304.04: REQUIRED PARKING SPACES: — Porterville Zoning Code

A. Minimum Number of Spaces Required. Each land use shall be provided at least the number of on-site parking spaces stated in Table 304.04(A).

B. Calculation of Required Spaces. The number of required parking spaces shall be calculated according to the following rules:

Fractions. If the calculation of required parking or loading spaces results in the requirement of a fractional space, such fraction, if one-half (0.5) or greater, shall be considered one (1) additional space; if the fraction is less than one-half (0.5), it shall result in no additional spaces.
Floor Area. Where an on-site parking or loading requirement is stated as a ratio of parking spaces to floor area, the floor area is assumed to be gross floor area, unless otherwise stated.
Employees. Where an on-site parking or loading requirement is stated as a ratio of parking spaces to employees, the number of employees shall be based on the largest shift that occurs in a typical week.
Bedrooms. Where an on-site parking requirement is stated as a ratio of parking spaces to bedrooms, any rooms having the potential of being a bedroom and meeting the standard of the Building Code as a bedroom shall be counted as a bedroom.
Students or Clients. Where a parking or loading requirement is stated as a ratio of parking spaces to students (including children in day care), the number is assumed to be the number of students or clients at the state-certified capacity.
Seats. Where parking requirements are stated as a ratio of parking spaces to seats, each eighteen (18) inches of benchtype seating at maximum seating capacity is counted as one (1) seat.

C. Existing Spaces-Role in Parking Calculation. The number of parking or loading spaces required for an expansion or change in use, shall be based on the existing spaces plus the additional spaces prescribed in this section, unless the preexisting number is already greater than the number required.

D. Downtown Parking-Role in Parking Calculation. For properties in the Downtown districts, on-street parking spaces may be counted toward required off-street parking for non-residential uses in an amount equal to the proportionate share of the block face. For example, a site that occupies twenty-five (25) percent of the block face is credited with twenty-five (25) percent of the on-street parking spaces along that block face. These provisions apply to street frontages where on-street parking is allowed as identified in 304.07 Downtown Parking Districts.

E. Sites with Multiple Uses. If more than one (1) use is located on a site, the number of required on-site parking spaces and loading spaces shall be equal to the sum of the requirements prescribed for each use unless a reduction for shared parking is approved pursuant to Section 304.06(b), Shared Parking, and except for commercial centers with two (2) or more commercial establishments, which shall be provided parking at a ratio of one (1) parking space per three hundred (300) square feet of floor area if the floor area is more than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet.

quirements prescribed for each use unless a reduction for shared parking is approved pursuant to Section 304.06(b), Shared Parking, and except for commercial centers with two (2) or more commercial establishments, which shall be provided parking at a ratio of one (1) parking space per three hundred (300) square feet of floor area if the floor area is more than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet.

F. Uses Not Specified. The parking requirement for any use not listed in Table 304.04(A) shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator based upon the requirements for the most similar comparable use, the particular characteristics of the proposed use, and any other relevant data regarding parking demand. In order to make this determination, the Zoning Administrator may require the applicant to submit a parking demand study or other information, at the applicant’s cost.

G. Parking Requirements Determined by Zoning Administrator. Where the parking requirement in Table 304.04(A) is listed as “to be determined by the Zoning Administrator,” the Zoning Administrator shall establish the parking requirement based on the particular characteristics of the proposed use, and any other relevant data regarding parking demand. The Zoning Administrator may require the applicant to submit parking studies or any other information needed to assess parking demand for the proposed project. Where a Conditional Use Permit is required for the use, the ultimate parking requirement will be established by the Conditional Use Permit.

H. Queuing Area. The number of parking spaces required by Table 304.04(A) does not include queuing space that may be required for vehicles and customers waiting in vehicles for service at drive-through facilities, pump stations, auto service bays, or similar uses. Queuing Area shall provide space for six (6) vehicles (restaurants shall provide spacing from the menu board). In lieu of this standard, a focused traffic study which models vehicular queuing may be prepared subject to Zoning Administrator approval. The stacking area shall not interfere with other on-site circulation and parking facilities. Where required, queuing area shall be measured as twenty (20) feet per car.

TABLE 304.04A: REQUIRED ON SITE PARKING SPACES

Land Use Classification

Required Parking Spaces

Land Use Classification	Required Parking Spaces
Residential use classifications:
Single-family, detached Single-family, attached	2 covered parking for each dwelling unit
Second unit	See section 301.16, “Second Dwelling Units”, of this series
Multi-family residential	1 per studio unit. 1.5 per 1 bedroom unit. 2 per 2 bedroom unit or 3 bedroom unit. Additional bedrooms above 3: 0.5 space/bedroom. 1 space for each unit shall be designated for the unit and covered. 1 additional guest parking space shall be provided for every 5 units
Small family daycare home	None, beyond what is required for the residential use
Large family daycare home	1 per nonresident employee. 1 passenger loading space, on or off site. (Required spaces are in addition to those required for the primary residential use.)
Group residential	1 per bed, bedroom, or dwelling unit, whichever is greatest, plus 1 guest parking space per 3 units
Manufactured home park	2 on-site spaces for each dwelling unit. At least 1 required space shall be covered. Tandem parking allowed
Residential care, limited	None, beyond what is required for the residential use
Public and semipublic use classifications:
Cemetery	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Clubs and lodges	1 for each 3 permanent seats in main assembly area, or 1 for every 50 square feet of assembly area where temporary or movable seats are provided
Colleges and trade schools, public or private	To be determined by the zoning administrator based on parking demand study
Community center	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Cultural institutions:
For theaters and auditoriums	1 for each 3 permanent seats in main assembly area, or 1 for every 50 square feet of assembly area where temporary or movable seats are provided. Galleries and Museums: 1 for every 400 sq. ft. of floor area. Other establishments: determined by the Zoning Administrator.
Daycare center	1 per first 5 clients, plus 1 for each additional 10 clients
Elderly and long term care:
For first 10 beds	1 per 2 beds
Additional beds	1 additional space for each 4 beds
Government offices	1 per 300 square feet of floor area
Instructional services	1 per 300 square feet of floor area
Park and recreation facilities, public	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Public safety facilities	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Religious facilities	1 for each 3 permanent seats in main assembly area, or 1 for every 50 square feet of assembly area where temporary or movable seats are provided
Residential care, general:
For first 10 beds	1 per 2 beds
Additional beds	1 additional space for each 4 beds
Schools, public or private:
Elementary and middle schools	1 per classroom, plus 1 per 250 square feet of office area
High schools	0.35 per student
Social service facilities	1 per 200 square feet of floor area

Commercial use classifications:
Aircraft sales, services, and storage	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Animal care, sales and services:
Kennels	1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
Pet store	1 per 250 square feet of floor area
Veterinary services	1 per 250 square feet of floor area
Artists’ studios	1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
Automobile/vehicle sales and services:
Automobile/vehicle rentals	1 per 250 square feet of office area in addition to spaces for all vehicles for rent
Automobile/vehicle sales and leasing	1 per 250 square feet of office area, plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of indoor or outdoor sales display area Any accessory auto repair: 2 spaces per service bay. Minimum 5 spaces per dealership
Automobile/vehicle repair, major or minor	2 per service bay
Automobile/vehicle washing	Minimum 1 space for automatic facilities, minimum 3 spaces for other facilities, plus 1 space per 250 square feet of any indoor sales, office, or lounge areas
Large vehicle and equipment sales, service and rental	1 per 250 square feet of office area plus 1 per 2,500 square feet of sales display area
Service station	2 per service bay, if service bays are included on site. 1 per 200 square feet of any convenience store on site
Towing and impound	1 per 500 square feet of building area plus 1 per 0.5 acre of gross outdoor use area
Banks and financial institutions (all subclassifications)	1 per 300 square feet of floor area
Building materials services	1 per 400 square feet of floor area; 1 per 600 square feet of outdoor display area
Business services	1 per 300 square feet of floor area
Commercial entertainment and recreation:
Establishments with seating	1 for each 3 permanent seats in main assembly area, or 1 for every 50 square feet of assembly area where temporary or movable seats are provided
Bowling alleys	3 per lane
Other commercial entertainment and recreation uses	To be determined by zoning administrator
Eating, drinking, and smoking establishments:
Bars/nightclubs/lounges	Minimum 2 spaces. 1 per 75 square feet of customer seating area
Coffee shops/cafes	Minimum 2 spaces. 1 per 100 square feet of customer seating area
Restaurants	Minimum 2 spaces. 1 per 75 square feet of customer seating area; no parking is required for outdoor seating when seats provided equal 50 percent or less of total indoor seating
Tobacco bars	Minimum 2 spaces. 1 per 75 square feet of customer seating area
Food and beverage retail sales	1 per 250 square feet of floor area
Funeral parlors and mortuaries	1 for each 4 permanent seats in assembly areas, plus 1 per 250 square feet of office area
Hotels and motels	1 per each living or sleeping unit, plus 2 spaces adjacent to registration office. Additional parking required for ancillary uses, such as restaurants, according to the parking requirements for the ancillary use

Land Use Classification	Required Parking Spaces
Light fleet-based services	1 per 250 square feet of office floor area, plus 1 space for each fleet vehicle

Maintenance and repair services	1 per 350 square feet of building floor area, plus 1 space for each fleet vehicle
Medical facilities:
Hospital	1 per bed; plus 1 per 250 square feet of area used for office, clinics, testing, research, administration, and similar activities associated with the principal use
Medical clinic	1 per 200 square feet
Single physician office	1 per 175 square feet
Nurseries and garden centers	1 per 250 square feet of floor area, plus 1 per 500 square feet of outside display or greenhouse area
Offices (all subclassifications)	1 per 250 square feet of floor area
Parking, public or private	1 per attendant station (in addition to the spaces that are available to public)
Personal services	1 per 200 square feet of floor area
Retail sales:
Less than 50,000 square feet	1 per 250 square feet of floor area
50,000 square feet or more	1 per 300 square feet of floor area
Salvage and wrecking	1 per 500 square feet of building area plus 1 per 0.5 acre of gross outdoor use area
Sexually oriented business	As determined by the zoning administrator based upon requirements for the most similar comparable use
Wholesaling and distribution	1 per 2,000 square feet of floor area
Industrial use classifications:
Construction and materials yards	To be determined by zoning administrator
Handicraft/custom manufacturing	1 per 2,000 square feet of floor area
Industry, general	1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
Industry, limited	1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
Recycling collection facilities:
Recycling collection point	Minimum 1 space. Number of additional spaces to be determined by the zoning administrator
Recycling processing facility	1 for each 2 employees on the maximum work shift, or 1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area, whichever is greater
Warehousing and storage:
Chemical, mineral, and explosives storage	1 per 2 employees or 1 per 200 square feet of office area, whichever is greater
Indoor commercial storage	1 per 1,000 square feet of floor area
Outdoor storage	1 per 2 employees or 1 per 200 square feet of office area, whichever is greater
Personal storage	1 space per 75 storage units, plus 1 space per 300 square feet of office area. A minimum of 5 spaces shall be provided
Transportation, communication, and utilities use classifications:
Airports and heliports	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Communication facilities:
Antennas and transmission towers	Minimum 1 space for maintenance and servicing. Additional spaces to be determined by the zoning administrator
Facilities within buildings	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Freight/truck terminals and warehouses	1 for each 2 employees on the maximum work shift, or 1 for each 3,000 square feet of floor area, whichever is greater
Transportation passenger terminals	To be determined by the zoning administrator
Utilities, major	To be determined by the zoning administrator

Utilities, minor	None
Agriculture and extractive use classifications:
Crop and animal raising	1 for every 2 employees on the maximum shift
Mining and quarrying	1 for every 2 employees on the maximum shift

(Ord. 1866, 11-19-2019; amd. Ord.1909, 1-21-2025)