Bell — Parking

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Bell’s zoning code places all citywide off‑street parking and loading rules in Title 17, Chapter 17.76. These standards apply across zones and are paired with district chapters that cross‑reference Chapter 17.76. Use‑by‑use minimums, how and where spaces may be placed, shared parking, off‑site parking for commercial/industrial, and loading berths are all specified there. This page interprets Chapter 17.76 and how it applies in Bell’s mapped districts, linking back to the Bell Zoning framework and the adopted parking layout standards in Appendix A of Chapter 17.76.

Citywide Off‑Street Parking Framework (Title 17, Chapter 17.76)

• Off‑street parking and loading required in every zone. Every permitted use must permanently provide and maintain off‑street parking and loading as an accessory use, per Chapter 17.76’s requirements (§ 17.76.010; citation ).
• Minimum parking ratios by use. The code lists specific counts by use type (commercial, industrial, residential, assembly, lodging, medical, schools, warehouses, etc.) (§ 17.76.020; citations ).
• Mixed occupancies. For mixed‑use buildings, add up each use’s requirement; one use’s spaces generally cannot count for another unless joint‑use parking is approved (§ 17.76.030; citation ).
• Joint use (shared) parking. Daytime‑dominant and nighttime/Sunday‑dominant uses may share parking if: the parking lot is within 150 ft of the use, hours do not conflict, and a recorded agreement is approved by the City Attorney (§ 17.76.040; citation ).
• Plan approval. A parking plan must be submitted with the building permit application (or before commencing a use if no building permit is required). Plans must show the layout, curb cuts, lighting, landscaping, and other features (§ 17.76.050; citation ). If your project also triggers Bell Design Review, coordinate both tracks early.
• Space size and compact stalls. Standard stalls are at least 9 ft by 20 ft. Up to 20% compact spaces (7.5 ft by 15 ft) are allowed only for uses on C or M‑zoned lots; compact stalls must be signed/marked. All required spaces need adequate ingress/egress (§ 17.76.060.A; citation ).
• Driveways and circulation. Residential driveways serving eight or fewer spaces must be at least 10 ft wide; others at least 20 ft. Driveways on C or M‑zoned lots must be at least 24 ft wide. Commercial/industrial lots must be designed for forward motion when entering a street (no backing into the street) (§ 17.76.060.B; citation ).
• Striping, signs, upkeep. Stalls must be striped (≥3 in. lines), and directional/“no parking” signs posted where required. Parking areas must be kept clean; landscaped areas must be irrigated/maintained (§ 17.76.060; citation ).
• Landscaping in C zones. Where a C‑zoned lot adjoins a street, landscape at least 6% of gross lot area; install curbs along landscaped edges; minimum planting sizes and planter widths apply (§ 17.76.070; citation ). Coordinate with Bell Landscaping and Screening.
• Off‑site parking for C and M zones. Commercial/industrial projects may place some required parking off‑site when: it’s within 400 ft walking distance; a guarantee acceptable to the City Attorney is recorded; and at least 80% of the spaces (but not fewer than 10 spaces) remain on the same lot as the use (§ 17.76.080; citation ).
• Residential placement rules and setbacks.
  • No off‑street parking may be located in front of a dwelling unless in R‑2 or R‑3 (§ 17.76.090.A.1; citation ).
  • R‑1 required parking must be in garages; in R‑2 and R‑3, at least 50% of required spaces must be in garages (§ 17.76.090.B; citation ).
  • Alley‑served parking must have a 25‑ft turning area (alley width can count). Street‑served garages must be set back at least 22 ft; open spaces must be set back at least the required yard depth (§ 17.76.090.A.3; citation ).
  • On reversed‑corner lots, open parking may be in the rear yard except directly behind the required street‑side yard; open spaces may be in side yards except the street‑side yard on corner/reversed‑corner lots (§ 17.76.090.A.4–5; citation ).
• Loading spaces. Detailed minimums by building size and use (commercial, industrial, hospitals/institutions, hotels/motels/offices) and dimensional standards: loading spaces at least 40 ft by 10 ft by 14 ft clear; passenger loading spaces at least 20 ft by 10 ft by 12 ft clear. No loading space in required parking areas, and no alley/street area may count as required loading (§ 17.76.100; citations ).
• Appendix A adopted. Layout charts/diagrams/standards in Appendix A (dated Nov. 16, 1987) are incorporated by reference; all off‑street parking must conform to those standards (§ 17.76.110; citation ). See Bell Development Standards.
• EV charging. Bell uses an expedited process for electric vehicle charging stations and DC fast chargers consistent with Government Code 65850.7; installations must meet applicable health/safety requirements (§ 17.76.120; citation ). Electrical and green code compliance is governed by the California Building Standards Code.
• Bicycle parking. Not found in retrieved materials.

Selected parking ratios and core standards

District‑by‑District Application

Bell’s mapped zoning districts each point back to Chapter 17.76 for parking, but there are important district‑specific nuances that affect how you site and design spaces. Check your parcel’s zoning on the Bell zoning & planning overview, then apply the below.

R-1 Single-Family Residential

• Purpose/uses: Low‑density residential; single‑family homes.
• Parking baselines: The R‑1 district requires 2 spaces per dwelling in a 20' x 20' garage (§ 17.76.020; citation ). All required spaces must be in a garage (§ 17.76.090.B; citation ).
• Placement/driveways: No off‑street parking in front of the dwelling; garage setback from street at least 22 ft; alley‑served parking needs a 25‑ft turning area; driveway/apron rules apply (§ 17.76.090.A.1, A.3; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped as R‑1. Verify parcel zoning with the City.

R-2 Two-Family Residential

• Purpose/uses: Duplexes and compatible residential.
• Parking baselines: 2 spaces per dwelling in 20' x 20' garages; multifamily projects must also provide 1 guest space per 3 units (§ 17.76.020; citation ).
• Placement/driveways: At least 50% of required spaces must be in garages; front‑yard open parking is allowed in R‑2 (subject to setbacks). Alley turn/garage setback rules match citywide standards (§ 17.76.090.A–B; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped as R‑2. Verify with the City.

R-3 Multiple-Family Residential

• Purpose/uses: Apartments and higher‑density residential.
• Parking baselines: 2 spaces per dwelling in 20' x 20' garages + 1 guest per 3 units (§ 17.76.020; citation ).
• Placement/driveways: At least 50% of required spaces must be in garages; front‑yard open parking is allowed in R‑3 (subject to setbacks). Apply alley turning and 22' garage setback rules (§ 17.76.090.A–B; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped as R‑3. Verify with the City. For attached housing, note the condominium standards also require two spaces per unit with 50% in enclosed garages (§ condominium parking; citation ).

C-3 General Commercial

• Purpose/uses: General retail/service commercial.
• Parking baselines: Commercial uses follow the Chapter 17.76 C‑zone schedule (e.g., 1/200 sf under 5,000 sf; tiered standards above that) (§ 17.76.020; citation ).
• Placement/landscaping: Off‑street parking is required; projects must also meet the 6% landscaping rule where fronting a street (§ 17.76.070; citation ). C‑3 development standards explicitly require parking and loading per Chapter 17.76 (§ C‑3 standards; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped as C‑3, typically along major corridors.

C-3R Mixed Commercial/Residential

• Purpose/uses: Mixed commercial and residential along corridors.
• Parking baselines: Commercial uses follow the C‑zone schedule; residential components follow the dwelling unit standards above (§ 17.76.020; citations ). C‑3R development standards reference Chapter 17.76 for parking/loading (§ C‑3R standards; citation ).
• Placement/landscaping: Apply the same 6% C‑lot landscaping rule where fronting a street (§ 17.76.070; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped C‑3R.

C-M Commercial–Manufacturing

• Purpose/uses: Heavier commercial with light industrial.
• Parking baselines: Uses follow Chapter 17.76; typical industrial/warehouse counts often apply to C‑M businesses (e.g., 1/1,000 sf for warehouses; 1/500 sf for M‑type industrial) (§ 17.76.020; citations ). C‑M standards require off‑street parking per Chapter 17.76 (§ C‑M standards; citation ).
• Placement: Off‑street parking must be provided outside required yard areas; design/driveway width 24 ft min and forward‑motion egress applies (§ 17.76.060.B; citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped C‑M.

M Industrial

• Purpose/uses: Manufacturing, industrial services and warehousing.
• Parking baselines: General rule is 1 space per 500 sf GFA (unless a more specific use standard applies), plus loading per § 17.76.100 (§ 17.76.020; citation ). M‑zone standards require parking/loading per Chapter 17.76 (§ M standards; citation ).
• Placement: C/M driveway and forward‑motion egress rules apply (§ 17.76.060.B; citation ). Off‑site parking may be approved within 400 ft subject to § 17.76.080 (citation ).
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped M in industrial areas.

Note: If your project also involves accessory dwelling units, see the dedicated Bell ADUs page for ADU‑specific parking rules; ADUs are regulated under Chapter 17.54 (citation to ADUs in R‑1 uses ).

Checklist

• Identify your zoning district and principal use category on the Bell Zoning map/list.
• Calculate required off‑street parking using the correct § 17.76.020 ratio for your use(s), adding them for mixed occupancies (§ 17.76.030; citations ).
• For residential: confirm garage requirements (R‑1 all in garage; R‑2/R‑3 at least 50% in garage), and apply guest parking where multifamily (§ 17.76.090; citations ).
• If proposing shared parking: document hours, confirm lots are within 150 ft, and prepare a recordable agreement (§ 17.76.040; citation ).
• If proposing off‑site parking for C/M: locate within 400 ft, guarantee the lot, and keep ≥80% (min. 10 stalls) on the same lot as the use (§ 17.76.080; citation ).
• Design geometry to Appendix A and § 17.76.060: stall sizes, compact limits, driveways, forward motion egress, striping/signage (§§ 17.76.060–.110; citations ).
• Provide required landscaping where applicable (e.g., 6% for C lots on a street) (§ 17.76.070; citation ) and coordinate with Bell Landscaping and Screening.
• Size and place loading spaces per § 17.76.100; keep them out of required parking areas (citations ).
• Submit a parking plan with your permit application for approval (§ 17.76.050; citation ).
• If installing EV charging, use the expedited process in § 17.76.120 and ensure compliance with the California Building Standards Code (citation ).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Bell requires you to provide and keep up off‑street parking and, for many projects, on‑site loading. Most stores and offices follow simple square‑footage‑based ratios, homes need two garage spaces per unit, and apartments add guest spaces. The city sets exact stall sizes, driveway widths, and striping rules, and allows limited compact stalls in commercial/industrial zones. You can apply for shared parking if the lot is close, or limited off‑site parking for commercial or industrial uses. Plan your layout to Appendix A, landscape where required, and submit a parking plan with your permit.

Source References

• Bell Municipal Code Chapter 17.76 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Requirements: §§ 17.76.010–.020, .030–.050 (citations )
• § 17.76.060 Parking areas—Installation and maintenance standards (citations )
• § 17.76.070 Parking areas—Landscaping requirements (citation )
• § 17.76.080 Location of commercial or industrial parking facilities (citation )
• § 17.76.090 Location of off‑street parking facilities (citations )
• § 17.76.100 Loading space requirements (citations )
• § 17.76.110 Appendix A adoption; § 17.76.120 EVCS/DCFC expedited process (citation )
• District chapters referencing parking/loading: C‑3 (§ development standards; citation ), C‑3R (§ development standards; citation ), C‑M (§ development standards; citation ), M (§ development standards; citation )
• Residential parking details (dwelling unit ratios; driveway/apron/garage placement) (§ 17.76.020 and § 17.76.090; citations )
• Nonconforming parking change‑of‑use rule (citation )

Retrieved passages

• Bell Zoning Code (Chapter 17.76.) High relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code (§ 9318) High relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code (§ 17.72.060.) High relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code (§ 9396a) Medium relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Bell Zoning Code (§ 9318) Medium relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 17.76.110 (§ 17.76.110.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Bell Municipal Code Chapter 17.76 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Requirements: §§ 17.76.010–.020, .030–.050 (citations ) (Chapter 17.76)
• § 17.76.060 Parking areas—Installation and maintenance standards (citations ) (§ 17.76.060)
• § 17.76.070 Parking areas—Landscaping requirements (citation ) (§ 17.76.070)
• § 17.76.080 Location of commercial or industrial parking facilities (citation ) (§ 17.76.080)
• § 17.76.090 Location of off‑street parking facilities (citations ) (§ 17.76.090)
• § 17.76.100 Loading space requirements (citations ) (§ 17.76.100)
• § 17.76.110 Appendix A adoption; § 17.76.120 EVCS/DCFC expedited process (citation ) (§ 17.76.110)
• District chapters referencing parking/loading: C‑3 (§ development standards; citation ), C‑3R (§ development standards; citation ), C‑M (§ development standards; citation ), M (§ development standards; citation ) (§ development)
• Residential parking details (dwelling unit ratios; driveway/apron/garage placement) (§ 17.76.020 and § 17.76.090; citations ) (§ 17.76.020)
• Nonconforming parking change‑of‑use rule (citation )
• Bell_ZoningCode.md

• Official Bell code library