Local zoning · San Jose

San Jose — Parking

Q: How many bicycle racks are required for nonresidential uses?

Minimum bicycle counts are set in Table 20‑190 and summarized in § 20.90.060 (a nonresidential site typically needs at least 2 short‑term and 1 long‑term space as a baseline; the table refines counts by use). See § 20.90.060 and Table 20‑190 .

Q: Is additional parking required for an ADU or a JADU?

For a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) , the local code states no additional parking is required , and if a garage is converted to a JADU the prior garage parking is not required to be replaced § 20.80.178 . For standard ADUs confirm both local ADU rules and state ADU law.

Q: Where do I check for downtown exceptions or special Development Agreements (e.g., Diridon)?

Downtown rules live in Chapter 20.70 ; some areas (Diridon, arena, Downtown West) may be governed by specific Development Agreements or Council ordinances that override Title 20 — check § 20.70.700 and the DA language cited in the parking minimums part § 20.90.800 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of San José's zoning ordinance (Title 20) actually requires for parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking in San José. It focuses only on zoning/planning rules (not Title 24 building‑code requirements) and points you to the controlling local code sections (with plain‑English explanations and practical guidance). Key rules live in Chapter 20.90 (Parking, Loading and TDM) and parts of Chapter 20.70 (Downtown) and Chapter 20.75 (Pedestrian‑oriented / Main Street). See the city's rules on parking for background and the Citywide development standards for how parking interacts with setbacks and frontage requirements .

First internal links (for navigation): parking — /us/california/san-jose, development standards — /us/california/san-jose/development-standards, design review — /us/california/san-jose/design-review, overlays — /us/california/san-jose/overlay-districts, ADUs — /us/california/san-jose/adu, California Building Standards Code — /us/california/building-codes

How the rules are organized (quick map)

General parking design, setbacks, driveways, surfacing and maintenance: § 20.90.100 — § 20.90.140
Number of bicycle spaces and bicycle location/design standards: § 20.90.060 and Table 20‑190
Off‑street loading size, location and counts (including downtown special rules): § 20.90.420, § 20.90.430, § 20.90.440, plus downtown loading rules in § 20.70.430–460
Downtown bicycle rules are also captured in Chapter 20.70 (see § 20.70.485)
Planned Development (PD) projects: parking is controlled by the PD permit; see § 20.60.040

Citywide technical standards (what applicants must design to)

Table: Decision‑relevant parking, loading and bicycle rules

Rule / topic	Key requirement (plain English)	Code reference
Parking design (stall dims, aisles, small‑car limit)	Off‑street stalls must meet the design dimensions in Table 20‑220 (stall widths/lengths and aisle widths). No more than 40% of stalls may be designated small‑car.	§ 20.90.100
Setbacks for parking	Parking and loading generally may not be in required front/side setbacks unless the Director approves; uncovered SFR parking in front yard is allowed if front yard paving limits are met.	§ 20.90.120
Surfacing & drainage	Uncovered parking (6+ spaces) must be paved and drained per City stormwater policy.	§ 20.90.140
Bicycle parking (counts & location)	Minimum bicycle spaces by land use in Table 20‑190; at least 2 short‑term + 1 long‑term bicycle spaces for a nonresidential site as a baseline; rules for long‑term vs short‑term allocation depend on use. Bicycle parking must be convenient and secure.	§ 20.90.060 and Table 20‑190
Bicycle reductions / public racks	Director may allow required short‑term bicycle racks to be provided on the public sidewalk if within 200 ft and permitted via encroachment; reductions of long‑term spaces for MF units with individual enclosed garages may be approved.	§ 20.90.305 and § 20.90.250
Loading size & counts	Each required off‑street loading space: 10 ft wide x 30 ft long x 15 ft high (clear) and drive/maneuvering per parking aisles; loading counts vary by use/size (downtown has specific schedules).	§ 20.90.420, § 20.90.430, downtown rules § 20.70.430–460
Parking minimums & special zones	City retains parking minimums generally (see Part 8 / § 20.90.800), but special areas (off‑street parking assessment districts, Diridon/arena/DA areas) have tailored rules and possible reductions.	§ 20.90.800 and related applicability notes
PD projects	If property is in a PD zone and a PD permit is implemented, the PD dictates the exact number and placement of parking/loading spaces (PD prevails over base district rules).	§ 20.60.040
ADU / JADU parking	No additional parking required for a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit; garage conversions need not replace former parking for a JADU.	§ 20.80.178
EV / Clean Air Vehicle parking	EV and Clean Air Vehicle parking is required per the city's Title 24 or California Green Building Standards Code (whichever is greater). Verify with Title 24 rules.	§ 20.90.100 (D)

Notes: design tables (e.g., Table 20‑220) contain the dimension matrices; consult § 20.90.100 for the exact table and measurement notes .

District‑by‑district breakdown

Below are the district‑specific rules you will actually rely on. For every statement I list the controlling local code section.

R‑1 and other single‑family Residence districts (e.g., R‑1‑1, R‑1‑2, R‑1‑5, R‑1‑8) — where it applies

Purpose: traditional low‑density housing across the city. See the zoning district table for exact map symbols § 20.10.060 .

Typical permitted uses: detached single‑family homes, accessory uses, home occupations, and ADUs where allowed by state/local ADU rules § 20.10.060 .

Key parking standards and practical notes:

On‑site parking for single‑family dwellings follows the citywide design standards in § 20.90.100 and setback rules in § 20.90.120 (driveway minimum length for one‑family dwelling driveways is 18 ft measured at the shortest side) .
Uncovered parking in front setback is allowed for single‑family homes only when front yard paving limits are met; otherwise parking cannot be located inside required front/side setbacks without a Director finding or permit § 20.90.120 .
ADUs/JADUs: no additional parking required for a JADU and garage‑to‑JADU conversions need not replace garage parking § 20.80.178 .

Verify with the jurisdiction: driveway curb cuts and public‑right‑of‑way encroachment permits (public works) and any neighborhood overlay rules.

Multi‑family Residence districts (e.g., R‑2, R‑M, R‑3, R‑4, UR, TR, MUN, MUC) — where it applies

Purpose: higher density housing and mixed residential uses; many districts have specific development standards in Chapter 20.55 (Urban Village / Mixed Use) and Chapter 20.75 for pedestrian districts .

Typical permitted uses: duplexes, apartments, mixed‑use residential/commercial where allowed.

Key parking & bike rules:

Off‑street parking counts vary by district and use; certain pedestrian‑oriented districts set no minimum vehicle parking for multiple dwellings and a maximum of 2.0 spaces per unit, with 1 bicycle space per living unit in pedestrian districts (see Table 20‑211) § 20.75 / Table 20‑211 .
The city allows reductions for long‑term bicycle parking for multi‑family uses where each unit has an enclosed garage; see § 20.90.250 .
For large multi‑family projects, off‑street loading minimums are set in downtown/Chapter 20.70 or general loading rules; specific thresholds (units >50, >200, >500) trigger 1,2,3 loading spaces respectively § 20.70.435 .

Practical guidance: in pedestrian and urban village districts you should expect lower vehicle minimums and higher bicycle requirements; emphasize long‑term secure bicycle parking and a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan if the project is large § 20.90.900 et seq. .

Pedestrian‑oriented / Main Street districts (the MS‑G and MS‑C districts and PO districts)

Purpose: create active, walkable commercial frontages that prioritize pedestrians and bicycles over vehicle storage § 20.75.010 / § 20.75.020 .

Typical uses: ground‑floor retail, small offices, mixed‑use projects with street‑facing commercial space.

Key parking standards:

The pedestrian‑oriented rules make active ground‑floor frontage and building placement priorities; vehicle parking is subordinated — see Table 20‑152 and frontage rules in § 20.75.130 which explicitly exclude parking from being counted as active commercial frontage § 20.75.130 .
For Multiple dwellings in pedestrian oriented zoning districts, Table 20‑211 specifies Minimum required vehicle parking: N/A and Maximum required spaces: 2.0 per living unit; bicycle parking 1 per living unit Table 20‑211 .
Additional frontage and setback requirements can limit where at‑grade parking can go (main‑street setback rules appear in § 20.90.120.C for main street districts) .

Tip: If your project is in an MS district expect design review that focuses on minimizing visible parking and maximizing bike/ pedestrian amenities; coordinate with design review early / see the city's design review page /us/california/san-jose/design-review.

Downtown districts (DC, DC‑NT1) — where it applies

Purpose: downtown land use and development standards are in Chapter 20.70, and parking/loading/bicycle rules there override general rules where specified § 20.70.010 .

Typical uses: large mixed‑use projects, offices, hotels, retail.

Key parking, loading & bicycle items:

Downtown off‑street loading and parking requirements are handled in Chapter 20.70; downtown loading counts are tiered by use and GFA (retail/commercial thresholds, hotel thresholds, residential unit thresholds) § 20.70.430–440 .
Downtown bicycle parking requirements are specified in § 20.70.485 and reference Chapter 20.90 for counts and standards .
Some downtown additions to landmarks may be exempt from certain requirements § 20.70.415; verify with Historic Preservation rules if applicable .

Verify: Downtown West and other special PD overlays may carry separate Council ordinances (e.g., Downtown West PD) that supersede Title 20; always check the PD ordinance for conflicts § 20.70.700 .

Planned Development (PD / A(PD), etc.)

Purpose & effect: when a PD permit is effectuated, the PD permit controls parking counts and locations exactly; base district rules apply only until a PD permit is implemented § 20.60.040 .

Practical implication:

If your parcel is in a PD district and a PD permit has been implemented, do not assume the citywide tables apply — the PD document governs the exact number of spaces and placement § 20.60.040 .
If the PD is not implemented, the base district's parking rules apply.

Checklist

Confirm zoning district and any overlays for the parcel (see § 20.10.060 and overlay maps) .
Apply the dimensional design standards from Table 20‑220 and § 20.90.100 for stall and aisle geometry, and ensure no more than 40% small‑car spaces .
Show required bicycle spaces per Table 20‑190 and locate long‑term bike parking within 100 ft of tenant entrances where required § 20.90.060 .
Provide loading spaces sized 10' x 30' x 15' or obtain an approved reduction per § 20.90.420–440 and Chapter 20.70 (downtown) .
Respect parking setbacks: do not place parking in front/side setback unless Director authorizes per § 20.90.120 .
Identify whether the site is within any off‑street parking assessment district or subject to PD or DA covenants that alter minimums § 20.90.230 / § 20.60.040 .
If providing public sidewalk bicycle racks, secure Public Works encroachment permit and Director approval for any private requirement reduction § 20.90.305 .
If EV parking is required, check Title 24 / California Green Building Standards for minimums and electrical requirements (City defers to Title 24 where greater) § 20.90.100(D) .
For projects proposing fewer vehicle spaces than standard, prepare Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies and any TDM Plan required under Chapter 20.90 § 20.90.900 et seq. .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parking reductions/exemptions	The code contains multiple paths to reduce or eliminate parking (assessment districts, PDs, Director approvals). Mistaking a general table for a site‑specific PD can cause plan rework.	Confirm whether the parcel is in a PD or parking assessment district and check § 20.60.040 and § 20.90.230.
Downtown / DA exceptions	Downtown and some Development Agreements (e.g., Diridon/Google DA) have special parking rules and alternative minimums.	For downtown parcels check Chapter 20.70 and any DA ordinance (e.g., the Diridon or Arena DA mentioned in Part 8) § 20.70.010 and § 20.90.800.
Bicycle parking location reductions	Director can permit required bike racks in the public right‑of‑way — but the City can revoke encroachment permits.	If proposing public sidewalk racks, secure an encroachment permit and understand revocation risk per § 20.90.305.
ADU/JADU parking treatment	State law interacts with local ADU policy. Local code says no extra parking for JADUs, but larger ADU rules may differ.	Verify ADU parking rules and state ADU law; see § 20.80.178 and California ADU law.
Conflicting authoritative documents	PD district ordinances or Council ADAs can supersede Title 20.	Check whether a Council ordinance (e.g., Downtown West PD) governs your parcel per § 20.70.700 and PD provisions § 20.60.040.

Plain‑English Summary

San José's zoning code requires parking, loading, and bicycle parking to meet specific design and count rules in Chapter 20.90, with special rules for downtown, pedestrian/main‑street areas and PD zones; bicycle parking and TDM are emphasized, and PDs or assessment districts can change the baseline — always check the parcel's zone/overlays and any PD/DA that may control § 20.90.100, § 20.90.060, § 20.60.040 .

Source References

San José Municipal Code, Chapter 20.90 (Parking, Loading and Transportation Demand Management), including § 20.90.010 (Purpose) and the Parts on parking design and bicycle parking § 20.90.010–§ 20.90.140 and § 20.90.060 .
§ 20.90.100 (Off‑street parking design standards and Table 20‑220) .
§ 20.90.120 (Parking setbacks and main‑street exceptions) .
Off‑street loading size and location § 20.90.420–§ 20.90.440 and loading rules in Downtown § 20.70.430–§ 20.70.460 .
Table 20‑211 (Multiple dwellings in Pedestrian Oriented Zoning Districts — vehicle and bicycle parking rules) and related pedestrian‑oriented district provisions § 20.75.010–§ 20.75.020 .
PD (Planned Development) rules re: parking control § 20.60.040 (PD prevails when implemented) .
ADU / JADU parking treatment § 20.80.178 (no extra parking for JADU; garage conversion note) .
TDM / Parking minimums and special area notes § 20.90.800–§ 20.90.925 (transportation demand management program standards) .
Where the zoning districts are listed (R‑1, R‑2, DC, MS‑G, MS‑C, etc.): § 20.10.060 / Table 20‑10 .
City design/frontage rules that affect parking placement (Main Street building frontage rules) § 20.75.130 and Tables 20‑152/20‑153 .

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Jose Zoning Code (§ 20.90.900) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Chapter 20.90) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Chapter 20.90) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (§ 20.90.120) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Section 20.75.130.) High relevance
CGBSC § 11 (§ 11) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Title 20) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Title 20) High relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (§ 20.90.066) Medium relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (§ 20.90.064) Medium relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (§ 11.49.400) Medium relevance
CRC § 360 Medium relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Section this) Medium relevance
San Jose Zoning Code (Section this) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official San Jose code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the off‑street parking stall size and aisle requirements in San José?

Off‑street stall sizes and aisle widths must follow the design matrix in Table 20‑220 and the standards in § 20.90.100 (e.g., 9 ft width typical for 90° stalls and defined aisle widths per angle). Also note a cap of 40% small‑car stalls. See § 20.90.100 .

Do pedestrian‑oriented districts require vehicle parking for apartments?

In the pedestrian‑oriented districts, multiple dwellings show no minimum vehicle parking and a maximum of 2.0 vehicle spaces per unit, plus 1 bicycle space per living unit per Table 20‑211. See Table 20‑211 and Chapter 20.75 § 20.75.010–020 .

How many bicycle racks are required for nonresidential uses?

Minimum bicycle counts are set in Table 20‑190 and summarized in § 20.90.060 (a nonresidential site typically needs at least 2 short‑term and 1 long‑term space as a baseline; the table refines counts by use). See § 20.90.060 and Table 20‑190 .

What are the loading space dimensions I must provide for a new warehouse or retail building?

Each required off‑street loading space must generally be at least 10 ft wide x 30 ft long x 15 ft high, with driveways and maneuvering areas that meet parking design standards § 20.90.420–430. Downtown and large‑GFA uses have specific counts in Chapter 20.70 § 20.90.420 .

Can required bike racks be located in the public sidewalk instead of on private property?

Yes — the Director may reduce required short‑term private bicycle parking if required racks are installed in the public street within 200 feet and permitted via an encroachment permit; there is no absolute right and the city can revoke permits § 20.90.305 .

Do PD (Planned Development) districts follow the base zoning parking tables?

If a PD permit is effectuated, the PD controls and its parking/loading specifications must be followed (the PD provision “prevails” over base district rules) § 20.60.040 .

Is additional parking required for an ADU or a JADU?

For a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU), the local code states no additional parking is required, and if a garage is converted to a JADU the prior garage parking is not required to be replaced § 20.80.178 . For standard ADUs confirm both local ADU rules and state ADU law.

Where do I check for downtown exceptions or special Development Agreements (e.g., Diridon)?

Downtown rules live in Chapter 20.70; some areas (Diridon, arena, Downtown West) may be governed by specific Development Agreements or Council ordinances that override Title 20 — check § 20.70.700 and the DA language cited in the parking minimums part § 20.90.800 .

Are EV parking and clean‑air parking requirements in the zoning code?

The zoning code requires EV and clean‑air vehicle parking consistent with San José’s Title 24 or the California Green Building Standards Code (whichever is greater) — verify electrical/charging requirements in Title 24 § 20.90.100(D) .

What if a project wants fewer vehicle spaces than the table requires?

Projects seeking reductions should pursue the applicable process: Director reductions (where provided), PD approvals, or TDM plans under Chapter 20.90; large projects often must submit a Transportation Demand Management Plan § 20.90.900 et seq. .

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