Local zoning · Pasadena

Pasadena — Parking

Q: What parking counts apply to multi‑family housing in Pasadena?

Multi‑family projects use the LPSP Table LPSP‑9 rates: 1 parking space per 1‑bed unit , 1.5 per ≥2‑bed unit , plus 1 guest space per 10 units ; shared guest parking rules apply for mixed‑use. See § 17.38.090.A.1 and Table LPSP‑9.

Q: Do I have to provide bicycle parking for my new commercial building?

Yes if the new structure or an addition exceeds 15,000 square feet gross floor area; bicycle stall counts and details are in Table 4‑16 and § 17.46.320 . Obtain Table 4‑16 to calculate the exact number.

Q: What are the minimum stall and aisle dimensions I must design to?

Standard off‑street stalls are 8.5' × 18' (non‑parallel) and 8' × 24' (parallel); aisle widths vary by parking angle (see Table 4‑8) and vertical clearance minimums are specified in § 17.46.120 (general 7' clearance; higher where required for accessibility). See §§ 17.46.110–130 .

Q: Can parking be located on an adjacent parcel or shared among uses?

Yes — shared parking is allowed under § 17.46.050 and the LPSP; common loading facilities can also satisfy requirements provided formal agreements are recorded and the sum of allocated spaces meets the sum of individual requirements (§ 17.46.260.I ). Verify whether a Minor CUP or attested contract is required.

Q: Are there landscaping or screening requirements for parking lots in Pasadena?

Yes — parking lot landscaping is required under Chapter 17.44 and Chapter 17.46 ; many specific plans (e.g., EPSP) add edge screening and masonry wall requirements where parking abuts streets or residential zones (§ 17.32.080 and § 17.46.240 ).

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how Pasadena's zoning code regulates parking (off-street automobile parking, loading, and bicycle parking) for development and change-of-use. It is focused on the local zoning/planning rules in Title 17 (Pasadena Municipal Code) and related specific plans and overlays; it does not cover building-code (Title 24) requirements or tenant/housing law. For zoning context and procedural items see Pasadena Zoning and Land Use pages linked below.

First mentions of core topics are linked for quick navigation: Pasadena parking, development standards (setbacks, yards), design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code (Title 24), and landscaping.

Key city rules at a glance (decision‑relevant table)

Requirement / Subject	Rule (plain-English)	Code Reference
Minimum parking — typical residential	1 per unit for ≤1‑bed; 1.5 per unit for ≥2‑bed; guest 1 per 10 units (mixed‑use guest parking may be shared)	Table LPSP‑9; § 17.38.090.A.1
Minimum parking — typical office	2 per 1,000 sf; no parking required for the first 5,000 sf of a project; exceptions apply	Table LPSP‑9; § 17.38.090.A.1
Loading	Loading required per building area using Table 4‑15; minimum loading bay size 10' × 20' with 12' vertical clearance	§ 17.46.260; Table 4‑15; § 17.46.260.E
Bicycle parking	Bicycle parking required for new structures or additions > 15,000 sf; quantities per Table 4‑16	§ 17.46.320 (Table 4‑16)
Stall dimensions	Standard non‑parallel stall 8.5' × 18'; parallel 8' × 24'; compact allowed up to 30% of stalls (min 7'6" × 15')	§§ 17.46.110–120
Aisles & vertical clearance	Aisle widths set by parking angle table; minimum vertical clearance generally 7' (higher for handicapped)	§ 17.46.130; § 17.46.120.B
Tandem/triple/valet/automated	Tandem and triple-stack allowed; valet permitted; attendant requirements apply for some non‑residential uses; automated parking allowed	PD provisions / Chapter 17.46 exceptions; § 17.46 and PD text
Shared parking	Allowed per code (with implementing regulations) — shared parking agreements may be used	§ 17.46.050; § 17.38.090.A.2
Screening & landscaping	Parking lots and structures require landscaping and screening per Chapter 17.44; structure facades on primary frontages must be lined with active uses	§§ 17.46.240, 17.44, and related specific‑plan rules
Transit/parking reductions	Projects within 1/2 mile of a Metro station may qualify for parking reductions or maximums per § 17.50.340	§ 17.38.090.A.1.b

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district subsection below summarizes the zoning context that controls how Chapter 17.46 is applied. Always verify with the Zoning Administrator for parcel‑specific application.

R (Residential) — e.g., R-1, R-2, R-3

Purpose & typical uses: single‑family and multi‑family housing, accessory uses (garages, driveways). See the underlying district tables for permitted uses.
Parking rules that apply: residential parking minimums from Table LPSP‑9 (residential rates: 1 per 1‑bed, 1.5 per ≥2‑bed, guest 1/10) govern new development; parking design (stall size, aisles, paving) must meet Chapter 17.46. See § 17.38.090.A.1 and §§ 17.46.110–130.
Overlay notes: where the PK (Parking Overlay) is combined with an R district, off‑site or at‑grade parking that serves adjacent commercial districts is allowed but subject to R‑district development standards plus Chapter 17.46; PK imposes screening, hours, and wall height requirements (e.g., six‑foot masonry wall adjacent to R) — § 17.28.110.

CO (Commercial Office)

Purpose & typical uses: office and professional services.
Parking specifics: some CO planned provisions require 2.5 spaces per 1,000 sf in a particular plan text, prohibit parking in front setbacks, and waive loading for that plan area — see the CO‑plan text (example provisions) at § 17.28.110.F and related plan documents; otherwise Chapter 17.46 standards apply.

CG / C (Commercial) and IG (Industrial)

Purpose & typical uses: general retail, services, commercial, and industrial/manufacturing.
Loading and screening: loading spaces required per Table 4‑15; where loading is visible from a street, screening (6‑ft fence/hedge/wall) is required except in CG and IG districts where that screening exception is stated — § 17.46.260.K.

PS (Public / Institutional)

Purpose & typical uses: public facilities, schools, civic buildings.
Parking & lot design: off‑street parking must meet Chapter 17.46 and any site‑specific conditions in the applicable plan or PD; loading requirements tied to use and gross floor area (Table 4‑15) — § 17.46.260.

Planned Development (PD) & Specific Plans (e.g., East Pasadena Specific Plan — EPSP; Central District SP)

Purpose & typical uses: PDs and Specific Plans tailor base‑zoning controls to a site. They frequently modify parking minimums, allow design flexibility (tandem parking, valet, compact stalls), and add landscaping/screening or public‑access requirements. Examples: the EPSP requires all parking to comply with Chapter 17.46 plus additional perimeter screening and limits on visible at‑grade parking (see § 17.32.080); some PDs explicitly allow tandem parking or set a site‑wide parking count (PD examples).

Standards and technical details (what the code actually requires)

Off‑street spaces must be provided per the use‑based tables (Table LPSP‑9 / use classification tables) and Chapter 17.46. Verify the applicable Table in your plan area; see § 17.38.090 and Chapter 17.46.
Parking stall and aisle dimensions: default non‑parallel stall 8.5' × 18', parallel 8' × 24'; aisle widths depend on parking angle per Table 4‑8; vertical clearance minimums: 7' general, higher for disabled access. See §§ 17.46.110–130.
Compact/tandem/stack/automated: up to 30% compact stalls allowed (compact min 7'6" × 15'); tandem and triple‑stack are allowed with specified minimum dimensions and attendant rules; automated parking systems are allowed and may use compact dimensions — PD text and Chapter 17.46 exceptions apply.
Loading: required per Table 4‑15; minimum loading bay 10' × 20', 12' vertical clearance, minimum turning radius 25'; loading cannot be located in required setbacks and should be located on‑site or on an adjoining site; screening rules apply. See § 17.46.260 (Table 4‑15, subsections E–L).
Bicycle parking: required for projects over 15,000 sf and quantified in Table 4‑16; bicycle parking must be provided in compliance with § 17.46.320.
Paving and slope: parking areas must be paved and slopes limited (e.g., parking area slope excluding ramps shall not exceed 5%); see § 17.46.300 and related subsections.
Landscaping & screening: parking lot landscaping per Chapter 17.44; parking structures facing primary frontages must be lined with active uses or open space for at least 35 feet; perimeter landscaping requirements are set in specific plans and Chapter 17.46. See §§ 17.46.240, 17.44, and specific‑plan text § 17.31–17.32.

Checklist (what an applicant must submit / satisfy for zoning review)

Site plan showing number of required and proposed off‑street parking spaces with calculations tied to Table LPSP‑9 / the applicable use table (cite § 17.38.090).
Detailed parking layout with stall dimensions, aisle widths, turning templates, striping, and vertical clearances that conform to §§ 17.46.110–130.
Loading plan showing number, size (10' × 20' min) and turning radii for required loading spaces per Table 4‑15 and § 17.46.260.
Bicycle parking schedule and rack details per § 17.46.320 and Table 4‑16 (if >15,000 sf).
Landscaping and screening plan for parking areas per Chapter 17.44 and any applicable specific‑plan standards (e.g., EPSP § 17.32.080).
Evidence of shared‑parking agreement if claiming shared spaces (per § 17.46.050) or Minor CUP where required (e.g., PK overlay).
If proposing tandem/triple/valet/automated parking, include operational plan (attendant hours, access control) and dimensions per the PD/code allowance.
Demonstrate compliance with any overlay, PD, or specific‑plan parking modifications (e.g., EPSP or Central District requirements).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Transit‑oriented reductions	Projects within 1/2 mile of a Metro station may be eligible for reductions or a maximum parking cap; relying on base tables alone can over‑park a project	Verify whether § 17.50.340 reductions apply to your parcel and confirm with Planning (see § 17.38.090.A.1.b)
Historic‑resource exemptions	Adaptive reuse or projects within designated historic resources may not require new parking; misapplying minimums can create unnecessary cost	Check whether the building is a designated historic resource or built prior to 1970 and confirm the exemption noted in § 17.38.090
Tandem/triple/valet operational constraints	Code allows tandem/stacked parking but often requires an attendant or operational controls for non‑residential uses — enforcement/operations can be a condition of approval	Confirm attendant/management conditions in the applicable PD or CUP and cite PD text/Chapter 17.46 (tandem dimensions and attendant rules)
Specific‑plan / PD overrides	Specific plans and PDs can change parking counts, require extra landscaping, or demand special siting (e.g., EPSP or CO plan text)	Review the specific plan or PD for parcel (EPSP § 17.32.080; PD text) and confirm which standard controls per the PD language.
Bicycle parking quantification	Bicycle requirements reference Table 4‑16 (not reproduced here) — missing the table leads to incorrect counts	Obtain Table 4‑16 from Chapter 17.46 or Planning to compute required bicycle stalls (§ 17.46.320)
Mutual/shared parking legal instrument	Shared parking must sometimes be memorialized (e.g., joint use contracts) — failing to record agreements can void shared credits	Confirm if a formal attested contract or Minor CUP is required under § 17.46.050 and draft the instrument accordingly.

Plain‑English summary

Pasadena requires off‑street parking, loading, and bicycle parking based on the use and size of your project; the numeric minimums and detailed dimensional rules live in Chapter 17.46 and associated specific‑plan or PD provisions (e.g., EPSP). Residential uses use the city residential rates (1 / 1‑bed, 1.5 / ≥2‑bed, guest 1/10); loading and bicycle parking have separate tables and minimum dimensions; compact, tandem, valet, and automated solutions are allowed with conditions. Always check Chapter 17.46 and any overlay/PD that covers your parcel — Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 17.46 (Parking and Loading); see § 17.46.110 (parking dimensions), § 17.46.120 (application of dimensions), § 17.46.130 (aisles) — code text in search files.
Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.46.260 (Number, Location and Design of Off‑Street Loading Spaces; Table 4‑15 loading requirements).
Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.46.320 (Bicycle Parking Standards; Table 4‑16 applicability and counts).
Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.38.090 (Local plan / LPSP parking direction and Table LPSP‑9 — minimum parking by land use including residential/office).
PK Parking Overlay District § 17.28.110 (overlay rules for parking located in R districts).
East Pasadena Specific Plan additional parking & screening standards § 17.32.080.
Parking design, paving, slopes, paving materials and trip reduction requirements: §§ 17.46.300–290.
PD text and ordinance excerpts referencing valet/tandem/compact/automated allowances (PD and ordinance amendments).

Also useful internal pages (first mentions linked earlier): Pasadena Zoning & Planning overview, Pasadena Zoning, Pasadena Land Use, Pasadena Development Standards, Pasadena Design Review, Pasadena Overlay Districts, Pasadena ADUs, California Building Standards Code, Pasadena Landscaping and Screening.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 17.46) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 17.46) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 17) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.62.090.E.1.) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Pasadena code library

Frequently asked questions

What parking counts apply to multi‑family housing in Pasadena?

Multi‑family projects use the LPSP Table LPSP‑9 rates: 1 parking space per 1‑bed unit, 1.5 per ≥2‑bed unit, plus 1 guest space per 10 units; shared guest parking rules apply for mixed‑use. See § 17.38.090.A.1 and Table LPSP‑9.

Do I have to provide bicycle parking for my new commercial building?

Yes if the new structure or an addition exceeds 15,000 square feet gross floor area; bicycle stall counts and details are in Table 4‑16 and § 17.46.320. Obtain Table 4‑16 to calculate the exact number.

How many loading spaces does an office or retail building need?

Loading is determined by gross floor area using Table 4‑15. For many nonresidential uses under certain area thresholds no loading may be required; when required, a typical minimum loading bay is 10' × 20' with 12' clearance and minimum turning radius 25' per § 17.46.260.

Can I use tandem or automated parking to meet my required stalls?

Yes—tandem and triple‑stack parking, valet, and automated systems are allowed subject to dimensional and operational rules. Tandem spaces have specified minimum dimensions and attendant requirements for some uses; automated systems are allowed to use compact stall dimensions where permitted. See the PD/code allowance text and Chapter 17.46.

Are there rules that reduce required parking near transit?

Yes—projects within one‑half mile of a Metro station may qualify for parking reductions or a parking maximum per § 17.50.340; the LPSP notes that such reductions apply and state law may also control. Verify transit proximity and the exact reduction with Planning.

What are the minimum stall and aisle dimensions I must design to?

Standard off‑street stalls are 8.5' × 18' (non‑parallel) and 8' × 24' (parallel); aisle widths vary by parking angle (see Table 4‑8) and vertical clearance minimums are specified in § 17.46.120 (general 7' clearance; higher where required for accessibility). See §§ 17.46.110–130.

If my building is historic, do I still need to add parking when I change uses?

There are exemptions: the code notes that no new parking is required for projects within designated historic resources (excluding additions) and for changes of use in structures built prior to 1970. Confirm historic status and any exceptions with Planning (see § 17.38.090).

Can parking be located on an adjacent parcel or shared among uses?

Yes — shared parking is allowed under § 17.46.050 and the LPSP; common loading facilities can also satisfy requirements provided formal agreements are recorded and the sum of allocated spaces meets the sum of individual requirements (§ 17.46.260.I). Verify whether a Minor CUP or attested contract is required.

Are there landscaping or screening requirements for parking lots in Pasadena?

Yes — parking lot landscaping is required under Chapter 17.44 and Chapter 17.46; many specific plans (e.g., EPSP) add edge screening and masonry wall requirements where parking abuts streets or residential zones (§ 17.32.080 and § 17.46.240).

Where do I find the exact numeric bicycle or special‑use parking tables?

Bicycle counts and other detailed numeric tables are in Chapter 17.46 (Table 4‑16 for bicycles, Table 4‑15 for loading, Table 4‑7/4‑8 for dimensions). The zoning code extracts cited here point you to those tables; request the full Chapter 17.46 tables from the Planning Department or the municipal code online.

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