Rancho Cordova — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the City of Rancho Cordova regulates off‑street motor vehicle parking, bicycle parking, and loading under the local zoning code (Title 23). The city’s rules set required minimums by use (Table 23.719‑1), add design and location limits for residential driveways and parking, require bicycle parking and loading where appropriate, and provide reductions and waivers for transit‑served and multi‑modal projects. See the city zoning rules for the detailed tables and design provisions in § 23.719.010 – § 23.719.170 . (For how parking interacts with building systems and accessibility, confirm applicable items in the California Building Standards Code.) Also review the city’s development standards and design review rules early in design.

How Rancho Cordova’s parking rules are organized (quick map)

• Applicability and purpose: § 23.719.010–.020 (chapter purpose; applies to new development, changes of use, and major modifications) .
• Vehicle minimums: required vehicle ratios by use are in Table 23.719‑1 and administered from § 23.719.070 (minimums) and § 23.719.040 (calculations/rounding) .
• Residential special rules (driveways, front‑yard parking, space size): § 23.719.130 and § 23.719.060 (dimensions and setbacks) .
• Bicycle parking standards: § 23.719.110 (types, dimensions, surfacing, exemptions) .
• Loading / maneuvering: § 23.719.150 (how many, size, location) and related diagrams .
• EV readiness: the city integrates CALGreen / Title 24 requirements via § 23.719.160 and enforces EV‑capable infrastructure per the California Green Building Standards Code; see the city section for details and California Building Standards Code references .
• Reductions and waivers (transit proximity, extra bicycle parking, parking districts): § 23.719.080 (reductions and exceptions) .

District-by-district notes (how parking rules apply in key Rancho Cordova zoning districts)

The city lists base and overlay zones in Table 23.301‑1; parking requirements are applied to the uses in those zones using Table 23.719‑1 and the design rules of Chapter 23.719. Below are focused summaries for the most common project contexts. For exact parcel zoning consult the city zoning map and confirm with the director for boundary questions (see § 23.301.030) .

RD‑20 (Residential, 20 du/ac) — typical medium‑density residential

• Purpose & where it applies: a medium density residential base zone implementing the General Plan; listed in Table 23.301‑1 as a residential zone (see the zoning districts table) .
• Typical permitted uses: townhouses, small‑lot multifamily; accessory units where allowed. Development standards for multifamily objective design and site planning (including orientation of parking) are in Chapters 23.707 and Article 5 mixed‑use standards when applicable .
• Parking rules: parking per unit is measured by the dwelling type in Table 23.719‑1 (e.g., studio/1‑bed = 1 space/unit; 2–3 beds = 2 spaces/unit; plus guest ratio 0.2/unit where shown), and bicycle parking also required per § 23.719.110 .
• Key dimensional/development notes: parking areas and structures must follow Chapter 23.719 design standards and objective multifamily standards (location of parking relative to street; parking not placed on primary street frontages for neighborhood compatibility) .

RMU (Residential Mixed‑Use) — compact mixed housing in village centers

• Purpose & where it applies: mixed‑use districts intended to concentrate residential above or next to ground‑floor commercial uses (Table 23.301‑1) .
• Typical permitted uses: ground‑floor retail/office, upper‑floor dwellings, live/work. Development standards for RMU are in the mixed‑use article (see Table 23.313‑2) .
• Parking rules: uses are parked according to the specific land‑use categories in Table 23.719‑1 (retail, office, residential each have their own ratios), and where multiple uses share a building the parking requirement is the sum of each use’s requirement (see § 23.719.150 for loading; § 23.719.040 for calculation/rounding) .
• Key design issues: RMU/center projects often qualify for parking reductions (up to 25–50% near major transit stops) under § 23.719.080 if within transit proximity; also design review will require active ground floor frontages and pedestrian connectivity to bike/ride facilities .

CMU / GC (Commercial Mixed‑Use / General Commercial) — retail and service centers

• Purpose & where it applies: commercial districts for shopping, services, restaurants; CMU targets mixed‑use centers; GC is general commercial (Table 23.301‑1) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, personal services, offices. Parking minimums depend on the use type (e.g., retail and restaurant have per‑1,000‑sf ratios in Table 23.719‑1) .
• Loading: nonresidential uses follow the loading space sizing and apron rules in § 23.719.150 (industrial loading larger; nonindustrial minimums stated) and loading cannot project into public streets or required setbacks .
• Key design notes: parking lot landscaping, lighting, and screening rules apply (see the city’s Landscaping and Screening and Chapter 23.716) and design review is commonly required for commercial projects .

M‑1 (Light Industrial / Manufacturing)

• Purpose & where it applies: light industrial/manufacturing areas (Table 23.301‑1) where goods production, distribution, and freight activities occur .
• Typical permitted uses: light manufacturing, warehouses, distribution, accessory offices.
• Parking & loading: industrial uses have higher or differently sized loading requirements — off‑street loading spaces in industrial areas must be at least 60 ft long × 12 ft wide with 15 ft vertical clearance and a 60‑ft maneuvering apron (see § 23.719.150 for the industrial loading standard) . Vehicle parking ratios for industrial‑use floor area appear in Table 23.719‑1 (use the closest matching category when a specific item is omitted) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant parking rules

Practical guidance / interpretation tips

• Use Table 23.719‑1 to determine your base vehicle count, then apply the calculation rules in § 23.719.040 (rounding) and any allowed reductions in § 23.719.080 (transit proximity, additional secure bike parking, etc.) .
• For mixed‑use buildings, compute parking for each use separately and add them (including loading obligations) — the code explicitly sums required loading spaces where multiple uses are on one parcel (§ 23.719.150) .
• Residential front‑yard parking is limited: required parking normally must be inside an enclosed garage/carport and may not be in the required front/street‑side setback unless permitted by § 23.719.130; driveways used for excess parking must meet durable/permeable surfacing and impervious coverage limits .
• Bicycle parking details (rack type, dimensions, clearances, surfacing) must be included on site plans; exemptions exist (temporary uses, agriculture, mini‑storage, home occupations) per § 23.719.110 .
• For EV infrastructure, the city follows CALGreen and requires EV‑capable wiring/infrastructure for qualifying projects; check § 23.719.160 and Title 24 for technical requirements and verification steps .
• Design review often catches parking layout and pedestrian access issues — integrate required parking, bike parking, landscaping strips and pedestrian walkways into the design package early to avoid late changes (see Rancho Cordova Design Review and Chapter 23.722 for pedestrian space standards) .

Checklist (for applicants — minimum items city will check)

• Use Table 23.719‑1 to calculate vehicle parking by each building use and round per § 23.719.040 § 23.719.070 .
• Show bicycle parking (short‑term and long‑term) with rack type, dimensions, and surfacing per § 23.719.110 .
• Demonstrate loading areas meet § 23.719.150 size and apron rules and are on the same parcel .
• Dimension all stalls (minimum 8.5 ft × 18 ft) and drive aisles; show ADA/accessible stalls in compliance with Title 24 (Building Code) § 11B .
• For residential sites, show garage/carport locations and confirm required parking is not in the front setback unless the specific exception applies (§ 23.719.130) .
• If seeking reductions (transit, bike provision, parking district waiver), include justification and maps showing distance to transit stops per § 23.719.080 .
• Include EV‑ready / EV‑capable infrastructure notes consistent with CALGreen and § 23.719.160; coordinate electrical plan with building division and Title 24 requirements .
• Prepare landscape, lighting, and pedestrian connections for parking areas per Chapters 23.716 and 23.722 (landscaping standards and pedestrian spaces) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Rancho Cordova requires a specific number of off‑street parking spaces for almost every type of use (listed in Table 23.719‑1), enforces standard stall sizes and driveway rules for residences, requires bicycle parking and on‑site loading spaces where applicable, and permits reductions for projects that are transit‑oriented or provide extra bike facilities. Plan parking counts from Table 23.719‑1, follow the dimensional rules in § 23.719.060/130, and ask planning staff to confirm any transit, shared parking, or ADU exceptions early in design .

Source References

• RCMC Chapter 23.719, Parking and Loading (purpose, applicability, permit requirements, calculations, vehicle ratios, design standards, bicycle parking, loading, EV readiness): § 23.719.010 – § 23.719.170 .
• Table 23.719‑1 (Required Minimum Vehicle Ratios) and related notes: Table 23.719‑1 and § 23.719.070 (vehicle ratios) .
• Residential off‑street parking standards and private residence rules: § 23.719.130 and § 23.719.060 (dimensions, driveways) .
• Reductions and exceptions to minimum parking requirements (transit, bicycle, parking district): § 23.719.080 .
• Bicycle parking requirements: § 23.719.110 (rack types, dimensions, surfacing, exemptions) .
• Off‑street loading standards (sizes, location, alley access): § 23.719.150 .
• EV parking / CALGreen integration: § 23.719.160 and the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) / Title 24 references .
• Zoning district list and table: Table 23.301‑1 (Zoning Districts) and zoning map rules: § 23.301.020 – § 23.301.030 .
• Objective multifamily design standards affecting parking location and frontage: Chapter 23.707 (Objective Design Standards for Multifamily) .
• Rancho Cordova ADU/State ADU guidance referenced by the code (state law interactions): ADU handbook and references to Government Code and local implementation notes (state/ADU references in the materials) .
• Landscaping and pedestrian space standards that affect parking layout: Chapters 23.716 and 23.722 .

Retrieved passages

• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (section requires) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Chapter 23.719) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 719 (section of) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Title 23.) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Chapter 23.101.) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 66322) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 23.313.040.) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Section 18541) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• RCMC Chapter 23.719, Parking and Loading (purpose, applicability, permit requirements, calculations, vehicle ratios, design standards, bicycle parking, loading, EV readiness): **§ 23.719.010 – § 23.719.170** . (Chapter 23.719)
• Table 23.719‑1 (Required Minimum Vehicle Ratios) and related notes: Table 23.719‑1 and **§ 23.719.070** (vehicle ratios) . (§ 23.719.070)
• Residential off‑street parking standards and private residence rules: **§ 23.719.130** and **§ 23.719.060** (dimensions, driveways) . (§ 23.719.130)
• Reductions and exceptions to minimum parking requirements (transit, bicycle, parking district): **§ 23.719.080** . (§ 23.719.080)
• Bicycle parking requirements: **§ 23.719.110** (rack types, dimensions, surfacing, exemptions) . (§ 23.719.110)
• Off‑street loading standards (sizes, location, alley access): **§ 23.719.150** . (§ 23.719.150)
• EV parking / CALGreen integration: **§ 23.719.160** and the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) / Title 24 references . (§ 23.719.160)
• Zoning district list and table: Table **23.301‑1** (Zoning Districts) and zoning map rules: **§ 23.301.020 – § 23.301.030** . (§ 23.301.020)
• Objective multifamily design standards affecting parking location and frontage: Chapter **23.707** (Objective Design Standards for Multifamily) .
• Rancho Cordova ADU/State ADU guidance referenced by the code (state law interactions): ADU handbook and references to Government Code and local implementation notes (state/ADU references in the materials) .
• Landscaping and pedestrian space standards that affect parking layout: Chapters **23.716** and **23.722** .
• RanchoCordova_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Rancho Cordova code library