Title 19Division IV — General Site Planning and Development Standards

Chapter 19.48

Sonoma Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Sonoma

PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS

Sections:

19.48.010 Purpose.

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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  • 19.48.020 Applicability.

  • 19.48.030 General parking regulations. 19.48.040 Number of parking spaces required.

  • 19.48.050 Adjustments to parking requirements.

  • 19.48.060 Accessible parking for individuals with disabilities.

  • 19.48.070 Development standards for parking facilities.

  • 19.48.080 Development guidelines for parking facilities.

  • 19.48.090 Landscaping of parking facilities.

  • 19.48.100 Repealed.

  • 19.48.110 Bicycle parking requirements.

  • 19.48.120 Loading space requirements.

19.48.010 Purpose.

This chapter provides off-street parking and loading standards to:

  • A. Provide for the general welfare and convenience of persons within the city by ensuring adequate off-street parking and loading facilities to meet the needs generated by specific uses;

  • B. Increase public safety by reducing congestion on public streets;

  • C. Ensure access and maneuverability for emergency vehicles; and

  • D. Provide adequate loading facilities to reduce the use of public streets for loading purposes. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.020 Applicability.

Every use, including a change or expansion of a use or structure, shall have off-street parking and loading facilities in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A use shall not be commenced and structures shall not be occupied until improvements required by this chapter are satisfactorily completed. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.030 General parking regulations.

A. Parking and Loading Spaces to Be Permanent. Required parking and loading spaces shall be permanently available, marked, and maintained for parking or loading purposes and shall be located on the site they are intended to serve unless otherwise approved by the planning commission. Parking facilities approved to be located off site shall be located within 600 feet of the use they are intended to serve. Where stormwater runoff

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management, detention, or infiltration is a requirement, parking facilities approved to be located off site shall be included in all associated runoff calculations.

B. Parking and Loading to Be Unrestricted. Owners, lessees, tenants, or persons having control of operation of a premises for which parking or loading spaces are required by this chapter shall not prevent, prohibit, or restrict authorized persons from using those spaces, except that temporary restrictions may be allowed subject to the approval of the city planner.

C. Existing Parking. Existing parking or loading spaces shall not be reduced to an amount below that which is required by this chapter. The city planner may approve the temporary reduction of parking or loading spaces in conjunction with a seasonal or intermittent use for a period of not more than 30 days. Longer periods may be allowed with the approval of a temporary use permit (SMC 19.54.030).

D. Maintenance. Parking spaces, driveways, maneuvering aisles, turnaround areas, and landscaped areas shall be kept free of dust, graffiti, and litter; and striping, paving, walls, light standards, and all other facilities shall be permanently maintained.

E. Use of Commercial Parking. Parking developed under this chapter for commercial uses shall be available for use by the general public during business hours without charge and without reservation by individual tenant space, unless otherwise authorized by the planning commission. (Ord. 06-2023 § 1(A), 2023; Ord. 05-2015 § 6, 2015; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.040 Number of parking spaces required.

Each land use shall provide at least the minimum number of off-street parking spaces found to be required by this chapter, except where a greater number of spaces is required through approval of a discretionary permit or a parking reduction is granted in compliance with SMC 19.48.050, Adjustments to parking requirements.

A. Parking Requirements by Land Use. The minimum number of parking spaces to be provided for each use shall be in compliance with Table 4-4 and the following requirements. Additional spaces may be required for companyowned vehicles or through entitlement approval.

B. New Developments. All new developments, except an expansion of an existing structure (see subsection (D) of this section), shall provide parking and loading spaces as required by Table 4-4 or as may be modified by SMC 19.48.050(B), Shared Use of Parking Facilities.

C. Change to Similar Use. When the use of a structure changes to a use that requires the same number of parking spaces as the immediately previous use, the number of required parking spaces for the new use shall remain the same, regardless of the number of spaces actually provided by the previous use; provided, that the previous use was legally established and no spaces were subsequently eliminated.

D. Expansion of Structure or Change in Use. When a structure is enlarged or increased in capacity, or when a change in use requires more parking than the previous use, additional parking spaces shall be provided in

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compliance with this chapter. The number of parking spaces required for an addition to a structure shall be based on the parking requirement associated with the entire structure.

Table 4-4. Parking Requirements by Land Use

Land Use Type: Vehicle Spaces Required
Manufacturing, Processing, and
Warehousing
General manufacturing, industrial and One space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
processing uses The gross foor area may include incidental ofce
space comprising less than 20% of the total gross
foor area. Parking requirements for additional ofce
space shall be calculated separately as provided by
this table for “Ofces.”
Recycling facilities Determined by use permit.
Research and development, laboratories One space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross foor area,
plus one space for each company vehicle.
Warehouses and storage facilities One space for each 2,500 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
The gross foor area may include incidental ofce
space comprising less than 20% of the total gross
foor area. Parking requirements for additional ofce
space shall be calculated separately as provided by
this table for “Ofces.”
Land Use Type: Vehicle Spaces Required
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
Child day care centers (nursery schools) One space for each 10 children, plus permanent drop-
of area as approved by the city planner.
Large family day care homes One space for each employee present at peak hour, in
addition to the required residential spaces.
Religious facilities, and mortuaries, meeting One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
halls, and performance theaters
Indoor arcades, amusement centers One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Health/ftness clubs One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Libraries, museums, art galleries, and similar Determined by commission based on location, nature,
nonassembly cultural uses and frequency of use.

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Table 4-4. Parking Requirements by Land Use

Outdoor recreation, playgrounds, playing Determined by commission based on location, nature, fields, and parks and frequency of use. Schools (private) elementary/junior high One space for each employee present at peak hour. High school One space for every four students. Trade and business schools One space for every four students. Studios for dance and art One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Land Use Type: Vehicle Spaces Required Residential Uses Group quarters (including boarding houses, One-half space for each bed. rooming houses, and dormitories) Duplex housing units One space for each unit. Mobile homes (in mobile home parks) One space for each mobile home. Multifamily dwellings, condominiums and other One space for each studio and one-bedroom unit; one attached dwellings and one-half spaces for units with two bedrooms or more. No covered parking shall be required. Mixed use developments Determined by use permit. Live-work developments One and one-half spaces for each unit. Accessory dwelling units None required. Accessory dwelling units, junior None required. Senior housing projects One space for each two units. Senior congregate care facilities One-third space for each residential unit, plus one space for each four units for guests and employees.

Single-family housing

One space in a garage or carport per unit.

Land Use Type: Vehicle Spaces Required
Retail Trade

Appliance, building materials, furniture, bulk One space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area. goods, and plant nurseries

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Table 4-4. Parking Requirements by Land Use

Automobile, construction equipment, mobile One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
home, machinery, and parts sale
Convenience stores One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Restaurants (except fast food), cafes, cafeterias, One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross foor area. For
nightclubs, taverns, lounges, wine bar/tap outdoor seating, no of-street parking shall be
rooms, or similar establishments for the required.
consumption of food and beverages on the
premises
Retail sales/general merchandise One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross sales area.
Sidewalk seating None required.
Wine tasting facilities One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross sales area. For
outdoor seating, no of-street parking shall be
required for up to 50% of the indoor gross foor area.
Land Use Type: Vehicle Spaces Required
Service Uses
Banks and fnancial services One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Bed and breakfast establishment One space for each guest room, plus one space for
resident manager.
Copy and reproduction centers One space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Consumer products – repair and maintenance One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Equipment rental One space for each 500 sq. ft. of foor area.
Hotels and motels One space for each guest room, plus one space for
each two employees on the largest shift, plus required
spaces for accessory uses.
Medical services, clinics, medical/dental ofces One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross foor area.
Extended care (convalescent hospitals, nursing One space for each four beds the facility is licensed to
homes, and residential care homes) accommodate.
Hospitals One space for each patient bed the facility is licensed
to accommodate, plus required spaces for ancillary
uses as determined by the city planner.

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Table 4-4. Parking Requirements by Land Use

Medical/dental labs One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Offices, administrative, corporate One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Pet grooming One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Personal services: barber/beauty shops (and One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area. other personal services) Dry cleaning pick-up facilities One space for each 750 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Laundromats One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Service stations One space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area; plus three spaces for each service bay, plus additional spaces for food service or convenience market. Storage, personal storage facilities One space for every 100 storage units. Vehicle repair and maintenance/repair garage One space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Full-service vehicle washing Four spaces, plus one space for each wash lane or drying area, plus queuing area for vehicles ahead of each lane. Vacation rental One space per bedroom. Veterinary clinics and hospitals One space for each 400 sq. ft. of gross floor area.

E. Structures Demolished and Replaced. When a structure (or a portion of a structure) is intentionally demolished, any new use or structure shall provide the number of parking spaces required by this chapter, except that if a designated unreinforced masonry building is demolished, the new structure or use shall be required to provide only the number of parking spaces that existed prior to the demolition.

F. Existing Structures in the Plaza Retail Overlay District and Existing Unreinforced Masonry Structures. Existing structures located in the plaza retail overlay district and unreinforced masonry structures designated by the city in compliance with Government Code Section 8875 et seq. shall be credited parking at a rate of one space per 300 square feet of gross floor area. Additional parking shall not be required for a new use unless the new use results in one of the following:

  1. An increase in the square footage of the structure; or

  2. An off-street parking requirement that exceeds one parking space for each 300 square feet of floor area as outlined in Table 4-4.

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Additional off-street parking shall only be required for the expansion in building area or as associated with the increased parking ratio, as applicable.

G. Additional Parking Spaces Not Required. An addition to a structure made solely for the purpose of increasing access for disabled persons shall not require the provision of additional parking spaces.

H. Compact Parking Spaces. A maximum of 30 percent of the required parking spaces for multifamily, commercial, and industrial uses may be compact spaces.

I. Multi-Tenant Sites. A site with multiple tenants or activities shall provide the aggregate number of parking spaces required by this chapter for each separate use, except where shared parking may be allowed in compliance with SMC 19.48.050(B), Shared Use of Parking Facilities.

J. Uses Not Listed. Land uses not specifically listed by subsection (A) of this section shall provide parking as required by the applicable review authority. The requirements of subsection (A) of this section shall be used as a guide in determining the minimum number of off-street parking spaces to be provided.

K. Rounding of Quantities. When calculating the number of parking spaces required, fractional spaces equal to or greater than one-half shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number and fractions less than one-half shall be eliminated.

L. Bench or Bleacher Seating. Where fixed seating is provided in the form of benches or bleachers, a seat shall be construed to be 20 inches of continuous bench space for the purpose of calculating the number of required parking spaces.

M. Space-Efficient Parking. Space-efficient parking, defined as parking in which vehicles are stored and accessed by mechanical stackers or lifts, automated parking systems, tandem spaces, or other space-efficient means, may be used to fulfill off-street parking requirements for spaces serving long-term parkers (e.g., employees and residents). Parking spaces may be space-efficient except for spaces required and specifically designated for persons with disabilities unless designed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Space-efficient parking must be approved by the director of community development based on a proposed parking operations plan supplied by the applicant. (Ord. 06-2023 § 1(A), 2023; Ord. 01-2017 § 1 (Exh. B), 2017; Ord. 03-2014 § 3, 2014; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.050 Adjustments to parking requirements.

  • A. General Reduction of Requirements.
  1. Modification of Standards. Except for parking space dimensions governed by SMC 19.48.070, the planning commission may modify the off-street parking requirements outlined in this chapter in compliance with SMC 19.54.050, Exceptions.

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  1. Second Uses. Parking requirements for a second use within a single building (e.g., a restaurant in a hotel or a shop within a sports facility) may be reduced by up to one-half the normal parking requirement upon the determination by the planning commission that a reduction is justified.

  2. Mixed Uses. Parking requirements for commercial and residential mixed uses located in a commercial zone may be reduced upon determination by the planning commission that a reduction is justified. If required by the planning commission, a parking demand study, prepared by an independent engineer or planner, shall be provided by the applicant which presents justification for the requested modification.

B. Shared Use of Parking Facilities. Where two or more adjacent nonresidential uses have distinct and differing peak parking usage periods (e.g., a theater and a bank), a reduction in the required number of parking spaces may be approved by the planning commission; provided, that the most remote space is located within 600 feet of the use it is intended to serve. The amount of reduction may be up to the amount of spaces required for the least intensive of the uses sharing the parking. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient data, including a parking study if required by the planning commission, to indicate that there is no conflict in the peak parking demand for the uses proposing to make joint use of the parking facilities. The property owners involved in the joint use of parking facilities shall record an agreement, approved by the city attorney, with the county recorder. A copy of the agreement shall be filed with the city planner.

C. In-Lieu Parking Fee. The off-street parking requirements in SMC 19.48.040 may be satisfied partially or in full through the payment of an in-lieu parking fee. The in-lieu parking fee program shall be administered as follows:

  1. Establishment of Amount of Fee. The amount of the in-lieu parking fee shall be set by resolution of the city council. The city council may adjust the fee at its discretion as frequently as is deemed necessary based on factors including, but not limited to, inflation, the cost of providing new parking spaces, and the market value of parking spaces.

  2. Determination of Eligibility. The planning commission may allow a payment into the in-lieu parking fund as an alternative to providing all or a portion of the required parking spaces on site if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the planning commission that one or more of the following conditions apply:

  • a. It is infeasible to provide the required parking spaces on site due to the size, shape, or topography of the site, or other special circumstances pertaining to the property;

    • b. Providing the required parking spaces on site is detrimental to the pedestrian nature of the area;

    • c. The uses proposed for the project do not require parking to be on the project site;

    • d. Encouraging users of the project site to walk from off-site parking to the project site would be beneficial to the downtown district; or

    • e. The existing and planned parking supply in the vicinity of the project site is adequate.

  1. Payment of Fee. If the planning commission approves an in-lieu parking fee request, such payment shall be made to the city in one lump sum before the issuance of a building permit or, if a building permit is not required, within 45 days of request by the city for payment. The in-lieu parking fee shall be a one-time only,

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nonrefundable payment and shall be considered full satisfaction of the off-street parking requirement for the number of parking spaces for which the fee was paid.

  1. Effect of Payment. In-lieu parking fees shall be used exclusively for improvements including, but not limited to, bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, improved transit access, or additional parking spaces. If allowed, in-lieu parking fees are solely an alternative means of satisfying the applicant’s obligation to provide off-street parking as required by this chapter and payment of the in-lieu parking fee does not carry any other guarantees, rights, or privileges to the applicant.

D. Transportation Demand Management. The number of required parking spaces for any project may be reduced by the planning commission based on submittal of a transportation demand management plan submitted by the applicant describing the measures for implementation and quantifying their impacts on parking demand. (Ord. 06-2024 § 2(A), 2024; Ord. 06-2023 § 1(A), 2023; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.060 Accessible parking for individuals with disabilities.

Parking areas shall include parking spaces and parking space access aisles that are accessible to individuals with disabilities in the following manner:

  • A. Number of Spaces – Design Standards. Accessible parking spaces and accessible parking access aisles for individuals with disabilities shall be provided in compliance with the California Building Code.

B. Reservation of Spaces Required. Disabled access spaces required by this chapter shall be reserved by the property owner/tenant for use by the disabled throughout the life of the approved land use;

C. Upgrading of Markings Required. If amendments to state law change standards for the marking, striping, and signing of disabled parking spaces, disabled accessible spaces shall be upgraded in compliance with the new standards. Upgrading shall be completed by affected property owners within 60 days of being notified in writing by the city of new state standards. (Ord. 06-2023 § 1(A), 2023; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.070 Development standards for parking facilities.

Parking facilities shall be provided in the following manner:

  • A. Access. Access to off-street parking areas shall be provided in the following manner:

    1. Parking areas shall provide suitable maneuvering room so that vehicles enter an abutting street or alley in a forward direction. The review authority may approve exceptions for single-family homes and duplexes, and for nonresidential uses where parking areas immediately adjoin a public alley.

    2. A minimum unobstructed clearance height of 14 feet shall be maintained above vehicle lanes.

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B. Parking Space and Drive Aisle Dimensions. Parking lots and stalls shall be designed with the following minimum dimensions. No exceptions shall be permitted to these minimum standards except compact spaces shall be allowed.

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----- Start of picture text -----
Angle of Parking Width (W) Length (L) Aisle (A) 2-way
90 degree 9 feet 18 feet 24 feet
60 degree 9 feet 19 feet 20 feet
45 degree 9 feet 18 feet 20 feet
Parallel 8 feet 22 feet 20 feet
----- End of picture text -----

  1. Increased Width. Parking spaces located adjacent to and parallel to a wall or other solid barrier shall be widened by an additional two feet.

  2. Compact Parking Spaces. No exception to parking space dimensions are allowed except for compact spaces that shall measure no less than eight feet in width by 15 feet in length. No parallel compact spaces permitted.

  3. Motorcycle Parking Spaces. Shall measure no less than four feet width by eight feet in length.

  • C. Drainage.

    1. Surface water from parking lots shall not drain over sidewalks or adjacent parcels.

    2. Parking lots shall be designed in compliance with the storm water quality and quantity standards of the city’s best management practices.

  • D. Directional Arrows and Signs.

    1. Parking spaces, driveways, circulation aisles, and maneuvering areas shall be clearly marked with directional arrows and lines to ensure the safe and efficient flow of vehicles.

    2. The city planner may require the installation of the traffic signs in addition to directional arrows to ensure the safe and efficient flow of vehicles in a parking facility.

  • E. Location. Off-street parking areas shall be located as follows:

  1. Required parking shall be located on the same parcel as the uses served, except that parking may be located on a parcel adjacent to, or within 300 feet of, the use served subject to approval of the commission and the recording of a covenant with the county recorder guaranteeing that the required parking will be maintained exclusively for the use served. The agreement shall be approved by the city attorney and a copy shall be filed with the planning division.

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  1. Uncovered parking spaces shall be set back from any street a minimum distance of five feet. The setback area shall be fully landscaped.

  2. Parking facilities shall be separated from buildings by either a raised walkway, landscape strip, or preferably a combination of both. Situations where parking aisles or spaces directly abut the building are prohibited.

  3. Parking for multifamily uses shall be located within 200 feet of the units they are intended to serve.

  4. Bicycle spaces shall be situated so that they do not obstruct the flow of pedestrians at entrances or sidewalks.

F. Striping and Identification. Parking spaces shall be clearly outlined with four-inch-wide lines painted on the surface of the parking facility. Every stall designated to accommodate compact cars, motorcycles, handicap or electric vehicle charging shall be clearly marked as such. Parking spaces for the disabled shall be striped and marked according to the applicable state and federal standards.

G. Surfacing. Parking spaces and maneuvering areas shall be paved and permanently maintained with asphalt, concrete, or other all-weather surfacing in compliance with city standards. Alternative surfaces may be allowed subject to the review and approval of the planning commission.

H. Wheel Stops/Curbing. In parking lots of more than 10 spaces, continuous concrete curbing at least six inches high and six inches wide shall be provided for parking spaces located adjacent to fences, walls, property lines, landscaped areas, and structures. Individual wheel stops or a continuous curb with periodic depressions to the level of the adjacent parking surface may be provided in lieu of continuous curbing when the parking is adjacent to a landscaped area, and the drainage is directed to the landscaped area. Wheel stops shall be placed to allow for two feet of vehicle overhang area within the dimension of the parking space.

I. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Electric vehicle infrastructure shall be provided in compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24 Regulations) as adopted and amended from time to time under Chapter 14.10 SMC. (Ord. 06-2024 § 2(B), 2024; Ord. 05-2015 § 7, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; amended during June 2011 supplement; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.080 Development guidelines for parking facilities.

The following guidelines shall be considered by the review authority in the review of discretionary planning applications involving the creation or modification of parking facilities:

A. Access to Adjacent Sites. Applicants for nonresidential developments are encouraged to provide shared vehicle and pedestrian access to adjacent nonresidential properties for convenience, safety, and efficient circulation. Where parking facilities on adjoining parcels provide mutual access, a reduction in the number of required parking spaces may be considered in compliance with SMC 19.48.050(B), Shared Use of Parking Facilities. A joint access agreement guaranteeing the continued availability of the shared access between the properties and running with the land shall be recorded by the owners of the abutting properties, as approved by the city planner.

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B. Access for Pedestrians. New commercial or multifamily residential development, or any change of use or expansion of an existing commercial or multifamily development requiring the installation of additional parking, should provide pedestrian access as follows:

  1. A minimum of one pedestrian walkway from the nearest public sidewalk through the parking lot to the commercial or residential use(s). Additional walkways should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  2. Walkways should be a minimum of four feet in width, designed to be clearly separate physically (e.g., raised sidewalk) or in appearance (e.g., enhanced paving) from parking or driveway areas, and located in a manner that provides convenient access between the public sidewalk and the use.

  3. Pedestrian access should incorporate enhanced paving (e.g., special paving materials), trellis structures, and landscaping.

  • C. Circulation. Within parking lots, vehicular circulation should be provided for as follows:

    1. Parking facilities should be designed with a clear and efficient hierarchy of circulation: major access drives with no parking; circulation drives with little or no parking; and parking aisles for direct access to parking spaces.

    2. Parking layouts that necessitate a cul-de-sac or similar type of turning facility for reversing direction of travel in order to exit from the parking area are discouraged. Cul-de-sac, hammer heads, and similar direction-reversing facilities may be approved by the review authority when other alternatives are not feasible. (Ord. 10-2025 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; amended during June 2011 supplement; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

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19.48.090 Landscaping of parking facilities.

Landscaping of parking facilities shall be provided and maintained in compliance with the provisions of this section.

A. Amount of Landscaping Required. At a minimum, parking facilities shall provide landscaping in the amounts as set forth in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5. Required Landscaping

for Parking Facilities

Percent of Facility Parking Facility Size to be Landscaped 1 – 6 spaces 7% 7 or more spaces 12%

B. Landscape Materials. Landscaping materials shall be provided throughout the parking lot area using a combination of trees, shrubs and ground cover. Drought-tolerant landscape materials shall be emphasized, consistent with the city’s low-water use landscaping ordinance.

C. Curbing, Irrigation. Landscaped areas shall be bordered by a concrete curb at least six inches high and shall be provided with an automatic irrigation system. Alternative barrier designs may be approved by the city planner.

D. Bumper Overhang Areas. To increase the parking lot landscaped area, a maximum of two feet of the parking stall depth may be landscaped with low-growth, hearty materials in lieu of paving, allowing a two-foot bumper overhang while maintaining the required parking dimensions. Bumper overhang areas shall not encroach over the required width of a sidewalk.

E. Parking Lot Screening. Parking areas adjoining a public street should be designed to provide a five-foot wide landscaped planting strip between the street right-of-way and parking area. The landscaping should be designed and maintained to screen cars from view from the street to a height of 36 inches. Screening materials may include a combination of plant materials, earth berms, wood fences, masonry walls, raised planters, or other screening devices that meet the intent of this requirement. Plant materials, walls, or structures within a traffic safety sight area of a driveway shall not exceed 30 inches in height.

F. Parking Lots Adjacent to Residential Uses. Parking areas for nonresidential uses adjoining residential uses shall provide a landscaped buffer yard between the parking area and the common property line bordering the residential use. A solid masonry wall or wooden fence and landscaping shall be provided along the property line. Trees shall be provided at a rate of one for each 30 linear feet of landscaped area.

G. Larger Projects. Parking facilities with more than 50 spaces shall provide a concentration of landscape elements at primary entrances, including specimen trees, flowering plants, and enhanced paving. Additionally,

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larger parking facilities should be broken up into a series of small parking lots separated by landscaping and pedestrian walkways.

H. Lighting. Parking areas shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting standards shall be energy efficient and in scale with the height and use of the on-site structure(s). All illumination, including security lighting, shall be directed downward, away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. A lighting plan, photometric study, and light fixture information shall be required to show compliance with SMC 19.40.030, Exterior lighting.

I. Shading. All new and substantially remodeled, i.e., 50 percent or more of the parking lot, parking lots shall include tree plantings designed to result in 50 percent shading of parking lot surface areas within 15 years. All projects submitted for building shall include a shade plan. The planting plan may be used as the shade plan provided the trees are drawn to scale at the size indicated on the approved shade list, and shade calculations are included. Plans will not be accepted into the building permit plan check process unless these items are included. Calculations of how these areas meet shade requirements must be shown and all areas and their dimensions used in shading calculations must be shown on the shading and/or landscape planting plan. Exceptions to inclusion in the shading calculation or requiring a shade calculation include:

  1. Single-family and duplex residential parking areas;

  2. Parking structures;

  3. Truck loading areas in front of overhead doors;

  4. Truck maneuvering and parking areas unconnected to and exclusive of any vehicle parking;

  5. Surfaced areas not to be used for vehicle parking, driving or maneuvering, provided they are made inaccessible to vehicles by a barrier such as bollards, curb, or fencing;

  6. Vehicle display, sales, service, and storage areas (parking facilities for these uses are subject to shading requirements);

  7. Parking areas under covered stalls and in garages. (Ord. 06-2024 § 2(C), 2024; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.100 Driveways.

19.48.110 Bicycle parking requirements.

  • A. Applicability. Each land use shall provide at least the minimum number of bicycle parking spaces found to be required by this chapter, except where a greater number of spaces is required through approval of a discretionary

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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permit. The minimum number of bicycle parking spaces to be provided for each use shall comply with Table 4-6 and compliance shall be demonstrated in a bike parking plan, subject to approval by the planning commission.

  • B. Types of Bicycle Parking.

    1. Long-term bicycle parking. Long-term bicycle parking provides residents and employees who live or work at a site a secure and weather-protected place to park and store bicycles. Long-term parking may be located in garages or other limited access areas for exclusive use by tenants, residents, and employees. Long-term parking may not be located within an area of a dwelling unit primarily intended to serve a different function (e.g., clothes closet or bathroom).

    2. Short-term bicycle parking. Short-term bicycle parking provides shoppers, customers, messengers, and other visitors who generally park for two hours or less a convenient and readily accessible place to park bicycles.

Table 4-6.

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Long-Term Bicycle Short-Term Bicycle
Land Use
Requirement Requirement
Commercial One space for each 15,000 sq. One space for each 5,000 sq.
ft., minimum of two spaces. ft., minimum of two spaces.
Hotels and motels One space for every 40 rooms, One space for every 80 rooms,
minimum of two spaces. minimum of two spaces.
Offices, personal services, One space for each 10,000 sq. One space for each 20,000 sq.
medical services – clinics, ft., minimum of two spaces. ft., minimum of two spaces.
offices, laboratories
Mixed Use One space for each 15,000 sq. One space for each 5,000 sq.
ft., minimum of two spaces and ft., minimum of two spaces and
0.5 spaces per bedroom, 0.05 spaces per bedroom,
minimum of two spaces. minimum of two spaces
Multifamily residential 0.5 spaces per bedroom, 0.05 spaces per bedroom,
minimum of two spaces minimum of two spaces.
Public facility One space per 10 employees, One space per 10,000 sq. ft.,
minimum of two spaces. minimum of two spaces.
Schools and daycare centers One space per 20 employees, One space per 20 students,
minimum of two spaces. minimum of two spaces.
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The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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Table 4-6.

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Long-Term Bicycle Short-Term Bicycle
Land Use
Requirement Requirement
Religious facilities and One space per 20 employees, Spaces for 2% of maximum
mortuaries, meeting halls, and minimum of two spaces. attendance.
performance theaters
Extended care (convalescent Two spaces. Two spaces.
hospitals, nursing homes, and
residential care homes)
Hospitals One space per 20 employees One space for each 20,000 sq.
or per 70,000 sq. ft., minimum ft., minimum of two spaces.
of two spaces.
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(Ord. 06-2023 § 1(B), 2023; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

19.48.120 Loading space requirements.

A. Number of Loading Spaces Required. Loading spaces shall be provided and maintained in compliance with Table 4-7 for retail and wholesale markets, warehouses, hotels, hospitals, laundry and dry cleaning establishments, and other places where large amounts of goods are received or shipped.

Table 4-7. Loading Requirements

Loading
Gross Floor Area Spaces
Required
0 – 9,999 square feet 0
10,000 – 39,999 square feet 1
Each additional 40,000 1
square feet
  • B. Standards for Loading Areas. Off-street loading areas shall be provided in the following manner:

    1. Dimensions. Loading spaces shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width, 40 feet in length, with 14 feet of vertical clearance;

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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  1. Lighting. Loading areas shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting sources shall be shielded to prevent light spill beyond the property line. Lighting standards shall be energy-efficient and in scale with the height and use of adjacent structure(s);

  2. Loading Ramps. Plans for loading ramps or truck wells shall be accompanied by a profile drawing showing the ramp, ramp transitions and overhead clearances;

  3. Location. Loading spaces shall be located and designed as follows:

    • a. As near as possible to the main structure and limited to the rear two-thirds of the parcel, if feasible;

    • b. Situated to ensure that the loading facility is screened from adjacent streets to the greatest degree possible;

    • c. Situated to ensure that loading and unloading takes place on site and in no case within adjacent public rights-of-way or other on-site traffic circulation areas;

    • d. Situated to ensure that vehicular maneuvers occur on site; and

    • e. Situated to avoid adverse impacts upon neighboring residential properties;

  4. Screening. Loading areas shall be screened from abutting parcels and streets with dense landscaping or solid walls or fences with a minimum height of six feet; and

  5. Striping. Loading areas shall be striped indicating the loading spaces and identifying the spaces for “loading only.” The striping shall be permanently maintained by the property owner/tenant in a clear and visible manner at all times. (Ord. 06-2023 § 1(B), 2023; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).