Local zoning · Atherton

Atherton — Parking

Q: How many off‑street spaces does Atherton require for a multifamily project?

Atherton’s multifamily overlay standard requires resident parking at 1 space per bedroom (up to 2 spaces per unit) plus guest parking at 0.4 spaces per unit , with a combined cap of 2.4 spaces per unit unless all resident parking is provided below grade, in which case incentives (including extra resident spaces and FAR exceptions) apply. See § 17.35.030(M–O) .

Q: Do ADUs in Atherton need off‑street parking?

By default an ADU requires one assigned parking space unless it qualifies for a statutory exception (within 1/2 mile of public transit; in a historic district; part of the primary residence or accessory structure; on‑street permit issues; car share nearby; paired with a concurrent primary/multifamily application). JADUs need no parking . See § 17.52.040(L) .

Q: Can I use tandem parking to meet an ADU parking requirement?

Yes — Atherton’s ADU rules explicitly allow tandem parking on an existing driveway to satisfy the one‑space requirement for an ADU. See § 17.52.040(L)(2) .

Q: Does underground parking help my project in Atherton?

Yes — if all resident parking is located fully below grade the code provides incentives: below‑grade parking does not count toward FAR, habitable basements can be treated differently for FAR, and projects may be allowed up to 3 resident spaces per unit . These incentives are in the multifamily standards (see § 17.35.030(N–O) ). Verify heritage‑tree and setback restrictions before relying on this strategy.

Q: Are bicycle parking requirements stated in the zoning code?

Yes — short‑term (Class II) bicycle racks and resident bicycle parking at 1 space per dwelling unit are required; bike parking must be on the ground floor and not located between the building and the street. See § 17.35.030(M)(2) and § 17.36.040(L)(3) .

Q: What design limits apply to garage openings and façades?

For PFS (and therefore many campus / multifamily projects) no more than 25% of any ground‑floor façade can be garage openings; above‑grade garages facing the public right‑of‑way must be screened by livable space (minimum depth 20 ft). Partially subgrade parking cannot expose more than 5 ft above grade and must have 10 ft deep landscape screening. § 17.36.040(L)(2) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Atherton’s Title 17 zoning ordinance says about off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking — where the rules live in the code, how they differ by district, and the practical implications for applicants. For design, setback, and screening rules that affect parking layouts see the town’s Atherton Development Standards. For ADU-specific parking rules see the town’s Atherton ADUs. Design review and overlay rules that can alter parking siting are discussed below and link to Atherton Design Review and Atherton Overlay Districts. When your project triggers building-level requirements (clearances, accessible stalls, loading) those are governed by the California Building Standards Code. Landscaping and screening requirements that affect parking perimeters are in the town’s Atherton Landscaping and Screening standards.

All quotes below are paraphrased from the Town’s Title 17 (Zoning). Citations point to the controlling chapter/section and the file preview returned from the uploaded Atherton zoning code. Verify parcel-specific interpretations with the Town Planner.

What the ordinance requires (district-by-district)

Note: the ordinance structures parking rules as subsections inside the zone development standards and the accessory dwelling rules. Where the code organizes the rule as a lettered subsection within a chapter I show the chapter and subsection when available (for example § 17.52.040(L) for ADU parking). Citations to the uploaded ordinance text are woven below.

Multifamily Overlay (RM‑10) — (standards / multifamily site design)

Purpose & where it applies: RM‑10 is a multifamily overlay applied to specific portions of parcels to allow multifamily development; the multifamily site and parking design rules are embedded in the RM‑10 development standards. See § 17.35.030 for development standards generally.
Parking rules (decision‑relevant):
- Resident parking: provided at a rate of one parking space per bedroom up to 2 spaces per unit; guest parking at 0.4 spaces per unit; total resident+guest generally cannot exceed 2.4 spaces per unit unless all resident parking is provided below grade (then incentives apply) — see the "Parking Requirements" subsection. § 17.35.030(M) (parking) and related underground incentives § 17.35.030(O).
- Surface parking screening: surface parking must be enclosed on three sides by landscape screening located >3 ft from the parking perimeter; plantings expected to reach ~8 ft in three years. § 17.35.030(M)(1)(a).
- Surface parking not permitted in the rear setback. § 17.35.030(M)(1)(f).
- Bicycle parking: one resident bicycle parking space per dwelling unit; short‑term (Class II) racks must meet the described performance standard and must be on ground floor and not between the building and the street. § 17.35.030(M)(2).
- Underground parking incentives: below‑grade parking does not count toward FAR and allows up to 3 resident spaces per unit if all resident parking is fully below grade; habitable basements are exempted from FAR only when 100% of resident parking is below grade. § 17.35.030(N–O).
Site/circulation controls that affect parking layout: driveway access only from local streets or internal circulation; maximum driveway width 26 ft; vision triangle rules; surface parking introduced by new multifamily development is not allowed in setbacks. See the RM and multifamily site design text. § 17.35.030(E).

Practical note: RM‑10 projects must design parking to meet both the parking minimums and the landscape/screening/vision triangle rules; underground parking is the primary permit lever for increased parking and FAR benefits. Verify with the planner whether your lot is designated RM‑10 and whether the project qualifies for the underground‑parking FAR exception.

Public Facilities and Schools District (PFS) — institutional and campus multifamily (RM‑20/40 tie‑ins)

Purpose: PFS covers public uses and certain institutional campuses; multifamily overlay rules (RM‑20 / RM‑40) can apply to parts of PFS. See § 17.36 and § 17.36.070 for RM‑20/40 standards.
Parking rules (specialized for PFS / campus/multifamily):
- For housing inside PFS: there is no minimum resident or guest parking requirement, but total resident+guest parking is capped at 1.25 spaces per unit (can be increased to 2.0 if all parking is below‑grade). § 17.36.040(L)(1)(a–c).
- Parking garage design: garage openings may not exceed 25% of any ground‑floor façade; above‑grade garage parking facing a public right‑of‑way must be screened with livable space (min depth 20 ft); partially sub‑grade parking cannot expose more than 5 ft above grade and must provide 10 ft deep landscape screening along the façade. § 17.36.040(L)(2).
- Bicycle parking: same minimum as other multifamily: one resident bicycle space per dwelling unit, ground‑floor location, and not between building and street. § 17.36.040(L)(3).
- Emergency shelters on PFS: parking provided sufficient for staff and not to exceed required parking standards for other PFS uses. § 17.36.060(B).
Site/circulation: ingress/egress to below‑grade parking is restricted on streets designated as highways/minor arterials in the General Plan unless a traffic study shows an alternative; driveway width, vision triangle, pedestrian connections rules apply. § 17.36.070 (site design entries) and § 17.36.040.

Practical note: campus or institutional projects in PFS should use the below‑grade incentive strategy to increase parking and FAR — but garage façade limits and screening rules are strict and affect building massing and frontage design.

Residential Districts (R‑1A and R‑1B) — single‑family rules and ADUs

Purpose & typical uses: R‑1A and R‑1B are single‑family residential districts; ADUs/JADUs and second units are regulated by Chapter 17.52. See § 17.32 and § 17.33 for district standards.
Single‑family parking: garages are accessory structures; driveway and garage location rules are in the accessory buildings chapter and in the development standards for each R‑1 district (see chapters 17.40 and 17.32/17.33). Eaves, setbacks, and accessory structure rules affect where you can place a garage. § 17.40; § 17.32/17.33.
ADUs / JADUs (critical for homeowners):
- The ADU rules are in § 17.52.040 (Development Standards and General Requirements), and the parking subsection is lettered (L) Parking inside that section. Key points:
  - JADU: no off‑street parking required. § 17.52.040(L)(1).
  - ADU: one parking space per ADU is required unless the ADU meets one of the state‑enumerated exceptions (within 1/2 mile of transit, in historic district, part of the primary residence/accessory structure, on‑street permit issues, car share nearby, or concurrent new primary/multifamily application). Tandem parking on an existing driveway is allowed. § 17.52.040(L)(2–3).
  - If an existing garage/carport is demolished or converted to an ADU, the lost off‑street parking does not need to be replaced. § 17.52.040(L)(4).
- ADU provisions follow state ADU law exemptions; Atherton’s code implements those exemptions and allows administrative flexibility consistent with the Town’s ADU chapter. See § 17.52 generally.

Practical note: For an ADU application in Atherton, expect to show one assigned parking space (or an applicable exception) and note that tandem driveway parking is explicitly allowed. If you convert a garage to an ADU you will not be required to replace the displaced off‑street parking. See the town ADU page for more.

Parker Avenue Overlay (P) and other overlays

The Parker Avenue Overlay (P) modifies base R‑1A standards (height, FAR, setbacks) for a cluster of small lots; it does not create a separate parking standard beyond the base district but may change allowable floor area which indirectly affects parking demand. See § 17.37.010–020, 17.37.040.
Multifamily overlays RM‑20 / RM‑40 are carved into PFS parcels and use the PFS/RM parking rules discussed above. § 17.36.070.

Other regulations that affect parking siting and design

Driveway width and visibility: maximum driveway width 26 ft; driveways must maintain a 10 ft/10 ft vision triangle with max 3 ft obstruction inside it. These rules appear in multifamily and PFS development standards and apply to driveway design across projects. § 17.35.030(E) and other district site design subsections.
Pedestrian connections: building entries must connect to resident parking areas with pedestrian paths (3–5 ft depending on district). This influences parking layout and queueing. § 17.35.030(E)(1–3).
Special events and temporary parking: special event permits require an on‑ and off‑site parking and staging plan when events will impact Town services. § 17.56.050–060.
Accessible parking & loading: design and number of accessible spaces follow the California code (Title 24 / CBC); Town zoning references these building‑code standards for construction detail and accessibility. See California Building Standards Code and the Town’s accessibility references in Title 17.

Quick standards table (most decision‑relevant)

Requirement / topic	What Atherton requires	Code Reference
Resident vehicle parking (multifamily/RM)	1 space per bedroom up to 2 spaces/unit; guest 0.4/unit; total generally ≤ 2.4/unit unless underground	§ 17.35.030(M)
Resident vehicle parking (PFS housing)	No minimum; total resident+guest ≤ 1.25/unit (can increase to 2.0 if below‑grade)	§ 17.36.040(L)(1)
ADU parking	JADU = 0; ADU = 1 space per ADU unless state exemptions apply; tandem allowed; do not replace parking lost to ADU conversion	§ 17.52.040(L)
Bicycle parking (multifamily & PFS)	1 bicycle space per dwelling unit; ground floor; not between building & street; below‑grade bike parking does not count toward floor area	§ 17.35.030(M)(2) and § 17.36.040(L)(3)
Surface parking screening	Surface parking enclosed on 3 sides by landscaping >3 ft from perimeter; plants expected to be ~8 ft tall in 3 years	§ 17.35.030(M)(1)(a)
Parking garage façade	≤ 25% of any ground‑floor façade may be garage openings (PFS)	§ 17.36.040(L)(2)(a)
Driveway width & vision triangle	Max 26 ft driveway width; vision triangle = 10 ft × 10 ft, max 3 ft obstruction inside	§ 17.35.030(E) (site design)
Underground parking incentives	Below‑grade parking does not count toward FAR; if all resident parking is below‑grade, project can count habitable basement differently and allow up to 3 resident spaces/unit	§ 17.35.030(N–O)
Special events parking plan	Events that impact parking/traffic require a special event permit and an on/off‑site parking plan	§ 17.56.050–060

Checklist

Identify base zoning and any overlay (R‑1A, R‑1B, RM‑10, PFS, Parker P). Verify parcel map. § 17.30; 17.32; 17.33; 17.35; 17.36; 17.37.
For multifamily or RM projects, size parking to: 1 per bedroom (≤2/unit) + 0.4 guest (unless underground incentive used). § 17.35.030(M).
If in PFS, check the stricter cap (≤1.25/unit unless below‑grade). § 17.36.040(L).
For ADUs, prepare to assign 1 parking space or document one of the state exceptions; show tandem if used. § 17.52.040(L).
If proposing underground parking to obtain FAR/space incentives, show full below‑grade plan and check heritage tree and setback constraints. § 17.35.030(N–O).
Provide landscape screening plan for surface parking (3‑sided, planting specs). § 17.35.030(M)(1)(a).
Show driveway width, vision triangle, and pedestrian connections. § 17.35.030(E).
For projects in high‑VMT areas, include a VMT analysis and TDM measures. § 17.35.030(M)(3) and § 17.36.040(L)(4).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which chapter/subsection controls “M. Parking Requirements” on a given parcel	The code places parking rules in district development standards; different districts (RM, PFS, R‑1) have different caps and incentives	Verify the parcel’s zoning and overlays with the Town Planner and cite the exact subsection (e.g., § 17.35.030(M) for RM rules or § 17.36.040(L) for PFS)
Underground parking and FAR incentives	Incentives depend on all resident parking being fully below grade and heritage tree protections, and may impose design constraints (garage openings, screening)	Confirm the allowable below‑grade footprint, heritage‑tree impacts, and whether the project satisfies the “100% resident parking below grade” condition before relying on FAR or parking increases. § 17.35.030(N–O).
ADU parking exceptions vs. state law	Atherton’s ADU chapter follows state exemptions; mistakes can lead to over‑conditioning or denial	Confirm which exception applies (1/2 mile transit, historic district, car‑share, etc.) and include distances/parking permit status in application. § 17.52.040(L).
Applicability of PFS multifamily caps vs. RM overlay	RM‑20/40 overlay standards may supersede or modify PFS standards for identified campus parcels	Verify whether the parcel is expressly shown on the Town zoning map as RM‑20 or RM‑40 and whether RM rules apply. § 17.36.070.
Accessible parking & Title 24 requirements	Zoning sets counts/locations but accessible stall dimensions, signage, and markings are in Title 24 and CBC (building code)	Coordinate zoning parking count with the building permit team to ensure accessible stalls meet CBC/Title 24 (see California Building Standards Code).

Plain‑English Summary

Atherton’s zoning sets parking minimums and caps that vary by district: multifamily overlays generally require one space per bedroom (up to two per unit) plus 0.4 guest spaces but give big incentives for underground parking; the PFS district caps parking more tightly (1.25/unit unless parking is fully below grade); ADUs normally need one assigned space (JADUs none) but follow the state ADU exemptions; bicycle parking is routinely one space per unit and must be on the ground floor. Check the parcel’s zoning/overlay and talk to the Town Planner early if you plan underground parking, ADUs, or multifamily development. See § 17.35.030(M–O), § 17.36.040(L), and § 17.52.040(L) for the controlling language.

Source References

Title 17 Zoning — Multifamily overlay parking and underground incentives: § 17.35.030(M–O).
Title 17 Zoning — Public Facilities & Schools (PFS) parking and garage design: § 17.36.040(L).
Title 17 Zoning — ADU development standards and parking: § 17.52.040(L).
Title 17 Zoning — Multifamily overlay (RM‑20/40) standards: § 17.36.070.
Title 17 Zoning — Site design, driveway width, vision triangle, pedestrian connections: § 17.35.030(E).
Title 17 Zoning — Special events (parking plan requirement): § 17.56.050–060.
California Building Standards Code (for accessible stalls, loading, dimensions): California Building Standards Code / Title 24. See the Town’s references to accessibility and parking in the municipal code and the CBC for technical dimensions. California Building Standards Code.

Information Gaps

Exact numeric subsection label for the Multifamily “M. Parking Requirements” appears as a lettered subsection in the Title 17 upload (M) but the file preview does not give a single numeric § (e.g., 17.35.030(M)). I have cited it as § 17.35.030(M) based on the chapter and page context in the retrieved materials; verify the precise numeric subsection label with the Town's codified version if your submittal references a strict § number. Not found in retrieved materials: an explicit numeric § line for the "M" subsection shown on the preview page (verify in the Town’s official code).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (§ 66322) Medium relevance
CBC § 17.40.040 (section 17.40.040) Medium relevance
CBC § 11B (Section 11B-502) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (chapter 17.32) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (section 17.32.040) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (section 17.52.050) Medium relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
Atherton Zoning Code (section conflict) Medium relevance
CBC § 15.40.180 (section may) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Atherton code library

Frequently asked questions

How many off‑street spaces does Atherton require for a multifamily project?

Atherton’s multifamily overlay standard requires resident parking at 1 space per bedroom (up to 2 spaces per unit) plus guest parking at 0.4 spaces per unit, with a combined cap of 2.4 spaces per unit unless all resident parking is provided below grade, in which case incentives (including extra resident spaces and FAR exceptions) apply. See § 17.35.030(M–O).

Do ADUs in Atherton need off‑street parking?

By default an ADU requires one assigned parking space unless it qualifies for a statutory exception (within 1/2 mile of public transit; in a historic district; part of the primary residence or accessory structure; on‑street permit issues; car share nearby; paired with a concurrent primary/multifamily application). JADUs need no parking. See § 17.52.040(L).

Can I use tandem parking to meet an ADU parking requirement?

Yes — Atherton’s ADU rules explicitly allow tandem parking on an existing driveway to satisfy the one‑space requirement for an ADU. See § 17.52.040(L)(2).

Does underground parking help my project in Atherton?

Yes — if all resident parking is located fully below grade the code provides incentives: below‑grade parking does not count toward FAR, habitable basements can be treated differently for FAR, and projects may be allowed up to 3 resident spaces per unit. These incentives are in the multifamily standards (see § 17.35.030(N–O)). Verify heritage‑tree and setback restrictions before relying on this strategy.

Are bicycle parking requirements stated in the zoning code?

Yes — short‑term (Class II) bicycle racks and resident bicycle parking at 1 space per dwelling unit are required; bike parking must be on the ground floor and not located between the building and the street. See § 17.35.030(M)(2) and § 17.36.040(L)(3).

What design limits apply to garage openings and façades?

For PFS (and therefore many campus / multifamily projects) no more than 25% of any ground‑floor façade can be garage openings; above‑grade garages facing the public right‑of‑way must be screened by livable space (minimum depth 20 ft). Partially subgrade parking cannot expose more than 5 ft above grade and must have 10 ft deep landscape screening. § 17.36.040(L)(2).

Do I need a parking and staging plan for a private event on my Atherton property?

Yes — special events that seat the public or require Town assistance for traffic/parking control must submit a special event permit application that includes an on‑ and off‑site parking and staging plan. See § 17.56.050–060.

Where do accessibility dimensions for parking stalls come from?

The zoning code sets counts and locations; the technical stall dimensions, accessible stall counts, signage, and markings come from the California Building Standards Code (Title 24/CBC). See Town references to Title 24 and the CBC for accessible parking requirements. California Building Standards Code.

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