Local zoning · Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta — Parking

Q: What is the required off‑street parking for a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Mount Shasta?

ADUs in Mount Shasta may be required to provide no more than one parking space per ADU , which may be tandem or on an existing driveway; junior ADUs are exempt. Several exemptions apply (historic building, within 1/2 mile of transit, on‑block car‑share, or conversion of garage). See § 18.22.040(D–E) .

Q: How many spaces does an SRO building need in Mount Shasta?

Single‑room occupancy buildings must provide 1 parking space per 3 rooming units plus 1 space per 2 employees on the largest shift, but not less than 2 spaces plus one per vehicle used in the operation. See § 18.97.040 .

Q: What landscaping or shading is required for new parking lots?

If a new parking area is ≥ 4,500 sq ft , Appendix A requires tree canopy to shade at least 40% of the lot, a 6‑ft perimeter landscaped setback , and 30 sq ft of interior landscaped area per parking space arranged as linear strips (with options to reduce requirements using permeable paving or solar canopies). See Appendix A (parking/landscaping) and § 18.50.030.

Q: If my development provides a large parking field, does the code require it to be broken up?

Yes — Appendix A requires parking lots larger than 4,500 sq ft (about 20 spaces) to be broken into smaller planting‑separated areas (minimum landscape width 15 ft between parking fields) and requires separation distances between parking and buildings (varies by size: 5 ft for 11–20 spaces; 12 ft for >20 spaces). See Appendix A (Part I, Parking) incorporated by § 18.50.030 .

Q: Do Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) need parking?

Yes — each THOW must have at least one car parking space per unit and accessory pad/anchoring standards for the parking pad are specified; THOW villages must follow Chapter 18.50 (Objective Design Standards) for parking layout. See § 18.18.060(A) and § 18.18.050 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Mount Shasta municipal code requires for parking, bicycle parking, loading/delivery, and how the objective design Appendix A treats lot layout, landscaping and snow storage. It is focused on the local zoning/land‑use rules (Title 18 and related chapters) — not building code (Title 24) or permit procedures. For the zoning framework see the city’s Mount Shasta Zoning materials and the city overview at Mount Shasta zoning & planning overview.

Key legal anchors: off‑street parking minimums appear in special-use chapters (for example SROs, ADUs, B&Bs, THOWs), in the Objective Design Standards appendix incorporated into Chapter 18.50, and the city frequently points applicants to the separate parking chapter referenced in site‑design rules. See the specific citations below when planning a project.

High-level rules to know (quick)

The code uses multiple places to control parking: special‑use chapters (e.g., SRO § 18.97.040; ADUs § 18.22.040); Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) § 18.18.060; Bed & Breakfast § 18.21.060; and the Objective Design Standards Appendix incorporated by § 18.50.030.
For many development types the zoning district tables (e.g., R‑3, P) in § 18.16.020 establish site standards and then the parking numbers are supplied either in a use chapter or by reference to the city’s parking ordinance. See § 18.16.020.
The Objective Design Standards (Appendix A) control placement (no parking between primary structure and a street unless an exception applies), parking‑lot landscaping, interior landscaping per space, tree canopy, and snow storage. Appendix A is incorporated into Chapter 18.50 by § 18.50.030.

(Linking useful internal guidance: see Mount Shasta Development Standards, Mount Shasta Design Review, Mount Shasta Overlay Districts, Mount Shasta ADUs, and note building‑code matters are in the California Building Standards Code. I also reference Mount Shasta Landscaping and Screening where site landscaping rules matter.)

District-by-district breakdown (decision‑relevant excerpted rules)

Note: the Mount Shasta code organizes district standards under Chapter 18.16.020 (zoning district tables). Where parking minima differ by use the use chapter is the controlling rule; where the zoning table calls out "See parking ordinance" refer back to Chapter 15.44 (not included in the retrieved materials). Always verify against the official zoning map and parcel‑specific overlay districts.

R-3 (High Density Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: R‑3 supports multiple‑family dwellings, model homes, small professional offices, supportive housing, transitional and emergency shelters. See Table 7 in § 18.16.020.
Key dimensional / site standards (decision‑relevant): Front setback 20 ft (or 10 ft if alley access used for parking); Rear 10 ft (5 ft for alley‑access parking structure); combined side yards ≥ 10 ft (min one side 4 ft). Max lot coverage 65%. These dimensional rules affect parking layout and whether driveway/parking can be placed in front setback.
Parking: R‑3 development is subject to parking requirements that may be stated in the use chapter (e.g., SROs) or by reference to the city parking standards; the zoning table points applicants to the parking ordinance. Verify with the Planning Department for specific use counts.

R-2 and R-1 (Lower-density residential)

Purpose & uses: R‑1 is single‑family; R‑2 allows lower‑density multiunits. The zoning tables and permitted use lists are in § 18.16.020. Short‑term rentals are explicitly prohibited in R‑1 by § 18.16.040 (this can impact required business/parking calculations for short‑term uses).
Parking placement: Appendix A limits vehicle areas between the primary structure and the street; parking between primary structure and street is prohibited except in narrow exceptions (projects under five units, building lines behind front/side street building lines, driveways limited to 40% of frontage, alley access, etc.). This directly affects single‑family driveway layout.

C-2 (General Commercial)

Purpose & uses: C‑2 supports general commercial uses; some residential types (large SROs) are allowed with CUP. Parking for commercial uses is governed by the parking ordinance and use‑specific chapters. For certain residential uses in commercial zones (e.g., SROs), the SRO parking standard applies.
Loading/delivery: delivery and loading areas must be designed to mitigate impacts to adjacent residential zones and are regulated by site‑design rules (see § 18.70.130). Hours are restricted where adjacent to residences (no deliveries between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless sound mitigation is demonstrated).

P (Public)

Purpose: P allows public facilities and public parking; the district table points to the parking ordinance for parking rules and references specific setbacks by adjacent use. Public parking lots/structures are an identified permitted use. See § 18.16.020 Table 12.

Planned Development (P‑D)

Purpose & uses: P‑D is a flexible district where the approving body sets site development standards. The approving authority may impose additional parking/ingress/egress/landscaping standards beyond off‑street minimums as conditions of approval. See § 18.16.020 (Planned Development provisions).

Key standards & rules (decision‑relevant table)

Use / topic	Requirement (plain English)	Code reference
SRO (single‑room occupancy) parking	1 space per 3 rooming units + 1 space per 2 employees on largest shift; but not less than 2 spaces + one per vehicle used in operation.	§ 18.97.040
ADU parking	ADUs: no more than 1 parking space per ADU (may be tandem or on existing driveway). Junior ADUs exempt. Parking exemptions apply when ADU is in historic building, within ½ mile of transit, a car‑share is within one block, or garage is converted.	§ 18.22.040(D–E)
Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW)	Minimum 1 car parking space per unit; THOW parking pad and access standards specified.	§ 18.18.060(A)
Bed & Breakfast	1 off‑street parking space per rental room, plus required parking for owner/manager.	§ 18.21.060
Density bonus housing	City may not require more than maximum ratios set by state density bonus rules (caps for studios, 1‑, 2‑, 3‑bedrooms). See local table for the city caps.	§ 18.50.020(E)
Location & appearance of parking	Parking generally prohibited between the primary structure and a street except limited exceptions (small projects, 40% driveway frontage limit, alley access, behind building lines). Appendix A controls parking lot size, separation from buildings, interior/perimeter landscaping, tree canopy 40%, and snow storage = 25% of gross parking/driveway area. Appendix A is incorporated by Chapter 18.50.	Appendix A (Objective Design Standards), incorporated by § 18.50.030; Appendix details in Appendix A Part I (Parking).
Loading/delivery	Loading and delivery areas must be located and designed to reduce noise/visual impacts; deliveries not allowed between 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. adjacent to residential unless sound barriers reduce noise to ≤55 dB at the lot line.	§ 18.70.130(6)
Bicycle parking	Appendix A requires both long‑ and short‑term bicycle parking for certain projects; SROs with <1 auto space/unit must provide 1 bicycle space per unit, and with 1 auto space/unit at least 1 bicycle space per 2 units.	Appendix A Part I (parking) and § 18.97.050(G) for SRO bicycle storage rules.

Checklist (what an applicant must submit / satisfy for parking)

Show quantity and layout of off‑street parking stalls, accessible stalls, and dimensions on site plan (and indicate whether spaces are tandem, garage, carport, or uncovered) — Appendix A / § 18.50.030.
If proposing an ADU, show ADU parking or claim an exemption under § 18.22.040(E) and provide supporting evidence (historic status, transit distance, car‑share).
For SRO, include calculation per § 18.97.040 and bicycle storage per § 18.97.050(G).
If >4,500 sq ft parking area, include landscaping (interior and perimeter), tree canopy plan (40% coverage), and permeable paving/solar alternatives if proposed. Appendix A parking and landscaping rules apply.
Show snow‑storage plan equal to 25% of gross parking/driveway area or an approved hauling/alternative; place snow storage per Appendix A standards.
Show loading/service area location and noise mitigation if adjacent to residential; include delivery hour restrictions or sound studies per § 18.70.130(6).
If seeking deviations (reduced parking, waivers, or concessions for affordable housing), submit justification per § 18.50.020 and follow the density‑bonus/waiver process.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Where the city expects "standard" parking ratios	The code often points applications to the city parking ordinance (Chapter 15.44) or use‑specific chapters rather than listing every use in Title 18; missing a chapter could change the required stalls.	Check Chapter 15.44 for the standard off‑street rates (Not found in retrieved materials). Verify with Planning.
Appendix A subsection numbering vs. cited §	Appendix A (Objective Design Standards) is incorporated by § 18.50.030, but some Appendix subitems are printed as Part I elements rather than a numeric §.	Verify which Appendix paragraph the planner will enforce and request the exact appendix page/paragraph in permit materials.
ADU parking exemptions	ADU parking exemptions hinge on site‑specific facts (transit distance, car‑share presence, historic status).	Confirm transit stops and car‑share proximity and secure historic designation documentation if claiming an exemption. See § 18.22.040(E).
Loading hours adjacent to residences	Delivery hour restrictions (10pm–7am) can block overnight service for commercial tenants and freight.	If late deliveries are needed, prepare a sound study to demonstrate ≤55 dB at lot line or plan alternate delivery route/timing. See § 18.70.130(6).
Bicycle parking standards	Appendix A and some use chapters (SRO) require bicycle storage but the city refers to multiple standards (Appendix A, State rules, and building code).	Confirm required short‑term vs long‑term bicycle counts and racks type with Planning; cross‑check with building‑code bicycle requirements where applicable.

Plain-English Summary

Mount Shasta’s zoning code does not use one single parking table for every use: common uses (SROs, ADUs, THOW, B&B) have specific, local parking counts in their chapters; the Objective Design Standards Appendix (incorporated by § 18.50.030) controls where parking can go on site, how large parking fields are landscaped and shaded, and how snow storage and loading are handled. For many other uses the zoning chapters point applicants to the city’s parking ordinance (Chapter 15.44) — verify final stall counts with Planning.

Information Gaps

The full text of Chapter 15.44 (the municipal "parking ordinance" cited repeatedly) was not included in the retrieved materials — required for standard off‑street parking ratios for stores, restaurants, offices and industrial uses. Not found in retrieved materials.
Appendix A content is present but some subsections are published as appendix text rather than a conventional § number; confirm exact appendix references with the Planning Department.
Any recently adopted amendments to parking counts or EV/charging requirements beyond the local code excerpts provided (for example, state Green Building or EV readiness mandates) should be checked against the latest council ordinances and Title 15/Title 18 updates. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Objective Design Standards incorporated by § 18.50.030 (Appendix A content: parking placement, landscaping, snow storage).
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — SRO Parking: § 18.97.040 (off‑street parking rates for SROs).
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — ADU Parking rules: § 18.22.040(D–E) (1 space per ADU max; exemptions).
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — THOW parking and pads: § 18.18.060(A) (1 parking space per unit; pad standards).
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Bed & Breakfast parking: § 18.21.060 (1 off‑street space per rental room).
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Site design, delivery/loading, and parking reference to Chapter 15.44: § 18.70.130 (delivery/loading impacts and hours).
Zoning district tables (R‑3, P, etc.) and dimensional standards: § 18.16.020 (Table 7 for R‑3, Table 12 for P).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Mount Shasta Zoning Code High relevance
CEC § R13 (Title 13) Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (Section 1208.4) Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (§ 2) Medium relevance
Mount Shasta Zoning Code (Chapter 18.16) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (Chapter 18.60) Medium relevance
Mount Shasta Zoning Code (Chapter 15.44) Medium relevance
Mount Shasta Zoning Code (chapter to) Medium relevance
CEC § 65915 (section is) Medium relevance
Mount Shasta Zoning Code (Section 35780) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (Section 65915) Medium relevance
CBC § 070 Medium relevance
Mount Shasta Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Objective Design Standards incorporated by **§ 18.50.030** (Appendix A content: parking placement, landscaping, snow storage). (§ 18.50.030)
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — SRO Parking: **§ 18.97.040** (off‑street parking rates for SROs). (§ 18.97.040)
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — ADU Parking rules: **§ 18.22.040(D–E)** (1 space per ADU max; exemptions). (§ 18.22.040)
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — THOW parking and pads: **§ 18.18.060(A)** (1 parking space per unit; pad standards). (§ 18.18.060)
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Bed & Breakfast parking: **§ 18.21.060** (1 off‑street space per rental room). (§ 18.21.060)
Mount Shasta Municipal Code — Site design, delivery/loading, and parking reference to Chapter 15.44: **§ 18.70.130** (delivery/loading impacts and hours). (Chapter 15.44)
Zoning district tables (R‑3, P, etc.) and dimensional standards: **§ 18.16.020** (Table 7 for R‑3, Table 12 for P). (§ 18.16.020)
MountShasta_ZoningCode.md
2025 California Green Building Standards Code.md

Frequently asked questions

What is the required off‑street parking for a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Mount Shasta?

ADUs in Mount Shasta may be required to provide no more than one parking space per ADU, which may be tandem or on an existing driveway; junior ADUs are exempt. Several exemptions apply (historic building, within 1/2 mile of transit, on‑block car‑share, or conversion of garage). See § 18.22.040(D–E).

How many spaces does an SRO building need in Mount Shasta?

Single‑room occupancy buildings must provide 1 parking space per 3 rooming units plus 1 space per 2 employees on the largest shift, but not less than 2 spaces plus one per vehicle used in the operation. See § 18.97.040.

Can I place parking between my house and the street?

Generally no — Appendix A prohibits vehicle parking areas between the primary structure and a street except limited exceptions (projects under five units, driveways limited to 40% of primary building frontage, alley access, or where the vehicle area is entirely behind building lines). See Appendix A (Part I, Parking) incorporated by § 18.50.030.

Are bicycle parking spaces required for housing projects?

Yes — the Objective Design Standards and some use chapters require bicycle parking. For example, SRO projects with less than one auto parking space per unit must provide one lockable bicycle space per unit; where one auto space per unit is provided, at least one bicycle space per two units is required. See § 18.97.050(G) and Appendix A.

What landscaping or shading is required for new parking lots?

If a new parking area is ≥ 4,500 sq ft, Appendix A requires tree canopy to shade at least 40% of the lot, a 6‑ft perimeter landscaped setback, and 30 sq ft of interior landscaped area per parking space arranged as linear strips (with options to reduce requirements using permeable paving or solar canopies). See Appendix A (parking/landscaping) and § 18.50.030.

Are there restrictions on deliveries and loading docks near homes?

Yes — delivery/loading areas must be located and designed to avoid noise and visual impacts on adjacent residential properties; where a site borders residential zoning, deliveries are not permitted between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless sound barriers reduce noise to ≤55 dB at the lot line. See § 18.70.130(6).

Does Mount Shasta set parking maximums for density‑bonus projects?

Yes — the city will not demand more parking than the maximum ratios required under the State Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process and the local table for density bonus projects; the local caps by bedroom count are described in § 18.50.020(E).

If my development provides a large parking field, does the code require it to be broken up?

Yes — Appendix A requires parking lots larger than 4,500 sq ft (about 20 spaces) to be broken into smaller planting‑separated areas (minimum landscape width 15 ft between parking fields) and requires separation distances between parking and buildings (varies by size: 5 ft for 11–20 spaces; 12 ft for >20 spaces). See Appendix A (Part I, Parking) incorporated by § 18.50.030.

Do Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) need parking?

Yes — each THOW must have at least one car parking space per unit and accessory pad/anchoring standards for the parking pad are specified; THOW villages must follow Chapter 18.50 (Objective Design Standards) for parking layout. See § 18.18.060(A) and § 18.18.050.

Where will I find the city’s standard parking table for commercial uses (restaurants, retail)?

The zoning code’s site design rules frequently point to the city parking ordinance (Chapter 15.44 MSMC) for standard off‑street ratios; the full Chapter 15.44 was not in the retrieved materials here — check Chapter 15.44 directly or confirm with Planning. See reference in § 18.70.130(3)(b). Not found in retrieved materials for full Chapter 15.44.

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