Local zoning · Claremont

Claremont — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Claremont regulates parking (including off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking) under its zoning code (Title 16). It synthesizes the rule locations, the most-used numeric standards, and where applicants should look for exceptions (in‑lieu fees, shared parking, Transportation Demand Management). All requirements below are pulled from Claremont’s zoning text; the controlling code citations (§ plus number) are shown inline and the original ordinance excerpts are cited to the uploaded municipal code. For design and dimensional matters see the City’s Claremont Development Standards and for discretionary review process notes see Claremont Design Review.

Key citywide rules (short summary)

  • Minimum stall size for required off‑street parking: 9 ft × 20 ft (standard stall); 8.5 ft × 18 ft for compact stalls; no more than 40% of required stalls may be compact and compact stalls may not reduce standard stalls below 60% of required parking. — § 16.136.040
  • Required loading bay minimum dimension: 10 ft wide × 20 ft long × 14 ft vertical clearance; number of loading bays varies by building gross floor area (table). — § 16.136.070
  • Required accessible parking and marking must follow state accessibility rules (Title 24 / California Building Standards) and be signed/marked; maintenance of markings/signs is ongoing obligation. — § 16.136.060
  • Large nonresidential projects must provide Transportation Demand Management measures (information kiosk, preferential carpool spaces, vanpool access, and bike parking). Bicycle parking minimums for big projects: 4 short‑term bike stalls per first 50,000 sf plus 1 per each additional 50,000 sf (and safe access to racks). — § 16.136.080
  • Location and layout requirements: required parking normally must be on the same lot unless an approval is granted; required parking may be sited in rear/interior setbacks but not in required front or street‑side setbacks except residential driveways. — § 16.136.040.A & .B

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district heading below names the district used in Claremont’s Title 16 and highlights where the parking obligations are stated. Bolded district names are the City’s actual zoning labels.

RS (Single‑Family Residential) Districts

Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes and accessory structures. — § 16.001.000

  • Key parking rules:
    • Minimum number of covered parking spaces for a single‑family lot: 2 covered spaces (garage/carport) unless other rules apply. — § 16.013.000 / district tables
    • No required parking spaces may be in required front or street‑side setbacks; driveway parking is allowed leading to parking outside the setback. — § 16.136.040.B
    • Driveways within setbacks are regulated: max width rules, landscaping between driveways and side property lines, and turning radii requirements apply. — § 16.136.040.C
  • Where it applies: all RS‑designated parcels identified on the Official Zoning Map. — § 16.000.020

Practical note: ADU parking interacts with state ADU law; see the Accessory Dwelling Units subsection below and Claremont ADUs.

RM (Medium‑Density Residential) Districts

Purpose / typical uses: multi‑family apartments, condominiums. — § 16.013.000

  • Key parking rules:
    • Parking requirements are density‑ and unit‑size based. Example (RM 3000 / RM 2000): units <720 sf: 1.5 spaces/unit; units ≥720 sf: 2.25 spaces/unit; visitor parking 0.5 spaces/unit. Required parking breakdown (covered vs. uncovered/garage) and guest‑parking distribution rules are in the RM development standards. — § 16.013.020
    • If enclosed parking isn’t provided, the code requires lockable storage and other compensating amenities. — § 16.013.020
  • Where it applies: RM‑zoned properties on the City map. — § 16.000.020

MU (Mixed‑Use) Districts

Purpose / typical uses: ground‑floor commercial with residential above; live/work. — § 16.040.060

  • Key parking rules:
    • Residential parking: ≤600 sf unit = 1 covered space; >600 sf = 2 covered spaces. Visitor parking: 0.5 spaces/unit. — Table 16.040.2 / § 16.040.060
    • Non‑residential parking varies by MU subtype (MU1–MU4) — e.g., retail/service often 1 per 250 sf in MU1/MU3/MU4 or 1 per 500 sf in MU2. The Architectural Commission may allow reduced/shared parking where justified. — § 16.040.060

Practical note: Mixed‑use projects commonly rely on shared/joint parking and must meet the Chapter 16.136 layout and TDM requirements. See Claremont Overlay Districts if an overlay affects parking (e.g., MFR overlays).

CV (Claremont Village) District

Purpose / typical uses: downtown “Village” retail, office, restaurants; pedestrian‑oriented. — § 16.060.000

  • Key parking rules:
    • District‑specific minimums exist (administrative, retail, restaurants each have set ratios — e.g., retail/service 1 per 500 sf; restaurants interior 1 per 150 sf). See § 16.060.030 for full table. — § 16.060.030
    • The Architectural Commission can find it impracticable to provide on‑site parking in the CV and allow payment of an in‑lieu parking fee instead; fee amount is established by City Council resolution. In‑lieu parking must be spent on CV parking facilities. — § 16.060.030
    • Park placement and Village design plan conformity are required. — § 16.060.040

Practical note: the CV is treated differently because of pedestrian character — expect higher discretion (architectural commission findings) and the in‑lieu fee option. Verify current fee amount and any adopted Village parking plan (city resolution) before assuming in‑lieu is practical. — § 16.060.030

Commercial Districts (CP, CN, CL, CH, CF)

Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood and highway commercial, offices, service uses. — Chapter 16.051

  • Key parking rules:
    • District development tables set default parking for “general uses” (many list One per ~250 sf as a general rule) and direct users to Chapter 16.136 for lot/paving/layout rules. — Chapter 16.051 & Table references
    • Incidental indoor seating rules for food retailers reduce parking obligations only for limited indoor seating (e.g., ≤25% indoor seating may not add parking). — § 16.051.050

B/IP (Business / Industrial Park) District

Purpose / typical uses: offices, light manufacturing, research. — § 16.054.000

  • Key parking rules:
    • Typical rule: 1 parking space per 400 sf (office) or 1 per 1,000 sf (warehouse) — see district table. Lots, setbacks, and parking area landscaping are governed by Chapter 16.136. — § 16.054.020

Institutional (I / IE / IR) Districts

Purpose / typical uses: schools, colleges, hospitals, churches, institutional campuses. — Chapter 16.069

  • Key parking rules:
    • Institutional parking requirements are tabulated in Table 16.069.B and require combined accounting of students, employees and assembly uses (e.g., education: 1 space per 2 students or auditorium seating rules). Shared parking and institutional parking management plans are allowed but parking for institutions must generally be within the Institutional district or within 800 ft unless modified. — § 16.069.090 & Table 16.069.B

P (Public) District

Purpose / typical uses: government buildings, community centers, and public parking facilities. — § 16.078.000 – .010

  • Key rule: parking facilities are a permitted use subject to the general development and design standards found in Chapter 16.136. — § 16.078.010

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Standard / Topic Requirement (Claremont) Code Reference
Standard required stall size 9 ft × 20 ft (standard); 8.5 ft × 18 ft (compact); compact ≤ 40% of required stalls and not reduce standard stalls < 60% § 16.136.040
Accessible parking & signs Must meet state accessibility (Title 24); mark pavement & post signs; continuous maintenance required § 16.136.060 and California Building Standards Code
Loading bay size Minimum 10 ft × 20 ft with 14 ft vertical clearance; number per building by GFA (table) § 16.136.070
Bicycle parking for large non‑res proj 4 bicycle spaces per first 50,000 sf, plus 1 per each additional 50,000 sf; safe access required § 16.136.080
Parking location relative to setbacks Required parking is not allowed in front or street‑side setbacks (except driveways to outside parking) § 16.136.040.B
CV District alternative Architectural Commission may allow in‑lieu parking fee where on‑site parking impractical; fee set by Council resolution § 16.060.030
Joint/shared parking allowance Planning Commission may permit joint use (day/night split rules) subject to legal instrument § 16.136.020
ADU parking (local rules) At least 1 off‑street space for ADU unless exempt by specific criteria; spaces must comply with § 16.136.040; local exemptions mirror state rules § 16.333 (ADU chapter)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (to submit a typical commercial or residential project)

  • Show required number of parking spaces (use district table — e.g., CV § 16.060.030 or MU § 16.040.060) and show calculation method.
  • Dimension plan: standard stalls 9×20, compact stalls 8.5×18; aisle radii and turning templates per § 16.136.040.
  • Show accessible stalls and signage that meet Title 24 (note: state rules are enforced in Claremont) — § 16.136.060.
  • For buildings >25,000 sf (and especially >50,000 / 100,000 sf) include a Transportation Demand Management plan: transit info board, preferential carpool spaces, bicycle parking per § 16.136.080.
  • If in CV, if on‑site parking is impractical prepare justification for in‑lieu fee (Architectural Commission findings) and plan to pay/arrange fee if approved. § 16.060.030.
  • Parking landscaping, interior planters (min 5% interior planting), perimeter landscaping, lighting design to City standards — Chapter 16.136 (landscaping & lighting subsections).
  • If proposing joint/shared parking or off‑site parking, provide form of legal instrument (reciprocal parking agreement) and demonstrate no operating‑hour conflicts — § 16.136.020.
  • If proposing ADU(s), comply with § 16.333 ADU parking rules and state ADU law exemptions; if ADU is exempt from parking, provide evidence (transit proximity, carshare, historic district, etc.).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Amount and applicability of CV in‑lieu parking fee Fee amount is set by City Council resolution — affects project economics and feasibility of relying on in‑lieu payment. Verify current in‑lieu fee amount and any available City CV parking program/resolution. § 16.060.030
Whether proposed off‑site parking is acceptable Off‑site/surface parking can be approved but requires reciprocal agreement and commission approval; distance limits may apply for institutions. Confirm approval path and required legal instrument; for institutions confirm the 800‑ft rule or modifications. § 16.136.020; § 16.069.
ADU parking exemptions vs. local ADU standards Local ADU chapter implements state law but local administrative interpretation may vary. Use § 16.333 and confirm with Community Development whether ADU is exempt per the listed criteria or whether ministerial findings are needed.
Whether bicycle parking counts toward parking reduction The code mandates bicycle parking for large nonresidential projects but does not universally allow bike spaces to reduce automobile stall counts. Verify whether Planning Commission/Director will grant automobile parking relief in exchange for bike parking or TDM measures. § 16.136.080
Accessible parking / building code coordination The zoning code requires compliance with Title 24 but accessibility layout is governed by the California Building Code. Coordinate with Building Division for accessible stall placement, van‑accessible stalls, and path of travel per Title 24. § 16.136.060 and California Building Standards Code
Parcel‑specific driveway/setback conflicts Parking in setbacks, driveway width and curb cuts have numerous local limits that affect layout. Confirm exact lot dimensions, applicable setbacks and whether driveway configurations (tandem, circular) need Director approval. § 16.136.040.C

Plain‑English Summary

Claremont’s zoning code requires most new buildings to provide off‑street parking sized at 9×20 ft per required space, sets district‑specific parking ratios (look to the CV, MU, RM, and Institutional tables), requires loading bays by building size, mandates bicycle parking and TDM measures for large nonresidential projects, forbids parking in front/street‑side setbacks (except driveways), and allows shared parking or in‑lieu fees in special cases (notably the Claremont Village). Always cite the local section for your district and confirm fee amounts or discretionary waivers with Community Development before assuming alternatives. See the City’s Claremont Development Standards, Claremont Design Review, and ADU guidance at Claremont ADUs for project‑specific processes.

Source References

  • Title 16 (Zoning), City of Claremont — full municipal code excerpts used here are from the uploaded Claremont Zoning Code file: overview and district listings § 16.000.000 – .020.
  • Off‑street parking and driveway design standards — § 16.136.040 (design standards for driveways and parking spaces).
  • Accessible parking (disabled stalls) — § 16.136.060.
  • Loading requirements and loading table — § 16.136.070.
  • Transportation demand measures and bicycle parking for large projects — § 16.136.080.
  • Joint/shared parking — § 16.136.020.
  • CV (Claremont Village) parking minimums & in‑lieu fee authority — § 16.060.030 and § 16.060.040.
  • MU Mixed‑Use parking standards — Table 16.040.2 / § 16.040.060.
  • RM multi‑family parking standards — § 16.013.020 (RM development standards).
  • Institutional parking table — Table 16.069.B / § 16.069.090.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) parking rules and exemptions — Chapter 16.333 (Accessory Dwelling Units).

Related internal guidance (menu pages referenced in this page):

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.060.020.) High relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.072.040.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.136.060.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.060.040.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.136.060.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.130.040.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.136.040.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.136.020.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (Section 16.136.040.A) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.040.060.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.013.020.) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 406.5.2 (Section 406.5.2.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 11B (Section 11B-208.3.) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.013.030.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (section for) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (title may) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.136.080.) Medium relevance
  • Claremont Zoning Code (Chapter 16.087.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a "required parking space" in Claremont (size and access)?

A required parking space in Claremont must generally be 9 ft wide by 20 ft long, independently accessible (unless otherwise permitted), with garage/carport spaces the same minimum interior dimension and 8 ft height. Compact spaces can be 8.5×18 but may not exceed 40% of required spaces, nor reduce standard stalls below 60% of the total required. See § 16.136.040 for the full design standards.

Do Claremont parking rules allow parking in front yards or street‑side setbacks?

No. The zoning code prohibits required parking in required front or street‑side setbacks except for residential driveways that lead to parking outside the setback. See § 16.136.040.B.

How many bicycle parking spaces must a large office or commercial project provide?

For nonresidential projects the Transportation Demand section requires bicycle parking: 4 bicycle parking spaces for the first 50,000 sf and 1 additional bike space per each additional 50,000 sf; the Director reviews the rack type and location and safe access must be shown. See § 16.136.080.

Can I pay a fee instead of providing parking in downtown Claremont (the Village)?

Yes — in the CV (Claremont Village) the Architectural Commission can find on‑site parking impractical and require payment of an in‑lieu parking fee instead; the fee amount and procedures are set by City Council resolution and the fee revenues must be used for CV parking facilities. See § 16.060.030.

How does ADU parking work in Claremont — do ADUs require their own spaces?

Claremont’s ADU chapter requires at least one off‑street parking space for an ADU unless the ADU qualifies for specific exemptions (within 1/2 mile of transit, in a historic district, part of the existing dwelling or accessory structure, car‑share nearby, or on‑street permit restrictions). ADU parking spaces must meet § 16.136.040 dimensions when required. See Chapter 16.333 and the ADU provisions for exemptions.

Can parking requirements be shared or reduced for mixed‑use projects?

Yes. The Planning Commission or Architectural Commission can permit joint/shared parking (day/night split or shared use) when the parties provide a legal instrument and show operating hours don’t conflict. The Architectural Commission may also allow reduced parking in mixed‑use or Village settings when justified. See § 16.136.020 and § 16.060.030.

What are the loading space requirements for a new commercial building?

Loading spaces must be at least 10 ft wide × 20 ft long with 14 ft vertical clearance. The number of required bays is set by gross floor area (see the loading table in § 16.136.070). Loading may occupy rear or interior side setbacks but not required front or street‑side setbacks. § 16.136.070 lists the floor‑area thresholds.

Does Claremont require parking area landscaping or specific lighting for parking lots?

Yes. Parking areas must meet landscaping standards (interior planting minimums such as 5% interior landscaping in many parking lots, perimeter planters, tree spacing) and parking lot lighting standards (fully cutoff fixtures and limits on fixture height unless waived). See the landscaping and lighting subsections in Chapter 16.136 and related development standards.

If my use isn't listed in a district table, how is parking determined?

Where a use is not listed, the Code instructs to apply parking requirements for the most similar listed use or follow Chapter 16.136 for special uses; you may also request a parking study or a reduction if justified. See the district parking tables and § 16.136.020–.040.

Is there relief for large developments to manage congestion through TDM?

Yes. For nonresidential projects above size thresholds (25k / 50k / 100k sf) Claremont requires Transportation Demand and trip reduction measures (info kiosks, carpool spaces, bicycle parking, safe pedestrian/vanpool zones). These are in § 16.136.080. ---

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