Local zoning · Emeryville

Emeryville — Parking

Q: Are loading spaces required for apartments in Emeryville?

Yes — loading requirements for residential uses are in § 9-4.409 and Table 9-4.409 . For example, residential developments with fewer than 50 units require no loading spaces, while 50–149 units require 1 small loading space; sizes for small/medium/large are defined in the same section.

Q: Does Emeryville allow surface parking lots?

Yes, but with limits: new/expanded surface parking lots >2 acres are prohibited (they must be structured or covered), lots between 0.5 and 2 acres may be allowed only with a CUP and findings, and small lots ≤0.5 acre are permitted subject to design standards § 9-4.403(f) . Large lots (50+ spaces) must provide separated pedestrian walkways and meet landscape rules.

Q: Are there transit-area parking reductions?

Yes — the TH Transit Hub overlay reduces maximum motor‑vehicle parking allowances to 50% of the Article 4 allowances; always confirm whether your parcel is in the TH overlay on the zoning overlay map (Figure 9-3.103(b) ).

Q: Do residential projects have to sell or lease parking with units?

For new multi‑unit residential developments of 10 units or more , parking must be sold or leased separately from the dwelling (unbundled), and the code includes priority and affordability protections for allocation and pricing (§ 9-4.403(e) ).

Parking under the Emeryville local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Emeryville's off-street parking rules live in Title 9, Article 4, and aim to provide adequate but not excessive automobile, bicycle, and loading facilities while encouraging transit- and bicycle-friendly design and minimizing surface parking impacts. Key rules cover applicability to new construction and expansions, calculation of estimated parking demand, bicycle parking minimums, loading requirements, design standards (driveways, walkways, curb cuts), and targeted exceptions in overlay zones. See the citywide purpose and applicability in § 9-4.401 and § 9-4.402.

Citywide parking & loading rules — what matters (plain-English synthesis)

Applicability: The parking/loading rules apply to most new development and to enlargements/expansions of existing uses; they are intended to serve the newly added area or units (§ 9-4.402) and to prevent spillover parking and adverse design impacts (§ 9-4.401).
Calculating demand and limits: Project applicants must calculate estimated parking demand per the procedures in § 9-4.404 (Table 9-4.404 is the master scheduling table for motor-vehicle demand). Where appropriate the City allows shared parking, alternative parking plans, and reductions in transit-served areas. Notably, the TH Transit Hub overlay reduces maximum parking allowances to 50% of the Article 4 allowances (§ 9-3.406).
Design standards & siting: Layout, driveway widths, maneuvering, and location of parking are governed by § 9-4.406 (design standards). Off-street parking generally may not be located in required front yards or street-side yards except in limited cases (see the RM exception below) (§ 9-4.406).
Surface-lot controls: New or expanded surface parking lots larger than 2 acres are prohibited (they must be in structures or covered by a non-parking structure); lots 0.5–2 acres may be approved by CUP with findings (§ 9-4.403(f)). Pedestrian circulation and landscaping rules kick in for large lots (50+ spaces) (§ 9-4.403(f)).
Unbundling & sale/lease rules: For new multi‑unit residential projects of 10 units or more, parking must be offered for sale/lease separately from the dwelling (unbundled) and there are rules about priority when spaces are limited (§ 9-4.403(e)).
Accessible parking: Accessible parking counts and layout must comply with the building regulations cited in the code (referenced in § 9-4.403(c) — see the applicable building regulations and the California building standards).
Bicycle parking: Short-term (visitor) and long-term (secure for occupants) bicycle parking minimums are required for new construction and many changes of use; detailed short-term and long-term quantities are listed in Table 9-4.408 (examples: Offices — 1 per 4,000 sf; Eating & Drinking — 1 per 1,250 sf; Live/Work — 1.5 long-term & 1.5 short-term per unit) (§ 9-4.408).
Loading: Off-street loading requirements (number and size) are in § 9-4.409 and Table 9-4.409; residential thresholds are explicit (for example, <50 units — none required; 50–149 units — 1 small loading space) and loading-space sizes (small/medium/large) are defined (§ 9-4.409).
Exceptions & flexibility: The code allows reductions by minor CUP, alternative parking plans (§ 9-4.407), shared parking (§ 9-4.405), and overlay-based exceptions (e.g., NR Neighborhood Retail and TH Transit Hub overlays) (§ 9-4.402(e), § 9-3.406).

Practical guidance: calculate your motor‑vehicle demand using § 9-4.404, design parking per § 9-4.406, add bicycle parking per § 9-4.408, and size loading per § 9-4.409. If you are in a mapped overlay (for example the TH Transit Hub overlay) check the overlay rules early — they can halve permitted parking.

Note: for building-accessible parking layout you must also comply with state/local building regulations; verify Title 8/California standards as applicable. See the state code reference in the sidebar. Emeryville Design Review may also apply for visible parking areas, and consult Emeryville Development Standards for site dimensional rules.

District-by-district (base zones and overlays) — purpose, common uses, parking implications

Below are the base zones established in the Emeryville code with the parking-relevant takeaway for each. Purpose and base-zone definitions are from § 9-3.102; location/map reference is § 9-3.103. For permitted uses, see the Use Tables (Table 9-3.202). For site standards (setbacks, lot sizes) consult the development-standards sections cited per district.

RM (Medium Density Residential)

Purpose & where it applies: Implements the Medium Density Residential General Plan classification (§ 9-3.102). Typical uses: multi-family dwellings and compatible ground-floor neighborhood-serving uses where allowed. Key parking notes: the code specifically allows one off-street parking space between the front lot line and the front wall of a building in the RM zone (§ 9-4.406(b)(4)) — an exception to the front-yard parking prohibition. Verify exact dimensional/site standards in the development standards.
RMH (Medium‑High Density Residential)

Purpose & uses: Higher residential intensity; typical multi‑unit housing. Parking follows the general Article 4 rules (calculated demand; bicycle parking; accessible spaces). See Table 9-4.404 for motor-vehicle demand.
RH (High Density Residential)

Purpose & uses: Highest allowable residential densities; similar parking approach to RM/RMH; check whether mixed ground-floor uses are subject to additional rules in § 9-3.302.
MUR / MURS / MUN (Mixed‑Use zones)

Purpose & uses: Mixed commercial and residential or non-residential developments. Mixed-use sites often have shared- or reduced-parking potential and may be subject to the shared-parking provisions (§ 9-4.405) or alternative parking plans (§ 9-4.407). For driveway, curb-cut, and structure siting rules consult § 9-4.406.
OT / OT‑DH (Office/Technology)

Purpose & uses: Office and tech uses; parking demand is parcel- and use-specific; bicycle parking minimum Offices — 1 per 4,000 sf (Table 9-4.408). Consider transit overlay reductions where applicable.
INL / INH (Light & Heavy Industrial)

Purpose & uses: Industrial and manufacturing; parking and loading demand often driven by employee counts and freight needs — the code flags many industrial use types as "TBD" for bicycle/parking and requires project-specific determinations per § 9-4.404 and § 9-4.409. Ensure adequate loading (maneuvering area rules for transit/connector streets apply).
P (Public), M (Marina), PO (Park/Open Space), SM (Shoreline Management), UT (Utilities/Transportation) and PUD (Planned Unit Development)

Purpose & uses: These zones have specialized uses (public facilities, marinas, parks, shoreline protections, freeway/rail corridors, or PUD‑specific rules). Parking and loading requirements still default to Article 4 unless the PUD or a specific zone ordinance states otherwise; shoreline and park zones may restrict structures and therefore parking per the particular zone rules (§ 9-3.307–9-3.310).
Overlay zones that change parking outcomes (map and rules)
- TH — Transit Hub overlay: reduces maximum motor‑vehicle parking allowances to 50% of Article 4 allowances (§ 9-3.406) — very important for sites near transit.
- NR — Neighborhood Retail overlay: small local-serving retail uses ≤ 5,000 sf are exempt from Article 4 off-street parking/loading provisions (§ 9-4.402(e)(1)).
- PP — Pedestrian Priority overlay and others: may impose design guidance affecting curb cuts, pedestrian routes, and driveway placement (see overlay rules and Emeryville Design Guidelines).

(For zone-by-zone permitted-use matrices, consult Table 9-3.202 in Chapter 3. For site-specific dimensional standards, see Setbacks § 9-4.301, Lot Area § 9-4.701, and the Objective Standards list § 9-7.1604.)

Quick standards table (decision-relevant)

Rule / Standard	What to expect	Code reference
Bicycle parking (examples)	Offices: 1 per 4,000 sf; Eating/Drinking: 1 per 1,250 sf; Live/Work: 1.5 per unit long- & short-term guidance	§ 9-4.408
Loading (residential thresholds)	<50 units: none; 50–149 units: 1 small; sizes defined as small/medium/large	§ 9-4.409 (Table 9-4.409)
Front-yard parking	Generally prohibited between front lot line and building, except RM allows 1 space there	§ 9-4.406(b)(3–4)
Surface lot size	New/expanded surface lots >2 acres prohibited; 0.5–2 acres may be allowed by CUP	§ 9-4.403(f)
Accessible parking	Accessible counts per building regs; if estimated demand ≥26 spaces use the estimate method; otherwise based on total spaces provided	§ 9-4.403(c)
Transit overlay reduction	TH overlay: maximum parking allowances reduced to 50%	§ 9-3.406
Unbundled residential parking	New multi-unit residential (≥10 units): parking must be sold/leased separately from dwelling	§ 9-4.403(e)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before approval)

Calculate estimated motor-vehicle parking demand per § 9-4.404 and document assumptions.
Provide bicycle parking quantities and details (short‑term and long‑term) per § 9-4.408 (rack type, covered secure long‑term where required).
Provide required loading spaces (number, size, maneuvering) per § 9-4.409; design maneuvering so vehicles do not back into public right‑of‑way on transit/connector streets.
Design parking area to meet § 9-4.406 (driveway widths, aisle geometry, pedestrian circulation, curb‑cut limits on major streets).
Check overlay applicability (NR, TH, PP, etc.) and apply overlay rules (e.g., TH halves parking allowances; NR may exempt small local retail).
If proposing surface lot > 0.5 acres, prepare CUP justification per § 9-4.403(f); surface lots >2 acres are prohibited.
For new multi‑unit residential (≥10 units), prepare unbundled parking program documentation and recorded agreements as required by § 9-4.403(e).
Demonstrate accessible parking compliance per § 9-4.403(c) and applicable building codes/standards; consult the California building standards as applicable.

Also confirm whether the project triggers Emeryville Design Review and follow landscaping/screening rules in Emeryville Landscaping and Screening for perimeter parking treatments.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Missing numeric motor-vehicle rates in Table 9-4.404 in the retrieved excerpts	Motor-vehicle minimums/maximums are set in Table 9-4.404 but the full table was not available in the retrieved snippets	Look up Table 9-4.404 in the official code or ask Planning staff to confirm the per‑use rates — Verify with the jurisdiction.
Overlay applicability on a specific parcel	TH/NR/PP overlays materially change parking minimums/allowances	Confirm parcel overlay mapping (Figure 9-3.103(b)) and application of overlay rules to the parcel.
ADU parking special rules vs. local code	State ADU law restricts local ADU parking requirements and preempts certain local rules	Cross‑check local ADU rules (Article 14, Chapter 5) with California ADU law; local code excerpt for ADU parking is not exhaustive in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction and Emeryville ADUs.
Curb-cut prohibitions on named streets	New curb cuts are prohibited on San Pablo Ave, Shellmound St, and 40th St — impacts site access planning	Confirm whether your site fronts these streets; if so, plan access from side streets or alleys per § 9-4.406(c)(3).
Calculation method for "TBD" uses	Several uses are listed as "TBD" in the tables; the City requires project-specific demand determinations	Prepare a written parking study per § 9-4.404(f) and coordinate scope with Planning staff.

Plain-English summary

If you're building or expanding in Emeryville, the city expects you to size parking, bike racks, and loading areas to the project's expected use (use the city tables and methods), design them to meet the code's driveway/pedestrian/landscaping rules, and apply overlay exceptions (transit hubs and small neighborhood retail can reduce or exempt parking). Always confirm overlay mapping and any site‑specific exemptions with City staff before final design.

Source References

Emeryville Municipal Code, Title 9 — Article 4, Parking and Loading: § 9-4.401 – § 9-4.409 (Purpose, Applicability, General Standards, Calculation of Estimated Parking Demand, Shared Parking, Design Standards, Alternative Compliance, Bicycle Parking, Loading).
Design standards and parking siting rules: § 9-4.406 (Design Standards for Parking Lots and Structures).
Surface parking lot size limits and pedestrian circulation: § 9-4.403(f).
Unbundled parking and residential sale/lease rules: § 9-4.403(e).
Bicycle parking table and definitions: § 9-4.408 (Table 9-4.408).
Loading requirements and sizes: § 9-4.409 (Table 9-4.409; loading space sizes and maneuvering).
Overlay rules (Transit Hub reduction): § 9-3.406 (TH Transit Hub overlay).
Zoning districts (base and overlay definitions and maps): § 9-3.102 and § 9-3.103 (zones and zoning maps).
Objective standards cross-reference (site design, bicycle parking reference): § 9-7.1604.

Also consult these related internal topics in the GoCodebook Emeryville menu (used above in prose): Emeryville Zoning, Emeryville Development Standards, Emeryville Design Review, Emeryville Overlay Districts, Emeryville Landscaping and Screening, Emeryville ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Emeryville Zoning Code (article may) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 4) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (section and) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 10) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 5) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (article apply) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Section 9-4.404) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Section 9-4.407) High relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 4) Medium relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Section 9-1.202.) Medium relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 4) Medium relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Article 5) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Emeryville Zoning Code (Section 9-4.408) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Emeryville code library

Frequently asked questions

How is motor-vehicle parking demand calculated in Emeryville?

Motor‑vehicle demand is calculated using the procedures and use‑rates in Table 9-4.404 and supporting text in § 9-4.404; where a use is listed as "TBD" the demand must be demonstrated on a project‑specific basis per the same section. Verify the specific per‑use numbers with Table 9-4.404 in the code.

Do Emeryville rules require bicycle parking, and how much?

Yes. Emeryville requires both short‑term (visitor) and long‑term (secure occupant) bicycle parking for new buildings and many changes of use; quantities and standards appear in Table 9-4.408 and § 9-4.408 (examples: Offices — 1 per 4,000 sf; Eating/Drinking — 1 per 1,250 sf; Live/Work — 1.5 per unit).

Are loading spaces required for apartments in Emeryville?

Yes — loading requirements for residential uses are in § 9-4.409 and Table 9-4.409. For example, residential developments with fewer than 50 units require no loading spaces, while 50–149 units require 1 small loading space; sizes for small/medium/large are defined in the same section.

Can parking be located in the front yard?

Generally no. The code prohibits off‑street parking in required front yards or street‑side yards, except the RM zone allows one off‑street parking space between the front lot line and the front wall (§ 9-4.406(b)(3–4)). A conditional use permit is required in other zones to place parking there.

Does Emeryville allow surface parking lots?

Yes, but with limits: new/expanded surface parking lots >2 acres are prohibited (they must be structured or covered), lots between 0.5 and 2 acres may be allowed only with a CUP and findings, and small lots ≤0.5 acre are permitted subject to design standards § 9-4.403(f). Large lots (50+ spaces) must provide separated pedestrian walkways and meet landscape rules.

Are there transit-area parking reductions?

Yes — the TH Transit Hub overlay reduces maximum motor‑vehicle parking allowances to 50% of the Article 4 allowances; always confirm whether your parcel is in the TH overlay on the zoning overlay map (Figure 9-3.103(b)).

Do residential projects have to sell or lease parking with units?

For new multi‑unit residential developments of 10 units or more, parking must be sold or leased separately from the dwelling (unbundled), and the code includes priority and affordability protections for allocation and pricing (§ 9-4.403(e)).

Who sets accessible parking counts?

Accessible parking counts are set in the Emeryville code to follow the referenced building regulations (the code text in § 9-4.403(c) directs applicants to the applicable building regulations); when estimated parking demand reaches certain thresholds the method for counting accessible spaces differs (see § 9-4.403(c)). Also confirm with applicable state/local building standards.

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Emeryville — Parking

Overview

Citywide parking & loading rules — what matters (plain-English synthesis)

District-by-district (base zones and overlays) — purpose, common uses, parking implications

RM (Medium Density Residential)

RMH (Medium‑High Density Residential)

RH (High Density Residential)

MUR / MURS / MUN (Mixed‑Use zones)

OT / OT‑DH (Office/Technology)

INL / INH (Light & Heavy Industrial)

P (Public), M (Marina), PO (Park/Open Space), SM (Shoreline Management), UT (Utilities/Transportation) and PUD (Planned Unit Development)

Overlay zones that change parking outcomes (map and rules)