Local zoning · Los Altos

Los Altos — Parking

Parking under the Los Altos 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 Los Altos zoning ordinance (Title 14) requires for parking, loading, and bicycle parking. It pulls the controlling local rules for stall dimensions, how many spaces are required by use, alternatives (compact/tandem/mechanical), downtown exceptions, design/landscaping and bicycle parking standards, and where applicants must show this information on a site plan. For the controlling language see the chapters and specific sections cited below (most requirements live in Chapter 14.74 and the bicycle rules in Chapter 14.75).

Key local citations: § 14.74.030, § 14.74.040, § 14.74.060, § 14.74.070, § 14.74.090, § 14.74.100, § 14.74.110, § 14.74.120, § 14.74.130, and § 14.75.040 .

Note: when the page mentions local procedures like design review, ADUs, or the state building code it links to the City menu pages and the California code for quick jurisdictional context: the Los Altos Development Standards page is used for the first "parking" mention, Design Review for design-related requirements, Overlay Districts where those rules adjust parking, ADUs for accessory dwelling unit parking rules, California Building Standards Code for Title 24/ADA references, Landscaping and Screening for parking lot landscaping requirements, and Variances and Exceptions for remedies. See the inline links below.

What the ordinance requires — citywide rules (Chapter 14.74)

  • Site plan and permit: A detailed site plan showing stalls, aisles, grades, drainage, landscaping, driveways and access must be submitted for all required parking facilities; parking changes may be reviewed as administrative design review if no other permit is triggered (§ 14.74.030) .
  • Availability and on‑site requirement: Required access, off‑street parking and loading facilities must be available and maintained; unless a discretionary approval allows otherwise, required parking and loading must be provided on‑site (§ 14.74.040) .
  • Stall dimensions and circulation: Standard parking stall sizes, drive aisles and minimum backup distances are prescribed in the code (standard perpendicular/angled stalls 9' × 18', parallel 9' × 22', and the various drive aisle widths shown in the Parking Standards Exhibit) — see § 14.74.060 for the dimensional table and aisle rules .
  • Alternatives allowed (compact, tandem, mechanical/automated): The city allows compact stalls (min 8' × 16'), limits compact use to 20% of required residential stalls (and 40% for non‑residential), permits tandem only for residential units assigned to the same unit, and allows mechanical lift or automated parking for residential subject to additional conditions (backup power, enclosed structure, technical study, and sometimes a conditional use permit) (§ 14.74.070) .
  • Loading: Nonresidential projects and housing developments of 10+ units must provide on‑site loading. Minimum loading bay size is 10' × 25' with 14' vertical clearance when inside a building; loading must not block aisles or public ways and may not be used to meet parking requirements (§ 14.74.090) .
  • Landscaping, lighting and wheel stops: Surface parking must include perimeter and interior landscaping (islands at a prescribed frequency), shielded downward lighting, wheel stops, vertical clearance (min 7'), and curb cut/entrance spacing rules (§ 14.74.060 and related design standards) .
  • Downtown special rules: The Downtown Los Altos parking district treats existing nonresidential net floor area differently (no new parking obligation for existing nonresidential area up to 100% of lot area for properties that participated in original public parking district); redevelopment along Main Street and State Street has a special residential cap of one parking stall per dwelling unit to encourage consolidation (§ 14.74.100) .
  • Shared / common parking and license agreements: The code allows common parking facilities to serve multiple sites if the sum of required spaces is met and the lot is within 500 feet; the city can also execute parking license agreements (Downtown) and charge fees per the Master Fee Schedule (§ 14.74.110, § 14.74.120) .
  • Minimum required stalls by use: The code includes a detailed use table for minimum required parking (residential: single‑family = 2 stalls with one covered; multifamily bedrooms scale from 1 stall/studio to 2.5 stalls/4+ bedroom; many non‑residential uses have per‑1000 or per‑sqft ratios). See § 14.74.130 for the full use table and rounding rules (round up when fraction ≥ .5) .
  • Signage and EV: Parking areas require directional and reserved signage; EV dedicated stalls must include signage indicating type and capacity (local code requires signage; EV infrastructure otherwise follows state codes and local development standards) (§ 14.74.060, design and maintenance subsections) .

(First mention links: "parking" → Los Altos Development Standards; "design review" → Los Altos Design Review; "overlays" → Los Altos Overlay Districts; "ADUs" → Los Altos ADUs; "Title 24" → California Building Standards Code; "landscaping" → Los Altos Landscaping and Screening; "variances" → Los Altos Variances and Exceptions.)

Bicycle parking (Chapter 14.75)

  • Design standards: Short‑term (Class II) racks must be on stable surface, anchored, durable, support by two contact points (e.g., inverted U), located conveniently and visible; if in vehicular areas they must be physically protected; long‑term (Class I) lockers/rooms must meet dimension/security standards and include e-bike charging outlet minimums for projects with long‑term facilities (§ 14.75.040.A–B) .
  • Required numbers: The code includes a use‑by‑use bicycle parking table (short‑term and long‑term minimums). Examples: Multifamily: 1 short‑term per 20 units; 1.5 long‑term per unit; Offices: 1 short‑term per 10,000 sf (min 2); 1 long‑term per 2,000 sf (min 4); Retail: 1 short‑term per 2,000 sf; 1 long‑term per 10 employees. See § 14.75.040.C and the bicycle table for full detail .

District-by-district (how parking rules are applied locally)

The city contains many zoning districts. For parking, each district points to Chapter 14.74 for the technical requirements while the district chapters add district‑specific placement/landscaping/entrance and downtown exceptions.

CD (Commercial Downtown)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Downtown retail, restaurants, offices and mixed‑use — the district promotes pedestrian downtown scale and historic preservation (§ 14.44.020) .
  • Key parking rules: Off‑street parking is required per Chapter 14.74, but downtown properties that participated in the historic public parking district may not need additional parking for existing nonresidential area; design standards strongly favor locating parking to the rear, minimizing curb cuts and providing landscape buffers (§ 14.44.090, § 14.74.100) .
  • Where it applies: Downtown Los Altos (Main St., side streets), and special downtown lot consolidation policies apply to Main and State Streets (§ 14.74.100) .

CN (Commercial Neighborhood)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Neighborhood‑serving retail and services with mixed‑use allowed (§ 14.40 series) .
  • Key parking rules: Off‑street parking and loading references point to Chapter 14.74; CN adds detailed site circulation, buffered perimeter landscaping, and bicycle rack placement (racks within 50 ft of parking and 20 ft of an entrance) — see the CN district design subsections for access/curb cut limits and landscaping (§ 14.40.100–110 and CN design standards) .
  • Where it applies: Neighborhood commercial corridors identified on the zoning map — CN chapter explains permitted uses and where these site rules apply (§ 14.40 series) .

CRS / CRS‑OAD (Commercial Retail Sales and Office)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Retail centers, shopping and related services (CRS), sometimes with office overlay. Parking facilities must meet Chapter 14.74 and CRS adds design, paving, and loading location rules (e.g., service at rear where alley exists) (§ 14.54, 14.48 chapters) .
  • Where: Shopping plazas and corridor sites; see CRS chapter for permitted uses and parking siting rules.

CT (Commercial Thoroughfare)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Auto‑oriented corridors and mixed commercial; Code requires parking per Chapter 14.74 and adds guidelines for parking placement, screening, and loading (CT refers back to Chapter 14.74 for technical standards) (§ 14.50.120–130) .
  • Special: Some CT provisions reference the downtown/parking plaza system and refuse/loading placement important to access.

OA (Office‑Administrative)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Office uses and related mixed development. OA requires parking as provided in Chapter 14.74 and includes additional requirements to place parking at rear or below grade, limit direct street entrances and require landscape buffers (§ 14.34.110) .

Single‑Family Districts (example: R1‑10)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Detached single‑family homes. Typical parking rule: the code's standard for single‑family is two (2) stalls per dwelling unit, one of which must be covered, and development standards for garages/driveways are set in the Single‑Family chapter (see § 14.64.100 for objective design standards and the parking table) .
  • ADU interaction: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) follow Chapter 14.14 — ADU parking has its own rule set (one uncovered 9' × 18' required unless one of the statutory exceptions applies, and state ADU law caps ADU parking at one space per unit/bedroom) — see § 14.14.100 and state ADU law citations (local ADU parking exceptions list) .
  • Other R‑district limits: The off‑street parking chapter bans leaving commercial vehicles parked unattended in the R‑1 district except in enclosed structure or behind a 6' wall (§ 14.74.020.D) .

At‑a‑glance standards (decision‑relevant table)

Topic Rule (local requirement) Code Reference
Standard parking stall Perpendicular/angled: 9' × 18'; Parallel: 9' × 22' § 14.74.060
Compact stall (max allowed) 8' × 16', up to 20% of residential stalls, 40% of non‑residential § 14.74.070
Tandem stalls Allowed only for residential, assigned to same unit; 9' × 36' § 14.74.070
Mechanical / automated parking Allowed for residential subject to conditions (enclosed, backup power, technical study; CUP for automated) § 14.74.070
Loading bay minimum 10' × 25', 14' vertical clearance (min 1 bay for nonresidential and housing ≥10 units) § 14.74.090
Single‑family parking requirement 2 stalls per unit, one covered (garage/carport) § 14.74.130
Multifamily parking (examples) Studios: 1/unit; 2–3BR: 1.5/unit; 4+BR: 2.5/unit § 14.74.130
Bicycle parking (multifamily) Short‑term 1 per 20 units; Long‑term 1.5 per unit § 14.75.040.C (table)
Downtown residential cap (Main/State) Max 1 stall per residential unit in certain downtown consolidation areas § 14.74.100.B.1
Common parking facility Allowed if within 500 ft and legal documents secure permanent use § 14.74.110

Practical guidance / how applicants typically use this

  • Start your application by consulting the parking table in § 14.74.130 to compute required stalls; document how fractions are rounded (fraction ≥ .5 rounds up) and show calculations on the site plan (§ 14.74.130) .
  • If on a downtown Main/State Street lot, check whether the Downtown Lot Consolidation rules apply — they may cap residential parking at 1 stall/unit or allow use of public parking plazas under a license (§ 14.74.100, § 14.74.120) .
  • For mixed‑use projects sum required parking for each use (or request combined demand if the development services director finds uses have complementary demand) and support any alternative with a parking study if the director requests one (§ 14.74.080, § 14.74.130) .
  • Show bicycle short‑ and long‑term racks and their locations meeting the 50 ft / 20 ft siting and the numeric table in § 14.75.040; long‑term secure storage must meet dimension/security standards .
  • Design elements (landscape buffers, screening, lighting) must be shown and meet the parking area landscape and lighting rules in § 14.74.060 and the district design standards; when parking is visible from a right‑of‑way provide screening or active ground‑floor uses where required (§ 14.74.060, district sections such as § 14.44.090) .
  • EV readiness: provide signage for EV stalls as required; for charger counts consult state codes and the City's development requirements and note signage requirement in your plans (§ 14.74.060 and local EV signage rule) .

Checklist

  • Prepare site plan per § 14.74.030 showing stalls, aisles, driveways, grades, drainage, landscaping and signage .
  • Calculate required stalls using § 14.74.130 (use table for your use type; round fractions per rule) .
  • Dimension stalls and aisles to § 14.74.060 standards (or show alternative layout with justification) .
  • If using compact/tandem/mechanical spaces, confirm compliance with § 14.74.070 limits and provide supporting notes/assignments .
  • Provide required loading per § 14.74.090 when nonresidential or 10+ residential units; show maneuvers and signage .
  • Submit bicycle parking plan meeting § 14.75.040 (numbers + design/secure facilities) .
  • Include landscaping/planting plan meeting parking island and buffer requirements (§ 14.74.060) and any district design standards (e.g., § 14.44.090 for CD) .
  • If on Main/State Street or in Downtown, confirm whether § 14.74.100 downtown provisions or a parking license agreement § 14.74.120 apply .
  • If seeking deviations, check administrative modification limits (max 10% reduction) or variance processes in Title 14 (§ 14.01.120) and Variances and Exceptions guidance .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Downtown parking participation Properties that participated in the historic public parking district get special treatment; assuming applicability can undercount required stalls Confirm property’s participation status and whether the lot is on Main/State Street consolidation zone (§ 14.74.100)
ADU parking exceptions State law and local ADU chapter create several statutory exceptions (transit proximity, car share, historic district) Verify ADU-specific exceptions under § 14.14.100 and state ADU law; don’t assume none apply
Using mechanical/automated parking Automated systems trigger technical, operational and sometimes CUP requirements; failure to provide backup/operational plan can block approval Provide technical study, backup power, enclosed location and follow § 14.74.070; verify if zoning administrator requires CUP
Bicycle parking vs. building code Local bicycle quantity may differ from state green/Title 24 derived rules (short‑ vs long‑term definitions) Use local § 14.75.040 numbers; verify if state codes (Green Building/CalGreen) impose stricter measures for your project type
Shared/common parking legal permanence Relying on off‑site/common parking needs recorded instruments to guarantee permanence If using common parking, confirm legal documents approved by City Attorney per § 14.74.110 and distance requirement (≤ 500 ft)

Plain‑English summary

Los Altos requires you to provide on‑site parking and loading based on a use table (Chapter 14.74), dimension stalls and aisles to city standards (9' × 18' typical), provide required bicycle parking, meet landscape/screening rules, and follow special downtown exceptions; ADU parking and some alternatives (compact/tandem/mechanical) have explicit limits — show everything on a site plan and verify downtown or ADU exceptions with staff. See the specific code sections cited above and consult the Development Services department for parcel‑level determinations (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Source References

  • § 14.74.020, Applicability; prohibition on commercial vehicle parking in R‑1; site plan requirement § 14.74.030 .
  • § 14.74.040, General provisions for access, maintenance and exclusivity of required facilities .
  • § 14.74.050, Access and driveway rules; curb cut limits and spacing .
  • § 14.74.060, Development standards (stall sizes, drive aisles, clearances, landscaping and lighting) .
  • § 14.74.070, Alternative configurations: compact, tandem, mechanical and automated parking provisions .
  • § 14.74.080, Mixed‑use parking calculation rules .
  • § 14.74.090, Loading facilities (10' × 25', 14' clearance and operational rules) .
  • § 14.74.100, Downtown Los Altos parking provisions and downtown lot consolidation (Main/State) .
  • § 14.74.110 and § 14.74.120, Common parking facilities and parking license agreements (500 ft rule; council authorization) .
  • § 14.74.130, Minimum number of required parking stalls by use (detailed use table) .
  • § 14.75.040, Bicycle parking design standards and the bicycle parking table (short‑term/long‑term by use) .
  • ADU parking specifics and exceptions: § 14.14.100 (city ADU chapter) and state ADU law guidance (Gov. Code references summarized in ADU guidance) .
  • Additional district design & parking siting rules (CD, CN, CRS, CT, OA, etc.) appear in each district chapter (e.g., § 14.44.020, § 14.40 series, § 14.50 series) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Section 14.74.120) High relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Section 14.66.280) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Section 14.66.280) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Section 14.66.280) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Section 14.66.280) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Chapter 14.14.) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (chapter may) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • CFC § 10 (Chapter 6.16) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (Chapter 6.16) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (section 17008) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What are the basic off‑street parking stall dimensions Los Altos requires?

Los Altos specifies standard stall sizes: perpendicular/angled stalls 9 feet × 18 feet, parallel stalls 9 feet × 22 feet; drive aisle and backup clearances are also prescribed in the Parking Standards exhibit and § 14.74.060 must be followed for layout and aisle widths .

How many parking spaces does a single‑family house need in Los Altos?

The zoning code requires two (2) parking stalls per single‑family dwelling unit, one of which must be covered (garage/carport), per the parking table in § 14.74.130; ADU parking is covered separately in § 14.14.100 with statutory exceptions for transit proximity and other cases .

Do downtown (Main/State Street) buildings have different parking rules?

Yes — the Downtown Los Altos parking district has special rules. Properties that participated in the public parking district may not be required to provide parking for existing nonresidential area up to 100% of lot area; also there is a one‑stall per residential unit cap in certain downtown consolidation areas along Main Street and State Street (§ 14.74.100) .

Are compact, tandem or mechanical parking stalls allowed?

Yes — Los Altos allows compact stalls (min 8' × 16'), tandem parking (residential only, assigned to same unit, stall 9' × 36'), and mechanical/automated parking for residential with conditions (enclosed, backup power, technical submittal); see § 14.74.070 for limits and approval requirements .

What does the city require for bicycle parking?

The city’s bicycle rules require both short‑term and long‑term parking with design standards (anchored, visible racks; long‑term secure lockers or rooms). The numeric table in § 14.75.040.C gives counts by use (e.g., multifamily: 1 short‑term per 20 units; 1.5 long‑term per unit) and the design/placement standards are in § 14.75.040.A–B .

Where do I show parking and loading on a submittal?

You must provide a detailed site plan for all required parking and loading facilities that includes stalls, drive aisles, ingress/egress, grades, drainage, landscaping, walls/fences and signage; this is required by § 14.74.030 and is reviewed with discretionary or ministerial permits .

Can required parking be satisfied off‑site or with public plazas?

Yes, if a permanent allocation in a common parking facility is established with appropriate legal documents and is within 500 feet of the site; for downtown nonresidential uses the city can also negotiate parking license agreements under § 14.74.110–120 .

If my project is mixed‑use, how are parking numbers calculated?

Requirements for each use are calculated separately and summed; however the development services director may allow combining or shared demand if demonstrated not to create conflicts — see § 14.74.080 and § 14.74.130; a parking study may be required to justify alternatives .

Are loading bays required for multifamily projects?

Yes — loading facilities are required for nonresidential projects and housing developments of ten or more units. The minimum loading bay is 10' × 25' with 14' vertical clearance and must be designed so vehicles do not back into a public street (§ 14.74.090) .

Where are ADU parking rules and exceptions?

ADU parking is in the ADU chapter § 14.14.100 (city ADU parking standard of one 9' × 18' uncovered space unless exceptions apply) and state ADU law further limits local parking rules & creates several exceptions (transit proximity, car share, historic status) — see § 14.14.100 and state ADU guidance .

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