Portola Municipal Code § 17.40.020 General off-street

17.40.010 - Purpose.¶

The requirements for off-street parking established by this chapter are intended (1) to minimize traffic congestion and hazards to motorists and pedestrians, (2) to provide safe, attractive, and convenient off-street parking facilities with vehicular access to all land uses, (3) to provide off-street parking in proportion to the needs generated by varying land uses, (4) to ensure access to projects by emergency response vehicles, and (5) to ensure that parking areas are compatible with the surrounding land uses.

(Ord. 289 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2002)

Exceptions & meaning →

17.40.020 - General off-street parking requirement.¶

All approved land uses shall be designed and developed to provide the number of off-street parking spaces required by Section 17.40.030 (Parking Space Requirements by Use Type), and designed as required by Section 17.40.040 (Design and Improvement of Parking).

A. Handicapped Accessible Parking. Parking lots shall include the number of handicapped accessible parking spaces as required by Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Handicapped accessible spaces count toward the total number of parking spaces required by Section 17.40.030. Handicapped parking spaces shall be designed as provided in Section 17.40.040(A)(1)(a).

B. Company Vehicles. In addition to the number of off-street parking spaces required by Section 17.40.030 (Parking Space Requirements by Use Type), non-residential uses shall provide one off-street parking space for each company vehicle that is parked on the site during normal business hours. These spaces may be located within a building.

C. Bicycle Spaces. A minimum of one bicycle space shall be provided for each twenty required parking spaces up to one hundred spaces. For each additional one hundred required parking spaces or portion thereof, one bicycle space shall be provided or another minimum number of bicycle spaces as determined by the planning commission. Any bicycle space required as part of the transportation system management plan can be counted to fulfill the requirements of this section.

D. Accessibility and Usability. All required off-street parking spaces shall be designed, located, constructed and maintained so as to be fully and independently usable and accessible at all times. The usability of required parking spaces shall be maintained as follows:

Required off-street parking spaces shall not be used for any purpose that at any time would prevent vehicles from parking in required parking spaces, except as permitted by Chapter 17.73 (Temporary Uses).
Driveways shall not be used for any purpose that would prevent vehicle access to parking spaces, or inhibit circulation or emergency service response.
All required parking spaces must be available for use by tenants, customers and visitors to the site at all times. Parking spaces shall not be reserved for an individual tenant or customer, or be reserved for a limited period of time.

(Ord. 289 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2002)

Exceptions & meaning →

17.40.030 - Parking space requirements by use type.¶

The number of off-street parking spaces required for the land uses identified by Article II (Zoning Districts and Permitted Uses) shall be as provided by this section, except where parking requirements are established by Article IV (Special Area and Specific Use Requirements) for a particular use.

A. Number of spaces required. The number of off-street parking spaces required for new uses shall be based upon the use type, listed below, except as may be modified by subsections C or D of this section.

Terms used in tables. The following terms are used throughout the tables and are defined below:

a. "Square feet" means the total gross building/tenant space area;

b. "Use area" means the total of gross building/tenant space area plus the gross area of any outdoor/storage/activity.

Civic Use Types shall provide off-street parking spaces as follows:

CIVIC USE TYPES	NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
Community Assembly
Places of worship	1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft. for non-fixed seats in the assembly area, plus 1 per classroom when that classroom is used during the assembly period.
Club, lodges, meeting halls	1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft. for non-fixed seats in the assembly area
Public community facilities	As determined by the planning commission
Community services	As determined by the planning commission
Essential services	None
Hospital Services
General hospital services	1 per doctor, plus 1 per 6 beds
Intensive public facilities	As determined by the planning commission
Libraries and museums, private	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Public parking services	As determined by the planning commission
Schools
Colleges and Universities	As determined by the planning commission
Elem., Middle, Jr. High Schools	2 per classroom, plus 60 lineal feet of loading area for every 100 students
High Schools	1 per classroom, plus 1 per every 4 students, plus 60 lineal feet of loading area for every 200 students
Social Services	1 per employee, plus 1 per every 500 sq. ft. of floor area

Residential use types shall provide off-street parking spaces as follows:

RESIDENTIAL USE TYPES	NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
Caretaker/Employee Housing	2 per dwelling
Community Care Facility, Small	2 per dwelling
Community Care Facility, Large	2 per dwelling plus .5 per sleeping room (a maximum of 2 spaces may be located within the front setback)
Dwelling
Multi-family
Studio	1.5 per unit, plus guest parking (see below)
1 bedroom	1.5 per unit, plus guest parking (see below)
2+ bedrooms	2 per unit, plus guest parking (see below)
Senior citizen apartments	1 per unit, plus guest parking (see below)
Guest parking	Projects with 10 or more dwelling units shall provide 1 additional space for each 10 dwelling units or portion thereof
Single Family and Two-Family	2 per dwelling
Family Day Care Home, Small	2 per dwelling plus 1 space for loading
Family Day Care Home, Large	2 per dwelling plus 1 space per employee not residing in the home, plus loading areas as required by Section 17.46.020(B)
Mobile home park	2 per dwelling unit plus guest parking (see above)
Second Units
1 bedroom	1 per dwelling
2+ bedroom	2 per dwelling

Commercial use types shall provide off-street parking spaces as follows, but no fewer than two spaces for each separate commercial use or tenant:

COMMERCIAL USE TYPES	NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
Adult Business Establishments	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Animal Sales and Service
Grooming and pet stores	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Kennels	Minimum 4 spaces
Veterinary clinic	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Veterinary hospital	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Automotive and Equipment
Automotive rentals	1 per 400 sq. ft. of office plus 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of fleet or vehicle storage area
Automotive repairs	1 per 400 sq. ft. plus 1 per bay plus 1 for every company vehicle
Automotive sales	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor display area
Car Wash and Detailing
Full service	2 times internal washing capacity; additional parking required for drying or vacuum areas and 100 lineal feet for stacking
Self-service	2 spaces; additional parking required for drying or vacuum areas and 20 lineal feet in front of each bay for stacking
Commercial Parking	As determined by the planning commission
Equipment Rental and Sales	1 per 400 sq. ft. of office plus 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor display area
Gasoline Sales
With neighborhood commercial sales	1 per 400 sq. ft. of commercial sales area with a 4 space minimum
W/O neighborhood commercial sales	4 spaces
With repair	1 per 400 sq. ft. of commercial sales area with a 4 space minimum plus 2 spaces per service bay
Impound Yards	1 per 500 sq. ft. plus 1 for every company vehicle
Storage of Operable Vehicles	1 per 500 sq. ft. plus 1 for every company vehicle
Banks and Financial Institutions	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Bars and Drinking Places	1 per 100 sq. ft.
Broadcasting and Recording Studios	As determined by the planning commission
Building Material Stores	1 per 400 sq. ft. of building area plus 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor display/storage area
Business Support Services	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Commercial Recreation
Amusement center	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Indoor entertainment	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Theater, community assembly	1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft. for non-fixed seating or as determined by the planning commission
Indoor Sports and Recreation
Billiard and pool hall	1 per table plus additional spaces a required for other uses in the facility (e.g. restaurant)
Bowling center	3 per lane plus additional spaces as required for other uses in the facility (e.g. restaurant)
Handball, tennis, racquet ball facilities	1 per court plus additional spaces as required for other uses in the facility (e.g. restaurant)
Health clubs and athletic clubs	1 per 400 sq. ft. of weight room, pool and spa area plus 1 per 200 sq. ft. of aerobics or martial arts area plus 1 per tanning or massage room plus additional spaces as required for other uses in the facility, excluding area for locker and dressing rooms
Indoor sport arenas (i.e. soccer)	20 per field or sports court plus 1 per 4 fixed seats for spectator area plus additional spaces as required for other uses at the facility (e.g. retail)
Skating/ice rinks	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Outdoor Entertainment	As determined by the planning commission
Outdoor Sports and Recreation
Amusement parks	As determined by the planning commission
Driving range	1 per tee plus additional spaces as required for other uses at the facility (e.g. golf course)
Golf course	2 per hole plus additional spaces as required for other uses at the facility (e.g. driving range, restaurant, pro shop)
Handball, tennis, racquet ball facilities	1 per court plus additional spaces as required for other uses at the facility (e.g. restaurant)
Miniature golf course	1 per hole plus additional spaces as required for other uses at the facility (e.g. restaurant)
Swimming pools	1 per 200 sq. ft. of pool area
Residential recreation facilities	As specified for the sum of all of the uses within the facility by utilizing the parking requirement for each use as outlined throughout this chapter
Community Care Facilities	.5 per unit
Day Care Centers	1 per employee plus 1 per company vehicle plus a loading space for every eight persons at the facility. The number of persons permitted at the facility is determined as a part of the licensing by the state or county.
Eating and Drinking Establishments
Fast food with drive through	1 per 100 sq. ft.
Convenience	1 per 200 sq. ft.
Full service	1 per 4 fixed seats
Food and Beverage Retail Sales	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Funeral and Internment Services	1 per 4 fixed seats or 1 per 50 sq. ft. of assembly area
Lodging Services	1 per room plus additional spaces as required for other uses in the facility
Long Term Care Facilities	1 per 3 employees for largest shift, plus 1 per 3 beds
Maintenance and Repair of Appliances	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Medical Services	1 per 200 sq. ft.
Neighborhood Commercial	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Nightclubs	1 space per 3 occupants based on maximum occupancy load of the building as calculated by the UBC
Nursery, Retail	1 per 400 sq. ft. plus 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor display/storage area
Offices, Professional	1 per 200 sq. ft.
Personal Services	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Retail Sales and Services
Furniture, lg. appliance, floor covering	1 per 600 sq. ft.
General retail	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Shopping centers *	Designed and planned at 1 per 400 sq. ft. As tenant spaces are leased, each tenant shall utilize the parking requirement for that use as outlined in this chapter.
* For the purposes of off-street parking requirements, shopping centers include a minimum of four commercial establishments, designed or planned in a coordinated fashion, utilizing such elements as common access and parking.
Specialized Education and Training	1 per 100 sq. ft. of instructional area plus 1 per 250 sq. ft. of office area
Storage, Personal Storage Facilities	3 spaces plus 2 spaces for the manager's quarters

Industrial use types shall provide off-street parking spaces as follows, but no fewer than two spaces for each separate industrial use or tenant:

INDUSTRIAL USE TYPES	NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
Equipment and Material Storage Yards	1 per 400 sq. ft. plus 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of yard area
General Industrial	1 per 1000 sq. ft. Where other uses exceed 10% of the gross floor area (e.g. office, warehouse, etc.) the parking requirement shall be the combined total for each use as outlined in this chapter or as otherwise determined by the planning commission
Hazardous Materials Handling	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. Where other uses exceed 10% of the gross floor area (e.g. office, warehouse, etc.) the parking requirement shall be the combined total for each use as outlined in this chapter or as otherwise determined by the planning commission
Light Manufacturing	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. Where other uses exceed 10% of the gross floor area (e.g. office, warehouse, etc.) the parking requirement shall be the combined total for each use as outlined in this chapter or as otherwise determined by the planning commission
Recycling, Scrap and Dismantling
Enclosed	1 per 400 sq. ft. of office area, plus 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of storage area
Unenclosed	1 per 400 sq. ft. of office area, plus 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. of yard area
Research Services	1 per 3,000 sq. ft., plus 1 per company vehicle
Specialized Industrial	As determined by the planning commission
Wholesale and Distribution
Light	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. Where other uses exceed 10% of the gross floor area (e.g. office, warehouse, etc.) the parking requirement shall be the combined total for each use as outlined in this Chapter or as otherwise determined by the Planning Commission
Heavy	1 per 1,000 sq. ft. Where other uses exceed 10% of the gross floor area (e.g. office, warehouse, etc.) the parking requirement shall be the combined total for each use as outlined in this chapter or as otherwise determined by the planning commission

Transportation and communication use types shall provide off-street parking spaces as follows:

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION USE TYPES	NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
Antennas and Communications Facilities
Developed lot	None, see parking requirements for applicable use type
Undeveloped lot	1 per full-time employee
Bus Depots	As required by Section 17.36.030
Heliports	As determined by the planning commission

B. Special Parking Requirements. The number of parking spaces required for uses not specifically listed in subsection A shall be determined by the director based on common functional, product or compatibility characteristics and activities, as provided for in Section 17.13.050

New buildings or development projects without known tenants. If the type of tenants that will occupy a nonresidential building are not known at the time of the development entitlement or building permit approval, the amount of parking to be provided shall be the minimum number of parking spaces required by subsection A for any land use allowed on the site by the applicable zoning, provided that the director determines the proposed building as designed can reasonably accommodate such use.
Mixed-use projects. Where a project contains more than one major use classification (such as a residential and a commercial use), the amount of parking to be provided shall be the total of that required for each use, except as otherwise provided by subsection C below.
Tenant spaces with multiple functions. When a tenant has several functions, such as sales and office, the amount of parking to be provided for the tenant shall be calculated as specified by subsection A for the primary use, using the gross floor area of the tenant space.
Changes in use. When an existing use is enlarged, increased or intensified, or a new use having greater parking requirements than the previous use is proposed, the required number of parking spaces for the new use or existing, enlarged, increased or intensified use shall be calculated as specified by subsection A.
Rounding off. When the required number of parking spaces is other than a whole number, the total number of spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

C. Adjustment to Number of Required Parking Spaces. The number of parking spaces required by subsection A, above, may be modified as follows:

Precise plan provisions. Provisions may be made in a precise plan to allow reductions in the number of required parking spaces based upon special provisions, such as providing golf cart or electric car parking where special provisions are made for golf carts or electric cars.
Parking reductions for shared parking. If an applicant believes the number of parking spaces required for their building complex as specified in subsection A (which is the sum of all the users within the building complex) is not applicable because the hours of operation of different tenants/uses within the building complex will effectively allow for dual use of the parking spaces then the applicant may request an administrative permit. The approving authority shall be the director. If the director finds that the hours of operation of different tenants/uses within the building complex will in fact allow for dual use of the parking spaces, then the director shall issue an administrative permit. The applicant shall have the burden of proof for requesting a reduction in the total number of required off-street parking spaces, and documentation shall be submitted substantiating this request. Shared parking reductions shall only be approved by the approving authority if:

a. A sufficient number of spaces are provided to meet the greatest parking demand of the participating uses;

b. Satisfactory evidence is provided describing the nature of the uses and the times when the uses operate so as to demonstrate the lack of potential conflict between them;

c. Overflow parking will not impact any adjacent use; and

d. Additional documents, covenants, deed restrictions, or other agreements as may be deemed necessary by the director are executed to assure that the required parking spaces provided are maintained and uses with similar hours and parking requirements as those uses sharing the parking facilities remain for the life of the project.

Parking reductions for an individual use. If an applicant for a proposed use believes the number of parking spaces required for their use as specified in subsection A is not applicable because their use functions differently than the generic use type and associated parking standards established in this title, then the applicant may request an administrative permit. The approving authority shall be the director. If the director finds that the use functions differently than the generic use type and associated parking standards established in this title, due to the specific nature of the business in question, then the director shall issue an administrative permit. The applicant shall have the burden of proof for requesting a reduction in the total number of required off-street parking spaces, and documentation shall be submitted substantiating the request. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to: a parking study of another facility of the same use which is similar in size and operation, calculating the required parking spaces with field data of peak parking usage. Reduced parking shall only be approved by the approving authority if:

a. Satisfactory evidence is provided describing the nature of the use, the operation and data from other facilities or similar facilities so as to demonstrate that the required parking standards are excessive and the proposed parking standards are appropriate; and

b. Overflow parking will not impact any adjacent use.

D. Downtown Core and Old Town Overlay Areas—Parking Requirements. All principally permitted uses in historic areas of the city (downtown core and old town overlay areas), with the exception of community assembly, colleges and universities, and new uses requiring a discretionary permit, shall be permitted without the need to provide additional off-street parking.

Community assembly, college and university uses, and new uses which require a discretionary permit, shall comply with the parking standards specified in Section 17.40.030(A), or request approval of a parking reduction or variance from the parking standards from the planning commission.

Downtown core and old town overlay areas may be required to participate in any approved assessment district to alleviate parking constraints, unless adequate off-street parking is provided as required in this title.

(Ord. 289 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2002)

Exceptions & meaning →

17.40.040 - Design and improvement of parking.¶

Parking spaces and areas shall be designed in accordance with this section.

A. Parking Lot and Parking Space Design and Layout. Except where otherwise provided by Section 17.40.030(C) parking spaces shall be designed as follows:

Parking space design. Except as provided below, all parking spaces shall be standard spaces, designed to accommodate full-size passenger vehicles.

a. Parking space sizes. Standard spaces shall be a minimum of nine feet by eighteen feet; compact car spaces shall be a minimum of eight feet by sixteen feet; and parallel parking spaces shall be a minimum of ten feet wide by twenty-two feet long. Handicapped spaces shall be a minimum of nine feet by eighteen with a five foot loading area; a handicapped van space shall be a minimum of nine feet by eighteen feet with an eight foot loading area, or as otherwise required by state law.

b. Compact car space substitution. Parking lots with a minimum of twenty parking spaces may substitute standard spaces with compact spaces for up to thirty percent of the total parking spaces required. Each compact space shall be labeled "COMPACT" or "C".

c. Motorcycle space substitution. Parking lots with a minimum of forty parking spaces may substitute standard parking spaces with motorcycle spaces. One standard parking space may be replaced with a motorcycle space for each forty required standard parking spaces. Motorcycle spaces shall be a minimum size of three by six feet.

Parking lot design. The design and layout of parking lots shall conform to the following standards:

a. Circulation aisle width with parking. The minimum width of a two-way drive aisle providing access to parking spaces shall be twenty-four feet. The minimum width of a one-way drive aisle providing access to parking spaces shall be as follows:

ANGLE	AISLE WIDTH
90°	24′
60°	18′
45°	14′
PARALLEL	12′

[Figure: 17-40-040]

[Figure: 17-40-040b]

Other parking designs utilizing other parking angles may be permitted upon approval of the planning commission.

b. Circulation aisle width without parking. The minimum width of a two-way drive aisle with no parking on either side of the drive aisle is twenty feet. The minimum width of a one-way drive aisle with no parking on either side of the drive aisle is twelve feet.

c. Circulation aisle for emergency access. The minimum width of a drive aisle needed for an emergency response vehicle shall be twenty feet.

d. Vehicular overhang: Vehicular overhang is permitted, provided no vehicle shall overhang into a sidewalk that would reduce the unencumbered width of a sidewalk to less than four feet. A vehicle is permitted to overhang into a landscaped area by two feet, provided that the required landscaped area is extended by two feet.

e. Perimeter landscaping. Where a parking lot is adjacent to a public right-of-way, a landscape planter shall be established and continuously maintained between the public right-of-way and the parking lot. The director shall review and approve the landscape plan. In addition, all unused right-of-way between the public street and the parking lot shall be landscaped and maintained by the property owner.

f. Bicycle racks. When bicycle spaces are provided, a bicycle rack shall be installed. The bicycle rack shall be designed to allow a bicycle to be secured to the rack. The location of the bicycle rack shall not encroach into the sidewalk that would reduce the unencumbered width of the sidewalk to less than four feet or prohibit the free movement of pedestrian traffic.

g. Curb stops. A permanent curb, bumper, wheel stop or similar device at least six inches in height shall be installed adjacent to sidewalks, planters and other landscaping areas, parking lot fixtures and buildings and walls to protect these improvements from vehicular damage. The stopping edge of such protected devices shall be placed no closer than two feet from the above noted improvement.

h. Parking space design. When possible, all parking spaces shall be delineated and separated by striping, as shown on the typical stall illustration below. The striping shall be maintained in a clear and visible manner.

[Figure: 17-40-040c]

B. Controlled Access Required. All parking spaces (including garage spaces) required for any land use other than a single-family or two-family dwelling shall be designed and located to provide for vehicle maneuvering on the site so that vehicles will enter any adjacent public right-of-way or private road in a forward direction.

C. Location of Parking on a Single-Family Residential Lot. Parking spaces may be located as needed on a site, provided that no required parking space or aisle other than a driveway providing access to a street shall be located within a front or street side setback required by Article II except as provided in Section 17.70.040.G (Second Units), or other use types according to Section 17.40.030.

D. Surfacing of Parking Areas. Required parking and circulation areas shall be surfaced with asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete, or other approved all-weather, hard, non-eroding surface. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to insure that the surface is maintained free from significant cracks or holes.

E. Drive-Through Facilities. The following requirements apply to any use with drive-through facilities:

Separation and Marking of Lanes. Drive-through aisles shall be a minimum of twelve feet wide and shall be separated from other circulation aisles necessary for ingress or egress, or aisles providing access to any parking space. Each such aisle shall be striped, marked, or otherwise distinctly delineated.

F. Loading Requirements. Loading shall be provided as identified below:

No maneuvering within public rights-of-way. All site designs shall be designed so as to prevent truck back-up maneuvering within the public right-of-way.
Design. The location, number, size and access of the loading area shall be determined pursuant to design review.

(Ord. 289 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2002)

Exceptions & meaning →

Portola Municipal Code § 17.40.020 General off-street parking requirement

17.40.010 - Purpose.¶

17.40.020 - General off-street parking requirement.¶

17.40.030 - Parking space requirements by use type.¶

17.40.040 - Design and improvement of parking.¶

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