Local zoning · Paramount

Paramount — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces does a single‑family home in Paramount need?

A single‑family dwelling in R‑1 must provide two (2) off‑street garage spaces , each garage having a minimum interior dimension of 20' × 20' , per the off‑street parking table — § 17.44.460 .

Q: What are the parking rules for new apartment buildings in Paramount?

Multifamily (the R‑M standard) requires two covered spaces per unit and one guest space per unit ; parking must be on the same lot and circulation must allow forward entry/exit — see § 17.44.460 and the site planning rules at § 17.16.125 .

Q: If my project is 50,000 sf, do I need preferential carpool spaces?

Yes — projects 50,000 sf or more must reserve not less than 10% of employee parking area as close as practical to employee entrances for carpool/vanpool (with minimum signed spaces as demand warrants) and must provide bicycle parking per the bicycle standard — see the travel demand sections — § 17.36.140 , § 17.32.140 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Paramount Municipal Code (Title 17) says about off‑street parking, loading, surfacing/landscaping of parking areas, bicycle parking and parking for housing projects. It synthesizes the specific municipal code rules you will use at plan check and development review; whenever the ordinance gives a controlling section number I cite it directly so you can verify the raw text. For design/land‑use context see Paramount Zoning, and for dimensional/regulatory crosschecks see Paramount Development Standards and Paramount Design Review. Also note state construction standards remain the Building Code and are not covered here; see the California Building Standards Code.

High‑level rules to know (quick)

Loading spaces are mandatory for C and M zones (and for institutional uses anywhere) with a 12' × 40' minimum and 16' vertical clearance — § 17.44.440 .
Residential parking minimums for single‑ and multi‑family are spelled out in the off‑street parking table in the code (R‑1, R‑2, R‑M) — § 17.44.460 ; site plan and dimension requirements appear in objective design/site planning sections — § 17.16.125 and § 17.12.085 .
Surfacing, curbs, screening, landscape minimums and lighting requirements for commercial/industrial parking areas are required (see required improvement/maintenance and landscaping rules) — § 17.44.490 and related provisions .
Large nonresidential projects must provide bicycle parking and travel‑demand measures (thresholds at 25,000 / 50,000 / 100,000 sf) — § 17.36.140, § 17.32.140, § 17.28.100 .
Affordable housing projects that qualify under the density‑bonus rules have reduced maximum parking ratios; the municipal code lists the allowed maxima — § 17.114.090 .

District‑by‑district parking breakdown

Below I list the districts that the zoning code treats explicitly for parking. Each subsection focuses only on parking-related purpose/uses/standards contained in the ordinance.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential)

Purpose in this context: standard single‑family neighborhoods; parking rules aim to secure on‑site resident parking and prevent curb/yard storage.
Parking requirement: two (2) off‑street garage spaces per dwelling unit, garage minimum interior dimension 20' × 20'. See § 17.44.460 .
Where it applies: all parcels zoned R‑1 on the zoning map; conforming developments must show parking on the development/plot plan submitted at building permit. See site‑planning rules referenced in § 17.16.125 .
Practical note: yards and required open space may not be used to meet these spaces unless the driveway/garage meets the code dimensional standards.

R‑2 (Two‑Family / Duplex Residential)

Purpose: multi‑unit small residential properties.
Parking requirement: two (2) off‑street garage spaces per dwelling unit (each garage minimum 20' × 20'), plus one guest parking space per unit (guest spaces may be covered or uncovered) — § 17.44.460 and § 17.12.085 .
Driveway / layout rules: see the objective site planning standards applying to R‑2 for parking space dimensions (minimum area and widths) — § 17.12.085 .

R‑M (Multiple‑Residential)

Purpose: multifamily complexes (apartments/condos) — parking rules emphasize covered resident parking plus guest parking and circulation.
Resident parking: two (2) covered spaces per unit, spaces located in a carport or garage; guest parking: one (1) space per unit — § 17.44.460 and § 17.16.125 .
Design rules: parking must meet size/dimensional standards in the code; vehicles must enter/exit in a forward direction and driveway widths are specified by unit count (e.g., 10' minimum for ≤4 units; 12' one‑way / 16' two‑way for 5+ units) — § 17.16.125 .
Location: parking must be on the same lot/building site and be permanently maintained for parking purposes — § 17.44.450 .

C zones (General Commercial, including C‑3, C‑M)

Purpose: commercial service and retail; code ties off‑street parking and loading requirements to commercial intensity.
Loading: where a structure is ≥10,000 sf, a minimum of one loading space required; loading space minimum 12' × 40' with 16' vertical clearance; driveways serving loading spaces min 16' — § 17.44.440 .
Off‑street parking (rates): the code contains zone‑specific parking rates for commercial uses (e.g., a commonly used baseline in code excerpts is 1 space / 250 sf in parts of the C‑3 text); the municipal text assigns particular ratios by use (offices, medical, banks, restaurants, etc.) — see the C‑zone provisions (code excerpts in the file set) — Not found in retrieved materials with a single controlling § number for all C‑zone rates; verify in the C‑zone chapter text .
Surfacing / screening: parking and vehicle sales areas must be paved, drained properly, and screened/landscaped per the off‑street parking improvement rules — § 17.44.490 and supporting language .

M zones (Industrial: M‑1, M‑2, C‑M mixed)

Purpose: light to heavy industrial and manufacturing uses; parking and loading ensure traffic circulation and service access.
Loading required: same loading standards apply where applicable (see § 17.44.440) and the M‑zone open space and circulation sections note parking/load requirements will be applied in discretionary reviews — § 17.44.440, § 17.32.130, § 17.36.130 .
Parking improvements: industrial parking areas must be surfaced, drained, and (where abutting an "R" zone) walled or otherwise screened; lighting levels and landscaping quotas apply in C and M zones — § 17.44.490 and associated provisions .

Large development / mixed‑use thresholds (citywide rules that cut across districts)

Travel demand / bicycle parking thresholds: developments ≥ 25,000 sf must provide a transportation information kiosk; ≥ 50,000 sf require carpool/vanpool preferential parking and bicycle parking at 4 spaces per first 50,000 sf + 1 per additional 50,000 sf; ≥ 100,000 sf add pedestrian/vanpool zones and other improvements — § 17.36.140, § 17.32.140, § 17.28.100 .
Variances may substitute alternative TDM measures when the default thresholds are infeasible; the code allows the Planning Commission to consider alternatives — see the travel demand sections above .

Key standards table (decision‑relevant)

Topic	Standard (bolded values are control numbers)	Code reference
Loading spaces (C & M zones; institutional uses)	1 loading space per structure ≥ 10,000 sf; 12' × 40' min; 16' vertical clearance; driveway 16' min	§ 17.44.440
R‑1 parking	2 off‑street garage spaces per dwelling; garage min 20' × 20'	§ 17.44.460
R‑2 parking	2 garage spaces per dwelling + 1 guest space per unit	§ 17.44.460; § 17.12.085
R‑M parking (multifamily)	2 covered spaces per unit (resident); 1 guest space per unit; driveway widths scale by unit count	§ 17.44.460; § 17.16.125
Parking surfaces, screening, landscaping	Paving (concrete/asphalt), drainage to curb/gutter, landscape tree quotas, perimeter curbs, lighting to prevent glare	§ 17.44.490 and related provisions
Bicycle parking (large projects)	4 bicycle spaces per first 50,000 sf, +1 per each additional 50,000 sf; lockers or enclosed spaces allowed	§ 17.36.140, § 17.32.140, § 17.28.100
Affordable housing (density‑bonus) parking maxima	Studios 1; 1‑BR 1; 2‑BR 1.5; 3‑BR 1.5; 4‑BR 2.5 (note: additional special reductions for qualifying projects)	§ 17.114.090

Checklist

Provide a site plan showing on‑site parking layout, stall dimensions and drive aisles consistent with district rules (§ 17.44.450, § 17.44.460) .
For R‑1/R‑2/R‑M projects show garage/carport dimensions 20' × 20' (where required) and guest parking as required (§ 17.44.460, § 17.16.125) .
If in a C or M zone or institutional use: include loading area(s) sized 12' × 40' with 16' clearance and a 16'‑wide driveway to the loading space (§ 17.44.440) .
Show surfacing, drainage and perimeter curbing; provide landscape plan meeting tree/percent landscaping quotas and irrigation details (§ 17.44.490) .
If project ≥ 25,000 sf, include a transportation info kiosk; ≥ 50,000 sf provide carpool/vanpool preferential spaces and bicycle parking per code; ≥ 100,000 sf add pedestrian/boarding zones (§ 17.36.140, § 17.32.140) .
For housing projects using density bonus provisions, calculate parking using § 17.114.090 maxima and show how guest/ADA spaces are included .
Submit parking and loading alterations to Building & Safety and Planning for approval before permits are issued (§ 17.44.450 ) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
C‑zone specific per‑use ratios (e.g., C‑3 baseline rates)	Municipal text contains per‑use rates but the excerpted file did not always show a single outer § number for all C‑zone rates	Verify the exact C‑zone parking table in the C‑zone chapter on the city code (see C‑zone chapter in Title 17) — Not found in retrieved materials
Handicapped parking counts / dimensions expressed in different places	ADA and state dimensions interact with municipal counts; municipal text references a ratio for “physically handicapped” spaces but dimensions and marking may be delegated to building code	Confirm count from the zoning code clause and follow ADA/Title 24 stall dimensions at permit — § 17.44 excerpts reference handicapped space ratios; verify with Building & Safety (Not found as a single controlling § with full ADM dimensions in retrieved snippets)
Landscaping percentage (2% vs 7%) in different code versions	File excerpts include different numeric landscaping minima in different passages (2% in one excerpt, 7% in another)	Confirm which landscaping standard is operative for your project and which ordinance version applies to your permit — verify with Planning (See § 17.44.490 and related text)
Bicycle parking geometry and secure locker acceptance	Code allows racks, lockers or enclosed rooms but defers specific rack types and access standards to “to the satisfaction of the City”	Early consultation with Planning and the office of landscape architecture is advisable; show options on plan and reference § 17.36.140 / § 17.32.140
Project‑specific TDM substitutions / variances	Planning Commission may allow alternatives, but findings/conditions will be required	If you propose fewer spaces or substitute TDM measures, prepare the comparative TDM analysis and request the variance per the travel demand section — verify variance criteria in the travel demand subsections

Plain‑English Summary

Paramount’s zoning code requires most uses to provide permanent on‑site parking and, for commercial/industrial/institutional development, dedicated loading areas; multifamily rules require two covered resident spaces per unit (plus guest), while large nonresidential projects must provide bicycle parking and travel‑demand measures at specified floor‑area thresholds. The code also sets surfacing, landscape and screening rules for parking lots; discretionary projects may have tailored requirements — verify the exact section limits with Planning and Building & Safety. Key sections: § 17.44.440, § 17.44.450, § 17.44.460, § 17.36.140, § 17.114.090.

Source References

§ 17.44.440 (Required loading spaces — C and M zones and institutional uses)
§ 17.44.450 (Off‑street parking — general obligations and approvals)
§ 17.44.460 (Number of off‑street parking spaces required — R‑1, R‑2, R‑M and tables)
§ 17.16.125 (Site planning — R‑M parking layout, driveway widths, screening)
§ 17.12.085 (Objective design/site planning — R‑2 parking size and rules)
§ 17.44.490 and related passages (Required improvement/maintenance of parking areas; surfacing, curbs, landscaping, lighting)
§ 17.36.140, § 17.32.140, § 17.28.100 (Travel demand measures and bicycle parking thresholds for large developments)
§ 17.114.090 (Parking requirements and reduced maxima for qualifying density‑bonus housing developments)

For additional context, consult:

Paramount Zoning and Land Use pages in the site menu (background links used above): Paramount Zoning, Paramount Development Standards, Paramount Design Review, Paramount Overlay Districts, Paramount ADUs.
California Building Standards Code for stall dimensions and accessibility (state rules) — California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-126) High relevance
Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-49) High relevance
Paramount Zoning Code High relevance
Paramount Zoning Code Medium relevance
Paramount Zoning Code (Section 17.92.030) Medium relevance
Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.36.130.) Medium relevance
Paramount Zoning Code (title as) Medium relevance
Paramount Zoning Code (chapter does) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Paramount code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to provide a loading dock for a commercial building in Paramount?

If the use is in a C or M zone (or is an institutional use anywhere) and the building is 10,000 sf or larger, the code requires at least one loading space sized 12' × 40' with 16' vertical clearance and a 16' minimum driveway — § 17.44.440 .

How many parking spaces does a single‑family home in Paramount need?

A single‑family dwelling in R‑1 must provide two (2) off‑street garage spaces, each garage having a minimum interior dimension of 20' × 20', per the off‑street parking table — § 17.44.460 .

What are the parking rules for new apartment buildings in Paramount?

Multifamily (the R‑M standard) requires two covered spaces per unit and one guest space per unit; parking must be on the same lot and circulation must allow forward entry/exit — see § 17.44.460 and the site planning rules at § 17.16.125 .

Are there bicycle parking requirements for commercial projects?

Yes. For larger developments the code requires bicycle parking: 4 bicycle spaces per first 50,000 sf plus 1 per each additional 50,000 sf; developments of 25,000 sf+ also must provide a transportation information kiosk and additional TDM measures at higher thresholds — § 17.36.140, § 17.32.140, § 17.28.100 .

Can parking requirements be reduced for affordable housing?

Yes. If a housing development meets the City’s density‑bonus / affordable housing criteria, the City may not require more than the reduced parking ratios listed in the municipal code (for example studios and 1‑bedrooms are capped at 1 space each; 2‑ and 3‑bedrooms at 1.5, etc.) — § 17.114.090 . Verify whether your project qualifies under the density‑bonus chapter and whether other state parking limitation rules apply.

What surfacing, landscaping, and lighting do parking lots need?

Commercial/industrial parking lots must be paved (concrete/asphalt or suitable material), properly drained to curb/gutter, have perimeter curbs/barriers, screening where abutting residential zones (walls or berms), minimum landscape percentages/trees and fixed irrigation, and lighting arranged to avoid glare — see the required improvement and maintenance and landscaping provisions in the off‑street parking article — § 17.44.490 and related passages .

If my project is 50,000 sf, do I need preferential carpool spaces?

Yes — projects 50,000 sf or more must reserve not less than 10% of employee parking area as close as practical to employee entrances for carpool/vanpool (with minimum signed spaces as demand warrants) and must provide bicycle parking per the bicycle standard — see the travel demand sections — § 17.36.140, § 17.32.140 .

Who approves changes to required off‑street parking?

Any construction or alteration to required off‑street parking must be submitted to and approved by Building & Safety and Planning prior to building permits being issued — § 17.44.450 . Consult Planning early for design review or discretionary approvals.

Are there differences in required landscaping for parking between zones?

The code contains landscaping quotas and tree requirements tied to parking areas that vary by context (e.g., different tree quotas for C/M zones vs. uncovered multiple residential parking); the off‑street parking landscaping rules list those minimums and plan approval is through the office of landscape architecture — see § 17.44.490 and related passages .

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