Chapter 17.26 — PARKING AND LOADING

Sections:

• 17.26.010 Purpose. 17.26.020 Definitions. 17.26.030 Applicability.

• 17.26.040 Required parking spaces.

• 17.26.050 Parking area and access design standards.

• 17.26.060 Parking reductions.

• 17.26.070 General provisions.

• 17.26.080 Bicycle parking. 17.26.090 Electric vehicle charging stations. 17.26.100 On-site loading and unloading.

The purpose of this chapter is to:

• A. Require parking spaces and loading spaces for all land uses that are sufficient in number, size, and arrangement;

B. Minimize the negative environmental and urban design impacts of parking lots, driveways, and drive aisles within parking lots;

• C. Ensure the provision of adequate off-street bicycle parking;

D. Establish standards and regulations for safe and well-designed parking, loading and unloading, and vehicle circulation areas that minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, and where appropriate, create buffers from surrounding land uses;

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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E. Minimize the amount of area devoted to parking by allowing reductions in the number of required spaces, shared parking facilities, and other methods to lower vehicle parking demand;

• F. Encourage modal shift; and

• G. Reduce urban run-off and heat island effect through reduced parking footprints. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

As used in this chapter:

“Access drive” means a paved way located outside of the public right-of-way that provides vehicular access between the public street and the required parking for more than one lot, or for one lot if necessary for emergency vehicle access. Within a parking lot, that portion providing access other than aisles.

“Aisle” means the portion of a parking lot which is contiguous to a parking space and provides direct access to the parking space.

“Bicycle locker” means a locker or box in which up to two bicycles can be placed and locked to prevent theft, shelter bicycles from the weather, and deter casual vandalism.

“Bicycle parking space” means a space dedicated to the parking of bicycles that typically includes supports to which the bicycle may be attached.

Driveway Approach. That portion of a residential driveway which connects a residential driveway to the street is a “driveway approach,” typically located in the right-of-way.

“Electric vehicle charging station” means an electric vehicle supply equipment station designed and built in compliance with California Electrical Code Article 625 that delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

“Off-street loading space” means a parking space or portion of a parking lot marked and designated for temporary parking for purposes of loading and unloading.

“On-site parking” means a space designated for parking a vehicle on the same property as the use it is required to serve.

“Parking lot” means a site or a portion of a site devoted to on-site parking of vehicles including parking spaces, aisles, access driveways and landscaped areas, and other areas providing ingress and egress to parking spaces.

“Parking space” means a permanently surfaced area for vehicular parking connected to a public street, alley or other public way by a permanently surfaced driveway or access or access drive.

“Residential driveway” means a drive which provides direct vehicular access from a public or private street to the required parking for an individual dwelling unit and accessory structures.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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“Secured bicycle parking” means a lockable facility such as individual lockers or enclosed, locked, limited-access areas for parking of bicycles.

“Shared parking” means a parking area that provides required parking spaces for more than one use.

“Tandem parking” means that two or more automobiles are parked on a driveway or in any other location on a lot, lined up behind one another. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The requirements of this chapter apply to all primary uses in all zoning districts at the time any building or structure is erected, enlarged, increased in capacity, or changed from a nonconforming use to a permitted use.

• A. New Buildings and Uses. On-site parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with this chapter at the time any main building or structure is erected or any new land use is established.

• B. Existing Nonresidential Buildings.

  1. When a change in use, expansion of a use, or expansion of floor area creates an increase of fifteen percent (15%) or more in the number of required on-site parking or loading spaces, additional on-site parking and loading shall be provided for such addition, enlargement, or change in use and not for the entire building or site.

  2. Existing parking and loading not in excess of the minimum requirements shall be maintained.

  3. Parking and loading in excess of minimum requirements may be removed.

  4. A change in tenancy or ownership is not considered a change in use unless the new occupant is in a different use classification than the former occupant.

  5. If the number of existing parking and loading spaces is greater than the requirements for a proposed use, the number of excess parking spaces may be counted toward meeting the requirements for any change, expansion, or major alteration.

C. Existing Residential Buildings. Parking in accordance with this chapter shall be provided where additional dwelling units are created through the alteration of an existing building or construction of an additional structure or structures.

D. When Constructed. On-site parking and loading facilities required by this chapter shall be constructed or installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the uses that they serve. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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A. Required Spaces. The total number of required parking spaces is specified in Table 17.26.040(A): Minimum OffStreet Parking Requirements by Use. Fractional spaces of one-half or more shall be rounded off to require one additional space for the fractional space.

Table 17.26.040(A). Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use

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Residential Uses
Single-family and duplex Min. 2 spaces per unit, may be covered or uncovered
dwellings
Studio and 1-BR units: Min. 1 space per unit, may be covered or uncovered.
Multifamily dwellings (3 2 BR or more: Min. 1.5 spaces per unit.
or more units)
Guest parking: 25% of total required spaces when 15 or more units
constructed.
Family day care, small None beyond what is required for the residential use
Family day care, large In addition to required parking for the residential use, min. 1 space for each
nonresident employee plus an area for loading and unloading children
Live/work One space per 300 sq ft of the area devoted to work space, plus one space
for every four units.
Mobile homes Min. 2 spaces per mobile home space. One must be located on the mobile
home space and the other must be located within 150 feet of the mobile
home space.
In addition, min. 1 guest space per 4 mobile home spaces.
Single-room occupancy One uncovered parking space for every three units plus one uncovered
parking space for an on-site manager unit.
In addition, min. 1 lockable bicycle parking space for each efficiency unit
adjacent to the unit.
Commercial, Office, Industrial, and Winery Uses
Boarding house Min. 2 spaces for the resident owner plus 1 space for each guest room
Commercial, retail and 1 space per 300 sq ft of building floor area, in no cases less than 2 parking
office uses spaces for each building or tenant space
Eating and drinking 1 space per 4 seats
establishments
Hotel Min. 1 space per guest room, suite, sleeping or living unit plus one space for
each three employees
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The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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Table 17.26.040(A). Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use

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Industrial uses, excluding 1 space per 300 sq ft office area; plus
wine warehousing 1 space per 650 sq ft industrial area; plus
1 space per 1,000 sq ft warehouse area.
Mixed-use For mixed-use development with residential uses, apply the shared parking
provisions of Section 17.26.060(C).
Wineries (large and small) 1 space per 4 tasting or tour visitors plus 1 space per 1,000 sq ft of floor
area
Winery tasting room One space for each 300 sq ft of gross sales area. For outdoor seating, no
off-street parking shall be required.
Wine warehouse 1 space per 300 sq ft of office floor area plus:
Up to 25,000 sq ft of 1 space per 5,000 sq ft of warehouse floor area
warehouse area
25,000 sq ft or more 5 spaces plus 1 space per 10,000 sq ft warehouse floor area.
warehouse area
Public and Institutional Uses
Community assembly 1 space per 4 seats
with fixed seating
Community assembly 1 space per 50 sq ft of floor area
without fixed seating
Cultural institutions 1 space per 400 sq ft of floor area open to the public
Day care facility 1 per each employee plus an area for loading and unloading
Government offices 1 space per 300 sq ft of building floor area, in no cases less than 2 parking
spaces for each building or tenant space.
Hospitals and clinics 1 space for every 4 beds or as required by the planning commission
Instructional services 1 space per 40 sq ft of classroom space
Schools 3 spaces per classroom and other room used by students.
In addition, 1 space for each 350 sq ft devoted to office or administrative
uses.
Accessory Uses
Accessory dwelling units Parking for accessory dwelling units shall be provided in compliance with
Section 17.22.030(F)(6).
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B. Other Uses. For uses not specifically listed in Table 17.26.040(A), Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use, the planning commission shall determine the parking requirements. In determining such requirements, the

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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planning commission shall use the above requirements as a rule and guide and any relevant information supplied by standard traffic engineering reference manuals on parking demand by use type.

C. Tenant Spaces With Multiple Functions. A site or building with multiple tenants (i.e., two or more) or multiple uses shall provide the aggregate number of parking spaces required for each separate use (e.g., the sum of the separate requirements for each use) unless the community development director approves a parking reduction in compliance with Section 17.26.060, Parking reductions. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

A. Residential Garages and Carports. Each residential garage or carport shall have the following minimum unobstructed interior dimensions:

1. Single car garage/carport: nine feet by nineteen (19) feet.

2. Double car garage: nineteen (19) feet by nineteen (19) feet.

• B. Driveways to Residential Uses. A residential driveway that provides direct vehicular access from a public or private street to required parking for an individual dwelling unit is subject to the following standards:

  1. Length: minimum twenty-four (24) feet as measured from the property line to a garage door; a minimum twenty (20) feet if a roll-up garage door or carport is utilized.

  2. Width: between ten (10) and twenty (20) feet as shown in the city of St. Helena street, storm drain and sidewalk standards.

  3. Material: new driveways shall use pervious materials and pavers to minimize storm water impacts.

  4. Minimum separation at corners: driveways shall be placed no less than twenty (20) feet from the intersection of the front and street side property lines.

  5. Exceptions.

     • a. Residential driveways in the Woodlands and Watershed zoning district, or elsewhere as deemed necessary by the fire chief.

b. Lots without public street frontages and lots greater than one hundred (100) feet in length shall meet the standards for an access drive as set forth in Section 15.36.100, Fire apparatus access roads.

• C. Off-Street Parking Lot Design.

  1. Design Standards. Standards for the design and layout of required off-street parking lots are provided in Table 17.26.050(B): Angled Parking Dimensions.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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Table 17.26.050(B). Angled Parking Dimensions

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Angle 90 75 60 45 30
Stall depth to wall (ft) 19 19.5 20 18.5 16
Aisle width (ft) 25 21 18 14 14
Wall to wall module (ft) 63 60 58 51 46
Stall width, parallel to aisle (ft) 9.5 9.32 10.39 12.73 18
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2. Compact Spaces.

• a. Up to thirty percent (30%) of the required number of off-street parking spaces may be designated for the parking of compact vehicles only.

• b. Stall width may be reduced by a maximum of one foot.

• c. Stall length may be reduced by a maximum of three feet.

d. “Compact parking only” shall be stenciled on the pavement at the entrance to each stall with six-inch minimum height letters.

e. When provided, compact car space clusters shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot rather than concentrated in one area.

3. Parallel Spaces.

   • a. Parallel spaces along a wall, fence, or hedge shall be ten (10) feet in width.

b. Parallel spaces having no obstruction or adjacent parking space within ten (10) feet of one end may be reduced in length to twenty (20) feet. If both ends are similarly clear, the space may be reduced in length to eighteen (18) feet.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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4. Long—Term Parking. Parallel stalls that are designated for long-term or low turnover use, as allowed in this code, may be reduced as follows:

   • a. Stall width may be reduced by six inches. Small car stalls may not be reduced in width.

   • b. Stall length may be reduced by one foot (including small car spaces).

5. Landscaped Area. Stalls adjacent to a landscaped area shall be widened by six inches. Stalls adjacent to a fence wall or hedge shall be widened by one foot.

6. Aisles. The minimum aisle dimension for two-way traffic shall be twenty-four (24) feet and for one-way traffic fourteen (14) feet.

7. Dimensions. The front two feet of the required parking stall dimension may be used to enlarge an

adjacent landscaped area but may not be used to meet minimum landscaping requirements. Landscaping within this overhang area shall be limited to low-lying shrubs and ground cover and must be approved by the community development director.

8. Circulation. Parking lots shall be designed with adequate circulation and turn around so that vehicles will not have to back into the street to exit.

9. Paving. Parking stalls shall be paved and shall comply with the design and construction standards for access drives.

10. Striping. Parking stalls shall be marked using four inches wide white paint stripes. All directional arrows and legends shall be white. Double lining of parking stalls may be used with specific approval of the public works director.

11. Angled Spaces. All angled or ninety (90) degree parking spaces shall be provided with a concrete wheel stop to prevent parked vehicles from encroaching into areas designed for other purposes, except as allowed in subsection (C)(7) of this section. Continuous concrete curb is acceptable in lieu of individual wheel stops. Timber wheel stops can only be used with specific approval of the public works director.

12. Alternative Dimensions. Where the location of existing structures or other significant features makes it impossible to obtain an acceptable parking layout using these dimensions, the public works director may authorize the use of alternative dimensions.

13. Accessible Spaces. Handicapped parking shall be provided in accordance with the standards of the California Building Code, Part 2, Title 24.

14. Lighting. All lighting shall comply with the requirements of Section 17.24.070, Lighting and illumination.

15. Screening. Where abutting a residential zoning district, parking lots in the rear of a site for more than five vehicles shall be screened, except for necessary driveway openings, by a six-foot-high solid board fence, masonry wall, vegetative screen, or screened chain link fence. Screening fences or walls shall be maintained in good condition.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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16. Location. Within any zoning district, except for necessary service or single-family access driveways, no portion of a parking lot shall be located in any required front or side setback adjacent to a street. No vehicles shall back out onto a public street except in residential zoning districts.

17. Material. Parking lot surfaces may be concrete, asphalt, grouted continuous brick, cobblestone, turf block, or any similar, durable, and dustless material. To reduce stormwater runoff, porous pavers may be used subject to approval by the public works director.

D. Access Drives for Multifamily and Nonresidential Properties. An access drive that provides vehicular access between the public street and the required parking for more than one lot, or for one lot if the length of the drive is greater than one hundred (100) feet, is subject to the following standards:

1. Width. The minimum dimensions provided in Table 17.26.050(C): Standard for Access Drives, allow for the safe passage of emergency vehicles. Parking areas may not count toward the required access drive width.

Table 17.26.050(C). Standards for Access Drives

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Nonresidential Minimum Width (fully paved width)
One-way access drive 16' paved
Two-way access drive 25' paved
Residential Minimum Width (includes two 2' shoulders)
One-way access drive:
1 unit 16' (12' paved)
Two-way access drives:
1 or 2 units 16' (12' paved)
3 to 10 units 20' (16' paved)
11 to 60 units 25' (21' paved)
More than 60 units 30' (26' paved)
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2. Design for Two-Way Traffic. All access drives, except for driveways for single-family residence, shall be designed for two-way traffic unless specific approval is obtained from the public works director and fire chief.

3. Setback From Front of Lot. To avoid congestion at the entrance of a property from the street or access drive, no on-site parking space or gate shall be allowed within the initial thirty (30) feet of the edge of pavement of the access drive, drive aisle or property line, or location as determined by the public works director in conjunction with the fire chief.

4. Vertical Clearance. The minimum vertical clearance shall be fourteen (14) feet at all points across the required width of the access drive.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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5. Other Design Requirements. Emergency vehicle turnouts, firefighting operations areas, and grades shall be as prescribed in Chapter 15.36, California Fire Code Adopted.

6. Inspection. Access drives shall be inspected annually by the fire chief/fire code official to ensure that landscaping or other obstructions do not hinder emergency vehicle access.

E. Review. The design of all features relating to access drives is subject to review and approval of the public works director and fire chief. Where the access is determined by the public works director to serve traffic loads equivalent to those typically encountered on public streets, the public works director shall require the design of the access drive to meet public street standards. See Chapter 17.04, Common Procedures, for submittal requirements and procedures. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

A. Parking Exemption Overlay District. Projects located within this district are not subject to on-site parking requirements. Please refer to Section 17.21.030, Parking Exemption district (PED).

B. Density Bonus. Parking standards may vary for residential development projects receiving a density bonus pursuant to Chapter 17.29, Density Bonus, and California Government Code Section 65915(p).

C. Reduction for Shared Parking. Where a shared parking facility serves more than one use, the community development director may reduce the total number of required parking spaces up to forty percent (40%) upon finding that:

1. The peak hours of use will not overlap or coincide to the degree that peak demand for parking spaces from all uses will be greater than the total supply of spaces;

2. The proposed shared parking provided will be adequate to serve each use;

3. A parking demand study prepared by an independent traffic engineering professional approved by the city supports the proposed reduction; and

4. In the case of a shared parking facility that serves more than one property, a parking agreement has been prepared consistent with the provisions of Section 17.26.070(B).

D. Reduction for Transportation Demand Management. Total required parking for commercial and office uses that incorporate one or more of the following transportation demand measures may be reduced by ten percent (10%):

1. Designated car-share, vanpool, or carpool parking.

2. Showers and lockers.

3. Transit subsidies or reimbursement to residents and employees. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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A. Change of Required Parking. When the required parking changes as a result of a change of use, expansion of use, increase in number of leaseholders or tenant spaces, or change from a nonconforming use to a permitted use, additional required parking spaces must be provided unless exempt as stipulated in Section 17.26.030, Applicability.

• B. Location of Required Parking.

  1. Required parking shall be located on the same lot with the use, building or structure for which the parking is required, or off site not more than three hundred (300) feet away from the use, building or structure and in a zoning district which allows parking.

2. When parking is located off site, the property owners involved in the joint use of parking facilities shall record an agreement, approved by the city attorney, and filed with the county recorder. A copy of the agreement shall be filed with the planning department.

• C. Tandem Parking.

  1. In Residential Districts. Tandem parking is permitted.

  2. In Commercial and Mixed—Use Districts.

     • a. Up to twenty-five percent (25%) tandem parking is permitted and may be counted as part of the required parking as stipulated in Table 17.26.040(A): Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use.

     • b. Tandem parking that requires backing out onto a public street is prohibited. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The planning commission may require the provision of bicycle parking facilities for any use which is required to provide ten (10) or more vehicular parking spaces dependent upon the use, size, and location of the property.

A. Short—Term Bicycle Parking. Short-term secure bicycle parking shall be provided to serve shoppers, customers, messengers, guests, and other visitors to a site who generally stay for a period of four hours or less.

1. Bicycle Parking Spaces Required. For the following uses, the number of short-term secure bicycle parking spaces shall be five percent of the parking spaces required in Table 17.26.040(A), Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Use, with a minimum of four secure bicycle parking spaces provided per use.

   • a. Multi-unit residential, boarding house, and single-room occupancy.

   • b. All public/semi-public uses.

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c. All commercial uses, except automobile/vehicle sales and services, short-term rentals, and mobile vendors.

• d. Exemptions. The following are exempt from the required bicycle parking spaces:

  • i. Uses located within the Parking Exemption Overlay district;

  • ii. Uses within the CB district; and

  • iii. Uses located on properties where the required front setback is less than ten (10) feet.

2. Location.

   • a. Short-term secure bicycle parking shall be located outside of pedestrian walkways, and within one hundred (100) feet of the main entrance to the building it serves.

   • b. Short-term secure bicycle parking shall be located outside of the public right-of-way except as allowed through an encroachment permit.

   • c. Where the secure bicycle parking area is not visible from the main entrance of the buildings, signs located at the main entrance of the building shall identify the location of bicycle parking.

3. Anchoring and Security. For each short-term bicycle parking space required, a stationary, securely anchored bicycle rack shall be provided to which a bicycle frame and one wheel (two points of contact) can be secured with a high-security U-shaped shackle lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle. One such bicycle rack may serve multiple bicycle parking spaces.

4. Size and Accessibility. Each short-term bicycle parking space shall be a minimum of two feet in width and six feet in length and shall be accessible without moving other bicycles. Two feet of clearance shall be provided between bicycle parking spaces and adjacent walls, poles, landscaping, street furniture, drive aisles, and pedestrian walkways. Five feet of clearance shall be provided from vehicle parking spaces.

B. Long—Term Bicycle Parking. Long-term bicycle parking shall be provided to serve employees, students, residents, commuters, and others who generally stay at a site for four hours or longer.

1. Bicycle Parking Spaces Required.

• a. Multi-Unit Residential, Group Residential, and Single-Room Occupancy. A minimum of one long-term secured bicycle parking space shall be provided for every five dwelling units.

b. Parking Structures. Long-term bicycle parking shall be provided at a minimum ratio of one bicycle parking space per twenty-five (25) vehicle parking spaces.

c. Other Uses. Any establishment with twenty-five (25) or more full-time equivalent employees shall provide long-term bicycle parking designated on a site plan at a minimum ratio of one bicycle parking space per twenty-five (25) required vehicle parking spaces. Parking areas with fewer than twenty-five (25) spaces are encouraged but not required to provide long-term bicycle parking.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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2. Location. Long-term bicycle parking must be located on the same lot as the use it serves and near a building entrance. In parking structures, long-term bicycle parking must be located near an entrance to the facility. Where the bicycle parking area is not visible from the entrance of the building, signs located at the entrance or in an entry lobby of the building shall identify the location of bicycle parking.

3. Anchoring and Security. Long-term bicycle parking must be located in:

   • a. An enclosed bicycle locker; or

   • b. Other secure areas approved by the community development director.

4. Size and Accessibility. Each long-term bicycle parking space shall be a minimum of two feet in width and six feet in length and shall be accessible without moving other bicycles. Two feet of clearance shall be provided between bicycle parking spaces and adjacent walls, poles, landscaping, street furniture, drive aisles, and pedestrian walkways. Five feet of clearance shall be provided from vehicle parking spaces. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and EV-capable parking spaces shall be provided for all new buildings erected as required by this section. All such spaces shall be included in the calculation of parking demands of Section 17.26.040, Required parking spaces.

A. Required EV Charging Stations. The total number of required EV charging stations spaces is specified in Table 17.26.090(A): Required EV Charging Stations.

Table 17.26.090(A). Required EV Charging Spaces

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Total Number of Required Parking Spaces Minimum EV Charging Spaces
0—9 0
10—25 1
26—50 Residential Uses: 2
Nonresidential Uses: 2
51+ 6% of total
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B. Exceptions. Exceptions to Table 17.26.090(A): Required EV Charging Spaces, may be made on a case-by-case basis where the community development director and the chief building official determine that EV charging infrastructure is not feasible based upon one or more of the following conditions:

1. There is insufficient electrical supply;

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2. There is evidence that additional local utility infrastructure design requirements directly related to the implementation of this section may adversely impact the construction cost of the project; or

3. Providing the EV charging infrastructure creates an economic hardship for an affordable housing project.

• C. Size. The size of EV charging station parking spaces and EV-capable parking spaces shall be as specified in Section 17.26.050, Parking area and access design standards. EV supply equipment shall not reduce the size of the parking space.

D. Accessible EV Spaces. Where accessible parking requirements are required, at least one EV space or EV charging station shall meet current van accessible dimensions, as defined by the California Building Code, and be connected to a barrier-free accessible route of travel to the building. No accessible markings shall be made on the EV space or EV charging station with van accessible dimensions. The EV space with van accessible dimensions shall be the first EV charging station established on the property.

E. EV Charging Stations. EV charging stations shall be allowed within any zoning district subject to all applicable requirements of the municipal code in addition to the following:

1. EV parking spaces shall be equipped with electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), which shall be Level 2 or higher. All EVSE shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the California Green Building Standards Code.

2. The EV charging station shall be protected as necessary to prevent damage by automobiles.

3. Any EV charger shall be listed and labeled by an approved testing agency.

4. The EV charging station shall have complete instructions and appropriate warnings posted in an unobstructed location next to each EV charging station.

5. EV Stations for Public Use. EV charging stations for public use must be visible from the right-of-way and illuminated during nighttime business hours.

   • a. One standard nonilluminated sign, not to exceed four square feet in area and eight feet in height, may be posted for the purpose of identifying the location of each cluster of EV charging stations.

   • b. The EV charging station may be on a timer that limits the use of the station to the normal business hours of the use(s) that it serves to preclude unauthorized use after business hours.

   • c. The following information shall be posted at a public EV charging station:

     • i. Voltage and amperage levels;

ii. Hours of operation if time limits or tow-away provisions are to be enforced by the property owner;

iii. Usage fee;

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• iv. Safety information; and

• v. Contact information for reporting when the equipment is not operating or other problems.

F. Construction and Installation. Construction shall comply with Section 5.106.5.3.1 or 5.106.5.3.2 of the California Green Building Standards Code to facilitate future installation of EVSE. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

A. Required On-Site Loading. The on-site loading standards in Table 17.26.100(A): Gross Floor Area Required for Loading Spaces, apply to all nonresidential buildings with floor area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or greater that include manufacturing, storage, warehouse, retail, wholesale or other similar use which requires the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material and merchandise.

Table 17.26.100(A). Gross Floor Area Required for Loading Spaces

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Gross Floor Area Required Off-Street Loading Spaces [1 ]
Industrial Uses: 1
Up to 10,000 sq ft
All Other Uses: 0
10,000 to 24,999 sq ft 1
25,000 to 49,000 sq ft 2
Each additional 50,000 sq ft 1
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End Note:

1 Additional loading dock and truck standing areas may be required as specific in a CUP.

• B. Size of Loading Spaces. Each loading space shall be not less than twelve (12) feet in width and forty (40) feet in length with a minimum overhead clearance of fourteen (14) feet.

• C. Standards for Loading Areas.

  1. Lighting. Refer to Section 17.24.070, Lighting and illumination, for lighting requirements;

  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;

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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Title 17 Zoning Code | St. Helena Municipal Code

• 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.

D. Upon adoption of a finding by the planning commission that a business is unreasonably blocking traffic or obstructing on-street parking spaces, the planning commission may review and amend that business’s conditional use permit as needed to permit the street to function as it should.

E. Waivers and Modifications. The planning commission may waive the loading requirements or modify the standards if it can be demonstrated that the proposed use does not require loading facilities or that an alternative arrangement satisfies the need for loading facilities. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))