Kerman — Parking

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the City of Kerman regulates off‑street parking, loading, and related access/vehicle storage in the local zoning code (Title 17). The controlling rules require on‑site parking and loading to meet numeric minimums in § 17.28.040 and to follow the design, accessible, compact, and reduction rules in Chapter 17.28. Key zone chapters then add zone‑specific placement or screening rules and limits on using yard area for “excess” parking. See the zoning code for parcel‑specific verification.

(If you want the short legal starting point, see the City of Kerman zoning overview and code pages linked below.)

How to read this page

• The code places all numeric parking ratios and special rules in Chapter 17.28 (Parking, Loading, and Access); most zone chapters then point to Chapter 17.28 and add local placement or screening requirements. § 17.28.010 establishes the purpose and applicability.
• Whenever a zone chapter modifies where parking goes or how it must be screened, this page calls that out and cites the exact zone section.

Useful internal links (first mention of each): the City’s Kerman zoning & planning overview, the Kerman Zoning material, Kerman Development Standards, Kerman Design Review, Kerman Overlay Districts, Kerman ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Chapter baseline — what the zoning code requires

• Off‑street parking and loading for all new development and intensifications must comply with Chapter 17.28 (Parking, Loading, and Access). § 17.28.010 and multiple zone chapters explicitly require this cross‑reference.
• Building permit submittals that construct parking areas must include a scaled parking design showing stalls, aisles, curb cuts, landscaping, and other improvements; the building permit will not be issued until the required zoning clearance and final inspection are complete. § 17.28.020.
• The director may determine parking requirements for uses not listed in the numeric table by comparing operational similarity and demand. § 17.28.030(A).
• Accessible parking must meet Title 24 and ADA requirements (local code defers to the California Building Standards Code / Title 24). § 17.28.060.

District‑by‑district breakdown (where parking rules change or are applied)

Note: in every district below the numeric parking ratios themselves generally come from § 17.28.040 (Table 17.28‑1) unless the zone text states otherwise. When a zone adds placement/screening or yard‑use limits the code is cited.

Residential zones — R-1-7, R-1-12, R-2, R-3

• Purpose & typical uses: single‑family and multi‑family housing types are regulated in Chapter 17.10 (Residential Zones). The code identifies R-1-7, R-1-12 (single‑unit) and R-2, R-3 (multi‑unit) and establishes design and site plan review thresholds.
• Key dimensional standards (examples): R‑1 single‑unit design standards also reference Chapter 17.48; multi‑unit site plan review is required for projects in R‑2 and R‑3. § 17.10.090–100.
• Parking specifics:
  • Required parking for dwellings is in § 17.28.040: two covered spaces per single‑family unit; 1.5 spaces per studio/one‑bed unit and 2 spaces for units with two bedrooms or larger; one required covered space per unit must be provided as indicated. § 17.28.040.
  • No more than 40% of any required front, side, street‑side, or rear yard area may be used for “excess” parking beyond required spaces; a zoning clearance is required for excess parking. § 17.10.070 (applies to residential zones) and SD combining zone repeats this limit.
  • Recreational vehicle (RV) storage rules: no RVs in required front yard; height and setback limits; screening required for yard storage. § 17.28.080.

Where it applies: all parcels in the city mapped as R‑1‑7, R‑1‑12, R‑2, and R‑3 per the zoning map; multi‑unit projects may need site plan review (director/commission) per § 17.10.090.

Commercial, Office, and Mixed‑Use zones — CG, CN, CS, MU, PA

• Purpose & typical uses: defined in Chapter 17.12 — CG (General Commercial), CN (Neighborhood Commercial), CS (Service Commercial), MU (Mixed‑Use), and PA (Professional/Admin Office) for office transition areas. § 17.12.010.
• Key dimensional / placement standards:
  • Parking lots in CG fronting Madera Ave are encouraged to be at the rear and accessed from alleys where possible; MU favors parking to side or rear. § 17.12.070(B–C).
  • Site plan review is required before constructing new buildings or parking facilities in commercial/mixed‑use zones. § 17.12.080.
• Parking specifics:
  • Numeric rates for retail, restaurant, bank, etc., are in § 17.28.040 (Table 17.28‑1) — e.g., retail at 4.5 spaces/1,000 sf, banks 1/200 sf, restaurants 1/4 seats + 1/2 employee (see table). § 17.28.040.
  • Off‑site designated parking for commercial uses requiring more than 30 spaces may be provided within 300 feet with an administrative use permit. § 17.28.090.

Where it applies: parcels mapped CG, CN, CS, MU, PA; consult the zoning map and Chapter 17.12.

Industrial zones — M-1, M-2

• Purpose & typical uses: light and general industrial uses; standards in Chapter 17.14. § 17.14.010.
• Key dimensional standards: Table 17.14‑2 gives parcel sizes, setbacks, FAR, and notes that rear/side yards can be used for parking/storage (with stacking limits adjacent to residential). § 17.14.030 / Table 17.14‑2.
• Parking specifics:
  • Off‑street parking and loading follow Chapter 17.28, but industrial uses not listed may be required at a minimum 1 space per permanent employee per maximum work shift, plus spaces for company vehicles/trucks. § 17.14.070(B); numeric discretion in § 17.28.030(A).
  • Loading adequacy for warehouses, manufacturing, wholesale, etc., is to be determined by the director; off‑street loading is required in addition to parking. § 17.28.110.

Where it applies: properties in M‑1 and M‑2 per the zoning map.

Public and Quasi‑Public zone — O

• Purpose & typical uses: parks, public facilities, open space; parking provisions in § 17.16.060 reference Chapter 17.28. § 17.16.010 & .060.
• Parking specifics: off‑street parking for public uses is handled via Chapter 17.28; table entries include schools, parks, hospitals with their own ratios (see § 17.28.040 table).

Where it applies: properties mapped O on the zoning map.

Combining zones & special districts — SD (Smart Residential Development), IBA, PD

• Combining zones generally defer numeric parking to Chapter 17.28 but layer procedural and placement standards:
  • SD combining zones (e.g., SD‑R‑5) require compliance with Chapter 17.28 and repeat the 40% yard limit and zoning clearance requirement for excess parking; SD projects are subject to development plan review per § 17.18.030(C)(10–11).
  • IBA (Industrial Boulevard Area) defers to the underlying M‑2 base zone for allowed uses and references Chapter 17.28 for parking. § 17.18.040(E).
  • PD (Planned Development) combining zones require that off‑street parking follow Chapter 17.28 and the PD standards require parking screening from public rights‑of‑way for residential uses. § 17.18 (PD standards).

Where it applies: parcels carrying SD‑, IBA‑, or PD‑suffixes on the zoning map and the associated base zone.

Quick reference table — common parking minimums (decision‑relevant)

Design, surfacing, and layout (what applicants must show)

• Parking must be surfaced and constructed per local construction details; new off‑street parking (except single‑unit dwellings) must meet the parking facility design standards in § 17.28.100 (paving, slope for drainage, curbing and landscape separation, stall dimensions, aisle widths, etc.). Examples: 90° stall = 9' x 19' with 25' aisle. § 17.28.100(G).
• Parking stall striping, curbs, drainage, and two‑inch AC over four‑inch base are required. § 17.28.100(C–F).
• Off‑street loading: required for uses with receipt/distribution of goods (warehouses, theaters, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, etc.); adequacy determined by the director. § 17.28.110.

Reductions, shared parking, and special programs

• Small, limited parking reductions are allowed when an employer provides bicycle shower/locker or guaranteed carpool/vanpool spaces (specific small percentage reductions). § 17.28.070(A–B).
• Further reductions or modifications (beyond the small automatic allowances) require review and documentary justification; the director/authority may require recorded agreements to ensure long‑term compliance. § 17.28.070(C).
• Shared/common parking is permitted when the total meets the sum of required spaces and reductions are applied consistently; off‑site parking for large commercial (>30 spaces) requires an administrative use permit. § 17.28.090.

Checklist — what an applicant must submit to satisfy Kerman zoning parking rules

• A scaled site plan showing all parking stalls, dimensions, aisles, curb cuts, landscaping/islands, and internal circulation (required for building permits that include parking). § 17.28.020
• Calculation of required spaces using Table 17.28‑1 / § 17.28.040 for each proposed use (or director determination where the use is not listed). § 17.28.040; § 17.28.030(A)
• Accessible parking plan meeting Title 24 and ADA standards (vertical signage and striping shown). § 17.28.060
• Landscaping and screening for parking areas per § 17.28.100 and any PD/SD screening requirements. § 17.28.100; § 17.18 (PD/SD)
• If proposing more than site‑required parking in yards, obtain zoning clearance (and ensure no more than 40% of front/side/rear yard area is used for excess parking without special approval). § 17.10.070; § 17.18 (SD)
• If seeking a parking reduction, supply a parking plan and program justification, and be prepared to record agreements if required. § 17.28.070(C)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Kerman requires that most developments provide off‑street parking and loading according to the numeric table in § 17.28.040, follow the construction and layout rules in § 17.28.100, and get zoning clearance and site plan review where required; many zones add placement or screening rules and a 40% limit on using yards for “extra” parking. Always verify your parcel’s zone and get a director determination early if your use isn’t listed.

Source References

• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Chapter 17.28, Parking, Loading, and Access (purpose, building permit, general provisions): § 17.28.010–030.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Table 17.28‑1, Minimum Number of Spaces Required by Use (residential, retail, restaurant, industrial, public assembly, etc.): § 17.28.040.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Parking design standards and loading: § 17.28.100; § 17.28.110.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Residential zones: parking limits in yards and zoning clearance requirement: § 17.10.070.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Commercial/Mixed‑Use parking placement guidance and site plan review: § 17.12.070–080.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Industrial zone parking and development standards: § 17.14.070 / Table 17.14‑2.
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — SD, IBA, PD combining zone statements requiring Chapter 17.28 compliance and local screening/limits: § 17.18.030/040.
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — accessibility and accessible parking references (Title 24/ADA deferral in local code): See Title 24.

Retrieved passages

• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.96) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (chapter are) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.28) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (Section 17.20.030) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (Chapter 17.28) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.30) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Chapter 17.28, Parking, Loading, and Access (purpose, building permit, general provisions): **§ 17.28.010–030**. (Chapter 17.28)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Table 17.28‑1, Minimum Number of Spaces Required by Use (residential, retail, restaurant, industrial, public assembly, etc.): **§ 17.28.040**. (§ 17.28.040)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Parking design standards and loading: **§ 17.28.100; § 17.28.110**. (§ 17.28.100)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Residential zones: parking limits in yards and zoning clearance requirement: **§ 17.10.070**. (§ 17.10.070)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Commercial/Mixed‑Use parking placement guidance and site plan review: **§ 17.12.070–080**. (§ 17.12.070)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — Industrial zone parking and development standards: **§ 17.14.070 / Table 17.14‑2**. (§ 17.14.070)
• City of Kerman Zoning Code — SD, IBA, PD combining zone statements requiring Chapter 17.28 compliance and local screening/limits: **§ 17.18.030/040**. (Chapter 17.28)
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — accessibility and accessible parking references (Title 24/ADA deferral in local code): **See Title 24**. (Title 24)
• Kerman_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md