Local zoning · Hillsborough

Hillsborough — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the Town of Hillsborough regulates off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking in its zoning code (Title 17). Key rules live in the Town’s off‑street parking chapter and in related parts of Title 17 that control setbacks/development standards, ADUs, and driveway/turnaround design; read the ordinance text carefully for parcel‑specific application. See Hillsborough Zoning for broader context.

What the code requires — quick map to the rules

  • Residential parking (garages, minimum stall sizes, backup space): § 17.36.010 – § 17.36.030.
  • Parking for second units (ADUs / "second unit"): § 17.36.035 and Chapter 17.52 (ADU rules).
  • Non‑residential parking & loading (private schools, country clubs, parks, private clubs): § 17.36.040 – § 17.36.090; § 17.36.190 – § 17.36.270.
  • Bicycle parking minimums and design: § 17.36.200.
  • Parking stall sizes, compact stalls, driveways, turnarounds and lot design: § 17.36.020; § 17.36.070; § 17.36.150; § 17.36.210; § 17.36.170.
  • Handicapped / accessible parking follows the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) (referenced in § 17.36.160).

Note on internal links: Hillsborough’s zoning rules interact with the Town’s objective development standards; for the rules on setbacks and lot coverage, see Hillsborough Development Standards. The Town’s design review board often recommends additional parking; consult Hillsborough Design Review. ADU parking rules are summarized under Hillsborough ADUs. Historic‑district ADU/parking exceptions interact with Hillsborough Historic Preservation. The building‑code standards for accessible spaces are in the California Building Standards Code.

District‑by‑district breakdown (where parking rules interact with district rules)

Hillsborough reorganized residential districts in 2024; parking requirements themselves are mostly uniform and sit in Chapter 17.36, but the district context changes which uses apply and which development standards (setbacks, lot coverage) control location of parking. Provide the development standard citations below when they affect parking layout.

RD‑1 — Traditional residential (RD‑1)

  • Purpose / typical uses: single‑family dwellings, limited accessory uses, Accessory Dwelling Units allowed (subject to Chapter 17.52). See permitted uses in § 17.16.010.
  • Parking requirements: Every dwelling must include a garage and meet residential parking counts in § 17.36.010 and § 17.36.030; garage size and backup space rules apply (minimum 10 ft × 20 ft garage stalls; unenclosed stalls 8.5 ft × 18 ft; backup space in front of garage 25 ft × 20 ft) — see § 17.36.020 and § 17.36.030.
  • Key dimensional standards that affect parking siting: street‑line setback area = 25 ft; interior setback area = 20 ft (Chapter 17.24), and lot coverage limits (structural + hardscape ≤ 50% of net lot area with structural coverage tables) in § 17.24.020 and § 17.32.060. These dictate whether driveway/parking may be placed in setback areas and how much hardscape counts towards coverage.

RD‑2 — Mixed residential (RD‑2)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Townhomes and multifamily on specific town parcels; ADUs allowed; multifamily parking demands may be higher per unit (see town schedules). See § 17.16.010.
  • Parking requirements: Nonresidential parking schedules and multifamily parking use the off‑street schedule § 17.36.190 and design rules (aisles, compact stalls, bicycle parking). Bicycle parking minimums for larger parking lots apply under § 17.36.200.
  • Dimensional impacts: Same setback and lot‑coverage rules apply; multifamily projects may require design review and tailored parking/turning plans. Verify project‑specific standards with Hillsborough Design Review.

RD‑3 — Governmental and residential mixed use (RD‑3)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Town facilities plus limited residential on town‑owned land; possible public uses (parks, public buildings) that have special parking/loading patterns. See § 17.16.010.
  • Parking & loading: Private schools, country clubs, and similar high‑demand uses are subject to the non‑residential provisions § 17.36.040 – § 17.36.270 (loading stall sizing/location § 17.36.240, § 17.36.230; loading surfacing § 17.36.260). Bicycle parking minima and accessible parking requirements also apply.

Key code standards — decision‑relevant table

Topic What Hillsborough requires (plain English) Code Reference
Residential garage + backup space New or substantially enlarged dwellings must include a garage; garage stalls min 10' × 20'; unenclosed stalls 8.5' × 18'; garage backup area directly in front min 25' × 20' (must be on private property). § 17.36.010; § 17.36.020.
Parking by bedrooms (single‑family) Required parking by bedroom: e.g., 1–3 bedrooms = 2 garage spaces; 4–5 bedrooms = 2 garage + 1 additional (may be unenclosed); 6+ bedrooms = 2 garage + 2 additional. § 17.36.030.
Second unit / ADU parking Second units: 1 unenclosed space for 1–2 BR, 2 spaces for 3+ BR; ADUs generally require 1 off‑street parking space each, but extensive state/local exceptions exist (within ½ mile of transit, historic district, conversion within existing home, car‑share nearby). See Chapter 17.52 for ADU rules. § 17.36.035; § 17.52.020.
Bicycle parking Parking lots with 30–100 auto stalls must provide 1 bicycle facility, plus 1 per additional 100 stalls (or fraction); racks must give 18" side clearance and 10" front/rear. § 17.36.200.
Loading stalls (size, location) Loading stalls min 10' × 25', 14' vertical clearance; off‑site or on‑street loading prohibited for certain uses; loading must not back onto public right‑of‑way; special locational distances for large trucks (50 ft from lot line unless enclosed). § 17.36.240; § 17.36.230; § 17.36.250.
Design / surfacing / maintenance Open parking areas must be paved (or approved permeable pavement), striped, drained, and integrate green infrastructure per the town plan; older gravel lots have grandfathering rules. § 17.36.170.
Accessible (handicapped) parking Comply with the then‑current California Building Standards Code (Title 24) for accessible stalls and van spaces. § 17.36.160; California code.
Compact car stalls Where 10–100 required stalls, up to 30% may be compact; where >100 stalls, up to 40% may be compact. § 17.36.210.

How the rules are applied (practical guidance)

  • If you build or substantially enlarge a house, design the garage to meet § 17.36.020 (10' × 20' stalls) and protect the required 25 ft backup space on private property; you cannot count the public right‑of‑way as backup.
  • For an ADU/second unit, use § 17.36.035 and Chapter 17.52 to confirm whether an additional space is required — many ADUs qualify for an exception (transit proximity, conversion inside the primary residence, historic district). Always verify ADU exceptions against Chapter 17.52.
  • For non‑residential uses (schools, clubs), prepare a parking and loading plan showing stall counts per § 17.36.190 and loading stall design per § 17.36.240 – § 17.36.260; expect the Town to require on‑site circulation/turnaround and surfacing standards.
  • Bicycle parking is not optional for medium/large lots; show rack locations, clearances, and separation from auto parking per § 17.36.200.

Checklist

  • Confirm your zoning district (RD‑1 / RD‑2 / RD‑3) on the Town zoning map and permitted uses in § 17.16.010.
  • Determine required number of parking stalls from § 17.36.030 (single‑family) or the off‑street schedule § 17.36.190 (non‑residential).
  • Dimension stalls and driveways to meet § 17.36.020 and § 17.36.070 (stall sizes, driveway widths, backup area).
  • Provide compliant accessible spaces per § 17.36.160 and Title 24.
  • If adding an ADU, confirm ADU parking exceptions and one‑space rule in § 17.52.020 and § 17.36.035.
  • For large lots or institutional uses, include bicycle parking per § 17.36.200, and loading per § 17.36.240 – § 17.36.260.
  • Show surfacing, striping, drainage and green infrastructure measures per § 17.36.170.
  • Confirm driveway/parking within setbacks and lot coverage rules (Chapter 17.24 and 17.32) to avoid exceeding hardscape limits.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Tandem parking counting as required garage spaces The code counts tandem garage spaces as one required garage space for required garage counts — you can’t count both as fulfilling the garage requirement (§ 17.36.030). This is frequently misunderstood on narrow lots. Verify whether the proposed configuration meets § 17.36.030(D) (tandem rules) and whether the Town will permit tandem or restrict it based on fire/safety (verify with the planning & fire departments).
ADU parking exceptions vs. local ADU rules State ADU law and Hillsborough’s Chapter 17.52 create exceptions (transit proximity, historic districts). Misreading can lead to unnecessary parking that blocks ADU approval. Confirm applicability of ADU exceptions in § 17.52.020 and § 17.36.035; verify historic‑district status with the Town’s historic preservation staff.
Using loading stalls for parking The code prohibits counting loading stall area toward parking requirements (they cannot be double‑counted) § 17.36.270. For mixed‑use sites, show dedicated loading and parking areas, dimensioned per § 17.36.240–250 and ensure loading is not claimed as parking.
Driveway/backup onto public ROW Backup spaces must be on private property (garage backup 25 ft) and backout onto ROW is prohibited for parking lots; non‑conforming backup designs can cause permit denial. Dimension backup area to meet § 17.36.020 and § 17.36.150; verify with the town engineer/fire department for slope/access constraints.
Bicycle parking demand projections The ordinance allows the city engineer to require additional bicycle parking where projections indicate need (§ 17.36.200). For commercial/multi‑unit projects, discuss expected bike demand with the city engineer early and include bike rack layouts that meet § 17.36.200 clearances.

Plain‑English summary

Hillsborough’s zoning code requires most new homes to provide a usable garage and backup area, sets minimum stall sizes and driveway widths, requires specific counts for second units and ADUs (with many ADU exceptions), and imposes detailed design rules for non‑residential parking, loading, and bicycle parking; accessible stalls must follow the state building code. Always check setbacks and lot‑coverage rules (which limit how much driveway/hardscape you can create) and confirm site‑specific constraints with the planning and fire departments.

Source References

  • Hillsborough Municipal Code, Title 17 — Off‑street parking chapters (residential and non‑residential): § 17.36.010 – § 17.36.030; § 17.36.035; § 17.36.040 – § 17.36.270.
  • Hillsborough Municipal Code — ADUs (definitions and general provisions): § 17.52.010; § 17.52.020.
  • Hillsborough Municipal Code — Required setback areas and general setback rules: § 17.24.010 – § 17.24.020.
  • Hillsborough Municipal Code — Residential lot coverage and related calculations: § 17.32.060 and Table 17.52.020‑1 (lot coverage table).
  • Bicycle parking requirements (Town): § 17.36.200.
  • Accessible (handicapped) parking referenced to the California Building Standards Code (Title 24): § 17.36.160 and Title 24 accessibility chapters.

(If you need direct print/export links to the Town code pages, I can pull the specific Municode URLs or a PDF export — verify with the planning office for recent amendments.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 19) High relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 16) High relevance
  • CGBSC § 5.106.3.1 (Section 5.106.3.1) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 19) Medium relevance
  • California Fire Code Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 9) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 19) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 19) High relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (Section 21155) High relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 19) Medium relevance
  • CGBSC § 301.3 (section has) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
  • California Fire Code Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (Section 17.16.030) Medium relevance
  • California Building Code Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (chapter if) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (chapter must) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 11B (Section 11B-208.3.) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance
  • Hillsborough Zoning Code (Chapter 5.16) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What parking must I provide for a new single‑family house in Hillsborough?

You must provide a garage that meets the definition in Title 17 and the Chapter 17.36 requirements; garage stalls at least 10 ft × 20 ft and unenclosed stalls 8.5 ft × 18 ft. Backup space directly in front of the garage must be at least 25 ft long and 20 ft wide on private property. See § 17.36.010 and § 17.36.020.

How many parking spaces does a second unit (ADU) need in Hillsborough?

Second units (traditional “second units”) require 1 unenclosed space for 1–2 bedrooms and 2 spaces for 3+ bedrooms (§ 17.36.035). ADUs are governed by Chapter 17.52 and generally require 1 off‑street space each, but state/local exceptions (e.g., within ½ mile of transit, conversions) can exempt parking — always check § 17.36.035 and § 17.52.020.

Can I use a loading space to satisfy required parking?

No. Space allocated to any off‑street loading stall may not be used to satisfy off‑street parking requirements while so allocated. See § 17.36.270.

What are Hillsborough’s rules for bicycle parking?

If a parking lot contains 30–100 auto stalls, the lot must provide at least one bicycle parking facility; provide an additional facility for each extra 100 stalls or fraction thereof. Racks/lockers must allow 18" side clearance and 10" front/rear, be accessible from public streets, and be separated from autos. See § 17.36.200.

Do accessible (handicapped) stall dimensions appear in Hillsborough’s code?

Hillsborough defers to the then‑current California Building Standards Code (Title 24) for handicapped parking dimensions and design; the Town explicitly references this in § 17.36.160.

Are compact stalls allowed?

Yes — where required stalls are 10–100, up to 30% may be compact stalls; where more than 100, up to 40% may be compact (rounded per the code). See § 17.36.210.

What surface and drainage standards apply to parking lots?

Open off‑street parking must be improved with a compacted base and surfaced with plant mix asphalt, concrete, or approved permeable pavement; lots must be drained and integrate green infrastructure measures per § 17.36.170. Gravel lots existing before June 11, 2001, have limited grandfathering.

Where are driveway widths and turning radius rules?

Driveways serving up to two stalls must be at least 10 ft wide; three or more stalls require 12 ft minimum. Turnaround radius and ramp widths are specified in § 17.36.070 and § 17.36.150 (e.g., minimum 24 ft turning radius for on‑site turnaround).

Does Hillsborough allow parking in front setbacks or tandem parking?

ADU parking may be in setback areas or provided as tandem parking, but the Town may restrict such configurations where they create fire or life‑safety issues; tandem garage spaces for required garage counts are treated cautiously (see § 17.36.030 and ADU provisions in § 17.52.020). Verify with the Town for site‑specific restrictions.

If I redevelop a private school, what parking/loading rules change?

When intensity of use increases, parking lots and loading facilities must be provided for the increased intensity; private schools are subject to Chapter 17.36 parking rules and have special loading/spacing/setback standards (see § 17.36.060, § 17.36.230, and § 17.16.030 for private‑school specifics).

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