Local zoning · Martinez

Martinez — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page pulls together what the Martinez Zoning Code (Title 22) requires for off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking. It summarizes the mandatory counts, layout and design criteria, special exemptions (transit, Parking District No. 1), shared‑parking rules, and where Design Review or other discretionary approvals apply. All requirements cited below come from the City’s zoning code; verify parcel‑specific rules with the City when in doubt.

Key citywide rules (what the code says)

  • Off‑street parking is required at the time of occupancy, new construction, or when a change of use increases demand; fractions of 0.5 round up (§ 22.36.020) .
  • Required parking must be located on the same lot as the use unless an approved Shared Parking Agreement or a Planning Commission Design Review authorization is obtained (§ 22.36.020) .
  • Bicycle parking is required in addition to automobile parking; the code sets minimum long‑term and short‑term ratios for residences and offices (§ 22.36.020(G)) .
  • Projects within one‑half mile straight‑line of a major transit stop may be exempt from on‑site parking per the transit proximity rule (§ 22.36.215) .
  • Design Review is required for construction, modification, or elimination of parking lots or parking areas (§ 22.36.020(J)) .
  • Loading berth counts, sizes and standards are prescribed (minimum berth sizes, number by gross floor area, maneuvering, screening, and location rules) (§§ 22.36.100–22.36.150) .
  • Compact stalls are capped at 30% of required parking; minimum stall sizes, aisles, and layout geometry are specified (standard stall baseline = 9' × 20') (§ 22.36.080) .

(First natural mention of parking links to the Martinez zoning overview.) The code also integrates parking with specific district chapters and overlays — see the district breakdowns below for how Chapter 22.36 ties into each zone. For development‑scale dimensional rules and frontage/setback context, consult Martinez Development Standards. Design changes to parking areas may require Design Review. Overlays can alter parking obligations; consult the Overlay Districts. Bicycle parking and ADU interactions are handled in the ADU chapter — see ADUs. Title 24 (building code) is separate — see California Building Standards Code for building/safety standards that do not replace zoning parking requirements. Landscaping requirements for parking lots reference the City’s Landscaping and Screening rules.

District‑by‑district summary (how the zoning chapters use Chapter 22.36)

Note: the Martinez code centralizes parking standards in Chapter 22.36, and many district chapters simply point back to that chapter for ratios or add limited exceptions. Below are the districts/overlays that explicitly reference or modify parking, with the most decision‑relevant provisions shown.

R-1.5 (single‑family residential / baseline residential standard)

  • Purpose & where it applies: standard single‑family residential zone described in Chapter 22.12 (underlying residential chapters). The R‑1.5 designation is used as the baseline in multiple objective‑standards chapters (for example in Chapters 22.30 and 22.31) .
  • Parking rule (practical): Single‑family dwellings in R‑1.5 follow the residential parking table in Chapter 22.36: single‑family in R‑1.5, R‑2.5 and R‑3.5 require 1 covered + 1 open parking space; single‑family in other districts (not R‑1.5/R‑2.5/R‑3.5) typically require 2 covered spaces (§ 22.36.030) .
  • Notes: garages must retain space to park at least one automobile at all times; garages may not be used for outside storage or habitation unless converted to an ADU per Chapter 22.43 (§ 22.36.030(E)) .

R-2.5 and R-3.5 (higher density residential types)

  • Purpose & where it applies: multi‑family and small‑lot residential (see residential chapters such as 22.12 and density tables in Chapter 22.30/22.31) .
  • Parking rule: See R‑1.5 entry — single‑family in R‑2.5 and R‑3.5 are treated the same as R‑1.5 for single‑family parking counts: 1 covered + 1 open (§ 22.36.030) . For multiple‑family projects the code establishes bedroom‑based ratios (1 space for first bedroom + 0.5 space for each additional bedroom) and has special rules for guest parking and density‑incentive reductions (§ 22.36.030) .

Central Commercial (CC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Service Commercial (SC)

  • Purpose & typical uses: commercial/retail/service uses are listed in Chapter 22.16; specific permitted uses vary by subdistrict (NC, CC, SC) and are enumerated in that chapter .
  • Parking rule: The commercial district chapters reference parking and loading standards as governed by Chapter 22.36; the parking ratio for a particular commercial use is established by Chapter 22.36, including retail or office specific tables (§ 22.16.220 cross‑references Chapter 22.36) . Loading berth counts for commercial and industrial uses depend on gross floor area (§ 22.36.130) .

Downtown Overlay (D)

  • Purpose & where it applies: overlay that modifies ground‑floor and frontage behavior in the downtown core (Chapter 22.13). The Downtown Overlay is not exempt from parking rules unless the overlay text specifically says so — check the overlay chapter for exceptions (§ 22.13.* references listing overlay content) .
  • Practical impact: downtown projects may be able to use municipal lots, shared parking, or request reductions — but the code explicitly excludes municipal lot spaces from meeting residential requirements in Martinez Parking District No. 1 (see Parking District note below) (§ 22.36.020(D)) .

Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO)

  • Purpose & where it applies: incentivize affordable housing; the AHO includes its own parking rules. Housing projects complying with AHO must still provide parking per AHO text: e.g., a minimum of one parking stall per dwelling unit for qualifying projects, and non‑affordable units defer to R‑1.5 standards; AHO also references Chapter 22.36 for loading (§ 22.17.060) .
  • Important: AHO includes parking exceptions for projects near transit and other criteria; read § 22.17.060 carefully for exemptions and cross‑references (§ 22.17.060) .

R & D (Research & Development), Industrial, Public Assembly

  • Purpose: Chapters such as 22.15 (R&D), 22.18 (Industrial) provide development standards and note that parking shall be provided at ratios established in Chapter 22.36 (§ 22.15.040(I)) .
  • Practical: heavy industrial and R&D uses often have loading/parking needs assessed by the Planning Director/Commission; additional berths can be required if truck activity justifies them (§ 22.36.100(B)) .

Quick decision‑relevant table

Topic / Decision item Martinez standard (what you must design for) Code reference
Residential parking counts (typical) Single‑family: R‑1.5/R‑2.5/R‑3.5 = 1 covered + 1 open; other districts single‑family = 2 covered; multi‑family = 1 space for 1st bedroom + 0.5 per extra bedroom § 22.36.030
Bicycle parking (minimums) Residential long‑term: 1 bike / dwelling; short‑term: 1 / 10 bedrooms (min 2); Offices: 1 long‑term / 5,000 sf § 22.36.020(G)
Loading berths (by GFA) Typical table: 5,000–50,000 sf = 1 berth; 50,001–150,000 sf = 2 + 1 per additional 150,000 sf; berth dims/mins specified (§ 22.36.110, § 22.36.150) §§ 22.36.110, 22.36.150
Stall dimensions / layout Standard baseline 9' × 20' stalls; min stall length 20'; handicapped stalls 12' × 20'; compact max 30% of required § 22.36.080 (§22.36.080.A.1–3,16, I)
Transit proximity exemption No on‑site parking required if within 1/2 mile straight‑line of a major transit stop (with exceptions for hotels, event centers, etc.) § 22.36.215
Design Review for parking changes Any construction/modification/elimination of parking lots/areas requires Design Review § 22.36.020(J)
Shared parking Allowed with City approval; must submit shared parking agreement and analysis; City may approve if methodology and long‑term provision are adequate § 22.36.230

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain English, Martinez‑specific)

  • Start with Chapter 22.36. The City centralized almost all quantitative parking counts and design standards there, and district chapters point back to it for ratios and loading berth rules (§ 22.36.010—.020, and district cross‑references) .
  • If you plan residential (any density), use § 22.36.030 as your first calculation: bedroom‑based counts for multi‑family and the special single‑family table for R‑1.5/R‑2.5/R‑3.5 apply (§ 22.36.030) . Projects near transit should test the § 22.36.215 transit exemption early; the code measures straight‑line distance to a "major transit stop" and expressly retains exceptions for some uses (§ 22.36.215) .
  • Bicycle parking requirements are additive — they do not substitute for automobile parking unless a parcel qualifies for an exemption — and include both long‑term (secure/covered) and short‑term racks (§ 22.36.020(G)) . Locate bike racks adjacent to pedestrian circulation routes (§ 22.36.080) .
  • If you are in Martinez Parking District No. 1 (downtown municipal parking zone), be aware the code says sites in that district are not subject to off‑street parking requirements except for residential uses; municipal lot availability cannot be used to meet residential parking requirements (§ 22.36.020(D)) .
  • If on‑site space is tight, the City accepts Shared Parking Agreements with a peer‑reviewed parking analysis and long‑term assurances (§ 22.36.230) . Use that route early (pre‑application) to avoid later reconfigurations.
  • Any change to a parking lot — even re‑striping, creating compact bays, or adding a loading area — generally requires Design Review (see § 22.36.020(J)) and must meet the design and landscaping criteria in § 22.36.080 (paving, lighting shields, 5% landscape minimum for parking lots, tree planting rates, and screening where yards are nearby) . For landscaping standards for parking areas, consult the City’s Landscaping and Screening guidance.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before building parking, per Martinez code)

  • Calculate required automobile parking from Chapter 22.36 (use § 22.36.030 for residential; office/commercial per Chapter 22.36 tables) (§ 22.36.030)
  • Provide required bicycle parking (long‑term and short‑term) per § 22.36.020(G) and locate adjacent to pedestrian routes (§ 22.36.020(G); § 22.36.080)
  • Design stalls and aisles to the minimum dimensions in § 22.36.080 (9' × 20' baseline; handicapped stall dims; compact stall cap) (§ 22.36.080)
  • If proposing fewer on‑site spaces, prepare a professional shared‑parking study and long‑term agreement per § 22.36.230
  • If within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop and seeking an exemption, document distance and confirm the project type is eligible (see § 22.36.215) (§ 22.36.215)
  • Provide required loading berths and ensure maneuvering, screening and setback standards from §§ 22.36.100–150 are met; include turning templates if necessary (§§ 22.36.100–22.36.150)
  • Submit parking lot changes for Design Review if any construction/modification/elimination is proposed (§ 22.36.020(J))
  • Ensure required landscaping and lighting standards for parking areas are met (§ 22.36.080 and related landscaping chapters) (§ 22.36.080)

Verify driveway geometry and curb height requirements with City Traffic Engineer when preparing plans (§ 22.36.080 A.3 and related driveway standards) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Transit proximity exemption measurement The code measures straight‑line distance to a "major transit stop"; eligibility removes parking requirements for many housing projects (§ 22.36.215) Confirm which transit stops the City recognizes as "major" and have the City measure straight‑line distance on your parcel; check exceptions (hotels, event centers) (§ 22.36.215)
Parking District No. 1 exemption Municipal lots cannot be used to meet residential parking requirements in Parking District No. 1 (§ 22.36.020(D)) If property is in Downtown / Parking District No. 1, verify whether residential projects have any local policy exceptions or recent ordinances that affect this rule (§ 22.36.020(D))
Shared parking reliance Shared parking must be backed by a professional peer‑reviewed analysis and long‑term guarantee (§ 22.36.230) Confirm required analysis methodology and form of agreement acceptable to the City Attorney early in design; ask whether on‑street or municipal spaces are allowed to be part of the mix (§ 22.36.230)
Loading berth counts for mixed uses Loading berth requirements are per‑use and additive; mixed‑use sites can trigger multiple berth needs (§ 22.36.100) Provide a use‑by‑use GFA breakdown to the City and get the Planning Department to confirm berth counts and maneuvering adequacy; check whether berths may be shared on‑site (§ 22.36.100)
Design Review discretion Parking lot changes require Design Review, which introduces discretionary conditions (§ 22.36.020(J)) Early pre‑application meeting with Planning & Design Review staff to identify likely conditions and screening/landscaping expectations (§ 22.36.020(J))
ADU parking references ADU/JADU parking is handled in the ADU chapter and may have separate rules or exemptions (§ 22.36.030 cross‑ref to 22.43.080) Consult the ADU chapter (Chapter 22.43) and Martinez ADUs to confirm whether on‑site parking is required or waived for your ADU proposal (§ 22.36.030; § 22.43.080)

Plain‑English summary

Martinez puts most parking and loading rules in Chapter 22.36: count cars from the residential table (bedroom or district specific), add required bicycle parking, follow the size/layout/landscaping rules, and expect Design Review for changes — projects near major transit stops, in Parking District No. 1, or relying on shared parking have special rules that you must document and get approved (§§ 22.36.020, 22.36.030, 22.36.080, 22.36.215, 22.36.230) .

Source References

  • City of Martinez Zoning Code, Chapter 22.36 Off‑Street Parking and Loading Facilities — §§ 22.36.010–22.36.230 (primary parking rules) . Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/MA6944.
  • § 22.36.030 Residential Parking (tables and transit proximity rule) .
  • § 22.36.100–22.36.150 Loading berth requirements and standards (including berth dimensions and maneuvering) .
  • § 22.36.080 Parking design, stall dimensions, compact stall cap, and landscaping requirements for parking areas .
  • § 22.36.215 Parking not required within one‑half mile of a major transit stop (recent ordinance updates) .
  • § 22.36.230 Shared parking regulations (requirements for shared parking agreements) .
  • Cross‑references in district chapters that point to Chapter 22.36 (for example R&D chapter § 22.15.040(I), Affordable Housing Overlay § 22.17.060, housing objective chapters § 22.30/22.31/22.11) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Martinez Zoning Code (CHAPTER 22.36) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (Section 22.36.230) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 22.36.160.) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 22.14.160.) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (Section 22.06.050.) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 22.36.080) High relevance
  • Martinez Zoning Code (§ 22.17.040) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What is the baseline parking requirement for a new single‑family house in Martinez?

For single‑family houses the baseline depends on the zoning: properties in R‑1.5, R‑2.5, and R‑3.5 require 1 covered + 1 open space; single‑family in other districts typically require 2 covered spaces. See the residential parking table in § 22.36.030 (§ 22.36.030) .

Do I need on‑site parking for a new apartment building in Martinez?

Yes — multi‑family parking is calculated by bedroom: 1 space for the first bedroom + 0.5 spaces for each additional bedroom, unless the project qualifies for a transit proximity exception (within 1/2 mile straight‑line of a major transit stop) or an approved parking reduction program (§ 22.36.030; § 22.36.215) .

Are bicycle parking spaces required?

Yes. Residential developments must provide secure long‑term bicycle parking at least 1 per dwelling unit and short‑term parking at 1 per 10 bedrooms (min 2); professional/administrative offices require 1 long‑term bike space per 5,000 sf. Bicycle racks adjacent to sidewalks may count toward requirements (§ 22.36.020(G)) .

How are loading berths sized and counted?

Loading berths are required by gross floor area. Typical commercial/office thresholds are 5,000–50,000 sf = 1 berth; 50,001–150,000 sf = 2 berths + 1 per additional 150,000 sf. Each berth has minimum dimensions and maneuvering/clearance requirements in § 22.36.150 (§§ 22.36.110, 22.36.150) .

Can I count municipal or on‑street spaces toward my project’s parking requirement?

Not generally for residential uses inside Martinez Parking District No. 1 — the code expressly states municipal parking lot facilities cannot be used to meet residential requirements in that district. Shared parking agreements may allow counting shared private or institutional parking if the City approves a long‑term agreement and parking analysis (§ 22.36.020(D); § 22.36.230) .

Does changing a parking lot or removing spaces require a permit?

Yes. Construction, modification, or elimination of parking lots or parking areas requires [Design Review] and must meet Chapter 22.36 design criteria (paving, drainage, lighting shielding, landscaping, screening) (§ 22.36.020(J); § 22.36.080) .

What are the compact parking rules in Martinez?

A maximum of 30% of required parking may be compact spaces. If fewer than 10 parking spaces are required overall, all spaces must be full‑size automobile spaces (§ 22.36.020(I)) .

How is the transit proximity exemption applied and measured?

The code measures straight‑line distance: if the development is within one‑half mile straight‑line of a major transit stop the City may not require on‑site parking (with stated exceptions for hotels, event centers, and certain transient lodging) — see § 22.36.215 for details and the list of exceptions (§ 22.36.215) .

Do ADUs (accessory dwelling units) have special parking rules in Martinez?

ADU and JADU parking are governed by the ADU chapter (Chapter 22.43) with cross‑references in Chapter 22.36. The residential parking table refers ADU rules to § 22.43.080. Check Chapter 22.43 and the ADU page for Martinez for the current ADU parking standard or any statutory waivers (§ 22.36.030 cross‑ref to § 22.43.080) .

Can required parking stalls be leased separately from units?

Yes. The code permits unbundled parking — parking spaces may be leased separately from the sale or rental price of residential and commercial units (§ 22.36.020(K)) .

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