Coronado — Parking

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Coronado’s zoning code sets citywide rules for how much off-street parking you must provide, where you can put it, and how it must be designed. The controlling chapter is Title 86, Chapter 86.58 Off‑Street Parking; some districts and overlays add twists, and commercial parking along the Orange Avenue corridor is governed by the Orange Avenue Corridor Specific Plan in Title 88. See the citywide Coronado Zoning and Coronado Development Standards pages for broader context.

Bottom line: Coronado finds that on‑street parking does not satisfy required parking; you must meet the off‑street ratios and design standards in Chapter 86.58 unless a specific exception applies. See § 86.58.010.

Where Coronado’s parking rules live

• Core chapter: Off‑street parking ratios and design standards are in § 86.58.010–86.58.250. Commercial uses in the C (Commercial) Zone use Title 88 (Orange Avenue Corridor Specific Plan) for ratios per § 86.58.010 and § 86.22.
• Definitions you’ll actually use (e.g., “open and unenclosed,” “off‑street,” “tandem”): § 86.04.563–86.04.590.
• Location, joint use, and “where can I put my spaces?” rules: § 86.58.190–.220.
• Parking plan submittal and review (including when the Design Review Commission and Planning Commission/City Council get involved): § 86.58.230. Consider reading Coronado Design Review before you draw anything.
• Overlays that affect parking: the P – Parking Overlay Zone and TOZ – Tidelands Overlay; see Coronado Overlay Districts.

How many spaces are required — key ratios (selected)

The table below distills Coronado’s most decision-relevant minimums. These are citywide unless otherwise noted.

Notes:

• For housing density‑bonus projects, Coronado applies the state “maximum parking” caps on request; tandem is explicitly allowed and need not be covered. See § 86.53.090 and California housing laws.
• Commercial uses in the C Zone use Title 88 ratios. Specific numbers are “Not found in retrieved materials” here; verify in Title 88. § 86.58.010; § 86.22.

Design and location standards that trip people up

• Access and backing:
  • New single‑ or two‑family projects should take vehicle access from the alley where present; curb cuts to the street are generally prohibited unless no alley access exists. § 86.58.040.
  • Except for certain single/duplex cases with no alley access, parking may not be arranged to back across sidewalks or into streets. § 86.58.050.
• Tandem parking:
  • Allowed for single/duplex only in limited situations (e.g., narrow lots, no alley access, very small lots), max two in tandem. The first space next to the street/alley must be open and unenclosed; nonresidential tandem only with approved valet. § 86.58.060(C)–(D).
• Space dimensions and aisles:
  • Standard confined spaces: 9 ft × 18 ft; unconfined: 8.5 ft × 18 ft. Enclosed residential spaces: 9 ft × 20 ft. Up to 20% of non‑residential may be compact at 7.5–8 ft × 15 ft; parallel spaces: 22 ft (standard) or 19 ft (compact). § 86.58.070.
  • Aisle widths vary by angle, up to 24 ft for 90°. § 86.58.100.
• Marking, wheel stops, lighting, screening, and landscaping:
  • Stripe and assign spaces (esp. multifamily) per § 86.58.110; wheel stops (6 in. high) are required except where unsafe per § 86.58.120; light must be directed away from residences (§ 86.58.140).
  • Screen lots >5 spaces where they adjoin R zones/institutions; provide a 3.5‑ft fence/wall along streets/alleys per § 86.58.130.
  • Minimum landscaping: 15% of the parking site; 5‑ft landscaped street edge; one 24‑in‑box tree per five spaces; parking islands min 4 ft wide. § 86.58.160.
• Where the spaces may be:
  • Dwelling uses: on the same lot; limited exception allows required single‑family parking on an adjoining lot with recorded easements. § 86.58.190(A).
  • Up to 200‑ft walking distance for other uses; same block and connected by a direct path that does not cross a public street. § 86.58.190(D).
  • No required parking in residential front yards (with a numbered‑streets carve‑out if setbacks make compliance impossible and the space is open, unenclosed, and uncovered). § 86.58.190(E)–(F).
  • No required off‑street parking on slopes >14%. § 86.58.190(G).
• Joint or common parking:
  • Mixed occupancies add their requirements; no automatic sharing. § 86.58.200.
  • Joint use (typical day/night pairings) allows up to 50% cross‑credit within 200 ft, subject to recorded covenants. § 86.58.210–.220.
• Retention: You cannot reduce or encumber required parking for its intended use. § 86.58.170.
• Underground parking in public right‑of‑way: Allowed only if entirely in excess of required counts and with permits; you can’t use it to meet your on‑site minimum. § 86.58.250.
• Bicycle parking: No citywide numeric bike‑parking standard was retrieved. Notably, hotel/motel parking reductions require employer measures such as bicycle racks and showers as part of a transportation‑demand package. § 86.58.230(E).
• Loading: “Loading space” is defined (§ 86.04.410), but no general loading‑space ratios were retrieved; R‑PCD submittals must address off‑street parking and loading qualitatively. § 86.42.030(D). “Not found in retrieved materials” for numeric loading standards.

District‑by‑district: how parking interacts with each zone

Coronado’s base and overlay districts require conformance with Chapter 86.58 unless a district/overlay points you elsewhere. Refer to the citywide map in Coronado Zoning. A full list of zone names appears in § 86.06.010.

R‑1A – Single‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose/uses: Single‑family neighborhoods; duplexes allowed only in mapped subareas (R‑1A(E)). § 86.08.010–.020.
• Key standards: Lot sizes vary by subzone; typical single‑family FAR/height/setbacks set in Chapter 86.08. § 86.08.100–.110.
• Parking: Must meet § 86.58; single‑family/duplex counts as in the table above. § 86.08.120; § 86.58.030(D).
• Where it applies: Areas mapped R‑1A on the official zoning map. § 86.06.030.

R‑1B – Single‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose/uses: Single‑family and duplex on ≥7,000 sq ft lots. § 86.10.010–.020.
• Key standards: Typical R‑1B coverage and heights in Chapter 86.10. § 86.10.100.
• Parking: Off‑street parking required per § 86.58. § 86.10.110.
• Where it applies: Mapped R‑1B areas. § 86.06.030.

R‑3 – Multiple‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose/uses: Medium‑density multifamily. § 86.14.010–.020.
• Key standards: Height, coverage, and landscaping limits in Chapter 86.14. § 86.14.110–.130.
• Parking: Off‑street parking required per § 86.58. § 86.14.100.
• Where it applies: Mapped R‑3 areas. § 86.06.010.

R‑4 – Multiple‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose/uses: Higher‑density multifamily. Chapter 86.16 defers to Title 88 for development regulations. § 86.16 (header).
• Parking: “Not found in retrieved materials” for R‑4 specifics; default to Chapter 86.58 and verify Title 88 for any corridor‑specific standards.
• Where it applies: Mapped R‑4 areas; see Coronado Zoning.

R‑5 – Multiple‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose/uses: Highest multifamily density (up to 47 du/ac). § 86.18.010–.020, .070.
• Key standards: Yard, coverage limits, and landscaping rules in Chapter 86.18. § 86.18.040–.080, .120.
• Parking: 1.5 spaces per unit (citywide rule) with other § 86.58 standards. § 86.58.030(D)(4); § 86.18.090.
• Where it applies: Mapped R‑5 areas. § 86.06.010.

C – Commercial Zone (Orange Avenue Corridor)

• Purpose/uses: Citywide commercial; the corridor plan (Title 88) governs allowed uses and ratios. § 86.22.
• Parking: Provide spaces as required by Title 88 (Orange Ave). § 86.58.010; § 86.22. “Not found in retrieved materials” for exact counts here.
• Where it applies: Mapped Commercial/SP areas; see Coronado Land Use.

C‑R – Commercial Recreation Zone

• Purpose/uses: Privately owned shoreline recreation. § 86.28.010–.020.
• Key standards: 40‑ft height max; 15% landscaping. § 86.28.025, .050.
• Parking: Per § 86.58. § 86.28.040.
• Where it applies: Mapped C‑R shoreline sites.

H‑M – Hotel‑Motel Zone

• Purpose/uses: Tourist/transient centers (hotels, restaurants, assembly). § 86.32.010–.020.
• Key standards: 40‑ft/3‑story limit, setbacks; landscaping minimums. § 86.32.040–.100.
• Parking: Per § 86.58, with hotel ratios in § 86.58.030(H) and potential 20% reduction at parking plan stage. § 86.32.090(C); § 86.58.030(H); § 86.58.230(E).

OS – Open Space Zone

• Purpose/uses: Parks, beaches, recreation, trails. § 86.38.010–.020.
• Parking: Per § 86.58. § 86.38.050.

P – Parking Overlay Zone

• Purpose/uses: Open‑air, temporary parking of transient autos; development must still meet underlying zone standards and Chapter 86.58. § 86.24.010–.030.
• Where it applies: Areas mapped “P” on the zoning map; per § 86.06.020 list.

TOZ – Tidelands Overlay Zone

• Purpose: Adds coastal development criteria; “parking areas” are not counted as open space here. § 86.39.010.
• Parking: Provide the greater of City or Port/Coastal/Boating standards. § 86.58.030(C).

R‑PCD – Residential, Planned Community Development Zone

• Purpose/uses: Master‑planned residential with accessory commercial/recreation. § 86.42.010.
• Parking: Must meet off‑street parking performance standards of the title; PDP must show parking/loading approach. § 86.42.050(B); § 86.42.030(D).

R‑SCD – Residential‑Special Care Development Zone

• Purpose/uses: Limited residential special care and skilled nursing near hospital services. § 86.20.010–.020.
• Parking: Off‑street parking required per Chapter 86.58; limited residential special care requires 1 space per 2 habitable units. § 86.20.070; § 86.58.030(E).

Checklist

• Confirm your use and zone. Start with the official zoning map, then check the applicable chapter (R‑1, R‑3, R‑5, C, H‑M, etc.). § 86.06.010–.040.
• Pick the correct minimum parking ratio(s) from § 86.58.030 (or Title 88 if you are in the C Zone).
• Lay out spaces to meet size and aisle standards; document compact allocations. § 86.58.070–.100.
• Prove legal location of off‑site, joint, or common facilities (distance, block, covenants). § 86.58.180–.220.
• Keep required spaces open/unencumbered; don’t reduce what’s required. § 86.58.150, § 86.58.170.
• Provide striping, lighting, screening, and landscaping. § 86.58.110, .140, .130, .160.
• Submit a parking plan; know when Planning Commission/City Council review is required. § 86.58.230.
• If proposing a hotel/motel reduction, assemble the required TDM measures (e.g., shuttle, transit passes, bike racks/showers). § 86.58.230(E).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Coronado wants you to park off‑street, size and stripe spaces correctly, pull access from alleys when possible, and keep required spaces open. Single‑family homes generally need two or three spaces depending on lot size; multifamily needs two per unit except in R‑5 (1.5). Hotels have a composite formula and can get up to a 20% reduction if they do things like run shuttles and provide bike racks/showers. If you mix uses, add the requirements unless you qualify for a joint‑use plan with recorded covenants. For Commercial Zone properties along Orange Avenue, check the corridor plan for the exact counts. § 86.58.010–.230.

Source References

• Coronado Municipal Code Title 86 — Off‑Street Parking, § 86.58.010–.250.
• Number of spaces by use, § 86.58.030 (including D–Q).
• Access, backing, tandem, dimensions, aisles, marking, wheel stops, screening, lighting, landscaping, retention, location, joint/common, plan: § 86.58.040–.230.
• Zone chapters requiring conformance to § 86.58: R‑1A § 86.08.120; R‑1B § 86.10.110; R‑3 § 86.14.100; R‑5 § 86.18.090; C‑R § 86.28.040; H‑M § 86.32.090(C); OS § 86.38.050; R‑SCD § 86.20.070; R‑PCD § 86.42.050(B).
• Orange Avenue Corridor (Commercial Zone) pointer: § 86.58.010; § 86.22.
• Tidelands Overlay “greater‑of” rule: § 86.58.030(C).
• ADU/JADU parking caps: § 86.56.105(B)(12).
• Density bonus parking max (by state): § 86.53.090.
• Zone names list: § 86.06.010; overlays list § 86.06.020.

Retrieved passages

• CMC § 86.02.120 (Title 86) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (Title 86) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (chapter to) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.190 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.030 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.040 (Title 88.) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.56.130 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.030 (title to) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.190 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.55.160 (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.030 (Title 86) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 2026 (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.56.105 (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.56.020 (Chapter 86.58) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.58.040 (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• Coronado Zoning Code (Section 21155.) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 86.56.130 (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 3 (Title 86) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 010 (chapter provides) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Coronado Municipal Code Title 86 — Off‑Street Parking, § 86.58.010–.250. (Title 86)
• Number of spaces by use, § 86.58.030 (including D–Q). (§ 86.58.030)
• Access, backing, tandem, dimensions, aisles, marking, wheel stops, screening, lighting, landscaping, retention, location, joint/common, plan: § 86.58.040–.230. (§ 86.58.040)
• Zone chapters requiring conformance to § 86.58: R‑1A § 86.08.120; R‑1B § 86.10.110; R‑3 § 86.14.100; R‑5 § 86.18.090; C‑R § 86.28.040; H‑M § 86.32.090(C); OS § 86.38.050; R‑SCD § 86.20.070; R‑PCD § 86.42.050(B). (§ 86.58)
• Orange Avenue Corridor (Commercial Zone) pointer: § 86.58.010; § 86.22. (§ 86.58.010)
• Tidelands Overlay “greater‑of” rule: § 86.58.030(C). (§ 86.58.030)
• ADU/JADU parking caps: § 86.56.105(B)(12). (§ 86.56.105)
• Density bonus parking max (by state): § 86.53.090. (§ 86.53.090.)
• Zone names list: § 86.06.010; overlays list § 86.06.020. (§ 86.06.010)
• Coronado_ZoningCode.md