Local zoning · Monterey Park

Monterey Park — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Monterey Park’s Zoning Code (Title 21) treats parking as a site-level development standard enforced across residential, commercial, office‑professional and special‑plan districts. The Code sets numeric minimums (Table 21.22(C)), dimensional and surfacing rules (Tables 21.22(B)/(D) and Appendix A), vehicle loading standards, off‑site/joint‑use rules, landscaping/screening requirements for parking areas, and bicycle/employee parking requirements for larger commercial projects. Key controlling provisions include § 21.10.080, § 21.22.120 (Table 21.22(C)), § 21.22.080, § 21.22.160, § 21.22.310, and § 21.10.210 .

(First time linking related topics in text: see the city's Monterey Park zoning & planning overview for context on how parking fits into broader review, and check Monterey Park Development Standards for dimensional rules referenced below. Projects that trigger design review should consult Monterey Park Design Review. For overlay-specific rules see Monterey Park Overlay Districts. ADU applicants must also read the ADU guidance at Monterey Park ADUs. Finally, when a regulation points to construction details, the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) governs building-level compliance.)

How the Code organizes parking (short map of rules)

  • Mandatory off‑street parking and loading for most zones: § 21.10.080 (general requirement) and cross‑references in each zone chapter (e.g., O‑P, S‑P) binding those districts to the Off‑Street Parking Regulations .
  • Numeric minimums for nonresidential uses are tabulated in Table 21.22(C) (referenced in § 21.22.120) and include many common use categories (retail, office, restaurants, schools, medical, warehousing) .
  • Residential parking dimensions and driveway standards are in § 21.22.080 and § 21.22.090 (Table 21.22(B)) and the R‑zone development rules (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3) set where parking may be placed on a lot .
  • Commercial and O‑P dimensions and compact parking rules are set in § 21.22.160/170 and Appendix § 21.22.380 (stall sizes, aisle widths, compact limits) .
  • Loading space sizing and vertical clearances are in § 21.22.310 (12' x 40' minimum; 14' vertical clearance) .
  • Off‑site/remote parking (when allowed) and required recorded agreements are in § 21.22.290 and on‑site location rules in § 21.22.300 .
  • Bicycle and transportation demand measures for larger commercial developments are in § 21.10.210 (transportation demand measures including bike parking and reserved carpool spaces) .
  • Parking plans, surfacing and lighting requirements appear in § 21.22.150, § 21.22.190, and § 21.10.090 respectively; parking lots must show full plan details to the City Planner at permit submittal .

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

Note: Each district below shows the Code-designation in bold and the parking rules that apply to typical uses in that district. Verify property-specific requirements with the City Planner.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential Zone)

  • Purpose & typical uses: single‑family homes, accessory structures; see zone listing R‑1 in § 21.02.210 .
  • Parking rules: On‑lot off‑street parking required (driveways, garages). No parking in front or side yard setbacks except driveways; driveway width/depth and garage door location limits apply under § 21.22.080 and § 21.22.100 (location rules) .
  • Dimensions: Enclosed (garage) parking depth 20 ft; unenclosed 18 ft; standard width 9 ft (Table 21.22(B)) § 21.22.080 .
  • Where it applies: Citywide for single‑family parcels; front/side setback parking restrictions in § 21.22.100 and Table 21.08(C) apply .

R‑2 / R‑3 (Medium & High Density Residential Zones)

  • Purpose & typical uses: duplex, multi‑unit housing; numeric parking per unit follows mixed‑use and residential standards.
  • Parking rules: Minimum parking often expressed as spaces per unit; 2 spaces per unit for mixed/residential portions in mixed‑use contexts with guest parking rules (see § 21.22.130 and Table 21.22(C)) .
  • Dimensions & driveways: Driveway width minimum 18 ft in R‑2/R‑3 (may reduce to 12 ft in some two‑unit cases) and driveway length caps (no longer than 300 ft) § 21.22.090 .
  • Where it applies: Residential parcels with multi‑unit development; mixed‑use projects follow mixed‑use provisions in § 21.22.130 for shared parking studies .

Commercial Zones (N‑S, S‑C, C‑B, C‑S, C‑P, R‑S)

  • Purpose & typical uses: retail, restaurants, offices, shopping centers and regional commercial (see § 21.10.010–020) .
  • Parking rules: Off‑street parking minimums by use are in Table 21.22(C) (referenced by § 21.22.120) — e.g., general retail 4 spaces/1,000 sf (smaller table entries vary by use); live/work, mixed‑use, assembly, schools, etc. are listed with specific ratios .
  • Dimensions: Commercial stall and driveway dimensions are in § 21.22.160 / Table 21.22(D) — typical stall 9' x 18–20' (unenclosed/enclosed), loading 12' x 40', driveway 26' width, vertical clearance 14' § 21.22.160 .
  • Compact & large‑site rules: Compact stalls allowed only when conditions met and limited to 30% of required parking; large commercial projects (≥ 50,000 sf) must provide transportation demand measures and bicycle parking per § 21.10.210 .
  • Where it applies: All commercial zone types; S‑C and R‑S expect parking structures and larger lot treatments § 21.10.020 .

O‑P (Office‑Professional)

  • Purpose & typical uses: Professional offices, smaller service uses; O‑P lots must comply with the Off‑Street Parking Regulations (§ 21.12.110) and use Table 21.22(C) for ratios when applicable .
  • Dimensions: Commercial dimensions (Table 21.22(D)) apply for O‑P as well (9' x 18/20' typical) § 21.22.160 .
  • Where it applies: Office‑designated parcels throughout the city.

S‑P (Specific Plan / Saturn Park Innovation/Technology Zone)

  • Purpose & typical uses: Special plan district with tailored development standards; each S‑P lot "shall have and maintain off‑street parking and loading" as required by the Off‑Street Parking Regulations § 21.14.110 .
  • Parking/lots: Where S‑P abuts residential zones special buffering and landscaping applies (see § 21.14.140 and parking lot landscaping § 21.22.270) — parking visible from rights‑of‑way must be screened per § 21.22.280 .
  • Where it applies: Areas mapped as S‑P; check overlay maps and the S‑P chapter for site‑specific exceptions.

M / Industrial and Public Facility Uses

  • Purpose & typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing, public facilities.
  • Parking rules: Use‑based ratios in Table 21.22(C) apply (e.g., Warehousing: 1/1,000 sf; Light manufacturing: 2.5/1,000 sf, etc.) § 21.22.120 / Table 21.22(C) .
  • Loading: Loading requirements for industrial/public uses follow § 21.22.310 and Table 21.22(F) for counts by GFA .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant items

Topic Standard / Trigger Code reference
General requirement for off‑street parking & loading Required for lots in most zones at time of new construction or intensification § 21.10.080
Nonresidential minimum parking (sample) Retail: 4 spaces / 1,000 sf (large retail may be 5/1,000); Mixed‑use retail minimum combined not below 3/1,000 for ground‑floor retail cluster (shared study allowed) Table 21.22(C) / § 21.22.120
Residential parking dimensions Garage depth 20 ft, unenclosed 18 ft, width 9 ft § 21.22.080 (Table 21.22(B))
Commercial stall & driveway dims Stall 9' x 18' (unenclosed); loading 12' x 40'; driveway 26' § 21.22.160 / Table 21.22(D)
Compact parking limit Max 30% of required parking as compact (subject to CUP and City Engineer) § 21.22.170
Loading space size & clearance Min 12' x 40' with 14' vertical clearance (C & O‑P zones) § 21.22.310
Off‑site parking allowed Yes for certain C, O‑P and R zones within distance limits; requires recorded agreement/possible CUP § 21.22.290
Large commercial TDM & bike parking ≥ 25,000 sf: transportation board; ≥ 50,000 sf: reserved carpool parking and bike racks (4 per first 50k + 1 per each additional 50k) § 21.10.210
Plans, surfacing, lighting Detailed parking plan required at building permit; paved surfacing; specific lighting foot‑candle minima § 21.22.150, § 21.22.190, § 21.10.090

Checklist

  • Confirm zoning district (R‑1/R‑2/R‑3, N‑S, S‑C, C‑B, C‑S, C‑P, O‑P, S‑P or M) and applicable overlay(s) — see § 21.02.210 .
  • Calculate required stalls from Table 21.22(C) and account for mixed‑use rules or shared‑parking analyses (§ 21.22.120, § 21.22.130) .
  • Size stalls, aisles, driveways and loading to Table 21.22(D) and Appendix A standards (§ 21.22.160, § 21.22.380) .
  • For commercial projects ≥ 25,000 sf prepare the transportation information board and, if ≥ 50,000 sf, reserve carpool spaces and provide bicycle parking as stated in § 21.10.210 .
  • Provide parking plan with curb cuts, landscaping, lighting and handicap stalls at time of permit (§ 21.22.150) .
  • If compact spaces or off‑site parking are proposed, secure CUP or recorded agreements and City Engineer/Attorney approvals per § 21.22.170 and § 21.22.290 .
  • Meet surfacing/pervious options and maintain drainage and lighting per § 21.22.190 and § 21.10.090 .
  • For projects near residential zones, implement required screening/planters per § 21.22.270 / § 21.22.280 and zone buffering rules (e.g., S‑P buffering § 21.14.140) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Mixed‑use parking reduction Code allows reductions if supported by shared‑parking / demand studies but requires City Engineer/Planner/PC approval — inconsistent studies risk underprovision Verify whether a shared parking study will be accepted; confirm methodology and required approvals under § 21.22.130
Off‑site parking distances & approvals Off‑site parking is allowed only within specific radii and may need CUP/recorded instrument (§ 21.22.290) Confirm distance tolerance for your zoning (R, C, O‑P distances differ) and whether a CUP or recorded agreement is required
Compact parking percentage & CUP requirement Compact parking limited to 30% and may be conditioned by a CUP and City Engineer input § 21.22.170 Confirm whether your lot size, total stalls and design qualify for compact spaces and obtain City Engineer sign‑off
Bicycle parking level of detail Large projects must provide bike parking counts and secure facilities § 21.10.210, but the Code defers fixture design/location to the City Planner Early coordination with City Planner on bike rack type and location is necessary; design detail will be reviewed under § 21.22.150
Parcel‑specific setbacks masking parking Some zones forbid parking in required front yards or limit parking placement (R‑zones) § 21.22.100 Verify lot frontage/layout against § 21.22.100 requirements and whether a minor modification or variance is needed
EV / Title 24 overlap EV charging readiness or stall conversion is influenced by state codes and CalGreen; zoning defers building electrical/installation to Title 24 Confirm building‑level EV and bike‑parking readiness requirements under the California Building Standards Code and local planner expectations; zoning cannot substitute Title 24 compliance

Plain‑English summary

Monterey Park requires off‑street parking and loading to be provided and sized on a use‑by‑use basis (Table 21.22(C)), with detailed dimensions, surfacing, lighting and landscaping standards for lots and parking areas; large commercial developments must also provide employee/vanpool spaces and bicycle parking. Check the specific code sections cited below and confirm any site‑specific exceptions with the City Planner before designing your lot or submitting your building permit application. See § 21.22.120, § 21.22.160, § 21.22.310, § 21.22.150, and § 21.10.210 for the principal rules .

Source References

  • § 21.10.080 Off‑Street Parking and Loading — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.10.090 Lighting for parking areas — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.10.110 Trash and Waste Facilities (parking adjacency) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.10.210 Transportation Demand and Trip Reduction Measures (bicycle parking & TDM) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.080 Residential Parking Dimensions (Table 21.22(B)) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.090 Driveways (R zones) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.120 Minimum Parking Spaces Required / Table 21.22(C) (Nonresidential) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.150 Parking Area Plans (permit submittal) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.160 Parking Areas and Dimensions / Table 21.22(D) (Commercial/O‑P) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.170 Compact Automobile Parking — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.190 Surfacing — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.270 Interior parking lot landscaping — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.280 Shielding of Parked Cars — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.290 Off‑Site Parking Facilities — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.300 Location of On‑Site Facilities — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.310 Vehicular Loading Spaces (12' x 40', 14' clearance) — Monterey Park Zoning Code
  • § 21.22.380 Appendix A — turning radii, aisle widths, stall standards — Monterey Park Zoning Code

If you want a printable quick‑reference (PDF style) checklist tied to a specific parcel or project size (e.g., 60,000 sf retail or a 12‑unit apartment), tell me the parcel zoning and proposed uses and I’ll produce a parcel‑specific parking compliance summary and required submittal list.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 21.04.649.) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 7) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (chapter must) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 21.22.270.) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (section does) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • CGBSC § 5.106.3.1 (Section 5.106.3.1) Medium relevance
  • Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What are Monterey Park’s minimum off‑street parking requirements for commercial uses?

Minimum nonresidential parking ratios are in Table 21.22(C) (implemented via § 21.22.120). Examples: general retail commonly 4 spaces per 1,000 sq ft (with higher ratios for big boxes or specific uses); live/work and mixed‑use have distinct rules; shared‑parking studies may be permitted but the base table controls unless altered through an approved study .

Do I need to provide bicycle parking for my shopping center in Monterey Park?

Yes — large commercial projects must provide bicycle parking and TDM facilities: projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft must provide transportation information, and projects ≥ 50,000 sq ft must reserve carpool spaces and provide bicycle racks calculated as 4 bikes per first 50,000 sq ft + 1 per each additional 50,000 as required by § 21.10.210 .

What are the minimum dimensions for parking stalls and driveways in commercial zones?

Commercial and Office‑Professional dimensions are provided in Table 21.22(D) and § 21.22.160: standard stalls are typically 9 ft wide with depth 18–20 ft (unenclosed/enclosed), driveways 26 ft wide, and loading bays 12' x 40' with a 14 ft clearance for C and O‑P zones .

Can required parking be located off‑site (on another parcel)?

Off‑site parking is allowed under conditions: for C and O‑P uses the Code permits off‑site parking within specified distances (e.g., 300 ft for C zone, 500 ft for O‑P) and the arrangement must be memorialized in a recorded instrument and, in some cases, a CUP per § 21.22.290 .

Are compact parking spaces allowed?

Yes, but limited: compact stalls are allowed in C and O‑P when certain conditions are met (lots over 30,000 sf and other design approvals); no more than 30% of required parking may be compact and a CUP/City Engineer review may be required § 21.22.170 .

What are loading space requirements for a new retail center?

Loading spaces for uses in the C and O‑P zones must meet § 21.22.310: minimum dimensions 12 ft (width) x 40 ft (length) with 14 ft vertical clearance; location must be approved by the City Planner and loading counts are shown in Table 21.22(F) for the specified zones .

Where do I show parking on plan submittal?

A full parking/site plan must be submitted with the building permit application per § 21.22.150: show curb cuts, lighting, landscaping, all parking and loading spaces, handicap stalls, and adjacent street and driveway locations within 200 feet .

Can mixed‑use developments get parking reductions?

Yes — the Code allows reductions for mixed‑use and transit‑oriented areas if supported by shared‑parking and demand studies; however, the total combined retail/restaurant/entertainment requirement should not fall below 3 spaces per 1,000 sf for those ground‑floor uses unless a study justifies otherwise; shared‑parking studies must be prepared to City standards and approved (see § 21.22.130) .

Are there landscaping or screening requirements for parking lots?

Yes — parking lot interior landscaping (minimum 10% of parking area) and perimeter planters, tree counts, and sight‑obscuring hedges/walls adjacent to rights‑of‑way are specified in § 21.22.270 and § 21.22.280; S‑P and O‑P zones have additional buffering rules when abutting residential zones § 21.14.140 .

If my project triggers building/Title 24 requirements (EV charging, showers, bike lockers), where do I look?

Zoning tells you parking counts and site layout; building code and CalGreen (Title 24/CalGreen) handle EV charging readiness, long‑term bicycle parking, and shower/changing room standards. The zoning code defers technical building requirements to the California Building Standards Code — verify both sets of rules before construction .

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