Local zoning · Del Rey Oaks

Del Rey Oaks — Parking

Q: If a C‑1 parcel adjoins an R or D zone, what special parking rules apply?

If a C‑1 zone directly faces an R or D zone, parking and loading facilities must be set back at least 10 feet from the street and the setback must be permanently landscaped with woody plants; parking areas must also be screened and paved/graded per § 17.24.050 .

Parking under the Del Rey Oaks local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Del Rey Oaks zoning ordinance (Title 17) actually requires for off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking. It pulls the local numeric minimums, surfacing/landscaping/arrangement rules, and special‑district exceptions from the municipal code so applicants and planners can use the right § citations when preparing site plans. For related procedures see the city's zoning overview and development standards pages.

Note: Where the municipal text is silent or defers to statewide technical standards (accessibility, dimensions, EV readiness, etc.) I point that out and tell you where to verify. Always confirm parcel‑specific requirements with the City Planner. Relevant code excerpts below are cited to the controlling local § and the retrieved file preview.

What the Del Rey Oaks code says (summary of requirements)

The city identifies its zoning districts as R‑1, R‑2, D, C (and C‑1 as a specific commercial district) and ST (special treatment); see § 17.04.020 .
Commercial zone projects in C‑1 must show off‑street parking and ingress/egress on the plot plan prior to building permits; the code lists use‑by‑use parking rates and requires each stall have a minimum area of 180 sq ft (exclusive of aisles) (§ 17.24.040 and related § 17.24.050 conditions).
Garden/apartment D districts set numeric parking minimums for multi‑family: 1.75 spaces per studio/1‑bed/2‑bed unit and 2 spaces per 3‑bedroom (with one space required to be in a garage or carport); stalls must be at least 180 sq ft each and no curbside parking is permitted except as approved through design review; see § 17.16.040(C) .
The ST district defers to the D district parking standards (i.e., refers to § 17.16.040(C)); see § 17.28.090 .
Visitor/commercial overlay and emergency shelter rules add special parking/bike minimums and allow some reductions/adjustments; the emergency shelter standards require one parking space per staff member and at least four bicycle spaces minimum for staff/clients; see § 17.80.030 and overlay rules § 17.32.060–.090 .
Common (shared) parking facilities may substitute for separate private stalls if the Planning Commission approves and the total does not fall below the sum of the individual requirements; see § 17.24.040(3) .
Surfacing, drainage, screening, and lighting standards for off‑street parking are spelled out for C‑1 (pavement with asphalt or concrete, graded/drained, screened and landscaped setbacks of 10 ft where C‑1 faces an R or D zone, lighting directed away from adjoining residences); see § 17.24.050 .

(For design review or how parking is evaluated visually/landscaped during discretionary review, consult the city's design review and landscaping and screening pages.)

District‑by‑district breakdown (purpose, typical uses, parking standards, where it applies)

R‑1 (Single‑family residential)

Purpose/typical uses: One‑family dwellings and incidental accessory uses; districts identified in § 17.04.020 .
Parking rule summary: The ordinance requires off‑street garage/parking provision for residential units (the code’s automobile garage/parking provision specifies garage space requirements for family units and other residential uses; see the automobile garage paragraph) — see the municipal code text for the local garage/parking provision (automobile garage/parking space requirement) .
Where it applies: City Single‑Family blocks; consult the zoning map in the zoning chapter § 17.04.030–040 for parcel determination .

R‑2 (Multiple‑family residential)

Purpose/typical uses: Duplexes, small multifamily; rules are in CHAPTER 17.12 (R‑2) and are subject to general regs in Chapter 17.36 .
Parking rule summary: Garage/parking space requirements are handled in the general/regulatory provisions (automobile garage/parking space) and by applicable planning commission determinations for nonstandard uses; see the automobile garage provision for exact local requirements .

D (Garden‑type apartment / multiple family)

Purpose/typical uses: Medium density multifamily with design controls, open space emphasis; CHAPTER 17.16 explains objectives and conditional use requirements .
Key parking standards: 1.75 spaces per studio/1‑bed/2‑bed unit; 2 spaces per 3‑bed unit; one parking space per dwelling must be in a garage or carport. Stall size minimum 180 sq ft (exclusive of aisles). No curbside parking; design review can approve interspersed bays. See § 17.16.040(C) .
Where it applies: Parcels mapped D on the zoning map and projects requiring conditional use permits (site plan, circulation, and fiscal impact analysis required) — see § 17.16.020–.040 .

C / C‑1 (Commercial; C‑1 is the named general commercial district)

Purpose/typical uses: Retail, services, offices; C‑1 includes hotels, restaurants, theaters and other commercial uses listed in § 17.24.020–.040 .
Key parking/loading standards (decision‑relevant):
- Developer must show off‑street parking and ingress/egress on the plot plan prior to permit issuance (§ 17.24.040.B.1) .
- Use‑by‑use minimums include (excerpted): single‑family dwellings/guest houses 1 space/unit (in garage); offices 1 per 300 sf; retail/service 1 per 500 sf; restaurants 1 per 2.5 seats; theaters/assembly 1 per 5 seats or 1 per 50 sf if movable seating; shopping centers vary from 8/1000 sf down to 6/1000 sf depending on size. Each space must be at least 180 sq ft exclusive of aisles (§ 17.24.040.B.2–4) .
- Surface, drainage, paving, screening and lighting rules are in § 17.24.050; if C‑1 borders R or D zones, parking must be set back 10 ft and landscaped with woody plants § 17.24.050.B .
Loading: The C‑1 plot plan requirement must account for loading needs; the code groups "parking and loading" together and requires plot plan demonstration of both (§ 17.24.040.B.1) .

ST (Special Treatment)

Purpose/typical uses: Large site planning, agriculture and single‑family exceptions; permits short‑term rentals with a use permit in specified cases § 17.28.010–.030 .
Parking rule summary: The ST district defers directly to § 17.16.040(C) for parking (i.e., the D‑district parking standard) — § 17.28.090 .

Quick standards table (most decision‑relevant)

Use / Topic	Minimum off‑street parking required	Minimum stall area / surfacing	Code reference
Single‑family dwelling (C‑1 listing)	1 space per dwelling (in garage)	Each stall ≥ 180 sq ft; paved (C‑1)	§ 17.24.040.B.2.a
Multifamily (D zone)	1.75 spaces per studio/1/2‑bed; 2 spaces per 3‑bed	One space per unit must be in garage/carport; stalls ≥ 180 sq ft	§ 17.16.040(C)
Professional / Business offices	1 per 300 sq ft	≥ 180 sq ft	§ 17.24.040.B.2.e
Retail / service commercial	1 per 500 sq ft	Surfaced/graded/landscaped per § 17.24.050	§ 17.24.040.B.2.f
Restaurants / bars	1 per 2.5 seats	Paved; lighting directed away from residential	§ 17.24.040.B.2.g & § 17.24.050.F–G
Shopping centers	6–8 per 1,000 sq ft depending on size	Common parking allowed with Planning Commission approval	§ 17.24.040.B.2.i–ii
Emergency shelters	1 space per staff; bicycle parking minimum 4	See emergency shelter standards	§ 17.80.030.7

Checklist (what an applicant must provide for most projects that trigger parking review)

Site/plot plan showing all proposed off‑street parking stalls, dimensions, access drives, and loading areas as required by § 17.24.040.B.1 (C‑1) or the applicable district standard (e.g., § 17.16.040(C) for D/ST) .
Calculation table showing parking required vs. parking provided, by use (quoting the ordinance rates in § 17.24.040.B.2 if commercial) .
Show stall geometry so each stall is effectively ≥ 180 sq ft (or verify stall dimensions meet local minimums) § 17.24.040.B.4 .
Surfacing and drainage notes for parking areas per § 17.24.050.F (C‑1) — pavement type, grading, stormwater disposal, maintenance plan .
Landscape plan for parking setbacks and screening; if project is in or adjacent to R/D zones, show 10 ft planting/setback where applicable § 17.24.050.B .
If using common/shared parking, include Planning Commission submittal showing service area and demand analysis per § 17.24.040.B.3 .
Emergency shelters or special uses: include bicycle parking counts and staff ratios per § 17.80.030.7 .
For ADUs, show the ADU parking calculation and whether the unit qualifies for any parking exemptions under the ADU chapter — see ADU parking rules in the ADU chapter (local ADU parking subsection) § 17.70 .
Confirm whether any overlay (e.g., Visitor Commercial overlay) modifies the parking standard (some overlays reduce or modify requirements) — see overlay districts and § 17.32 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Bicycle parking standards outside emergency shelters	The ordinance explicitly requires bicycle parking minimums only for emergency shelters (minimum of 4); general bicycle parking minima are not stated in the retrieved materials, so applicants may not meet expectations at plan check.	Verify whether the city has a separate bicycle parking standard or policy (city staff / Planning Division). Code excerpt: § 17.80.030.7 (emergency shelters) .
ADA / accessible parking dimensions and number	Title 17 does not set accessible stall dimensions or counts; those are technical (Title 24/California Building Code). Plan reviewers will require compliance with Building Code accessibility standards.	Confirm accessible stall counts and dimensions with Building Division and apply California Building Standards Code (Title 24) for design; see California Building Standards Code and state CBC/11B references .
ADU parking vs. State ADU law	Local ADU chapter includes a parking subsection but state law limits ADU parking collection/conditions; local numeric limits may be stricter than state law unless aligned.	Check the ADU chapter parking subsection and cross‑check with California ADU law; see ADU chapter parking § 17.70 and California ADU law .
Loading space minimums	The local code requires applicants to show loading needs on plot plans (C‑1) but does not provide a numeric off‑street loading‑space table in the retrieved text.	Confirm loading‑space dimension and count expectations with City Engineer / Planning; § 17.24.040.B.1 requires showing loading needs on plot plan .
Where local numeric standards differ from modern practice	Some numerical rates (e.g., 8/1,000 sf for small shopping centers) may be older than current parking generation studies or neighborhood objectives (transit, mode shift).	If seeking a reduction or shared parking solution, request Planning Commission review per § 17.24.040.B.3 and consider a transportation demand management program; verify variance/exception process § 17.44 if needed .

Plain‑English summary

Del Rey Oaks’ zoning ordinance requires developers to show enough off‑street parking for the use on the site plan and gives specific minimums in key places: multi‑family in the D zone uses 1.75 or 2 spaces per unit depending on bedrooms (one in a garage), and C‑1 (commercial) lists parking rates by use (office 1/300 sf, retail 1/500 sf, restaurants per seat, shopping centers 6–8/1,000 sf); stalls must generally be ≥180 sq ft, parking areas paved/graded and screened, and some overlays and emergency shelters add special rules (e.g., bicycle parking). Always show parking and loading on the plot plan and check with planning for shared‑parking or reductions. See the cited local sections for the exact numbers and conditions (and check accessibility/technical dimensions under the state building code) .

Source References

Del Rey Oaks zoning district list and general provisions — § 17.04.020 .
D‑district parking and property development standards — § 17.16.040(C) (off‑street parking numeric standards) .
C‑1 district property development, off‑street parking & loading, and other parking conditions — § 17.24.040 and § 17.24.050 (use‑by‑use parking rates, parking area surfacing, setbacks, screening) .
ST district parking reference (defers to § 17.16.040(C)) — § 17.28.090 .
Emergency shelter parking and bicycle requirements — § 17.80.030.7 (one parking space per staff member; bicycle parking minimum) .
ADU parking rules (local ADU chapter; on‑site requirements and exemptions) — ADU chapter parking subsection (ADU chapter § 17.70, parking subsection) .
Planning Commission / shared parking approval language — § 17.24.040.B.3 (common parking facilities) .
Zoning enforcement/administration and code citation conventions — § 17.04 (general provisions) .
California technical accessibility and parking dimensions (for accessible stalls and loading): California Building Standards Code / CBC (Title 24) (see Building Code excerpts for accessible parking/load zones) .
For the city’s zoning menu and related pages see: Del Rey Oaks zoning & planning overview, Del Rey Oaks Zoning, Del Rey Oaks Development Standards, Del Rey Oaks Design Review, Del Rey Oaks Overlay Districts, Del Rey Oaks Landscaping and Screening, Del Rey Oaks ADUs, California Building Standards Code. (Use these links when preparing plans and routing for review.)

Information Gaps

Explicit general bicycle parking minima for non‑special uses (outside emergency shelters) — Not found in retrieved materials; verify with Planning staff. .
Local numeric off‑street loading bay sizes and counts (code requires showing loading needs but does not list a local loading space table in the retrieved portions) — Not found in retrieved materials; verify with City Engineer / Planning. .
Clear cross‑references for accessible‑stall counts/dimensions (these are governed by the California Building Standards Code, not by Title 17) — See State building code; local title defers to Building Code for technical dimensions .
Any local bicycle parking design standards (racks type, secure long‑term standards) — Not found; check City design manuals or ask Planning. .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-B-4) High relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (Section 17.24.050) High relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-A-3) High relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-B-5) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-A-1) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-B-4) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (Section 17.24.020) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-207.2) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-208) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-205-A-4) Medium relevance
CBC § 11B (Section 11B-208.3.) Medium relevance
Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (Section 66013) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Del Rey Oaks code library

Frequently asked questions

What parking ratios apply to a small shopping center in Del Rey Oaks?

Del Rey Oaks prescribes shopping‑center parking by size in the C‑1 parking table: 8 cars/1,000 sf for centers under 100,000 sf, 7/1,000 sf for 100k–250k sf, and 6/1,000 sf for centers over 250,000 sf; each stall must meet the stall area minimum. See § 17.24.040.B.2.i for the rates and § 17.24.040.B.4 for stall area (180 sq ft) .

Do ADUs in Del Rey Oaks need on‑site parking?

Local ADU rules require on‑site parking per the ADU chapter, but they also follow state ADU limits (local requirements cannot exceed state caps). The local ADU chapter includes a parking subsection: generally one on‑site space per ADU (per unit or bedroom, whichever is less), with several statutory exemptions described in the ADU section (and subject to state law). See the ADU chapter parking subsection in the ADU chapter (§ 17.70, ADU parking) .

How large must each parking stall be in Del Rey Oaks?

The code requires each off‑street parking space to have an area of not less than 180 square feet exclusive of access drives or aisles (applies in the C‑1 and D provisions where stall area is stated). See § 17.24.040.B.4 and § 17.16.040(C) .

Can I use a common (shared) parking lot to meet requirements for multiple businesses?

Yes. The code allows common parking facilities provided the Planning Commission approves the size/shape/relationship and the aggregate number of spaces is not less than the sum of the individual requirements. See § 17.24.040.B.3 .

If a C‑1 parcel adjoins an R or D zone, what special parking rules apply?

If a C‑1 zone directly faces an R or D zone, parking and loading facilities must be set back at least 10 feet from the street and the setback must be permanently landscaped with woody plants; parking areas must also be screened and paved/graded per § 17.24.050 .

Are bicycle parking requirements spelled out in the zoning code?

Only for certain uses: emergency shelters must provide a secured area for bicycle parking and a minimum of four bicycle spaces per § 17.80.030.7. General bicycle‑parking minima for other uses are not specified in the retrieved zoning text — verify with Planning for any separate bicycle parking policy or design guidance .

Does the code set accessible parking stall dimensions?

No numeric accessible stall dimensions are contained in Title 17; the zoning code defers to the California Building Standards Code / accessibility chapters for technical accessible parking dimensions and counts. Verify accessible stall number/size with Building Division under Title 24/ CBC accessibility requirements .

Who approves a reduction in required parking?

Variances or planning commission approvals are required for modifications. The Planning Commission can approve shared‑parking plans or (where a use permit is involved) adjust requirements through discretionary action; see common parking approval language § 17.24.040.B.3 and the variance process § 17.44 for scope of relief .

Does the Visitor Commercial overlay change parking rates?

The Visitor Commercial overlay mostly references the C‑1 standards; for most uses the parking requirement is as in § 17.24.040, but the overlay allows some reductions (e.g., 50% reduction for certain auxiliary hotel‑serving uses) and alternative surfacing subject to city engineer approval — see § 17.32.060 and § 17.32.060.D .

Is on‑street curbside parking counted toward off‑street requirements?

The ordinance generally requires off‑street parking and in some districts expressly prohibits curbside parking as a substitute (e.g., the D zone prohibits curbside parking except as approved in design review). Always show off‑street counts on the plot plan and check whether any limited on‑street strategies are acceptable under Planning review; see § 17.16.040(C) for the D zone restriction . ---

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