Local zoning · Del Norte County

Del Norte County — Parking

Parking under the Del Norte County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the Del Norte County zoning ordinances regulate off‑street parking and related standards in unincorporated areas. The rules live in two parallel codes: the inland Zoning Ordinance (Title 20) and the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Title 21). If your site is in the Coastal Zone, use Title 21; otherwise, use Title 20. See the Del Norte County Zoning map context and Del Norte County Land Use designations to confirm which code applies.

The core rule: new buildings, enlargements, or capacity increases must provide off‑street automobile parking per the code’s schedule of required spaces, in every district. § 20.46.10; § 21.44.10

What the ordinance regulates (summary of key standards)

Required number of off‑street spaces by use (ratios differ slightly between Title 20 and Title 21) § 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Where parking may be located (same/adjacent lot; limited remote option within 300 ft with findings; limits in required yards) § 20.46.30; § 21.44.30
Space dimensions, aisle width, compact-space allowance, striping, and surfacing (all‑weather in “urban land uses”) § 20.46.40; § 21.44.40
No double‑counting between different uses unless peak times do not overlap (shared lots require combined sizing) § 20.46.50
Screening when a parking lot/driveway abuts a residential district (fence or planting screen) § 20.46.60
Coastal Harbor Area special allowances for shared parking and “low‑demand” reductions with Director approval § 21.47E.20; § 21.47E.30

Required off‑street spaces (selected uses)

The schedule below highlights commonly used ratios. Use the inland code for sites outside the Coastal Zone and the coastal code for parcels inside it. Note that multifamily ratios differ between codes.

Use (examples)	Inland (Title 20)	Coastal (Title 21)	Notes	Code Reference
Single‑family dwelling	2 per unit	2 per unit	Applies to SFD and duplexes (Title 20 item 6)	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Duplex	2 per unit	2 per unit	Title 20 lists SFD/duplexes together	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Multifamily	1 per studio/1BR; 2 per 2+BR	1.5 per unit (3 per 2 units)	Distinct inland vs. coastal standards	§ 20.46.20 (item 22); § 21.44.20 (item 7)
Office/Bank	1 per 200 sq ft	1 per 200 sq ft	Gross floor area	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Retail store	1 per 200 sq ft (1 per 150 sq ft for convenience ≤5,000 sq ft)	Same		§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Restaurant/nightclub	1 per 3.5 seats	Same	Seating count drives requirement	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Hotel/Motel	1 per room/unit	Same		§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Warehouse/Wholesale	1 per 2 employees (max shift)	Same	Peak shift basis	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Clinic/Medical office	7 per provider	Same	Per physician/dentist/primary caregiver	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Church/School	1 per 3.5 auditorium seats or 1 per 17 classroom seats (greater)	Same	Use higher of the two	§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Bowling alley	5 per lane	Same		§ 20.46.20; § 21.44.20

Design and placement highlights:

Location. Required parking must be on the same or an adjacent lot; when “practical difficulties” exist, it may be as far as 300 ft away. Parking generally cannot intrude into required front yards; Title 20 notes an exception only in the R‑H district. On corners, do not count spaces inside yards adjacent to either street. § 20.46.30; § 21.44.30
Space and aisle sizing. Standard spaces are at least 9 ft x 20 ft; compact spaces may be up to 20% of the required count and are at least 9 ft x 16 ft; aisles need 20 ft behind each stall. Stripe all but single‑family/duplex parking; in “urban land uses” (per the General Plan), provide all‑weather surfacing. § 20.46.40; § 21.44.40
Shared/multiple uses. You can’t double‑count the same stalls for two different uses unless their peak demand times don’t overlap; combined lots (e.g., shopping centers) size to the sum of requirements. § 20.46.50
Screening near homes. If a parking lot or driveway abuts the side or rear line of a residential district, install and maintain a fence or planting screen along that line. § 20.46.60

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

For ADUs in unincorporated areas, one off‑street, all‑weather space is required unless an exemption applies. Exemptions include: within ½ mile of public transit; on a historically significant property; ADU within the existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure; areas with resident parking permits not offered to the ADU; or a car‑share vehicle within one block. § 20.00 ADU regs (Parking)
For state background and additional nuances, see California ADU law.

District-by-district application (parking context)

Because parking requirements apply “in all districts,” most zone chapters simply point back to the off‑street parking chapters. Below are the districts where the code explicitly ties parking to those chapters, plus the Coastal Harbor Area where special reductions are available.

C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial (inland)

Purpose and uses: neighborhood‑scaled commercial compatible with nearby residences. § 20.24.10–.20 (context)
Parking standard: “Adequate parking” required; number of spaces per the off‑street parking chapter. § 20.24.80 → § 20.46
Where it applies: unincorporated commercial nodes outside the Coastal Zone. Confirm other site rules via Del Norte County Development Standards.

C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial (coastal)

Purpose and uses: small, non‑intensive commercial within neighborhoods. § 21.25.10–.30
Parking standard: spaces per Chapter 21.44 (Off‑Street Parking). § 21.25.80 → § 21.44
Where it applies: Coastal Zone sites mapped as C‑1. See Del Norte County Overlay Districts for any coastal overlays that may also affect parking.

C‑3 Central Business District (inland)

Key dimensional standards: yard setbacks generally none; parking defers to the off‑street schedule. § 20.29.80–.100, .120 → § 20.46.20
Where it applies: unincorporated town centers outside the Coastal Zone.

M Manufacturing & Industrial (inland)

Purpose and uses: industrial operations with controls to protect surroundings. § 20.30.10–.20
Parking: M districts are expressly “subject to the provisions of Chapters 20.46–20.58,” which includes parking. § 20.30.10 (last paragraph)
Where it applies: industrial areas outside the Coastal Zone.

Planned Community (P‑C, inland)

How parking is set: the Planning Commission fixes parking and screening for P‑C projects by reference to the most similar base districts and the off‑street parking chapter. § 20.32.40(4)
Where it applies: larger, master‑planned sites outside the Coastal Zone.

Harbor Area (coastal overlays: HDMC/HDR/HVSC/HG)

Purpose: ensure adequate parking while recognizing site constraints near the harbor. § 21.47E.10
Tools available:
- Shared parking with Director approval when peaks differ; off‑site spaces must be within 500 ft and documented. § 21.47E.20
- Up to 25% reduction for “low‑demand” uses with evidence and required findings. § 21.47E.30
Where it applies: parcels zoned in the Harbor districts within the Coastal Zone.

Special topics

Loading spaces: The zoning code defines “loading space” but does not provide a countywide schedule of required loading berths by use in the retrieved materials. Definition at § 20.04.440; § 21.04.410. Not found in retrieved materials for numeric loading requirements.
Bicycle parking: Not found in retrieved materials within Titles 20–21. Some projects may trigger bicycle parking under the California Building Standards Code, not the zoning ordinance. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Screening/landscaping at parking edges: Title 20 requires screening where lots abut residential districts; coordinate with Del Norte County Landscaping and Screening policies as applicable. § 20.46.60
Nonconforming sites: Existing uses may continue under specific rules. Parking changes tied to expansions or use changes can affect compliance; see Del Norte County Nonconforming Uses and verify applicability to your parcel. § 21.48.10 (coastal general)
Discretionary relief: Where strict application is impractical, especially in the Coastal Harbor Area, the code provides Director‑level reductions. Broader relief may involve Del Norte County Variances and Exceptions. § 21.47E.20–.30

Checklist

Confirm whether the site is inland (Title 20) or in the Coastal Zone (Title 21) using Del Norte County zoning & planning overview.
Identify the use(s) and calculate required stalls from the applicable schedule (note multifamily differences inland vs. coastal). § 20.46.20; § 21.44.20
Show parking on the same or adjacent lot, or document “practical difficulties” for up to 300 ft off‑site. Keep out of required front yards (Title 20 has an R‑H exception only). § 20.46.30; § 21.44.30
Dimension stalls and aisles; flag compact spaces; stripe and provide all‑weather surfacing in urban areas. § 20.46.40; § 21.44.40
Provide screening where a lot or driveway abuts a residential district. § 20.46.60
For ADUs, apply the one‑space rule and check statutory exemptions. § 20.00 ADU regs (Parking)
In the Harbor Area, consider shared/low‑demand reductions and prepare required evidence/findings. § 21.47E.20–.30
If your project triggers design oversight, coordinate early with Del Norte County Design Review.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Different multifamily ratios inland vs. coastal	Inland Title 20 uses per‑bedroom counts; Coastal Title 21 sets 1.5 per unit. Misapplying can under/over‑park a project. § 20.46.20; § 21.44.20	Confirm Coastal Zone status; then apply the correct schedule.
“Urban land uses” all‑weather surfacing trigger	Only areas designated as “urban land uses” by the General Plan require all‑weather surfacing. § 20.46.40	Check the General Plan land use map for your parcel.
Front‑yard parking limits	Required spaces may not occupy front yards; Title 20 mentions an R‑H exception not mirrored in Title 21. § 20.46.30; § 21.44.30	Identify your zoning district and which title governs.
Loading space requirements	Only a definition is retrieved; no universal berth counts found. § 20.04.440; § 21.04.410	Ask the County if case‑by‑case conditions or other titles set loading.
Bicycle parking	Not present in Titles 20–21 (retrieved). May arise under building codes.	Coordinate with building officials; see California Building Standards Code.
Shared parking off‑site distance (coastal Harbor)	500 ft limit and documentation required for shared parking. § 21.47E.20	Provide a parking plan and evidence for Director approval.

Plain-English Summary

For projects in unincorporated Del Norte County, you must build off‑street parking when you build new or add capacity. Use Title 20 inland and Title 21 in the Coastal Zone; both give ratios by use and require standard stall sizes and a 20‑ft aisle. Keep parking out of front yards, surface and stripe it where required, and screen it next to homes. Multifamily ratios differ inland vs. coastal, and ADUs often don’t need extra parking if they meet state‑listed exemptions.

Source References

Title 20 Zoning: § 20.46.10–.60 (Off‑Street Parking) and related cross‑references (e.g., C‑1, C‑3, M, P‑C)
Title 21 Coastal Zoning: § 21.44.10–.40 (Off‑Street Parking) and Harbor Area Parking § 21.47E.10–.30; C‑1 coastal § 21.25.80
Definitions: Loading Space § 20.04.440; § 21.04.410
ADU parking (Title 20 ADU regulations – Parking)

Information Gaps

Bicycle parking standards in Titles 20–21: Not found in retrieved materials.
Countywide quantitative loading‑berth requirements: Not found in retrieved materials.
Residential district‑specific parking cross‑references (e.g., R‑1/R‑2/R‑3 chapters): Not found in retrieved materials.
Title 21 screening provision text (§ 21.44.60): Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 49) High relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 4.0102) High relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (Chapter 20.46) High relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (Section 65583) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 9) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
CBC § 200 (Chapter 20.04) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (article or) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 4.0100) High relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (Section 21.52.20) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 7) Medium relevance
California Residential Code Medium relevance
California Residential Code Medium relevance
Del Norte County Zoning Code (§ 3.1401) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Del Norte County code library

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces do I need for a single-family house in unincorporated Del Norte County?

Two off‑street spaces per dwelling unit are required both inland (Title 20) and in the Coastal Zone (Title 21). Apply the schedule for your area. § 20.46.20; § 21.44.20

What’s the parking requirement for apartments or multifamily housing?

Inland Title 20 requires 1 space per studio/1‑bedroom unit and 2 spaces per unit with 2+ bedrooms; Coastal Title 21 requires 1.5 spaces per unit (3 per 2 units). § 20.46.20; § 21.44.20

Can I put required parking in the front yard setback?

Generally no. Required off‑street parking can’t occupy required front yards; Title 20 lists an exception only for the R‑H district. Coastal code does not include that R‑H note. § 20.46.30; § 21.44.30

What are the minimum stall and aisle dimensions?

Standard stalls must be at least 9 ft by 20 ft; up to 20% of required spaces can be compact (9 ft by 16 ft). Provide a 20‑ft aisle behind each stall. § 20.46.40; § 21.44.40

Do ADUs need their own parking space?

Typically one off‑street space is required, but several exemptions apply (e.g., within ½ mile of transit, created within an existing structure, etc.). § 20.00 ADU regs (Parking)

Can different businesses share the same parking lot?

Yes, if their peak demands don’t overlap and (in the Harbor Area) certain findings and proximity limits are met; otherwise, no double‑counting. § 20.46.50; § 21.47E.20

Are there special parking reductions near the harbor?

Yes. The Coastal Harbor Area allows Director‑approved shared parking and up to a 25% reduction for demonstrated low‑demand uses, with evidence and findings. § 21.47E.20–.30

Do I need to stripe and pave my parking?

Except for single‑family and duplexes, stripe all spaces/aisles. In General Plan “urban land use” areas, provide an all‑weather surface (e.g., AC or concrete). § 20.46.40; § 21.44.40

Are loading berths required by the zoning code?

The code defines “loading space,” but a countywide numeric schedule wasn’t found in the retrieved zoning materials. Verify with the County. § 20.04.440; § 21.04.410

What happens if my use is nonconforming today?

Nonconforming uses can continue under specific limits; expansions or use changes may trigger parking compliance. Review the nonconforming rules and verify for your site. § 21.48.10

Ask about any Del Norte County property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Del Norte County zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial