Local zoning · Lemon Grove

Lemon Grove — Parking

Q: What are the off‑street parking requirements for a single‑family home in Lemon Grove?

Single‑family homes must provide two parking spaces per unit, both of which must be garaged , and those spaces must be located on the same lot and not in required front/side setbacks except as specifically allowed for ADUs/junior ADUs. See § 17.24.010 and the ADU cross‑reference. § 17.24.010

Q: How many parking spaces are required for a multifamily project?

For multifamily the code requires one space per studio; two spaces for all other units (one of which must be covered) ; guest parking is one space per four dwelling units . All required spaces must be on the lot or within 100 feet unless an approved variance applies. § 17.24.010 (Residential schedule, D)

Q: Do I have to provide bicycle parking for my project?

If your project triggers ten or more required vehicle parking spaces , you must install a rack or secure device at a rate of one bicycle storage device per ten required vehicle spaces ; it must not obstruct pedestrian/vehicular circulation. § 17.24.010 (G)

Q: What dimensions and aisle widths does Lemon Grove require for stalls?

The code includes a parking space and aisle table in § 17.24.010 (F) specifying stall widths/lengths by angle (parallel, 30°, 45°, 90°) for regular, compact and motorcycle spaces, and minimum aisle widths for one‑way and two‑way aisles; designs must also meet Title 24 for accessible stalls. § 17.24.010 (F)

Q: What are the off‑street loading requirements for my retail or warehouse use?

Off‑street loading is covered by § 17.24.020 : the code sets berths required by gross floor area (e.g., many commercial uses: 1 berth for 3,000–30,000 sq. ft. , then increasing with size) and minimum berth dimensions (for “other uses” 11’ x 35’ x 13’ ). Loading must be sited so trucks do not back into public streets. § 17.24.020

Q: If my property is in the downtown (STA I), do special parking rules apply?

Yes — properties in Special Treatment Area I (STA I) are also subject to the Downtown Village Specific Plan; the development code flags STA I as potentially having its own parking or circulation requirements, so verify the specific plan and § 17.24.010 (J) . § 17.24.010

Q: Are compact stalls allowed and how many?

Yes. For projects with ten or more required parking spaces , up to 75% of the total spaces may be compact stalls, subject to the layout and city acceptance. § 17.24.010 (F)(1)

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes Lemon Grove’s local zoning rules for parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking as found in the City’s Title 17 Zoning development code. It explains the numerical requirements (how many spaces), the dimensional and siting rules (where spaces may be located and how they must be built), and the administrative options (variances, off‑site parking) you’ll use during project review. Primary rules are in § 17.24.010 (parking) and § 17.24.020 (loading) of Title 17. Parking planning should be read alongside the city’s Lemon Grove Zoning and Lemon Grove Development Standards guidance.

Key city rules (what the code actually says)

Required parking counts are set in § 17.24.010. The code gives a use-by-use schedule for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial uses and a default of one space per 500 sq. ft. for uses not listed. § 17.24.010
Off‑street loading (commercial/industrial) rules — how many berths, minimum berth dimensions and design constraints — are in § 17.24.020. § 17.24.020
Layout, surfacing, access, dimensional standards, and ADA consistency (Title 24) are specified in the parking standards and the space/aisle table in § 17.24.010; accessible spaces and paths must comply with the California Building Standards Code. § 17.24.010
Bicycle parking minimum (short‑term rack) rule: in projects with ten or more required vehicle parking spaces provide at least one bicycle parking device per ten required vehicle spaces. § 17.24.010 (G)
Up to 75% of spaces may be compact in projects requiring ten or more spaces. § 17.24.010 (F)(1)
The city requires parking areas to meet landscaping/screening standards and stormwater/drainage requirements referenced throughout the development standards (see Section 17.24.050). § 17.24.010 (E)
The City may create parking districts (meters/enforcement) and can approve parking variances or off‑site parking under the variance rules in § 17.28.060. § 17.24.010 (I)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Lemon Grove zoning districts that most directly influence parking requirements and how the general parking rules are applied in each. For each district I list the district name exactly as used in the code, the district purpose, typical permitted uses (as relevant to parking), and the most relevant development/parking notes and where to confirm.

Residential low/medium density (RLM)

Purpose: small‑lot single‑family development and similar low intensity residential uses. § 17.16.020
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small family day care. § 17.16.020
Key parking rules: Two spaces per dwelling unit, both garaged for single‑family is the baseline in the off‑street schedule; ADU parking is controlled by the ADU rules and cross‑referenced in the schedule. See § 17.24.010 and § 17.24.060(D)(1) for ADU detail. § 17.24.010
Where it applies: RLM parcels per zoning map; driveway and setback rules affect whether a garage count as required covered parking (see setbacks / driveway length rules in § 17.24.030). § 17.24.030

Residential/professional (RP)

Purpose: mixes multifamily residential with professional/business uses. § 17.16.050
Typical permitted uses: offices, clinics, multifamily, and parking uses (surface or structured) as allowed accessory or primary. § 17.16.050
Key parking rules: Off‑street parking required per § 17.24.010; for multifamily the schedule requires one space per studio; two spaces for all other units (one covered) and guest parking at one per four units. Covered/garage rules and distance allowances apply per § 17.24.010(D). § 17.24.010
Where it applies: RP overlays parcels and planned development projects must supply parking consistent with planned development permit conditions. § 17.16.050

Central commercial (CC)

Purpose: higher‑intensity central commercial uses and mixed‑use, often downtown; CC properties in STA I (downtown) are also subject to the Downtown Village Specific Plan. § 17.16.060
Typical uses: retail, service, restaurants, and residential above ground floor. § 17.16.060
Key parking rules: Commercial uses follow the per‑use schedule in § 17.24.010 (typical retail/business requirement: one space per 500 sq. ft.). Downtown STA I properties may have additional or alternative standards in the Specific Plan. § 17.24.010

General commercial (GC)

Purpose: general retail and commercial activities. § 17.16.090 (GC references in code)
Typical uses: larger retail, services, and mixed uses; rental dwellings allowed above street level subject to permit and parking rules. § 17.16.090 / § 17.16.100
Key parking rules: Same schedule in § 17.24.010 applies; where housing is added, on‑site parking "shall comply in all respects with current standards." § 17.24.010

Heavy commercial (HC)

Purpose: heavier, less pedestrian‑oriented commercial and semi‑industrial uses. § 17.16.080
Typical uses: vehicle‑oriented services, larger retail, warehouse/wholesale. § 17.16.080
Key parking rules: Use schedule in § 17.24.010; off‑street loading requirements in § 17.24.020 are particularly important for HC uses (larger berth sizes and heights). § 17.24.010

Light industrial (LI)

Purpose: light manufacturing, warehousing and related limited intensity industrial activities. § 17.16.100
Typical uses: small manufacturing, moving & storage, parking uses (surface or structure) as a primary or accessory use. § 17.16.100
Key parking/loading rules: Off‑street parking and loading apply per § 17.24.010 and § 17.24.020; commercial/industrial parcels must locate at least 50% of required parking on the same lot or contiguous lot unless otherwise approved. § 17.24.010 (D)(3)

Quick reference table (decision‑relevant standards)

Requirement / use	Rule (what you must deliver)	Code reference
Single‑family dwelling parking	Two spaces per unit, both garaged	§ 17.24.010
Duplex / multifamily parking	Studios: 1/unit; Other units: 2/unit (one covered); Guest: 1 per 4 units	§ 17.24.010
General commercial / retail	1 space per 500 sq. ft. (default for many business/retail uses)	§ 17.24.010
Off‑street loading (commercial/industrial)	Berth schedule by use/area; minimum berth dims (e.g., other uses: 11' x 35' x 13')	§ 17.24.020
Parking space dimensions / aisle geometry	Regular/compact/motorcycle dimensions and aisle widths (see table) — compact up to 75% allowed if ≥10 required spaces	§ 17.24.010 (F)
Bicycle parking	Provide 1 bicycle storage device per 10 required vehicle spaces where project has ≥10 required vehicle spaces	§ 17.24.010 (G)
Off‑site parking / variances	Off‑site/in‑lieu allowed only per § 17.28.060 (parking variance) with recorded agreement and findings	§ 17.28.060

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (pre‑submittal / plan check)

Calculate required vehicle parking from the schedule in § 17.24.010 and show the math on the site plan. § 17.24.010
Show location of all required spaces on the same lot or adjacent/contiguous lot as allowed (or include an off‑site parking agreement if pursuing a variance under § 17.28.060). § 17.24.010 (D)(1–3)
Dimension every stall and aisle to the city’s table (parallel/angled/90° widths & lengths) and indicate compact vs. standard stalls; ensure compact stall % does not exceed 75% where applicable. § 17.24.010 (F)
Show accessible parking counts and accessible path of travel complying with Title 24; label accessible stalls. § 17.24.010 (F)
Include bicycle parking (rack or secure device) if the project triggers the bicycle rule (≥10 required vehicle spaces); show location not blocking pedestrians/vehicles. § 17.24.010 (G)
Provide stormwater/ drainage, surfacing, wheel stops, lighting, landscaping and screening details per § 17.24.010 (E) and Section 17.24.050. § 17.24.010 (E)
For commercial/industrial uses, show off‑street loading berths sized per § 17.24.020 and demonstrate no backing into public streets. § 17.24.020

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
ADU parking treatment	ADU rules are cross‑referenced; local ADU parking exemptions or specific requirements may differ from single‑family counts	Check § 17.24.010 cross‑reference to § 17.24.060(D)(1) and the Lemon Grove ADU page; verify with the jurisdiction. § 17.24.010
Downtown / STA I special plan	STA I (Downtown Village Specific Plan) may override or supplement parking for properties inside it	Confirm whether parcel is in STA I and consult the Downtown Village Specific Plan and § 17.24.010 (J). § 17.24.010
Off‑site parking / in‑lieu arrangements	Off‑site spaces require recorded agreements and findings — not automatic	If proposing off‑site parking, prepare recorded covenant per § 17.28.060(C) and show transit access justification. § 17.28.060
Bicycle parking minimality	City rule is minimal (1/10) and may not meet state or project funding/Green Building expectations	Consider adding more bicycle parking than code minimum, especially for residential/mixed‑use or density bonus projects that require additional bicycle parking per program. § 17.24.010 (G)
ADA / Title 24 interplay	Code defers accessible design to Title 24; layout may need larger stalls or ramps not specified in Title 17	Provide Title 24‑compliant accessible stall and path details; confirm with building official. § 17.24.010 (F)

Plain‑English summary

Lemon Grove’s zoning code (Title 17) sets the minimum number of off‑street parking spaces by use (single‑family: two garage spaces; most commercial: 1 per 500 sq. ft.; multifamily: 1–2 per unit with guest parking), requires on‑site siting or recorded agreements for off‑site arrangements, mandates minimum stall/aisle sizes and ADA/Title 24 compliance, and adds a small bicycle‑parking requirement when projects create ten or more vehicle spaces; see § 17.24.010 and § 17.24.020 for loading. § 17.24.010

Source References

Lemon Grove Development Code — Title 17 Zoning, Parking rules: § 17.24.010 (off‑street parking schedule, dimensions, bicycle parking, surfacing, compact stalls)
Lemon Grove Development Code — Title 17 Zoning, Off‑street loading: § 17.24.020 (berth counts, dimensions, design)
Lemon Grove zoning district chapters: § 17.16.020 (Residential low/medium density — RLM), § 17.16.050 (Residential/Professional — RP), § 17.16.060 (Central Commercial — CC), § 17.16.080 (Heavy Commercial — HC), § 17.16.100 (Light Industrial — LI).
Variance & minor modification rules (parking variance): § 17.28.060 (conditions for off‑site parking / in‑lieu arrangements)
Landscaping/screening references for parking areas: § 17.24.050 (requirements referenced from parking provisions)

(Verify parcel‑specific application with the City of Lemon Grove Community Development Department; where the code defers to Title 24 for accessibility, follow the California Building Standards Code.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 17.24.060 (section shall) High relevance
CBC § 050 (Title 24) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
CBC § 17.24.060 (Section 17.24.060) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (section or) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (section or) High relevance
Lemon Grove Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Lemon Grove code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the off‑street parking requirements for a single‑family home in Lemon Grove?

Single‑family homes must provide two parking spaces per unit, both of which must be garaged, and those spaces must be located on the same lot and not in required front/side setbacks except as specifically allowed for ADUs/junior ADUs. See § 17.24.010 and the ADU cross‑reference. § 17.24.010

How many parking spaces are required for a multifamily project?

For multifamily the code requires one space per studio; two spaces for all other units (one of which must be covered); guest parking is one space per four dwelling units. All required spaces must be on the lot or within 100 feet unless an approved variance applies. § 17.24.010 (Residential schedule, D)

Do I have to provide bicycle parking for my project?

If your project triggers ten or more required vehicle parking spaces, you must install a rack or secure device at a rate of one bicycle storage device per ten required vehicle spaces; it must not obstruct pedestrian/vehicular circulation. § 17.24.010 (G)

What dimensions and aisle widths does Lemon Grove require for stalls?

The code includes a parking space and aisle table in § 17.24.010 (F) specifying stall widths/lengths by angle (parallel, 30°, 45°, 90°) for regular, compact and motorcycle spaces, and minimum aisle widths for one‑way and two‑way aisles; designs must also meet Title 24 for accessible stalls. § 17.24.010 (F)

What are the off‑street loading requirements for my retail or warehouse use?

Off‑street loading is covered by § 17.24.020: the code sets berths required by gross floor area (e.g., many commercial uses: 1 berth for 3,000–30,000 sq. ft., then increasing with size) and minimum berth dimensions (for “other uses” 11’ x 35’ x 13’). Loading must be sited so trucks do not back into public streets. § 17.24.020

Can I put required parking off‑site or pay an in‑lieu fee?

Off‑site parking or in‑lieu arrangements are possible only under the parking variance provisions in § 17.28.060. A variance requires findings (benefit to development, transit access, recorded covenant for off‑site spaces) and is discretionary. § 17.28.060

If my property is in the downtown (STA I), do special parking rules apply?

Yes — properties in Special Treatment Area I (STA I) are also subject to the Downtown Village Specific Plan; the development code flags STA I as potentially having its own parking or circulation requirements, so verify the specific plan and § 17.24.010 (J). § 17.24.010

Are compact stalls allowed and how many?

Yes. For projects with ten or more required parking spaces, up to 75% of the total spaces may be compact stalls, subject to the layout and city acceptance. § 17.24.010 (F)(1)

Do parking areas need landscaping or screening?

Yes—parking areas must meet the city’s landscaping and screening requirements referenced in the parking and site improvement rules (see § 17.24.010 (E) and § 17.24.050). Provide the required setback planting and screening fences where noted. § 17.24.010 (E)

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