Local zoning · Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill — Parking

Q: What parking table do I use for a downtown mixed‑use project in Morgan Hill?

Use Table 18.72‑1 (the MU‑D and RAH table) for projects in Downtown Mixed Use (MU‑D) and Residential Attached High Density (RAH) ; the downtown in‑lieu program can sometimes be used instead — § 18.72.030.A and § 18.72.050.C .

Q: How many parking spaces does a new two‑bedroom apartment in Morgan Hill need?

For most non‑MU‑D districts refer to Table 18.72‑2 : a two‑bedroom multifamily unit generally requires 1 covered + 1 uncovered space per unit — § 18.72.030.B .

Q: What are the loading dock size and count rules for a warehouse?

Loading counts are in Table 18.72‑8 (e.g., 15,000–25,000 sf = 1 loading space; 25,000–100,000 sf = 2) and each loading space is typically 12 ft wide × 40 ft long × 14 ft vertical clearance — § 18.72.090 .

Q: Can parking dimensions be reduced or compact stalls used?

All required spaces must be full size, but up to 30% compact spaces may be allowed with a design permit; other dimensional adjustments require the Minor Exception or planning approvals consistent with § 18.72.060.B.1 and § 18.108.070 .

Q: Are there exceptions to minimum parking near transit?

Minimum parking requirements are not required within one‑half mile of a major transit stop as defined by PRC § 21155, but the city may impose parking if it makes specific findings in § 18.72.030.G . Verify whether your project meets the definition and whether the city has made findings.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Morgan Hill Zoning Code requires for on‑site parking, bicycle parking, and loading for different zoning districts, where reductions or alternatives are allowed, and how parking must be designed. The rules are found in Chapter 18.72 (Parking and Loading) and related form‑based district provisions; see the code for parcel‑specific application. Key local sources are § 18.72.010 – § 18.72.090 and the form‑based code in Chapter 18.29.

(Links: this page mentions Morgan Hill zoning, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, the California Building Standards Code, and landscaping in context.)

What the Code Controls (short list)

Minimum required parking by use and district (Table 18.72‑1 for MU‑D and RAH; Table 18.72‑2 for other districts) — § 18.72.030.
Off‑site, consolidated, shared, and in‑lieu parking options and the approvals needed — § 18.72.050.
Parking design (space sizes, surfacing, driveway widths, lighting, screening, tandem rules) — § 18.72.060.
Bicycle parking rules (who must provide, short‑term vs long‑term, dimensions) — § 18.72.080.
Loading space counts, dimensions, location and screening — § 18.72.090.
Applicability (new uses, change of use, expansions) — § 18.72.020.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts where parking rules diverge or where district provisions specifically refer back to Chapter 18.72. Each subsection lists the district purpose, typical uses, and the parking rules that apply.

MU‑D (Downtown Mixed Use)

Purpose / where it applies: Downtown mixed‑use core intended for walkable retail, office, and attached residential; established in the Form‑Based Code (Chapter 18.29) and called out in § 18.72.030.A.
Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants, offices, multi‑unit housing—see form‑based use tables in Chapter 18.29.
Key parking rules: Required parking is determined by Table 18.72‑1 (special MU‑D/RAH rates: e.g., retail 2.8/1,000 sf; office 4/1,000 sf; multiunit housing from 1.0 to 2.0 per unit by unit size) — § 18.72.030.A. Parking reductions/in‑lieu options are possible in MU‑D via the downtown in‑lieu fee program — § 18.72.050.C.

RAH (Residential Attached High Density)

Purpose / where it applies: High‑density attached residential areas; parking rules for RAH are treated together with MU‑D in § 18.72.030.A.
Typical permitted uses: Townhomes, stacked flats, multifamily buildings (see Chapter 18.29).
Key parking rules: Use Table 18.72‑1 for required parking; residential ratios vary by unit size (example: 1.5 spaces for 600–1,350 sf units; 2 spaces for >1,350 sf) — § 18.72.030.A. In‑lieu and shared parking programs may apply per § 18.72.050.

Form‑Based Districts (selected: FB‑UG Urban General)

Purpose / where it applies: Form‑based districts (Chapter 18.29) encourage walkable, mixed‑use corridors and modify where parking is placed and how it relates to frontage/building placement. See the FB district subsections inside Chapter 18.29 (for example, FB‑UG parking placement and setbacks are shown in the FB‑UG subsection).
Typical permitted uses: Mixed use buildings, accessory dwellings, retail, offices.
Key parking rules: Parking counts still come from Chapter 18.72 (Table 18.72‑1 or Table 18.72‑2 as applicable), but placement/visibility and frontage rules are governed by the FBC (examples in FB‑UG show minimum front parking setbacks and build‑to‑zone expectations). Verify the relevant FB district subsection in § 18.29.030 and cross‑reference § 18.72.030.

Single‑Family Residential (e.g., R‑1 / detached)

Purpose / where it applies: Detached single family neighborhoods regulated under the residential sections (see Chapter 18.20 and base zoning map in 18.14).
Typical permitted uses: Single‑family homes, accessory structures, ADUs (see ADU chapter).
Key parking rules: Single‑family detached units require 2 covered spaces per unit (Table 18.72‑2) and driveway/front‑yard parking rules prohibit storing vehicles on landscaped areas — § 18.72.030.B and § 18.72.040.B.3. For ADUs, local ADU rules and state law influence parking — see Chapter 18.84 and state ADU law; verify special ADU parking exemptions — § 18.72.030.B and ADU chapter.

Multifamily (general)

Purpose / where it applies: Multi‑unit housing throughout applicable residential and form‑based districts.
Typical permitted uses: Apartments, condos, senior housing, group housing.
Key parking rules: Use Table 18.72‑2 for multifamily: for example, studio/1‑bed = 1 covered/unit; 2‑bed = 1 covered + 1 uncovered/unit; 3‑bed = 1 covered + 1.5 uncovered/unit. Bicycle parking minimums (short‑ and long‑term) apply to multifamily (see § 18.72.080, Table 18.72‑7).

Commercial (CN, CG, CO, CH, CS)

Purpose / where it applies: Neighborhood and general commercial zones (Chapter 18.24) — rules vary by commercial subtype.
Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants, offices, service uses (see Table 18.24‑1/2).
Key parking rules: Table 18.72‑2 gives per‑use ratios (examples: general retail 1/250 sf; professional offices 1/250 sf; convenience markets 1/250 sf; large commodity retail 1/350 sf). Loading and drive‑through special rules cross‑reference § 18.72.090 and form‑based drive‑through standards, respectively.

Industrial (CI, IO, IC, IL, IG)

Purpose / where it applies: Industrial/commercial industrial districts (Chapter 18.26) — outdoor uses and parking must meet the design standards in § 18.72.060.
Typical permitted uses: Warehousing, manufacturing, heavy and light industrial uses.
Key parking rules: Table 18.72‑2 contains ratios for industrial uses (e.g., warehousing 1/1,000 sf plus 1/300 sf office; manufacturing 1/500 sf) and loading requirements in § 18.72.090 (loading bay counts by floor area). Parking lots serving industrial uses must meet the design/screening standards of § 18.72.060.

Quick reference table (decision‑relevant standards)

Standard / Use	Local requirement (typical)	Code reference
MU‑D / RAH retail parking	2.8 spaces per 1,000 sf	§ 18.72.030.A
MU‑D / RAH office parking	4 spaces per 1,000 sf	§ 18.72.030.A
Single‑family detached	2 covered spaces per unit	§ 18.72.030.B (Table 18.72‑2)
Multifamily (2‑bed)	1 covered + 1 uncovered per unit	§ 18.72.030.B (Table 18.72‑2)
Bicycle parking (multifamily)	Short‑term 10% of auto req’d; min 4; Long‑term 1 per 5 units	§ 18.72.080 (Table 18.72‑7)
Loading spaces (15k–25k sf)	1 loading space; dims 12' x 40' x 14' clear	§ 18.72.090 (Table 18.72‑8; dims)
Driveway width at street	Commercial 25' (one‑way) / 35' (two‑way); Residential 12' / 18'	§ 18.72.060.B.4 (Table 18.72‑4)
Compact spaces allowed	Up to 30% of required spaces with design permit	§ 18.72.060.B.1
Parking reductions / shared parking	Requires CUP / shared parking agreement; analysis required	§ 18.72.050.B–F

Practical guidance / synthesis

Start by identifying whether your property sits in MU‑D or RAH; those two districts use Table 18.72‑1 and have tailored downtown rules and an in‑lieu fee option — check § 18.72.030.A and § 18.72.050.C.
For all other districts, use Table 18.72‑2 to calculate minimum spaces; the community development director may substitute a comparable use for unlisted uses — § 18.72.030.B and § 18.72.030.E.
If your project is transit‑proximate (within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop), minimum parking may be waived — § 18.72.030.G — but the city can require parking if negative impacts are demonstrated. Verify applicability early.
Design standards (space dimensions, surfacing, lighting, screening, driveway widths, stacking) are mandatory and generally enforced by engineering/design review; adjustments require a Minor Exception or Planning Commission approval per § 18.72.060.K and § 18.108.070.
Bicycle parking is mandatory for multifamily projects ≥5 units and for commercial parking lots ≥10 spaces; follow the short‑term and long‑term standards in § 18.72.080 and Table 18.72‑7.
Loading spaces are required for many retail/warehouse/manufacturing uses with counts in Table 18.72‑8 and dimensional standards (12'×40'×14' typical) in § 18.72.090.

Checklist

Determine the zoning district and whether the site is inside a form‑based area or overlay; consult zoning map (Chapter 18.14) — Verify with the jurisdiction.
Calculate required automobile parking from Table 18.72‑1 (MU‑D/RAH) or Table 18.72‑2 (others) — § 18.72.030.
Add required bicycle parking from Table 18.72‑7 and apply location/cover/security standards — § 18.72.080.
If applicable, size and place loading spaces per Table 18.72‑8 and § 18.72.090.
Design parking to the city’s engineering details (space dims, aisle widths, surfacing, lighting, screening) — § 18.72.060.
If you need fewer spaces, evaluate: shared parking agreement, off‑site parking, consolidated parking, or in‑lieu fee (MU‑D/MU‑N) and prepare required findings/parking analysis — § 18.72.050.
Confirm ADA / Title 24 accessibility counts and dimensions; accessible stalls count toward required totals — § 18.72.040.E and state code (Title 24).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Transit‑area waiver applicability	Code waives minimums within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop but allows the city to make findings to impose parking	Confirm whether your parcel is within the Public Resources Code 21155 definition of “major transit stop” and whether any city findings have been made — § 18.72.030.G.
Form‑Based district placement rules vs. parking placement	FBC changes where parking can be placed relative to frontage/buildings	Verify the applicable FB district subsection (Chapter 18.29) for build‑to zones and front parking setbacks — § 18.29.030 and cross‑ref to § 18.72.030.
ADU parking requirements vs. State ADU law	State ADU law may limit local parking requirements and local ordinance references ADU chapter	Check Chapter 18.84 (ADUs) and the state ADU statute; local ADU parking specifics in § 18.72.030.B say “See Chapter 18.84” — verify with jurisdiction.
Which table applies	MU‑D/RAH use Table 18.72‑1; everything else uses Table 18.72‑2 — confusion causes miscalc	Confirm district classification on the zoning map (Chapter 18.14) to pick the correct table — § 18.72.030.
Parking design exceptions	Minor Exceptions/Design Permits can change dimensional standards, but some items are excluded	If you need compact spaces, tandem, or reduced landscaping, check the Minor Exception rules and whether planning commission approval is required — § 18.72.060.K and § 18.108.070.

Plain‑English summary

Morgan Hill’s zoning code sets fixed parking counts by use and district (downtown/mid‑high density uses use a different table), requires bicycle parking for many projects, and imposes detailed design standards for spaces, driveways, lighting, and loading bays; reductions or alternatives (shared, off‑site, or in‑lieu) are possible but usually need planning approval — see § 18.72.010 – § 18.72.090.

Source References

Morgan Hill Municipal Code, Chapter 18.72 (Parking and Loading): see § 18.72.010 – § 18.72.090 for purpose, applicability, required parking, design standards, bicycle parking, and loading.
Form‑Based Code and district text (Chapter 18.29): FBC district intent and parking cross‑references to Chapter 18.72 (e.g., MU‑D/RAH references) — § 18.29.020 – § 18.29.080.
Zoning districts and map (Chapter 18.14) — to identify MU‑D, MU‑N, FB‑UG, CN, CG, CI, etc.
ADUs: See Chapter 18.84 as cross‑referenced from Table 18.72‑2 (Accessory Dwelling Units). Noted that state ADU law also applies.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Chapter 15.62 is the local chapter governing EV charging (referenced from parking general requirements).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Section 18.72.050.D) High relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (chapter or) High relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (section require) High relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 18.92) High relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Section 18.72.060) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 18.104) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Morgan Hill Zoning Code (Title 18) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Morgan Hill code library

Frequently asked questions

What parking table do I use for a downtown mixed‑use project in Morgan Hill?

Use Table 18.72‑1 (the MU‑D and RAH table) for projects in Downtown Mixed Use (MU‑D) and Residential Attached High Density (RAH); the downtown in‑lieu program can sometimes be used instead — § 18.72.030.A and § 18.72.050.C.

How many parking spaces does a new two‑bedroom apartment in Morgan Hill need?

For most non‑MU‑D districts refer to Table 18.72‑2: a two‑bedroom multifamily unit generally requires 1 covered + 1 uncovered space per unit — § 18.72.030.B.

Are there bicycle parking requirements for apartments?

Yes. Multifamily projects of five or more units must provide bicycle parking: short‑term is 10% of required automobile spaces with a minimum of 4, long‑term is 1 space per 5 units (Table 18.72‑7, § 18.72.080).

Can I use off‑site parking to meet requirements?

Possibly. The planning commission may approve off‑site parking for multifamily or non‑residential uses where practical difficulties exist; the city requires the off‑site parking be within a reasonable distance and recorded by covenant — § 18.72.050.D.

What are the loading dock size and count rules for a warehouse?

Loading counts are in Table 18.72‑8 (e.g., 15,000–25,000 sf = 1 loading space; 25,000–100,000 sf = 2) and each loading space is typically 12 ft wide × 40 ft long × 14 ft vertical clearance — § 18.72.090.

Can parking dimensions be reduced or compact stalls used?

All required spaces must be full size, but up to 30% compact spaces may be allowed with a design permit; other dimensional adjustments require the Minor Exception or planning approvals consistent with § 18.72.060.B.1 and § 18.108.070.

Do I have to provide accessible parking stalls?

Yes — spaces for persons with disabilities must comply with the California Building Standards (Title 24) and those spaces count toward the totals in Tables 18.72‑1 and 18.72‑2 — § 18.72.040.E.

Are there exceptions to minimum parking near transit?

Minimum parking requirements are not required within one‑half mile of a major transit stop as defined by PRC § 21155, but the city may impose parking if it makes specific findings in § 18.72.030.G. Verify whether your project meets the definition and whether the city has made findings.

Where are the parking lot lighting and screening standards?

Design standards for lighting, screening, and landscaping of parking lots (including minimum illumination, hooded fixtures, and screening heights) are in § 18.72.060 and related landscaping standards referenced throughout the code.

Does Morgan Hill accept shared parking agreements?

Yes — shared parking is allowed if a detailed shared parking analysis is submitted using accepted methodologies and the city approves a long‑term arrangement; see § 18.72.050.F for required contents and findings.

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