Local zoning · Anaheim

Anaheim — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces does a new apartment building need?

Apartment parking usually follows the residential rates in § 18.42.030 (detailed bedroom/unit‑based minimums). Some Specific Plans (for example, Development Area DA 5 ) set bedroom‑based rates such as 1.25 for studios up to 3.0 for three‑bedrooms; check both § 18.42.030 and any applicable Specific Plan section such as § 18.108.090 file.

Q: Can I replace car parking with bicycle parking to reduce auto stalls?

Yes — the code allows a bicycle parking credit : replacing automobile parking with bicycle parking may be credited at a ratio of 1 auto space for each 4 bicycle spaces , with limits (no more than four spaces or 5% of existing stalls, whichever is less) (see Chapter § 18.42 improvements/credit language) .

Parking under the Anaheim local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Anaheim's local zoning/planning ordinance requires for parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking. It synthesizes the citywide Chapter § 18.42 rules and the way several local zones and Specific Plan sections (Theme Park / Resort, Mixed‑Use, Hotel Circle, Arena/Transit, etc.) layer on or modify those rules. Read this as a practical reference — always verify parcel‑specific questions with the Planning Department. See the city's zoning overview, development standards and design review pages for related procedures and submittals: Anaheim Zoning, Anaheim Development Standards, and Anaheim Design Review.

What the code says — high‑level

The city's parking, loading and bicycle provisions are principally in Chapter § 18.42 (Parking and Loading); non‑residential parking counts are set by Table 42‑A and by project/type rules in § 18.42.040 . General dimensional, paving, screening and plan submittal standards are in Chapter § 18.42 and referenced City Standards (plans and engineering details) .
Loading rules (minimum sizes, when required, and location requirements) appear in § 18.42.100 and require screened loading areas not on primary frontages .
The code allows administrative adjustments, credits (for replacing auto stalls with bicycle parking or EV‑charging/handicapped stalls), and requires parking demand studies where Table 42‑A doesn't fit the use; such studies are reviewed by the Deputy Director/Planning staff (see § 18.42.040) .
Parking lot plans must be included in Final Site Plan or building plan review; required plan contents explicitly list lighting, curb/striping, loading/truck areas and bicycle racks .

(For bicycle parking standards under statewide codes, see the California standards linked at the end: California Building Standards Code.)

District‑by‑district breakdown (what differs by zone)

Note: where a district text refers back to Chapter § 18.42, the chapter controls the numeric standards unless that district supplies an explicit alternative.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential) — general residential zones

Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes; accessory uses consistent with Chapter 18.06. Parking rules follow Chapter § 18.42 residential provisions for single‑family detached and attached dwellings. See the single‑family parking table and tandem rules in § 18.42.030 .
Key standards (examples): single‑family detached: 4 spaces for homes with 5 or fewer bedrooms (including 2 in a garage); additional spaces required when >5 bedrooms — see § 18.42.030 . Tandem spaces are restricted and not always countable (see the same section).
Where it applies: citywide single‑family zones; consult Chapter 18.06 and the site‑specific development standards for exceptions. See also Anaheim ADUs for accessory dwelling rules that affect on‑site parking.

RM‑4 / Multiple‑Family Residential (and other multifamily categories)

Purpose / typical uses: apartments, condos. Parking minimums are bedroom‑based or unit‑based depending on subsection. Multiple‑family parking minimums and visitor counts are in § 18.42.030 and, for some Specific Plan Development Areas, in plan‑specific sections such as § 18.108.090 (Development Area rules) .
Key standards: in some development areas (example: DA 5) the multiple‑family minimums are bedroom‑based (e.g., 1.25 spaces for studios, 1.75 for one‑bed, 2.25 for two‑bed, 3.0 for three‑bed, visitor parking included) — see § 18.108.090 for DA‑specific rates .
Practical note: Mixed‑use or downtown projects may require a parking study rather than strict application of Table 42‑A (see § 18.12.100 for the Mixed‑Use Urban Core alternative approach) .

Mixed‑Use Urban Core Zone

Purpose: denser downtown/mixed‑use development. The code gives the Planning Director discretion and allows use of parking studies or reduced requirements where shared or nearby public parking is available. See § 18.12.100 for downtown exceptions (e.g., 1 space per residential unit minimum and potential relief for non‑residential uses if nearby structure capacity exists) .

Theme Park District / Southeast District / Parking District

Purpose: Disneyland Resort area and associated support uses; these districts have tailored parking rules to support theme parks, hotels and large‑scale parking operations. See § 18.114.110 and related Theme Park District subsections for details on minimums and special allowances .
Key standards:
- Theme park parking: rates are attendance‑based (for example, 1.0 space per 1,000 persons estimated annual attendance) with very large minima (Theme Park build‑out minimum cited; see § 18.114.110) .
- Hotel parking: common specific plan rules provide 0.8 spaces per guest room for hotel/motel in some Specific Plan areas (see § 18.118.120 and § 18.114.110) file.
- Parking District: the Parking District serving the Resort has its own rules about total supply and allowable uses (example cap: 34,300 total spaces and rules governing hours of public use) — see the Parking District rules in the Resort/Special Plan text .
Loading / bus / shuttle: specific minimum sizes and locations for tour bus, shuttle and truck loading are spelled out in the Resort/Special Plan sections; plan submittals must show tour bus and shuttle parking and loading areas in the final plan package (see Hotel Circle / Resort plan sections) file.

Commercial Recreation (C‑R) / Hotel Circle Specific Plan / GardenWalk Overlay

Purpose: commercial recreation, hotels and entertainment complexes. Parking siting and encroachment rules are modified: parking may be allowed closer to building faces if screened (minimum screen height 36 inches) and there are explicit exceptions for temporary parking and drop‑off areas — see § 18.116.090 and the Hotel Circle Specific Plan § 18.118.120 for plan and screening requirements file.
Key practical differences: some hotel areas allow passenger drop‑off adjacent to building fronts (but not inside required setbacks except where the specific plan allows) and hotel parking counts may be reduced for in‑house amenities that do not require additional spaces (see § 18.118.120) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

Topic	Typical City standard / rule (bold = decision key)	Code reference
Non‑residential parking counts	Use class table Table 42‑A; if not listed, Planning Deputy may require a parking study	§ 18.42.040
Residential parking (multifamily / bedroom basis)	Example DA 5: Studio 1.25; 1‑bed 1.75; 2‑bed 2.25; 3‑bed 3.0 (visitor parking included in these rates)	§ 18.108.090
Single‑family detached	4 spaces (2 in garage) for homes ≤ 5 bedrooms; additional per bedroom over 5	§ 18.42.030
Loading spaces (commercial)	Minimum 12' x 20' for commercial sites ≤ 25,000 sf; 1 dock per 25,000 sf for larger sites	§ 18.42.100
Parking stall / aisle dimensions	Standard stall 8.5' x 18' (open lots); aisle 24' (surface) / 23' (structures)	§ 18.42 (parking dimensions section)
Bicycle parking credit	Replacing auto stalls with bicycle parking: 1 auto space credit per 4 bicycle spaces; limited to no more than 4 spaces or 5% of existing stalls	§ 18.42 (Improvements to existing parking lots)
Parking lot plan submittal contents	Plans must show striping, lighting, loading, trash, bus/shuttle, and bicycle racks	§ 18.42 and plan lists in specific plan sections file
Parking reduction / shared parking	Shared/joint use and shared parking allowed per § 18.42.050; mixed‑use often requires a parking demand study	§ 18.42.050 / § 18.12.100 file

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (typical)

Demonstrate required number of off‑street parking spaces per § 18.42.040 / Table 42‑A, or submit a parking demand study if the use is atypical (Deputy Director review) .
Show residential parking per § 18.42.030 (or specific plan rates such as § 18.108.090 for DA areas) file.
Include loading/delivery areas sized and sited per § 18.42.100 (screened and not on primary frontage) .
Produce a parking lot plan (striping, curb, lighting photometrics, landscape buffer, trash/refuse access, bicycle racks) as required by Chapter § 18.42 and relevant Specific Plan sections file.
Comply with parking dimensions and aisle widths (standard 8.5' x 18' stalls, 24' aisles for surface lots) and handicapped spaces as required by law § 18.42 .
If proposing credits (bicycle, compact, EV charging), document them and process via administrative adjustment where required (see improvements/credits language) .
If located in special overlays (Theme Park District, C‑R, Hotel Circle, Mixed‑Use Urban Core, Parking District), check the district sections for overrides (examples: § 18.114.110, § 18.118.120, § 18.12.100, § 18.108.090) filefilefile.
Verify whether Final Site Plan Review or design review is required and include required exhibits (see Anaheim Design Review).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Exact numeric rates for many non‑residential uses (full Table 42‑A)	Table 42‑A contains dozens of use‑specific ratios not all reproduced in the extracted snippets — using the wrong ratio leads to code non‑compliance	Pull the current Table 42‑A in § 18.42.040 from the official code or verify with Planning before design
Bicycle parking minimum numbers (short‑ vs long‑term)	The code gives credits when replacing auto stalls but the ordinance text here does not list explicit required bicycle stall counts by use — statewide codes also set short/long‑term targets	Check local Chapter § 18.42 for local bicycle minimums and cross‑check the California standards (GBSC) for short/long‑term bicycle parking requirements; if not in local code, verify with the City file
Which district overrides apply to a parcel	Specific Plan or Overlay rules (Theme Park, C‑R, Hotel Circle, DA areas) frequently modify parking siting, shared parking, and screening	Confirm the parcel’s exact zone and overlays (e.g., Parking District, C‑R, DA 1/2/5) and read the corresponding code subsection (examples: § 18.114.110, § 18.118.120, § 18.108.090) filefile
Tandem parking acceptance	Tandem is largely prohibited for required spaces except in very specific circumstances (assigned covered spaces) — counting rules vary	Verify whether tandem will count for your zone under § 18.42.030 or via administrative adjustment and include assignment/management plan if proposed
EV infrastructure & handicapped stalls interactions	Local credits exist for converting spaces for EV charging/handicapped accessible stalls, but statewide building codes (Title 24 / CALGreen) also add requirements	Coordinate with building code/GBSC requirements (California Building Standards Code) and Planning for how local credits are applied file

Plain‑English summary

Anaheim uses a central parking chapter (§ 18.42) that sets minimums, stall sizes, aisle widths, loading‑dock rules and plan submittal requirements; several Specific Plans and overlay districts (Theme Park / Resort, Hotel Circle, Mixed‑Use, etc.) provide modified rules for their areas (examples: 0.8 spaces/room for hotels in some plans, bedroom‑based multifamily ratios in DA 5). For projects that don’t fit the printed tables the city commonly requires a parking demand study; bicycle parking can be used for limited credits. Always check the parcel’s zoning/overlay text (and Table 42‑A) early in design. See Anaheim Overlay Districts and Anaheim Landscaping and Screening for related rules on screening and landscape buffers.

Source References

Chapter 18.42 (Parking & Loading) — general standards, non‑residential Table 42‑A and plan submittal requirements: § 18.42.040, § 18.42.100, and related subsections file.
Residential parking and bedroom‑based counts: § 18.42.030 (Dwellings — single & multiple family) .
Mixed‑Use Urban Core parking alternatives and downtown relief rules: § 18.12.100 .
Development Area (DA) multifamily rates and DA shared parking: § 18.108.090 (Development Area rules example: DA 5) .
Hotel Circle Specific Plan — off‑street parking and plan review lists: § 18.118.120 .
Theme Park District / Southeast District parking & large‑scale parking rules: § 18.114.110 and Land Use & Site Development Standards (§ 18.114.090) file.
Parking District rules and caps (Resort parking operations): Resort/Special Plan text (parking district provisions) — see Resort Specific Plan excerpts (Parking District requirements) .
Improvements to existing parking lots; bicycle parking credit language and credits: Chapter/sections within § 18.42 (Improvements/credits language in the parking chapter) .
California Green/Building standards for bicycling/EV readiness (for cross‑check with local rules): 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (GBSC) excerpts (short/long‑term bicycle parking, EV readiness) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Anaheim Zoning Code (Section 18.116.090.) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Section 18.116.100) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Chapter 18.42) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Chapter 18.70) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 79) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 80) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Chapter 18.46) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Section 18.114.030) Medium relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 34) Medium relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Section 5.0) Medium relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 27) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Anaheim code library

Frequently asked questions

What is the base chapter that controls parking in Anaheim?

The base local rules for parking and loading are in Chapter § 18.42 (Parking and Loading); non‑residential counts come from Table 42‑A and the Deputy Director can require a parking study when a use is not well covered by the table § 18.42.040 .

How many parking spaces does a new apartment building need?

Apartment parking usually follows the residential rates in § 18.42.030 (detailed bedroom/unit‑based minimums). Some Specific Plans (for example, Development Area DA 5) set bedroom‑based rates such as 1.25 for studios up to 3.0 for three‑bedrooms; check both § 18.42.030 and any applicable Specific Plan section such as § 18.108.090 file.

Do I have to show bicycle racks on the parking plan?

Yes — parking lot plans are required to list bicycle racks among the required elements to be shown on the plan (bicycle racks are explicitly listed in the parking plan submittal requirements) per the plan submittal lists in Chapter § 18.42 and Specific Plan checklists file.

Where do loading docks have to be located?

Loading and delivery areas must be provided for commercial/industrial uses that require regular deliveries and must be screened from public rights‑of‑way; loading docks and service areas are prohibited on the primary building frontage and must meet minimum sizes (e.g., 12' x 20' for small commercial sites) defined in § 18.42.100 .

Can I replace car parking with bicycle parking to reduce auto stalls?

Yes — the code allows a bicycle parking credit: replacing automobile parking with bicycle parking may be credited at a ratio of 1 auto space for each 4 bicycle spaces, with limits (no more than four spaces or 5% of existing stalls, whichever is less) (see Chapter § 18.42 improvements/credit language) .

Are there different rules in the Disneyland/Theme Park area?

Yes — the Theme Park and Southeast Districts and the Parking District have district‑specific parking and operational rules (attendance‑based rates, parking caps such as 34,300 total spaces in the Parking District, shuttle/Speed Parking exceptions). Consult the Theme Park district sections (§ 18.114.110, § 18.114.090) and Parking District text for the full details file.

Do parking stall dimensions and aisles have standard minimums?

Yes — the code sets standard stall and aisle minimums (example: 8.5' x 18' for open stalls; aisles 24' for surface lots, 23' inside structures). See the City Standards referenced in Chapter § 18.42 for exact dimension tables and engineering details .

Can parking be placed inside required setbacks or between the street and building?

Generally no — parking is not permitted between the ultimate right‑of‑way and the building setback line; limited encroachments or front‑facing parking may be allowed if screened (e.g., 36 inches hedge/wall/berm) or where a Specific Plan provides an exception (see § 18.42.050 and specific plan setback provisions like § 18.116.090) file.

When will the city demand a parking demand study?

When a use is not clearly addressed by Table 42‑A or when a project is mixed‑use/downtown and parking patterns are atypical. The Deputy Director or Planning staff will require/accept a parking demand study prepared by a California‑licensed traffic engineer as described in § 18.42.040 and related sections (and in some zones such as the Mixed‑Use Urban Core under § 18.12.100) file.

Ask about any Anaheim property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Anaheim zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial