Chapter 10.54 — PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
Tulare Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Tulare
§ 10.54.010 Purpose. ¶
The purpose of this chapter is to provide parking and loading regulations for new development and uses that are established in Tulare. The objectives of this chapter are:
(A) To provide for accessible, attractive, secure, properly lighted, and well-maintained and screened off-street parking facilities and off-street loading facilities.
(B) To provide for parking and loading facilities that are designed to reduce traffic congestion and hazards.
(C) To minimize the impact of new development on parking and loading facilities on surrounding properties.
(D) To ensure the maneuverability of emergency vehicles in parking facilities.
(E) To provide for loading and delivery services in proportion to the needs generated by the proposed land use which are clearly compatible with adjacent parcels and the surrounding neighborhood.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.020 Application. ¶
The parking and loading standards in this chapter shall apply to all zone districts unless otherwise specified. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.030 General location and use of parking areas. ¶
The land areas set aside for parking to meet the provisions of this chapter shall be usable and accessible for the type of off-street parking that is required. Off-street vehicle parking is restricted to only approved off-street parking facilities as designed and developed in accordance with this chapter.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.040 Number of parking spaces required. ¶
(A) At the time of initial occupancy of a site or any existing structure, or of the construction of a building, or of a major alteration or expansion of a
site or building, or a change in the use of property that requires additional parking spaces, the number of off-street parking facilities for automobiles shall be provided in accordance with Table 10.54.040-1.
(B) For the purposes of this section, square feet shall mean the gross square feet of a building. Employees shall mean the expected number of employees determined at the time a use commences.
(C) For uses not listed under this chapter, the Director shall determine parking and loading space requirements based on the standards for comparable uses and based upon the particular characteristics of the subject use.
(D) If, in the application of the requirements of this section, a fractional number is obtained, one parking space shall be provided for a fraction of one-half or more, and no parking space shall be required for a fraction of less than one-half.
Table 10.54.040-1 Number of Parking Spaces Land Use Tulare Proposed Parking Space Requirement
Table 10.54.040-1
Number of Parking Spaces
| Number of Parking Spaces | Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Land Use | Tulare Proposed Parking Space Requirement |
| Assisted living, skilled nursing, or hospice facility; residential care facility |
1 space per dwelling unit or 1 space for every 6 beds, plus one space per employee on the largest shift |
| Single-family dwelling | 2 covered spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-family dwelling, no bedroom (i.e., studio or SRO) | 1 space per dwelling unit unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| Multi-family dwelling, 1, 2, or more bedrooms | 1 bedroom: 1 covered space per dwelling unit 2 or more bedrooms: 2 spaces per unit, of which at least 1 shall be covered, plus 1 uncovered guest space per 5 dwelling units unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| Single- or multi-family dwelling specifically for seniors 55 years of age or older |
1 space per dwelling unit plus 1 uncovered guest space per 10 units unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| Boarding house or rooming house, lodging | 1 space per 2 beds |
| Motel, hotel, or bed and breakfast inn | 1 space per guest room, plus 1 space per employee on evening shift, plus 50% of the parking requirements for associated on-site uses, such as restaurants and banquet rooms |
| Live/work facility | 2 covered parking spaces, plus one space for each employee that does not live within the home unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| Retail store; shopping center | 1 space per 300 square feet |
| Retail store selling large items (appliances, furniture, hardware); food locker |
1 space per 500 square feet |
| Bank | 1 space per 300 square feet of building area |
| Fuel sales | Spaces required by accompanying on-site uses (retail, service, restaurant) with a minimum of 2 spaces Spaces at pump islands may be counted, but not to exceed four spaces, provided that at least five on-site spaces are not located at pump islands. |
| Indoor commercial recreation facility; health or fitness facility | 1 space per 300 square feet |
| Restaurant, bar, nightclub, lounge, brewpub | 1 space per 150 square feet |
| Microbrewery | 1 space per 150 square feet open to the public |
| Artisan food, beverage production, and sales | 1 space per 150 square feet open to the public |
| All office and medical uses, except call center, hospital, and pharmacy |
1 space per 250 square feet plus 5 spaces for each professional (e.g., RN, PA, MD, DO, DDS, LCSW, PsyD, etc.) that sees patients or clients on an appointment basis |
| Call center | 1 space per employee; otherwise, 1 space per 250 square feet |
| Hospital | 1 space per 3 beds plus 2 spaces for every 3 employees of the maximum working shift, including doctors |
| Pharmacy | 1 space per 300 square feet |
| Government office; social service office, assistance center, or guidance center |
1 space per 250 square feet unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| All Service commercial uses | 1 space per 300 square feet plus additional parking spaces prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee |
| Studio for martial arts, music, dance, yoga, exercise, gymnastics, or similar |
1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 2 students at maximum occupancy unless located in Downtown Overlay zone |
| --- | --- |
| All manufacturing and processing uses except agricultural food production and animal raising; cold storage or ice house |
1 parking space for each employee during the shift of maximum employment, plus 1 parking space for each vehicle used in conjunction with the use |
| Mini-warehouse or self-storage | 1 space per 250 square feet of office space, plus 1 space per caretaker residence |
| Commercial and industrial uses conducted primarily outside of buildings, including junk yard, wrecking yard, or salvage facility, and vehicle impound yard |
1 parking space for each employee on the maximum shift plus additional parking spaces prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee |
| Auditorium; card room; club, lodge, or private meeting hall; funeral home or mortuary; religious institution or facility; theater; community center or facility |
1 space per 4 fixed seats; or 1 space for each 35 square feet of non-fixed seating area in the principal sanctuary, conference space, or auditorium, whichever is greater |
| All recreation uses except indoor commercial recreation facility, small health or fitness facility, and park or playground |
As prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee |
| School; public, private, or charter (kindergarten to 8th grade) | Kindergarten and nursery schools: 1 parking space for each employee plus one parking space for each 10 children Elementary and junior high schools: 2 parking spaces for each classroom, plus the number of additional spaces prescribed by the Director |
| School; public, private, or charter (9th to 12th grade) | Kindergarten and nursery schools: 1 parking space for each employee plus one parking space for each 10 children Elementary and junior high schools: 2 parking spaces for each classroom, 2 spaces per classroom plus 1 space for each employee, plus the number of additional spaces prescribed by the Director |
| School; trade, vocational, art, business, or professional | 1 space per employee plus 10 spaces per classroom, plus 1 space per 300 square feet of administrative office use, plus additional parking for either stadium or auditorium or as approved by conditional use permit |
| College or university | 1 space per employee plus 10 spaces per classroom, 5 spaces per classroom plus 1 space per 300 square feet of administrative office use, plus additional parking for either stadium or auditorium or as approved by conditional use permit |
| Daycare center | 1 space per employee plus on-site drop-off area |
| Number of Parking Spaces | Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Library, museum, cemetery, fairgrounds, public building, and grounds other than offices and educational uses |
1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area unless located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area |
| Mobile home park | 1 covered space in conjunction with each mobile home, plus 1 space for each 10 mobile home sites for guest parking. |
| Recreational vehicle park | 1 space per employee of the maximum working shift |
| Airport, heliport, bus, transit, or train station | As prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee |
| Truck stop or travel center, trucking or transportation terminal | 1 space per employee of the maximum working shift plus the number of additional spaces prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee |
| Warehouse or distribution center | 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area for the first 20,000 square feet and 1 space for each 5,000 square feet thereafter, plus 1 per 250 square feet of office. |
| --- | --- |
| Emergency Shelter | As prescribed by the Director or Site Plan Review Committee (Any requirement to be consistent with the requirements of AB 2339) |
| Post office | 1 space per 500 square feet plus 1 space per employee of the maximum working shift |
| Public corporation yard, utility yard, or vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance and storage yard; public safety facility or station |
1 space per employee of the maximum working shift plus the number of additional spaces required by the Director based on trip generation |
| Adult entertainment establishment | Director shall determine parking and loading space requirements based on the standards for comparable uses and based on the particular characteristics of the subject use |
| Uses not specifically described in this table | Director shall determine parking and loading space requirements based on the standards for comparable uses and based on the particular characteristics of the subject use |
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.050 Exceptions to required number of spaces. ¶
(A) No additional parking spaces shall be required for a change in use or a building enlargement of less than 1,000 square feet in an existing building located within the Downtown Overlay zone.
(B) In the event a change in use requires an increase of two or less off-street parking spaces, no additional parking spaces shall be required.
(C) No additional off-street parking facilities shall be required solely because of the remodeling of an existing use or building unless there is a change in use or increase in floor area or another unit of measurement as the result of such remodeling.
(D) The total requirements for off-street parking facilities for a mixed-use development on the same site shall be 90% of the sum of the parking space requirements for the various uses.
(E) No existing land use or structure shall be deemed to be a non-conforming use solely because of the lack of offstreet parking or off-street loading facilities prescribed in this chapter.
(F) For uses located in Downtown Overlay zone or TOD area, the Director may reduce parking and loading space requirements by up to 50%. Reductions beyond 50% may be approved by variance in accordance with Chapter 10.84. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.060 Joint use of parking. ¶
(A) Where two or more non-residential uses share a single parking lot, the number of required parking spaces may be reduced by a maximum of 20%, as long as the total number of spaces is not less than the required for the use requiring the largest number of spaces.
(B) Where non-residential uses share a single parking lot and it can be demonstrated that the uses operate at different times of the day (an evening use versus a day-time use), the required number of parking spaces may be reduced by up to 50% of the combined parking requirements of the two uses.
(C) Where two nearby uses have distinct and differing peak parking demands (an evening use versus a day-time use), or where it can be demonstrated that one site has an excess supply of parking spaces that will not be used in the foreseeable future, the required number of parking spaces may be reduced through minor deviation, provided that the parking lots of each use are located within 200 feet of each other (as measured along the most direct pedestrian path). The amount of reduction may be up to 50% of the amount of spaces required for the most intensive of the two uses sharing the parking.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.070 Director modification. ¶
Parking space requirements of this chapter may be modified through minor deviation approval based upon specific findings that the characteristics of a use or its immediate vicinity do not necessitate the number of parking spaces required and that reduced parking will be adequate to accommodate all parking needs generated by the use. To grant a modification, the Director must make the following findings:
(A) That neither present nor anticipated future traffic volumes generated by the use of the site in the vicinity reasonably require strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation.
(B) That the granting of the modification will not create a safety hazard or loading of vehicles on public streets in such a manner as to interfere with the free flow of traffic on the streets.
(C) That the granting of the modification will not create a safety hazard or any other condition inconsistent with the objectives of this title.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.080 Location of parking spaces. ¶
(A) Off-street parking and off-street loading shall be located on the same site as the use for which they are required or within 100 feet of the business, except that within the Downtown Overlay/TOD/Mixed-Use Overlay zone may locate required off-street parking within 400 feet of the use for which the spaces are required, measured by the shortest route of pedestrian access.
(B) All parking spaces, whether required by this chapter or in addition to that which is required, shall be located outside of a street side yard setback.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.090 Standards for off-street parking facilities. ¶
Off-street parking facilities shall conform to the following standards and be approved by the Director in accordance with Chapter 10.54:
(A) Parking areas shall be designed to the city's standard specifications and approval by the City Engineer.
(B) All parking areas shall have ingress and egress to and from a street or alley as required by the city's standard specifications.
(C) Accessible parking spaces shall be provided and designed as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(D) Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site, including fire and refuse collection vehicles; backing onto a public street is to be avoided.
- (E) Developed parking areas are to be utilized by all vehicles associated with or visiting the site.
(F) Entrances and exits to parking lots and other parking facilities shall be provided only at locations approved by the Director.
(G) Parking areas shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting standards shall be in scale with the height and use of the structure. Lighting shall be installed so as not to cause a nuisance to adjoining properties. Off-site illumination shall be limited to one- half foot-candles where adjacent property is residential.
(H) Concrete curbing at least six inches tall and six inches wide shall be provided around all perimeter areas and around all landscape areas to define the edges of the parking lot and to protect landscaping. Wheel stops are required to protect walkways when a vehicle overhang of two feet would result in less than 48 inches of clear path of travel on adjacent sidewalks, or when required to protect structures or adjacent facilities.
(I) Parking spaces shall be clearly marked with paint striping a minimum of four inches in width. Other markings and signage shall be provided to show circulation patterns. All paint striping shall be maintained by the property owner.
(J) All commercial parking lots shall be landscaped and shall be provided with pedestrian-oriented circulation patterns.
(K) Tandem parking is allowed in mobile home parks, commercial parking structures with valet parking, singlefamily homes, and up to 20% of required parking for multi-family housing.
(L) Parking lots for commercial development should have pedestrian-oriented circulation patterns.
(M) No commercial repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in a parking area.
(N) The storage of abandoned, dismantled, wrecked, inoperative vehicles or parts thereof within setback areas is prohibited.
(O) Parking areas, aisles, and access drives shall be paved with a solid material so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water without drainage onto any sidewalk or adjacent property. Long-term storage areas for vehicles in the C-S and I districts accessed by a paved drive aisle may be surfaced with rock, gravel, or granite with Director approval. The parking of vehicles on lawn, landscaped areas, or other areas not designed for parking is prohibited.
(P) All vehicle parking areas within single-family zones shall occur on approved paved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, except for vehicles parked in side yard setback areas and back yards which are enclosed by a six-foot high solid fence, such that the vehicles are not visible from the adjacent street or alley.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.100 Parking dimensions. ¶
(A) A standard parking space for a 90- degree stall shall not be less than 20 feet in length and nine feet in width, exclusive of aisles and access drives.
(B) Wheel stops are required for a standard 90-degree stall to protect walkways when a vehicle overhang of two feet would result in less than 48 inches of clear path of travel on adjacent sidewalks, or when required to protect structures or adjacent facilities.
(C) Where wheel stops are not required and vehicles have space to over-hang by a minimum of two feet, standard 90-degree parking stall length may be reduced to 18 feet.
(D) A compact parking space shall not be less than 16 feet in length and nine feet in width and marked for compact cars. Parking lots with ten or more spaces may substitute up to 10% of all parking spaces in a parking lot or parking structure with compact parking spaces. There shall be no more than two compact spaces adjacent to each other
(E) Motorcycle spaces shall be a minimum size of four feet by eight feet. Parking lots with 40 or more spaces may substitute up to 2.5% of all standard parking spaces with motorcycle spaces if they are located within 150 feet of a building entry.
(F) The dimensions, design, and construction of parking spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities shall meet the latest adopted California Uniform Building Code and Americans with Disabilities Act.
(G) Driveways for commercial/industrial/ multiple-family residential uses:
(1) Minimum width.
(a) One-way circulation: 15 feet.
(b) Two-way circulation: 25 feet.
(2) The location of driveways to and from the public right-of-way shall be determined by the City Engineer and Director. For corner lots, driveways shall be no closer than five feet to the street radius.
(H) The layout of a parking lot shall meet the dimensions of the Parking Standards of the City of Tulare Improvement Standards.
- (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.110 Off-street loading facilities required. ¶
At least one off-street loading space shall be provided in connection with a building having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more and intended for a use that typically receives or delivers goods. Buildings over 25,000 square feet shall provide at least one off-street loading space plus additional spaces as determined by the Director. This requirement shall not apply to a building adjacent to a public alley. The Director may waive this requirement for buildings located within the Mixed-Use Overlay District.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.120 Standards for off-street loading facilities. ¶
Off-street loading facilities shall conform to the following standards:
(A) Commercial, industrial, office, institutional, and public uses exceeding 10,000 square feet in size shall be required to install an off-street loading facility unless the Director finds that due to the operational nature of the use, none or more than one off-street loading space should be required.
- (B) To the extent possible, loading facilities shall be located at the rear or side of the building that they are to serve.
(C) Streets and alleys shall not be used as loading or unloading areas, nor shall trucks use streets and alleys for maneuvering trailers into a loading space.
(D) Loading facilities, at a minimum, shall have a length of 25 feet, a width of 12 feet, and an overhead clearance of 14 feet. All loading surfaces shall be paved to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be graded to properly dispose of surface water.
(E) Where a loading facility is near or adjacent to a residential district or other noise-sensitive land uses, noiseattenuating design measures will be incorporated into the project. These design measures could include increased setback distances, the construction of a seven-foot solid block wall, landscaping, or locating the loading facilities away from noise-sensitive land uses.
(F) Loading areas shall be lighted to provide adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting fixtures shall be in scale with the size and use of the structure. Any illumination shall be installed so as not to cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.130 Replacement of off-street parking and off-street loading facilities. ¶
Unless specifically stated otherwise in this title, no off-street parking or off-street loading facility provided per this chapter shall be reduced in capacity or in an area without sufficient additional capacity or additional area being
provided to comply with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.140 Landscaping of parking areas. ¶
Parking lot landscaping shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 10.52 Landscaping Standards. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.150 Parking for bicycle and low-emission vehicles. ¶
(A) Parking for bicycles and low-emission vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the latest adopted version of the California Building Code.
(B) Lots with 40 or more spaces may substitute a bicycle rack providing space for at least five bicycles at a ratio of one bicycle rack for each 40 spaces. One parking space may be subtracted for each five-space bicycle rack provided above what is required by the California Building Code.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.160 Garage conversions of required parking to living space. ¶
(A) It is the purpose of this section to allow, in certain cases and subject to specific design requirements, the conversion of garages and carports for living space in circumstances where the provisions of § 10.54.140 cannot be met post-conversion.
(B) Garage conversions are allowed if the following requirements are met:
(1) The area converted shall be subject to all applicable building code requirements.
(2) The garage door shall either be removed from the structure and replaced with a wall, or a wall shall be
constructed behind the pre-existing garage door with the garage door remaining in place. The exterior elevation of the conversion shall be compatible in design with the existing dwelling.
(3) Required parking shall be replaced for garage conversions unless the conversion leads to an ADU as defined in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.2.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)
§ 10.54.170 Unimproved lots. ¶
Vacant or unimproved lots shall not be used as vehicle parking facilities and/or outdoor storage of equipment, construction equipment, and similar uses unless fenced appropriately, as determined by the Site Plan Review Committee per Chapter 10.72.
(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)