San Benito County — Parking

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of San Benito County, off‑street vehicle and bicycle parking, circulation, and loading are regulated by the County’s zoning ordinance (Title 25). The rules set minimum parking ratios by land use, establish detailed layout and surfacing standards, and allow case‑by‑case reductions and shared/off‑site solutions where justified. Incorporated cities in the county have separate codes; the standards below apply only in unincorporated areas.

The core rule: provide off‑street parking and loading at the time a main building is constructed or a new land use is established, consistent with the County’s minimum ratios and design standards. See § 25.07.010(A)–(C).

Where this fits in your project

• For the land use basics, see the County’s zoning and land use pages.
• Parking sits within broader development standards and may be reviewed under design review for nonresidential projects or as part of a discretionary permit.
• Some areas are subject to overlay districts that can add special provisions.
• Landscaping around parking is governed by landscaping and screening.
• Accessibility and EV‑readiness reference the California Building Standards Code.
• ADU parking follows state law; see California ADU law and “ADUs” below.

Minimum parking ratios (unincorporated areas)

The County’s parking table assigns minimum spaces by use; sample highlights below. See Table 25.07‑C for the full list in § 25.07.010(C).

How to calculate:

• Fractions ≥ 0.5 round up; < 0.5 round down. Floor area means gross floor area unless stated otherwise. Employee‑based ratios use the largest typical shift. Mixed uses add the sums for each use; the Director may reduce for integrated projects. See § 25.07.010(D).

Bicycle parking:

• Lots with 20+ spaces must provide bicycle parking at 1 bicycle space per 10 vehicle spaces (rack or secure room). See § 25.07.010(F).

Reductions, shared, and off‑site parking:

• The review authority may approve fewer spaces via a use permit if data or design features (e.g., transit access, bicycle facilities, rideshare) show reduced demand, and the reduction will not harm adjacent uses. See § 25.07.010(E).
• Shared parking/off‑site parking may be approved if spaces are secured by easement, within 500 ft, and minimum on‑site amounts are met; standard percentage reductions apply by use (e.g., retail 60%, office 40%). See § 25.07.010(G)–(H) and Table 25.07‑D.

Loading:

• Retail, wholesale, warehouse, manufacturing, hotels, hospitals, and similar uses must provide on‑site loading adequate for their truck volumes; number/size is determined by the Planning Director. See § 25.07.010(J).

Design and surfacing standards

Layout and access:

• Driveways: ≥20 ft long to a garage/carport; widths: 10 ft one‑way; 20 ft two‑way. Provide maneuvering so vehicles exit to streets forward when facilities have ≥4 spaces. See § 25.07.010(I)(1).
• Stall dimensions: Standard 9×20 ft, Compact 8×16 ft, Parallel 9×22 ft. Aisles: 12–25 ft depending on angle; two‑way aisles are 25 ft for most angles. See Tables 25.07‑E, 25.07‑F, 25.07‑G in § 25.07.010(I)(2).
• Striping/marking and curbing: Double striping, marked aisles, wheel stops/curbs, and perimeter curbing for lots with 10+ spaces are required; most uses must avoid backing into public streets. See § 25.07.010(I)(4)–(7).

Surfacing:

• Within 1 mile of a city sphere of influence or in urban‑density projects: pave with asphalt, concrete, brick, or cobblestones. In communities of Tres Pinos, Dunneville, Aromas, provide an all‑weather, dust‑free surface; outside these areas, pave unless in an agricultural district. See § 25.07.010(8)(a)–(b).

EV charging:

• EV charging may be placed in parking/loading areas; EV‑equipped spaces count toward required parking. Multifamily and nonresidential projects must provide EV‑ready infrastructure per CALGreen (Title 24, Part 11). See § 25.07.010(I)(3).

Landscaping and shade:

• Parking area landscaping and shading are required: planters distributed “at least every fifth space,” and minimum shade canopy coverage of 30% (5–24 spaces), 40% (25–49 spaces), 50% (50+ spaces) within 15 years. See § 25.07.011(E)–(F).

Accessible parking:

• Number, siting, and marking of accessible spaces follow the California Building Code (CBC 11B). See Table 11B‑208.2 and siting rules in § 11B‑208.3 in the California Building Standards Code.

Drive‑throughs:

• If a restaurant includes a drive‑through, additional vehicle stacking is required under Chapter 25.08. See the note in Table 25.07‑C.

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)

• Base requirement: 1 off‑street space per ADU (covered or uncovered). No parking is required if the ADU is within ½ mile of transit, is part of the primary residence or a conversion of an existing accessory structure, when on‑street permits are not offered to the ADU occupant, or if a car‑share is within one block. Tandem parking is allowed; loss of covered parking for an ADU need not be replaced. See § 25.08.002(K).
• These provisions implement state law; for broader state protections, see California ADU law.

Overlays that affect parking

• Emergency Shelter (ES) Combining Zone: Off‑street parking at 1/employee (by shift) + 1/10 beds; off‑site parking within 500 ft by agreement may count during operating hours, and on‑street frontage parking may be credited. See § 25.04.003(E)(1).
• Airport Safety (AS), Hollister Municipal Airport (HMA), Frazier Lake Airpark (FLA): These overlays primarily regulate safety/population intensity; they do not set separate parking ratios but can constrain site planning where parking concentrates people. See § 25.04.002 and FLA tables. Verify early.

District-by-district parking outlook (unincorporated areas)

Below are the base districts most frequently triggering the parking standards above. Always pair district rules with the countywide parking chapter and any applicable overlay.

RR (Rural Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Low‑density residential and rural transition; typical uses include single‑family homes and compatible residential uses. See Table 25.03‑A.
• Key dimensional standards: See Table 25.03‑E (e.g., 40% lot coverage; 35 ft max height; setbacks vary by lot depth/width).
• Parking touchpoints: 2 spaces/dwelling, ≥1 covered; rural surfacing allowances may apply outside urban/community areas. See § 25.07.010.

R‑1 (Single Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Conventional single‑family neighborhoods; some additional residential/community uses as allowed in the use table. See Table 25.03‑A and residential use tables.
• Key dimensional standards: 40% lot coverage; front setback 20 ft; max height 30 ft. See Table 25.03‑E.
• Parking touchpoints: 2 spaces/dwelling (≥1 covered); ADU rules often reduce on‑site demand. Urban‑area surfacing may apply near spheres of influence. See § 25.07.010 and § 25.08.002(K).

RM (Residential Mixed)

• Purpose/uses: Medium‑ to higher‑density residential; multifamily permitted. See residential tables.
• Key dimensional standards: 60% lot coverage; front setback 20 ft; max height 35 ft. See Table 25.03‑E.
• Parking touchpoints: Unit‑based ratios by bedroom count plus guest parking; bicycle parking triggered in larger lots. See § 25.07.010(C), (F).

C‑1 (Commercial Thoroughfare)

• Purpose/uses: Thoroughfare commercial corridor (typical retail, services, restaurants). General commercial intent applies; specific purpose text for C‑1 not found in retrieved materials. See Table 25.03‑F for uses. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Parking touchpoints: Retail/restaurant/office ratios above; drive‑throughs add stacking. See § 25.07.010.

C‑2 (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Neighborhood‑serving centers to reduce trips to cities; supports local retail, restaurant, and mixed‑use. See description and Table 25.03‑F.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Parking touchpoints: Same commercial ratios; consider shared/off‑site reductions near mixed‑use. See § 25.07.010(E), (G)–(H).

BP (Business Park)

• Purpose/uses: Industrial/light office campus. See Table 25.03‑A.
• Key dimensional standards: FAR 0.8, 40 ft max height, setbacks 25 ft front/street side, 10 ft interior side. See Industrial standards table.
• Parking touchpoints: Use the office/industrial/warehouse ratios as applicable. See § 25.07.010.

M‑1 (Light Industrial) and M‑2 (Heavy Industrial)

• Purpose/uses: Manufacturing, processing, warehousing; M‑2 allows heavier industry. See Table 25.03‑A.
• Key dimensional standards: FAR 0.8, 40 ft height, 25 ft front/street side setbacks; 10 ft interior side/rear (more near residences). See Industrial standards table.
• Parking touchpoints: Manufacturing, warehouse, and office components park per the mixed ratios above; ensure on‑site loading. See § 25.07.010(C), (J).

PQP (Public/Quasi‑Public)

• Purpose/uses: Government, schools, utilities, civic facilities. See § 25.03.008(B) and use table.
• Key dimensional standards: Often “subject to design review”; see Table 25.03‑K.
• Parking touchpoints: Apply § 25.07.010 ratios for institutional uses (e.g., hospitals, schools) and required loading.

RRP (Resource Recovery Park)

• Purpose/uses: Centralized diversion/recycling, related manufacturing/retail. See § 25.03.008(C) and Table 25.03‑J.
• Key dimensional standards: FAR up to 1.0; see Table 25.03‑K.
• Parking touchpoints: Some recycling facilities require peak‑demand customer parking; no extra spaces for reverse‑vending machines; otherwise apply § 25.07.010. See § 25.08.014(D)(3) and (C)(2) as referenced in code.

Checklist

• Confirm base zone and any combining/overlay zones for the parcel (see San Benito County Zoning and Overlay Districts).
• Identify the exact use(s) and compute required parking from Table 25.07‑C; round per § 25.07.010(D).
• If mixed‑use, add each component; consider a reduction request under § 25.07.010(E) with demand data/design features.
• Consider shared or off‑site parking; secure easements; stay within 500 ft and meet minimum on‑site amounts per Table 25.07‑D.
• Design layout: stalls/aisles per Tables 25.07‑E/F/G; driveways, forward‑exit, curbing, striping/marking.
• Provide bicycle parking if the lot has 20+ spaces.
• Apply surfacing standard (urban/community/rural/agricultural context).
• Provide loading for qualifying uses.
• Add required parking landscaping/shade (Table 25.07‑H) and screening where applicable.
• Address EV‑ready infrastructure per CALGreen; EV spaces count toward your total.
• Provide accessible spaces per CBC 11B and locate on the shortest accessible route.
• If applicable, verify design review triggers for nonresidential zones.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building or changing a use in unincorporated San Benito County, expect to provide off‑street parking that matches your use, stripe and size the stalls/aisles to County standards, and landscape and surface the lot to the right level for your area. The County can approve shared or reduced parking if you show real demand reductions, but large projects also need bicycle parking, loading areas, EV‑ready infrastructure, and accessible spaces per state code.

Source References

• San Benito County Zoning Ordinance Title 25: General applicability and zoning framework — § 25.01.001–.006.
• Parking — required numbers, calculations, reductions, shared/off‑site, layout/dimensions, EV, surfacing, loading — § 25.07.010 (Tables 25.07‑C, ‑D, ‑E, ‑F, ‑G).
• Landscaping and shading for parking areas — § 25.07.011(E)–(F) (Table 25.07‑H).
• Commercial/industrial/residential use tables and standards — Tables 25.03‑A, ‑E, ‑F, ‑J, ‑K; Industrial standards.
• Emergency Shelter Combining Zone — off‑street parking for shelters — § 25.04.003(E)(1).
• ADU parking — § 25.08.002(K); state law overview (HCD handbook).
• Accessibility (CBC 11B) — Table 11B‑208.2, § 11B‑208.3 (number and siting of accessible spaces) in the California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• San Benito County Zoning Code (Chapter 7.11) High relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 25.05.004) Medium relevance show source text
• California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 11B (Section 11B-502) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (CHAPTER 25.05) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 25.08.002) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 3 (chapter of) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (chapter of) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (§ 25.05.006) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code (CHAPTER 25.01) Medium relevance show source text
• San Benito County Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• San Benito County Zoning Ordinance Title 25: General applicability and zoning framework — **§ 25.01.001–.006**. (Title 25)
• Parking — required numbers, calculations, reductions, shared/off‑site, layout/dimensions, EV, surfacing, loading — **§ 25.07.010** (Tables 25.07‑C, ‑D, ‑E, ‑F, ‑G). (§ 25.07.010)
• Landscaping and shading for parking areas — **§ 25.07.011(E)–(F)** (Table 25.07‑H). (§ 25.07.011)
• Commercial/industrial/residential use tables and standards — **Tables 25.03‑A, ‑E, ‑F, ‑J, ‑K**; Industrial standards.
• Emergency Shelter Combining Zone — off‑street parking for shelters — **§ 25.04.003(E)(1)**. (§ 25.04.003)
• ADU parking — **§ 25.08.002(K)**; state law overview (HCD handbook). (§ 25.08.002)
• Accessibility (CBC 11B) — **Table 11B‑208.2**, **§ 11B‑208.3** (number and siting of accessible spaces) in the California Building Standards Code. (§ 11B)
• SanBenitoCounty_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official San Benito County code library