Local zoning · San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces does a single‑family house in San Juan Bautista need?

A single‑family dwelling in San Juan Bautista must provide two (2) parking spaces, with at least one covered (garage or carport). See § 11‑11‑150(A) for the controlling requirement.

Q: What are the required dimensions for a parking stall and driveway in the city?

Standard required stall size is 9 ft × 18 ft ; the City Manager may allow up to 10% of spaces as compact stalls 8 × 16 ft . Access aisle and driveway widths range from 12 ft (one‑way or <4 spaces) to **25 ft** (>60° angled stalls). See § 11‑11‑050 and § 11‑11‑060 .

Q: Does San Juan Bautista require bicycle parking?

Yes — any parking area in a commercial or mixed use district must provide bicycle racks at a ratio of 1 bicycle space per 10 vehicle spaces , with a minimum of 1 bicycle space. See § 11‑11‑070(A) .

Q: If I build an ADU, do I have to add off‑street parking?

Generally one (1) off‑street parking space is required per attached or detached ADU; this can be tandem on a driveway. Several exemptions apply (e.g., zero‑bedroom ADU, within ½ mile of transit, historic district, or other statutory exemptions). See SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L) and the code’s ADU section. Link: San Juan Bautista ADUs.

Q: What are the loading space requirements for a new retail building?

Any structure with ≥10,000 sf intended for goods receipt/distribution must provide at least one (1) off‑street loading space , plus one additional loading space for each additional 20,000 sf ; each loading berth must be at least 10 ft × 30 ft and not closer than 40 ft to a street. See § 11‑11‑170 .

Q: Do I need a site plan for parking even if I’m only changing pavement or re‑striping?

If your project results in 4 or more required parking spaces, a site plan showing stalls, maneuvering, and curb cuts must be submitted for review (City Manager) for consistency with Chapter standards and design guidelines. See § 11‑11‑080 and § 11‑11‑020 for design‑review triggers. Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review.

Q: Where are the exact parking counts for retail, grocery, service station, and manufacturing?

The ordinance provides a use table in § 11‑11‑160 that lists parking ratios by use (examples: 1/250 sf for many retail stores, 1/150 sf for grocery, service station spaces per bay). Consult § 11‑11‑160 for the full table and related rounding/aggregate rules.

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of San Juan Bautista regulates parking in its local zoning ordinance (Title 11 / zoning). It summarizes minimum counts, stall sizes, surfacing, landscaping, bicycle parking, loading, mixed‑use and ADU rules, and the special historic‑district flexibility — all tied to the controlling municipal code sections so you can verify specifics. For context on the city's zoning framework see San Juan Bautista zoning & planning overview and for how the parking rules interact with other standards see San Juan Bautista Zoning and San Juan Bautista Development Standards.

What the ordinance requires (quick orientation)

Off‑street parking, layout, surfacing, screening, and plan submittal rules for new or altered uses live in Chapter 11‑11 (Parking) of the San Juan Bautista Municipal Code; the ordinance frames intent, minimum numbers, stall geometry, paving, landscaping, bicycle parking, and loading spaces. See § 11‑11‑010 through § 11‑11‑170 for the complete rules.
Design review is required for establishment or expansion of parking lots. See § 11‑11‑020 and the city's Design Review requirements. Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review.
ADU parking is treated separately in the ADU chapter; one off‑street space per accessory unit is required in most cases, with state‑law and local exemptions. Link: San Juan Bautista ADUs. See SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L).
Historic properties may qualify for reduced parking through a use permit and design review. See Historic Preservation incentives (HD / NRHD). Link: San Juan Bautista Historic Preservation. See § 11‑06‑130(B)(1).

Below I walk through the rules you will use most often and then show district‑by‑district notes that matter for parking.

Key standards (district‑relevant subsections follow)

Standard / topic	Rule (plain)	Code reference
Minimum stall size	Standard required stall: 9 ft × 18 ft (City Manager may allow compact stalls 8×16 up to 10% reduction).	§ 11‑11‑050
Driveway / aisle widths	Minimum access aisle 15 ft (12 ft when <4 spaces / one‑way); angled aisles: 15 ft (45°), 18 ft (≤60°), 25 ft (>60°).	§ 11‑11‑060
Bicycle parking (commercial / mixed use)	Bicycle racks required in commercial or mixed‑use parking areas at 1 bicycle space per 10 vehicle spaces, minimum 1.	§ 11‑11‑070(A)
Lot landscaping	Off‑street parking lots must have ≥10% of lot area planted; trees at least 5 ft tall, 15‑gal size along frontage.	§ 11‑11‑070(C)
Paving / surfacing	Required: graded, dust‑free and paved with 2 in. asphaltic concrete (exceptions possible for single lots in low‑density zones).	§ 11‑11‑090
Screening & lighting	Open parking areas with ≥4 stalls near an R lot must be screened by masonry wall; lighting per Chapter 11‑13.	§ 11‑11‑100(A–B)
Plan submittal	If 4 or more required parking spaces, submit a site plan showing stalls, maneuvering, and curb cuts to City Manager (review for consistency with design guidelines).	§ 11‑11‑080
Number required — dwellings	Single‑family: 2 spaces (1 covered). Multifamily: studio/1BR = 1 covered; 2–4BR = combinations of covered + uncovered; guest parking 0.5 space/unit.	§ 11‑11‑150 (A–B)
Number required — other uses	Commercial/retail, grocery, service, manufacturing, etc. follow a use table (e.g., 1 space per 250 sf for many retail uses; 1/150 sf for grocery).	§ 11‑11‑160
Mixed‑use rules	In MU district on‑street parking within 150 ft may count; proximity to public lots can grant 10 spaces or 25% reduction; joint use permitted by Planning Commission.	§ 11‑11‑120 (A–B, E)
Loading spaces	Buildings ≥ 10,000 sf with goods receipt must provide ≥1 loading space plus 1 per additional 20,000 sf; loading berth min 10 ft × 30 ft and not closer than 40 ft to a street.	§ 11‑11‑170 (A–B)
ADU parking	1 off‑street parking space per attached/detached ADU (can be tandem on driveway); several exemptions apply (zero‑bedroom ADU, proximity to transit, historic district, etc.). Link: California ADU law and San Juan Bautista ADUs.	SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L)
Historic exceptions	For designated historic resources, parking requirements may be reduced up to 50% when approved by use permit & design review.	§ 11‑06‑130(B)(1)

District‑by‑district breakdown

Below are the local district labels that affect parking rules and what the ordinance ties to parking. Where the code does not include district specifics for parking, I note that.

MU (Mixed Use) — MU

Purpose / where it applies: MU is intended to encourage pedestrian‑oriented, downtown‑scale commercial and mixed residential development. The MU standards for parking and frontage are consolidated in § 11‑04‑020. Link: San Juan Bautista Zoning.
Typical permitted uses: mixed commercial and residential projects, retail, offices, services; purely commercial projects are allowed where a mix is infeasible. § 11‑04‑020(C).
Key parking rules: on‑street spaces within 150 ft of the parcel may be counted; off‑street parking reductions available (10 spaces or 25% reduction) when within 400 ft of a public lot/garage subject to in‑lieu fee; joint‑use parking allowed by use permit. § 11‑11‑120 (A, B, E, F).
Practical note: downtown MU blocks have additional front‑facing building and pedestrian requirements; expect design review and possible in‑lieu fee rather than large surface lots. § 11‑04‑020, § 11‑11‑120.

R‑1 — R‑1 (Single‑Unit Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: single‑unit residential (single‑family). ADU rules reference R‑1 explicitly (e.g., rear‑yard coverage limits for ADUs). See San Juan Bautista ADUs. SJBMC 11‑04.5‑130(F).
Parking standard that matters: single‑family dwellings require 2 spaces (one covered) per unit. § 11‑11‑150(A).
Where it applies / map: See the City zoning map (not included in the retrieved excerpts). Not found in retrieved materials: full R‑1 dimensional table and map — verify with the City.

R‑2 and R‑3 — R‑2, R‑3 (Two‑/Multi‑Family Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: multifamily housing; ADU provisions reference R‑2 and R‑3 for multifamily standards and allowances. SJBMC 11‑04.5‑130(G).
Parking counts: multifamily parking required per unit/bedroom (studio/1BR = 1 covered; 2–4BR require combinations covered+uncovered; guest parking 0.5 space/unit). § 11‑11‑150(B).
Where it applies: zoning map and district chapters (not included here). Not found in retrieved materials: complete district dimensional tables — verify with the jurisdiction.

Commercial / Industrial zones (city labels in Title 11)

Typical uses: retail, restaurants, service stations, manufacturing, warehousing — the parking table in § 11‑11‑160 specifies ratios (e.g., 1/250 sf for many retail uses; 1/150 sf for grocery; 1/1000 sf for manufacturing/warehouse). § 11‑11‑160.
Special rules: loading spaces for larger commercial buildings (≥10,000 sf) are required (see § 11‑11‑170). Landscaping and curbing rules apply to mixed‑use, multiple‑family, commercial, and industrial lots. § 11‑11‑070(C) and § 11‑11‑090.

Historic overlays — HD and NRHD

Where defined: “Overlay district” means either HD (city historic district) or NRHD (National Register Third Street Historic District) in the code definitions.
Parking flexibility: properties that qualify can apply for reduced parking (up to 50% reduction for commercial structures) through use permit and site plan / design review — the finding must show the reduction supports preservation. § 11‑06‑130(B)(1). Link: San Juan Bautista Historic Preservation.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Confirm the zoning of the parcel and any overlays (HD/NRHD) and whether MU rules apply — verify with the City. Not found in retrieved materials: zoning map.
Calculate required parking using § 11‑11‑150 (dwellings) or § 11‑11‑160 (other uses); round per § 11‑11‑110.
Design stalls at 9' × 18' minimum and drive aisles per § 11‑11‑050 and § 11‑11‑060 (or seek Manager approval for compact stalls).
Provide bicycle racks if in a commercial or mixed use district at 1 per 10 vehicle spaces (min 1).
Landscape at least 10% of the parking lot area and include required tree sizes. § 11‑11‑070(C).
Provide required loading spaces for large buildings (≥10,000 sf) per § 11‑11‑170.
Pave and mark per § 11‑11‑090 (2" AC standard unless exception applies).
If 4 or more parking spaces are required, submit a site plan for City Manager review consistent with design guidelines (§ 11‑11‑080) and obtain design review if establishing/expanding a parking lot (§ 11‑11‑020). Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review.
If parcel is within MU, evaluate on‑street counting, off‑site parking distance allowances, and possible in‑lieu fee or reductions per § 11‑11‑120.
For ADUs: apply ADU rules (one space per ADU; check exemptions) and document applicable exemptions in the ADU application. Link: California ADU law and San Juan Bautista ADUs. SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Mixed‑use on‑street counting / reductions	MU allows counting on‑street spaces within 150 ft and reductions if near a public lot; but eligibility requires measurements, in‑lieu fee rules, and potential Planning Commission findings.	Verify distance measurements, whether nearby public parking qualifies, and applicable in‑lieu fee (Planning Commission / City Council action). § 11‑11‑120 (A, B, F)
Historic‑district reductions	Code allows up to 50% parking reduction for qualifying historic commercial structures but requires findings and design review.	Confirm historic status, required findings, and that the proposed reduction will not harm surrounding parking availability. § 11‑06‑130(B)(1)
ADU parking exemptions vs. local rules	State ADU law and local ADU section list circumstances where no additional parking may be required; conflict risk if local practice is inconsistent.	Confirm which ADU exemptions apply (zero‑bedroom, transit proximity, historic district, etc.) and document them on permit. SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L)
Covered parking waiver for multifamily	Planning Commission can waive covered parking when design or affordability reasons exist. Lack of early clarity can affect design and cost.	If proposing uncovered parking for multifamily, get the Planning Commission’s written finding per § 11‑11‑150(B)(6).
Paving exception for rural single lots	City Manager may waive 2" AC paving in low‑density residential areas — could affect grading, drainage, and occupancy timing.	Confirm waiver criteria and required dust‑free surfacing standard under § 11‑11‑090.
Where district dimensional rules live	Parking interacts with setbacks, coverage and other district standards (affecting whether parking can be placed in yards) but district dimensional tables / map not in the parking chapter.	Verify the parcel’s zone chapter, development standards, and map for setback and lot coverage impacts (not found in the retrieved parking excerpts). Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English summary

San Juan Bautista requires off‑street parking sized 9×18 ft, paved and landscaped, with a clear table for how many spaces each use must provide (two spaces for a single‑family home, prescribed counts for multifamily and commercial uses), special allowances and counting rules in the downtown MU area, bicycle parking for commercial lots, loading for large buildings, and an ADU rule that generally requires one additional space per accessory unit (with state and local exemptions). See the cited municipal code sections to confirm parcel‑specific results.

Source References

San Juan Bautista Municipal Code, Chapter 11‑11 (Parking) — intent, sizes, counts, mixed‑use rules, plan approval, paving, screening, loading: § 11‑11‑010 through § 11‑11‑170. Examples: § 11‑11‑050 (stall size) and § 11‑11‑060 (aisles) ; § 11‑11‑070 (bicycle racks, landscaping) ; § 11‑11‑080 (plan approval) ; § 11‑11‑090 (paving) ; § 11‑11‑100 (screening/lighting) ; § 11‑11‑110 / 120 / 150 / 160 / 170 (number tables & loading) .
Mixed Use (MU) district standards: § 11‑04‑020 (location, facade and MU parking counting / reductions). Link: San Juan Bautista Zoning.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — parking rules & exemptions: SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L). Link: San Juan Bautista ADUs and California ADU law.
Historic incentives / parking reductions: § 11‑06‑130(B) (up to 50% reduction allowed with findings and review). Link: San Juan Bautista Historic Preservation.
Design‑review trigger: parking lot establishment/expansion requires design review — § 11‑11‑020 and site plan review § 11‑11‑080. Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review.

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 060 (Chapter as) High relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter 11-11) High relevance
CBC § 080 (Chapter as) High relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter and) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Title shall) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter 11-11) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter 11-01) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter 11-11) Medium relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
San Juan Bautista Zoning Code (Chapter is) Medium relevance

Cited sections

San Juan Bautista Municipal Code, Chapter **11‑11 (Parking)** — intent, sizes, counts, mixed‑use rules, plan approval, paving, screening, loading: **§ 11‑11‑010 through § 11‑11‑170**. Examples: **§ 11‑11‑050** (stall size) and **§ 11‑11‑060** (aisles) ; **§ 11‑11‑070** (bicycle racks, landscaping) ; **§ 11‑11‑080** (plan approval) ; **§ 11‑11‑090** (paving) ; **§ 11‑11‑100** (screening/lighting) ; **§ 11‑11‑110 / 120 / 150 / 160 / 170** (number tables & loading) . (§ 11)
**Mixed Use (MU) district standards**: **§ 11‑04‑020** (location, facade and MU parking counting / reductions). Link: San Juan Bautista Zoning. (§ 11)
**Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)** — parking rules & exemptions: **SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L)**. Link: San Juan Bautista ADUs and California ADU law.
**Historic incentives / parking reductions**: **§ 11‑06‑130(B)** (up to 50% reduction allowed with findings and review). Link: San Juan Bautista Historic Preservation. (§ 11)
Design‑review trigger: parking lot establishment/expansion requires design review — **§ 11‑11‑020** and site plan review **§ 11‑11‑080**. Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review. (§ 11)
SanJuanBautista_ZoningCode.md
2025 California Building Code.md

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces does a single‑family house in San Juan Bautista need?

A single‑family dwelling in San Juan Bautista must provide two (2) parking spaces, with at least one covered (garage or carport). See § 11‑11‑150(A) for the controlling requirement.

What are the required dimensions for a parking stall and driveway in the city?

Standard required stall size is 9 ft × 18 ft; the City Manager may allow up to 10% of spaces as compact stalls 8 × 16 ft. Access aisle and driveway widths range from 12 ft (one‑way or <4 spaces) to **25 ft** (>60° angled stalls). See § 11‑11‑050 and § 11‑11‑060.

Does San Juan Bautista require bicycle parking?

Yes — any parking area in a commercial or mixed use district must provide bicycle racks at a ratio of 1 bicycle space per 10 vehicle spaces, with a minimum of 1 bicycle space. See § 11‑11‑070(A).

If I build an ADU, do I have to add off‑street parking?

Generally one (1) off‑street parking space is required per attached or detached ADU; this can be tandem on a driveway. Several exemptions apply (e.g., zero‑bedroom ADU, within ½ mile of transit, historic district, or other statutory exemptions). See SJBMC 11‑04.5 (L) and the code’s ADU section. Link: San Juan Bautista ADUs.

Can on‑street spaces count toward my parking requirement in downtown?

Yes — within the MU district, existing or required paved on‑street parking within 150 ft of the parcel may be counted toward the development’s parking requirement; additional reductions exist when near public parking lots, subject to in‑lieu fees and findings. See § 11‑11‑120(A–B). Link: San Juan Bautista Zoning.

What are the loading space requirements for a new retail building?

Any structure with ≥10,000 sf intended for goods receipt/distribution must provide at least one (1) off‑street loading space, plus one additional loading space for each additional 20,000 sf; each loading berth must be at least 10 ft × 30 ft and not closer than 40 ft to a street. See § 11‑11‑170.

Do I need a site plan for parking even if I’m only changing pavement or re‑striping?

If your project results in 4 or more required parking spaces, a site plan showing stalls, maneuvering, and curb cuts must be submitted for review (City Manager) for consistency with Chapter standards and design guidelines. See § 11‑11‑080 and § 11‑11‑020 for design‑review triggers. Link: San Juan Bautista Design Review.

Can historic buildings avoid providing the full parking required by the table?

Yes — for qualifying historic resources, a reduction in parking requirements up to 50% for commercial structures may be granted through a use permit and site plan/design review, provided findings demonstrate preservation benefits and no adverse parking impacts. See § 11‑06‑130(B)(1) and San Juan Bautista Historic Preservation.

Is paving always required for off‑street parking?

Generally yes: parking areas must be graded, dust‑free, and paved with 2 in. asphaltic concrete, but the City Manager may grant exceptions for private streets or single lots in low‑density residential zones with at least 50 ft frontage where the rural character is preserved. See § 11‑11‑090.

Where are the exact parking counts for retail, grocery, service station, and manufacturing?

The ordinance provides a use table in § 11‑11‑160 that lists parking ratios by use (examples: 1/250 sf for many retail stores, 1/150 sf for grocery, service station spaces per bay). Consult § 11‑11‑160 for the full table and related rounding/aggregate rules.

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