Local zoning · Lemoore

Lemoore — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces does Lemoore require for a 2‑bedroom apartment?

Lemoore’s parking table requires 2 spaces per unit for multi‑family units with two or more bedrooms (see Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1 and § 9-5E-4 ). Verify whether your parcel is in a Downtown (DMX) or Mixed‑Use center that may change how parking is calculated.

Q: Does the downtown (DMX) district use the same parking ratios as other commercial zones?

No — DMX‑1/DMX‑2/DMX‑3 follow the Downtown chapter rules for parking location and minimums; the general Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1 does not control DMX where chapter 6 applies ( § 9-5E-4(E) and § 9-6-3 ). Confirm your parcel’s DMX designation.

Q: What are the minimum loading space dimensions?

Required loading spaces must be at least 10 feet wide by 25 feet long with 14 feet of vertical clearance; the number required is based on use and building size (industrial: 1 per 20,000 sf; commercial/office: 1 per 35,000 sf) — see § 9-5E-6 and Table 9‑5E‑6‑C1.

Q: Where do I find whether my parcel is in an overlay (e.g., NASL) that affects parking?

Overlay zones (e.g., NASL ) appear on the zoning map and may add requirements; check Chapter 9 (Overlay Zoning Districts) and the zoning map; the NASL overlay is described in § 9-9C-1 – 9-9C-3 and applies to specified areas. Verify map placement with the planning department.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Lemoore regulates off‑street vehicle parking, on‑site loading, and bicycle parking in the local zoning code (Title 9). It summarizes minimum ratios, design standards (surfacing, aisles, setbacks), loading rules, bicycle parking applicability, and common reductions/waivers — all grounded in the Lemoore Zoning Code. For broader context on development rules referenced below see the city overview at Lemoore zoning & planning overview and the code’s development standards at Lemoore Development Standards.

Controlling rules (quick map)

Purpose and scope: § 9-5E-1 (purpose of off‑street parking & loading).
Applicability and permit triggers: § 9-5E-2 (when zoning clearance or building permits apply).
General rules and calculations: § 9-5E-3 (rounding, maintenance, location limits).
Required minimums: § 9-5E-4 and Table 9-5E-4-A1 (vehicle parking ratios by use).
Design standards (surfacing, curb cuts, aisle widths, location): § 9-5E-5.
Loading: § 9-5E-6 and Table 9-5E-6-C1 (minimum loading spaces and dimensions).
Bicycle parking: § 9-5E-7 (applies to nonresidential & multi‑family; must comply with the California Building Standards Code). See California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Lemoore districts most relevant to parking, with the code location you’ll use to apply rules. For full district purposes and allowed uses consult the zoning tables (chapter 4).

DMX-1 / DMX-2 / DMX-3 (Downtown Mixed Use)

Purpose: The DMX districts are the downtown/mixed‑use core intended to prioritize pedestrian orientation and active storefronts. See chapter 6 (Downtown Development Standards).
Typical permitted uses: ground‑floor retail, restaurants, offices, mixed residential above retail (allowed uses listed in Table 9-4B-2).
Key parking rules: Parking quantities in these districts are governed by the downtown chapter, not the general ratio table — see § 9-5E-4(E) and the downtown parking design standards § 9-6-3 (e.g., minimum parking lot setbacks differ by DMX zone).
Where it applies: Downtown core parcels identified in chapter 6; on‑street/shared public parking may be used per the downtown standards.

MU (Mixed Use)

Purpose: The MU district encourages a flexible mix of residential, commercial, office, and light industrial uses with pedestrian connectivity. See § 9-7-1.
Typical permitted uses: combination of residential and commercial uses; uses vary by center (five mixed‑use centers are named in the code).
Key parking rules: Off‑street parking minimums generally follow Table 9-5E-4-A1 (unless the MU center is subject to a specific plan or downtown provisions). For design and location, follow § 9-5E-5 and mixed‑use chapter rules.
Where it applies: Mixed‑use centers listed in § 9-7-1(C) (e.g., Bush & College, Lemoore Ave & Cinnamon).

Residential districts (single‑family and multi‑family)

District symbols and descriptions are in § 9-3-2 / Table 9-3-2 and allowed uses in Table 9-4B-2; the code differentiates single‑family and multi‑family standards.
Key parking standards:
- Single‑family: driveways and covered parking rules; one required covered space per unit must be provided for single‑family and two‑family (garage/carport) as stated in § 9-5E-5(D) (residential standards). Surfaces must be paved; front‑yard paved area is limited (see § 9-5E-5(D)).
- Multi‑family: Table 9-5E-4-A1 sets multi‑family ratios (e.g., 1.5 spaces/unit for studio/1‑bed; 2 spaces/unit for 2+ beds). Multi‑family parking must be within 200' of the served units (§ 9-5E-3(C)(4)).
Where it applies: All base residential zoning districts (see chapter 4).

NC / RC / PO (Commercial / Office)

Purpose: NC (Neighborhood Commercial) for small‑scale convenience retail; RC (Regional Commercial) for larger retail centers; PO for professional offices. Descriptions in § 9-3.
Parking rules: Use Table 9-5E-4-A1 for minimums (examples: Retail/General Retail ~3.5 spaces/1,000 sf; Office ~4/1,000 sf; Restaurants 5/1,000 sf — see the table for full list). Reductions may apply per § 9-5E-4(F).
Design/location: parking must be outside required landscape areas and on the same parcel or within 500' with recorded covenant; curb cut spacing and driveway distances in § 9-5E-5(B) apply to these uses.

ML / MH (Industrial)

Purpose: ML (Light Industrial) and MH (Heavy Industrial) districts intended for manufacturing, warehousing, and similar uses.
Loading and parking: Loading space minimums by building size are in Table 9-5E-6-C1 (e.g., industrial: 1 loading space per 20,000 sf). Loading space dimensions and access rules are in § 9-5E-6(D); loading must not project into public right‑of‑way and should have alley access when available.

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick table)

Topic	Standard	Code Reference
Minimum vehicle parking — multi‑family (studio/1BR)	1.5 spaces per unit	§ 9-5E-4; Table 9-5E-4-A1
Minimum vehicle parking — multi‑family (2+ BR)	2 spaces per unit	§ 9-5E-4; Table 9-5E-4-A1
Minimum vehicle parking — retail/office	Retail ~3.5 /1,000 sf; Office 4 /1,000 sf (see table for specifics)	§ 9-5E-4; Table 9-5E-4-A1
Loading space minimum (industrial)	1 per 20,000 sf	§ 9-5E-6(C); Table 9-5E-6-C1
Loading dims	≥10' wide x 25' long; 14' vertical clearance	§ 9-5E-6(D)(1)
Surfacing	Parking and maneuvering areas paved (2" asphalt or equivalent); striping & signage required	§ 9-5E-5(B)(1)
Bicycle parking	Required for nonresidential and multi‑family; comply with CA code (see California Building Standards Code)	§ 9-5E-7
Parking reductions/waivers	Planning Director may waive for public parking; reductions up to 20% available via several programs (bike parking, EV charging, transit proximity, etc.)	§ 9-5E-4(F)

Practical guidance / common interpretations

Start with the use category in Table 9-5E-4-A1 to determine the base required spaces; if your site is in DMX‑1/2/3 consult chapter 6 first because downtown rules supersede the general ratios for those areas.
If you want fewer spaces, review the reduction options in § 9-5E-4(F) (secure bicycle parking credit, transit proximity, shower/locker facilities, EV charging, small vehicle spaces). The total reduction cannot exceed 20% unless otherwise authorized by a variance (note variance limits).
Parking must be paved, striped, and have a pedestrian route to the building — plan for clear pedestrian access and recorded easements if parking is off‑site within 500' (nonresidential) or 1,000' in some cases per § 9-5E-5.
Bicycle parking must meet the California Building Standards Code; cite § 9-5E-7 and coordinate with building plan check and California Building Standards Code.

Checklist

Identify precise land use in Table 9-5E-4-A1 to get base vehicle parking requirement (or confirm DMX status) — § 9-5E-4.
Confirm whether the parcel lies in DMX or MU and apply chapter 6 or 7 parking location/encroachment rules if applicable — § 9-6-3, § 9-7-1.
Show surfacing, striping, pedestrian path, landscape islands, and lighting on plans per § 9-5E-5.
Provide required bicycle parking for nonresidential and multi‑family uses and reference compliance with the California building code — § 9-5E-7.
If parking provided off‑site, prepare recorded covenant/easement and obtain planning director approval per § 9-5E-5(A)(2).
If seeking a reduction or waiver, justify under § 9-5E-4(F) and document supporting features (bicycle spaces, EV charging, transit proximity).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Downtown (DMX) vs. general ratios	Downtown chapters control parking location and sometimes waive general minimums	Confirm DMX designation and follow chapter 6 rules rather than Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1 — § 9-5E-4(E) and § 9-6-3.
Off‑site parking distances and covenants	Off‑site parking requires recorded legal instruments to ensure permanence	Verify required covenant language and planning director approval under § 9-5E-5(A)(2).
Whether a use is “similar” to a listed use	The Planning Director can assign a closest‑match ratio for unlisted uses	If your use isn’t listed, get an early determination per § 9-5E-4(D).
Bicycle parking specificity	Lemoore defers to California code for design/specs (rack type, spacing)	Coordinate long‑term/short‑term rack type with building plan reviewer and the California Building Standards Code; § 9-5E-7 states CA code compliance.
Parking reductions cap	Multiple reductions stack but total reduction is capped	Confirm combined reductions do not exceed 20% per § 9-5E-4(F)(2); variances cannot waive >30% unless otherwise allowed.

Plain-English Summary

Lemoore requires most new or changed uses to provide off‑street parking by the use‑specific ratios in Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1, plus bike parking for nonresidential and multi‑family projects; downtown and mixed‑use districts have their own rules. Parking must be paved, striped, and connected to the building; loading areas have minimum sizes and location rules; limited reductions are available for transit access, bikes, EV charging, and shared parking. Key rules live in § 9-5E-1 through § 9-5E-7.

Source References

Lemoore Zoning Code, Title 9, Article E — Off‑Street Parking and Loading: § 9-5E-1 through § 9-5E-7 (purpose, applicability, general regs, required parking, design standards, loading, bicycle parking).
Table 9-5E-4-A1 (Required Minimum Parking Ratios) — vehicle parking ratios by use and reductions/waivers § 9-5E-4.
Design and development standards for parking areas — § 9-5E-5 (surfacing, curb cuts, distances).
Off‑street loading requirements and Table 9-5E-6‑C1 — § 9-5E-6.
Downtown Development Standards (DMX chapters) and parking/encroachment rules — § 9-6-2, § 9-6-3.
Mixed‑Use district standards — § 9-7-1.
Zoning map, allowed uses and district descriptions (Table 9-4B-2, Table 9-3-2) — chapters 3–4.
For bicycle parking dimensions and technical rack/readiness detail, see the California Building Standards Code (Lemoore defers to CA code for bicycle specifics per § 9-5E-7).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Lemoore Zoning Code (article establishes) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section describes) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section that) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section that) High relevance
CBC § 2013 (ARTICLE F.) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section 9-5D1-2) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code High relevance
CBC § 000 (ARTICLE F.) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section 9-4D-18) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (CHAPTER 7) Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (TITLE 9) Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (title and) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (chapter 5) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Lemoore code library

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces does Lemoore require for a 2‑bedroom apartment?

Lemoore’s parking table requires 2 spaces per unit for multi‑family units with two or more bedrooms (see Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1 and § 9-5E-4). Verify whether your parcel is in a Downtown (DMX) or Mixed‑Use center that may change how parking is calculated.

Does the downtown (DMX) district use the same parking ratios as other commercial zones?

No — DMX‑1/DMX‑2/DMX‑3 follow the Downtown chapter rules for parking location and minimums; the general Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1 does not control DMX where chapter 6 applies (§ 9-5E-4(E) and § 9-6-3). Confirm your parcel’s DMX designation.

Are bicycle parking racks required for commercial projects in Lemoore?

Yes. Bicycle parking is required for nonresidential and multi‑family uses and must comply with the California Building Standards Code; see § 9-5E-7 and coordinate with building plan check for rack type and long‑ vs short‑term counts.

What are the minimum loading space dimensions?

Required loading spaces must be at least 10 feet wide by 25 feet long with 14 feet of vertical clearance; the number required is based on use and building size (industrial: 1 per 20,000 sf; commercial/office: 1 per 35,000 sf) — see § 9-5E-6 and Table 9‑5E‑6‑C1.

Can the Planning Director waive or reduce parking requirements?

Yes. The Planning Director may waive minimum requirements for properties with access to public parking; reductions (up to a combined 20%) are available for secure bike parking, transit proximity, small vehicle spaces, EV charging, and other programs listed in § 9-5E-4(F). Larger reductions require discretionary action/variance (variance caps apply).

Can I provide parking on an adjacent lot rather than the same parcel?

Yes, for nonresidential uses parking may be located on an adjacent parcel or within 500 feet if a permanent covenant (deed, easement, lease) is recorded guaranteeing the spaces for the use; planning director approval is required — see § 9-5E-5(A)(2).

Are unpaved driveway areas allowed for residential parking?

No. All vehicles must be parked on a paved surface; driveways and driveway approaches must be paved. Front‑yard paved areas are limited by the residential parking rules in § 9-5E-5(D).

Do ADUs trigger additional parking requirements in Lemoore?

The Lemoore code lists accessory dwelling parking as “No additional beyond primary dwelling” in the parking table (Table 9‑5E‑4‑A1) and state ADU law also restricts local parking requirements; always confirm with the planning department for parcel‑specific application. See § 9-5E-4 (Table) and verify with the planning director.

What surfacing and aisle standards apply to new parking lots?

Parking areas must be paved (minimum 2" asphalt, concrete, or equivalent), striped, signed, and include safe, lighted pedestrian routes. Curb cut spacing and driveway separation standards for multi‑family/commercial/industrial are in § 9-5E-5(B).

Where do I find whether my parcel is in an overlay (e.g., NASL) that affects parking?

Overlay zones (e.g., NASL) appear on the zoning map and may add requirements; check Chapter 9 (Overlay Zoning Districts) and the zoning map; the NASL overlay is described in § 9-9C-1 – 9-9C-3 and applies to specified areas. Verify map placement with the planning department.

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