Local zoning · Burlingame

Burlingame — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Burlingame's Zoning Ordinance (Title 25) requires about parking—off-street vehicle parking, loading, bicycle parking, electric‑vehicle spaces, and special rules that apply in specific districts (Downtown, Broadway Mixed‑Use, residential zones, mixed‑use zones). The rules are applied through Chapter 25.40 (Parking Regulations) and related zoning district chapters; this page cites the controlling § numbers and explains practical implications for applicants. See the city's zoning rules for design review steps and technical building code requirements. For design and entitlement links: see Burlingame Zoning, Burlingame Development Standards, Burlingame Design Review, Burlingame Overlay Districts, Burlingame ADUs, and California Building Standards Code.

(Inline links — first natural mention of each topic: "parking" below links to the Burlingame Zoning page. Other required links are included where those topics are first discussed.)

Core rules (what the ordinance says)

  • General purpose and applicability: Chapter 25.40 establishes the goals for off‑street parking, including avoiding spillover to neighborhoods, minimizing land consumed by parking, encouraging TDM/shared parking/mechanical solutions, providing bicycle parking and EV readiness, and reducing design/urban impacts — § 25.40.010 .

  • Minimum on‑site requirement and calculations: Required off‑street parking must be provided at time of new construction, intensification, or enlargement; required spaces are measured against Table 25.40‑1 (parking by use) and are calculated on gross floor area unless otherwise stated; where multiple uses are present the requirements are added together unless a reduction is approved — § 25.40.020 and § 25.40.030 .

  • Parking reductions and alternatives: The code allows shared parking, unbundled parking for residential projects, reductions for projects adjacent to transit, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) reductions (20% for projects with an approved TDM Plan), and reductions via minor modification or Planning Commission special permit when supported by a parking demand study — § 25.40.040 and Chapter 25.43 (TDM) .

  • Bicycle parking: Minimum bicycle parking is required for multifamily, public/civic, schools, retail, commercial, office and industrial uses; standards defer to the CalGreen / successor building code for some elements; location, minimum dimensions (2' x 6' per space plus 5' maneuvering), and long‑term bike parking standards are spelled out in § 25.40.050 .

  • Electric vehicle (EV) parking and charging: EV spaces and charging infrastructure are required in accordance with CalGreen and local Reach/energy codes; EV spaces count toward minimum parking and charging equipment cannot obstruct pedestrian paths — § 25.40.060 .

  • Parking area design (landscaping, screening, compact/tandem, mechanical lifts, valet): Surface parking requires landscape buffers, minimum 10% landscaped area, heat‑island tree requirements (1 tree per 3 spaces), screening from streets and more restrictive adjacent districts, restricted compact‑car allowances for commercial/industrial (table in § 25.40.070), tandem parking allowances for residential (with Minor Modification), mechanical parking lifts allowed under performance standards and subject to design review (including a covenant and minimum non‑mechanical share), and valet rules exist under Chapter 6.30 — § 25.40.070 and related subsections H (Mechanical Lifts) and I (Valet) .

  • ADU parking: Accessory Dwelling Units are governed by § 25.48.030; in general one off‑street parking space is required for an ADU unless the ADU qualifies for state exemptions listed in the code; the ADU space may be tandem or located in setbacks unless site constraints or safety prevent it; the section cross‑references state ADU rules — § 25.48.030 .

  • Nonconforming parking: Existing nonconforming parking may remain, but any change of use or intensification that increases parking demand triggers full compliance with Chapter 25.40; there is a BRMU exception for catastrophe rebuilds — § 25.58.010 .

  • Downtown / Broadway exceptions: Properties inside the Downtown Specific Plan parking sector are exempt from off‑street parking for uses located on the first floor and below if within the parking sector; Broadway Mixed‑Use (BRMU) has special transitional rules that can limit requirements on change of ground floor uses — § 25.40.030.C and § 25.40.030.D .

Quick reference table — the most decision‑relevant standards

What (typical decision trigger) Key rule / requirement Code reference
Single‑unit dwelling parking Two (2) off‑street spaces required; one covered (garage/carport) required; restrictions on parking between structure and front property line apply § 25.40.030.B
Two‑unit / Multi‑unit dwellings Unit‑based schedule (studio/1‑bed/2‑bed/3+ varies; guest parking rules in Downtown/BRMU/RRMU/NBMU differ) — see Table 25.40‑1 § 25.40.030 (Table 25.40‑1)
ADUs 1 off‑street parking space per ADU unless an exemption applies; space may be tandem or in setback unless infeasible § 25.48.030
Bicycle parking Minimum bicycle parking for many uses per CalGreen; 2' x 6' min per outdoor bike stall + 5' maneuvering; long‑term secure facilities required for some uses § 25.40.050
EV charging EV spaces/charging required per CalGreen/Reach Code; must count toward minimum parking; equipment cannot obstruct pedestrian routes § 25.40.060
Parking reductions / TDM Shared parking, transit‑adjacent exemptions, TDM plan reduction (20% with TDM); reductions via minor modification or Commission findings when supported by parking study § 25.40.040; Chapter 25.43
Parking design 10% of parking area landscaped; 5 ft buffer to sidewalk where parking abuts street; one tree per 3 spaces; compact car limitations; tandem/valet/mechanical comments in § 25.40.070 § 25.40.070

District‑by‑district breakdown (where parking rules differ or district context matters)

Note: the following summarizes the zoning districts as used by the parking rules. For full use lists and dimensional tables consult the referenced §§ and tables.

R-1 (Single‑Unit Residential)

  • Purpose & where it applies: Residential neighborhoods (Chapter 25.10). See § 25.10.010 for purpose and applicability of R‑district rules .
  • Typical permitted uses: Single‑unit dwellings, accessory uses (including ADUs subject to § 25.48.030) — see Chapter 25.10 (use regulations) .
  • Key dimensional / parking standards: Two (2) off‑street spaces per single‑unit dwelling, one must be covered; driveway/front parking limits (garages required to meet setback rules); side‑setback and declining height envelope rules apply in R‑1 (affects garage placement) — see § 25.40.030.B and § 25.10.055 .
  • Practical: If you propose converting garage area to living space / ADU, check § 25.48.030 for ADU parking rules and state ADU limits; verify garage conversions don’t create nonconformance that triggers parking mitigation — § 25.48.030 .

R-2 / R-3 / R-4 (Two‑unit and Multi‑unit Residential)

  • Purpose & where it applies: Multi‑family and higher density residential districts (Chapter 25.10 and 25.04 references) .
  • Typical uses: Duplexes, multi‑unit apartments, senior housing (per district allowances) — see Table sets in Chapter 25.10 and Table 25.40‑1 for parking by unit type .
  • Key parking standards: Unit‑based parking schedule (e.g., 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 depending on unit size/bedrooms — see Table 25.40‑1); guest parking requirements vary (Downtown Specific Plan, BRMU, RRMU, NBMU, and R‑4 have specific guest rules) — § 25.40.030 (Table 25.40‑1) .
  • Practical: Projects with many units must show covered parking ratio (80% coverage target for some residential projects) and consider unbundled parking or TDM to reduce required stalls — § 25.40.030 / § 25.40.040 .

CMU / BRMU / RRMU / NBMU (Mixed‑Use & Broadway Mixed‑Use)

  • Purpose & where it applies: Mixed‑use neighborhoods and Broadway corridor. See Chapter 25.14 for these mixed‑use districts and Table 25.14‑1 for permitted uses and limitations .
  • Typical uses: Ground‑floor retail/food service, upper‑floor residential, offices, live/work (with restrictions on Broadway ground floor) — see Table 25.14‑1 .
  • Key parking standards / exceptions:
    • Downtown Specific Plan / Parking Sector: uses on the first floor and below in the Downtown parking sector are exempt from off‑street parking; uses above the first floor must provide parking per the chapter — § 25.40.030.C .
    • BRMU (Broadway Mixed‑Use): change of ground‑floor use is not automatically required to add parking beyond what's existing at time of change; upper‑floor uses must meet parking rules — § 25.40.030.D .
  • Practical: For downtown/BRMU projects expect special parking sector rules, and prepare a parking demand memo if seeking shared‑parking or reductions — § 25.40.040 .

Downtown districts — BAC, BMU, CAC, CAR, DAC, HMU, MMU

  • Purpose & where it applies: Downtown core and neighborhood activity centers; see § 25.16.020 — Table 25.16‑1 for use allowances and § 25.16.030 for development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, open space) — § 25.16.020 / § 25.16.030 .
  • Typical uses: Mixed‑use developments, retail, restaurants, limited lodging, public facilities; residential often allowed above ground floor with specific limits — Table 25.16‑1 .
  • Key parking considerations: Downtown ground‑floor exemptions, minimum landscaping in setbacks, and design standards that push parking to the rear/side or to structured/underground solutions; compact/tandem and mechanical lifts are options subject to design review — § 25.16.030 and § 25.40.070 .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before permits are complete)

  • Confirm your use classification and calculate required spaces using Table 25.40‑1 (or get Director determination if not listed) — § 25.40.030 .
  • Provide required on‑site parking on the same lot, unless a recorded shared‑parking agreement or variance is approved — § 25.40.020 .
  • If requesting a parking reduction, prepare a parking demand study and/or TDM Plan (20% reduction available with approved TDM) — § 25.40.040 and Chapter 25.43 .
  • For bicycle parking, provide bike racks/lockers/rooms per § 25.40.050 and CalGreen; show location and dimensions on site plan — § 25.40.050 .
  • For EV readiness, show required EV spaces and equipment per § 25.40.060 and CalGreen/Reach Code; ensure chargers don’t block pedestrian paths — § 25.40.060 .
  • Provide landscaping, buffers, tree shading plan for parking area (10% minimum landscaped; 1 tree per 3 spaces) and screening from public streets — § 25.40.070 and Chapter 25.36 .
  • If using tandem, mechanical lifts, or valet to meet requirements, include management/operation covenants and performance standards in application and obtain Minor Modification/Design Review approvals as required — § 25.40.070.H/I .
  • For ADUs, follow § 25.48.030 for parking exemptions and allowed configurations — § 25.48.030 .
  • Verify whether your project sits within the Downtown parking sector or BRMU and apply the specific exemptions or rules — § 25.40.030.C‑D .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Exact numeric entry for a given use in Table 25.40‑1 Table 25.40‑1 contains many specific ratios and some images/text were omitted in the retrieval; wrong ratio means under/over‑parking Check the full Table 25.40‑1 in the official code PDF/ecode360 and cite § 25.40.030 before design submittal
Whether a parcel lies inside the Downtown parking sector Downtown sector exemptions (first‑floor exemption) materially change required stalls Verify parcel is inside the Parking Sector Map (Downtown Specific Plan Figure 3‑3) and reference § 25.40.030.C
ADU parking exemptions under state law vs. local code State ADU rules can limit local parking requirements; Burlingame defers to state exemptions in part Confirm ADU status and follow § 25.48.030 and applicable Government Code provisions; if uncertain, "Verify with the jurisdiction"
Use of mechanical lifts / percent allowable Mechanical lifts are allowed but subject to design review and a minimum non‑mechanical share (up to 25% exception) Provide lift specs and operational covenant per § 25.40.070.H; obtain design review and record covenant
Compact or tandem parking percentages Compact/tandem allowances are limited and differ by district/use; neighborhood compatibility matters Confirm compact space limits in § 25.40.070.F‑G and request Minor Modification where applicable
Bicycle parking specifics (long‑term vs short‑term) CalGreen is referenced for detailed counts and standards, not repeated verbatim Consult CalGreen / California Building Standards Code for required counts; Burlingame requires location/size in § 25.40.050

Plain‑English summary

Burlingame requires most new and intensified uses to provide off‑street parking per a use table and district rules; the code offers flexibility (shared parking, TDM reductions, mechanical lifts, and downtown exemptions) and requires bike parking, EV readiness, screening, and landscaping. Always confirm the exact table numbers and whether your parcel is in the Downtown parking sector or BRMU because exemptions and guest‑parking rules differ. Key rules live in § 25.40.010–.070 and ADU exceptions are in § 25.48.030 — verify with the Planning Department on parcel‑specific application.

Information Gaps

  • Full, legible contents of Table 25.40‑1 (the PDF/images had omitted portions in the retrieval); some per‑use numbers and guest parking cells were partially truncated in the provided extract — confirm the table in the official code online or the Planning counter. Not fully visible in retrieved materials — see § 25.40.030 .
  • The Downtown Parking Sector Map (Figure 3‑3 of the Downtown Specific Plan) reference—map graphic was not included in the retrieved text; determine whether your parcel is within that sector (affects exemptions) — see § 25.40.030.C .
  • Exact mechanical lift equipment specification and local Reach Code numeric triggers for EV counts are referenced to CalGreen and Burlingame Reach Code but the building‑code excerpts are not included here — consult the California Building Standards Code and local Reach Code for technical specs.

Source References

  • Burlingame Zoning — Chapter 25, Parking Regulations: § 25.40.010–§ 25.40.070 (purpose, general provisions, required spaces, reductions, bicycle parking, EV parking, design and development standards) . (Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/BU4910)
  • ADU Parking and ADU development standards: § 25.48.030 (Accessory Dwelling Units — parking subsection) .
  • Nonconforming parking rules: § 25.58.010 .
  • Downtown and Broadway mixed‑use district rules, use tables, and development standards: § 25.14.020, Table 25.14‑1 (mixed use districts) and § 25.16.020 / § 25.16.030 (Downtown tables) .
  • Transportation Demand Management requirements (reductions): Chapter 25.43 (TDM) and associated required findings § 25.43.050‑070 .
  • Mechanical parking and valet performance standards: § 25.40.070.H‑I .
  • Note: The Burlingame code cross‑references CalGreen / California building code requirements for bicycle parking and EV charging equipment; the technical specs are in the state code and the local Reach code (see California Building Standards Code link above).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.40.020) High relevance
  • CGBSC § 25.40.040 (Chapter 25.43) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
  • CGBSC § 25.40.050 (Section 65863.2.) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.40.070) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (Section 25.40.070.H) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.40.030) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.36.040.) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.40.030) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (Section 243) High relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (Chapter 25.33) Medium relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (CHAPTER 25.58) Medium relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (Section 25.40.040.B.) Medium relevance
  • Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.16.020) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What are the off‑street parking requirements for a single‑family home in Burlingame?

Single‑unit dwellings must provide two (2) off‑street parking spaces, and one of those must be covered (garage/carport). Driveway/front‑yard parking is limited by setback rules (garage/front setback rules), so check § 25.40.030.B and the R‑district setback rules when siting a garage. § 25.40.030.B

How does Burlingame treat parking for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)?

ADU parking follows § 25.48.030: typically one off‑street space per ADU is required unless an exemption applies; the ADU parking space may be tandem or in a setback in many cases. Burlingame also defers to state ADU rules where applicable — verify exemptions on your lot. § 25.48.030

Do downtown Burlingame projects still need to provide parking for ground‑floor uses?

Not always. Within the Downtown Specific Plan parking sector, the code exempts first‑floor and below uses from off‑street parking requirements; upper‑floor uses still must provide required parking as shown in § 25.40.030.C. Confirm whether your parcel sits inside the Downtown parking sector map. § 25.40.030.C

Can I reduce required parking by providing a Transportation Demand Management plan?

Yes. A project required to submit a TDM plan pursuant to Chapter 25.43 may take a 20% reduction in off‑street parking if the TDM plan is approved; shared parking and other reductions are available with supporting studies and findings under § 25.40.040. § 25.40.040; Chapter 25.43

What does Burlingame require for bicycle parking?

Burlingame requires bicycle parking for multifamily, public/civic, schools, retail, office, and industrial uses and defers counts/details to CalGreen / successor code; the municipal standards add location, minimum outdoor stall size (2' x 6') and 5' maneuvering area — see § 25.40.050. § 25.40.050

Are electric vehicle charging spaces required?

Yes. The code requires EV parking/charging equipment per CalGreen and local Reach code; EV spaces count toward minimum parking and chargers cannot obstruct pedestrian routes — see § 25.40.060 and coordinate technical specs with the California Building Standards Code. § 25.40.060

Can I use mechanical parking lifts or tandem parking to meet parking requirements?

Burlingame allows tandem parking for specified residential situations (Minor Modification or design review) and mechanical parking lifts in commercial/mixed‑use/multiunit contexts subject to performance standards, a required non‑mechanical share in some cases, maintenance covenants and design review — see § 25.40.070.H‑I. § 25.40.070.H‑I

If my building is damaged and rebuilt, must I add parking?

Generally, additional parking is required only for net increases in floor area or new uses. A special exception exists for the BRMU district (Broadway Mixed‑Use) for catastrophe rebuilds — see § 25.40.020 and § 25.58.010. § 25.40.020 § 25.58.010

How do I find what exact number of parking spaces my commercial tenant needs?

Use the land‑use table, Table 25.40‑1 under § 25.40.030, which lists ratios (for example retail, eating/drinking, offices, and many other uses). If your specific use isn't listed, the Director will set the requirement by similarity; always reference the table when preparing plans. § 25.40.030

Where are compact car and landscape rules for parking lots?

Parking lot layout, compact car allowances, landscaping (minimum 10% of parking area), perimeter buffers (5 ft where abutting public streets), and tree shading (1 tree per 3 spaces) are in § 25.40.070 and Chapter 25.36 for landscape details. § 25.40.070

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