Local zoning · Fontana

Fontana — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Fontana Zoning and Development Code requires for parking, loading, and bicycle parking for development projects in the city of Fontana. It explains where the rules live, the calculations and reductions available, and the distinctive treatments that apply in the Downtown (Form‑Based) Core, industrial/warehouse uses, and certain residential and auto‑center planning areas. All requirements below are drawn from the Fontana Zoning and Development Code; see the quoted code sections for the exact regulatory text. § citations are provided for every requirement.

How to use this page

  • If you are preparing a site plan, check the district-specific subsection for the zone that applies to your parcel.
  • Use the Checklist to confirm you’ve met the municipal standards and to gather materials to support any requested reductions or exceptions.

Citywide baseline standards (what applies to most parcels)

  • Off‑street parking and loading requirements are codified in § 30‑390 (Off‑street parking and loading standards). Required parking counts come from the code’s land‑use tables; fractions round up at 0.5.
  • Parking location and general placement (rear/side of buildings preferred; visitor parking allowed at main entry) is in § 30‑390(j)(i).
  • Bicycle parking design and minimums are in § 30‑393 (bicycle parking); design rules include clear access, 2'×6' per space, and a 5' maneuver aisle.
  • Loading space quantities are specified by use in Table No. 30‑704 and the loading rules are in § 30‑704 through § 30‑712 (sizes, access, screening, turning radius). Minimum loading‑bay dimensions are summarized in § 30‑706.
  • Paving and surfacing standards for parking and loading areas are in § 30‑699.
  • Screening and landscaping requirements for lots and loading areas are in § 30‑700 and related provisions.

For related topics you will likely consult the city's zoning maps and development standards, design review requirements, overlays, and state building code. See Fontana Zoning & Planning pages for context: Fontana Zoning, Fontana Development Standards, Fontana Design Review, Fontana Overlay Districts, Fontana ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code. (/us/california/fontana/zoning is used for the first appearance of "parking" below.)

I link common planning topics as they are first used in the prose:

  • The city’s treatment of on‑site parking and counting rules is within the Zoning code (/us/california/fontana/zoning).
  • Parking siting and setbacks/development standards are tied to the city’s development standards (/us/california/fontana/development-standards).
  • If your project triggers design review it can affect parking layout and screening (/us/california/fontana/design-review).
  • Some parcels are affected by overlay rules that change parking or frontage standards (/us/california/fontana/overlay-districts).
  • Requirements for accessory units and how parking counts may be applied intersect with the city’s ADU rules (/us/california/fontana/adu).
  • Structural and accessible ramping details remain under the California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes).

District-by-district breakdown

Below are district/subarea summaries where the Code publishes distinct parking/loading/bicycle rules in the excerpts provided. Where the municipal file does not contain a complete district definition, I note what is Not found in retrieved materials and point to the controlling §.

Downtown Core (Form‑Based Code)

  • Purpose and where it applies: The Downtown Core is governed by the Form‑Based Code and is described in § 30‑371; the downtown core requires its own parking, loading and bicycle standards.
  • Typical permitted uses: mixed‑use, commercial, multi‑family and civic uses (see the downtown Form‑Based Code chapters).
  • Key parking standards:
    • Off‑street parking and loading standards for downtown are provided specifically in § 30‑390 (reference called out by the downtown code) and reductions in § 30‑391 apply to downtown projects as described there.
    • Bicycle parking minimums for downtown uses appear in Table 30‑393.A (e.g., 1 space/3 units for residential in downtown; non‑residential downtown: 1 space/1,500 sq. ft. with 100% short‑term). Design and placement rules are in § 30‑393.
    • Downtown projects may qualify for transit/proximity parking reductions (see § 30‑391 Metrolink and bus‑stop reductions excerpted for downtown area eligibility).

Notes: The Form‑Based Code changes where parking locates relative to frontages; consult the downtown code pages for frontage types and detailed building form rules.

Industrial / Logistics / Warehousing (Large‑format industrial)

  • Purpose and where it applies: Applies to industrial and distribution uses as referenced in the parking tables; specific use categories are defined in the land‑use parking table.
  • Typical permitted uses: manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, distribution facilities.
  • Key dimensional and parking/loading standards:
    • Vehicle parking: the code sets graduated rates for logistics/distribution: 1 space/1,000 sq. ft. for first 20,000 sq. ft.; 1/2,000 for the second 20,000; 1/5,000 for portion above 40,000 (see Table 1—Parking Requirements by Land Use). Bicycle spaces: none listed for some warehouse uses. § 30‑390(j)(2) and Table 1 govern these rates.
    • Trailer parking requirements and special trailer‑space sizing are in Sec. 30‑704a (for high cube logistics and warehousing: trailer spaces measured 12'×52' per four bay doors, etc.).
    • Loading space counts by use and size classes are in Table No. 30‑704 and minimum bay sizes in § 30‑706 (van/truck/tractor‑trailer dimensions). Access, screening, and turning radius rules are in §§ 30‑707 – 30‑712.

Practical guidance: If your site includes bay doors or trailer storage, provide a trailer‑parking plan that follows Sec. 30‑704a and include a turning‑radius exhibit per § 30‑712.

Commercial / C‑2 (General commercial)

  • Purpose and where it applies: Applies to retail and service commercial areas (the code references commercial parking rates in the land use table). Not all C‑district specifics were pasted in the retrieved excerpts.
  • Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, offices, service commercial.
  • Key parking/loading standards:
    • Required parking by use is in the municipal land use parking table referenced in § 30‑390(j)(2); loading requirements are allocated in Table No. 30‑704 and explained in § 30‑704.
    • Compact and tandem parking rules: compact spaces allowed only where a use requires at least 20 spaces and compact stalls do not exceed 15% of required spaces (compact marking required) (§ 30‑390(e)); tandem parking in residential and non‑residential contexts is regulated in § 30‑390(f) (tandem allowed in residential but not for guest parking; nonresidential tandem only with an approved management program).
    • Parking setbacks and placement along certain arterial streets (e.g., Cherry, Valley, Sierra, Foothill) are set in other development standards (see § 30‑536 notes about 25‑ft parking setbacks on named corridors).

Residential mixed‑use / R‑MU (and Senior Housing)

  • Purpose and where it applies: R‑MU and residential categories are referenced where the code sets setbacks and parking adjacency rules; the code specifically calls out senior housing parking minimums in a table.
  • Typical permitted uses: multi‑family housing, residential uses compatible with mixed‑use.
  • Key parking standards:
    • Residential bicycle and vehicle parking minimums differ for downtown vs outside downtown (see Table 30‑393.A: Residential in Downtown = 1 bike space/3 units; Residential outside Downtown = 1 bike space/4 units).
    • Senior housing special rates: Studio/1‑bed = 0.75 space/unit; 2+ bedroom = 1.25 spaces/unit; at least half of required parking must be in carport/garage; compact stalls are prohibited for senior housing (Table 30‑390.B / § 30‑390 subparts).
    • Tandem parking may be used within residential developments but both spaces are assigned to a single unit; guest parking cannot be provided by tandem spaces (§ 30‑390(f)(1)).

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Topic Rule (decision‑relevant) Code Reference
Where to find required parking counts Land‑use parking table: required spaces by use (sum multiple uses on site; fractions round at .5) § 30‑390 (Table 1—Parking Requirements by Land Use)
Bicycle parking (design & minimums) 2'×6' per bike; 5' maneuver aisle; parking counts by use (Table 30‑393.A). Long‑term racks reduce vehicular demand per § 30‑391. § 30‑393; § 30‑391
Loading bay dimensions Van 12'×19', Truck 12'×45', Tractor‑trailer 12'×70' (min. overhead clearances given) § 30‑706
Loading counts & types Table No. 30‑704 assigns loading spaces by land use and size class § 30‑704 (Table No. 30‑704)
Parking reductions (max combined) Reductions can be combined up to 20%; bicycle parking credit: 1 vehicular space reduction per 5 long‑term bicycle spaces (max 5% reduction) § 30‑391
Compact parking allowance Allowed only if min 20 spaces required; compact ≤ 15% of required stalls; must be marked § 30‑390(e)
Tandem parking Residential: allowed but both spaces assigned to same unit (not guest parking). Nonresidential: only with approved management program § 30‑390(f)
Screening & paving Open parking screening adjacent to residential and public streets, paving spec: 3" AC over compacted base (or approved alternative) §§ 30‑700, 30‑699

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

  • Determine the parcel’s zoning/district and any applicable overlay that may alter parking rules (verify with the city). Verify Downtown Core boundaries if applicable (§ 30‑371).
  • Use the land‑use parking table (Table 1 referenced in § 30‑390) to calculate base parking and loading requirements; round fractions per code.
  • Provide bicycle parking per § 30‑393 (count, sizing, 5' aisle; repair station when ≥25 spaces).
  • If seeking reductions (bike credit, transit proximity, shared parking), prepare a parking demand study and recorded covenants as required by § 30‑391 and shared‑parking rules.
  • Show loading bays sized per § 30‑706 and located per §§ 30‑707–30‑709; include turning templates and line‑of‑sight/screening exhibits where required.
  • Dimension stalls, drive aisles, and paving materials per §§ 30‑699 and applicable development standards (9'×19' stalls typical unless otherwise noted).
  • Provide screening/landscaping for parking lots and loading areas per § 30‑700 and any frontage/front‑setback rules in the district.
  • If compact or tandem spaces are proposed, include marking and a tandem management plan per § 30‑390(e–f).
  • Confirm ADA access and building code items with the building department (structural/access details fall under Title 24 — see California Building Standards Code). (/us/california/building-codes)

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Is my parcel inside the Downtown Core form‑based boundary? Downtown rules (§ 30‑371 and §§ 30‑390–393) change parking counts and where parking may be placed. Mis‑classifying leads to wrong parking calculations. Verify boundary with the city’s zoning map and confirm downtown applicability. § 30‑371
Which land‑use line in the parking table applies to a novel or mixed use? The required number of spaces depends on the use category; mixed uses are additive. Choosing the wrong category undercounts or overcounts parking. Ask the planner which table row best matches the proposed use and whether office percentages change the rate (logistics office >10% rule appears in Table 1). § 30‑390 (Table 1)
Can I use off‑site parking or shared parking to meet requirements? Off‑site/shared parking is allowed but requires recorded agreements and proximity/sidewalk access standards; mis‑documentation can invalidate approvals. Confirm off‑site distance limit (660 ft.) and covenant requirements in § 30‑390(d).
Are reductions (transit, bike) combinable and by how much? Reductions are limited and capped at 20% combined; mis‑application can create an underparked project. See § 30‑391 for allowable reductions and caps.
Trailer/truck parking and loading bay size Industrial sites often fail to provide correct trailer stalls or turning radii, causing operational failure and code noncompliance. Follow Sec. 30‑704a for trailer parking and § 30‑706 for bay dimensions; include turning templates.

Plain‑English Summary

Fontana’s Zoning and Development Code requires projects to supply off‑street vehicle parking, bicycle parking, and loading spaces according to land‑use tables and site rules: park to the rear/side where possible, provide bike racks per the bike table and get loading bays sized and screened to the code. Bicycle parking can buy a small vehicular parking credit; downtown and transit‑adjacent projects can get additional reductions, but total reductions cannot exceed 20%. Always check the parcel’s specific zoning/downtown boundary and include the required exhibits (turning templates, covenants, and parking/landscaping plans) with your application. § 30‑390, § 30‑391, § 30‑392, § 30‑393.

Source References

  • Off‑street parking and loading standards: § 30‑390.
  • Off‑street parking reductions (bicycle credit, transit/Metrolink, etc.): § 30‑391.
  • Loading rules and table for required loading spaces: § 30‑704 and Table No. 30‑704.
  • Minimum loading bay dimensions and access/screening rules: § 30‑706; §§ 30‑707–30‑712.
  • Trailer parking (logistics/warehousing): Sec. 30‑704a.
  • Bicycle parking requirements and Table 30‑393.A: § 30‑393.
  • Paving, screening, parking structure standards: § 30‑699, § 30‑700, § 30‑701.
  • Downtown Core and Form‑Based Code references: § 30‑371 (includes cross‑references to §§ 30‑390–30‑393 for parking and bike).

For municipal context and related policy pages (useful when preparing applications):

  • Fontana Zoning & Planning overview: /us/california/fontana
  • Fontana Zoning: /us/california/fontana/zoning
  • Fontana Land Use: /us/california/fontana/land-use
  • Fontana Development Standards: /us/california/fontana/development-standards
  • Fontana Design Review: /us/california/fontana/design-review
  • Fontana Overlay Districts: /us/california/fontana/overlay-districts
  • Fontana ADUs: /us/california/fontana/adu
  • California Building Standards Code (Title 24): /us/california/building-codes

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Fontana Zoning Code (Section 30-679) High relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code (Section 30-371) High relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code (Section 30-650) High relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code High relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
  • Fontana Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What parking standards apply to a downtown Fontana mixed‑use building?

Downtown projects must follow the Form‑Based Code and the downtown cross‑references: required off‑street parking and loading performance is handled per § 30‑390 and downtown‑specific reductions and bicycle rules are in § 30‑391 and § 30‑393 (see downtown Form‑Based Code § 30‑371 for district limits).

How many bicycle spaces do I need for a new apartment building in downtown Fontana?

Bicycle minimums for residential in Downtown are 1 space per 3 units, with the short‑term/long‑term split detailed in Table 30‑393.A and design rules in § 30‑393 (access aisle, 2'×6' per space, etc.).

Can I get a reduction in vehicular parking for providing bike parking?

Yes. Bicycle parking can reduce vehicular parking at the rate of 1 vehicular space per 5 long‑term bicycle spaces provided above the minimum, up to 5% of total vehicular parking. Overall combined reductions are capped at 20%. See § 30‑391.

What are the minimum loading bay dimensions I must show on my site plan?

Minimum dimensions are set in § 30‑706: typical minima are Van 12'×19' (10' clearance), Truck 12'×45' (14' clearance), Tractor‑trailer 12'×70' (14' clearance). Also show access/turning radii per §§ 30‑707–30‑712.

Can required parking be located off‑site or shared with another property?

Yes—off‑site parking is allowed within 660 feet if an irrevocable parking agreement is recorded and pedestrian access is provided; shared parking may be approved with a parking demand study and recorded covenant (see § 30‑390(d) and shared parking rules).

Are compact or tandem spaces allowed in Fontana projects?

Compact spaces: permitted only when the use requires at least 20 spaces and compact parking does not exceed 15% of required spaces; compact stalls must be identified (§ 30‑390(e)). Tandem: allowed in residential developments but tandem spaces cannot be used as guest parking (both spaces assigned to same unit); nonresidential tandem requires an approved management program (§ 30‑390(f)).

What additional requirements apply to large logistics or warehouse facilities?

Large logistics/warehouse uses have graduated vehicle‑parking rates in the parking table (see Table 1 under § 30‑390), trailer‑parking rules in Sec. 30‑704a (12'×52' trailer stalls per bay door ratios), and loading space counts per Table No. 30‑704. Include trailer parking, docking, and turning diagrams with your application.

Do I need to screen loading areas from public view?

Yes. Loading areas must be screened from view of the public right‑of‑way by decorative walls and landscaping or building massing as required; see the screening rules and required line‑of‑sight analysis in § 30‑700 and related sections.

Where are parking lot paving and surfacing standards?

All parking and loading areas must be paved; typical minimum is 3" asphalt concrete over compacted base (or approved PCC alternative) per § 30‑699. Include surfacing notes on civil plans.

If my project is near the Metrolink station, can I reduce parking?

Projects within the Metrolink reduction boundary may qualify for up to 15% reduction under § 30‑391; consult Exhibit 30‑665.A for the exact boundary and confirm eligibility with staff. ---

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