Local zoning · Orland

Orland — Parking

Q: What are the required parking stall dimensions in Orland?

Standard on‑site parking stalls must be 10 ft × 20 ft with 7 ft clearance; compact stalls may be 8.5 ft × 16 ft and up to 10% of required spaces if 10+ stalls are required; employee stalls can be 9 ft × 18 ft by policy. See § 17.76.100(A)(1) .

Q: How many parking spaces does an office or retail store need?

The city requires 1 space per 200 sq ft for offices and 1 per 300 sq ft for retail (gross floor area basis). See § 17.76.100(B)(6–7) .

Q: What are the rules for loading areas (size/location/screening)?

Loading spaces must be at least 10 ft × 25 ft with 14 ft clearance, located in side or rear yards (not in required front yards), have paved turning/maneuvering room, and be screened from residences (e.g., 6‑ft masonry wall + 10‑ft landscaped strip when adjacent to residential). See § 17.76.100(A)(1) and § 17.76.100(B)(11) .

Q: Does Orland require bicycle parking?

A local numeric bicycle‑parking standard was not found in the retrieved Orland zoning materials. The state CalGreen standards include short‑ and long‑term bicycle parking technical rules; check with city planning whether CalGreen or a local requirement will be applied to your project. Not found in retrieved materials; see CalGreen for state detail.

Q: Are there landscaping requirements for parking lots?

Yes — if 10 or more off‑street spaces are required (or added), you must submit a landscape plan and provide 5% of the parking area planted, one 15‑gal tree per 10 spaces , perimeter screening (15 ft wide / 3 ft high min where adjacent to streets), and other planting performance standards. § 17.76.110 .

Q: Are there caps on EV‑only parking spaces?

Yes — generally no more than 10% of required parking may be dedicated to EV‑only spaces (hotels/motels have separate conditioned EV minimums); the city can approve a higher percentage through an administrative permit. See § 17.76.100(A)(8) .

Q: Where is the list of all Orland zone districts and their abbreviations?

The zoning districts and abbreviations (e.g., R‑1 , R‑2 , R‑3 , C‑1 , C‑2 , C‑H , M‑L , M‑H ) are listed in § 17.12.010 (Chapter 17.12). ---

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Orland Municipal Code requires about parking, loading, and associated site-design controls under the city's zoning ordinance (Title 17). It pulls the Orland-specific off‑street parking standards (dimensions, use-based ratios, EV rules, landscaping/screening, loading) and explains how those rules interact with downtown exceptions, residential zone design rules, and multifamily objective standards. For related topics see the city overview and the city's rules on zoning, development standards, design review, overlay districts, landscaping and screening, and ADUs; state construction technical requirements live in the California Building Standards Code.

All requirements below are grounded in the Orland zoning code. If you need to confirm a parcel‑specific interpretation, verify with the city planner (see "Verify with the jurisdiction" notes below).

Controlling local rules (quick list)

Off‑street parking dimensions, compact allowances, and loading dimensions: § 17.76.100.
Parking lot landscaping and screening thresholds and tree requirements: § 17.76.110.
Downtown (DT) parking exception / area boundary: § 17.42.080 (downtown waiver).
Residential design/parking limits for multifamily under objective standards: § 17.18.030 (SB 35 / Government Code 65913.4 guidance: max 1 space/unit; transit exceptions).
Zone-specific design sections (require compliance with 17.76.100/110): R-1 § 17.20.060, R-2 § 17.24.060, R-3 and commercial/industrial zones (C-1 § 17.36.060; C-2 § 17.40.060; C-H § 17.44.050; M-L § 17.48.050; M-H § 17.52.060).

Key numeric standards (decision‑relevant table)

Requirement / use	Rule	Code reference
Standard parking stall size	10 ft × 20 ft; height 7 ft minimum. Compact car: 8.5 ft × 16 ft; up to 10% of required spaces may be compact when 10+ spaces are required.	§ 17.76.100(A)(1)
Employee / private spaces (reduced size option)	Private employee / city employee stalls may be reduced to 9 ft × 18 ft.	§ 17.76.100(A)(1)
Loading space size	10 ft × 25 ft, 14 ft clearance min; one loading space required for buildings > 5,000 sq ft + 1 additional per 20,000 sq ft in excess.	§ 17.76.100(A)(1) and § 17.76.100(B)(11)
Office parking ratio	1 space / 200 sq ft gross floor area.	§ 17.76.100(B)(6)
Retail parking ratio	1 space / 300 sq ft gross floor area.	§ 17.76.100(B)(7)
Restaurant parking ratio	1 space / 4 seats OR 1 space / 200 sq ft — whichever yields more spaces.	§ 17.76.100(B)(8)
Hotels / motels	1 space / guest room; newly constructed hotels/motels must provide at least 10% of required parking as EV‑conditioned charging spaces.	§ 17.76.100(B)(2)
Hospitals	1 space / bed + 1 per 3 staff on largest shift.	§ 17.76.100(B)(3)
Multifamily (typical)	Studio / 1‑BR: 1.5 spaces/unit; 2+ BR: 2 spaces/unit (covered optional except where specified). Also see objective standards limiting parking to max 1 space/unit for qualifying ministerial multifamily projects near transit.	17.76 multiple subsections and § 17.18.030 (objective standards)
Parking lot landscaping	Landscaping required where 10+ spaces; 5% of parking area planted; 1 × 15‑gal tree per 10 spaces; 15 ft wide/3 ft high screen where adjacent to street.	§ 17.76.110
EV charging limit	Generally, no more than 10% of spaces dedicated as EV‑only except hotels/motels (10% conditioned required); more EV‑only permitted via administrative permit.	§ 17.76.100(A)(8)

(See text sections below for nuance: joint use, downtown exceptions, siting and screening.)

District‑by‑district summary (where those parking rules apply)

The code establishes zones in Chapter 17.12; each zone's design rules typically require compliance with the parking and landscaping rules in § 17.76.100 and § 17.76.110 unless a specific zone subsection says otherwise.

R-1 (Residential One‑Family)

Purpose / where it applies: Low‑density residential (Chapter 17.20).
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, accessory uses.
Parking rules / dimensional standards: new single‑family construction must provide an enclosed garage for at least two cars (garage min 20 ft × 20 ft with 16 ft garage door) and paved driveway access; front yard cannot be used for parking and driveway width in front setback limited to 25 ft. These are found in § 17.20.060 and the general parking rules in § 17.76.100.

R-2 (Residential Two‑Family)

Purpose: Medium‑density; duplex/triplex standards in § 17.24.060.
Parking: single‑family: two covered spaces; duplex/triplex: one covered + one uncovered per unit, with minimum paved stall sizes and carport/garage dimensions (two‑space garage 20 × 20 ft). EV outlet required on at least one covered space. § 17.24.060 and § 17.76.100 apply.

R-3 (Residential Multiple‑Family)

Purpose: High‑density residential; multifamily design provisions referenced in the objective design standards. Objective standards (§ 17.18.030) apply to qualifying projects (e.g., SB‑35 streamlining) and impose a maximum parking approach for ministerial projects (see below).

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C-2 (Community Commercial)

Purpose: commercial uses serving neighborhood/community. Lot and design requirements in § 17.36.050 and § 17.40.050/060 require compliance with the citywide parking and landscaping standards (§ 17.76.100 / § 17.76.110); however, there is a downtown exception for a defined area where compliance may be temporarily waived (see DT-MU below). See § 17.36.060 and § 17.40.060.

C-H (Highway Service Commercial)

Purpose: highway‑oriented commercial uses; design requirements explicitly call out compliance with § 17.76.100 / § 17.76.110 and additional landscaping/front‑yard rules (e.g., front yard landscaped and not used for parking). § 17.44.050.

DT‑MU (Downtown Mixed‑Use / Historic downtown)

Purpose and special rules: the downtown/mixed‑use district has its own permitted‑uses and conditional‑use matrix and explicit downtown parking exception: the area bounded by the Union Pacific Railroad tracks (W), Tehama St (N), Third St (E), and Yolo St (S) is temporarily waived from the citywide parking and parking landscaping provisions until a parking district or new ordinance is adopted. See § 17.42.080 and the DT‑MU use table § 17.42.xx. If your project is in downtown, the default off‑street parking requirement may be waived; verify whether the waiver is still in effect for your parcel.

M‑L (Limited Industrial) and M‑H (Heavy Industrial)

Purpose: industrial uses. Both zones require compliance with § 17.76.100 / § 17.76.110 and allow up to 100% paved coverage for parking/storage in some downtown contexts; when adjacent to residential zones, screening/6‑ft walls and lighting controls apply. See § 17.48.050 and § 17.52.060.

Important programmatic rules and design controls (plain English synthesis)

The city enforces a single off‑street parking chapter: § 17.76.100 contains stall dimensions, use‑based parking ratios, loading requirements, EV rules, joint/shared parking, paving and surfacing, and location/screening rules; § 17.76.110 sets landscaping, tree, and screening requirements for lots with 10 or more spaces. These are the central rules you must follow for any non‑downtown project.
Multifamily developments seeking ministerial (objective) approval are subject to § 17.18.030 (objective design standards implementing Government Code § 65913.4). For qualifying projects, no parking may be required if within 1/2 mile of transit, and the maximum required parking is 1 space per dwelling unit (state rule applied locally). For other multifamily, use the parking ratios in § 17.76.100(B) and zone design sections.
Loading areas: must be sized, located to the rear or side (not in required front yards), screened from residences, and integrated into building design; the numeric loading size standard is 10 × 25 ft with 14 ft vertical clearance. § 17.76.100(A)(1) and § 17.76.100(B)(11).
Downtown (DT‑MU) exception: downtown parcels inside the specified boundary currently have a temporary waiver from those parking rules to encourage downtown reuse until the city adopts different standards or a parking district forms; do not assume off‑street parking is required in DT‑MU without confirming the waiver status for the parcel. § 17.42.080.
EV and electrical readiness: hotels/motels must provide 10% conditioned EV charging; multifamily projects over a certain size require EV/EV‑ready infrastructure and at least one Level 2 outlet on covered duplex/triplex spaces per the residential zone design sections. See § 17.76.100 and zone design subsections (e.g., § 17.24.060, § 17.76.100(A)(8)).

Bicycle parking

Local code: No detailed, stand‑alone bicycle parking ratios or short/long‑term bicycle parking design standards were found in the retrieved Orland zoning materials; the city code copies and enforces general parking, loading, EV, and landscaping rules but does not show local numeric bicycle parking requirements in the documents provided. Not found in retrieved materials.
State code reference: the California Green Building Standards (CalGreen) and other state planning/CBSC guidance do specify short‑term and long‑term bicycle parking in some circumstances; see the state standards for technical bicycle parking design and when they apply.
Practical guidance: expect the city to either adopt CalGreen bicycle parking by reference or to require bicycle parking via site plan review; Verify with the jurisdiction whether bicycle parking minimums apply to your project and whether CalGreen bicycle sections are enforced for your project type.

Joint use, shared parking, and reductions

The Planning Commission may authorize joint use of parking where operating hours differ (day vs. night uses), subject to conditions (distance limit 600 ft, recorded covenant if parking on separate ownership). § 17.76.100(H).
The Planning Director can, on a case‑by‑case basis, waive parking size/number for existing structures that cannot meet new‑construction standards due to lot size constraints, without appeal to the Planning Commission. § 17.76.100(B)(12).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Show parking calculations for each use and area (use gross floor area definitions in § 17.76.100(B)(D–F)) and list required stall counts. § 17.76.100(B).
Dimension every proposed stall and aisle to meet the 10×20 ft standard (or compact 8.5×16 ft where allowed) and show any reduced 9×18 ft employee stalls. § 17.76.100(A)(1).
Provide loading spaces sized 10×25 ft and show turning/aisle geometry; locate loading in rear or side yards (not in required front yard). § 17.76.100(A)(1) and § 17.76.100(B)(11).
If the lot will have 10+ spaces, submit a parking‑area landscape plan showing 5% planted area and tree wells (one 15‑gal tree per 10 spaces). § 17.76.110(A–C).
For projects in DT‑MU / downtown check whether the downtown waiver applies before designing off‑street parking; identify parcel location relative to the downtown boundary in § 17.42.080.
Show EV charging / EV‑ready locations if required (hotels require 10% conditioned charging; multifamily/duplex zones require Level 2 outlet provision for certain covered spaces). § 17.76.100 and residential design subsections.
If seeking compact stalls >10% of required or EV‑only spaces >10%, note administrative permit path. § 17.76.100(A)(1) & (A)(8).
If relying on joint parking or shared lots, prepare a covenant for recording and demonstrate operating‑hour compatibility and distance ≤600 ft. § 17.76.100(H).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Downtown waiver for DT‑MU	Projects inside the specified downtown boundary may not have to meet off‑street parking/landscaping requirements; design and cost implications are large.	Confirm whether your parcel is inside the downtown boundary and whether the waiver still applies (see § 17.42.080).
Bicycle parking minimums	Local code did not show explicit numeric bicycle parking minimums; relying on no local requirement could lead to a later condition.	Ask planning staff whether CalGreen bicycle parking, a local standard, or site plan conditions will require racks/long‑term bicycle parking. Not found in retrieved materials; see CalGreen for technical standards.
EV‑only parking >10%	The code caps EV‑only dedicated spaces to 10% except with administrative approval, but technology and demand evolve quickly.	Verify whether staff will allow higher EV‑only allocations or require EV‑ready infrastructure for additional spaces (§ 17.76.100(A)(8)).
Measuring floor area for ratios	The code uses gross floor area for many ratios; some projects mix uses and partial changes.	Confirm how to measure gross floor area for your building and whether mezzanines, storage, or outdoor seating count (§ 17.76.100(B)(D)).
Replacement parking for garage conversions and ADUs	Garage conversion replacement rules exist, but ADU exceptions also exist (state law interactions).	For garage conversions in residential zones, replacement is required except when conversion is an ADU/JADU; check local ADU section and state ADU law. § 17.76.100(K) and ADU rules.

Plain‑English summary

Orland's zoning code centralizes off‑street parking, loading, surfacing, EV, and landscaping rules in § 17.76.100 and § 17.76.110; zones reference those rules, but downtown parcels inside the defined DT‑MU boundary enjoy a temporary waiver of those off‑street requirements—check the waiver before designing. Multifamily projects have additional objective standards (including a state‑driven parking cap in certain circumstances). Always confirm bike‑parking expectations with staff because the local code excerpts retrieved do not show numeric bike parking minimums.

Source References

Orland Municipal Code — Off‑street parking & loading: § 17.76.100 (parking dimensions, use ratios, loading, EV rules, joint use)
Orland Municipal Code — Parking lot landscaping: § 17.76.110 (landscaping thresholds, tree requirements, screening)
Orland Municipal Code — Downtown/downtown mixed‑use (DT‑MU) parking exception and downtown use table: § 17.42.080 and related DT‑MU sections.
Orland Municipal Code — Zoning districts list (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑1, C‑2, C‑H, M‑L, M‑H, etc.): § 17.12.010.
Orland Municipal Code — R‑1 design and parking rules: § 17.20.060.
Orland Municipal Code — R‑2 design and parking rules (duplex/triplex provisions, EV outlet): § 17.24.060.
Orland Municipal Code — C‑1 / C‑2 design requirements referencing parking standards: § 17.36.060 and § 17.40.060.
Orland Municipal Code — M‑L design requirements referencing parking: § 17.48.050.
Orland Municipal Code — M‑H design requirements referencing parking: § 17.52.060.
State technical standard reference (bicycle & other facility rules): California Green Building Standards (CalGreen) — bicycle parking provisions (state standard excerpts included in uploaded materials).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Orland Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Orland Zoning Code High relevance
Orland Zoning Code High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Orland Zoning Code High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (title to) High relevance
CBC § 17.76.110 (section and) High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Section 65913.4) High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Section 65913.4) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Section 17.40.020) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (Chapter 17.78) Medium relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Section 17.04.030.) Medium relevance
Orland Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
Orland Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Section 17.42.040.C.1.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Orland code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the required parking stall dimensions in Orland?

Standard on‑site parking stalls must be 10 ft × 20 ft with 7 ft clearance; compact stalls may be 8.5 ft × 16 ft and up to 10% of required spaces if 10+ stalls are required; employee stalls can be 9 ft × 18 ft by policy. See § 17.76.100(A)(1).

How many parking spaces does an office or retail store need?

The city requires 1 space per 200 sq ft for offices and 1 per 300 sq ft for retail (gross floor area basis). See § 17.76.100(B)(6–7).

Do downtown Orland projects need to provide off‑street parking?

Possibly not — there is a temporary downtown exception: the area bounded by the Union Pacific tracks (W), Tehama St (N), Third St (E), and Yolo St (S) has had compliance with the parking provisions temporarily waived until a parking district forms or the city changes the ordinance. Confirm for your parcel. § 17.42.080.

What are the rules for loading areas (size/location/screening)?

Loading spaces must be at least 10 ft × 25 ft with 14 ft clearance, located in side or rear yards (not in required front yards), have paved turning/maneuvering room, and be screened from residences (e.g., 6‑ft masonry wall + 10‑ft landscaped strip when adjacent to residential). See § 17.76.100(A)(1) and § 17.76.100(B)(11).

Does Orland require bicycle parking?

A local numeric bicycle‑parking standard was not found in the retrieved Orland zoning materials. The state CalGreen standards include short‑ and long‑term bicycle parking technical rules; check with city planning whether CalGreen or a local requirement will be applied to your project. Not found in retrieved materials; see CalGreen for state detail.

Are there landscaping requirements for parking lots?

Yes — if 10 or more off‑street spaces are required (or added), you must submit a landscape plan and provide 5% of the parking area planted, one 15‑gal tree per 10 spaces, perimeter screening (15 ft wide / 3 ft high min where adjacent to streets), and other planting performance standards. § 17.76.110.

Can I count shared parking or jointly used spaces toward my requirement?

Yes—joint or common parking may be approved; the planning commission may authorize shared use provided conditions are met (e.g., distance ≤600 ft, compatible operating hours, recording a covenant if different ownerships involved). See § 17.76.100(H–I).

Do ADUs trigger replacement parking or reduction rules?

Garage conversions in residential zones normally require replacement parking, but conversions that create an ADU or JADU are treated differently. The code has replacement rules for garage conversions but also local ADU provisions must be read together with state ADU law. Verify with the city for the parcel‑specific effect. § 17.76.100(K) and ADU provisions; verify with staff.

Are there caps on EV‑only parking spaces?

Yes — generally no more than 10% of required parking may be dedicated to EV‑only spaces (hotels/motels have separate conditioned EV minimums); the city can approve a higher percentage through an administrative permit. See § 17.76.100(A)(8).

Where is the list of all Orland zone districts and their abbreviations?

The zoning districts and abbreviations (e.g., R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑1, C‑2, C‑H, M‑L, M‑H) are listed in § 17.12.010 (Chapter 17.12). ---

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