Beaumont — Parking

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page distills how the City of Beaumont’s Title 17 Zoning Ordinance regulates off‑street parking, loading, and related design features. Most requirements live in Chapter 17.05 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Standards and apply citywide when a use is established, expanded, or intensified; several districts and Downtown standards add extra placement, screening, and bicycle‑parking rules. See the broader Beaumont Zoning framework for how districts are mapped and administered, and the complementary Beaumont Development Standards for landscape and site design items that interact with parking.

Core citywide standards (Title 17 — Chapter 17.05)

• Applicability and purpose. The City requires off‑street parking and loading with any new building or use, and when floor area, seats, rooms, or units are added or a use intensifies; the number of spaces must match the need created by that use (§§ 17.05.010, 17.05.020).
• General provisions. Required spaces must be maintained and kept for parking/loading only; sale/display, vehicle repair, or storage of inoperable vehicles in required spaces is prohibited. Commercial trucks (≥6,000 lbs) are prohibited in residential zones; temporary event parking may be allowed with authorization (§ 17.05.030).
• Minimum off‑street parking by land use. Table 17.05‑1 sets the citywide minimums (selected examples below), with “Downtown” adjustments for uses in designated Downtown districts (§ 17.05.040). Fractional results round up; when uses are combined in a building, calculate each use by its floor area/share, then sum (§ 17.05.040.A).
• Access and driveway standards. One‑way driveway lanes must be at least 12 ft wide; two‑way driveways 25 ft wide; each garage must have a 24 ft paved apron. Driveways and aisles must remain unobstructed (§ 17.05.050).
• Facility design and dimensions. No backing into a street (exception: single‑family). No stall within 20 ft of the access driveway (exception: R‑SF). Maintain 15 ft vertical clearance over parking/driveways. If a lot has 20+ spaces, design circulation as one‑way or provide a double‑driveway system. Carpool spaces and bicycle racks should sit near the main entrance (§ 17.05.060.A).
• Stall/aisle dimensions. Table 17.05‑2 specifies sizes; e.g., standard 90° stalls 9 ft x 19 ft with 26 ft aisles; compact 90° stalls 8 ft x 16 ft with 26 ft aisles; see table for angled and truck spaces (§ 17.05.060.B, Table 17.05‑2).
• Emergency access. Provide fire lanes when distance/height triggers apply; lanes must be at least 25 ft wide (more details and alternatives in § 17.05.060.C).
• Required improvements. Pave spaces and maneuvering areas; stripe stalls; provide directional signage and wheel stops where needed (§ 17.05.070).
• Shared and remote parking. The City may approve shared parking with a professional parking demand study; reductions may not go below the highest coincident peak among uses. Remote parking for multifamily, commercial, and industrial uses must be within 300 ft and secured by covenant; Downtown in‑lieu fee programs may reduce/eliminate on‑site parking if adopted (§ 17.05.080).

Note: Accessible parking details are governed by the California Building Standards Code (referenced in § 17.05.040’s notes on “handicapped” spaces); coordinate these with planning submittals, but they are enforced under the building code.

Minimum off‑street parking — selected uses

• Residential:
  • Single‑family residential: 2 enclosed spaces per unit; if an accessory rental is present, provide 1 additional space (enclosed) (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Attached single‑family/duplex: 2 enclosed spaces per unit (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Multifamily 1‑bedroom/efficiency: 1.25 spaces per unit (may be uncovered); Downtown adjustment: 1.1/unit (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Multifamily 2+ bedrooms: 2 spaces per unit (≥1 covered); Downtown retains 2/unit (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
• Lodging:
  • Hotels/motels/boarding: 1 space per guest room; plus add parking for banquet/restaurant/bar areas; Downtown hotel rate shown as 1.15 spaces per key plus restaurant/banquet area ratio (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
• Commercial/assembly:
  • Retail: 1/200 sf; up to 10% compact spaces where 20+ spaces are provided (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Professional office (non‑medical): 1/200 sf; up to 10% compact where 20+ spaces are provided (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Medical/dental office: 1/250 sf; up to 10% compact where 20+ spaces are provided; Downtown adjustment 0.9/250 sf (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Restaurants (fast‑food and sit‑down): 1/100 sf (min 10 spaces); compact allowance up to 10% (fast‑food) or 25% (sit‑down) where 20+ spaces (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Cinema: 1 per 3 seats; compact allowed up to 10% where 20+ spaces (not permitted in some Downtown cases per table) (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Assembly/church: 1 per 4 fixed seats (or 1/20 sf assembly area if no fixed seats); compact up to 10% where 20+ spaces (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Day care center: 1/7 children; compact not permitted (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
• Industrial:
  • Manufacturing: 1/500 sf; up to 10% compact where 20+ spaces; add 1 space per vehicle operated from site (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
  • Warehousing: 1/1,000 sf; up to 10% compact where 20+ spaces; add truck space(s) per vehicles operated (§ 17.05.040, Table 17.05‑1).
• Drive‑through stacking. Where applicable, design for a minimum queue of 8 vehicles in the drive‑through lane (Table 17.05‑1 note).

Design, placement, screening, and landscaping that affect parking

• Buffers and headlight glare. Non‑residential parking next to residential, schools, churches, or parks requires a 6‑ft masonry wall; screen headlight glare toward streets with a wall or dense hedge at least 3 ft high (§ 17.05.060.F–G).
• No yard parking on dirt. Front/side/rear yards may not be used for off‑street parking or loading unless on an approved surface (§ 17.05.060.F, last paragraph).
• Single‑family hardscape cap. In single‑family front/streetside yards, no more than 50% may be non‑pervious (e.g., driveway); the balance must be landscaped (§ 17.06.080).
• Parking lot landscaping. Landscape at least 15% of the total open parking area, with ≥1/3 of that area inside the lot and the rest along its perimeter; curb all planters (§ 17.06, Parking Lot Landscaping Standards).

Downtown bicycle parking, curb cuts, and screening (Chapter 17.19)

• Bicycle parking (Downtown districts). Provide short‑term spaces equal to 10% of required vehicle spaces (min 4) for multifamily, public, and most commercial uses; site them within 100 ft of the main entrance and outside pedestrian walkways/right‑of‑way. Long‑term spaces: 1 per 4 dwelling units and, for non‑residential with ≥6 FTEs, 1 per 10 required vehicle spaces. Clearances: 2 ft between racks and obstructions; 5 ft from vehicle spaces; long‑term in lockers/secure areas (§ 17.19 Downtown standards as amended by Ord. 1150 and 1164).
• Curb cut frequency and visibility. Typically limit curb cuts to one per frontage; place on the lower‑pedestrian‑activity street where feasible; screen visible structured parking with architecture and landscaping (§ 17.19 Downtown standards).
• Tandem parking and garage rules in mixed settings. Where enabled by district standards, tandem bays must be 10 ft x 40 ft and assigned to the same dwelling or same employer group; guest parking may not be tandem; shared garage drives are width‑limited; garage doors must be recessed or motorized where specified (§ 17.03.065/17.19 related standards).

District‑by‑district notes where parking rules differ or interact with siting

Below are districts where the ordinance adds parking‑specific placement, screening, or landscape nuances. Each still relies on Chapter 17.05 for how many spaces are required.

R‑C — Recreation/Conservation

• Purpose/uses. Open space, watercourses, parks, cemeteries, and conservation lands. Off‑street parking applies when structural development occurs (§ 17.03.040).
• Parking interaction. Parking provided “as indicated in Chapter 17.05” (§ 17.03.040.D).

UV — Urban Village Zone

• Purpose/uses. A freeway‑adjacent mixed district intended for regional commercial, higher‑density residential, education, open space, and walkable design (§ 17.03.075).
• Key standards that affect parking. Front setback is 0 ft for commercial; residential needs 5 ft; parking is per Chapter 17.05; additional pedestrian and open‑space connectivity influences parking lot placement (§ 17.03.075.C–E).

BMU — Beaumont Mixed Use (Beaumont Ave corridor)

• Purpose/uses. Transition corridor to a lower‑intensity mixed use compatible with nearby single‑family neighborhoods (§ 17.19.050).
• Key standards that affect parking. Parking is per Chapter 17.05; building height limited to 2 stories/35 ft; Downtown bicycle‑parking/screening and curb‑cut limits apply in the chapter (§ 17.19.050.D and Downtown standards).

SSMU — Sixth Street Mixed Use (east of Palm Ave)

• Purpose/uses. Compact, mixed, and walkable corridor supportive of Downtown retail to the west (§ 17.19.060).
• Key standards that affect parking. Above‑ground parking must be set back 40 ft from street frontage unless the Director finds underground/remote siting infeasible and the frontage is heavily landscaped; other setbacks vary by adjacency (§ 17.19.060.C.2).

LC — Local Commercial (Downtown chapter classification)

• Purpose/uses. Local‑serving commercial in the Downtown framework. Off‑street parking is per Chapter 17.05 (§ LC Zone provisions).
• Key standards that affect parking. Above‑ground parking is generally prohibited within 40 ft of a street‑facing property line unless findings are made; structured garages are exempt from certain transparency rules; building‑fronted sidewalks and internal pedestrian links tie into parking layout (§ LC supplemental standards).

M — Manufacturing Zone

• Purpose/uses. Industrial and business/technology parks, manufacturing, warehousing, and supportive uses (§ 17.03.100).
• Key standards that affect parking. If parking is provided in front of a building, the minimum front setback increases to 50 ft; parking is otherwise per Chapter 17.05; industrial landscaping buffers and frontage rules shape lot layout (§ 17.03.100.C–D).

Decision‑relevant standards at a glance

Practical tip: In Downtown districts, also check Beaumont Design Review early—façade transparency, curb cuts, and screening of structured parking are commonly conditioned with site plans under Chapter 17.19.

Checklist

• Confirm the land‑use category and apply the minimum off‑street parking ratio from § 17.05.040, including any Downtown adjustment if applicable.
• Show stall and aisle dimensions per Table 17.05‑2; label compact stalls where allowed.
• Verify driveways, circulation, and vertical clearances meet § 17.05.050 and § 17.05.060 (no backing into streets except single‑family; apron and driveway widths).
• Provide paving, striping, directional signage, and wheel stops per § 17.05.070.
• Meet buffer walls and headlight screening requirements; keep yards on approved surfaces only (§ 17.05.060.F–G).
• Landscape parking lots to meet the 15% minimum and curb planters; coordinate with Beaumont Landscaping and Screening.
• In Downtown districts, add bicycle parking per Ch. 17.19 and observe curb‑cut and parking‑visibility limits.
• If pursuing shared or remote parking, prepare a parking demand analysis and record required covenants per § 17.05.080.
• If a small reduction (≤20%) in minimum spaces is needed, consider a Beaumont Variances and Exceptions “modification of standards” request (§ 17.02.120.A.7).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Beaumont sets minimum off‑street parking by use and requires you to design stalls, aisles, and driveways to specific sizes. Most commercial and multifamily projects also need parking lot landscaping, screening, and sometimes bicycle parking—especially in the Downtown districts. If you can show that two uses share parking at different times, the City can approve fewer total spaces; if you put parking off‑site, it must be within 300 feet and tied up by a recorded covenant.

Source References

• Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.05 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Standards: §§ 17.05.010–.030 purpose/applicability/general rules; § 17.05.040 minimum parking by use (Table 17.05‑1 and notes); § 17.05.050 access; § 17.05.060 facility standards and dimensions (Table 17.05‑2); § 17.05.070 improvements; § 17.05.080 shared/remote parking and Downtown in‑lieu.
• Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.06 Landscaping standards affecting parking lots and single‑family front‑yard paving (15% parking‑lot landscaping, planter curbs; single‑family hardscape cap).
• Downtown (Chapter 17.19) — BMU and SSMU zones and Downtown‑wide design items (bicycle parking, curb cuts, visibility of structured parking).
• Manufacturing Zone front‑setback interaction with front parking (§ 17.03.100).
• Recycling enclosure accommodations for existing sites (§ 17.04.084).
• Variations via modification of standards up to 20% parking reduction (§ 17.02.120.A.7).
• See the Beaumont overview pages for context: Beaumont zoning & planning overview, Beaumont Land Use, Beaumont Overlay Districts, Beaumont Nonconforming Uses.

Retrieved passages

• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 12.18) High relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 17.05) High relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 17.05) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 17.05) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Section 17.05.080) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Article 21) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 17.05.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (Chapter 11) High relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (Chapter 17.05) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (Chapter 11) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Beaumont Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.05 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Standards: §§ 17.05.010–.030 purpose/applicability/general rules; § 17.05.040 minimum parking by use (Table 17.05‑1 and notes); § 17.05.050 access; § 17.05.060 facility standards and dimensions (Table 17.05‑2); § 17.05.070 improvements; § 17.05.080 shared/remote parking and Downtown in‑lieu. (Title 17)
• Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.06 Landscaping standards affecting parking lots and single‑family front‑yard paving (15% parking‑lot landscaping, planter curbs; single‑family hardscape cap). (Title 17)
• Downtown (Chapter 17.19) — BMU and SSMU zones and Downtown‑wide design items (bicycle parking, curb cuts, visibility of structured parking). (Chapter 17.19)
• Manufacturing Zone front‑setback interaction with front parking (§ 17.03.100). (§ 17.03.100)
• Recycling enclosure accommodations for existing sites (§ 17.04.084). (§ 17.04.084)
• Variations via modification of standards up to 20% parking reduction (§ 17.02.120.A.7). (§ 17.02.120.A.7)
• See the Beaumont overview pages for context: Beaumont zoning & planning overview, Beaumont Land Use, Beaumont Overlay Districts, Beaumont Nonconforming Uses.
• Beaumont_ZoningCode.md

• Official Beaumont code library