Portola Valley — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Portola Valley's zoning ordinance requires about parking — off-street automobile spaces, dimensions/access, guest/joint parking, loading, and bicycle/parking configuration specifics — as laid out in Title 18 (Zoning). It quotes the controlling code sections by § number and points to the exact local rules you must check when planning a project. The word parking below links to the Portola Valley zoning menu for orientation. Portola Valley Zoning

Key rules (plain statement + controlling §)

• Off-street parking is required when a main building is erected, enlarged, or its use changes; follow the schedule in § 18.60.110. § 18.60.010
• Parking space dimensions: residential garage/carport spaces must be at least 10 ft × 20 ft; nonresidential stalls / lot geometry use the Table 4 standards (typical stall 9 ft × 18 ft, aisle 25 ft) in § 18.60.020. § 18.60.020
• Location/type: in residential districts required spaces (except guest) must be in a garage or carport on the same parcel unless authorized by CUP or other program; exception for R‑MF‑23. See § 18.60.030. § 18.60.030
• When a change of use or enlargement increases parking need by more than 10% (by the ordinance units), additional spaces must be provided per § 18.60.050. § 18.60.050
• The ordinance allows common/shared parking with planning-commission approval and records a covenant when required; see § 18.60.070 and related joint-use rules. § 18.60.070
• Exemptions & grandfathering: structures legally existing as of Aug 17, 1967 are not automatically required to add spaces except where § 18.60.050, CUP or variance impose it; also the council may reduce or eliminate commercial parking in a formed “parking district” by resolution. See § 18.60.100. § 18.60.100
• The schedule of required minimum off-street parking (Table 5 — single-family, multi-family, retail, medical, schools, assembly, etc.) is in § 18.60.110. § 18.60.110
• Tandem parking, uncovered parking, driveway width, and other configuration rules appear in the development and design standards (e.g., tandem parking limited to two vehicles, tandem bay 40 ft × 12 ft; driveway width maximum 20 ft unless fire code prevails). See Section 18.36.040 (Parking Configuration & Design) and § 18.60.020. § 18.36.040, § 18.60.020
• Architectural and site plan review (ASCC) or planning commission review is required for many projects; ASCC can approve uncovered/tandem exceptions in R‑1/7.5M, 15M and 20M when no reasonable covered/accessible location exists — see § 18.60.030.D and ASCC procedures § 18.64.040. § 18.60.030.D, § 18.64.040

(First time “development standards,” “design review,” “overlay,” “ADUs,” and the state building code are mentioned below they are linked for navigation: Development Standards Portola Valley Development Standards, Design Review Portola Valley Design Review, Overlay Portola Valley Overlay Districts, ADUs Portola Valley ADUs, and California Building Standards Code California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district breakdown (how parking rules interact with each district)

Below are the Portola Valley districts where parking rules are applied differently or require special attention. Each district subsection gives the district's purpose, typical uses, development or dimensional standards that affect parking, and where it applies.

R-1 (Single-family residential)

• Purpose: preserve rural single-family living and parcel-scale development; applicable regulations include Chapters 18.42–18.60, including off-street parking rules. See § 18.14.010. § 18.14.010
• Typical permitted uses: single-family homes, certain group homes/care up to six persons, supportive/transitional housing (see § 18.14.020). § 18.14.020
• Parking/Dimensional impacts: Required parking spaces for dwellings are set by § 18.60.110 (Table 5): typically 1 space for 0–1 bedroom; 2 spaces for 2+ bedrooms; guest-parking rules apply on large density combining districts (e.g., 1-acre density) — check Table 5. In residential districts required spaces (except guest) must be in a garage/carport on the parcel; ASCC may allow uncovered/tandem where direct unobstructed access isn’t available (see § 18.60.030.D). § 18.60.110, § 18.60.030.D
• Where it applies: all parcels mapped as R-1 and their combining density districts (7.5M, 15M, 20M) — see Chapter 18.14 and combining district rules in § 18.06.020. § 18.14.010, § 18.06.020

R-E (Residential‑Estate)

• Purpose & uses: rural estate parcels, single-family dwellings, accessory equestrian uses; parking rules from Chapter 18.60 apply. See § 18.12.010 and § 18.12.020. § 18.12.010, § 18.12.020
• Parking notes: same Table 5 defaults apply; required spaces must be provided on parcel (garage/carport) per § 18.60.030 unless otherwise authorized. § 18.60.030

R‑MF‑23 (Multi‑family residential, up to 23 du/ac)

• Purpose & uses: high-density multi-family, subject to development and parking rules in Chapters 18.15 and 18.60. See § 18.15.010 and development standards § 18.15.050. § 18.15.010, § 18.15.050
• Parking differences: the rule that residential required spaces must be in garage/carport on the same parcel does not apply to R‑MF‑23 (explicit exception in § 18.60.030.A), which allows shared/lot-level solutions and possible joint-use arrangements; guest parking formula (1 per 3 units) applies (Table 5 / § 18.60.110). § 18.60.030.A, § 18.60.110

C‑C (Community‑Commercial) and A‑P (Administrative‑Professional)

• Purpose & uses: C‑C is for local retail, consumer services, and professional services; A‑P for professional/administrative uses in locations near residential areas. See § 18.20.010 and Chapter 18.18 commercial district purposes. § 18.20.010, § 18.18.010
• Parking impacts: nonresidential parking standards (retail 1 per 150 sf; offices 1 per 200 sf; medical 5 per doctor, etc.) are in Table 5 / § 18.60.110. Off-site parking is allowed for other districts if within 250 feet walking distance and with a recorded covenant when not on the same parcel; see § 18.60.030.B–C. § 18.60.110, § 18.60.030.B–C

M‑U (Mixed‑use)

• Purpose & uses: allows a mix of residential and nonresidential uses with specific development standards; parking buffering/landscape between parking and property lines is required in the M‑U development standards (see Table 18.23.050). See § 18.23.050. § 18.23.050
• Parking impacts: Table 18.23.050 requires a landscaped buffer between on-site parking and the property line (10–15 ft depending on frontage), so layout matters for compliance; the M‑U district also has FAR/setback standards that influence where parking can be located. § 18.23.050

P‑C (Planned Community) / PUDs

• Purpose: P‑C districts and planned unit developments establish parcel-specific development rules including parking and loading; the PUD ordinance requires adequate parking/delivery/service space and that parking not be fewer than Chapter 18.60 requires unless approved in the PUD. See § 18.28.050 and § 18.44.070. § 18.28.050, § 18.44.070

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant parking standards / permitted uses

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (practical)

• Determine zoning district and any combining district/overlay affecting the parcel (e.g., 7.5M, 15M, 20M, F‑P, D‑R). Verify on zoning map. § 18.06.010–040
• Calculate required spaces using Table 5 in § 18.60.110 for each proposed use; include guest parking where Table 5 requires it. § 18.60.110
• Show parking layout on site plan with stall dims, aisle widths, circulation, landscaped buffers, lighting, and loading (ASCC submittal requirements call for off-street parking location/number/dimensions). § 18.64.040; § 18.36.040
• If proposing off‑site/shared parking, document distance ≤ 250 ft walking and prepare a recorded covenant (joint-use requirements). § 18.60.030.B–C; § 18.60.070
• If requesting tandem/uncovered exception in R‑1/7.5M, 15M, 20M, prepare ASCC findings and neighbor notifications as required. § 18.60.030.D; § 18.64.040
• For multi‑family or commercial projects, expect the planning commission to require additional parking where use characteristics justify it, and expect design/landscaping buffers per district-specific standards (M‑U, etc.). § 18.60.110; § 18.23.050
• If the proposal includes an ADU, check ADU-specific local references and state ADU law (local ADU cross‑references in Table 5). See Portola Valley ADU guidance and state law. § 18.60.110 (accessory dwelling note)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you build, change use of, or expand a building in Portola Valley you must provide off‑street parking per the town's Table 5 (the ordinance's parking schedule) and follow stall sizes, driveway limits, and location rules; residential parking is normally required to be covered and on the parcel (with limited ASCC exceptions), while multi‑family and nonresidential uses follow specific ratios (e.g., retail 1/150 sf, office 1/200 sf). Always show full parking plans at design review/zoning permit submittal and verify ADU or EV-related exceptions with the town. § 18.60.010–§ 18.60.110, § 18.36.040, § 18.64.040

Source References

• Title 18 — Zoning (Portola Valley): general adoption and chapter list; Title is the controlling local zoning code (notes and chapter list). § 18.02.010, § 18.06.010
• CHAPTER 18.60 — Off‑street parking (requirements, dimensions, location, Table 5 minimum schedule): § 18.60.010, § 18.60.020, § 18.60.030, § 18.60.050, § 18.60.100, § 18.60.110.
• Parking area plans / review: § 18.60.090 (plan submission & review)
• Parking configuration and design (tandem, driveway width, separation from buildings): Portola Valley development/design standards, Section 18.36.040. § 18.36.040
• Architectural & site plan review requirements and submittal contents (including off‑street parking shown on site plans): § 18.64.040.
• R‑1 district purpose & uses: § 18.14.010, § 18.14.020.
• R‑MF (multi‑family) district and R‑MF‑23 standards: § 18.15.010, § 18.15.050.
• C‑C (Community Commercial) purpose and applicability (commercial parking implications): § 18.20.010.
• M‑U (Mixed‑use) development standards affecting parking buffers and setbacks: § 18.23.050.
• Planned unit development parking expectations: § 18.28.050, § 18.44.070.
• Portola Valley ADU cross‑references and state ADU law: local reference in Table 5 pointing to § 18.36.040.B; see state ADU law for parking limits (not fully reproduced here). § 18.60.110; § 18.36.040.B

Retrieved passages

• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 18.60.) High relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Section 18.60.070.) High relevance show source text
• California Fire Code High relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Section 18.60.070.) High relevance show source text
• CPC § 1280 Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (TITLE 18) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (title and) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Section 18.36.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 18.72) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 18.60) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 18.44) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Section 18.36.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 18.74) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code (Section 18.54.050.) Medium relevance show source text
• Portola Valley Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 18 — Zoning (Portola Valley): general adoption and chapter list; Title is the controlling local zoning code (notes and chapter list). § 18.02.010, § 18.06.010 (Title 18)
• CHAPTER 18.60 — Off‑street parking (requirements, dimensions, location, Table 5 minimum schedule): **§ 18.60.010**, **§ 18.60.020**, **§ 18.60.030**, **§ 18.60.050**, **§ 18.60.100**, **§ 18.60.110**. (CHAPTER 18.60)
• Parking area plans / review: **§ 18.60.090** (plan submission & review) (§ 18.60.090)
• Parking configuration and design (tandem, driveway width, separation from buildings): Portola Valley development/design standards, Section 18.36.040. § 18.36.040 (Section 18.36.040.)
• Architectural & site plan review requirements and submittal contents (including off‑street parking shown on site plans): **§ 18.64.040**. (§ 18.64.040)
• R‑1 district purpose & uses: **§ 18.14.010**, **§ 18.14.020**. (§ 18.14.010)
• R‑MF (multi‑family) district and R‑MF‑23 standards: **§ 18.15.010**, **§ 18.15.050**. (§ 18.15.010)
• C‑C (Community Commercial) purpose and applicability (commercial parking implications): **§ 18.20.010**. (§ 18.20.010)
• M‑U (Mixed‑use) development standards affecting parking buffers and setbacks: **§ 18.23.050**. (§ 18.23.050)
• Planned unit development parking expectations: **§ 18.28.050**, **§ 18.44.070**. (§ 18.28.050)
• Portola Valley ADU cross‑references and state ADU law: local reference in Table 5 pointing to **§ 18.36.040.B**; see state ADU law for parking limits (not fully reproduced here). § 18.60.110; § 18.36.040.B (§ 18.36.040.B)
• PortolaValley_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md
• 2025 California Green Building Standards Code.md

• Official Portola Valley code library