Los Gatos — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Los Gatos Zoning Code (Chapter 29) requires for off‑street parking, loading, and parking‑area design — including bicycle/stall dimensions, surfacing, landscaping and downtown exceptions — and points you to the exact code sections you must check. The Zoning Code treats downtown differently from "outside downtown" and also includes special rules for two‑unit housing developments; always confirm site‑specific questions with the Planning Director. Key controlling rules are in § 29.10.145, § 29.10.150, and § 29.10.160 of the Town Zoning Code .

Note: for design‑level items (e.g., driveway width, structural garage work) you will also need to follow the California Building Standards Code for Title 24 matters; this page stays within the local zoning code (Chapter 29) and does not interpret Title 24 .

(First internal links in text: this page links to the Town's Los Gatos Development Standards where the Town collects many dimensional standards for parking and setbacks, Los Gatos Design Review, Los Gatos Overlay Districts, Los Gatos ADUs, Los Gatos Landscaping and Screening, and California Building Standards Code.)

What the Los Gatos code requires (quick synthesis)

• The Zoning Code regulates the number of required off‑street parking spaces and the design/improvement standards for those spaces. No new building, change of use, or expansion may proceed unless required off‑street parking is shown on plans and provided (§ 29.10.145) .
• The Code sets separate parking schedules for downtown and for areas outside downtown; when a use is not listed the Planning Director determines the appropriate requirement by analogy (§ 29.10.150(b)–(c)) .
• Loading spaces: buildings ≥ 10,000 sq ft that receive/distribute goods must provide at least one loading space, plus one additional per each 20,000 sq ft; loading spaces must be at least 10 ft × 30 ft × 15 ft (w × l × h) and be set back from residential lots unless enclosed (§ 29.10.160) .
• Parking area layout, stall and aisle dimensions, surfacing, curbing, landscaping and pedestrian circulation are regulated (standard stall 8.5' × 18'; aisle widths and angle table provided; paving minimum 4 in compacted base with asphalt or concrete; landscaped buffers required) — see the design tables and landscaping/screening rules (§ 29.10.150 design & § 29.10.145 landscaping) .
• Mixed uses on one lot sum required parking for each component; shared parking can be authorized by Director approval with agreements (§ 29.10.145(e)–(f) and shared parking rules) .
• Parking districts and in‑lieu/credits: properties in designated parking assessment districts may be relieved from on‑site parking obligations or receive credits; the Planning Director administers those credits (§ 29.10.150(f)) .
• Nonconforming uses: a commercial use that is nonconforming as to parking must provide parking to the maximum extent possible, and cannot intensify use without meeting parking requirements or securing approvals (§ 29.10.207) .

District-by-district breakdown (where parking rules differ)

Note: each district heading below names the Town's actual district labels found in Chapter 29. For district dimensional standards see the Town's Los Gatos Development Standards.

R-1 — Single‑Family Residential (R-1)

• Purpose: the R-1 district is for single‑family dwellings and to minimize traffic and parking congestion while providing open space and privacy (§ 29.40.380) .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwelling, family daycare home, small residential care, gardening (noncommercial) (§ 29.40.385) .
• Parking requirement (outside downtown): Two (2) parking spaces per living unit (standard "outside downtown" table) — required for single‑family and two‑family dwellings unless an exception applies (§ 29.10.150(c)(1)) .
• Two‑unit housing/ministerial two‑unit rules: for two‑unit housing developments there is a local rule requiring one (1) parking stall per primary dwelling unit, with transit/car‑share proximity exceptions; this sits with other two‑unit housing standards and may modify the application to traditional R‑1 two‑space rule depending on how a project is processed (§ 29.40.x / two‑unit housing provisions) . Verify whether your project is processed under the two‑unit housing ministerial provisions or under the older two‑space standard — Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Where it applies: all parcels zoned R‑1 per Article IV (Residential Zones) of the Zoning Code .

R-1D — Single‑Family Residential Downtown (R-1D)

• Purpose/uses: R‑1D is the downtown single‑family zone (smaller lots/intensities permitted downtown); permitted uses are similar to R‑1 but downtown design and parking rules differ (§ 29.10.020 series, Article IV).
• Parking: downtown has its own schedule — for many retail/commercial uses downtown parking ratios are lower than outside downtown (e.g., downtown retail 1 per 300 sf; outside downtown retail 1 per 235 sf — see § 29.10.150(b) vs (c)) — the Code explicitly separates "parking requirements for downtown" from "outside downtown" (§ 29.10.150(b)–(c)) .
• Practical note: R‑1D parcels in downtown may rely on parking districts, shared parking, or assessment credits — check whether the parcel sits inside a parking assessment district (§ 29.10.150(f)) .

HR — Hillside Residential (HR)

• Purpose: the HR zone regulates development on steep terrain; it has larger setback and height rules and special design standards (§ 29.40.265–295) .
• Parking: standard off‑street parking rules in Division 4 apply (see § 29.10.150). Hillside developments may have additional access/driveway constraints (Town review for remote access), and deviations to parking layout may be considered where terrain constrains design (§ 29.40.290) .
• Practical: verify turning radius, drive approach, and surfacing with the Town Engineer/Fire Department since HR zones can require special access findings; the Planning Commission may require alternative parking layouts when slopes limit standard stalls (see General design standards and HR access rules) .

R-M — Multiple‑Family Residential (R‑M)

• Purpose/uses: R‑M permits multiple‑unit residential development; parking is calibrated to residential unit count (§ 29.20.185 table & § 29.40.x R‑M standards) .
• Parking requirement (outside downtown): One and one‑half (1.5) parking spaces per dwelling unit for multiple‑unit dwellings, except that multiple‑unit developments within ½ mile walking distance of public transportation may provide one (1) space per unit (§ 29.10.150(c)(3)) .
• Practical: check whether the project qualifies for the transit proximity reduction (it references Public Resources Code definitions) — verify with the Planning Director and measure the walking distance per the code (§ 29.10.150(c)(3)) .

Downtown commercial zones (downtown / C‑type commercial)

• Purpose: downtown commercial zones are subject to the Town's downtown parking schedule and parking districts (parcels inside downtown and designated parking assessment districts may have no on‑site requirement for existing uses or have credits) (§ 29.10.150(b), (f)) .
• Examples of downtown rates (select): downtown retail/commercial/restaurant = 1 per 300 sf; downtown offices = 1 per 250 sf; downtown theaters = 1 per 300 sf (§ 29.10.150(b)) .
• Practical: downtown parcels often use the Planning Director's parking district credits; if your project increases floor area beyond the district’s baseline, required parking is only calculated on the excess area (§ 29.10.150(f)) .

Most decision‑relevant standards (table)

Checklist — what an applicant must show on plan submittal

• Number of required off‑street spaces per use and the calculation (apply downtown vs outside downtown rules) — reference § 29.10.150 .
• Loading spaces (if building ≥ 10,000 sq ft) and dimensioned location — § 29.10.160 .
• Parking stall and aisle dimensions and layout with turning templates (stall widths, aisle widths per angle table) — § 29.10.150 (layout table) .
• Surfacing and drainage details (paving type, 4" compacted base, drainage) for Town Engineer review — § 29.10.150(e) .
• Landscaping and screening plan for buffers, interior islands, irrigation — § 29.10.145(g) .
• Wheel stops, curbs and striping shown (continuous curbing for most parking) — § 29.10.145(h) .
• If proposing shared parking, include written shared‑parking agreement and operations plan for Director approval — § 29.10.145(f) .
• If inside a parking district, show credits or in‑lieu calculation — § 29.10.150(f) .
• If project involves a two‑unit housing development, show whether project uses the Town’s two‑unit parking standard (1 stall/primary unit) and any transit/car‑share exceptions — two‑unit provisions (local code) .
• Confirmation of disabled‑accessible spaces and ADA/Title 24 conformance (coordinate with Building Official) — § 29.10.150(m) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Los Gatos requires you to provide and dimension off‑street parking and loading on your property according to its Zoning Code: downtown uses follow a different (usually lower) parking schedule than outside downtown; single‑family and multifamily projects have specific per‑unit rules; parking lots must meet stall, aisle, surfacing, and landscaping standards; and any building or expansion cannot proceed without parking shown and approved on the plans (§ 29.10.145, § 29.10.150, § 29.10.160) .

Source References

• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code (Chapter 29), Division 4: Parking — § 29.10.145 (Requirements generally) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — § 29.10.150 (Number of off‑street spaces required; downtown vs outside downtown; special rules for multi‑family and parking districts) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — § 29.10.160 (Loading spaces: when required; size; location) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Parking layout/stall/aisle dimensions and surfacing (tables and notes) (layout & surfacing) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Landscaping, screening and curbing requirements for parking lots § 29.10.145(g)-(h) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Nonconforming commercial parking and parking district credits § 29.10.207; § 29.10.150(f) .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — R‑1 Single‑Family zone intent and permitted uses (Article IV) § 29.40.380–395 .
• State ADU guidance (for state limits on ADU parking requirements) — 2025 California ADU handbook (background, not a Town ordinance) .
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — for ADA and building standards that intersect with parking (refer to Building Official) .

Retrieved passages

• Los Gatos Zoning Code (chapter do) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 3.39.010) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 29.40.015 (Chapter 29) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (Section 21155) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (Section 29.10.155) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 29.40.072 (Section 29.40.072) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 3.40.010) Medium relevance show source text
• California Fire Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (Chapter V) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (chapter which) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (section 29.20.480) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code (Chapter 29), Division 4: Parking — **§ 29.10.145** (Requirements generally) . (Chapter 29)
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — **§ 29.10.150** (Number of off‑street spaces required; downtown vs outside downtown; special rules for multi‑family and parking districts) . (§ 29.10.150)
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — **§ 29.10.160** (Loading spaces: when required; size; location) . (§ 29.10.160)
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Parking layout/stall/aisle dimensions and surfacing (tables and notes) **(layout & surfacing)** .
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Landscaping, screening and curbing requirements for parking lots **§ 29.10.145(g)-(h)** . (§ 29.10.145)
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — Nonconforming commercial parking and parking district credits **§ 29.10.207; § 29.10.150(f)** . (§ 29.10.207)
• Town of Los Gatos, Zoning Code — R‑1 Single‑Family zone intent and permitted uses (Article IV) **§ 29.40.380–395** . (Article IV)
• State ADU guidance (for state limits on ADU parking requirements) — 2025 California ADU handbook (background, not a Town ordinance) .
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — for ADA and building standards that intersect with parking (refer to Building Official) . (Title 24)
• LosGatos_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Los Gatos code library