Local zoning · Avalon

Avalon — Parking

Q: How many off‑street parking spaces does Avalon require for a dwelling unit?

Avalon’s baseline rule is one off‑street parking space per dwelling unit for residential uses; that baseline appears in the general parking table for required spaces (Residential uses: one space per dwelling unit) at § 9-7.605(a) . For projects in particular zones also check zone development standards (some zone articles repeat the one‑space rule).

Q: What are the minimum parking space dimensions in Avalon?

A full‑size vehicle parking space must be at least 8 feet wide by 17 feet long . The code also recognizes a smaller autoette dimension of 6 feet by 10 feet for permitted small vehicles. See § 9-7.606(a) .

Q: Do ADUs in Avalon require an off‑street parking space?

Generally, one off‑street parking space is required per ADU , but Avalon’s ADU standards include multiple statutory exceptions (within 1/2 mile of public transit, inside a historic district, ADU created through conversion, on‑street parking permit constraints, nearby car‑share, etc.). See § 9-5.606(g)(1–2) for the full list of exceptions and § 9-5.606(g)(3) for replacement rules.

Q: Where does Avalon require loading spaces and what are the rules?

Loading spaces must be provided on the same lot as the use they serve and must have access from a street or alley; the Code defines a loading space in the definitions. The Article emphasizes location and access (see § 9-7.601(b) and § 9-3.612 ), but specific sizing for loading bays is not prescribed universally in Article 6 — that is typically handled by project review or Commission condition.

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Avalon’s off-street parking and loading rules live in the City Development Code (Title 9) under Article 6 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading) and related zone articles; they set minimums for residential units, space dimensions, surfacing, landscaping, and siting procedures. The code is written to push many commercial and special-case minimums to Planning Commission review, while providing bright‑line requirements for dwellings, ADUs, parking geometry, surfacing and site plan submittals. See the city's broader Avalon Zoning materials and the City's Avalon Development Standards for related rules on setbacks and site design.

Notes up front:

The city-level standards you will use most often are in § 9-7.601–§ 9-7.608 (Article 6, Off‑Street Parking & Loading) and the zone-specific development standards in Articles 3–6 of Chapter 9‑5. See § 9-7.605(a) for the residential baseline.
ADU parking is handled separately in the ADU article; there are specific exceptions for historic districts and transit proximity. See § 9-5.606(g).
Where the ordinance leaves a numeric minimum unspecified for commercial or special uses, the Planning Commission generally sets the requirement (verify with the City). See § 9-7.605(b)–(f).

Also consult the City’s Avalon Design Review and Avalon Overlay Districts pages where design and overlay rules may change how parking is built/treated on specific parcels. Landscaping and screening rules that affect parking areas are in the City’s Avalon Landscaping and Screening rules and in Chapter 9‑7 development standards. Linkages to building-level equipment or EV readiness come from the state's California Building Standards Code.

How Avalon’s zoning code treats parking — district‑by‑district

Below are the Avalon districts where the code explicitly addresses parking in the text we retrieved. Each subsection states the district purpose, common permitted uses, the key dimensional/development standards that matter for parking, and where the district rules apply.

HD (Multiple Residential, High Density)

Purpose & typical uses: Multi‑unit residential development; multiple dwelling units per lot. See § 9-5.401 through the HD development standards.
Parking rule: One off‑street parking space per dwelling unit is required in the HD development standards (f). § 9-5.405(f) / development standards within Article 4 require this; projects must also meet Chapter 9‑7 general parking rules.
Key dimensional/design points that affect parking: max lot coverage, height and FAR vary by slope class (see Article 4), and HD projects must follow Chapter 9‑7 surfacing, landscaping and site plan requirements. Verify hillside-specific driveway/turnaround constraints in the HD standards.

MD (Multiple Residential, Medium Density)

Purpose & typical uses: Two‑family and small multi‑family residential. See § 9‑5.301–§ 9‑5.305.
Parking rule: One off‑street parking space per dwelling unit is called out in the MD standards (development standards list Off‑Street Parking (f)).
Practical impact: Driveway widths and turn‑around rules in § 9‑7.606 apply; small lot MD projects may need Commission relief for maneuvering where topography prevents standard layouts.

L/M (Low/Moderate Income Housing)

Purpose & typical uses: Affordable multi‑unit development, the City’s L/M zone. See § 9‑5.504–§ 9‑5.505.
Parking rule: Off‑street parking is “to be determined by the Commission” in the L/M standards — the Commission sets parking as a project condition (f). § 9‑5.505(f).
Practical impact: Because parking is discretionary here, expect parking to be negotiated as part of conditional approvals or as required mitigation/conditions. See Chapter 9‑7 baseline surfacing, landscape and site plan rules.

C / SC (Commercial — including Special Commercial)

Purpose & typical uses: Retail, hotels, visitor‑serving uses, some residential (SC mixes small scale residential and neighborhood retail). See § 9‑6.301 (SC) and C‑zone development standards.
Parking rule: For many commercial uses the code lists parking as “to be determined by the Commission”; certain special areas (Descanso Canyon, Cabrillo Mole) retain custom development standards. § 9‑6.304(e), § 9‑7.605(b)–(f).
Practical impact: Commercial projects should be prepared to justify parking needs to the Commission and to submit a detailed site plan when required by § 9‑7.608. Surfacing, screening and internal landscaping rules (e.g., 2% interior landscaping for lots with 3+ spaces) still apply.

P (Public)

Purpose & typical uses: Public uses, parking lots, parks, hospitals, etc. See § 9‑6.501–§ 9‑6.503.
Parking rule: Off‑street parking for public uses is to be determined by the Commission under § 9‑6.405. Public parking lots themselves are a permitted use; expect site‑specific requirements.

Key code standards (decision‑relevant) — at a glance

Standard / Issue	Requirement (plain)	Code Reference
Residential minimum parking	One off‑street space per dwelling unit	§ 9-7.605(a)
Parking space dimensions (full size)	Minimum 8 ft × 17 ft per full‑size vehicle; 6 ft × 10 ft for an autoette	§ 9-7.606(a)
Surfacing (paving)	All required parking, maneuvering and driveways must be paved: concrete 3 5/8" min or asphalt over compacted base	§ 9-7.607(a)
Site plan required	Any required parking facilities for three or more motor vehicles must have a site plan showing dimensions and aisles	§ 9-7.608
Interior landscaping	Parking areas for three or more vehicles must include interior landscaping covering not less than 2% of the outdoor parking area	§ 9-7.607(e)(1)
Walls/screening	Commercial parking areas (3+ vehicles) adjacent to residential zones require a solid masonry wall 5–6 ft high (exceptions near sightlines)	§ 9-7.607(d)
ADU parking	Generally one off‑street space per ADU; multiple exceptions (within 1/2 mile of transit, historic district, conversions, on‑street permit rules, car‑share nearby, etc.)	§ 9-5.606(g)(1–3)
Emergency shelters	One employee off‑street space; 1 bicycle space per 5 beds	§ 9-16.104(a)(2–3)
Loading location	Required loading must be on the same lot as the use served and have access from a street or alley	§ 9-7.601(b) and loading definition § 9-3.612

Plain-English guidance / interpretation (practical)

For most single‑family or standard multi‑family homes expect to provide one off‑street parking space per dwelling that meets the 8'×17' minimum and is paved to the City spec; if you add an ADU see the ADU section because there are common exceptions to ADU parking. Verify with the Planning Department for parcels in historic overlays or where on‑street permits exist. § 9-7.605(a), § 9-7.606(a), § 9-5.606(g).
If your project creates three or more required parking spaces you must submit a site plan to the Commission showing dimensions, aisles and ingress/egress and provide interior landscaping (≥2%) and required walls/screening. § 9-7.608, § 9-7.607(e).
Many commercial uses do not have a fixed numeric minimum in the Code; those uses are listed as “to be determined by the Commission” and the Commission will impose a parking requirement as part of discretionary approvals. Budget for that review and for potential tradeoffs (shared parking, tandem parking, or off‑site arrangements). § 9-7.605(b)–(f); zone articles often repeat “to be determined by the Commission.”

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a parking submittal)

Confirm whether your use is a "residential use" (baseline one space per dwelling under § 9-7.605(a)) or a commercial/special use that requires Commission determination. § 9-7.605(a–f).
Provide a site plan if your project requires three or more required parking spaces: dimensioned spaces, aisle widths, driveways, curb cuts and turn‑around areas. § 9-7.608.
Ensure each full-size space is 8'×17' (autoette: 6'×10'), and that maneuvering aisles conform to § 9-7.606; indicate any proposed tandem or compact/autoette spaces. § 9-7.606.
Surfacing detail: show paving material and thickness (concrete 3 5/8" or asphalt over compacted base) per § 9-7.607(a).
Show wheel stops/bumper guards where not in garage/carport; show walls/screens where parking adjoins residential zones (5–6 ft masonry, sightline exceptions). § 9‑7.607(b–d).
Show interior landscaping for lots with 3+ spaces (≥2% of parking area) and reference Chapter 9‑7 Article 8 (Development Standards) for plant selection and maintenance. § 9‑7.607(e).
Confirm driveway widths and turn‑around area compliance (driveways: 8 ft for ≤2 units; 16 ft for ≥3 units unless two 8 ft driveways are used). § 9‑7.606(c).
For ADUs, include ADU permit materials and claim any parking exceptions (transit proximity, historic district, on‑street permit conditions, car‑share, etc.) per § 9‑5.606(g).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Commission‑set commercial minima	Many commercial categories are listed as “to be determined by the Commission”, so numeric minimums are not guaranteed	Verify the expected parking requirement early with Planning; ask for comparable approvals/conditions. § 9-7.605(b)–(f)
ADU parking exceptions	ADUs can often avoid an additional off‑street space under several exceptions (transit, historic district, on‑street permit rules)	If you plan an ADU, document transit distance, historic district status, and on‑street permit availability and cite § 9‑5.606(g)(2).
“Autoette” vs full‑size	The code allows smaller autoette spaces (6×10) — but enforcement/approval of autoette parking and resident vehicle permits can be parcel‑specific	Determine whether an autoette is acceptable for your project and whether a resident autoette permit or autoette program applies; see § 9‑7.606(a) and AMC Title 4 traffic/autoette permit references.
Bicycle parking outside shelters	The code explicitly sets bicycle parking for emergency shelters but lacks a citywide quantified bicycle standard outside of special uses	For non‑shelter developments, check whether bicycle requirements are in other city sections or rely on State guidance (Green Building Standards) — otherwise, verify with Planning. Emergency shelter bicycle rule: § 9‑16.104(a)(3); broader bike rules: Not found in retrieved materials (see State GBSC).
Loading space sizing	The code defines a loading space and requires loading on the same lot, but does not give a single universal numeric loading bay size in Article 6	Use the definition § 9‑3.612 and coordinate with the Commission/engineer for the exact loading bay dimensions needed for your use and vehicle types.

Source References

§ 9-7.601 – § 9-7.608 (Article 6: Off‑Street Parking & Loading; location, combined parking, required spaces, parking dimensions, development/paving, site plan) — Avalon Development Code.
§ 9-7.605(a) (Residential minimum: one space per dwelling) and § 9-7.606(a) (space dimensions) — Avalon Development Code.
§ 9-7.607 (Development of parking facilities: paving; marking; walls; landscaping; lighting) and § 9-7.608 (site plans for 3+ spaces) — Avalon Development Code.
§ 9-5.606(g) (ADU parking rules and exceptions) — Avalon ADU article (ADU development standards).
Zone development standards cited (examples): § 9-5.305 – § 9-5.505 (MD, L/M zones); § 9-5.401 – § 9-5.406 (HD zone); § 9-6.301 – § 9-6.304 (SC); these include the zone‑level parking lines and “to be determined” notes.
§ 9-16.104 (Emergency shelter: vehicle and bicycle parking minima) — Avalon Development Code Chapter 9‑16.
Definitions: § 9-3.612 (Loading Space), § 9-3.616/§ 9-3.607 (Parking Space, Garage definitions) — Avalon Development Code.
State standards referenced for bicycle/EV readiness and other facility standards: 2025 California Green Building Standards (for bicycle parking and EV readiness guidance) and the California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Avalon Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance
CBC § 9 (§ 9-5.406.) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.406.) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (title or) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.504.) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (Article 5.) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (Article 6.) High relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.602.) High relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.604.) High relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (article is) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (Article 3.) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (Article 3.) Medium relevance
CBC § 9 (title shall) Medium relevance
Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-16.104.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Avalon code library

Frequently asked questions

How many off‑street parking spaces does Avalon require for a dwelling unit?

Avalon’s baseline rule is one off‑street parking space per dwelling unit for residential uses; that baseline appears in the general parking table for required spaces (Residential uses: one space per dwelling unit) at § 9-7.605(a). For projects in particular zones also check zone development standards (some zone articles repeat the one‑space rule).

What are the minimum parking space dimensions in Avalon?

A full‑size vehicle parking space must be at least 8 feet wide by 17 feet long. The code also recognizes a smaller autoette dimension of 6 feet by 10 feet for permitted small vehicles. See § 9-7.606(a).

When do I need to submit a site plan for parking?

You must submit a site plan to the Planning Commission before establishing any required parking facilities for three or more motor vehicles; the plan must show dimensioned parking spaces (minimum 8×17 for full‑size), aisles and adequate ingress/egress. § 9-7.608.

Do ADUs in Avalon require an off‑street parking space?

Generally, one off‑street parking space is required per ADU, but Avalon’s ADU standards include multiple statutory exceptions (within 1/2 mile of public transit, inside a historic district, ADU created through conversion, on‑street parking permit constraints, nearby car‑share, etc.). See § 9-5.606(g)(1–2) for the full list of exceptions and § 9-5.606(g)(3) for replacement rules.

What surfacing, landscaping and screening does Avalon require for parking lots?

All required parking, maneuvering areas and access driveways must be paved to City standards (concrete minimum thickness or asphalt over compacted base); parking areas with three or more motor vehicles must include interior landscaping covering at least 2% of the outdoor parking area; where a commercial parking area (3+ spaces) adjoins residential zones a masonry wall of 5–6 ft is generally required (sightline exceptions apply). See § 9-7.607(a),(d),(e).

Are bicycle parking minimums in the Avalon zoning code?

The zoning code establishes bicycle parking for specific uses — for example, emergency shelters must provide one bicycle space per five beds under § 9-16.104(a)(3) — but a citywide numeric bicycle‑parking table for all uses is not present in the Article 6 excerpts retrieved. For project design, also consult State guidance (Green Building Standards) and verify with Planning.

Where does Avalon require loading spaces and what are the rules?

Loading spaces must be provided on the same lot as the use they serve and must have access from a street or alley; the Code defines a loading space in the definitions. The Article emphasizes location and access (see § 9-7.601(b) and § 9-3.612), but specific sizing for loading bays is not prescribed universally in Article 6 — that is typically handled by project review or Commission condition.

What if my commercial use doesn’t have a numeric parking minimum in the code?

Many commercial categories in the standard table are marked “to be determined by the Commission.” That means parking requirements will be set as a condition of project approval or during site plan/conditional use review. Applicants should request guidance from Planning early and prepare justification/traffic studies if needed. See § 9-7.605(b)–(f).

Are there special rules for parking in historic or overlay areas?

Yes — for example, ADUs located within an historically significant district can qualify for ADU parking exceptions under § 9-5.606(g)(2)(b); overlay or historic district design standards and potential reliefs are administered through overlay chapters and design review. Check the parcel’s overlay status via the Avalon Overlay Districts and Avalon Historic Preservation processes and confirm any exceptions with Planning. (Historic ADU exception: § 9‑5.606(g)(2)(b)).

Can I provide tandem or off‑site parking to meet requirements?

The code allows collective/shared parking and combined parking for separate lots under certain conditions (combined facilities must equal the sum of required spaces). Tandem parking and other layout modifications are allowed but may require Commission approval under the site plan review provisions. See § 9-7.602 and § 9-7.606(e). ---

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