Patterson — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Patterson's zoning code requires for parking, loading, and bicycle parking. The controlling rules live in the city zoning ordinance (Title 18) under the Parking and Loading chapter; the base zoning district tables (residential, commercial, industrial) reference those parking standards. See the city's zoning districts and development standards for where these rules apply and whether any district-specific exemptions exist (for example, a downtown exemption). § 18.76.010–.090 are the primary parking sections.

(Links you'll see below: the first time this page mentions related planning topics they're linked to the Patterson site pages used by GoCodebook: "parking" -> Patterson Zoning; "development standards" -> Patterson Development Standards; "design review" -> Patterson Design Review; "overlays" -> Patterson Overlay Districts; "ADUs" -> Patterson ADUs; "California Building Standards Code" -> California Building Standards Code. Use those linked pages as next-step resources.)

Key Citywide rules (what matters first)

• Applicability: Off-street parking and loading apply to new construction and to changes of use that increase required spaces by more than 10%; existing developments that change occupancy or expand similarly trigger compliance. § 18.76.020
• Downtown core exemption: Off-street parking is not required inside the downtown core exempt area bounded roughly by I St (N), Fifth St (W), E St (S), and Second St / SR‑33 (E). The planning director/commission can still review parking for discretionary permits there. § 18.76.020(E), § 18.76.090(A)(2)
• Parking schedule: The city has a single Off‑Street Parking Schedule that sets minimums by land use (Table 18.76.030‑1); typical entries include dwelling/apt spaces, retail, offices, hotels, churches, industrial, parks, etc. § 18.76.030
• Accessible parking: Required numbers and dimensions follow the table in § 18.76.040 and must also comply with state/federal law (e.g., ADA). § 18.76.040
• Bicycle parking: Short‑term and long‑term bicycle parking requirements apply to all uses except single‑ and two‑family dwellings; capacity is tied to 5% of required vehicle parking (short‑term and long‑term rules differ). § 18.76.050
• Design/dimensions/maintenance: Stall sizes, compact/ small‑vehicle allowances, driveway widths, surfacing and striping, and other design rules are in § 18.76.075–.080 and figures. § 18.76.075, § 18.76.080
• Reductions/adjustments: Administrative minor reductions up to 20% (planning director) or greater reductions via CUP/commission are allowed for shared parking, transit adjacency, car‑share, and hardship; the minor adjustment process allows up to 15% decrease in parking/aisle design in limited cases. § 18.76.090, § 18.16.110

See Patterson's base zoning districts and development standards for site-specific development rules that reference chapter 18.76 for parking (e.g., residential Table 18.38.040‑1; commercial Table 18.42.040‑2; industrial Table 18.46.040‑1).

District-by-district breakdown

Below each district entry shows (A) short purpose/where it appears in the code, (B) typical permitted uses, (C) the key dimensional/development standards you need to know for parking/site layout, and (D) where to confirm parking specifics (the controlling parking section). All district names are bold.

Note: maps/zoning designations are in § 18.30.020; the district development standards tables referenced below point you back to the parking chapter § 18.76 for parking rules. § 18.30.020

ER (Estate Residential)

• Purpose: Low‑density, estate lots; see Table 18.38.040‑1 and § 18.38.040. § 18.38.040
• Typical uses: single‑family homes, large lots, limited accessory uses.
• Key standards relevant to parking: primary structure height 2 stories (32'), front yard setback 20', garages/setbacks noted in Table 18.38.040‑1; parking must be provided per § 18.76.030 and residential limits on parking in front yards apply (residential parking not allowed in required front yard). § 18.38.040; § 18.76.075

LR‑n and LR‑w (Low‑Density Residential, narrow/wide)

• Purpose: Standard single‑family neighborhoods; see § 18.38.040. § 18.38.040
• Typical uses: single‑family dwellings, accessory structures.
• Key standards: setbacks, lot sizes (e.g., 6,000 sf typical), parking per Table 18.76.030‑1 (single‑family parking rules: 1–2 spaces depending on bedrooms; see table). § 18.38.040; § 18.76.030

DR (Downtown Residential)

• Purpose: Higher density, downtown form; see § 18.38.040. § 18.38.040
• Typical uses: multi‑family and mixed uses compatible with downtown.
• Key standards: taller building allowance 3 stories (45'), lot coverage allowances higher; note the downtown core has a downtown parking exemption — projects in the downtown core may be exempt from off‑street parking per § 18.76.020(E). Verify if a parcel sits inside the downtown exempt boundary. § 18.38.040; § 18.76.020(E)

MR (Medium Density Residential)

• Purpose & uses: mid‑rise apartments, townhomes; see § 18.38.040. § 18.38.040
• Key standards: density caps, setbacks in Table 18.38.040‑1; parking for apartments follows the schedule (e.g., 1.5–2.0 spaces/unit plus guest depending on bedrooms). § 18.38.040; § 18.76.030

HR (High Density Residential)

• Purpose: Highest residential density (multi‑family); see § 18.38.040. § 18.38.040
• Typical parking: apartment schedule—1–2 spaces/unit depending on bedroom count; plus guest parking: 1 per 3 units (Table 18.76.030‑1). Long‑term bicycle parking required for buildings with >10 tenants. § 18.76.030; § 18.76.050

NC (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose: small‑scale retail and services serving nearby residential. § 18.42.040 (table)
• Typical uses: retail, personal services, small offices. § 18.42.040
• Key standards: front‑yard limits (max 10' in NC), no parking between building and front property line; off‑street parking per § 18.76.030 (retail: 1 space per 200–250 sf depending on use). § 18.42.040; § 18.76.030

HSC (Highway Service Commercial), GC (General Commercial), MPO (Medical/Professional Office), DC (Downtown Core)

• Purpose & uses: range from auto‑oriented commercial (HSC) to general retail (GC), medical/office (MPO), and downtown mixed uses (DC). See Table 18.42.040‑2 and corresponding descriptions. § 18.42.040
• Key parking notes: commercial tables reference Chapter 18.76 for parking; special rule: no parking between building and front property line in many commercial zones. Downtown core (DC) is subject to the downtown parking exemption—verify for any new development. § 18.42.040; § 18.76.020

LI, HI, IBP, IL (Industrial districts)

• Purpose: industry, warehousing, business park uses; see § 18.46.020–.040 and Tables 18.46.030‑1/18.46.040‑1. § 18.46.030, § 18.46.040
• Typical uses: manufacturing, distribution, truck yards (often conditional), parking lots/garages permitted. § 18.46.030
• Key standards for parking: industrial uses use 1 space per 1,000 sf or 1 space per 2 employees (largest shift)—see the schedule in § 18.76.030; loading requirements and larger vehicle circulation are addressed in Chapter 18.76 and may be adjusted via minor adjustment or CUP depending on the use. § 18.76.030; § 18.16.110

PQP (Public/Quasi‑Public) and PR (Parks and Recreation)

• Purpose: public facilities, schools, parks. § 18.50.010–.030
• Parking specifics: parks and active recreational areas have their own parking ratios in Table 18.76.030‑1 (e.g., 10 spaces per net acre of active recreation + 5 per acre passive). Public/quasi‑public uses look to the parking table and accessible parking rules in § 18.76.040. § 18.76.030; § 18.76.040

Overlay districts (PD, HP, MU, MUH)

• Purpose: overlays can alter or supplement base zone rules (including parking). Where in conflict the overlay controls. See § 18.30.020 and the applicable overlay chapter; verify whether an overlay modifies Chapter 18.76 for a site. § 18.30.020

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant parking standards (selected entries)

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel's base zoning district and any overlays via the zoning map (see § 18.30.020).
• Calculate required off‑street vehicle parking using Table 18.76.030‑1 for the exact land use(s). § 18.76.030
• Provide required accessible spaces per Table 18.76.040‑1 and label per state law. § 18.76.040
• Provide required bicycle parking (short‑term and long‑term) per § 18.76.050. § 18.76.050
• Follow stall/aisle dimensions, compact stall limits, driveway widths, and surfacing rules in § 18.76.075–.080. § 18.76.075; § 18.76.080
• If proposing fewer spaces, prepare a reduction justification (shared parking study, transit proximity, car‑share, hardship) and follow procedures in § 18.76.090 and/or minor adjustment § 18.16.110. § 18.76.090; § 18.16.110
• If located in the downtown core, confirm whether the parcel falls within the exempt area and whether the planning commission has withdrawn exempt status for a chosen project. § 18.76.020(E); § 18.76.090(A)(2)
• Coordinate landscaping/screening adjacent to parking with Chapter 18.78; parking layout must account for required landscape dividers and wheel stops. § 18.76.080; § 18.78

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Patterson's zoning code requires on‑site off‑street parking, accessible stalls, and bicycle parking tied to the use type in Table 18.76.030‑1; downtown has a mapped exemption that may remove the minimum off‑street requirement for projects inside that area — but confirm parcel location and any discretionary conditions. For precise stall counts, dimensions, and allowed reductions use § 18.76.030–.090 and the development standards tables for the property's zoning district. § 18.76.030–.090

Source References

• § 18.76.010 (Purpose — Parking and Loading)
• § 18.76.020 (Applicability; downtown core exemption)
• § 18.76.030 (Table 18.76.030‑1 Off‑Street Parking Requirements)
• § 18.76.040 (Accessible parking table & dimensions)
• § 18.76.050 (Bicycle parking requirements)
• § 18.76.075–.080 (Parking dimensions, design, surfacing, maintenance)
• § 18.76.090 (Parking exemptions and reductions)
• § 18.16.110 (Minor adjustment — parking/ loading adjustments allowed in limited cases)
• Zoning district listings and descriptions: § 18.30.020, Table 18.30.020‑1 (ER, LR‑n, LR‑w, DR, MR, HR, NC, HSC, DC, GC, MPO, LI, HI, IBP, IL, PQP, PR).
• Residential development standards: § 18.38.040 (Table 18.38.040‑1) — lists lot/setback/height that affect parking layout.
• Commercial development standards: Table 18.42.040‑2 (NC/HSC/DC/GC/MPO).
• Industrial development standards & permitted uses: Tables 18.46.030‑1 / 18.46.040‑1.
• Landscaping & screening references affecting parking layout: Chapter 18.78.

Internal links referenced in this page (first natural mention of topic):
parking -> Patterson Zoning
development standards -> Patterson Development Standards
design review -> Patterson Design Review
overlays -> Patterson Overlay Districts
ADUs -> Patterson ADUs
California Building Standards Code -> California Building Standards Code
landscaping/screening -> Patterson Landscaping and Screening

Retrieved passages

• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 110 Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 18.76.090.) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (Title 18.) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (Section 18.38.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (Section 18.42.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 18.76.010** (Purpose — Parking and Loading) (§ 18.76.010)
• **§ 18.76.020** (Applicability; downtown core exemption) (§ 18.76.020)
• **§ 18.76.030** (Table 18.76.030‑1 Off‑Street Parking Requirements) (§ 18.76.030)
• **§ 18.76.040** (Accessible parking table & dimensions) (§ 18.76.040)
• **§ 18.76.050** (Bicycle parking requirements) (§ 18.76.050)
• **§ 18.76.075–.080** (Parking dimensions, design, surfacing, maintenance) (§ 18.76.075)
• **§ 18.76.090** (Parking exemptions and reductions) (§ 18.76.090)
• **§ 18.16.110** (Minor adjustment — parking/ loading adjustments allowed in limited cases) (§ 18.16.110)
• Zoning district listings and descriptions: **§ 18.30.020**, Table 18.30.020‑1 (ER, LR‑n, LR‑w, DR, MR, HR, NC, HSC, DC, GC, MPO, LI, HI, IBP, IL, PQP, PR). (§ 18.30.020)
• Residential development standards: **§ 18.38.040** (Table 18.38.040‑1) — lists lot/setback/height that affect parking layout. (§ 18.38.040)
• Commercial development standards: **Table 18.42.040‑2** (NC/HSC/DC/GC/MPO).
• Industrial development standards & permitted uses: **Tables 18.46.030‑1 / 18.46.040‑1**.
• Landscaping & screening references affecting parking layout: Chapter **18.78**.
• Patterson_ZoningCode.md

• Official Patterson code library