Local zoning · Calimesa

Calimesa — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Calimesa’s zoning code requires for parking (off-street vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, accessible/van, loading) and how those rules interact with local districts and development standards. The controlling rules are in the Calimesa Municipal Code, Title 18, Chapter 18.45 — Off‑Street Parking; specific districts change how those rules apply (for example, the DVC downtown zone uses its own Table for required spaces). See the city’s zoning rules for context on how parking fits into site design and approvals. § 18.45.010–020

Core rules — what the Calimesa code actually says

  • Off‑street parking (vehicle and bicycle) is required for any new building, new use, addition/enlargement, or any occupancy change that creates additional demand per the chapter. § 18.45.020
  • No building may be occupied until required off‑street parking is provided and approved. § 18.45.030(F)(1)
  • Fractional spaces round up; parking provided is a continuing obligation and cannot be removed without replacement. § 18.45.030(C–D)
  • The number of required automobile parking spaces for specific uses is set in Table 18.45.060 (examples below). § 18.45.060
  • Accessible (handicap) parking quantities, signage and dimensions are specified in Table 18.45.070 and associated text (including van spaces and slope limits). § 18.45.070
  • Bicycle and motorcycle parking minima and basic design standards are in § 18.45.080 (bicycle counts by auto-space bands; bicycle rack design, maneuvering space, etc.). § 18.45.080
  • Carpool / vanpool / ZEV preferred spaces are required for nonresidential uses per § 18.45.090 and must be proximate to entrances and signed. § 18.45.090
  • Shared parking is allowed under conditions (distance, non‑overlapping peak hours, legal agreement) and can be used to reduce on‑site requirements when approved. § 18.45.110
  • Loading spaces (dimensions and counts by building size and use) are mandatory for nonresidential uses; minimum dimensions and counts are in § 18.45.120. § 18.45.120
  • Parking design and improvements (stall dimensions/angles, aisle widths, paving, striping, wheel stops, pedestrian walkways, lighting, drainage, landscaping) are in § 18.45.100 and referenced landscape rules. § 18.45.100 ; parking landscaping details referenced in § 18.70.130
  • Sites that generate many employees or trips must comply with the City’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) requirements (Chapter 18.100) — this can affect parking (reduced parking, parking analysis, penalties). Chapter 18.100
  • Restrictions on parking commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, and temporary RV guest parking in residential zones are in § 18.45.130–140. § 18.45.130–140

District-by-district (how parking is applied across Calimesa’s districts)

The city establishes zone districts in § 18.05.080; the code expects applicants to use Chapter 18.45 rules unless a district provides its own table or modifications. § 18.05.080

Note: where a district has its own parking table or exceptions, that local district citation is given.

Residential districts — R-E, R-R, R-L, R-L-M, R-M, R-H

  • Purpose / typical uses: conventional single‑family and multifamily housing and accessory uses; the detailed use list is in Chapter 18.20. § 18.20.030–050
  • Parking: residential parking counts are established in Table 18.45.060 (examples: single‑family = 2 covered spaces within an enclosed garage; apartments: studio/1‑BR = 1 covered + 1 guest per 5 units; 2+ BR = 2 covered + 1 guest/5 units). § 18.45.060
  • Special notes: multifamily projects are required to provide additional amenities related to parking (hose bibs per number of parking stalls, RV storage ratios for larger complexes) — see § 18.20.050. § 18.20.050
  • Where it applies: all parcels mapped as those residential zones on the Official Zoning Map. § 18.05.090–100

Commercial districts — C‑N, C‑C, C‑R, O‑P

  • Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood to regional retail, services, offices; permitted-use lists are in Chapter 18.25. § 18.25.030
  • Parking: commercial uses use the generic Table 18.45.060 unless a specific district table applies; many retail/professional uses are 1 space per 300 sq. ft. or similar examples listed in Table 18.45.060. § 18.45.060
  • Design/placement: commercial parking must meet the paving/landscaping/lighting and stall dimension standards of § 18.45.100 and Chapter 18.70. § 18.45.100

Mixed‑Use districts — R‑MU, C‑MU, O‑MU

  • Purpose: integrate housing and commercial on the same blocks; parking here is explicitly intended to be shared and pedestrian‑oriented. § 18.28.010–050
  • Parking specifics: mixed‑use parking is meant to be shared among properties and provided via behind‑building lots and on‑street stalls; on‑site stall dimensions/aisles refer to § 18.45.100 while location/setback exceptions are in Table 18.28.050‑4 (e.g., parking between building and main street is not allowed, some zero side setbacks allowed). § 18.28.050
  • Practical effect: shared parking and tandem assignments are permitted up to the amounts stated in the code; plan review will evaluate configuration. § 18.28.050

Downtown business district zones — DVC, DNC, DVS

  • Purpose / typical uses: downtown shopping, visitor services, mixed uses oriented to Calimesa Blvd and pedestrian streets. § 18.39.020–045
  • Parking: DNC and DVS follow Chapter 18.45; DVC (Downtown Village Commercial) has its own required‑parking table (Table 18.39.060‑3) with specific residential and commercial ratios (e.g., studio = 1 covered per unit; 1‑BR = 1.5 covered per unit; restaurants = 1 per 120 sq. ft.; retail = 1 per 300 sq. ft.) — use Table 18.39.060‑3 for DVC projects. § 18.39.060 (Table 18.39.060‑3)
  • Design: downtown standards require tighter frontages, pedestrian emphasis and landscaping; parking reductions are possible where shared parking is demonstrated. § 18.39.060

Industrial / Business Park — L‑I, B‑P

  • Purpose: light manufacturing, warehousing, business parks. § 18.30.010–060
  • Parking: Table 18.45.060 lists industry-specific ratios (e.g., manufacturing = 1/500 sq. ft.; warehouses = 1/1,000 sq. ft.; storage yards = 1/500 sq. ft.). Loading standards require larger spaces for tractor trailers where needed. § 18.45.060

Planned Residential Development — PRD

  • Purpose: flexible site design for residential developments; the PRD chapter explicitly requires off‑street parking per Chapter 18.45 and adds that additional spaces may be required to make up for reduced on‑street parking characteristic of PRDs (number determined by planning). § 18.40.010(I)
  • Practical: parking distribution and numbers in a PRD are determined during entitlement; expect a site‑specific analysis. § 18.40.010(I)

Public/Quasi‑Public P/Q, Calimesa Creek Overlay CCO, Open Space O‑S / O‑S‑R

  • P/Q and CCO are special districts that adopt Chapter 18.45 standards with site‑specific application rules and overlay conditions (e.g., CCO limits uses like commercial cannabis and requires creek setbacks). See § 18.40.020–030 and the overlay chapter. § 18.40.020–030

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant parking standards

Standard / item Requirement (short) Code Reference
Off‑street parking required for new uses/additions Off‑street vehicle and bicycle parking required for new buildings, new uses, enlargements, occupancy changes. § 18.45.020
Automobile parking: residential examples Single‑family = 2 covered (enclosed garage); Apartment 2+BR = 2 covered per unit + 1 guest/5 units. See full table for more uses. § 18.45.060
Automobile parking: commercial examples Retail/office typical: 1 space per 300 sq.ft.; Restaurants 1 per 120 sq.ft. (DVC table and Table 18.45.060 contain many specific ratios). § 18.45.060
Accessible parking Quantity and van/auto dimensions in Table 18.45.070; van spaces and signage rules; counts scale with total stalls. § 18.45.070
Bicycle parking Nonresidential: 1–49 autos = 5 bikes; 50–99 autos = 10 bikes; 100+ = 15 + 5 per 100; design & spacing standards in text. § 18.45.080
Motorcycle parking Minimum motorcycle area required depending on auto stall counts (tables within § 18.45.080). § 18.45.080
Loading Nonresidential loading min dims: 10'×20'×14' (standard); tractor‑trailer spaces 12'×45'×14'. Counts depend on building area (see Table 18.45.120). § 18.45.120
Stall dimensions & aisle widths Table 18.45.100 — e.g., 90° stall = 10'×19', aisle = 25'; 45° stall = 10'×20', aisle = 16'. § 18.45.100 (Table)
Parking lot landscaping Minimum landscaped percent varies with lot size: 5–24 spaces = 6%, 25–49 spaces = 8.5%, 50+ = 11%; shade requirement: 50% shading within 15 years. § 18.70.130
Shared parking conditions Shared parking allowed if non‑overlapping peak hours, within 200 ft, and legal agreement executed. § 18.45.110
TDM / trip reduction Projects that could employ 100+ persons must comply with Chapter 18.100 (trip reduction programs, parking analysis, possible reduced parking). Chapter 18.100

Checklist — what an applicant must supply to comply

  • Provide the required number of off‑street automobile spaces per Table 18.45.060 or the district table (e.g., DVC Table 18.39.060‑3 for DVC) and show covered vs. uncovered breakdown. § 18.45.060; § 18.39.060
  • Mark and stripe all required handicap spaces to state standards; show van space(s) if required and signage. § 18.45.020; § 18.45.070
  • Provide bicycle and motorcycle parking per § 18.45.080 and show rack type/location. § 18.45.080
  • Submit a parking plan with striping, stall angles, aisle widths, wheel stops, and pedestrian walkways per § 18.45.100; parking plan must be approved before re‑striping or resurfacing. § 18.45.100; § 18.45.030(F)(2)
  • Show loading areas (dimensions, orientation) and on‑site maneuvering for nonresidential uses. § 18.45.120
  • Show landscaping plan meeting parking landscaping percentages and 15‑year shading requirements. § 18.70.130; § 18.45.100
  • If proposing shared parking, submit a parking study and executed reciprocal agreement; show proximity (≤ 200 ft) and non‑overlapping hours. § 18.45.110
  • Confirm TDM requirements if project could employ 100+ people (trip reduction plan, possible reduced parking). Chapter 18.100
  • Show compliance with any district‑specific parking tables (e.g., DVC Table 18.39.060‑3) where applicable. § 18.39.060

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Shared‑parking reductions and director discretion Shared parking can reduce required stalls but depends on hours and legal agreements; approval is discretionary. Confirm acceptability of shared parking with the Planning Department and submit a parking study and signed reciprocal agreement. § 18.45.110
Mixed‑use / tandem parking allowances Mixed‑use and live‑work may allow tandem parking up to 50% for assigned residential stalls (not for guest). Miscounting can underdeliver required spaces. Verify how many assigned stalls may be tandem under § 18.28.050 and whether the project will rely on tandem to meet requirements. § 18.28.050; § 18.45.060
DVC special table vs. citywide table DVC uses Table 18.39.060‑3; using the wrong table leads to incorrect submittals. Use DVC table for projects in DVC zone; otherwise use Table 18.45.060. § 18.39.060; § 18.45.060
ADU parking reductions and state law State law limits ADU parking rules; local code may not be explicit. Relying on local silence without checking state rules is risky for permit issuance. Verify ADU parking treatment with planning (state ADU rules cap parking and allow tandem); state ADU guidance should be consulted. (Local ADU specifics: Not found in retrieved materials — see state ADU guidance) Not found in retrieved materials; see ADU guidance
In‑lieu payment / director authority Director may allow in‑lieu payment when on‑site parking is impractical; policy and fee schedule determine outcome. Confirm with planning/public works whether in‑lieu payment is available and the current fee schedule; cite § 18.45.060 note on in‑lieu. § 18.45.060
ADA / Building Code differences Accessible stall counts in the zoning code must still satisfy state accessibility/building rules (Title 24). Confirm accessible stall layout and signage against § 18.45.070 and Title 24 requirements (building code). § 18.45.070 ; verify with California Building Standards Code

Plain‑English summary

If you build or change how a building is used in Calimesa you must provide off‑street parking that meets the city’s tables and design rules (how many spaces, ADA stalls, bike racks, loading, landscaping, striping), and you cannot occupy the building until the city approves the parking plan; shared parking, tandem parking in some mixed‑use cases, and TDM measures can reduce required spaces but require studies and approvals. § 18.45.020–030; § 18.45.060; Chapter 18.100

Information Gaps

  • Exact local practice for ADU parking exemptions / whether the city has implemented local ADU parking waivers beyond state minimums: Not found in retrieved materials (verify with Planning).
  • Current in‑lieu parking fee schedule and administrative forms (code authorizes director discretion but fee amounts are set elsewhere): Not found in retrieved materials (verify with Finance/Planning).
  • Any recent amendments or Council resolutions changing parking ratios after the last eCode snapshot: verify with the Planning Department or Official Zoning Map updates. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

  • Calimesa Municipal Code, Title 18 — Chapter 18.45 Off‑Street Parking, § 18.45.010–140 (purpose, applicability, general provisions, number of spaces, handicapped, bicycle, carpool/ZEV, development standards, shared parking, loading, restrictions) — https://ecode360.com/CA4374 (see Chapter 18.45)
  • Table 18.45.060 — Number of Required Parking Spaces (residential/commercial/industrial examples). § 18.45.060 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.45.070 — Handicap parking quantities/dimensions/signage. § 18.45.070 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.45.080 — Bicycle and motorcycle parking requirements and design standards. § 18.45.080 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.45.100 — Development / parking design standards (stall dimensions, paving, walkways, lighting). § 18.45.100 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.45.110 — Shared parking provisions. § 18.45.110 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.45.120 — Loading requirements (dimensions, counts by building area). § 18.45.120 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • Chapter 18.39 — Downtown Business District development standards and Table 18.39.060‑3 (DVC required parking). § 18.39.060 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.28.050 — Mixed‑use parking intent and lot location/standards for R‑MU / C‑MU / O‑MU. § 18.28.050 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • § 18.05.080 — Zone districts established (lists R‑E, R‑L, C‑N, DVC, etc.). § 18.05.080 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • Chapter 18.100 — Transportation Demand Management requirements (trip reduction, parking analysis). Chapter 18.100 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • Parking lot landscaping and shading requirements (Chapter 18.70, § 18.70.130). § 18.70.130 — https://ecode360.com/CA4374
  • State ADU guidance on parking (for ADU-specific statewide limits referenced where local code is silent). ADU handbook (state guidance) — ADU parking rules (one space per ADU or per bedroom caps; exemptions list).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • CMC § 18.45.030 (§ 18.45.030) High relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 18.45) High relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 12.8.09.) High relevance
  • CMC § 18.45.140 (Chapter 18.100) High relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (section of) High relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 18.35.020.) High relevance
  • CMC § 18.135.040 (§ 18.40.030) Medium relevance
  • CMC § 18.40.010 (Chapter 18.45) Medium relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 18.28.050) Medium relevance
  • CMC § 18.39.060 (§ 18.39.060) Medium relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (Chapter 18.28) Medium relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 18.20.030) Medium relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 18.130.130.) Medium relevance
  • CMC § 18.45.140 (§ 12.8.04) High relevance
  • CMC § 18.39.060 (Chapter 18.45) High relevance
  • Calimesa Zoning Code (§ 18.45.060) High relevance
  • CMC § 18.45.110 (§ 18.39.060) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What counts as an off‑street parking space in Calimesa?

An off‑street parking space is one provided on the same lot or parcel serving a use (except approved shared or reciprocal arrangements); it must meet the city’s dimension and surfacing rules and be kept clear for vehicle parking. See § 18.45.030 and § 18.45.100 for measurement and surfacing standards. § 18.45.030; § 18.45.100

How many automobile parking spaces does a new retail store need?

Retail/commercial numbers are in Table 18.45.060 (typical retail: 1 space per 300 sq. ft.; restaurants and some uses use different ratios). Confirm the specific use in § 18.45.060 and whether district tables (e.g., DVC) override it. § 18.45.060; § 18.39.060

Do I need accessible (handicap) spaces and how many?

Yes. Accessible stall counts, dimensions, van‑accessible rules, signage and slope limits are in Table 18.45.070; spaces count toward your total required parking. Follow /§ 18.45.070 for exact counts and dimension rules. § 18.45.070

What are the bicycle parking requirements for nonresidential uses?

All nonresidential projects must provide bicycle parking by Table 18.45.080‑1 (for example: 1–49 auto spaces = 5 bicycle spaces; 50–99 autos = 10 bike spaces; 100+ = 15 + 5 per 100). Design and placement standards (rack type, maneuvering area) are in § 18.45.080. § 18.45.080

Can I use shared parking to reduce the number of stalls I need?

Yes — shared parking is permitted if the participating uses have non‑overlapping peak hours, the shared area is within 200 ft, and a legal agreement is recorded; the Planning Department can require conditions and a parking study. See § 18.45.110. § 18.45.110

Are loading spaces required and what size must they be?

Yes — nonresidential uses must provide loading spaces. Standard loading spaces are minimum 10' × 20' × 14'; tractor‑trailer spaces are 12' × 45' × 14'. Counts depend on building area per § 18.45.120. § 18.45.120

Do downtown projects (DVC) follow the same parking table?

No — projects in DVC use the district’s table (Table 18.39.060‑3) for required spaces (residential and many commercial categories) unless otherwise noted; DNC and DVS follow Chapter 18.45. § 18.39.060; § 18.45.060

Can the city require me to do a parking study?

Yes — the Planning Department can require a parking study when reductions, shared parking, or unique uses are proposed; required when an alternative calculation is proposed or where the table directs a study. See § 18.45.060 and § 18.45.110. § 18.45.060; § 18.45.110

Do ADUs have separate parking rules in Calimesa?

Local ordinance text retrieved does not provide a Calimesa‑specific ADU parking waiver; statewide ADU law restricts local parking requirements for many ADUs (e.g., caps on parking per unit/bedroom). Verify with the Planning Department and consult state ADU guidance. Not found in retrieved materials; see state ADU guidance.

If my lot is odd‑shaped and I can’t fit required spaces, what then?

The director may permit in‑lieu payments or adjustments where on‑site parking is impractical (the code contemplates in‑lieu payment or director discretion); provide justification and expect required studies and possibly fees. § 18.45.060

What must be shown on the parking plan at permit submittal?

A complete parking plan must show stall counts and sizes, dimensions/angles, aisle widths, accessible stalls and signage, landscaping islands and percentages, lighting, drainage, pedestrian walkways, striping and wheel stops, and any shared‑parking agreements or TDM measures. These requirements are in § 18.45.100 and related sections. § 18.45.100

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