Campbell — Parking

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Campbell regulates parking, off-street parking, loading, and bicycle parking in the City’s Zoning Code (Title 21). The controlling rules live in Chapter 21.28 — Parking and Loading (purpose, applicability, required counts, dimensions, and development standards) and in related district development tables; read this page as an ordinance-driven summary and checklist — not building-code or permit procedure advice. § 21.28.010 and § 21.28.020 set the chapter’s purpose and applicability.

(This page links to related Campbell pages when they are first mentioned: see Development Standards, Design Review, Overlay Districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.)

What the code requires (top-level rules)

• The Zoning Code’s stated objective includes ensuring adequate off-street parking and loading for each land use; that policy is in § 21.01.030(H).
• Required counts come from Table 3‑1 (Parking Requirements by Land Use); projects must supply the number of spaces in Table 3‑1 unless a specific exception applies. § 21.28.040 / Table 3‑1.
• Bicycle parking minimums and reference to the state code: at least one bicycle space per four residential units and/or per 2,500 sq ft nonresidential (minimum); short‑ and long‑term bicycle parking otherwise follows Part 11, Title 24 and Chapter 18.26. § 21.28.070.
• Loading rules (counts, dimensions, placement, screening, lighting) are required for multiunit residential and nonresidential uses; loading stalls must be at least 12 ft × 25 ft with 14 ft vertical clearance. § 21.28.110.
• Parking design standards (location on site, stall dimensions, aisles, driveways, surfacing, drainage, landscaping) are spelled out in § 21.28.080 and related subsections (and Tables/Figures such as Table 3‑2 and Figure 3‑7).

District-by-district (how parking fits by district)

Below are Campbell’s commonly applied zoning district groups with the most relevant parking-related points. For each district the code’s district purpose/standards are cited so you can confirm zoning-specific dimensional rules (setbacks, lot coverage) in the same chapter(s) as parking.

Notes: where a district chapter defines purpose or dimensional tables, I cite that chapter; parking counts themselves come from Table 3‑1 unless otherwise noted.

Residential — R-1 (single-family) and related low-density residential

• Purpose / where it applies: objective housing standards and R‑1 development standards are used for single‑family neighborhoods (see Table 2‑3 and the R‑1 general development standards cited via housing objective standards). § 21.25.050 references the R‑1 development standard table and objective housing rules (garage entry setback 25 ft, parking required 1 stall per unit for certain projects under § 21.25.050.E/see Table 2‑3).
• Typical uses: single‑family houses, ADUs (subject to ADU chapter), small group housing in R‑1.
• Key parking rules: Single‑family dwelling = 2 vehicle spaces per unit, 1 covered (Table 3‑1 / § 21.28.040). Tandem limited to 2 vehicles; driveway minimum 8 ft wide, 25 ft length (driveway rules in § 21.28.090). Guest parking assignment rules and front‑yard encroachment rules for uncovered spaces are in § 21.28.080 and related ADU provisions.

Residential — Multi‑family (R‑2, R‑M and similar)

• Purpose / where it applies: higher‑density residential neighborhoods and apartments; mixed‑use housing standards also affect parking. See multi‑family development rules (various tables referenced by Chapter 21.07 and Article 3). § 21.07 / § 21.28 (Table 3‑1) apply. Not all multi‑family district names are shown in the extracted file snippets — verify your parcel’s exact zone with the City. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Typical uses: apartments, condominiums, transitional housing.
• Key parking rules: Table 3‑1 sets ratios by unit type (examples: studio/one‑bed ≤625 sf = 1 space/unit; studio/one‑bed >625 sf = 2 spaces/unit; two+ bedroom = 2.5 spaces/unit unless located in specified transit/walkable areas with reduced ratios). § 21.28.040 (Table 3‑1). Guest parking, assignment, and reductions for shared parking/carshare are in § 21.28.040.I / § 21.28.045.

Mixed‑Use Districts — (Mixed‑use chapters / MU districts)

• Purpose / where it applies: Mixed‑use regs (Chapter 21.11) aim to integrate residences and commercial uses and explicitly require off‑street parking and loading to be provided for the uses served. § 21.11.010.
• Typical uses: ground‑floor retail with apartments above, live/work, small offices.
• Key parking rules: Nonresidential uses within mixed‑use projects use Table 3‑1 counts; mixed projects may use shared parking (up to 50% of guest spaces can be counted toward nonresidential uses subject to a parking management plan) per § 21.28.045.C. Parking modification permit provisions apply for reductions when justified.

Commercial — NC, GC, PO, RD (Neighborhood/General/Professional/Regional)

• Purpose / where it applies: Commercial development standards and setbacks are summarized in the Code’s Table 2‑7 under § 21.10.050 (development standards for NC, GC, PO, RD, LI, etc.). Parking for commercial uses is controlled by Table 3‑1 and development design rules (Chapter 21.28). § 21.10.050 and § 21.28.040.
• Typical uses: retail, restaurants, offices, services.
• Key parking rules: Use Table 3‑1 for specific ratios by land use; parking structures visible from streets must meet architectural guidelines (§ 21.28.100); shared driveways and consolidated curb cuts encouraged (§ 21.28.080.B.7).

Industrial / Light Industrial — LI

• Purpose / where it applies: manufacturing/warehousing and similar uses; Table 2‑7 lists general standards for the LI district within § 21.10.050.
• Typical uses: warehousing, light manufacturing.
• Key parking/loading rules: Off‑street loading counts for nonresidential uses are determined by anticipated need or the Planning Commission; loading dimensions and location standards apply (§ 21.28.110). Parking lot surfacing, drainage and screening standards apply (§ 21.28.080, § 21.28.110).

Special Purpose / Overlay districts — PF, OS, CB (Community Benefit overlay)

• Purpose / where it applies: Special purpose districts (PF, OS) and overlays modify objective standards and/or review processes; CB overlay provides an alternative compliance path for larger housing projects and uses discretionary review (see § 21.14.040 for CB). Overlays can change parking requirements or create master use permits that alter how Table 3‑1 applies. § 21.14.040 and § 21.12.050.
• Practical note: If a parcel sits in an overlay, the overlay rules may supersede or adjust standard parking counts — check the overlay text and any master permits. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

• Start with Table 3‑1 (the code’s parking table). That table is the default — every project must show compliance or request a modification. § 21.28.040 and Table 3‑1 are the control documents.
• Design the lot to comply with § 21.28.080 (location, maneuvering, stall sizes, surfacing, landscaping/drainage). A parking plan that leaves vehicles backing into a public street (except for single‑family settings allowed by the code) will be rejected.
• If you plan to provide alternative transportation features (bicycle parking, carshare stalls, shared parking between uses), document them in a Parking Management Plan and reference the reduction rules in § 21.28.045 (shared parking rules) or apply for a parking modification permit under § 21.28.050.
• For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): ADU parking is addressed separately — see § 21.23.040.H for ADU parking references and how ADU parking may be allowed or modified. Link to the ADU guidance page for the state rules that might also apply.

Link references used above: Development Standards, Design Review, Overlay Districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) pages are linked at their first mention.

Checklist (what an applicant must supply)

• Show required vehicle parking counts per Table 3‑1 and cite § 21.28.040.
• Show bicycle parking (short‑ and long‑term) and the calculation (minimum 1 per 4 units or per 2,500 sq ft non‑residential) referencing § 21.28.070 and Part 11, Title 24.
• Provide parking area layout with stall dimensions, aisle widths, driveways, turning templates and surfacing/drainage per § 21.28.080, Table 3‑2 and § 21.28.090.
• Show disabled parking compliance per § 21.28.060 and the California Building Standards Code.
• If loading is required, show loading stall count and dimensioned loading plan per § 21.28.110.
• If proposing reductions (shared parking, transit proximity, motorcycle/carshare credits), include evidence and a Parking Management Plan per § 21.28.045 and/or apply for a parking modification permit § 21.28.050.
• If in an overlay or special district (e.g., CB), attach overlay-specific approvals or master permits; confirm whether overlay modifies Table 3‑1 (see § 21.14.040 and related overlay text).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Campbell’s Zoning Code makes parking predictable: start with Table 3‑1 for counts, design the lot to meet Chapter 21.28 (stall sizes, aisles, driveways, landscaping, bicycle parking, and loading), and if you want fewer stalls use the shared‑parking rules, transit reductions, or apply for a parking modification permit with supporting data. § 21.28.040, § 21.28.080, § 21.28.070, and § 21.28.110 are the key controlling sections.

Source References

• Campbell Zoning Code — Title 21: Chapter 21.28 (Parking & Loading), including § 21.28.010, § 21.28.020, § 21.28.030, § 21.28.040 (Table 3‑1), § 21.28.060, § 21.28.070, § 21.28.080, § 21.28.090, § 21.28.100, § 21.28.110.
• Table 2‑7 — General Development Standards for Commercial/Industrial districts (NC, GC, PO, RD, LI) § 21.10.050.
• Mixed‑use district purpose — § 21.11.010.
• Community Benefit (CB) overlay — § 21.14.040.
• ADU development standards (parking reference) — § 21.23.040.H.
• Objective housing development standards and one‑stall exception for housing developments — § 21.25.050.

Retrieved passages

• Campbell Zoning Code (Section 21.16.060) High relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (Chapter 21.28) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (Section 21.23.065) Medium relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 1 (Title 24) Medium relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Campbell Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Campbell Zoning Code — Title 21: Chapter 21.28 (Parking & Loading), including **§ 21.28.010**, **§ 21.28.020**, **§ 21.28.030**, **§ 21.28.040** (Table 3‑1), **§ 21.28.060**, **§ 21.28.070**, **§ 21.28.080**, **§ 21.28.090**, **§ 21.28.100**, **§ 21.28.110**. (Title 21)
• Table 2‑7 — General Development Standards for Commercial/Industrial districts (NC, GC, PO, RD, LI) **§ 21.10.050**. (§ 21.10.050)
• Mixed‑use district purpose — **§ 21.11.010**. (§ 21.11.010)
• Community Benefit (CB) overlay — **§ 21.14.040**. (§ 21.14.040)
• ADU development standards (parking reference) — **§ 21.23.040.H**. (§ 21.23.040.H)
• Objective housing development standards and one‑stall exception for housing developments — **§ 21.25.050**. (§ 21.25.050)
• Campbell_ZoningCode.md

• Official Campbell code library