Local zoning · Monterey County

Monterey County — Parking

Q: Are covered spaces required for apartments and condos in the Coastal Zone?

Yes. In MDR and HDR districts, at least one covered space per dwelling unit is required, and covered spaces count toward the required total (§ 20.58.050(F)) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Monterey County, off-street parking and loading are governed by the County’s zoning ordinances, with distinct rules in the Coastal Zone under the Coastal Zoning Ordinance. The core Coastal rules appear in Title 20, Chapter 20.58 (Regulations for Parking), and apply across all Coastal zoning districts for new, changed, or expanded uses. Inland-area parking standards live in a separate zoning title and may differ; verify which title applies to your parcel before proceeding. See the broader context in the County’s zoning overview, zoning districts, and development standards.

Plain-English cornerstone: If you establish or expand a use in the Coastal Zone’s unincorporated areas, you must provide and permanently maintain on-site off-street parking per the use-based rates in the ordinance; reductions or off-site alternatives require a Coastal permit and findings. See § 20.58.020, § 20.58.030, and § 20.58.050(C) .

What the ordinance requires (Coastal Zone — Title 20)

County-wide intent and scope in the Coastal Zone: parking requirements are adopted to avoid street congestion and apply “in all zoning districts” within unincorporated Coastal areas (Title 20) § 20.58.010, § 20.58.020 .
When required: Any new structure or use, or any enlargement/alteration of a use, must provide permanently maintained off-street parking per Chapter 20.58; facilities must follow the County’s adopted Parking Standards for Off‑Street Parking (design manual referenced by code) § 20.58.030 .
Use-based minimums: § 20.58.040 lists minimum spaces by use (e.g., banks, bars, bowling, bed-and-breakfast, etc.) § 20.58.040 .
General rules and common pitfalls:
- Calculations use net floor area; benches: 24 inches = 1 seat § 20.58.050(A)–(B) .
- Reductions/alternative designs may be approved only via a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) when justified § 20.58.050(C) .
- Parking and loading must be on the same site unless a CDP authorizes off-site arrangements § 20.58.050(D) .
- Spaces located in a required front setback do not count toward minimums unless a Coastal Administrative Permit is obtained § 20.58.050(E) .
- In HDR and MDR districts, at least one covered space per dwelling unit is required; covered spaces count toward minimums. Other residential districts are not required to provide covered spaces if total required spaces are provided § 20.58.050(F) .
- Accessible parking is required in nonresidential lots with five or more spaces; quantity and siting must meet Title 24/Cal. Building Standards Code. The County’s table sets the minimum number by lot size § 20.58.050(G) . For technical criteria, see the California Building Standards Code.
- Loading: for qualifying commercial/industrial buildings ≥5,000 sq ft, provide at least one off-street loading space, plus one per additional 20,000 sq ft § 20.58.050(H) .
- Access: except for single-family/duplex lots, design so vehicles can enter/exit the right‑of‑way moving forward; limited exceptions may be granted by Public Works § 20.58.050(I) .
- Paving: surface to control dust/loose material § 20.58.050(J) .
- Curbs/wheel stops: required as needed; allows 3‑ft stall length reduction where vehicle overhangs widened landscape § 20.58.050(K) .
- Mixed-use/shared parking: sum the separate use requirements unless the Review Authority finds complementary hours justify sharing § 20.58.050(L) .
- Bicycle racks: for lots with ≥20 spaces, provide 1 rack space per 10 parking spaces; design to allow locking § 20.58.050(M) . CALGreen may impose additional short- and long-term bicycle parking for many nonresidential projects (the stricter governs) California Building Standards Code.
- Compact spaces: cap at 25% of required spaces § 20.58.050(N) .
ADUs in the Coastal Zone: The Coastal ordinance tailors ADU parking to mapped areas. Where mapped in Appendix 15 (“ADU Parking Required”), provide at least one off-street space per ADU; outside those areas, no ADU off-street parking or replacement of removed covered spaces is required § [ADU Parking Requirements, Coastal] 5.a–b (Appendix 15 reference) . State rules that further limit local ADU parking also apply; see California ADU law and HCD guidance (e.g., one space maximum per ADU; broad exemptions) .
Relationship to other Coastal zoning provisions: Title 20 confirms that “other site development amenities and requirements such as parking” are part of district regulations § 20.02.040 . In some improvement (“Z”) combining districts, frontage and sidewalk/curb/gutter improvements may be required alongside site development § 20.56.030 . Some districts also implement vehicle trip-reduction measures (e.g., bicycle amenities, transit access) during project review § 20.64.250 (illustrative provisions) .

Selected minimum off-street parking rates (Coastal)

The County’s use table sets required spaces by use; below are examples from § 20.58.040 (not exhaustive) :
- Bank: 1 space/200 sq ft.
- Bar/Lounge/Night Club: 1 space/3 seats; where seating not fixed, 1 per 50 sq ft (cocktail lounge) .
- Bed and Breakfast: 1 space/unit .
- Bowling Alley: 5 spaces/lane .
- Church/Auditorium: 1 space/4 seats; if no fixed seating, 1 per 35 sq ft assembly area .
- Automobile Repair/Sales: 1 per 500 sq ft floor area; plus increments for outdoor display for sales uses .

For the full schedule, consult § 20.58.040 and confirm the use category that most closely matches your project. If a use is not listed, the Director determines the requirement by similarity § 20.58.030 .

How Chapter 20.58 applies across Coastal districts (unincorporated areas)

The parking chapter applies “in all zoning districts” in the Coastal Zone (§ 20.58.020) and most districts explicitly defer to it in their site standards. Below are district-specific notes pulled from district chapters.

Residential — LDR (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal Low Density Residential areas.
How parking is handled: “Parking for all development shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.58.” § 20.14.070(G) (as excerpted) .
Key dimensional/related standards: FAR limits exist in Del Monte Forest variants; landscaping/sign exceptions noted; confirm setbacks on your map § 20.14.070(F), (H)–(J) .
Practical takeaway: Provide the Chapter 20.58 minimums; spaces in the front setback won’t count without a Coastal Administrative Permit (§ 20.58.050(E)) .

Residential — RDR (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal Rural Density Residential areas.
How parking is handled: Districts rely on Chapter 20.58 (“Parking for all development…”) § 20.16.020, 20.16.XXX cross-reference pattern; confirm during review .
Practical takeaway: Same Chapter 20.58 rules apply; verify site-specific setbacks and any combining districts that could affect lot layout.

Residential — MDR (CZ) and HDR (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal Medium and High Density Residential.
District-specific parking feature: At least one covered space per dwelling unit is required in MDR and HDR; covered spaces count toward minimums § 20.58.050(F) .
Practical takeaway: Plan your covered parking early; reductions or alternative designs require permit findings (§ 20.58.050(C)) .

Visitor Serving Commercial — VSC (CZ)

Purpose: Provide areas serving visitor and traveler needs § 20.22.010 .
How parking is handled: Apply Chapter 20.58 minimums across VSC uses (§ 20.58.020) .
Practical takeaway: Assembly-related uses use seat-based ratios; check loading-space triggers for hotels, retail, and restaurants § 20.58.040, § 20.58.050(H) .

Light Industrial — LI (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal Light Industrial areas.
Parking hook: “All parking shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.58” § 20.26.070(C) .
Related dimensional standards: Max site coverage 50% (excludes parking/landscaping); min site area 1 acre; 10% landscaping; lighting/sign plans required § 20.26.070(B), (D)–(G) .
Practical takeaway: Verify truck loading needs and forward-movement access (§ 20.58.050(H), (I)) early in site design .

Heavy Industrial — HI (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal Heavy Industrial areas.
Parking hook: “All parking shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.58” § 20.28.070(C) .
Related dimensional standards: Max coverage 50% (excludes parking/landscaping); setbacks via GDP or case-by-case review § 20.28.070(A)–(B) .
Practical takeaway: Expect loading-bay requirements and controlled access circulation per § 20.58.050(H)–(I) .

Open Space/Recreation — OR (CZ)

Where it applies: Coastal recreation/open space settings (e.g., parks).
Parking hook: “Parking for all development shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.58” § 20.38.060(F) .
Practical takeaway: Events and assembly uses must meet seat-based ratios; consider TDM measures if required in project review § 20.64.250 (illustrative provisions) .

Quick-reference: key operational rules

Requirement	Core rule in plain English	Code Reference
Applicability	Chapter 20.58 applies to all Coastal zoning districts for new/expanded uses.	§ 20.58.020
Design manual	Follow the County’s “Parking Standards for Off-Street Parking” adopted by the Planning Commission.	§ 20.58.030
On-site location	Provide parking/loading on the same site unless a CDP approves off-site.	§ 20.58.050(D)
Front setback	Spaces in a required front setback don’t count unless a Coastal Administrative Permit is approved.	§ 20.58.050(E)
Covered spaces	In HDR/MDR, provide at least one covered space per dwelling unit.	§ 20.58.050(F)
Loading	≥5,000 sq ft commercial/industrial: at least one loading space; +1/each additional 20,000 sq ft.	§ 20.58.050(H)
Access	Except SF/duplex lots, design so vehicles enter/exit in a forward direction.	§ 20.58.050(I)
Bicycle racks	Lots with ≥20 spaces: 1 bicycle rack space per 10 parking spaces.	§ 20.58.050(M)
Compact spaces	Max 25% of required spaces may be compact stalls.	§ 20.58.050(N)
Mixed-use sharing	Shared parking allowed if uses have different peak hours and the Authority makes findings.	§ 20.58.050(L)

Checklist

Confirm your parcel is in an unincorporated area and whether it is Inland or Coastal; apply the correct title (zoning districts).
Identify your use category and calculate required spaces using § 20.58.040 (Coastal) .
Apply net floor area and seating conversion rules (§ 20.58.050(A)–(B)) .
Keep parking on-site unless you can justify a CDP for off-site (§ 20.58.050(D)) .
Keep required spaces out of the front setback unless you obtain a Coastal Administrative Permit (§ 20.58.050(E)) .
Verify access (forward ingress/egress), paving, wheel-stops, and compact-stall limits (§ 20.58.050(I)–(K), (N)) .
Provide bike racks if your lot has ≥20 spaces; check if CALGreen adds long-term/short-term bike or EV-readiness (development standards; § 20.58.050(M)) .
If in MDR/HDR, include at least one covered space per dwelling unit (§ 20.58.050(F)) .
For ADUs in the Coastal Zone, consult Appendix 15 maps to see if ADU off-street parking is required; otherwise often none is required; state law overlays apply (Coastal ADU parking 5.a–b; California ADU law) .
If your district or project triggers design review or overlays, coordinate early with design review and overlay districts.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Inland vs Coastal applicability	Inland parcels follow a different zoning title; Coastal rules here may not apply countywide.	Determine which title governs your parcel. Inland Title 21 parking rules: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Off-site/shared parking	Only allowed via Coastal permit with findings; inadequate findings risk denial.	Document staggered peaks for mixed uses and secure the required Coastal permit § 20.58.050(C), (L) .
Design standards detail	Stall dimensions, aisle widths, and loading-bay specs are set in a separate County Parking Standards manual.	The manual is referenced but not included in retrieved materials (§ 20.58.030). Obtain the County’s Parking Standards for Off‑Street Parking .
Accessible parking specifics	Title 24 governs technical criteria; County table sets counts.	Coordinate with building officials; see § 20.58.050(G) and Title 24 via California Building Standards Code .
ADU parking maps (Appendix 15)	Whether ADU parking is required depends on mapped areas.	Confirm your lot’s status per Appendix 15; Coastal ADU parking rule 5.a–b (maps not included here) .
Front-setback parking	Spaces in required front setbacks don’t count without approval.	If site constraints force front-setback parking, secure a Coastal Administrative Permit § 20.58.050(E) .
TDM measures	Some proposals may need trip-reduction amenities that affect parking layout.	Check if § 20.64.250 applies; provide bicycle/transit features as conditioned .

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building or changing a use in unincorporated Monterey County’s Coastal Zone, plan for on-site parking that meets the County’s use-based minimums, keeps drive aisles safe, and includes any required loading, bike racks, and (in some districts) covered spaces. You may share or reduce parking only with Coastal permit findings, and you generally can’t “count” spaces in your required front setback without specific approval. For ADUs, check the County’s ADU parking map—many Coastal parcels need no ADU parking at all—and remember that state ADU laws further limit what the County can require.

Source References

Monterey County Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Title 20 — General provisions and applicability for parking and site amenities (§ 20.02.040)
Chapter 20.58 (Regulations for Parking): purpose, applicability, regulations, use-based rates, and general provisions (§ 20.58.010–.050; including subsections (A)–(N))
District cross-references to Chapter 20.58: LDR (CZ) (§ 20.14.070(G)) ; OR (CZ) (§ 20.38.060(F)) ; LI (CZ) (§ 20.26.070(C)) ; HI (CZ) (§ 20.28.070(C)) ; VSC (CZ) purpose (§ 20.22.010)
Improvement “Z” District requirements potentially affecting frontage improvements (§ 20.56.030)
Coastal ADU parking rules (Appendix 15 reference within Coastal ADU section, items 5.a–b) ; State ADU parking constraints (HCD handbook excerpts)
For technical accessibility/bicycle/EV requirements, consult the California Building Standards Code (CALGreen and CBC references noted in County code) and coordinate with Building.

Information Gaps

Inland (non-Coastal) parking standards under the County’s Inland Zoning Title: Not found in retrieved materials.
The County’s detailed “Parking Standards for Off‑Street Parking” design manual (stall sizes, aisle widths, loading geometry): Not found in retrieved materials.
Full verbatim table for § 20.58.040 (all uses): Only partial extracts retrieved; confirm full schedule with the County.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Monterey County Zoning Code (Section 27102) High relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (Chapter 20.58) High relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (Section 20.58.040) Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (section determined) Medium relevance
CGBSC § 5.106.3.1 (Section 5.106.3.1) Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (Section 20.54.080A.) Medium relevance
CBC § 17980.12 (section 17980.12) Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (Section determined) Medium relevance
Monterey County Zoning Code (§ 15) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Monterey County code library

Frequently asked questions

What is the main source of parking rules for unincorporated Coastal areas?

Chapter 20.58 of the Coastal Zoning Ordinance sets parking and loading rules and applies to all Coastal zoning districts. It requires permanently maintained on-site parking for new or expanded uses, with any reductions only by Coastal permit (§ 20.58.010–.030, .050(C)) .

Can I count spaces in the required front setback toward my minimum parking?

Not unless you first secure a Coastal Administrative Permit. By default, spaces in the required front setback do not count toward required parking (§ 20.58.050(E)) .

Are covered spaces required for apartments and condos in the Coastal Zone?

Yes. In MDR and HDR districts, at least one covered space per dwelling unit is required, and covered spaces count toward the required total (§ 20.58.050(F)) .

What are the loading space requirements for a new Coastal retail building?

If the building is 5,000 sq ft or larger, provide at least one off-street loading space, plus one additional space for each additional 20,000 sq ft (or major fraction). Design must follow the County’s Parking Standards (§ 20.58.050(H)) .

Do I need bike parking?

If your lot has 20 or more vehicle spaces, you must provide bicycle rack spaces equal to 10% of the count (1 rack space per 10 parking spaces), designed to allow locking (§ 20.58.050(M)) . CALGreen may require additional short- and long-term facilities; the stricter requirement governs.

Can different uses share parking?

Yes, if the Review Authority determines their peak hours are substantially different (e.g., theater + office), shared parking can be approved; otherwise, add the requirements for each use (§ 20.58.050(L)) .

How many spaces are required for a church or auditorium?

Generally 1 space per 4 seats; where seating isn’t fixed, 1 per 35 sq ft of assembly area (§ 20.58.040; see also the bench/pew conversion in § 20.58.050(B)) .

What are the ADU parking rules in Coastal unincorporated areas?

If your lot is within the County’s mapped “ADU Parking Required” areas (Appendix 15), provide 1 space per ADU; outside those areas, no ADU off-street parking (and no replacement of removed covered spaces) is required (§ ADU Parking 5.a–b) . State ADU law also caps and often exempts ADU parking entirely.

Do these Coastal standards apply inland?

No. Inland parcels are regulated by a different zoning title. Inland parking standards were not included in the retrieved materials. Verify with Monterey County Planning.

Must vehicles be able to pull in and out forward?

Yes, except single-family or duplex lots. Design access so vehicles enter/exit the right-of-way moving forward unless Public Works approves an exception (§ 20.58.050(I)) .

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