Earlier editions: 2026-09
Chapter 106 — ZONING›Article III — GENERAL REGULATIONS
San Fernando Municipal Code § 106-284 Location of parking
San Fernando Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · San Fernando
Cite as: San Fernando Municipal Code § 106-284 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Subdivision I. - In General¶
Sec. 106-247. - Paving and drainage of vehicular areas.¶
(a) All areas used for the movement, parking, loading, repair, or storage of vehicles of any type, other than mobile home sites, shall be paved with either:
(1) Concrete to a minimum thickness of three and one-half inches;
(2) Asphaltic pavement to a minimum thickness of one and one-half inches over four inches of crushed rock, gravel or similar material; or
(3) Other surfacing material providing equivalent life, service and appearance in the opinion of the director of public works.
(b) All such areas shall be graded and drained to dispose of all surface water. Drainage shall not be permitted across the surface of sidewalks or driveways, except for vehicular areas serving residential uses.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Secs. 106-248—106-276. - Reserved.¶
Subdivision II. - Off-Street Parking and Loading¶
Sec. 106-277. - General requirements.¶
Every use of property shall be required to provide the number of off-street parking spaces which satisfies the needs of the use. The required parking spaces shall be used only for the purpose of parking vehicles. Unless otherwise specified in this division, the off-street parking required may be at grade, below grade or above grade and may be open or within a partially or fully enclosed structure. Every parking space shall be directly accessible from a vehicular driveway or aisle unless specified otherwise.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Cross reference— Traffic and vehicles, ch. 90.
Sec. 106-278. - Parking spaces required.¶
(a) Residential. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for each category of residential use shall be as follows:
| Use | Use | Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | Attached or detached single-family dwellings | Attached or detached single-family dwellings | Two parking spaces (in a garage) for each dwelling |
| (2) | Cluster development | Cluster development | Two covered parking spaces for each dwelling unit plus one uncovered parking space for each dwelling unit |
| (3) | Two or more dwelling units in one building site such as duplexes, apartments, houses, apartment complexes including condominiums, stock cooperatives and community projects: | Two or more dwelling units in one building site such as duplexes, apartments, houses, apartment complexes including condominiums, stock cooperatives and community projects: | |
| a. | Zero to one-bedroom units | One and one-half covered off-street parking spaces for each dwelling unit | |
| b. | Two-bedroom units | Two covered off-street parking units for each dwelling unit | |
| c. | Three-bedroom or more | Two and one-half covered off-street parking spaces for each dwelling unit plus one-half off-street parking space for each bedroom in excess of three | |
| d. | In addition to the required number of parking spaces for each dwelling unit, two-tenths guest parking shall be provided for each dwelling unit on a building site containing four or more dwelling units | ||
| e. | For dwelling units containing five or more dwellings, up to 25% of the required uncovered parking spaces may be compact, provided such spaces are clearly and individually marked | ||
| f. | Location of required off-street parking spaces shall be located not more than 200 feet and conveniently accessible to the dwelling units served by the parking spaces | ||
| g. | Required covered off-street parking spaces for multiple-family residential shall be designated as to the dwelling unit to which they are assigned (plot plans and site plans submitted for permits) | ||
| h. | Uncovered and unenclosed off-street parking spaces which are located between building and an abutting street shall be screened from the street to a height of 3½ feet in a manner consistent with the city's ordinances | ||
| For the purposes of this subsection, when a room such as a den, study or sewing room is provided in conjunction with a single, bachelor, one-bedroom or two-bedroom unit and the room meets the definition of a habitable room, such room shall be considered a bedroom; if such a room is constructed in a manner that 50 percent or more of one wall is open to an adjacent room or hallway, it shall not be considered a bedroom | |||
| (4) | Mobile home park | Mobile home park | Two spaces for each mobile home (tandem parking permitted), plus one guest parking space for each four mobile homes |
| (5) | Convent, rectory, monastery and other group quarters for members of a religious order; boardinghouse or rooming house, fraternity or sorority house, dormitory | Convent, rectory, monastery and other group quarters for members of a religious order; boardinghouse or rooming house, fraternity or sorority house, dormitory | One space for each two rooming units |
| (6) | Caretaker's residence | Caretaker's residence | One space for each residence |
| (7) | Retirement home, senior citizens' housing | Retirement home, senior citizens' housing | One space for each rooming unit, plus two spaces for each resident employee. (The parking area to be improved shall be one space for each two rooming units, plus two spaces for each resident employee. The difference between the required parking area and the parking to be improved shall be held as open space reserve to meet additional parking needs or required parking in case of conversion to another use.) |
| (8) | Supportive housing | Supportive housing | No required parking spaces for supportive housing within 0.5 mile of a public transit stop. |
(b) Institutional. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for each category of institutional use shall be as follows:
| Use | Use | Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | Community care facilities | Community care facilities | Required parking spaces to be determined for each conditional use permit based primarily upon the facility's licensed capacity, type of care and number of employees |
| (2) | Long-term health care facility | Long-term health care facility | One space for each two beds licensed by the regulatory agency |
| (3) | Hospital | Hospital | One and one-half spaces for each bed licensed by the regulatory agency |
| (4) | Schools (public or private): | Schools (public or private): | |
| a. | Elementary school, junior high school (kindergarten through grade 9) | Two spaces for each classroom | |
| b. | Senior high school | Five spaces for each classroom | |
| c. | Business, vocational or trade school | One space for each 125 square feet of teaching area | |
| (5) | Library, museum, art gallery | Library, museum, art gallery | One space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area |
| (6) | Church, mortuary | Church, mortuary | One space for each seven fixed seats (or 10½ linear feet of fixed pew or bench) in the largest assembly room. For the area within the largest assembly room not occupied by fixed seats, pew or bench, the off-street parking required shall be one space for each 35 square feet of net floor area |
(c) Commercial. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for each category of commercial use shall be as follows:
| Use | Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gymnasium, skating rink, theater, nightclub, auditorium, lodge room, sports arena, stadium and other places of public assembly or entertainment | One space for each five fixed seats (or seven linear feet of fixed bench) in the largest room or space for public assembly or entertainment. For the area within the largest room or space for public assembly or entertainment not covered by fixed seats or benches, the off-street parking required shall be one space for each 21 square feet of net floor area. There shall be a minimum often parking spaces provided |
| (2) | Dining and drinking establishments | Areas used exclusively for entertainment shall have a parking requirement as indicated in subsection (c)(1) of this section. All other areas shall have a parking requirement of one space for each 100 square feet of gross floor area. There shall be a minimum of ten parking spaces provided |
| In the central business district as defined in the land use element of the general plan, the parking requirement shall be one space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area for new development or enlargement of an existing building structure beyond its original size | ||
| (3) | Bowling alley | Three spaces for each bowling lane, plus the parking spaces required for the other activities within the building |
| (4) | Hotel | One space for each transient unit, plus two spaces for the resident manager's unit |
| (5) | Automobile service | One space for each pump island, station plus one for each bay |
| (6) | Plant nursery | One space for each 1,000 square feet of indoor or outdoor sales or display area. There shall be a minimum of five parking spaces provided |
| (7) | Offices, studios, retail sales and services and other general commercial activities not classified elsewhere | One space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area. For a vehicle sales, display, leasing or rental agency, there shall be a minimum of five parking spaces provided |
| (8) | Clinic, dental or medical | One space for each 150 square feet of gross floor area |
(d) Industrial. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for each category of industrial use shall be as follows:
| Use | Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Manufacturing, warehousing and other industrial activities not classified elsewhere | Whichever of the following results in the greater requirement: |
| a. One space for each 750 square feet of gross floor area up to and including 72,000 square feet, and thereafter one space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area; or | ||
| b. One space for each two employees on the largest shift. |
(e) Recreational (public and private). The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for each category of public and private recreational uses shall be as follows:
| Use | Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Passive park | One space for each 10,000 square feet of net land area |
(f) Exception. Pursuant to Government Code § 65863.2, there are no minimum parking requirements on a residential, commercial, or other development project if the project is located within one-half mile of public transit.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-279. - Computation of required parking spaces.¶
(a) When required parking spaces are based upon gross floor area, the floor area devoted exclusively to parking and maneuvering of vehicles shall not be considered in the computation.
(b) When, as a result of computation, the total number of parking spaces results in a fractional amount, any fraction less than one-half shall be disregarded, and any fraction equal to or greater than one-half shall require one parking space.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-280. - Nonconforming off-street parking and loading facilities.¶
(a) Existing conforming buildings whose off-street parking and loading facilities do not conform to this chapter may be expanded or facilities added, provided the requirements for off-street parking and loading space shall have been complied with for those facilities which are added and enlarged. In the central business district, as defined in the city's general plan, any legal conforming use may occupy a vacant or partially vacant building without regard to the amount of parking available, except that banks, savings and loans and other lending institutions must obtain conditional use permit approval by the planning commission to occupy a building with less parking than required by section 106-278, pertaining to parking spaces required. In addition, any existing commercial building may be utilized to the fullest extent feasible within existing footprints and building walls to accommodate any legal conforming use without regard to the parking available on site.
(b) Existing nonconforming single-family dwellings whose off-street parking and loading facilities do not conform to this chapter may be expanded or facilities added to a maximum of 20 percent of the existing facilities without meeting current requirements for off-street parking. If the expansion or addition or facilities exceeds 20 percent, the off-street parking and loading space requirements shall have to be complied with for those facilities to be constructed.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-281. - Parking spaces required for mixed uses.¶
(a) When there are two or more different uses located on the same lot or within the same building, the total number of parking spaces required shall equal the sum of requirements, including fractional amounts, for each use. The resulting sum shall then be rounded off to the nearest whole number pursuant to section 106-279. No parking space required for one use shall be considered as providing the required parking for any other use. However, for the area designated as the central business district in the land use element map of the general plan, parking spaces serving uses possessing unique and widely divergent operating hours, such that one use would not in its day-to-day operation have need of the parking spaces during the operating hours of the other use, may share those parking spaces with another use providing the area where the sharing occurs is not heavily impacted by a parking shortage as determined by the city engineer's parking study prepared and updated periodically for the city parking authority and provided:
(1) A shared parking agreement is developed between property owners and the agreement is submitted to the planning department for review prior to recording the agreement with the county recorder; and
(2) A copy of the recorded shared parking agreement is transmitted to the planning director prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(b) Office space incidental to a manufacturing, warehouse or other industrial use shall have its required parking spaces computed at the same ratio as the industrial use, provided the office space does not exceed 20 percent of the total gross floor area. Office space in excess of 20 percent of the total gross floor area shall have its required parking spaces computed at the same ratio specified for office space.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-282. - Change in intensity.¶
Whenever the intensity of use changes through a change in the number or quantity of dwelling units, floor area, employees, fixed seats or other units of measurement specified in this subdivision to determine the required parking, the number of required spaces shall be adjusted either upward or downward to reflect the change in intensity.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-283. - Change in use.¶
Whenever there is a change in use resulting in a different parking requirement, the required spaces shall be adjusted either upward or downward to reflect the change in use. This section shall not apply to the conversion of manufacturing or warehouse floor area to office space, provided the total office space does not exceed 20 percent of the total gross floor area.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-284. - Location of parking.¶
(a) Parking spaces required for uses shall be located on the same lot as the use for which such spaces are provided. For nonresidential development, some or all of the required parking spaces may be located off site if facilities and/or in-lieu fees determined by city council resolution are provided instead of the required parking spaces and with a city-approved off-site parking plan. Conditions for granting the off-site parking plan require findings that the off-site parking plan will be an incentive to, and a benefit for, the proposed nonresidential development and that public transit facility is available for providing public transit patrons access to the nonresidential development.
(b) A nonresidential off-street parking lot may be permitted in a residential zone if the parking lot is located immediately adjacent to or across an alley, street, or easement from a nonresidential zoning district.
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the shared use of parking facilities may be permitted where particular uses or activities meet the following conditions:
(1) Parking facilities for any nonresidential use may share parking facilities with another use if no substantial conflicts exists in the principal operating hours of the uses proposed to share parking facilities;
(2) The maximum distance between the outer boundaries of the uses proposed to share parking facilities shall be 500 feet from the uses being served, measured from the nearest corner of the parking facility to the entrances of the uses being served via the shortest pedestrian route; and
(3) The adjacent or nearby properties shall not be adversely affected by the proposed shared parking.
(4) Parking facilities used for off-site parking, except city parking lots, shall require a written agreement between property owners specifying the term of the agreement, the number of spaces to be required of each use proposing to share parking facilities and further documenting how the sharing arrangement will satisfy the parking needs of each affected use, and the location and layout of the parking facility represented on a site plan. The agreement shall be submitted to the director of community development for approval before it is recorded in the official records of the county recorder's office, on title to the property where the off-site parking is being provided. A conformed copy of the recorded agreement shall be delivered to the director of community development prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(d) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, managed or valet parking may be provided for all on-site or off-site parking subject to a parking plan approved by the director of community development which shall include:
(1) An executed lease agreement for the use of the off-site vehicle parking area;
(2) A site plan prepared a by design professional indicating all site features, address and address of the property served by the parking, site ingress and egress location(s); proposed queuing location (if any) and the identified land uses; and the total parking spaces required and where provided;
(3) The hours and method of parking operation including vehicle storage and retrieval process;
(4) The number of parking attendants serving the parking facility; and
(5) Methods for vehicles storage and retrieval during non-operating hours.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-285. - Provision for using city parking lots for on-site off-street parking…¶
(a) Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter to the contrary, off-street parking required of development consisting of either new construction or change in use intensity resulting from an enlargement of an existing building footprint taking place in the central business district, as defined in the general plan, may be provided by existing city parking lots through a written contract with the city. The contract shall:
(1) Designate the city parking lot number within the distance designated in section 106-284 and the number of off-site parking spaces to be credited to the development. In no case shall the number of credited parking spaces designated for a city parking lot exceed the actual number of available spaces.
(2) Prohibit the owner from utilizing the number of credited parking spaces in a city parking lot for any other use than that provided for in the contract.
(3) Provide that the credited parking spaces be conferred on a specified property and shall continue to apply to the property and shall not be transferable to another property by the owner who holds the credited parking spaces under the contract.
(4) Specify an appropriate cost per credited parking space to be paid the city by the owner of the property that has been given an entitlement to use credited parking spaces and specify the method of payment.
(b) For purposes of meeting the off-street parking requirements of this chapter, a contract meeting the requirements in subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed to be the equivalent of satisfying on-site off-street parking regulations.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-286. - Parking stall size.¶
The minimum parking stall dimensions for required parking spaces shall not be less than that set forth as follows:
| Type | Type | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Residential uses | Nine feet in width by 19 feet in length for both covered and uncovered parking |
| (2) | Commercial and industrial uses | Nine feet in width by 19 feet in length |
| (3) | Spaces for physically handicapped | Fourteen feet in width by 20 in length |
| (4) | Compact vehicle spaces | Eight feet in width by 16 feet in length |
| (5) | Parallel parking spaces | Length shall be increased to 24 feet, or 21 feet for compact cars |
| (6) | Nonresidential parking abutting a wall, fence, building or other obstruction | One and one-half feet of width shall be added to the width otherwise required for commercial uses. Two feet of width shall be added to the width for all other nonresidential uses |
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-287. - Parking for handicapped persons.¶
Parking for handicapped persons shall be provided in accordance with standards established in the state handicapped requirements.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-288. - Compact spaces.¶
For nonresidential parking, not more than 30 percent of the total required spaces may be designed and reserved for the parking of compact vehicles. Such spaces shall be so designated either by signing or marking.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-289. - Parking lot design.¶
(a) The layout and design of parking lots and areas, including access to required parking spaces, turning radii, angle of parking and aisle width shall be as set forth in parking lot design standards adopted in accordance with section 106-324. All required off-street parking spaces shall be designed to provide safe and efficient means of access to an alley, street or driveway to the satisfaction of the director, and all off-street parking lots or areas with six or more spaces shall be designed in such a manner that vehicles exit such lots or areas facing forward.
(b) The minimum width with parking aisle for one-way traffic shall be 15 feet.
| Parking Angle (degrees) | Aisle Width (feet) |
|---|---|
| 0—54 | 15.0 |
| 55—59 | 16.0 |
| 60—64 | 17.0 |
| 65—69 | 18.0 |
| 70—74 | 19.5 |
| 75—79 | 21.0 |
| 80—90 | 24.0 |
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-290. - Lighting.¶
All off-street parking areas within commercially zoned projects shall be provided with exterior lighting, meeting the following minimums:
(1) The equivalent of one footcandle of illumination shall be provided throughout the parking area.
(2) All lighting shall be on a time-clock or photo-sensor system.
(3) All lighting shall be designed to confine direct rays to the premises. No spillover beyond the property line shall be permitted.
(4) Illumination shall not include low pressure sodium.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-291. - Perimeter guards.¶
Bumper guards or wheel stops shall be provided for all parking spaces abutting the perimeter of a parking area where such perimeter is within 15 feet of a building, structure, public right-of-way or lot line, except spaces within a garage or carport.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-292. - Marking of parking areas.¶
Required parking spaces shall be double-striped with the stall widths measured from the midpoints of the double-stripe markings.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-293. - Parking area design.¶
Common off-street parking areas including multiple garages and carports serving five or more dwelling units shall comply with the following:
(1) The off-street parking area shall be designed so that a vehicle within a parking area will not have to enter a street to move from one location to another within the parking area. Parking and maneuvering areas, including garages/carports, shall be designed so that any vehicle can leave the parking area and enter an adjoining vehicular right-of-way traveling in a forward direction.
(2) Bumpers and tire stops shall be provided at the end of each open parking space along any property line abutting a public walkway, street or alley except for screening its position to ensure that the motor vehicle will not extend into the public right-of-way.
(3) All parking spaces shall be clearly outlined on the surface of the parking facility except for parking spaces that otherwise have been in compliance with the parking detail approved by the planning director.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Secs. 106-294—106-321. - Reserved.¶
Subdivision III. - Truck Loading and Maneuvering¶
Sec. 106-322. - Loading areas required.¶
Off-street loading areas shall be provided for the uses listed as follows:
| Uses | Minimum Loading Area Requirements |
|---|---|
| Use in the C-1 or C-2 zone | One space for each lot, at least 14 feet by 40 feet |
| Use in the M-1 or M-2 zone | One space for each lot, at least 14 feet by 55 feet |
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-323. - Truck maneuvering and loading area standards.¶
Truck maneuvering and loading areas shall be provided and arranged as set forth in truck maneuvering and loading area standards adopted in accordance with section 106-322 wherever:
(1) A loading area is required.
(2) A loading dock is provided.
(3) A door greater than eight feet by eight feet is provided, unless the Director finds that such door cannot be utilized or is not intended to be utilized for loading and unloading.
(4) Wherever a door equal to or less than eight feet by eight feet is provided, unless the director finds that such door cannot be utilized or is intended to be utilized for loading and unloading.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Note— Any primary use which is developed as office space shall not be required to provide a truck loading area, provided that a deed restriction is recorded, in the office of the county recorder, restricting the use on the property to office space, and such proof of recordation is submitted to the satisfaction of the director.
Sec. 106-324. - Driveway access and traffic sight clearance.¶
(a) The location and design of driveway access to the public street and limitations on the location and height of walls, landscaping, buildings, signs and other facilities shall be as required by the director of public works pursuant to the highway and traffic regulations of this Code, where applicable, or as otherwise determined by the director of public works or by the fire department to be necessary in order to provide adequate sight distance for vehicular and pedestrian safety.
(b) Driveway access widths required to serve the following uses shall be as follows:
(1) For a single-family dwelling a driveway shall be ten to 15 feet wide but may be up to 20 feet when leading to a double car garage at the or near the front setback.
(2) For four or less dwellings in any combination of single-family or multiple-family dwellings, the driveway shall be 20 to 24 feet wide.
(3) For five or more dwellings in any combination of single-family or multiple-family dwellings, the driveway shall be 24 feet wide, for each driveway, where one or more two-way traffic driveways are provided or 12 feet, for each driveway, where two or more one-way driveways are provided.
(4) For commercial uses, the minimum width of a driveway having public access shall be 24 feet. Channelized driveway widths shall be subject to the approval of the director and the director of public works.
(5) For industrial uses, the minimum driveway width shall be 24 feet and subject to the approval of the director and the director of public works.
(c) Circular driveways. Circular driveways shall be approved by the planning division and subject to the following standards:
(1) Allowed only in the R-1 Zone.
(2) On lots only with a street frontage of 75 feet or more are eligible for circular driveways.
(3) On lots with more than one street frontage, the circular driveway may only be located on the street frontage which is 75 feet or greater.
(4) The circular driveway shall not have a width greater than 15 feet.
(5) The circular driveway shall have a minimum outer radius of 26 feet measured from the front property line perpendicular to the center point of the circular driveway.
(6) The department of public works shall review and approve the proposed curb cuts, the distance between the curb cuts, and the potential traffic impacts that could result from the installation of the circular driveway.
(7) All other standards and requirements in this Code shall be met.
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Note— If any building, or portion thereof, is proposed to be located more than 150 feet from a street, then fire department regulations may require a greater minimum driveway access width than the standards stated herein.
Sec. 106-325. - Parking standards.¶
Under this subdivision, the minimum width with parking aisle for one-way traffic shall be 15 feet.
| Parking Angle (degrees) | Aisle Width (feet) |
|---|---|
| 0—54 | 15.0 |
| 55—59 | 16.0 |
| 60—64 | 17.0 |
| 65—69 | 18.0 |
| 70—74 | 19.5 |
| 75—79 | 21.0 |
| 80—90 | 24.0 |
(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)
Sec. 106-326—106-341. - Reserved.¶
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