floor area | |
| Health Services: | Health Services: | Health Services: |
| Assisted living | One space for every two units plus one shuttle van parking space. | |
| Convalescent and nursing homes | One space per three beds for nursing and convalescent homes which do not contain separate living quarters containing individual kitchens, plus one space for every two employees required on largest shift. | |
| Hospitals | 1.75 spaces per each bed | A parking study may be required. Adequacy of facilities shall be determined by the approval body for the proposed use. |
| Medical and dental offices and clinics | One space per 200 square feet of gross floor area | |
| Veterinarians, animal and veterinary hospitals | One space per 250 square feet of gross floor area exclusive of kennel boarding area | |
| Industrial: | Industrial: | Industrial: |
| Light and limited industrial manufacturing | One space per 500 square feet of gross floor area devoted to manufacturing, plus the required parking for gross floor area devoted to other uses | |
| Research and development | One space per 350 square feet of gross floor area, plus the required parking for gross floor area devoted to other uses | |
| Heavy industrial manufacturing | One space per 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus the required parking for gross floor area devoted to other uses | |
| Warehousing | One space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area for the first 20,000 square feet devoted to warehousing, plus the required parking for square footage devoted to other uses; one space per 2,000 square feet for the second 20,000 square feet; one space per 4,000 square feet for floor area in excess of 40,000 square feet | No conversion of any portion of a warehouse use to any other use shall be permitted unless the parking requirement for such other uses are met. |
| Exterior industrial uses in only approved industrial area | One space per 2,500 square feet of open area being utilized for storage area exclusive of access, landscaping, etc. | |
| Calculation of parking for industrial use | The number of parking areas required by these schedules may be reduced or increased as a condition of a development permit procedures if it can be demonstrated through a parking study that the proposed use would have a parking demand less than or in excess of the requirements stated in this article. | |
| Entertainment and Recreation: | Entertainment and Recreation: | Entertainment and Recreation: |
| Arcades, including video and electronic games | One space per 175 square feet of gross floor area | |
| Bowling alleys and billiard halls | Five spaces per alley and two spaces for each billiard table, plus requirements for ancillary uses (restaurants, etc.) | |
| Commercial stables | One space per five horses boarded on-site | |
| Golf courses | Six spaces per hole, plus ancillary uses | Ancillary uses such as a pro shop and coffee shop are included in this parking ratio. |
| Miniature golf with amusement rides and similar uses | Three spaces per hole, plus one space per five fixed seats of all amusement rides, plus required parking for ancillary uses | |
| Driving range (golf) | One space per tee, plus ancillary uses | |
| Skating rinks | One space per 100 square feet of skating rink, plus required parking for ancillary uses | |
| Tennis, handball and racquetball facilities | Three spaces per court, plus required parking for ancillary uses | |
| Theaters and movies; single screen and multi-screen | One space per three seats, plus five spaces for employees | |
| Health spas and gymnasiums | Ten spaces are required for each spa health club, plus an additional one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area in excess of 1,000 gross square feet | |
| Miscellaneous: | Miscellaneous: | Miscellaneous: |
| Churches and other places of public assembly, including mortuaries, banquet facilities and convention facilities | One space per five seats within the main auditorium or one space per 35 square feet of gross floor area. Where pews or benches are provided, one space required for every ten lineal feet of pew or bench | Twenty-four inches shall be considered one seat where pews or benches are provided. Ancillary uses such as offices shall provide additional parking spaces as required. |
(Ord. No. 2021, 2026, 2513, 2695, 2713, 2914, 2925, 2928, 3034, 3036, 3037, 3074)
SEC. 16-623. SCHEDULE OF BICYCLE PARKING REQUIREMENTS.¶
The following table lists the minimum parking requirements for bicycles. Only those uses listed in this table are required to install bicycle parking.
| Use | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regional shopping center | Five spaces at each mall entrance | |
| Shopping center with more than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area | One space per 33 automobile parking spaces | |
| Restaurants: | ||
| Fast-food or coffee shop | Five spaces | |
| Pizza parlor | Five spaces | |
| Commercial recreation: | ||
| Arcades, games or videos | One space per one game or amusement device | Need not exceed 30 spaces |
| Bowling alleys, miniature golf, skating rinks, movie theaters and similar commercial recreation activities as determined by the director of planning and building services | One space per 33 automobile spaces required | Nearest space shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from the building entrance |
| Community facilities: | ||
| Swim clubs, racquet and tennis clubs, community centers and similar uses as determined by the director of planning and building services | One space per 33 automobile spaces required | |
| Libraries | One space per each 1,000 square feet of floor area | |
| Office developments, over 100,000 square feet of floor area | Five spaces | |
| Banks, savings and loans | Two spaces | |
| Hospitals | Four spaces | |
| Medical and dental buildings | Two spaces | |
| Industrial | Five spaces | |
| Churches | Four spaces |
(Ord. No. 2021)
SEC. 16-624. SCHEDULE OF MOTORCYCLE PARKING REQUIREMENTS.¶
This table contains the minimum required parking for motorcycles.
| Use | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle parking areas shall be provided for all uses, except residential, at the following rate: | Motorcycle spaces shall be located at the end of parking aisles and located as near as practical to the primary building entrance | |
| Uses with more than 25 automobile parking spaces shall provide one designated space for use by motorcycles | ||
| Uses with more than 100 automobile parking spaces shall provide motorcycle parking areas at the rate of three motorcycle parking spaces for every 100 automobile parking spaces required. Thereafter, one designated motorcycle space shall be required for each additional 40 spaces required. | ||
| Motorcycle parking areas required by this article shall count toward fulfilling automobile parking requirements. |
(Ord. No. 2021)
SEC. 16-625. PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS IN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN A…¶
The parking and loading requirements within a redevelopment project area shall be the same as the requirements set forth in this article except as such requirements may be modified by an adopted redevelopment plan.
(`64 Code, Sec. 36-7.1.12) (Ord. No. 2021)
SEC. 16-626. RESIDENTIAL SUBTERRANEAN GARAGES.¶
Subterranean garages for residential developments shall be permitted only where the lot of record is a minimum of 25,000 square feet in size or greater. All visitor parking required of a residential development must be provided at grade level and shall not be permitted in the subterranean garage.
(`64 Code, Sec. 36-7.1.13) (Ord. No. 2021)
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