Local zoning · Colfax

Colfax — Parking

Parking under the Colfax 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 Colfax zoning ordinance requires for off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking. All vehicle and bicycle parking is handled in Title 17 (Zoning) under Chapter 17.108 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading) and related district chapters; key rules cover required counts by use, design/dimension standards, location, loading dimensions, bicycle Class I/II rules, and procedures for reductions or shared parking. See the City’s zoning rules for context on how parking interacts with local zones in the Colfax Zoning ordinance.

(First natural mentions: Colfax Zoning, development standards, design review, overlays, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, landscaping and screening are linked inline to the local menu pages.)

What the code requires (quick list)

  • Off‑street parking must be provided when a building is constructed, enlarged, or a use established (§ 17.108.020) .
  • Required counts are set by use type (parking tables) in § 17.108.040; counts apply regardless of district unless a special‑area rule overrides. MU‑1 is an explicit exception where no on‑site parking is required (§ 17.108.040) .
  • Design, surfacing, striping, compact space rules, circulation aisles, and landscaping/screening are in § 17.108.045 and related subsections (dimensions and percent compact spaces) .
  • Loading spaces: minimum size and number and distance from residential lots set out in §§ 17.108.070–17.108.090 .
  • Bicycle parking (Class I long‑term and Class II short‑term) is required for commercial, industrial and multi‑family uses; design standards and minimum counts are in § 17.108.110 .
  • Handicapped/accessible parking follows state/federal rules and Title 24 (the California Building Standards Code) and is incorporated by reference (§ 17.108.100) .
  • Planning Director may approve reductions (shared parking, individual adjustments) or allow purchase/lease of off‑site spaces per administrative permit rules in § 17.108.045.C and subsection references .

First links to related topics (in text):

District‑by‑district (zoning districts list and parking implications)

The city’s zoning districts are established in § 17.16.010; below I list each district (bold) and the Colfax parking rules that apply there. The code sets counts by use type (not by district) so the practical rule is: find the use in § 17.108.040, then apply district development standards in Article IV/V; special districts or specific‑use chapters may add or change parking (noted below).

Note: where a district chapter contains special parking rules (for example the residential mobilehome subdivision standards), that specific § is cited.

O (Open Space)

Purpose & typical uses: parks, open land. Parking needs are determined by the applicable use in § 17.108.040; design rules in § 17.108.045 apply. No unique, general parking counts are stated for O beyond the use‑based tables.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residence)

Purpose & typical uses: detached single‑family homes. Residential parking counts (single/two‑family) are in the residential subsection of § 17.108.040; driveway placement restrictions (no required parking within front or street‑side setback except certain ADU exceptions) are in § 17.108.045.C. Residential districts also have additional operational parking rules (vehicles visible from street must be operable) in § 17.108.050.

RM (Multi‑Family Residence)

Purpose & typical uses: apartments, multi‑unit housing. Apply multi‑family counts in § 17.108.040 (e.g., parking per unit) and bicycle rules in § 17.108.110 (multi‑family requires 1 bicycle space per unit plus a 6‑space rack at each building entrance, Class I/II split specified)

CR (Retail Commercial) and CH (Highway Commercial)

Purpose & typical uses: retail, restaurants, service uses. Commercial parking ratios (per sq. ft., per seat, etc.) are provided in § 17.108.040 (tables for retail, office, restaurants, shopping centers). Bicycle parking percentages (Class I/II) and visitor racks are in § 17.108.110. Design and landscaping/screening requirements for parking lots are in § 17.108.045.

MU‑1 and MU‑2 (Mixed‑Use)

Purpose & typical uses: combined residential + commercial. Important: MU‑1 has an explicit exception — no on‑site parking required in that zone (§ 17.108.040) — if your project is in MU‑1, you may not be required to provide on‑site spaces; MU‑2 follows the normal use‑based rules unless a specific plan modifies it. Verify with staff for parcel‑specific application.

I (Industrial)

Purpose & typical uses: light/heavy industrial, warehousing. Industrial minimums are in § 17.108.040 (e.g., 1 per 1,000 sq. ft.; minimum four spaces per separate industrial tenant) and bicycle parking has a large Class I share for industrial uses in § 17.108.110. Screening and encroachment rules for industrial parking are in Article IV and § 17.88/17.108 design subsections.

R‑MHS (Residential Mobilehome Subdivision)

Purpose & typical uses: planned mobilehome parks. This district contains specific parking rules — two spaces per lot (minimum 9' x 20'), one guest space per five lots (within 400 ft), plus additional parking and bicycle spaces at the recreation center — see § 17.72.040 for full standards. Those mobilehome rules override general tables for that district.

CD (Civic District)

Purpose & typical uses: public facilities, community services. Civic uses have tailored ratios in § 17.108.040 (places of worship, libraries, schools) — use the civic table and apply parcel/district rules.

Overlay zones (Historic) — not a separate district but can control design: parking may be subject to design review or historic preservation constraints; overlay rules are in Chapter 17.84 and interact with parking/design review requirements. Always check the Historic overlay provisions and any design review triggers.

Key standards (decision‑relevant table)

Topic Requirement (plain English) Code reference
When parking is required Off‑street parking must be provided when a building is built, enlarged, increased in capacity, or a use established. § 17.108.020
How many spaces Counts are set by use‑type tables (residential, commercial, industrial, civic). MU‑1: no on‑site parking required. § 17.108.040
Standard space size Standard stalls: 9 ft × 18 ft (diagonal/90°); parallel 9 ft × 22 ft. Compact: 8 ft × 11 ft (diagonal) or 8 ft × 18 ft (parallel); label compact spaces. § 17.108.045.A.1.a
Compact % caps Max compact % depends on total spaces (e.g., 20% for 0–50 spaces; up to 35% above 200). § 17.108.045.A.1.b
Drive aisle min width Emergency response drive aisle min 20 ft. Drive‑through aisles 12 ft. § 17.108.045.A.2.b; A.2.1.a
Loading size & count Loading: min 10 ft × 25 ft × 14 ft; required if building ≥ 10,000 sq ft — at least one loading space plus one per loading door. Loading must not be located < 50 ft from a residential lot unless enclosed by an 8 ft masonry wall. §§ 17.108.080–17.108.090; 17.108.070
Bicycle parking Commercial/industrial/multi‑family must provide bicycle parking. Example: multi‑family: 1 bike space per unit + 6‑space rack at each entrance; office/retail formulas and Class I/II splits defined. § 17.108.110
Accessible parking Must meet Title 24 / ADA standards; city enforces state/federal regs. § 17.108.100
Surfacing & striping All required parking and circulation areas must be hard‑surfaced; spaces striped with 4‑inch lines; curb stops, perimeter landscaping and lighting rules apply. § 17.108.045.D–G
Shared/reduced parking Planning Director can approve shared or reduced parking with findings and documentation; purchase/lease of off‑site spaces may be accepted. § 17.108.045.C; 17.108.045.D

Practical guidance and interpretation

  • Find your use in the tables in § 17.108.040 first — that determines the base count; then apply district chapter rules (e.g., R‑MHS mobilehome rules in § 17.72.040 override for mobilehome parks).
  • If your project is in MU‑1, note the explicit policy: no on‑site parking required; nevertheless design review or special‑area rules may still impose circulation or loading requirements. Verify parcel status with staff. Verify with the jurisdiction on applicability to existing vs. new uses.
  • Bicycle parking is mandatory for commercial, industrial and multi‑family uses; design specs (rack/locker, covered % and 2'×6' stall marking, 5' maneuvering aisle) are specific in § 17.108.110 — include bike racks on plans.
  • For any reduction (shared parking, lower ratio), submit a parking study and reserve the right to the Planning Director to approve; recordable agreements may be required for shared parking. § 17.108.045.C explains the approval criteria.
  • Accessible parking must follow Title 24; reference and coordinate with the building code (link to California Building Standards Code) when designing accessible stalls and signage.

Checklist

An applicant should include the following on plans/submittal:

  • Parking count calculation referencing the applicable use row in § 17.108.040 and total spaces provided (show rounding).
  • Parking lot layout showing stall dimensions (9×18 standard; compact labeled), compact % if used, circulation aisles, and 4" striping.
  • Surfacing, curb stops, perimeter landscaping, and lighting notes per § 17.108.045.
  • Bicycle parking plan with Class I/II counts and rack/locker details (5' aisle clearance, 2'×6' bay markings).
  • Loading area location, dimensions and access shown (if building ≥ 10,000 sq ft or frequent deliveries).
  • ADA/Title 24 accessible stalls and signage noted and dimensioned.
  • If requesting a reduction or shared parking, attach the parking study and legal instrument draft (covenants, reciprocal access) for Planning Director review.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
MU‑1 “no on‑site parking” exception Could eliminate on‑site requirements but still trigger design review or overlay rules; affects project cost and layout. Confirm parcel zoning and whether MU‑1 exception applies to the proposed use (§ 17.108.040) and check for specific plan or overlay rules. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Bicycle parking classification (Class I vs II) Incorrect classification changes counts and design (security/covering). Confirm whether required spaces are Class I (long‑term) or Class II (short‑term) per § 17.108.110, and show covered % and rack type.
Shared parking acceptability Shared parking can reduce required stalls but needs robust justification and recorded agreements. Prepare a parking study and be ready to record covenants if the Planning Director approves (criteria in § 17.108.045.C).
Mobilehome park special rules R‑MHS has different minimums (per lot, guest spaces, rec center bike spaces). Use § 17.72.040 for R‑MHS projects rather than the general tables.
Historic overlay / design review impacts Historic or design review requirements may constrain surface parking or visible parking lot treatments. Check Chapter 17.84 and Design Review triggers; design treatments may be required even if counts are met. Verify with the jurisdiction.
ADA/Title 24 incorporation Zoning references Title 24 by incorporation; local plan must satisfy both zoning and building code accessible standards. Dimension stalls and signage to Title 24/ADA; coordinate with building plan review. § 17.108.100 and California Building Standards Code.

Plain‑English Summary

Colfax requires off‑street parking by the use‑type tables in § 17.108.040, designs parking lots to specific dimensions and landscaping/screening rules in § 17.108.045, requires bicycle parking for multi‑family and commercial uses in § 17.108.110, and sets loading and accessible parking rules in §§ 17.108.070–100; special districts like R‑MHS and the MU‑1 exception carry their own rules — always confirm with the Planning Director for reductions or parcel‑specific application.

Information Gaps

  • Local on‑street permit zones, timed on‑street parking programs, or municipal parking district maps — Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Explicit EV charging / vehicle electrification parking requirements in the Colfax zoning text — Not found in retrieved materials (the code references general design but not EV stall quotas). (State green building rules may address EV infrastructure; see California Building Standards Code.)
  • Any city administrative forms, checklist, or appendix diagrams (Appendix A referenced for stall/aisle detail) — Appendix referenced in the code but full appendices/diagrams not present in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction for detail drawings.

Source References

  • § 17.108.010 (Purpose, Off‑Street Parking & Loading chapter)
  • § 17.108.020 (Off‑street parking required)
  • § 17.108.030 – § 17.108.045 (General requirements; Design and improvement of parking; reductions/shared parking)
  • § 17.108.060 – § 17.108.090 (Location, loading dimensions and number)
  • § 17.108.100 (Handicapped / Title 24 incorporation)
  • § 17.108.110 (Bicycle parking provisions and tables)
  • § 17.72.040 (Residential Mobilehome Subdivision parking rules — R‑MHS)
  • § 17.16.010 (List of zoning districts)
  • Historic overlay / overlay policy: Chapter 17.84

Also useful Colfax menu pages (linked above in the page body):

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.108) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.108.110) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Article III) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.64.050) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Title 25) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.160.020B.) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Article IV) Medium relevance
  • Colfax Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I always use the use‑tables in Colfax to compute parking?

Yes — the base required counts come from the use‑type tables in § 17.108.040; compute the required number per the listed formula for your use and round as directed. Special district chapters (for example R‑MHS mobilehome rules) or Article V special‑use provisions can change counts.

Does the MU‑1 zone require on‑site parking?

No — the ordinance explicitly states that in the MU‑1 zone there is no on‑site parking required; however design review, overlays, or specific‑plan rules may still impose site layout or loading requirements. Verify the parcel and development plan with staff. § 17.108.040

What dimensions must I show on a parking plan?

The code requires standard stalls 9 ft × 18 ft (diagonal/90°) and parallel 9 ft × 22 ft, compact stall sizes and compact percentage caps, and minimum drive aisle widths (e.g., 20 ft emergency aisle); include surfacing, curb stops, and 4‑inch stripe notes. § 17.108.045

Are bicycle parking spaces required for apartment projects?

Yes — multi‑family projects must include bicycle parking: 1 bicycle space per unit plus a 6‑space visitor rack at each building entrance, with Class I/II design and clearance rules in § 17.108.110. Show rack/locker type and 5‑ft maneuvering aisles.

How are loading spaces sized and when are they required?

Each off‑street loading space must be at least 10 ft wide × 25 ft long × 14 ft high. For commercial/industrial buildings ≥ 10,000 sq ft that receive regular deliveries, provide at least one loading space plus one additional space per loading door. §§ 17.108.080–17.108.090

Can I reduce required parking by sharing with adjacent uses?

Possibly. The Planning Director can approve shared parking or reductions if you submit a parking study and the reduction meets the criteria in § 17.108.045.C (sufficient capacity, hours compatibility, no overflow impacts). Be prepared to record agreements.

Do accessible/handicapped stalls count toward my required total?

Yes — handicapped accessible stalls count toward the total required parking, but the number and design must meet the state/federal/Title 24 standards incorporated into the zoning rules (§ 17.108.100). Coordinate with building/plan check for Title 24 compliance.

Are there special rules for mobilehome parks?

Yes — R‑MHS (Residential Mobilehome Subdivision) requires two spaces per lot (min 9'×20'), a guest space per five lots (within 400 ft), and extra bike/vehicle spaces at rec centers — see § 17.72.040 for the full list.

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