Duarte — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Duarte Development Code requires for parking (off‑street vehicle spaces), loading, bicycle parking, and related design/dimensional rules. It is grounded in the Duarte Development Code (Article 3, Chapter 19.38 and related R‑zone chapters) and explains the code that typically governs projects in each zone. For background on how zoning categories affect parking obligations see Duarte Zoning & planning overview and Duarte Zoning. The City’s objective development standards for setbacks and lot dimensions that interact with parking are in Duarte Development Standards, and design-review rules that commonly affect parking layout are in Duarte Design Review. For ADU-specific parking exceptions see Duarte ADUs. Title 24 / the California Building Standards Code applies to building/ADA stall standards (see California Building Standards Code).

What the code says — high-level takeaways

• Off‑street parking minimums (the starting point) come from § 19.38.050 and the tables referenced there (Tables 3‑4 through 3‑8) .
• Vehicle stall sizes and aisle widths are prescribed in § 19.38.100 and supporting tables (Table 3‑9 and Table 3‑10) — e.g., standard stall 9 ft × 18 ft, residential garage 10 ft × 20 ft; drive aisle widths depend on stall angle and one/two‑way circulation .
• Bicycle parking rules are in § 19.38.220 and Table 3‑11 (multi‑family, retail, office, schools, etc.) — e.g., multi‑family: 1 bicycle space per 5 dwelling units and minimum rack dimensions specified .
• Loading and truck access standards for commercial/industrial zones are in § 19.38.230 (48‑foot wheel track turning radius, minimum dock clearances and loading berth dimensions) and Table 3‑12/3‑13 for dock sizing .
• The Director or Approving Authority may accept a city‑approved parking study to change space counts for complex, mixed‑use, or multi‑tenant developments per § 19.38.050(D) .
• Waivers for legally nonconforming parking can be sought via Minor Use Permit per § 19.38.070; nonconforming parking may continue but additional parking for expansions must be conforming (Chapter 19.100) .
• ADU parking: typically one off‑street space per ADU, with the state/code exceptions implemented in the local ADU chapter § 19.60.160 (ADU rules and exceptions) — specific exemptions (transit proximity, conversion of existing structure, historic district, car‑share space, etc.) are enumerated there; replacement parking is required when a garage is demolished and ADU later removed .

District-by-district breakdown (how parking rules play out by zone)

Note: Duarte’s zones are the actual code districts in Article 2 (e.g., R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R‑MH, PF, I, commercial and industrial zones). Where a district refers to generic parking tables, the tables in Chapter 19.38 provide the numeric requirements; I cite the code references below. Verify site‑specific applicability against the City zoning map and any Specific Plan that overrides Chapter standards (see Table 2‑15 and Specific Plans) .

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential) — purpose and parking highlights

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family dwellings, limited accessory uses; development standards in Chapter 19.10 (R‑zones) apply .
• Parking standard: 2 spaces per dwelling unit in a garage for typical single‑family dwellings (Table 3‑4) and garage dimensions/driveway minimums apply; driveway width rules and paving requirements (Portland cement concrete) are in Chapter 19.32/19.38 .
• Setbacks/lot rules that affect where parking may be placed: front yard restrictions, typical front setback 20 ft (see Table 2‑3 development standards) — parking cannot be within required front or street side setbacks unless additional conditions are met (§ 19.38.120) .
• Special: Recreational vehicle parking allowed in R‑1 (and many R‑1 variants) but subject to side/rear yard screening and size limits per § 19.38.160 .

R‑2 (Two‑Family / Low Density) — purpose and parking highlights

• Purpose / typical uses: duplexes and similar low‑density multi‑family uses; standards in Chapter 19.10 apply (Table 2‑3) .
• Parking standard: residential stall counts follow Table 3‑4 (typically 2 per unit in a garage for multi‑family unless a different multi‑family standard applies) plus guest/overflow provisions for multi‑family projects (§ 19.38.050 and Table 3‑4) .
• Driveway and tandem rules allow tandem within garages and limited tandem for multi‑family projects (see § 19.38.110) .

R‑3 / R‑4 (Multi‑Family) — purpose and parking highlights

• Purpose / typical uses: higher density multi‑family residential; standards and permitted uses in Tables 2‑2 and 2‑4 (development standards for R‑3 and R‑4) .
• Parking standard: Table 3‑4 is the source — multi‑family: 2 spaces per unit in a garage plus 1 overflow per 4 units and 1 guest per 4 units, unless a parking study justifies alternate numbers (§ 19.38.050) .
• Layout and design: common parking areas must be located to minimize street visibility and must include pedestrian links and bicycle storage per § 19.32 and § 19.38.220 .

R‑MH (Mobile Home) — purpose and parking highlights

• Purpose: manufactured/mobile home parks; development standards and parking in Table 2‑4; 1 space per mobile home space plus 1 per space for guest parking (Table 3‑4) .

C / Commercial zones (C‑1, C‑2, Shopping centers, retail) — purpose and parking highlights

• Purpose / uses: retail, offices, service uses — parking rates for nonresidential uses are in Table 3‑5 (retail) and Tables 3‑6 to 3‑8 for other use categories; counts are expressed as ratios (spaces per sf or per employee) § 19.38.050 and Table 3‑5 .
• Loading: commercial developments must provide truck turning radii and on‑site maneuvering (48‑ft wheel track) and loading berth sizing per § 19.38.230 .
• Compact stalls, valet, and shared/off‑site parking: compact allowed under limits in § 19.38.110; valet allowed with Minor Use Permit and parking study; off‑site/shared parking allowed with approvals and recorded easements per § 19.38.140–150 and other local provisions .

PF (Public Facilities) and Institutional (I) — purpose and parking highlights

• PF and I zones have their own minimum development standards (see Table 2‑12 for PF) and parking for institutional uses is set consistent with Chapter 19.38 (off‑street parking) and may be treated case‑by‑case in the PF/I chapter; see § 19.18.030 and associated table for PF standards and cross references to Chapter 19.38 for parking .

Industrial / M zones — purpose and parking highlights

• Industrial and manufacturing zones must observe the off‑street parking and design chapters; loading requirements in § 19.38.230 are specifically written to ensure truck access and prevent backup into the right‑of‑way for industrial/commercial projects .

Key standards — decision‑relevant tables

Practical guidance / interpretation notes

• Start with § 19.38.050 (Table 3‑4–3‑8) to calculate a project's baseline parking requirement; cross‑check building program (beds, employees, seats) as defined in the table notes when converting counts (e.g., dens = bedrooms) .
• For multi‑tenant or mixed‑use sites, expect the City to either require the table minimums or to ask for a professional parking study (and to select/approve the consultant) if you propose deviations (§ 19.38.050(D)) .
• If you are building an ADU, review § 19.60.160 carefully — one off‑street space per ADU is required except for enumerated exceptions (transit, conversion within existing structure, historic district, car‑share, or if on‑street permit rules would deny the occupant) and replacement rules apply if a garage is demolished for an ADU .
• Layout and dimensions matter: aisle widths, stall sizes, and driveway widths are mandatory (see § 19.38.100, Table 3‑9/3‑10) and can trigger redesigns if your stall geometry is nonconforming .
• Where existing parking is legally nonconforming, you can seek a Minor Use Permit waiver under § 19.38.070, but new or intensified uses normally must provide fully conforming additional spaces (§ 19.100) .
• Bicycle parking is required for almost all non‑R‑1/R‑2 developments; include visible, secure racks near building entrances and dimension them to Table 3‑11 standards (§ 19.38.220) .

Checklist (what an applicant must provide / satisfy)

• Site plan showing parking layout, stall counts, stall dimensions, aisle widths and accessible stalls per § 19.38.030
• Calculations tying uses to Table 3‑4 through 3‑8 (residential, retail, office, etc.) under § 19.38.050
• Bicycle parking layout meeting § 19.38.220 and Table 3‑11 requirements (type, proximity, dimensions)
• Loading area plan for commercial/industrial uses showing 48‑ft wheel track or equivalent maneuvers per § 19.38.230
• If proposing fewer spaces than tables, a City‑approved parking study prepared by a registered traffic engineer per § 19.38.050(D)
• If off‑site or shared parking is used, recorded easement or legal instrument and Commission approval criteria satisfied per off‑site parking provisions
• For ADUs, demonstrate compliance with § 19.60.160 (parking exceptions, replacement rules) and show 20‑ft minimum parking length where required
• Landscaping, screening, lighting and maintenance plan for parking areas per § 19.38.180 and § 19.38.210

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Duarte’s Development Code requires most new projects to provide a minimum number of off‑street parking spaces (residential: generally 2 per unit in a garage; multi‑family: 2 per unit + guest/overflow; nonresidential uses use sf/employee ratios), to size stalls and aisles to specific dimensions, to provide bicycle parking for most non‑single‑family projects, and to provide loading access for commercial/industrial uses — all set out in Chapter 19.38 and cross‑referenced in the zone chapters; ADUs have limited exceptions but often still require one off‑street space unless specific exemptions apply (verify with the ADU rules) .

Source References

• Duarte Development Code — Off‑Street Parking Regulations and Design: § 19.38.030, § 19.38.050, § 19.38.070, § 19.38.100, § 19.38.110, § 19.38.120, § 19.38.160, § 19.38.180, § 19.38.210, § 19.38.220, § 19.38.230 (Duarte Development Code excerpts and tables)
• Residential zone development standards and use tables (R‑zones): Chapter 19.10 (Tables 2‑3, 2‑4) — lot areas, setbacks, heights that affect parking location and driveway requirements
• Public Facilities zone development standards (PF): Table 2‑12 and related sections 19.18.030
• Off‑site/shared parking, easement and condominium allocation language (common area and recorded declarations): condominium and off‑site parking wording in Chapters 19.83–19.85 and off‑site parking provisions
• ADU development and ADU parking exceptions: § 19.60.160 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and related ADU subsections (garage conversion, replacement parking, 20‑ft minimum parking length)

Retrieved passages

• Duarte Zoning Code (section of) High relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Section is) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 19.38.180 (Chapter 19.114.) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter that) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter 19.38) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter 19.38) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Article 9) High relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter 19.128) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Section 19.122.040.D) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Article 9) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 19.38.180 (Section 19.38.180) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter 19.112) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Chapter 19.124) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code (Section 65450) Medium relevance show source text
• Duarte Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 907.2.9 (CHAPTER 9) Medium relevance show source text
• CMC § 375 Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Duarte Development Code — Off‑Street Parking Regulations and Design: **§ 19.38.030**, **§ 19.38.050**, **§ 19.38.070**, **§ 19.38.100**, **§ 19.38.110**, **§ 19.38.120**, **§ 19.38.160**, **§ 19.38.180**, **§ 19.38.210**, **§ 19.38.220**, **§ 19.38.230** (Duarte Development Code excerpts and tables) fileciteturn1file3fileciteturn1file2fileciteturn1file4fileciteturn2file0fileciteturn1file10fileciteturn1file10fileciteturn1file13fileciteturn1file9fileciteturn0file9 (§ 19.38.030)
• Residential zone development standards and use tables (R‑zones): Chapter **19.10** (Tables 2‑3, 2‑4) — lot areas, setbacks, heights that affect parking location and driveway requirements fileciteturn2file5
• Public Facilities zone development standards (PF): Table 2‑12 and related sections **19.18.030**
• Off‑site/shared parking, easement and condominium allocation language (common area and recorded declarations): condominium and off‑site parking wording in Chapters 19.83–19.85 and off‑site parking provisions fileciteturn1file5
• ADU development and ADU parking exceptions: **§ 19.60.160** (Accessory Dwelling Units) and related ADU subsections (garage conversion, replacement parking, 20‑ft minimum parking length) fileciteturn2file11 (§ 19.60.160)
• Duarte_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Engergy Code.md

• Official Duarte code library