Cudahy — Parking

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Cudahy’s parking rules live in Title 20 Zoning, primarily in Chapter 20.64 Off‑Street Parking and Loading, and they apply citywide to every use and zone. The code sets minimum off‑street parking counts by land use, technical layout (stall/aisle) dimensions, landscaping and lighting for lots, bicycle parking, and loading area standards. It also folds in mixed‑use siting rules, a targeted transit‑area parking reduction, and tailored provisions for ADUs. See the Cudahy Zoning and Cudahy Development Standards pages for broader context.

Core rule: every permitted use must “provide and permanently maintain” off‑street parking and loading as Chapter 20.64 requires. Cite the use in Table 20.64‑1, then lay out stalls/aisles to the 20.64.050 specs. See § 20.64.020

What the ordinance requires (high‑level)

• Applicability and counts
  • All uses provide and maintain off‑street parking and loading; counts are set by Table 20.64‑1 and general rules (round 0.5 up; sum spaces for multi‑use sites unless using approved shared parking) per § 20.64.020 and § 20.64.040 .
  • Within 1,320 ft of a light‑rail station, commercial and industrial uses receive a 25% reduction to minimum off‑street parking per § 20.64.040(F) .
• Where spaces can go
  • In residential zones (and residential uses in any zone), required spaces are on the same lot as the use (on‑site). In other zones, spaces can be on‑site, on jointly owned lots within 400 ft, or in a city‑owned lot within 1,000 ft; loading must be on the same lot as the use, per § 20.64.030(A) .
  • In mixed‑use zones, the City may consider on‑street parking to meet “required parking” as part of a development review permit or CUP, per § 20.64.030(C)(1); surface parking belongs at the side/rear (not between sidewalk and buildings) under mixed‑use design standards, per § 20.28 (Vehicle Parking) . See Cudahy Design Review.
• How spaces are built and signed
  • Stall sizes, aisle widths, driveway widths (by zone) and parallel/tandem/compact rules are in § 20.64.050; compact stalls limited to 10% (50‑space sites must distribute them), and tandem stalls require a CUP with limits by use type, per § 20.64.050(C)–(D) .
  • Paving thickness by zone, striping (10+ stalls), and wheel stops are required per § 20.64.060 .
  • Screening walls, perimeter and interior landscaping (≥6% for lots with 10+ stalls), 1 tree/10 stalls, and lighting minimums (1 fc in residential; 2 fc in commercial/industrial/mixed‑use) are in § 20.64.070; lighting must meet performance standards of § 20.60.050 .
• Bicycle parking and loading
  • Bicycle parking is required for multifamily, public/civic, schools, retail, office, and industrial uses; must meet CalGreen and Cudahy siting/dimension standards in § 20.64.090 (2'×6' stall plus 5' maneuvering) and mixed‑use supplements in § 20.28 . See the California Building Standards Code.
  • Loading: minimum area is ≥10% of required parking area and not less than 250 sf; each tenant needs at least 250 sf; alley access is required where lots adjoin alleys (with specified exceptions) per § 20.64.100 .
• Shared parking and fire access
  • Shared parking allowed when operating hours don’t conflict; requires a parking report and director approval; mixed‑use with residential follows Table 20.64‑1 and requires secure/separate residential parking (guest may share with commercial) per § 20.64.080 .
  • Fire accessways/signage/restrictions follow the Los Angeles County Fire Code per § 20.64.110 .
• Prohibited parking/storage
  • Strict rules prohibit parking on unimproved or unpaved areas, vehicle sales in lots, abandoned/inoperable vehicles stored on driveways beyond seven days, and storage of vehicles >6,000 lbs outside designated facilities; see § 20.64.030(D) .

Minimum off‑street parking by common use (selected)

Use this table to estimate counts; confirm against Table 20.64‑1 and apply rounding rules in § 20.64.040. Acceptable methods for residential include garage, carport, surface parking, and lifts where noted.

Notes:

• Fractional spaces ≥0.5 round up; multiple uses on one site add together unless an approved shared‑parking plan applies, per § 20.64.040(A)–(C) .
• In mixed‑use with residential, guest parking may be provided via the required commercial parking, but resident parking must be separate and secure, per § 20.64.080(C) .
• Within one‑quarter mile of light‑rail, some commercial/industrial uses qualify for a 25% reduction, per § 20.64.040(F) .

Technical development standards you’ll actually use

• Stalls and aisles
  • Standard stall: 9' × 19', or 9'‑6" wide if adjacent to a wall/fence; compact: 8' × 16'; parallel: 10' × 23' per § 20.64.050(A)(1) .
  • One‑way aisles: 12' (≤45°), 18' (46–60°), 24' (61–90°). Two‑way aisles (non‑res.): 20' min; one‑way access (non‑res.): 10' min, per § 20.64.050(A)(2) .
  • Driveways: residential (no fire‑dept spec) 16' min (<4 units, other than SFD) and 20' min (≥4 units); commercial/industrial/mixed‑use: 16' min if no fire‑dept spec, per § 20.64.050(A)(3) .
  • Compact stalls allowed only in commercial/industrial lots with >20 total spaces and capped at 10% of the supply; specific marking/distribution rules apply, per § 20.64.050(C) .
  • Tandem stalls need a CUP; limits vary by use (e.g., max 10% for commercial/industrial; allowed in residential garages but not compact), per § 20.64.050(D); valet standards are case‑by‑case within the CUP . See Cudahy Variances and Exceptions.
• Surfacing, striping, stops
  • Paving thickness varies by zone (e.g., residential 3‑5/8" concrete/asphalt equivalent; commercial/industrial 5‑5/8" concrete or 2" asphalt over 6" base; driveways <1% slope require concrete), plus striping for 10+ spaces and wheel stops per § 20.64.060 .
• Screening, shade, and lighting
  • Perimeter walls (36–42" in front; 5–6' next to residential), 5' landscape strips along street edges, interior landscaping ≥6%, and 1 shade tree/10 stalls; lighting minimums: 1 fc in residential contexts; 2 fc in commercial/industrial/mixed‑use; see § 20.64.070 and performance standards in § 20.60.050 .
• Bicycle parking
  • Provide per CalGreen plus local siting/dimensions in § 20.64.090 (and mixed‑use‑specific criteria in § 20.28). Residential may use secure rooms/lockers; commercial visitor racks within 100' of the main entrance; min 2‑bike capacity rack for visitors, per § 20.28 (Bicycle Parking) . See Cudahy Landscaping and Screening.

District‑by‑District: how parking plays out

Below are the city’s mapped districts most implicated in parking. Use the zoning map to identify your parcel’s district and then apply Chapter 20.64 accordingly. See Cudahy Land Use and Cudahy Overlay Districts.

LDR — Low Density Residential

• Purpose and typical uses: lower‑intensity residential neighborhoods (see Table 20.16‑1 for permitted uses such as detached homes and supportive housing). Parking lots tied to non‑residential uses require a CUP in residential zones per Table 20.16‑1 .
• Parking highlights: On‑site only for required residential parking per § 20.64.030(A)(1); SFD generally 2 spaces/unit (add 1 for 5+ bedrooms) per § 20.64.040 (Table); driveway widths per § 20.64.050(A)(3)(b); residential‑area lighting min 1 fc per § 20.64.070(C)(1) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials (lot size/setbacks). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Where it applies: Citywide mapped LDR areas; confirm on the zoning map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

MDR — Medium Density Residential

• Purpose and typical uses: medium‑intensity residential (e.g., small apartments/condos; see Table 20.16‑1) .
• Parking highlights: Multifamily: 1.5 spaces/unit (1–2 BR); 2 spaces/unit (3+ BR); studios 1 space/unit; guest 0.25/unit for all multifamily categories; on‑site and separate/secure if in mixed‑use per § 20.64.040, § 20.64.080(C); driveway widths/lighting as above .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials (lot size/setbacks). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Where it applies: Citywide mapped MDR areas. Verify with the jurisdiction.

HDR — High Density Residential

• Purpose and typical uses: higher‑intensity multifamily districts (see Table 20.16‑1) .
• Parking highlights: Same multifamily ratios and guest parking as MDR per § 20.64.040; on‑site residential parking required; residential lighting minimums apply per § 20.64.070(C)(1); see § 20.56.050(H)(2) for cross‑reference to parking rules in residential zones .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials (lot size/setbacks). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Where it applies: Citywide mapped HDR areas. Verify with the jurisdiction.

NC — Neighborhood Commercial

• Purpose and typical uses: local‑serving retail/services (see Table 20.20‑1 for permitted/conditional uses) .
• Parking highlights: Counts per Table 20.64‑1 (e.g., retail 1/300 sf, restaurant 1/5 seats or 1/100 sf seating); compact stalls allowed only within limits; tandem by CUP; landscape/lighting apply. If within 1,320 ft of light‑rail, some uses get 25% reduction per § 20.64.040(F) .
• Key dimensional standards: front yard setback 10 ft (and 10 ft landscaped if parking/outdoor storage in front), FAR 0.5, per Table 20.20‑2 .
• Where it applies: Mapped NC corridors/centers. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Ent — Entertainment Zone

• Purpose and typical uses: entertainment‑oriented commercial (see Table 20.20‑1; special standards cross‑referenced from cannabis and entertainment provisions) .
• Parking highlights: Same Table 20.64‑1 counts by use; compact/tandem controls; mixed‑use siting rules if project includes residential per § 20.28; within light‑rail quarter‑mile, reduction may apply per § 20.64.040(F) .
• Key dimensional standards: zero‑lot‑line front/side/rear (0 ft) typical; development metrics per Table 20.20‑2 (e.g., FAR up to 2.0) .
• Where it applies: Mapped “Ent” areas. Verify with the jurisdiction.

I‑Ind — Industrial

• Purpose and typical uses: general industrial/manufacturing/warehousing (see Table 20.20‑1) .
• Parking highlights: Manufacturing 1/500 sf + 1/company vehicle; warehousing 1/1,000 sf + 1/company vehicle; compact/tandem limits apply; light‑rail reduction may apply in qualifying areas; vibration and other performance standards apply elsewhere in Title 20 .
• Key dimensional standards: front 0–10 ft, side/rear 0 ft, with larger setbacks next to residential; FAR 1.25; per Table 20.20‑2 .
• Where it applies: Mapped industrial districts. Verify with the jurisdiction.

LI — Light Industrial

• Purpose and typical uses: lighter industrial/flex uses (Table 20.20‑1 lists permitted/conditional activities) .
• Parking highlights: Counts per Table 20.64‑1; compact/tandem rules apply; landscaping/lighting as in § 20.64.070; quarter‑mile light‑rail reduction may apply per § 20.64.040(F) .
• Key dimensional standards: front 10 ft (and 10 ft landscaped if parking/outdoor storage in front), side/rear 0 ft, FAR 1.25; see Table 20.20‑2 .
• Where it applies: Mapped LI areas. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Mixed‑Use Zones (general)

• Purpose and siting: balance nonresidential access/visibility/loading with residential privacy/security; keep surface parking behind or interior to buildings; connect buildings to on‑site auto/bike parking via walkways; wrap/architecturally treat parking structures at primary frontages per § 20.28 (B–C) .
• Parking highlights: Use Table 20.64‑1; residential guest spaces can be met through commercial supply; resident parking must be separate/secure; on‑street spaces may be considered for “required” counts case‑by‑case via DRP/CUP per § 20.64.080(C) and § 20.64.030(C)(1); loading hours may be limited by CC&Rs (7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.) per § 20.28.080(A) .
• District names: “Civic Mixed‑Use Zone” appears in § 20.28; other MU designations not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Civic Mixed‑Use Zone

• Purpose and typical uses: mixed civic/residential settings; emphasis on open space/plazas and pedestrian connectivity per § 20.28.070(B) .
• Parking highlights: Apply mixed‑use siting rules (no parking between sidewalk and buildings), Table 20.64‑1 counts, and separation/guest‑sharing rules per § 20.64.080(C); bicycle parking per § 20.64.090 and § 20.28 (D) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Where it applies: Mapped Civic Mixed‑Use areas. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Parks, Schools, and Los Angeles River Zones

• Purpose and typical uses: preserve educational, recreational, and open‑space lands (parks, libraries, certain city uses) per § 20.24.010–.020 .
• Parking highlights: Assembly/school parking draws from Table 20.64‑1 (e.g., assembly by seats/area; schools by employees/students/classrooms). Site design must still meet walls/landscaping/lighting and bicycle parking standards per § 20.64.070 and § 20.64.090 .

ADU‑specific parking in Cudahy

• One off‑street space per ADU is required in addition to primary residence parking; tandem in an existing driveway is ok; spaces need not be replaced if a garage/carport is converted/demolished for an ADU; several categorical exceptions remove the parking requirement (e.g., within ½‑mile of transit, parking‑permit areas not offered to the ADU, within one block of approved car share) per § 20.52.780(A)–(C) . See California ADU law.

Checklist

• Identify your parcel’s zoning district and any overlays; confirm if the site is in mixed‑use areas or within 1,320 ft of a light‑rail station for a potential 25% reduction (commercial/industrial) per § 20.64.040(F) . See Cudahy Overlay Districts.
• Determine use category and minimum stalls from Table 20.64‑1; apply rounding and multi‑use sum rules per § 20.64.040 .
• If proposing shared parking, prepare a shared‑parking report and secure approval per § 20.64.080 .
• Lay out stalls/aisles/driveways to § 20.64.050; confirm any CUP need for tandem, and compact limits/marking per § 20.64.050(C)–(D) .
• Provide paving/striping/wheel stops per § 20.64.060; include fire access compliance per § 20.64.110 .
• Add required walls, perimeter and interior landscaping (≥6%), shade trees, and lighting levels per § 20.64.070; coordinate with Cudahy Landscaping and Screening .
• Provide bicycle parking to § 20.64.090 and, if mixed‑use, § 20.28(D); place visitor racks within 100' of main entries where required .
• Size and locate loading areas to § 20.64.100; check alley access rules on alley‑adjoining parcels .
• In mixed‑use zones, keep surface parking out of the front setback; consider if on‑street spaces can count toward required parking through design review/CUP per § 20.64.030(C)(1) and § 20.28(C) .
• For ADUs, apply § 20.52.780 exemptions and tandem allowances; do not replace removed garage spaces when converting to an ADU .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Cudahy requires every project to provide off‑street parking and loading, sized by use and laid out to specific stall/aisle, landscaping, lighting, and bicycle parking rules. Mixed‑use sites push parking behind buildings and may, with City approval, count on‑street spaces; some commercial/industrial sites near light‑rail get a 25% reduction. Apartments need resident plus guest parking; ADUs often need just one space—or none if certain exemptions apply.

Information Gaps

• Exact residential district dimensional standards (setbacks, lot sizes) for LDR/MDR/HDR: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Full list and boundaries/names of all mixed‑use districts beyond the “Civic Mixed‑Use Zone”: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Any district‑specific parking modifiers in overlays beyond mixed‑use siting and Urban Agriculture adjacency notes: Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

• CMC Title 20 Zoning; Chapter 20.64 Off‑Street Parking and Loading — §§ 20.64.010–20.64.130 (intent/applicability, counts, siting, development standards, shared parking, bicycle parking, loading, fire access) .
• Table 20.64‑1 Number of Required Parking Spaces (selected rows cited above) .
• Mixed‑Use standards (parking siting, bicycle parking, loading hour limits): CMC Chapter 20.28 (pp. ~62–65) .
• Commercial/Industrial use permissions and development standards: Tables 20.20‑1 and 20.20‑2 (NC, Ent, I‑Ind, LI) .
• Residential use table (LDR, MDR, HDR): Table 20.16‑1 (selected permissions related to parking lots and transitional uses) .
• ADU parking: CMC § 20.52.780 (local ADU parking standards and exemptions) .
• Parks/Schools/Los Angeles River purposes: CMC § 20.24.010–.020 (zone purposes and sample permitted uses) .
• Cross‑references (parking in yards, performance standards): CMC § 20.56.050(H)(2); § 20.60.050 (lighting performance) .

Retrieved passages

• CMC § 20.16.110 (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.60.050 (Chapter 20.84) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.16.110 (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.60.050 (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.64.080 (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 6 (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• CMC Title 20 Zoning; Chapter 20.64 Off‑Street Parking and Loading — §§ 20.64.010–20.64.130 (intent/applicability, counts, siting, development standards, shared parking, bicycle parking, loading, fire access) . (Title 20)
• Table 20.64‑1 Number of Required Parking Spaces (selected rows cited above) .
• Mixed‑Use standards (parking siting, bicycle parking, loading hour limits): CMC Chapter 20.28 (pp. ~62–65) . (Chapter 20.28)
• Commercial/Industrial use permissions and development standards: Tables 20.20‑1 and 20.20‑2 (NC, Ent, I‑Ind, LI) .
• Residential use table (LDR, MDR, HDR): Table 20.16‑1 (selected permissions related to parking lots and transitional uses) .
• ADU parking: CMC § 20.52.780 (local ADU parking standards and exemptions) . (§ 20.52.780)
• Parks/Schools/Los Angeles River purposes: CMC § 20.24.010–.020 (zone purposes and sample permitted uses) . (§ 20.24.010)
• Cross‑references (parking in yards, performance standards): CMC § 20.56.050(H)(2); § 20.60.050 (lighting performance) . (§ 20.56.050)
• Cudahy_ZoningCode.md