Local zoning · Moraga

Moraga — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Moraga municipal zoning/planning ordinance requires for parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking in the Town of Moraga. It is grounded in the Moraga Municipal Code: principal rules live in Chapter 8.76 — Off‑Street Parking and Loading, with site‑ or area‑specific standards in district chapters (for example, the MCSP / Rheem Park rules). For guidance on how parking interacts with site design, also consult the town's development standards and design review processes linked below. (§ 8.76.010)

(Those links are the first natural mentions of the related topics above. Use the town pages for application checklists and submittal forms.)

Key local rules (plain list)

  • Off‑street parking is mandatory for new buildings, additions, and changes of use unless a specific code exemption or state law applies. Chapter 8.76 sets the general rules and application/relief process. § 8.76.010
  • Space counts for most uses are in the parking schedule and special residential rules: see § 8.76.090 (parking schedule) and § 8.76.100 (residential) for the controlling counts and rounding rules. § 8.76.030 requires fractional spaces to be rounded up.
  • Loading standards and dimensional minimums are mandatory for specified commercial/industrial uses; see § 8.76.120.
  • Bicycle parking requirements are defined for the Rheem Park Area (and are cross‑referenced in some design chapters); see § 8.210.110 for long‑term and short‑term requirements.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are Moraga districts with parking-relevant basics. Each subsection states the district name (bold), its purpose/typical uses (as in the code), key dimensional standards that affect parking layouts, and where the district rules appear.

R-20 / R-24 (Chapter 8.34 — Twenty/Twenty‑Four Dwelling Unit Per Acre)

Purpose & typical uses: medium‑density residential developments (multi‑family). § 8.34.060 sets project-scale development standards.
Key standards that affect parking: minimum site area 3 acres (ministerial projects may be smaller), setbacks (site building setback 20 ft), floor‑area/rates that depend on whether parking is enclosed (FAR exemptions for enclosed parking), and a direct cross‑reference to Chapter 8.76 for required parking. § 8.34.060(A) and development limits § 8.34.060(B).
Where it applies: MCSP/residential areas designated R‑20/R‑24 (see Chapter 8.34).

RMCR (Chapter 8.38 — Rheem/Mixed Commercial‑Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: mixed residential and commercial in the Rheem area; first‑floor activity is required on certain streets. See § 8.38.050 for development standards. Parking standards are the general Chapter 8.76 rules unless the MCSP/Rheem rules add detail.

Key parking implications: required parking = Chapter 8.76, but building siting (zero front/side setbacks allowed in places) means parking is often internalized (podium or structured), and first‑floor activation rules affect where surface parking can be located. § 8.38.050.

MCSP — Mixed Office/Residential (Chapter 8.42 — MCSP MU‑OR)

Purpose & typical uses: office combined with medium/high‑density residential; retail/office expected at street level. § 8.42.010–.050 set permitted uses and development standards.

Key parking implications: required residential and nonresidential parking are set by Chapter 8.76; MCSP design rules (including limitations on parking frontage and required on‑site parking near scenic corridors) steer parking toward internal/structured solutions to preserve street activity and pedestrian realm. § 8.42.050 and cross‑referenced MCSP design rules.

Planned Development / PD‑C (Chapters 8.48 & 8.50)

Purpose & typical uses: flexible rules for large, integrated projects or for limited commercial center redevelopment. Parking counts and vehicle/bike parking layouts are part of the PD plan (applicant proposes standards; the PD approval fixes them). See § 8.48.060 and § 8.50.050(C)(3)(d) for required PD plan content (vehicle/bicycle parking standards must be shown).

Key parking implication: applicant can propose alternative parking approaches, but required findings and public hearings apply; the planning commission can approve reductions or modifications if findings are met. § 8.48.060.

Institutional (Chapter 8.56)

Purpose & typical uses: campus, public, educational (e.g., Saint Mary’s College). Parking requirements are determined as part of master plans or conditional use approvals (the district delegates development standards to the master plan). § 8.56.040.

Key parking implication: off‑street parking counts and location are set by the adopted master plan or permit, but Chapter 8.76 minimums remain the baseline unless the master plan provides alternatives.

Rheem Park Area / MCSP Commercial (Chapter 8.210 et seq.)

Purpose & typical uses: design rules and parking rules tailored to the Rheem Park area to support a walkable, activated town center. § 8.210.100 (Vehicle parking) and § 8.210.110 (Bicycle parking) contain area‑specific rules on parking location, garage entries, driveway widths, landscape screening, and bicycle parking minimums. Notable limits include driveway width limits (max 24 ft except for required emergency access) and vehicle entry widths to garages facing streets (max 20 ft), plus location and screening requirements for above‑ground parking near primary streets.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Topic Requirement (decision relevance) Code reference
Residential parking (single‑family) Two covered off‑street spaces per dwelling unit; must be on same parcel (exceptions in planned developments) § 8.76.100(A–D)
Multi‑family parking (2+ beds) Two covered spaces per unit; studio/1‑bed: one covered § 8.76.100(B–C)
Fractional counts Round up fractional parking calculations § 8.76.030
Loading spaces (commercial) Schedule: 10k–20k sq ft = 1 space; 20,001–30k = 2; 30,001–45k = 3; 45,001–75k = 4; +1 per additional 75k § 8.76.120(A–B)
Parking stall & aisle dimensions Stall widths and aisle widths set by parking angle table (90° stall width 9 ft, depth 19 ft, aisle 28 ft typical) § 8.76.050(A)
Bicycle parking (Rheem Park) Long‑term and short‑term minima (e.g., 1/2 long‑term per unit for multi‑family ≥20 units; 1 short‑term per 10 units; office/retail ratios) § 8.210.110(B–C)
Parking location & frontage (Rheem) New surface/above‑ground parking must be internal to site; exposed podium >3 ft must be set back 25 ft from primary street; max 60% frontage with above‑ground parking within 25 ft § 8.210.100(B)
ADU parking ADU parking: one space per ADU or per ADU bedroom, whichever is less, with several statutory exemptions; local ADU rules set specific size/location/surfacing requirements § 8.124.130(L) and state ADU law (see local cross‑reference)
Modification / reduction Planning commission may modify Chapter 8.76 requirements with findings and design review input § 8.76.130

Checklist

  • Show required off‑street parking calculations using the Moraga schedule (apply § 8.76.090; round up fractional spaces per § 8.76.030).
  • For residential projects, show covered parking counts per § 8.76.100 (2 spaces for single‑family; multi‑family rules).
  • Provide vehicle stall and aisle dimension plan consistent with the parking angle table in § 8.76.050(A).
  • Locate parking to meet district/location rules (e.g., Rheem Park vehicle parking location and frontage limits § 8.210.100(B)).
  • If loading spaces are required, show sizes, access, and that loading won't block pedestrian ways (§ 8.76.120).
  • Provide bicycle parking counts & details where applicable (Rheem Park rules § 8.210.110 or 5% bicycle parking per design chapter).
  • Include landscaping, screening, and wheel stops where required (10% landscaping for lots with >5 spaces; planter widths; screening to residential zones) per § 8.76.050 and design chapters.
  • If seeking reduced parking or creative layouts, include the findings and design review submittals needed for a modification or PD plan (§ 8.76.130, PD chapters).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
ADU parking vs. local rules State ADU law can limit or supplant local parking requirements for ADUs — local ADU provisions also contain exemptions and surfacing rules Verify ADU parking exemptions and state law applicability; see § 8.124.130(L) and state ADU law.
Where MCSP / Rheem rules override Chapter 8.76 Rheem and MCSP design chapters add location, frontage, and pedestrian activation rules that change how parking can be placed Confirm which chapter controls for the parcel (MCSP area vs. standard zone). Verify with the planning department. (§ 8.210.100)
Bicycle parking applicability outside Rheem The town's explicit bicycle minima appear in the Rheem/MCSP chapters; elsewhere the code references providing bicycle parking based on vehicle counts or design review If your project is outside Rheem, ask planning whether bicycle minima apply or are set during discretionary review. (§ 8.210.110; other design sections).
Mixed‑use/shared parking credits The code allows mixed‑use math and shared parking in some circumstances (and PD plans can set alternate standards) but use‑specific credits and time‑of‑day assumptions may be needed Confirm acceptable shared‑use methodology with the zoning administrator or during design review; modifications require findings. (§ 8.76.040; § 8.76.130)
Parking counted in FAR In some districts enclosed parking serving multi‑family is excluded from FAR while parking for nonresidential uses may be counted Confirm whether garage parking serving your use is excluded/included for FAR calculations in your district (see MCSP/R‑20 notes). (§ 8.34.060; § 8.34.060(B))

Plain‑English summary

Moraga requires on‑site off‑street parking for almost all new or expanded uses; the baseline counts and dimensions are in Chapter 8.76, but district chapters (MCSP/Rheem, R‑20/R‑24, RMCR, PD, Institutional) add location, design, and bicycle parking rules that frequently push parking into structured/hidden solutions and require landscaping and pedestrian separation. For ADUs and other state‑regulated housing types, state law may limit what the town can require — verify ADU specifics with the planning department. (§ 8.76.010; § 8.76.100; § 8.124.130(L))

Source References

  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.76 — Off‑Street Parking and Loading (Intent, design/layout, stall dimensions table, fractional rounding, mixed‑use rules, modifications). § 8.76.010–.130.
  • Moraga Municipal Code, § 8.76.100 — Off‑street parking requirements for residential uses (single‑family, multi‑family, senior housing rules, shared‑vehicle reduction).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, § 8.76.120 — Off‑street loading spaces (schedule and dimensional minimums).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, § 8.210.100 & § 8.210.110 — Rheem Park Area vehicle parking design rules and bicycle parking minimums (Rheem Area specifics: parking location, driveway/entry widths, bicycle parking).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.34 — R‑20 / R‑24 residential district development standards (site area, setbacks, FAR implications for parking). § 8.34.060.
  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.38 — RMCR development standards and cross‑references to parking (see § 8.38.050).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.42 — MCSP Mixed Office/Residential (purpose and development standards that affect parking).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.48 / 8.50 — Planned Development & PD‑C procedures (how parking can be set by PD plans).
  • Moraga Municipal Code, Chapter 8.124 — ADU rules and local ADU parking provisions and exemptions (§ 8.124.130(L)).

If you want scanned ordinance text, copies of the exact tables, or assistance mapping a parcel to the controlling district, tell me the Moraga parcel address or APN and I will pull the precise code sections that apply and identify discretionary steps (design review, PD, or modification) you should expect. Verify all parcel‑specific interpretations with the Town of Moraga planning staff.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.76) High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (section is) High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.76) High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 8-1912) High relevance
  • CPC § 500 High relevance
  • CPC § 1280 High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Section 8.76.090) High relevance
  • CBC § 200 (Chapter 35) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Section 8.72.080) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 8-4417) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 8-4417) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Section 8.148.030.) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.72) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Section 8.50.050) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.76) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.200.050) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (Chapter 8.76) Medium relevance
  • Moraga Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What is the baseline for off‑street parking in Moraga for a new apartment building?

Baseline counts are from Chapter 8.76: multi‑family units with two or more bedrooms require two covered spaces per unit; studios and one‑bedroom units require one covered space; fractional results are rounded up. For projects in MCSP/Rheem, area design rules may require structured or internal parking rather than surface lots. § 8.76.100; § 8.76.030.

Do I need to provide loading spaces for a retail building in Moraga?

Yes — if the use involves receiving or distributing goods the loading schedule in § 8.76.120 applies (e.g., 10,000–20,000 sq ft = 1 loading space; larger sizes require more), plus each required loading space must meet dimensional and access rules in that section. § 8.76.120.

How much bicycle parking must I show for a mixed‑use project in Rheem?

The Rheem Park rules require both long‑term and short‑term racks: for large multi‑family developments (≥20 units) long‑term bicycle parking must be at least 0.5 long‑term spaces per residential unit; short‑term minima are also specified (for example 1 short‑term per 10 units). For offices and other non‑residential uses the code provides square‑foot‑based ratios. § 8.210.110(B–C).

Can I locate surface parking along the primary street frontage in the MCSP/Rheem area?

The Rheem/MCSP rules discourage street‑facing surface parking: new surface parking should be internal, and above‑ground parking with an exposed podium over 3 ft must be set back 25 ft from the primary street. The code also limits above‑ground parking within 25 ft of a primary street to 60% of the parcel street length. § 8.210.100(B).

What are the stall and aisle dimension requirements I must use on plan sheets?

Moraga's parking dimension table (by parking angle) sets the minimum stall widths, curb/length and aisle widths (for example a 90° stall = 9 ft width × 19 ft depth; aisle width = 28 ft). Use those minima in your plans and label the angle used on each row. § 8.76.050(A).

Are ADUs required to provide an additional parking space?

Local ADU rules require an additional off‑street parking space in some cases but the town follows state ADU law exemptions. Moraga's ADU section sets a default ADU parking space (size/location/surfacing) and lists exemptions (e.g., within 1/2‑mile of transit, historic districts, where on‑street permits are not offered). Also note state ADU statutory limits on parking requirements. § 8.124.130(L).

Can the town reduce required parking if a project participates in car‑share?

Yes — multi‑family parking may be reduced by up to 20% when a car‑share program is provided (minimum one shared vehicle per 25 units) — this is explicitly allowed in the residential parking rules. § 8.76.100(I).

What is the process to request fewer parking stalls than the Code requires?

A modification (or a PD plan for PD‑zoned projects) can be requested; the planning commission must make required findings (e.g., site constraints or alternative facilities justify the reduction) and design review is involved. See § 8.76.130.

Where do I show landscaping and wheel stops on a parking plan?

Moraga requires landscape strips (e.g., planter width and a requirement that >5‑space lots dedicate 10% of the parking area to landscaping) and wheel stops/curbs adjacent to landscaping or buildings. Include these elements on the site/landscape plan per § 8.76.050(E–N).

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