Local zoning · La Habra Heights

La Habra Heights — Parking

Q: How does La Habra Heights treat parking for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)?

La Habra Heights requires one (1) off‑street parking space per ADU; the space may be tandem or in setback on an existing paved driveway and the Code lists state‑law exceptions where parking is not required. See § 7.28.060(D) for the ADU parking rule and exceptions — verify state ADU preemptions too .

Q: Do I need to show an on‑site turnaround and a specific driveway width?

Yes. Residential driveways should show a 12 ft paved width and 15 ft graded width as the standard; on‑site turnaround sufficient for emergency access is required and residence access is generally limited to a single driveway (no more than two access points) — § 7.13.40(A.4–6) .

Q: Are there specific stall dimensions or slope limits for parking spaces?

Yes — parking stalls must be at least 10 ft × 20 ft and covered/garage stalls must have at least 10 ft × 20 ft interior clear dimensions with 7 ft minimum vertical clearance. Parking surfaces must be all‑weather and grade for parking cannot exceed 5% in any direction. See § 7.13.40(C) .

Q: Can I park commercial vehicles or a boat/ RV at my R‑A home?

Commercial vehicle parking/storage is generally prohibited except limited exceptions (agricultural vehicles, under‑1‑ton vehicle used by a resident for an off‑site business, or permitted equipment). Large vehicles (motor homes, boats) must be parked on an approved surface and screened from view. See § 7.13.40(E–F) .

Q: How does the code handle parking setbacks (how far from property lines can parking be placed)?

The Code lists parking/driveway setback minima in Table 7‑6 (e.g., R‑A front 10 ft / other 10 ft; IO/OS zones often 35 ft front / 25 ft other ) — see § 7.14.30 and Table 7‑6 for the exact setbacks by zone .

Parking under the La Habra Heights local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the La Habra Heights Development Code treats parking, including off‑street parking minimums, space design, setbacks, special-use rules (ADUs, institutions, emergency shelters), and the process for asking for a standards modification. The city’s parking rules are enforced through the Development Code (Article 7), especially the Parking and Access chapter and the ADU chapter — see § 7.13.10 through § 7.13.50 and § 7.28.060 for ADU specifics . If you’re planning a change that affects curb cuts, driveways, or visible parking areas, also expect review of landscaping and screening and possibly design review or overlay rules; see the City’s Design Review, Overlay Districts, and Landscaping and Screening pages.

Controlling rules (quick reference)

Off‑street parking performance and development standards: § 7.13.10–§ 7.13.50 (Parking & Access chapter) .
Residential minima and driveway standards: § 7.13.40 (residential parking) .
Parking setbacks for zones and driveways (minimum front/other setbacks): Table 7‑6 referenced in § 7.14.30 (parking setbacks) .
Parking schedule examples and nonresidential parking standards: Table 7‑9 summarized in § 7.13.40 .
ADU parking: § 7.28.060(D) (one space per ADU; exceptions) .
Standards modification findings (how to get a different parking standard): § 7.13.50 .

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district description below pulls the permitted-use context from the zone chapter and then explains how the city’s parking standards (primarily § 7.13.40 and related tables) apply in that district.

R-A (Residential‑Agricultural Zone)

Purpose & typical uses: single‑family dwellings, agricultural activities, equestrian/pedestrian/bicycle trails; accessory uses tied to a single‑family residence are allowed. See § 7.3.20 for the permitted uses and limitations .
Parking obligations: New residential development in R‑A must meet the residential off‑street minimums: a minimum of six (6) parking spaces per unit, with at least two (2) enclosed garage spaces; one (1) additional space per bedroom beyond four (4); additional spaces for very large homes at one per 1,000 sq ft over 6,000 sq ft — all per § 7.13.40(A) and Table 7‑9 .
Driveways/placement: Residential driveways must provide a minimum paved width of 12 ft and graded width of 15 ft unless otherwise approved; on‑site turnaround is required and driveway access is generally limited to a single driveway (no more than two access points) per road frontage — § 7.13.40(A.4–6) .
Where it applies: The R‑A Zone is the predominant residential zone in the city; front-yard and parking setbacks for R‑A are listed in the parking/setback schedule (Table 7‑6) referenced in § 7.14.30 .

MFR (Multifamily Residential Zone)

Purpose & typical uses: multifamily housing forms allowed; see § 7.3.76 for the MFR zone description and land‑use matrix .
Parking obligations: Multifamily projects follow the Table 7‑9 minima and the general performance standards in § 7.13.30–§ 7.13.40. In addition, accessible and design requirements will interact with the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) for disabled spaces and design of access routes; the Development Code requires compliance with state accessible parking rules for nonresidential elements and for multifamily projects where applicable — see § 7.13.40 and the California building code references in the code library (Title 24) .
Driveways/assignment: The Code requires adequate on‑site circulation and on‑site turnaround for emergency vehicles in all Zone Districts (performance standard) — § 7.13.40 .
Where it applies: Parcels mapped as MFR per the official zoning map; verify zoning on a parcel‑by‑parcel basis with the Community Development Department (see "Verify with the jurisdiction" below) .

IO (Institutional Overlay Zone) and I (Institutions Zone)

Purpose & typical uses: institutional and related uses (religious, educational, certain public facilities); see § 7.3.70–§ 7.3.76 and the I Zone entry for detail .
Parking obligations: Nonresidential or institutional uses must provide on‑site parking as summarized in Table 7‑9 (examples: 1 space per 3 fixed seats for assembly uses, or 1 per 50 sq ft of assembly area, or occupancy‑based 1 per 3 persons per Fire Dept. determination). Emergency shelters in IO or I have a specific parking formula: one (1) space per staff on largest shift and bicycle racks sized 1 per bed + 1 per staff — see § 7.27.030(A)(3) and § 7.13.40(B) .
Overnight parking: The Code explicitly prohibits overnight parking at Institutions in some circumstances — see § 7.13.40(B.5–6) (institutional overnight parking prohibition and disability‑accessible spaces must comply with State requirements) .
Where it applies: Parcels in the IO overlay or I zone; the IO retains R‑A base uses with institutional overlays for special uses — see § 7.3.70 and Table 7‑1 for permitted uses .

OS zones (Open Space: OS‑C, OS‑R, OS‑RP)

Purpose & uses: conservation, recreation or resource production uses (trails, parks, golf course, limited resource extraction) — see § 7.3.30–§ 7.3.50 .
Parking obligations: Recreational uses have special rules in Table 7‑9 — e.g., 6 spaces per golf hole, 1 parking sq ft per 1 sq ft of field area for field recreation, or 1 per 3 fixed seats for assembly areas — see § 7.13.40(B.3) and Table 7‑9 .
Setbacks & screening: Parking in open space zones is subject to setback rules (Table 7‑6) and landscaping/screening so vehicles do not dominate views from public rights‑of‑way — see § 7.14.30 and § 7.13.40(D) .

Key standards and examples (decision table)

Rule / use	What the code requires	Code reference
Residential minimum parking per unit	6 spaces per dwelling unit, of which 2 must be enclosed garage spaces; +1 per additional bedroom over 4; +1 per 1,000 sq ft over 6,000 sq ft living area	§ 7.13.40(A)
ADU parking	1 off‑street parking space per ADU (may be tandem or in setback on existing driveway); exceptions listed in code (no space required in specified cases)	§ 7.28.060(D)
Nonresidential examples (assembly, institutional)	Assembly: 1 per 3 fixed seats OR 1 per 50 sq ft floor area OR occupancy‑based 1 per 3 persons; Schools: 1 per classroom + 1 per 300 sq ft office	§ 7.13.40(B) and Table 7‑9
Parking design (space size & grade)	10 ft × 20 ft minimum per space; covered/garage internals 10 ft × 20 ft, 7 ft minimum height; max grade 5%	§ 7.13.40(C)
Driveway widths & turnaround	Residential driveway 12 ft paved / 15 ft graded (unless reduced by City Engineer/Fire Chief); must provide on‑site turnaround; access limited to single driveway (max two access points)	§ 7.13.40(A.4–6)
Parking setbacks	Minimum setbacks for parking and driveways by zone (e.g., R‑A front 10 ft / other 10 ft; IO and OS zones generally 35 ft front / 25 ft other) — see Table 7‑6	§ 7.14.30 (Table 7‑6)
Accessible/disabled spaces	Parking areas for nonresidential uses must include accessible spaces in compliance with State requirements (design and signage per Title 24/California Building Code)	§ 7.13.40(B.6) and California Building Standards Code (Title 24)
Landscaping/screening of parking	Parking areas must be screened and landscaped so parked vehicles do not dominate public or adjacent views	§ 7.13.40(D)
Commercial vehicle storage	Prohibited except limited exceptions (agricultural vehicles; <1‑ton vehicles used by resident for off‑site business; specified equipment)	§ 7.13.40(F)
Standards modification (to reduce/adjust parking)	Must show modification will not create a nuisance or require off‑site parking (additional findings in § 7.13.50)	§ 7.13.50

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

The City assumes rural single‑family parcels will provide generous on‑site parking: expect to show space for six cars per new dwelling and evidence of on‑site turnaround and at least two enclosed garage spaces unless you seek a standards modification (§ 7.13.40) .
ADU applicants should plan for one dedicated off‑street parking space per ADU but review the exceptions in § 7.28.060(D) — the Code allows driveway/tandem parking and lists state‑law exceptions; also check state ADU law because the local ADU section implements state rules (see La Habra Heights ADUs and the state ADU guidance) .
Nonresidential and institutional projects must use the Table 7‑9 formulas (assembly, school, resource uses). Institutional uses must also provide accessible spaces per State law and may be prohibited from overnight parking in certain cases (§ 7.13.40(B)) .
The code emphasizes visual impacts: any visible surface parking must be screened with landscaping and designed to respect views and privacy; the planner will scrutinize visible parking walls/ramps and driveways in La Habra Heights’ hilly terrain (§ 7.13.30–§ 7.13.40) .
If your project cannot meet the numeric standards because of site constraints (topography, septic, narrow private road), you will need either a Standards Modification (findings under § 7.13.50) or other discretionary relief such as a variance — both require public process and findings .

Checklist

Show on the site plan the number of off‑street parking spaces proposed and how they meet § 7.13.40 and Table 7‑9 .
For residences: show 6 spaces per unit minimum, 2 enclosed garage spaces, additional spaces for bedrooms >4 or living area >6,000 sq ft as applicable (per § 7.13.40(A)) .
For ADUs: show 1 off‑street space for the ADU (may be tandem or in setback on the existing paved driveway) and confirm whether local exceptions apply (§ 7.28.060(D)) .
Dimension each parking stall 10 ft × 20 ft (or show the alternative design and justify) and show paved/all‑weather surface and slopes ≤ 5% (§ 7.13.40(C)) .
Show driveway widths (12 ft paved / 15 ft graded default) and emergency vehicle turnaround per § 7.13.40(A.4–5) .
Provide landscaping and screening details so parking won’t “dominate” views per § 7.13.40(D); show plant palette and screening heights (see Landscaping and Screening ) .
For institutional/nonresidential uses, show accessible parking per State law and any carpool/vanpool preferential spaces for larger projects (see § 7.13.40(B) and related development standards) .
If asking to reduce or alter required parking, prepare Standards Modification findings from § 7.13.50 and evidence that no off‑site parking will be needed .
Verify zone‑specific parking setbacks from Table 7‑6 (see § 7.14.30) and show location of parking relative to property lines and rights‑of‑way .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
ADU parking vs. state ADU law	State ADU law restricts local parking requirements/exceptions; La Habra Heights incorporates a 1‑space rule and exceptions but also references state law	Confirm ADU parking exceptions in § 7.28.060(D) and review state ADU law for preemptions; verify with Community Development (Verify with the jurisdiction)
Driveway/curb cut approval on narrow rural roads	Many local streets are narrow and lack curb/sidewalks; the Code limits driveway access and requires Fire/Engineer sign‑off	Confirm driveway width exceptions and obtain City Engineer/Fire Chief approvals per § 7.13.40(A.4) and local road standards (Verify with the jurisdiction)
Table 7‑9 applicability to unusual uses	Table 7‑9 gives many examples (golf, field sports, assembly) but unique uses may not match a row	If your use isn’t obviously listed, ask staff for a comparable use determination under § 7.13.40(B) (Verify with the jurisdiction)
Accessible parking detail (design vs. count)	The municipal code defers technical accessible details to State code; plan reviewers will require Title 24 compliance	Check Title 24 / California Building Standards Code for striping, signage, dimensions and slope; municipal code requires compliance per § 7.13.40(B.6)
Nonconforming lots and parking relief	Older properties may be legally nonconforming (driveway width, number of enclosed spaces) and the Code treats nonconformities specially	Review nonconforming provisions (Article 7.5) and expect staff to require correction only where health/safety is implicated (Verify with the jurisdiction)

Plain‑English Summary

La Habra Heights requires substantial on‑site parking and careful driveway design because its roads are narrow and the community prioritizes views and neighborhood character: expect to provide six spaces per house (two in a garage), design stalls at 10×20 ft, meet driveway width/turnaround rules, and follow the zone‑specific setback and screening rules; ADUs normally require one space but the ADU chapter contains state‑law exceptions — see § 7.13.40 and § 7.28.060 .

Source References

La Habra Heights Development Code — Chapter 7 (Parking and Access): § 7.13.10–§ 7.13.50 (Parking performance & development standards) .
La Habra Heights ADU regulations — Specific ADU parking rules: § 7.28.060(D) (ADU parking and exceptions) .
Zone Districts (permitted uses and descriptions, including R‑A, IO, I, MFR, OS‑ zones): § 7.3.10–§ 7.3.20 and related zone subsections (Table 7‑1 land use matrix) .
Parking setbacks and driveway minimums (Table 7‑6): § 7.14.30 (Exhibit/Table references) .
Standards modification findings for parking: § 7.13.50 .
Emergency shelter parking and bicycle parking standard: § 7.27.030 (emergency shelters) .
California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — accessibility/disabled parking technical standards referenced by the municipal code (for design/sizing): California Building Standards Code (see accessible parking sections) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

La Habra Heights Zoning Code High relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 23) High relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (Article 7) High relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code Medium relevance
CBC § 5 (Section 65852.21) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (Article 7) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (Chapter 7.14.) Medium relevance
CBC § 030 (Chapter 7.1) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (Chapter 7.1) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (Article 7) Medium relevance
La Habra Heights Zoning Code (§ 24) Medium relevance

Cited sections

La Habra Heights Development Code — Chapter 7 (Parking and Access): **§ 7.13.10–§ 7.13.50** (Parking performance & development standards) . (Chapter 7)
La Habra Heights ADU regulations — Specific ADU parking rules: **§ 7.28.060(D)** (ADU parking and exceptions) . (§ 7.28.060)
Zone Districts (permitted uses and descriptions, including **R‑A**, **IO**, **I**, **MFR**, **OS‑** zones): **§ 7.3.10–§ 7.3.20** and related zone subsections (Table 7‑1 land use matrix) . (§ 7.3.10)
Parking setbacks and driveway minimums (Table 7‑6): **§ 7.14.30** (Exhibit/Table references) . (§ 7.14.30)
Standards modification findings for parking: **§ 7.13.50** . (§ 7.13.50)
Emergency shelter parking and bicycle parking standard: **§ 7.27.030** (emergency shelters) . (§ 7.27.030)
California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — accessibility/disabled parking technical standards referenced by the municipal code (for design/sizing): California Building Standards Code (see accessible parking sections) . (Title 24)
LaHabraHeights_ZoningCode.md
2025 California Building Code.md
2025 California Green Building Standards Code.md

Frequently asked questions

What are the minimum off‑street parking requirements for a new single‑family home in La Habra Heights?

For a new single‑family dwelling the Code requires a minimum of six (6) parking spaces per unit, with at least two (2) enclosed garage spaces; add one (1) space for each bedroom beyond four and one (1) additional space per 1,000 sq ft of living area over 6,000 sq ft. These requirements are in § 7.13.40(A) .

How does La Habra Heights treat parking for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)?

La Habra Heights requires one (1) off‑street parking space per ADU; the space may be tandem or in setback on an existing paved driveway and the Code lists state‑law exceptions where parking is not required. See § 7.28.060(D) for the ADU parking rule and exceptions — verify state ADU preemptions too .

Do I need to show an on‑site turnaround and a specific driveway width?

Yes. Residential driveways should show a 12 ft paved width and 15 ft graded width as the standard; on‑site turnaround sufficient for emergency access is required and residence access is generally limited to a single driveway (no more than two access points) — § 7.13.40(A.4–6) .

Are there specific stall dimensions or slope limits for parking spaces?

Yes — parking stalls must be at least 10 ft × 20 ft and covered/garage stalls must have at least 10 ft × 20 ft interior clear dimensions with 7 ft minimum vertical clearance. Parking surfaces must be all‑weather and grade for parking cannot exceed 5% in any direction. See § 7.13.40(C) .

Can I park commercial vehicles or a boat/ RV at my R‑A home?

Commercial vehicle parking/storage is generally prohibited except limited exceptions (agricultural vehicles, under‑1‑ton vehicle used by a resident for an off‑site business, or permitted equipment). Large vehicles (motor homes, boats) must be parked on an approved surface and screened from view. See § 7.13.40(E–F) .

How does the code handle parking setbacks (how far from property lines can parking be placed)?

The Code lists parking/driveway setback minima in Table 7‑6 (e.g., R‑A front 10 ft / other 10 ft; IO/OS zones often 35 ft front / 25 ft other) — see § 7.14.30 and Table 7‑6 for the exact setbacks by zone .

What if my lot is nonconforming and can’t meet the numeric parking minimums?

Existing nonconforming conditions are addressed in the nonconforming chapter; for changes that require different parking counts you can apply for a Standards Modification but you must meet findings that the change will not create a nuisance or require off‑site parking (§ 7.13.50). Expect discretion and possibly mitigation such as additional screening or modified circulation plans — review § 7.13.50 and the nonconforming provisions in Article 7.5 .

Are bicycle parking and EV chargers required?

La Habra Heights’ code sets performance goals for multimodal facilities and the emergency shelter chapter requires bicycle parking for shelters; technical bicycle and EV charging mandates are primarily addressed by state codes and green building rules referenced by the city (see emergency shelter bicycle rack requirements in § 7.27.030(A)(3) and the Development Code performance standards § 7.13.30). For technical detail, plan reviewers will also reference the California Green Building Standards and Title 24 documents — verify with staff on project thresholds .

Who interprets ambiguous parking rules?

Where ambiguity exists in applying the Zoning Article, the Community Development Director is the interpretive authority and will issue written interpretations that apply to similar situations unless modified by the Planning Commission or City Council (see § 7.2.20(F)) — verify with Community Development for parcel‑specific rulings .

Ask about any La Habra Heights property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on La Habra Heights zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial