§ 18.48

A.

Off-street parking facilities for automobiles and bicycles, and vehicular loading spaces shall be deemed to be accessory uses in each zone established pursuant to this chapter. Every use permitted in each zone shall be provided with permanently maintained off-street parking facilities and vehicular loading spaces, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

B.

Off-street parking facilities including, but not limited to, all landscaping, irrigation, paved surfaces, striping, signage, pavement markings, etc. contained therein shall be maintained in good condition and repair at all times.

(Ord. 2865 § 2, 2005: prior code § 9340)

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Required on-site parking for each parcel shall be based on each on-site land-use conducted on the parcel.

B.

The off-street parking spaces required for each use permitted by this title shall not be less than the requirements identified in subsection 18.48.020(E), except as provided in subsections 18.48.020(C) and 18.48.020(D).

C.

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Designated or Eligible Residential Buildings. For adaptive reuse of a historic designated or eligible residential building, if the building is not being expanded in area by square footage,

the existing parking spaces may remain. The parking otherwise required for an expanded portion of a designated or eligible historic building may be reduced by a maximum of twenty-five percent of the required parking spaces for the expanded portion.

D.

Except as necessary to comply with requirements to provide spaces for electric vehicle supply equipment or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities, the following minimum automobile parking standards apply.

1.

For sites located within one-half mile of a major transit stop as defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, at the time the application is deemed complete, no parking is required, except:

a.

Event centers shall provide parking for employees and other workers.

b.

Development projects where any portion is designated for use as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast inn, or other transient lodging (except where a portion of a housing development project is designated for use as a residential hotel, as defined in Section 50519 of the Health and Safety Code) shall provide parking in accordance with the minimum parking requirements of subsection B.

c.

Development projects for which the city finds, based on a preponderance of the evidence in the record, that not imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements on the development would have a substantially negative impact on any of the following:

i.

The city's ability to meet its share of the regional housing need in accordance with Section 65584 for lowand very low-income households.

ii.

The city's ability to meet any special housing needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities identified in the analysis required pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 65583.

iii.

Existing residential or commercial parking within one-half mile of the housing development project.

d.

Subsection (C) above shall not apply for the following projects:

i.

Housing development projects that dedicate a minimum of twenty percent of the total number of housing units to very low, low-, or moderate-income households, students, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.

ii.

Housing development projects that contain fewer than twenty housing units.

iii.

Housing development projects subject to parking reductions based on the provisions of any other applicable state law.

2.

For sites located more than one-half mile from a major transit stop as defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, the number of parking spaces shall be the minimum provided for each new use as identified in subsection 18.48.020(E) Off-Street Parking Schedule.

E.

Off-Street Parking Schedule.

5. Non-residential uses that cannot provide their required number of on-site parking spaces within a shared parking lot may submit a parking study, prepared by a California licensed traffic engineer, to justify that the reduced on-site parking for the use will not adversely impact the overall demand for on-site parking within the shared parking lot. The approval authority shall have the ability to accept, reject or modify the recommended number of on-site parking spaces, upon consultation with the city traffic engineer.

6. Parking standards for developments located within the Uptown Whittier Specific Plan area shall be as set forth in the specific plan, unless specified otherwise therein.

7. The number of accessible on-site parking stalls for all developments within the city of Whittier shall be determined based on Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, as related to access by the disabled.

• Including existing hotels and motels with certificates of occupancy dated prior to March 1, 2019.

(Ord. 2899 § 1, 2007: Ord. 2887 § 3, 2007: Ord. 2865 § 3, 2005: Ord. 2787 § 2, 2001; Ord. 2748 §§ 26—30, 1999; Ord. 2518 § 7 (part), 1990; Ord. 2515 § 3 (part), 1990; Ord. 2423 § 11, 1987; Ord. 2411 §§ 4, 5, 1987; prior code § 9341)

(Ord. No. 2938, § 3, 10-27-09; Ord. No. 2950, § 2, 2-23-10; Ord. No. 3068, § 7, 6-13-17; Ord. No. 3099, § 3, 5-28-19; Ord. No. 3116, § 14, 5-26-20; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.48.030 - Mixed occupancy requirements.

In the case of mixed uses in a building or on a lot, the total requirements for off-street parking facilities shall be the sum of the requirements for the various uses computed separately. Off-street parking facilities for one use shall not be considered as providing required parking facilities for any other, except as specified in this chapter for joint use.

(Prior code § 9342)

18.48.040 - Joint uses authorized when.

The director, upon application by the owner or lessee of any property, shall authorize the joint use of parking facilities by the following uses or activities under the conditions specified in this chapter:

A.

The parking facilities required by this chapter for a use which is nonresidential and is primarily a daytime use may be provided by the parking facilities of a use which is primarily a nighttime and/or Sunday use and vice versa, provided such reciprocal parking shall be subject to conditions set forth in subsection B of this section.

B.

Conditions Required for Joint Use.

1.

The outer boundaries of the properties upon which the uses are proposed, to which the application relates, shall be located within one hundred fifty feet of each other.

2.

The applicants shall show that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the uses for which the joint use of off-street parking facilities is proposed.

3.

Schools and churches may be permitted to have up to eighty percent of their required on-site parking located on an off-site parking lot, through a joint use parking agreement, subject to the approval of the director of community development.

4.

Parties concerned with the joint use of off-street parking facilities shall evidence agreement for such joint use by a legal instrument approved by the city attorney as to form and content. Such instrument, when approved, shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and copies thereof filed with the community development department.

(Ord. 2865 §§ 4—5, 2005; prior code § 9343)

The plans for any proposed parking area shall be submitted to the department of building and safety at the time of the application for the building permit for the building for which such parking facilities are necessary. The plans shall clearly indicate the proposed development, including location, size, shape, designs, curb cuts, lighting, landscaping and other features and appurtenances of the proposed parking lot.

(Prior code § 9344)

18.48.060 - Loading spaces.

All uses located in non-residential zones, except for office uses, shall have and maintain vehicular loading spaces and areas as follows:

A.

For non-residential developments in centers which are on sites of less than one acre in size each loading space shall be a minimum of twelve feet in width and twenty-five feet in depth. For all other developments, each required loading space shall be a minimum of twelve feet in width and a minimum of forty feet in length. All loading spaces shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than fourteen feet and all loading spaces shall be readily accessible from a street or alley.

B.

The minimum loading areas which shall be provided for each C and M use shall be as follows:

1.

Not less than two hundred fifty square feet where the net floor area of all buildings on the lot is not more than twenty thousand square feet;

2.

Not less than five hundred square feet where the net floor area of all buildings on the lot is more than twenty thousand square feet and not more than fifty thousand square feet;

3.

Not less than seven hundred fifty square feet where the net floor area of all buildings on the lot exceeds fifty thousand square feet.

(Ord. 2865 §§ 6—7, 2005; Ord. 2515 § 3, 1990; prior code § 9345)

A.

Size. Each off-street parking space shall have open and unobstructed dimensions as follows:

Non-Residential. Full-size parking spaces shall have a depth of not less than nineteen feet and a width of not less than nine feet;

2.

Residential. Full-sized parking spaces shall have a depth of not less than twenty feet and a width of not less than ten feet. The parking space dimensions should not include the thickness of exterior walls, interior separation walls, etc. when located inside a garage, carport, or similar structure.

a.

Residential surface parking space (unenclosed) may be a minimum of nine feet by nineteen feet (with twofoot overhang).

3.

Parking provided in tandem is only allowed with mixed-use and residential developments.

a.

Tandem parking shall be a minimum of nine feet by thirty-six feet (unenclosed) and ten feet by forty feet (enclosed).

B.

Location of Off-Site Parking Facilities. Off-street parking facilities shall be located on the same lot as the principal use served, except:

1.

For any commercial or manufacturing use, if the same is located upon a lot classified in any C or M zone, or zones MU, MED, INV, and GC as otherwise noted, located within five hundred feet of the outer boundaries of the lot upon which the principal use is located;

2.

For any joint-use parking facility allowed pursuant to Section 18.48.040.

C.

Location of On-Site Parking Facilities.

1.

On-site off-street parking facilities shall be located on a lot, only as follows:

a.

On any portion of any lot where a main building may be placed, except the same shall not be located within fifty feet of the front lot line on any R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5-zoned lot unless:

i.

Such facilities are located within a building which has a closable garage door for each off-street parking space located therein, or

ii.

Each such off-street parking space is oriented and screened so that the interior thereof is not directly visible from an abutting street,

b.

In required rear yard areas when there is no alley abutting such lot, and

c.

In that portion of required side yard areas on interior lots within twenty-five feet of the rear lot line or abutting the rear property line or the rear one-third of the side property line of an R-zoned lot, if such parking facilities are not within a building, and

d.

Where the turnaround or backup space for a parking space is a driveway accessing a major arterial or secondary street, such parking space shall be set back from the street right-of-way line a minimum of fifteen feet; and

e.

Where a driveway serves only one dwelling (in addition to any "Secondary Dwelling Unit" or "Accessory Dwelling Unit" on the premises), the required, uncovered, on-site parking (including any guest parking space(s)) may be provided on the driveway serving the dwelling unit(s) and may include up to two tandem parking spaces. Operable vehicle(s) in good repair may be parked within the front yard setback on the driveway.

2.

Off-street parking facilities required on lots classified in the R-E and R-1 zones shall provide a minimum of two non-tandem parking spaces within a garage. Additional on-site parking spaces may be developed in tandem on the property.

a.

Off-street parking facilities required on lots classified in the R-2 zone shall be located within a garage, except for required guest spaces.

b.

Covered, partially enclosed parking spaces for commercial uses that are subject to a discretionary permit, shall be provided with security closures.

3.

Not less than two-thirds of the off-street parking facilities required on lots classified in zones R-3, R-4, and R-5 shall be located in garages or carports.

a.

The approval authority or the director of community development shall have the ability to permit an above or below ground covered parking structure instead of a garage or carport to shelter required parking spaces within a multi-family development when it is deemed necessary for the sole purpose of meeting the minimum required on-site density for the development.

4.

Non-Residential Developments

a.

Large expanses of uninterrupted parking should be avoided; well-distributed smaller lots and structured parking are preferable.

b.

Surface parking areas should be located to the side and rear of buildings. Parking lots and structures shall not be located adjacent to parks, courtyards, or plazas, and should not be located at the intersection of two property lines that abut the intersection of two streets.

D.

Access Driveways.

1.

Width. Driveways serving parking areas for less than five vehicles shall be a minimum of ten feet wide. Driveways serving parking areas for five or more vehicles shall be a minimum of twelve feet wide. Where both egress and ingress are provided on a single driveway, the minimum width shall be twenty feet. Parking areas with spaces for thirty or more vehicles shall be provided with separate driveways for ingress and egress, each of which shall be not less than twelve feet in width. In no event shall driveways cover more than thirty-three and one-third of the total lot width. "Dead end" vehicular drive aisles shall be avoided to the greatest extent possible.

a.

Throats. Curbed entrance "throats" shall be provided to prevent stacking of vehicles in public streets at all points of vehicular ingress to non-residential developments. Parking facilities with less than three hundred on-site parking spaces shall provide a thirty linear foot "throat," as measured from the property line. Parking

facilities with over three hundred on-site parking spaces shall provide a sixty linear foot "throat," as measured from the property line.

The approval authority or the director of community development may, on the basis of land use, estimated traffic generation, existing traffic volumes, vehicle delay, and accident rates have the authority to require longer "throats" upon consultation with the city traffic engineer.

b.

Residential.

i.

Single-Family Dwellings. Driveways serving lots with one single-family dwelling, and authorized secondary and accessory units, shall be a minimum of ten feet wide. The maximum width of a driveway in the front of a lot shall not exceed one-third of the width of the lot, or twenty-four feet, whichever is the lesser, provided that no such driveway serving a two-car garage located on the front of the lot shall be required to be less than twenty feet in width, within twenty feet of the face of the garage entrance.

ii.

Two or More Dwellings. Driveways for projects of two or more dwelling units, serving five or less parking spaces, shall be a minimum of twelve feet wide. Driveways serving six or more parking spaces shall be a minimum of eighteen feet wide and shall not be wider than one-third of the width of the lot or twenty-four feet, whichever is the lesser.

iii.

Any driveway which is over one hundred feet in length shall not be less than fifteen feet in width.

iv.

Walkways. Walkways from the street to the entry of a dwelling, shall not exceed an average of six feet in width within the required front yard area and the total combined width of the driveway and walkway shall not exceed forty percent of the width of the lot within the front yard and such walkways shall be separated from a driveway by a raised curb, or a landscaped area not less than three feet wide, to prevent use of the walkway for parking.

v.

Circular Driveways. Circular driveways shall meet the minimum requirements illustrated below and shall be reviewed and approved by the city's public works department for all new curb cuts.

(A)

Circular driveways are only permitted for lots that are a minimum of one hundred-foot wide; and

(B)

The combined width of the driveways shall not exceed twenty-four feet. The minimum driveway width for R-E and R-1 zones is ten feet. The driveway(s) width shall be measured at its widest point within the front yard setback.

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c.

Non-residential. Two-way drive aisles that are not adjacent to on-site parking stalls shall be a minimum of twenty-six feet in width. For one-way drive aisles, the minimum width shall be fourteen feet. A minimum of a twenty-six (or twenty-five) foot drive aisle is required for two-way traffic. See Appendix "B".

d.

Maximum Width. In no event shall driveways cover more than thirty-three and one-third percent of the total lot width, except for residential circular driveways.

2.

Location. The location of access driveways shall be as follows:

a.

On properties which are served by an alley, access to parking spaces shall be from the alley, unless there are physical conditions which make it impractical to access the parking from the alley.

b.

Where there is an existing driveway from the street and the majority of the lots on the block do not have driveways from the street and new construction results in the parking being provided from an alley, such existing driveway and drive approach shall be removed and replaced with full height curb, gutter and sidewalk. The development review authority may waive this requirement where such driveway is found to be compatible with the development of adjacent properties.

c.

Driveways serving garages on the front fifty feet of a lot shall be separated from side property lines by a landscaped area not less than three feet wide

d.

Driveway setbacks shall be a minimum of five feet from adjoining properties, and a minimum of three feet from adjacent buildings.

3.

Joint Use. Joint use driveways are strongly encouraged at the time of development and/or redevelopment of any commercial or manufacturing site in order to reduce the conflict to a smooth flow of traffic on major arterial, secondary highway or other roadway identified in the circulation element within the city. When joint use driveways are utilized, they shall be located and constructed in such a manner as to provide safe and convenient access to the site. Reciprocal access, parking and maintenance agreements shall be required on forms approved by the city attorney and maintained on file with the city. Driveways on properties other than commercial and manufacturing developments, used in combination with abutting properties shall be allowed when proper easements or agreements, approved as to form by the city attorney, have been executed and filed with the city;

4.

Clearance. All driveways shall be maintained with a vertical clearance of not less than twelve feet. No encroachment of any type, including but not limited to utility meters, trash receptacles, power poles, exterior plumbing or any other similar encroachment shall be permitted;

5.

Parking in Driveways.

a.

"No parking" signs and lettering not less than two inches in height shall be placed conspicuously at the entrance to, and at intervals of not less than fifty feet along each required driveway which serves parking facilities for five or more vehicles,

b.

Where a driveway serves parking facilities for five or more vehicles, no person shall park, stand or leave any vehicle in any portion of the driveway, except for the purpose of, and during the process of, loading or unloading passengers or goods;

6.

Parking Access. Access driveways which serve off-street parking facilities located on any lot shall be designed and located so that a motor vehicle may leave any such space without backing into a street which is designated, for the purposes of the city's select system, as an arterial or collector street.

All dedications and public service easements shall be provided under or immediately adjacent to new public rights-of-way or within other public easements areas acceptable to the public works director. Utility lines under buildings will not be allowed.

E.

Surfacing. All off-street parking areas, including driveways and aisles, shall be paved with concrete or asphaltic concrete pavement in accordance with adopted city standards therefor. Such surfacing shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to dispose of all surface water in accordance with city standards therefor.

1.

Driveway entrances and main pedestrian walkways for large developments should be paved with non-slip, attractive surfaces such as interlocking unit pavers, or scored and colored concrete.

F.

Barricades. Each parking space shall be provided with a suitable concrete curb, timber barriers, or fencing designed to stop the movement of vehicles. Such curbing, barriers or fencing shall be securely installed and permanently maintained.

G.

Screening. It is the purpose of this section to provide barriers which will partially screen parking areas from adjoining streets and protect residential areas adjacent to or across the street from parking areas. Every uncovered parking or maneuvering area that is subject to a discretionary permit, which:

1.

Is located upon a lot which has a common lot line with any R-zoned lot shall be screened therefrom by a solid, view-obscuring wall six feet in height. Any such required wall which is adjacent to the side of a front yard area on the adjoining R-zoned property shall conform to the height regulations applicable to front yard area in such R-zoned property; and

2.

Is within twenty-five feet of any property line separating the area from a street; shall have and maintain an earthen berm or a decorative, view obscuring, wall or combination thereof except where approved driveways are provided, at a precise height to be determined by the director pursuant to Section 18.50.040, not to exceed a height of sixty inches or be less than twenty-four inches, measured from top of curb on the public street or parking surface, whichever is higher, subject to the review and approval of the design review board who shall act upon the request.

H.

Lights. Suitable lighting shall be provided so as to adequately illuminate any parking area having spaces for five or more vehicles or new or used-car sales areas permitted by this title. Such lighting shall be arranged so as to reflect the light away from adjacent properties and in compliance with the following:

Mounting height of light sources for area illumination (such as parking lots and yards) should be a maximum of eighteen feet, measured from the finished grade.

2.

For pole mounted lighting at pedestrian plazas, walkways, and entry areas, a pedestrian-height fixture is recommended — twelve to fifteen feet in height from grade to light source. Thirteen feet is optimal.

3.

Lighting for uncovered parking areas, vehicle access-ways and walkways shall not exceed a height of sixteen feet, except that the maximum height on the rooftop of any parking structure located on a lot adjacent to any residential zone shall not exceed a height of eight feet.

4.

Bollard mounted lighting and step-lighting is also recommended for low-level illumination of walkways and landscaped areas.

5.

Exterior Lighting. A lighting system shall be provided in the common areas and parking areas. Such lighting shall maintain an illumination level on the ground of not less than:

a.

0.5 footcandles along walkways and open common areas,

b.

0.5 footcandles in open parking areas and driveways;

c.