Local zoning · Chino Hills

Chino Hills — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces does a new retail store need in Chino Hills?

Use Table 65‑1 — general retail is 1 space / 250 SF‑GFA ; calculate total GFA and round any fractional space up. If the retail is inside an existing shopping center, center ratios or shared parking analyses may apply. See § 16.34.060 and Table 65‑1.

Q: What are the minimum parking stall and driveway dimensions?

Non‑covered stalls must be at least 9 ft wide × 19 ft long ; garage interior clearances and residential driveway lengths are specified in § 16.34.070 (one‑car garage interior example: 10 ft × 20 ft ; residential driveway minimum 19 ft length). See § 16.34.070(B–C) .

Q: Can I reduce the number of required parking spaces?

Yes — the Director may approve up to a 30% reduction (minor variance). Any reduction greater than 30% requires a Major Variance and the findings/process in Chapter 16.70. See § 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Chino Hills Development Code (Title 16) requires for parking, off‑street parking, loading, bicycle parking, and basic layout/dimension rules. It is drawn from Chapter 16.34 (Parking and Loading) and the district tables that reference those requirements; each rule below cites the controlling section. Where the Development Code defers to state building rules (bicycle, accessible, EV stalls), the text notes that and points to the California code. See the City pages on zoning, development standards, and ADUs for related permit and design topics; design review issues should be coordinated with design review and any overlay districts that apply.

Key citywide rules (what the code says, in plain English)

Applicability: The minimum parking and loading standards apply to all proposed land uses, buildings, additions, and use intensifications unless specifically exempted; single‑family additions under 50% may be exempt if the home already has two covered spaces. See § 16.34.020.
Required parking schedule: The exact number of required off‑street automobile spaces is set in Table 65‑1 (the City’s parking schedule). The Director determines comparable rates for uses not listed. See § 16.34.060(A) and the Table.
Layout & dimensions: Minimum non‑covered stall size is 9 ft × 19 ft; garage and driveway dimensions, access, maneuvering, and other layout rules are in § 16.34.070 and Figure 65‑1. Accessible spaces must follow Title 24. See § 16.34.070(B–C).
Bicycle and EV parking: Bicycle parking must comply with the adopted California Building Code; EV stalls must meet the stall dimensions in Figure 65‑1 and the California code. See § 16.34.060(G–H). Link: California Building Standards Code.
Loading: Number, dimensions and location of required loading docks are project‑specific and are determined on a case‑by‑case basis; loading areas must not block aisles or impede fire access. See § 16.34.100 and the site planning guidance in § 16.34.070(E).
Shared/combined parking: Shared parking across contiguous lots or for multiple uses is allowed when the combined supply meets requirements; recorded covenants are required. See § 16.34.090.
Variances and reductions: The Director may approve up to a 30% reduction in required spaces (minor variance); reductions above that are a Major Variance and must follow Chapter 16.70. See § 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020(A).

How required parking is applied (district-by-district)

Below are the district groupings used in the Development Code with the parking-relevant highlights (purpose, typical uses, where the parking standards live, and the key standards that affect on‑site parking layouts). For each district the code often delegates the numeric parking ratios to Table 65‑1; where a district standard sets its own parking minimum (especially for housing zones), that is cited below.

Residential districts — RA, RR, RS, RM‑1, RM‑2, RM‑3, UHDH, VHDH, MUH

Purpose & typical uses: Single‑family, duplex, and multiple‑family housing with densities and standards set in Chapters 16.10–16.16 (Housing Priority and density zones). See individual zone tables for unit density and site standards.
Where parking rules live: Multifamily parking minima are included in each zone’s “Minimum Parking” row (for example the UHDH, MUH tables show per‑unit ratios); general parking rules and dimensions come from Chapter 16.34 and Table 65‑1 when referenced. See § 16.34.060 and the zone tables in Chapters 16.10–16.16.
Key standards (examples):
- Multifamily: typical aggregate requirements include 1–2 spaces per unit depending on unit size; guest parking often 0.25 spaces per unit or as determined by a shared parking analysis. See zone tables and Table 65‑1.
- Single‑family (RA/RR/RS): the code lists parking by home size (example: for homes up to certain square footage the required number of stalls and how many must be covered — consult Table 65‑1 / zone table). See the single‑family entry in the development standards and Table 65‑1. Verify exact numeric table entry on the project.

Commercial districts — C‑N, C‑O, C‑G, C‑R, C‑F

Purpose & typical uses: Neighborhood to freeway‑oriented commercial and office uses; project development standards (setbacks, landscaping, and parking area treatment) are in Table 25‑1 and the commercial district text. See Table 25‑1.
Where parking rules live: Numeric parking ratios for commercial uses are in Table 65‑1; Chapter 16.09 design guidance and Table 25‑1 regulate parking location, lot landscaping, and screening. See § 16.34.060 and Table 25‑1.
Key standards:
- General retail: 1 space / 250 SF‑GFA (see Table 65‑1) — larger/unique uses (restaurants, fitness, auto uses) have specific rates or require a parking analysis. See Table 65‑1.
- Restaurants: 1 space / 75 SF GFA (serving area) + 1 / 200 SF kitchen; drive‑throughs require queuing spaces or a queuing analysis. See Table 65‑1.

Business Park / Light Industrial — BP, LI

Purpose & typical uses: Office, light manufacturing, warehousing with different parking needs depending on the mix. See Table 30‑1 for development standards.
Where parking rules live: The code points BP/LI uses back to Chapter 16.34 for parking standards; the Director may allow alternate parking standards when a mix of uses is proposed, subject to a parking analysis and Traffic Engineer review. See § 16.14.050 and § 16.34.060.

Institutional — I‑1 (Private), I‑2 (Public) and Planned Development PD

Purpose & typical uses: Schools, hospitals, institutional uses and PDs where custom parking rules are common.
Where parking rules live: Institutional uses’ parking ratios are in Table 65‑1; religious/affiliated housing projects have a special provision that references Government Code § 65913.6 and allows reductions when collocated with religious parking. See § 16.34.110 and Table 65‑1.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant rules

Topic	What Chino Hills requires	Code Reference
Applicability / when to apply the rules	All new uses, enlargements, and intensifications; limited exemption for small single‑family additions (under 50%) with two covered existing spaces.	§ 16.34.020
How many spaces — numeric schedule	Numeric rates are in Table 65‑1 (e.g., General Retail 1/250 SF; Restaurants 1/75 SF serving + 1/200 SF kitchen); unlisted uses follow the most similar use determined by the Director.	§ 16.34.060 + Table 65‑1
Minimum stall size	Non‑covered: 9 ft × 19 ft; accessible stalls per Title 24; garages (one‑car) 10 ft × 20 ft clear interior.	§ 16.34.070(B)
Driveway and driveway length	Single‑family driveways: minimum 19 ft length; driveway width and number rules apply (one driveway if frontage ≤50 ft).	§ 16.34.070(C)
Bicycle parking	Must comply with the adopted California Building Code (CBC / Title 24).	§ 16.34.060(G)
EV stalls	EV spaces must meet Figure 65‑1 stall dimensions and CBC requirements.	§ 16.34.060(H)
Loading spaces	Determined case‑by‑case; must be located to avoid blocking aisles/streets and provide turning radii.	§ 16.34.100
Shared parking	Allowed with recorded covenant; shared parking analyses follow ULI or similar guidelines.	§ 16.34.090
Parking reductions	Director can approve up to 30% reduction; larger reductions require a Major Variance.	§ 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020(A)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before permit issuance)

Provide a Site Plan showing all required parking stalls, dimensions, drive aisles, ingress/egress, landscaping, and pedestrian walkways per § 16.34.030.
Calculate required automobile spaces using Table 65‑1 and round fractional spaces up to the next whole space per § 16.34.060(B).
Show accessible parking stalls complying with Title 24 and indicate whether accessible stalls count toward the total per § 16.34.060(C). Link: California Building Standards Code.
Demonstrate parking stall/garage and driveway dimensions (non‑covered 9'×19', garage clearances, driveway 19' minimum length for single‑family) on the plan per § 16.34.070(B–C).
If bicycle parking or EV stalls are required, provide details consistent with the California Building Code per § 16.34.060(G–H).
For loading, show size, location and turning geometry or note that loading will be determined as part of plan review per § 16.34.100.
If proposing shared or off‑lot parking, prepare a recorded covenant and shared parking analysis where required (§ 16.34.090).
If less than required parking is proposed, attach the appropriate Minor or Major Variance application and findings per § 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Use not listed in Table 65‑1	The Director assigns the “most similar” use; this is discretionary and can change parking counts substantially.	Confirm Director’s comparable‑use determination early; request written interpretation. § 16.34.060(A)(1)
ADU parking (state vs local)	State ADU rules limit local parking control; local code references Table 65‑1 but state law may supersede.	Check state ADU law and confirm how the City applies ADU parking locally. See state ADU guidance; verify with the City. (Local ADU ordinance reference: Not found in retrieved materials).
Bicycle & EV technical specs	City defers to the CBC/Title 24 for bicycle/EV sizing and quantity, so local site plans must reflect current state code.	Use current California Building Standards Code for bicycle/EV details and confirm edition with Building Division. § 16.34.060(G–H)
Shared parking across parcels	Requires recorded covenants and may require a shared parking analysis; enforcement and future changes can be complex.	Prepare legal covenant language and confirm parking access easements; get City Attorney form approval. § 16.34.090
Parking reduction threshold	Director can approve ≤30% reduction; anything larger triggers a public hearing Major Variance (longer timeline and findings).	If short of required stalls, budget for minor or major variance path early. § 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020

Plain‑English summary

If you build or change a use in Chino Hills you must provide off‑street parking following the City’s parking table (Table 65‑1) and layout rules in Chapter 16.34: 9×19 ft stalls, garage and driveway sizing, accessible stalls per Title 24, bike/EV stalls per the California Building Code, and case‑by‑case loading. Small single‑family additions may be exempt if the house already has two covered spaces; reductions up to 30% can be handled administratively but larger cuts need a variance. See § 16.34.020, § 16.34.060, and § 16.34.070.

Source References

Chino Hills Development Code — Chapter 16.34 (Parking and Loading): § 16.34.010, § 16.34.020, § 16.34.030, § 16.34.040, § 16.34.060, § 16.34.070, § 16.34.090, § 16.34.100, § 16.34.110.
Commercial Zone district development standards (Table 25‑1) — parking location, lot landscaping: see Table 25‑1 (Chapters cited in district tables).
BP / LI district development standards (Table 30‑1) and parking note: § 16.14.050 references Chapter 16.34 for parking; alternate standards allowed with analysis.
Multifamily/minimum parking entries and housing zone parking tables (MUH, UHDH, etc.): zone tables and Chapter 16.15/16.10.
Definitions (e.g., “parking space”, covered parking): § 16.02.280.
California ADU guidance (state limits on ADU parking): 2025 ADU handbook excerpt (state law summary).
California Building Standards (for bicycle, accessible and EV technical rules): see the adopted CBC/Title 24 (referenced by § 16.34.060(G–H)). Link: California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Chino Hills Zoning Code (§ 4.A) High relevance
CFC § 7 (§ 7) High relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (Section 1.20.010) High relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (§ 7) Medium relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (§ 9.130.060) Medium relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (§ 7) Medium relevance
CFC § 7 (Chapter 16.02) Medium relevance
CBC § 000 (Chapter 16.72) Medium relevance
CBC § 7 (Section 16.34.090) Medium relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (Chapter 16.34) Medium relevance
CBC § 16.06.120 (Chapter 16.15) Medium relevance
Chino Hills Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Chino Hills code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to submit a site plan for parking?

Yes. All required parking facilities require a Site Plan showing layout, stalls, aisles, landscaping and ingress/egress; the Site Plan is reviewed with building and planning permits per § 16.34.030.

How many parking spaces does a new retail store need in Chino Hills?

Use Table 65‑1 — general retail is 1 space / 250 SF‑GFA; calculate total GFA and round any fractional space up. If the retail is inside an existing shopping center, center ratios or shared parking analyses may apply. See § 16.34.060 and Table 65‑1.

What are the minimum parking stall and driveway dimensions?

Non‑covered stalls must be at least 9 ft wide × 19 ft long; garage interior clearances and residential driveway lengths are specified in § 16.34.070 (one‑car garage interior example: 10 ft × 20 ft; residential driveway minimum 19 ft length). See § 16.34.070(B–C).

Are bicycle parking and EV spaces required? What standards apply?

Bicycle parking and EV stall technical requirements are governed by the current California Building Code (Title 24); the Development Code directs applicants to follow that code for bicycle and EV provisions (§ 16.34.060(G–H)). Confirm the edition of the CBC with Building. Link: California Building Standards Code.

Can I reduce the number of required parking spaces?

Yes — the Director may approve up to a 30% reduction (minor variance). Any reduction greater than 30% requires a Major Variance and the findings/process in Chapter 16.70. See § 16.34.060(A)(2) and § 16.70.020.

How are loading spaces sized and located?

Loading space requirements (number and dimensions) are determined case‑by‑case for each project. Loading areas must be outside travel aisles and provide turning radii to avoid backing into streets and must not impede fire access. See § 16.34.100 and § 16.34.070(E).

Are compact parking spaces allowed?

No. Compact spaces are not permitted going forward (existing compact spaces grandfathered where they existed on Dec 14, 1995). See § 16.34.060(F).

Do ADUs in Chino Hills have to meet the local parking table?

State ADU law restricts local parking requirements for ADUs (limits to one space per unit or per bedroom in specified ways). The City’s Table 65‑1 governs general parking, but ADU applications must be evaluated under state ADU rules as well; confirm local ADU application practice with the City. (Local ADU section: Not found in retrieved materials; see state ADU guidance.)

Where can parking be placed if a nonresidential use cannot provide it on the same parcel?

Nonresidential parking may be placed on an adjoining lot under the same ownership, or on contiguous lots separated only by an alley (≤20 ft) if conditions are met; otherwise a recorded parking covenant is required. See § 16.34.060(B) and § 16.34.090(A).

Who decides parking when a use is not listed in the table?

The Community Development Director determines the most similar listed use and applicable parking ratio as per § 16.34.060(A)(1); this is an administrative determination and should be clarified with staff early.

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