Santa Barbara County Municipal Code Div. 6 Parking Regulations

The purpose of this DIVISION is to assure the provisions and maintenance of safe, adequate, well-designed off-street parking facilities in conjunction with any use or development. The intent is to reduce street congestion and traffic hazards and to promote an attractive environment through design and landscaping standards for parking areas. The standards set forth in this DIVISION shall be considered minimums, and more extensive parking provisions may be required by the Planning Commission as a condition of project approval.

Unless otherwise provided in the specific, applicable zone district, the provisions of this DIVISION shall apply to the appropriate uses and development.

No parking area or parking space provided for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this DIVISION shall thereafter be eliminated, reduced, or converted in any manner unless equivalent facilities approved by the County are provided elsewhere in conformity with this DIVISION. The permit for the use for which the parking was provided shall immediately become void upon the failure to observe the requirements of this section.

Upon the change of any use, the number of parking spaces to be provided shall be calculated according to the requirements of this DIVISION for the new use. Any previous parking modifications granted by the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or the Director shall be null and void.

(Amended by Ord. 4227, 06/18/1996)

1. The minimum number of parking spaces as required in the specific applicable zone district or specified in this DIVISION shall be provided and continuously maintained in conjunction with any use or development.

2. For all development (other than single-family residential) which is subject to the requirements of a development plan, the Planning Commission shall determine if there is a need to provide for bicycle parking. If such a need exists, the Planning Commission shall then determine the required number of parking spaces, bike racks, and locking devices that shall be provided.

3. For additions to existing developments, the increased parking requirement shall be based on the aggregate total of the floor area and/or number of employees of all existing and proposed buildings or structures on the property.

4. For the purposes of this section, gross floor area shall be the measure of square footage for a project; however, stairways and open, unenclosed corridors shall be excluded.

5. Where the standards result in a fraction, the next larger whole number shall be the number of spaces required. In order to encourage efficient use of commercial parking space and good design practices, the total parking requirement for mixed uses or Conjunctive Uses shall be based on the number of spaces adequate to meet the various needs of the individual uses operating during the Peak Parking Period.

(Amended by Ord. 4086, 12/15/1992)

6. Where the parking requirement for a use is not specifically defined in the applicable zone district or this DIVISION, the parking requirement shall be determined by the Director based upon the requirement for the most comparable use specified herein.

7. Modifications to the parking requirements may be granted, pursuant to Section 35-142 (Accessory Dwelling Units), Section 35-144C.4 (Density Bonus for Affordable Housing Projects), Section 35-172.12 (Conditional Use Permits), Section 35-173 (Variances), Section 35-174.8 (Development Plans), or Section 35-179 (Modifications).

(Added by Ord. 4227, 06/18/1996)

Parking spaces shall be permanently maintained on the same building site on which the dwelling(s) in located, except as provided in Section 35-76, Medium Density Student Residential, and Section 35-77, High Density Student Residential:

1. Single family and two family dwellings: Two spaces per dwelling unit.

a. Division 13 (Summerland Community Plan Overlay) and Division 16 (Montecito Community Plan Overlay District) include additional parking requirements.

(Added by Ord. 4887, 06/09/2016)

2. Multiple Dwelling Units:

a. Single bedroom or studio dwelling unit: One covered space per dwelling unit.

b. Two bedroom dwelling: One covered space plus 0.5 spaces covered or uncovered per dwelling unit. Such spaces shall be located within 200 feet from the building served by such spaces.

c. Three or more bedroom dwellings: One covered space plus one space covered or uncovered per dwelling unit, located as required in b), above.

d. Developments located within a radius of one mile of the boundaries of a college or university shall provide a minimum of two parking spaces per dwelling unit, of which one shall be covered.

e. Visitor parking: One space per five dwelling units.

3. Guest houses: One space per guest house.

4. Mobile homes in mobile home parks: One covered space per site and one space for every three sites for guest parking.

5. Fraternities, sororities, dormitories, and boarding and lodging houses: One space per four bed spaces and one space per two employees.

6. Retirement and special care homes: One space per guest and one space per two employees.

7. Accessory dwelling units. As determined by Section 35-142 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units).

8. Junior accessory dwelling units. No new parking spaces required.

9. Day Care Center. One space per 10 children/adults and one drop-off/loading space.

a. A reduction in required parking may be allowed: (1) with the submittal of a parking study that sets forth substantial evidence to support a reduction in the required parking (e.g., the daycare center involves clients that do not have access to automobiles, the daycare center is located in proximity to a major transit stop, and/or sufficient parking already exists on or near the project site); and (2) subject to a Minor Conditional Use Permit granted at the discretion of the County decision-makers, Section 35-172.8 (Findings Required for Approval).

(Ord. No. 5168, § 16, 11-29-2022; Ord. No. 5194, § 21, 11-7-2023)

1. Churches, school auditoriums, college auditoriums, theaters, general auditoriums, stadiums, mortuaries, lodges, halls, and other places of general assembly:

a. With fixed seats: One space per four fixed seats.

b. Without fixed seats: One space per 30 square feet of auditorium floor space.

2. Places of amusement without fixed seats such as dancehalls, skating rinks, etc.: One space per 300 square feet of assembly area

3. Schools:

a. Day school or Nursery school: One space for each two employees and one space for each 10 students.

b. Elementary and Junior High: 1.5 spaces for each teaching station.

c. High School: Six spaces for each teaching station.

d. Colleges; art, craft, music or dancing schools; business, professional, or trade school: One space for each three employees and one space for each five students.

4. Library, museum, art gallery, or similar use: One space for each two employees.

5. Day Care Center. One space per 10 children/adults and one drop-off/loading space.

a. A reduction in required parking may be allowed: (1) with the submittal of a parking study that sets forth substantial evidence to support a reduction in the required parking (e.g., the daycare center involves clients that do not have access to automobiles, the daycare center is located in proximity to a major transit stop, and/or sufficient parking already exists on or near the project site); and (2) subject to a Minor Conditional Use Permit granted at the discretion of the County decision-makers, Section 35-172.8 (Findings Required for Approval).

(Ord. No. 5168, § 16, 11-29-2022)

1. Hotels/motels: One space per guest room and one space per five employees.

2. Restaurants, cafes, taverns, etc: One space per 300 square feet of space devoted to patrons and one space per two employees.

3. Business and professional offices, such as banks, lawyers' offices, etc.: One space per 300 square feet of gross floor area.

4. Retail business and general commercial: One space per 500 square feet of gross floor area.

5. Furniture and appliance stores; heating, ventilating, and hardware stores; motor vehicle and machinery sales and service: One space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.

6. Hospitals: One space per two beds and one space per three employees.

7. Convalescent hospitals, sanitariums and rest homes: One space per three beds and one space per three employees.

8. Medical clinics, medical and dental offices: One space per 200 square feet of gross floor area.

1. Research and development, manufacturing, and processing: One space per 1.5 employees, but in no case less than one space per 500 square feet of gross floor area.

2. Wholesaling, warehousing, and storage facility: One space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and one space per four employees.

3. Other industrial uses: One space per four employees.

1. Tennis facility: 1.5 spaces per court.

2. Racquetball facility: 1.5 spaces per court.

3. Spectator seating: One space per five seats or one space per 35 square feet of seating area.

4. Facilities such as spas, health facilities, and gyms: One space per 300 square feet of gross floor area.

5. Public swimming pool: One space per 25 square feet of pool area.

Commercial greenhouses, hothouses, or other plant protection structure: Two spaces per acre of land in such use.

1. Size:

(Amended by Ord. 4067, 08/18/1992)

a. Residential parking spaces shall be 8.5 feet wide by 16.5 feet long.

b. Non-residential parking spaces shall be nine feet wide by 16.5 feet long.

c. Compact car spaces: 30 percent of the required parking for non-residential uses may be provided as compact car spaces. Compact car spaces shall have a size of eight by 14.5 feet.

2. Location:

a. Offstreet parking spaces shall not be located in the required front or side yard setback area unless specifically permitted in the applicable zone district regulations. Provisions shall be made for direct access from the street to each parking space. Such access shall be adequate for standard size automobiles unless the parking area is restricted to compact cars.

b. For all types of dwellings, the required parking spaces shall be provided on the same site on which the dwelling(s) is located, unless specifically permitted in the applicable zone district regulations.

c. For non-residential structures or uses, the required parking spaces shall be provided within 500 feet of the main building or site, if there is no main building, as measured along streets not alleys.

3. Construction and Design:

a. All parking areas shall be graded and drainage provided so as to dispose of all surface water without erosion, flooding, and other inconveniences or hazards.

b. Uncovered parking areas and driveways shall be paved with a minimum of two inches of asphalt, concrete, masonry pavers, or equivalent, including pervious materials, on a suitable base.

(Amended by Ord. 4884, 09/08/2016)

c. Parking spaces shall be marked and access lanes clearly defined. Bumpers and wheel stops shall be installed as necessary. Every stall designed to accommodate compact cars shall be clearly marked as a compact car stall.

(Amended by Ord. 4067, 08/18/1992)

d. Except for residential uses within the 20-R-1 through 7-R-1, and 20-R-2 through 7-R-2 zone districts, parking areas shall be so designed that no vehicle shall be required to encroach into a street or sidewalk when backing out of a parking space.

(Amended by Ord. 3843, 93/20/1990)

e. The design of parking areas shall not require the moving of any car to gain access to a required parking space unless the applicable zone district regulations specifically permit tandem parking.

f. All parking areas serving uses operating at night shall be adequately lighted. Such lighting shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from adjoining residences.

g. The design of parking spaces and the maneuvering space in connection therewith shall be in accordance with the requirements illustrated in the Parking Diagram, Figures 1, 2 and 3, and the Parking Table.

(Ord. No. 5194, § 22, 11-7-2023)

Parking area includes the parking spaces and the maneuvering space necessary for use of such spaces.

1. Where non-residential parking areas abut residentially zoned or developed property a wall or solid fence of not less than five feet in height shall be erected and maintained between the parking area and the adjoining residentially zoned or developed property.

(Amended by Ord. 4067, 08/18/1992)

2. Where trees already exist on the property, the design of the parking area should make the best use of this growth and shade.

3. Screening shall be provided along each property line consisting of a five-foot wide strip, planted with sufficient shrubbery to effectively screen the parking area, or a solid fence or wall not less than four feet in height. Such fences or walls abutting streets shall be ornamental in texture, pattern, or shadow relief. Planting, fences, or walls abutting streets shall not exceed 30 inches in height for a distance of 25 feet on either side of entrances or exits to the property. This requirement for screening may be waived or modified by the Planning and Development Department if adjacent property already has provided a solid wall not less than four feet high.

(Amended by Ord. 3842, 03/20/1990)

4. When the total uncovered parking area on the property (including adjoining parcels over which the property has parking privileges) exceeds 3,600 square feet, the following shall be required, in addition to other provisions of this section, as part of a landscape plan:

a. Trees, shrubbery, and ground cover shall be provided at suitable intervals in order to break up the continuity of the parking area. Planting islands for such trees and shrubs shall be protected from automobile traffic by either asphalt or concrete curbs.

b. All kinds of parking lanes shall have landscaped islands.

c. Prior to the issuance of a Coastal Development Permit, performance securities, in amounts to be determined by the Planning and Development Department, to guarantee the installation of plantings, walls, and fences in accordance with the approved plan, and adequate maintenance of the planting for the designated time period shall be filed with the County. The performance security for installation will be released at the end of the designated time period provided the planting has been adequately maintained.

(Amended by Ord. 3842, 03/20/1990)

1. For every building hereafter erected, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning, or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of materials and merchandise, off-street loading spaces shall be provided as follows:

a. Commercial Uses:

3,000 or more square feet gross floor area: One loading space.

b. Industrial Uses:

10,000 to 24,999 square feet gross floor area: One loading space.

25,000 to 49,000 square feet gross floor area: Two loading spaces.

For each additional 50,000 square feet or major fraction thereof: One loading space.

2. Each loading space shall not be less than 10 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and with an overhead clearance of 14 feet.

3. Such space may not be located in any part of any required front or side yard.

4. Such space shall be so designed that it will not interfere with vehicular circulation or parking nor with pedestrian circulation.

1. Width, Number, and Location. Unless otherwise provided in the specific, applicable zone districts, the width and number of driveways in relation to intersections, obstructions, other driveways, and property lines shall be as prescribed by Resolution No. 76-428 on Road Standards of the County Board of Supervisors or any subsequent resolution of the said Board regulating road standards.

2. Driveway to Side or Rear Parking Areas. A driveway used for access to a parking area at the side or rear of a building shall not be less than 10 feet wide in clear distance between any obstruction to vehicular traffic.

3. Special Requirements. Upon recommendation of the Public Works Department or the Director or upon their own initiative when considering any project, the Planning Commission may place special requirements on an individual building site that will have the effect of reducing or increasing the number or width of driveways or prescribing their location on the building site when the Commission determines that such special requirements either reduce or do not create traffic hazards or street parking problems. Such special requirements shall be final subject to appeal in compliance with Section 35-182 (Appeals).

(Amended by Ord. 4595, 03/05/2008)

(Added by Ord. 4811, 11/14/2013, Amended by Ord. 4884, 09/08/2016)

1. Exterior parking. The following standards apply to the keeping, parking, or storage (hereinafter referred to as "parked" or "parking" within the meaning of Section 35-117A of operative and inoperative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles outside of a fully enclosed or fully screened structure. A Coastal Development Permit in compliance with Section 35-169 (Coastal Development Permits) is not required to establish exterior parking except when 1) this Section requires a permit, or 2) the parking involves new development, construction of a new structure, or alteration of an existing structure that is not exempt from a Coastal Development Permit in compliance with Section 35-169 (Coastal Development Permits), or 3) the parking is not exempt from the requirement to obtain a Coastal Development Permit in compliance with Subsection 1.f, below, or Section 35-169 (Coastal Development Permits). However, other permits may be required in compliance with Chapter 17 (Solid Waste Services), Chapter 19 (Junk Yards and Dumps) and Chapter 23 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) of the County Code. Nothing in this Section 35-117A shall be construed as preventing the enforcement or implementation of the provisions of Chapter 17 (Solid Waste Services), Chapter 19 (Junk Yards and Dumps) and Chapter 23 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) of the County Code.

a. Current registration or certificate of non-operation required. All motor vehicles and recreational vehicles parked on a lot outside of a fully enclosed or fully screened structure shall either:

1. Have a current, unexpired registration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles that allows the vehicle to be driven, moved, towed or left standing (parked) upon any road or street; or,

2. Have a current, unexpired certificate of non-operation or planned non-operation on file with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

b. Limitation on number.

1. Not including the number of vehicles for which parking spaces are required to be provided in compliance with Section 35-108 (Required Number of Spaces: Residential), the exterior parking of operative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles is allowed provided that the number of such vehicles parked on a lot outside of a fully enclosed or fully screened structure does not exceed one per each bedroom located within the dwelling(s) on the lot.

a) Parking allowed in compliance with this Subsection 1.b.1 may be located on driveways including portions of driveways located within a required front setback or side setback area provided:

i) Any portion of a driveway on which parking occurs shall be paved with a minimum of two inches of asphalt, concrete, masonry pavers, or equivalent, including pervious materials, on a suitable base.

ii) The width of any portion of a driveway located in a front setback area shall not exceed 50 percent of the adjacent street frontage for each front setback area except that a greater width may be allowed if necessary to comply with County or fire protection district regulations and, in all cases a driveway having a maximum width of 10 feet shall be allowed.

iii) All parking located within a required front setback shall be located within one contiguous area for each street frontage.

2. Additional parking allowed. In addition to exterior parking allowed in compliance with Subsection 1.b.1), above, the exterior parking of operative and inoperative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles that are registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to a person(s) residing on the lot on which the parking occurs outside of a fully enclosed or fully screened structure is allowed in compliance with the following standards.

a) The number of vehicles and the area used for the parking of said vehicles shall be limited to the following maximum number and area based upon the lot area of the lot on which the vehicles are parked:

b) Any area used for parking shall be located so that vehicles parked thereon are not visible from any public road or other area of public use (e.g., park, trail), or any adjoining lot.

1. Structures or other devices used to comply with this requirement shall not include awnings, fabric shelters, tents, vehicle covers and similar structures or other devices of a nonpermanent type of construction.

c) On lots having a net lot area of less than 20,000 square feet, vehicles shall not be parked in any area located between the front line of the lot and the principal dwelling.

c. Additional standards for inoperative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles. The parking of inoperative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles outside of a fully enclosed or fully screened structure shall also comply with the following standards in addition to the standards listed in Subsections 1.a and 1.b, above:

1. Vehicles shall not be parked on parking spaces required in compliance with Section 35-108 (Required Number of Spaces: Residential).

2. Any area used for parking shall be designed and installed to prevent the discharge of pollutants onto adjacent lots and adjacent streets.

3. Vehicles that are parked for a period in excess of 14 consecutive days without being moved under their own motive power shall be drained of gasoline, oil and other flammable liquids.

4. The parking of inoperative motor vehicles regulated under Section 35-144K (Motor vehicle assembly, dismantling, maintenance, repair, restoration, etc.) shall also be in compliance with the requirements of that Section.

d. Modifications to standards allowed with a Minor Conditional Use Permit. Parking of motor vehicles and recreational vehicles that does not comply with the standards contained in Subsections 1.a through 1.c, above, may be allowed in compliance with a Minor Conditional Use Permit approved in compliance with Section 35-172 (Conditional Use Permits).

e. Noncompliance deemed a violation of this Development Code. As of [six months from the effective date of Ordinance No. 4811], the parking of motor vehicles and recreational vehicles that does not comply with the standards contained in Subsections 1.a through 1.c, above, or is not allowed by a Minor Conditional Use Permit approved in compliance with Section 35-172 (Conditional Use Permits) as allowed by Subsection 1.d, above, shall be considered a violation of this Article and subject to enforcement and penalties in compliance with Chapter 35-185 (Enforcement, Legal Procedures, and Penalties).

f. Exterior parking does not require a Coastal Development Permit in compliance with Section 35-169 (Coastal Development Permits) if:

1. The exterior parking will be located in an area that has been designated for parking or has been designated as a driveway pursuant to a Coastal Development Permit issued in compliance with Section 35-169 (Coastal Development Permits) or,

2. The exterior parking will:

a) Not be located within or adjacent to a wetland, stream, beach, environmentally sensitive habitat area, or on or within 300 feet of a coastal bluff; and

b) Not result in any potential adverse effects to public access to the beach or public hiking and equestrian trails (including where there is substantial evidence of prescriptive rights); and

c) Not result in significant adverse impacts to scenic views from beaches, parklands, public viewing areas and public roadways; and

d) Not require any grading which involves the movement of more than 50 cubic yards of material and not result in any significant alteration of land forms; and

e) Meets all other exemption criteria in compliance with Section 35-169.2.1.

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TABLE 6-1PARKING DIMENSIONS (All Dimensions in Feet)

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

Specifications for any parking angle not specifically enumerated can be determined by interpolation from the above tables.