Local zoning · Lompoc

Lompoc — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Lompoc Zoning Code (Title 17) requires about parking (off‑street parking, loading, bicycle and motorcycle parking), how reductions and alternatives work, and special exceptions that matter in downtown and overlay areas. All numeric requirements below are drawn from the City Code; the primary parking rules live in § 17.308.040, bicycle/motorcycle rules in § 17.308.050, and reductions/incentives in § 17.308.070.

(If you want to view the zoning context or start an application, see the City's Lompoc Zoning page.)

Core rules at a glance

  • Off‑street parking requirements are set by use in Table 17.308.040.A and applied via § 17.308.040; calculate requirements by the listed rates (spaces per dwelling unit, spaces per square foot, stacking for drive‑throughs, etc.).
  • Bicycle parking minimums (number, location, stall size, protection) are in § 17.308.050.
  • Parking design, surfacing, aisle/curb rules and compact/tandem allowances appear in the parking design rules (see § 17.308.060).
  • The review authority can approve reductions, shared parking, mixed‑use reductions, transit proximity credits, off‑site parking, and reductions tied to bicycle/motorcycle parking — cumulative reductions are limited. See § 17.308.070.

See the City's development context (setbacks, lot standards) at Lompoc Development Standards; parking placement must respect setbacks and landscaping standards (Chapter 17.312).

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Lompoc zoning districts relevant to parking. Each subsection summarizes purpose, typical uses, where the zone applies, and the parking implications drawn from the Code. The City’s list of zones is in § 17.204.010.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: R-1 implements Low Density Residential; single‑family homes are the primary allowed use.
  • Parking requirements: two covered spaces per dwelling unit for single‑family homes (Table 17.308.040.A). Garage/carport dimensions for a required single‑family covered space are 10 ft × 20 ft (see single‑family covered parking dimensions in Chapter). § 17.308.040 and parking dimensions noted in the code set these minimums.
  • Where it applies: City residential neighborhoods as mapped; frontage and setback rules limit locating parking in front yards unless on a driveway and screened per § 17.312.040. Verify specific lot allowances with the City.

R-2 (Medium‑Density Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: R-2 supports duplexes, small multi‑family (medium density).
  • Parking requirements: Multi‑family unit standards in Table 17.308.040.A apply: 1 space for each studio/1‑bed unit; 2 spaces for each unit with 2+ bedrooms, with 50% of total spaces covered for multi‑family projects. Bicycle parking rules in § 17.308.050 also apply.

R-3 (High‑Density Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: R-3 for higher-density apartments and mixed residential developments.
  • Parking requirements: Same multi‑family rates from Table 17.308.040.A; review authority may allow alternatives or reductions (see § 17.308.070) but projects must still provide a minimum of one space per unit if cumulative reductions are used. Verify on a project basis.

OTC (Old Town Commercial)

  • Purpose & typical uses: OTC encourages downtown commercial, pedestrian‑oriented uses (Old Town Core).
  • Parking implications (key special rule): The OTC Zone is explicitly treated differently — commercial uses in the OTC are exempt from all parking requirements, and residential parking can be exempt under timing/permit issuance conditions in § 17.308.040.E. This is a major downtown exception applicants must confirm early.
  • Practical note: Because OTC aims to be walkable and to support street activation, the City expects pedestrian‑oriented design; coordinate with design review in the Old Town context (Lompoc Design Review).

CB (Central Business) and CC (Convenience Center)

  • Purpose & typical uses: CB (Central Business) and CC (neighborhood commercial) are the core commercial districts.
  • Parking requirements: Use‑based rates in Table 17.308.040.A apply (retail, offices, restaurants — e.g., 1 per 250 sf retail; 1 per 300 sf office; 1 per 200 sf restaurant). On‑street parking may be counted toward nonresidential requirements where applicable per § 17.308.070.H.

MU (Mixed Use)

  • Purpose & typical uses: MU allows combined residential + commercial.
  • Parking requirements: The base parking for each use is summed; the review authority may reduce the total by up to 20% to incentivize mixed‑use projects (see § 17.308.070.C). Bicycle parking credits may also reduce automobile requirements.

I (Industrial) and BP (Business Park)

  • Purpose & typical uses: I and BP cover manufacturing, warehousing, business park. Development standards for these zones (setbacks, lot sizes) are in § 17.216.040 and the table for Industrial Zones; parking for industrial uses follows Chapter 17.308.
  • Parking specifics: Many industrial/vehicle uses list rates by square footage or are “determined by the Director” where activities vary; loading requirements and access design are controlled by parking design rules in § 17.308.060 and the City's engineering standards. Verify loading bay sizing with the City Engineer.

H Street Overlay (HSO) and Special Event Overlay (SEO)

  • Purpose & typical uses: Overlays change base zone standards where the overlay applies (see Table 17.224.040.A and § 17.224.040). Overlays can change front setbacks, build‑to requirements, FAR, and parking application rules.
  • Parking implications: In the H Street Overlay, bicycle parking reductions are more generous (up to 25% auto parking reduction for bicycle stalls) and other overlay rules may allow relaxed parking siting — see § 17.308.070.F and the overlay standards. In the Special Event Overlay, adjacent on‑street spaces may count toward nonresidential requirements. Always read the overlay table first.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant items

Requirement / Use Typical rule Code Reference
Multi‑family parking 1 space for studio/1‑bed; 2 spaces for 2+ beds; 50% covered Table 17.308.040.A / § 17.308.040
Single‑family parking 2 covered spaces per unit; garage space min 10×20 ft Table 17.308.040.A / parking dimension note
Retail (general) 1 space per 250 sf net retail Table 17.308.040.A
Restaurant 1 space per 200 sf (outdoor dining rules also) Table 17.308.040.A
Drive‑through stacking 5 stacking spaces per drive‑through lane + base use Table 17.308.040.A
Bicycle parking 2 spaces or 5% of required auto spaces, whichever greater; within 50 ft of entrance; stall 3×6 ft § 17.308.050
OTC commercial exception No parking required for commercial uses in OTC (downtown) § 17.308.040.E
Parking reductions Shared‑peak, mixed‑use, transit, off‑site, bike/motorcycle credits — cumulative max 50%; multifamily min 1/unit § 17.308.070

Design, placement, and surface requirements (practical points)

  • Parking must normally be on the same site as the use; lots with more than four spaces must prevent vehicles from backing directly onto a public street (§ 17.308.040.B).
  • Up to 10% of spaces may be compact (min 7×17 ft). Tandem spaces allowed (up to two vehicles, same occupancy) with review approval; tandem not allowed in front setbacks. § 17.308.040.C–E.
  • Handicapped parking follows State and Federal law; such spaces count toward the required total (§ 17.308.040.D).
  • Bicycle stalls must be visible, well‑lit, protected if located in a parking area, and the City must approve the rack/device (§ 17.308.050).
  • Parking areas and permanent outdoor storage in industrial zones must comply with landscaping/screening standards (Chapter 17.312) and the City’s improvement standards — see Lompoc Landscaping and Screening.

Checklist

  • Confirm base zone for the parcel (§ 17.204.010) and whether an overlay applies.
  • Calculate off‑street parking using Table 17.308.040.A for each use on the site.
  • Add required bicycle and motorcycle stalls per § 17.308.050.
  • Check for OTC or overlay exceptions (OTC commercial exemption; HSO/SEO credits).
  • If seeking reductions (shared, mixed‑use, transit, bike credits, off‑site), prepare justification or parking study for § 17.308.070 submittal.
  • Ensure parking layout meets design and access rules (no backing to public streets, compact/tandem limits, surfacing) per § 17.308.060 and Chapter 17.312 screening rules.
  • Coordinate with Design Review early if the project triggers review (Lompoc Design Review).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
OTC commercial exemption Downtown projects may not need any on‑site commercial parking — large change to project economics Confirm the parcel is in the OTC zone and that the project meets the timing/permit issuance conditions in § 17.308.040.E.
Mixed uses and credit stacking Multiple reduction rules exist (bike, motorcycle, mixed‑use, transit, off‑site) with cumulative caps Determine the cumulative reduction cap (maximum 50%) and minimums (multifamily 1/unit) per § 17.308.070; have a parking study ready.
Loading / industrial loading sizes Table rates may say “determined by Director” for nonstandard uses For warehouses, car dealers, or loading‑intensive uses, verify loading bay sizing with the Community Development Director and City Engineer. (Code: “determined by Director” entries in Table 17.308.040.A).
Bicycle rack approval The Code requires City‑approved devices and protection if in parking lots Confirm rack type and location in plan set; the City may require specific devices and barriers per § 17.308.050.
Parcel‑specific setbacks vs parking placement Parking is generally not allowed in required setbacks, but exceptions exist for multifamily side/rear Verify whether the review authority will allow parking in side/rear setbacks on your lot (see § 17.308.040.B).

If anything above is parcel‑specific or uncertain, Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English Summary

Lompoc’s zoning code lists how many off‑street parking spaces each type of use needs (Table 17.308.040.A), requires bike and motorcycle parking, and allows the City to approve reductions (shared parking, bike credits, transit credits, off‑site parking). The downtown OTC zone can be exempt from commercial parking requirements, so check early if you are in Old Town. All of this is administered under § 17.308.040 – .070 and related zone/overlay standards.

Source References

  • City of Lompoc Zoning Code, § 17.308.040 (Off‑Street Parking Requirements) and Table 17.308.040.A, parking schedule.
  • City of Lompoc Zoning Code, § 17.308.050 (Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking Requirements).
  • City of Lompoc Zoning Code, § 17.308.060 (Parking Design and Construction) and general requirements.
  • City of Lompoc Zoning Code, § 17.308.070 (Parking Reductions, Alternatives, and Incentives).
  • Zones established, Table 17.204.010.A and description of zones (RA, R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, OTC, CB, MU, I, BP, overlays). § 17.204.010.
  • Residential zones development standards (Table 17.208.040.A — setbacks, coverage that affect parking placement).
  • Industrial zones development standards (Table 17.216.040.A — parking and setbacks references).
  • Overlay zones development standards and allowed uses (Table 17.224.040.A, allowed uses in overlays).

For planning context and related reviews consult:

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (Chapter solely) High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (Title 17.) High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code High relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 17.224.040.) Medium relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance
  • Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What rates do I use to calculate off‑street parking for a retail store in Lompoc?

Use Table 17.308.040.A — general retail is 1 parking space per 250 square feet of net retail floor area; confirm gross/net definitions and rounding rules in § 17.308.040.

Do downtown Old Town (OTC) commercial projects need on‑site parking?

Commercial uses in the OTC are exempt from the City’s parking requirements (OTC exception in § 17.308.040.E). Confirm your parcel lies inside the OTC zone and any timing conditions for residential exceptions.

How many bicycle racks are required for a new office or retail building?

The baseline is two bicycle spaces, or 5% of required off‑street auto spaces, whichever is greater, for non‑single‑family uses; racks must be within 50 feet of the main entrance and meet stall sizing (3×6 ft) in § 17.308.050.

Can I use on‑street parking to meet a development’s required spaces?

Yes — on‑street spaces adjoining the lot can count toward nonresidential parking requirements in some circumstances; the Special Event Overlay has additional allowances. See § 17.308.070.H for on‑street credits and overlay rules.

Are there credits for providing bicycle parking or motorcycle spaces?

Yes — bicycle parking can reduce required automobile spaces (one auto space reduction per ten bicycle stalls, up to 15%, with up to 25% allowed in the Old Town/H Street Overlay). Motorcycle credits can reduce autos at one auto space per four motorcycle spaces (up to 10%). See § 17.308.070.F–G.

What if my use isn’t listed in the parking table?

If a use is not listed, the Director or applicable Review Authority will determine the requirement by comparison to the most comparable listed use per § 17.308.040.B. Prepare a justification and be ready for discretionary review.

Can I request fewer spaces than the table requires?

Yes — the review authority can approve reductions for shared‑peak use, mixed‑use incentives (up to 20%), transit proximity (up to 10%), off‑site parking (up to 25% via Minor Use Permit, or 50% via Conditional Use Permit), and other reductions supported by a parking study, subject to cumulative caps (§ 17.308.070). A professional parking study may be required.

Do ADUs in Lompoc have separate parking requirements?

State ADU law affects local ADU parking rules; check Lompoc’s ADU page for how local code aligns with state law. In many cases state law limits or removes local parking requirements for ADUs — verify both state and local references. See Lompoc ADUs and applicable state guidance. Not found in retrieved materials: parcel‑level ADU parking exemptions beyond the state law summary.

Who decides specific exceptions (e.g., tandem, compact, parking in setbacks)?

The Review Authority (Director/Planning Commission as applicable) approves tandem spaces, compact proportions, or parking in side/rear setbacks in multifamily zones when warranted; see § 17.308.040.B–E for the rules and § 17.308.060 for design standards. Verify with the Community Development Director for parcel‑specific interpretations.

Where do I find development standards that affect where I can place parking on a lot?

Parking placement is constrained by setbacks and landscaping/screening rules in the Development Standards and Chapter 17.312 — consult Lompoc Development Standards and Chapter 17.312. Verify any overlay modifications (HSO/SEO) in § 17.224.040. ---

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