Chapter 25.46 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING

This chapter provides provisions to make available properly designed parking areas and loading berths adequate in capacity, location, and design to prevent traffic congestion and a shortage of curb spaces in the city. Offstreet parking facilities shall be provided incidental to new uses and alterations and enlargements of existing uses. The number of parking spaces shall be in proportion to the need created by the particular type of use. Offstreet parking and loading areas are to be established in a manner that will ensure their usefulness, protect public safety, and where appropriate, buffer surrounding land uses from their impact. (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

Off-street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed and for any new use established; for any addition or enlargement of an existing building or use; and for any change in the occupancy of any building or the manner in which any use is conducted that would result in additional parking spaces being required, unless an equivalent substitute number of such spaces is provided and maintained conforming to the requirements of this chapter except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Location of parking spaces. The required parking spaces or garages shall be located on the same building site except as otherwise provided by this title. Property within the ultimate right-of-way of a street or highway shall not be used to provide required parking or loading facilities.

• B. Design and maintenance. All off-street parking spaces and areas required by this chapter shall be designed and maintained to be fully usable for the duration of the use requiring such areas and spaces.

• C. Tandem spaces. Except for mobile homes, tandem spaces shall only be permitted for those spaces that exceed the requirements of this title, or as approved by the Commission.

• D. Parking development standards. Parking areas serving industrial, commercial, apartment and public or community, facility uses shall be subject to the following parking standards:

  1. Stall Dimensions. Each off-street parking stall shall consist of a rectangular area not less than 9 feet wide by 16 feet, 6 inches long plus 2 feet of overhang except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Parking spaces adjacent to tree planters may have a minimum length of 15 feet plus 2 feet of overhang. End spaces where clear back-out space is restricted on one side shall be 11 feet in width.

  2. Bumper or Tire Guard Requirements. Bumper or tire guards shall be provided along any property line that abuts a public walkway, street or alley, unless specifically waived by the ARC, Commission, or Council.

  3. Lighting Requirements. Parking lot lighting shall conform to the requirements of

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.030

§ 25.46.030

Chapter 24.16, Outdoor Lighting Requirements.

4. Marking Requirements. All open parking stalls shall be clearly outlined with a minimum 4-inch wide double ("hairpin") lines on the surface of the parking facility.

5. Paving Requirements. All parking stalls and maneuvering areas shall be paved and permanently maintained with pavers, asphaltic or concrete cement surfacing. All areas within the parking area not used for parking stalls or maneuvering areas shall be landscaped.

6. Screening. Wherever off-street parking areas are situated across the street from property in a residential district, a masonry wall or berm 3 feet in height shall be erected within the required landscape area to adequately screen the residential properties.

7. Maneuvering Requirements. Parking areas shall be designed to enable a car entering the parking area to move from one location to any other location within the parking area or premises without entering a street.

8. Use Restrictions. The required parking area shall not be used for any other use other than the temporary storage of motor vehicles during the time that the use requiring the parking is in operation.

9. Arrangement Requirements. Parking and maneuvering areas shall be so arranged that any vehicle entering a vehicular right-of-way can do so traveling in a forward direction.

10. Supplemental Covered Parking Standards for Residential Uses. Covered parking areas serving residential uses shall be subject to the following supplemental parking development standards.

• i. Single-Family Residential Districts. In single-family residential districts including conventional detached, cluster housing, or condominium, 2 of the required parking spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport.

Each space shall contain 10 feet by 20 feet of unobstructed area. This requirement shall be met by utilizing the interior dimensions of the garage or carport.

• ii. Multiple-Family Residential Districts. In multiple-family residential districts, including apartments, parking shall be provided as follows:

• iii. One space for each one-bedroom unit shall be provided within a garage or carport.

• iv. A minimum of one of the required parking spaces for each 2 or more bedroom units shall be provided within a garage or a carport for each living unit.

• v. Parking development standards contained within this chapter.

• E. Parking design standards. All parking areas, other than single-family conventional development, shall be subject to the design standards set by the City.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.46.030

§ 25.46.040

Figure 25.46-1: Parking Lot Design Requirements

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(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Parking schedule. Table 25.46-1 (Parking Schedule) identifies minimum vehicle parking space requirements for specific uses. Where there is more than one parking ratio listed in the table, the greater of the two applies. Where the parking ratio is listed based upon square feet, it shall mean the gross square feet of the building. Unless otherwise noted, this includes public and private areas.

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Table 25.46-1: Parking Schedule
Use Minimum Stalls Required
Residential Uses
Children's homes 1
1 per 4 beds
Cluster housing
Studio and one bedroom 2 per unit
Two and more bedrooms 2 per unit
Condominium
Studio and one bedroom 2 per unit
Two and more bedrooms 2.5 per unit
Dwelling, mobile home 2 per unit
Dwelling, multifamily
Studio and one bedroom 2 per unit
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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.040

§ 25.46.040

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Table 25.46-1: Parking Schedule
Use Minimum Stalls Required
Two and more bedrooms 2 per unit
Dwelling, single-family 2 per unit
Residential care facility 1
1 per 4 beds
Residential care home 1
1 per 4 beds
Agricultural and Animal-Related Uses
Stables, boarding 2
1 per 5 stables
Veterinary facility 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space, Education, and Public Assembly
Uses
Assembly uses 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench
area
Billiard halls 2 per billiard table
Bowling alleys 2 per alley
Golf-related uses
Driving ranges 3
1 per tee
Golf courses 3
4 per hole
Pitch and putt 3
3 per hole
Libraries 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Preschools, nursery schools, and day 2 per 3 employees + 1 per 8 children
nurseries
Private clubs, union halls, lodge halls 10 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Religious institutions 3
1 per 3 seats
Schools, private 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 students at
maximum classroom capacity
Skating rinks, ice and roller 3
10 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Sports arenas and stadiums 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench
area
Swimming pools, commercial 3
l2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of pool area
Tennis facilities, commercial 3 per court or 1 per 18 inches of bench area
Theater/auditorium 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench
area
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses
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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.46.040

§ 25.46.040

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Table 25.46-1: Parking Schedule
Use Minimum Stalls Required
Public utility facilities 2 or 1 per employee (in the largest shift) +
1 per vehicle used in conjunction with the
use
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
Appliance stores 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Banks 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Drugstores 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Financial institutions and savings and loan 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.
offices
Furniture stores 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Plant nursery with outdoor sales and 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross building area
5 excluding greenhouse area
display
Grocery stores 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Gym, commercial 4
8 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Gym, personal studio 4 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Health, figure, and exercise salons and spas 5 per 1,000 sq. ft.4
Hotels 3
1 per guest unit
Lumber yards 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area + 1 per
1,000 sq. ft. of open area for sales and
display
Medical, clinics 5 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Medical, hospitals 1.75 per bed
Mortuaries 5 + 250 sq. ft. of usable and accessible
paved parking area for every 25 sq. ft. of
assembly room floor area
Motels 3
1.1 per guest unit
Offices 4 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Personal services 4 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Resort hotels 7
1.1 per guest unit
Restaurants 8 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Retail uses, general 7
3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Shopping centers, community and regional 4 per 1,000 sq. ft.7
Shopping centers, specialty and district 7
3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Automobile and Vehicle Uses
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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.040

§ 25.46.040

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Table 25.46-1: Parking Schedule
Use Minimum Stalls Required
Auto rental agencies 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross rentals
Auto repair/service stations 1 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Auto gas/convenience 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Auto washing, full service 3.5 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Auto washing, self service 1 per vacuum station or wash stall
Auto and vehicle sales 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Processing Uses
Industrial uses, general5 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.6
Storage, personal storage facility 7
6 + 2 per caretaker unit
Support facilities for construction, Provide as needed
renovation, and equipment installations
Warehouses and storage facilities 2 per 3 employees and not less than 1 per
1,000 sq. ft. for the first 20,000 sq. ft.; 1 per
2,000 sq. ft. for the second 20,000 sq. ft.; 1
per 4,000 sq. ft. for area in excess of initial
40,000 sq. ft.
Wholesaling and distribution 1 per 3,000 sq. ft.
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Notes:

• 1 The number of beds used in the calculation shall match the resident capacity of the home as listed on the required license or permit.

• 2 Parking areas for boarding stables should be treated to prevent dust and designed to provide for the needs of customers and employees.

• 3 As is needed, additional parking should be provided for other uses on the site.

  • 4 Swimming pool area shall be counted as part of a facility's floor area.

  • 5 Except structures used exclusively for warehousing purposes.

  • 6 Loading spaces may be counted as part of the required parking at a rate not to exceed 1 per 2,500 gross square feet.

  • 7 Additional parking may be required by the Director through the precise plan process.

• B. Valet parking. Valet parking is subject to review and approval either at the time the predominant use is approved through a conditional use permit with insurance provisions or later as a specific item by the Code Compliance Supervisor but not until 1 year after occupancy resulting from the conditional use permit. Existing commercial uses utilizing valet parking must have an approved valet parking plan which includes provisions for insurance for the patrons to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.

• C. In-lieu parking payments. In commercial districts, parking spaces required by the provisions of this chapter may be satisfied by the payment of a fee per parking space to the off-street parking fund of the City prior to issuance of a building permit provided that the

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.46.040

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.46.060

district in which the use is to be established is within an established parking district. Funds placed into the off-street parking fund pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be used exclusively for the purpose of acquiring and developing off-street parking facilities, limited insofar as practicable to the general vicinity of the premises for which in-lieu payments were made. The payment shall be in an amount set forth by Council resolution. This provision shall apply only to projects in the downtown districts per Chapter 25.18 of this title and OP districts and may not be used to replace more than 50 percent of the required spaces.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1264 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1279 § 8, 2015; Ord. 1296 § 14, 2015; Ord. 1334 § 13, 2018; Ord. 1393 § 19, 2023)

Up to 10 percent of a development's parking requirement may be met by parking for golf carts, motorcycles, and scooters. Parking spaces for these vehicles shall not measure less than 5 feet wide by 10 feet long.

Figure 25.46-2: Typical Golf Cart, Motorcycle and Scooter Parking Space

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(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

Each parking area associated with any type of land use listed under Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements) of this chapter, except for single-family and two-family residential dwellings, shall provide a number of bicycle parking spaces in accordance with the following:

• A. Number of required bicycle parking spaces.

  1. Short-Term Bicycle Parking. If a land use or project is anticipated to generate visitor traffic, the project must provide permanently anchored bicycle racks within 200 feet of the visitor's entrance. To enhance security and visibility, the bicycle racks shall be readily visible to passersby. The bicycle capacity of the racks must equal an amount equivalent to 5 percent of all required off-street vehicle parking, as identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements). There shall be a minimum of one rack with capacity for two bicycles.

  2. Long-Term Bicycle Parking. Buildings with over 10 tenant-occupants (e.g., multifamily tenants, owners, employees) shall provide secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of all required off-street vehicle parking spaces, as identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements). There shall be a minimum of one long-term bicycle parking space. Acceptable parking facilities shall be convenient from the

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.060

§ 25.46.070

street and include one or a combination of the following:

• i. Covered, lockable enclosures with permanently anchored racks for bicycles.

• ii. Lockable bicycle rooms with permanently anchored racks.

• iii. Lockable, permanently anchored bicycle lockers.

• iv. In the case of residential development, a standard garage is sufficient, if available.

• B. Bicycle racks. Required bicycle parking may be provided in floor, wall, or ceiling racks. Where required bicycle parking is provided with racks, the racks must meet the following requirements:

  1. The bicycle frame and one wheel can be locked to the rack with a high-security U- shaped shackle lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle.

  2. A bicycle of 6 feet in length can be securely held with its frame supported so that the bicycle cannot be pushed or fall in a manner that will damage the wheels or components.

• C. Parking and maneuvering areas. Each required bicycle parking space must be accessible without moving another bicycle. There must be an aisle at least 5 feet wide adjacent to all required bicycle parking to allow room for bicycle maneuvering. Where the bicycle parking is adjacent to a sidewalk, the maneuvering area may extend into the right-of-way. The area devoted to bicycle parking must be hard surfaced.

  1. Visibility. If required bicycle parking is not visible from the street or main building entrance, a sign must be posted at the main building entrance indicating the location of the bicycle parking.

Figure 25.46-3: Required Bicycle Parking

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• (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Clean air vehicle parking for nonresidential uses. The following is required by Title 24, Part 11 (CALGreen) of the California Building Code. Of the required off-street parking requirements for nonresidential uses identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.46.070

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.46.100

Requirements), approximately 8 percent of these spaces should be designated parking spaces for any combination of low-emitting, fuel-efficient, and carpool/vanpool vehicles (including electric vehicles). There are no requirements for residential uses. Table 25.46-2 (Clean Air Parking Spaces for Nonresidential Uses) shows the number of required clean air vehicle parking spaces for nonresidential uses.

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Table 25.46-2: Clean Air Parking Spaces for Nonresidential Uses
Total Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces to Be
(as identified in § 25.46.040) Clean Air Vehicle Parking Spaces
0–9 0
10–25 1
26–50 3
51–75 6
76–100 8
101–150 11
151–200 16
201 and over At least 8 percent of total
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• B. Parking stall marking. Paint, in the paint used for stall striping, the following characters such that the lower edge of the last word aligns with the end of the stall striping and is visible beneath a parked vehicle:

  1. Clean Air.

  2. Vehicle.

• (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

Dual use of parking may be allowed where the operating hours of the uses involved do not overlap. Joint use of parking shall not exceed 50 percent of the required spaces of any uses involved. The agreement for the joint use shall be in the form of a recorded covenant and shall be acceptable to the City Attorney. The approval for the joint use can be granted only by the Commission and shall apply exclusively to the downtown districts per Chapter 25.18 of this title and OP zoning districts.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1393 § 20, 2023)

Precise plan exception. The standards of Section 25.46.030 (Parking Lot Design Requirements) and the design standards for off-street parking facilities shall be required unless modified by the precise plan.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Off-street loading requirements. Every hospital, institution, hotel, motel, commercial, or

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.100

§ 25.46.100

industrial building hereafter erected or established shall have and maintain loading spaces as provided subject to the following standards:

1. Each loading berth shall not be less than 45 feet in length and 12 feet in width exclusive of aisle or maneuvering space, and shall have an overhead clearance of not less than 14 feet.

2. Such space may occupy all or any part of any required yard space, except front and exterior side yards, and shall not be located closer than 50 feet to any lot in any residential zone unless enclosed on all sides except the entrance by a wall not less than 8 feet in height.

3. Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site so that vehicles shall cross a property line only by driving forward.

4. Each loading berth shall be accessible from a street or alley or from an aisle or drive connecting with a street or alley.

5. Entrance from and exits to streets and alleys shall be designed to minimize traffic congestion.

6. The loading area, aisles, and access drives shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water without damage to private or public properties, streets, or alleys.

7. Bumper rails shall be provided at locations where needed for safety or to protect property.

8. If the loading area is illuminated, lighting shall be deflected away from abutting residential sites so as to cause no annoying glare.

9. No repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in a loading area.

10. Off-street loading facilities shall be located on the same site with the use for which the berths are required.

Figure 25.46-4: Typical Loading Space

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11. If more than one use is located on a site, the number of loading berths provided shall be equal to the sum of the requirements prescribed in this title for each use. Where the

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.46.100

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.46.100

gross floor area of each use is below the minimum requirement, the aggregate gross floor area should be used to determine the number of off-street loading berths and should be applied to the use requiring the greatest number of loading berths.

12. Off-street loading facilities for a single use shall be considered as providing required off-street loading facilities for any other use as long as sufficient spaces are provided to meet the requirements of all uses.

13. At the time of initial occupancy, major alterations or enlargement of a site or of completion of construction of a structure or of a major alteration or enlargement of a structure, there shall be provided off-street loading berth requirements. The number of loading berths provided for a major alteration or enlargement of a site or structure shall be in addition to the number existing prior to the alteration or enlargement.

14. Space allocated to any off-street loading berth shall not be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facility.

15. Loading space being maintained in connection with any main building existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall thereafter be maintained so long as the building remains, unless an equivalent number of such spaces are provided on a contiguous lot in conformity with the requirements of this chapter; however, this regulation shall not require the maintenance of such space for any type of main building other than those specified above.

16. No loading space which is provided for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this title shall hereafter be eliminated, reduced, or converted in any manner below the requirements established in this title, unless equivalent facilities are provided elsewhere, conforming to this title.

• B. Loading spaces required. Table 25.46-3 (Off-Street Loading Spaces) identifies how many loading spaces are required for all hospitals, institutions, hotels, motels, and commercial and industrial uses.

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Table 25.46-3: Off-Street Loading Spaces
Total Square Feet of Building Space (gross
floor area) Loading Spaces Required
Commercial and industrial buildings
Less than 6,000 sq. ft. 0
6,000–15,000 sq. ft. 1
15,001–40,000 sq. ft. 2
40,001 sq. ft. and over 3
Hotels and motels 1
Hospitals and institutions
10,000–50,000 sq. ft. 1
50,001–100,000 sq. ft. 2
100,001 sq. ft. and over 3
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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.46.100

§ 25.46.100

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

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City of Palm Desert, CA