Local zoning · San Rafael

San Rafael — Parking

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the San Rafael Zoning Ordinance (Title 14) requires for off‑street parking, loading, bicycle parking, and related site standards. It interprets the code most relevant to applicants and designers — including when the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code (the downtown code) overrides Title 14 — and points to the exact controlling ordinance sections so you can verify parcel‑specific rules. See the city's zoning rules for general context on how these rules fit into zoning and permitting: San Rafael Zoning.

How the Title is organized (quick anchors)

  • Applicability and rounding rules: § 14.18.020 and § 14.18.030.
  • Required parking counts and modification process: § 14.18.040.
  • Loading standards: § 14.18.050.
  • Downtown exceptions/waivers: § 14.18.060 (downtown parking district / form‑based code).
  • Bicycle parking and design standards: § 14.18.090.
  • Clean‑air/EV‑ready parking requirements: § 14.18.045.
  • Parking lot landscaping, lighting and dimensions: § 14.18.160, § 14.18.170, § 14.18.100.

Note: when a parcel lies inside the downtown mixed use district, the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code controls downtown parking provisions where it is explicit; where that code is silent, Title 14 applies. § 14.18.020(C) and § 14.18.040(C) explain this cross‑reference.

District-by-district breakdown

Downtown mixed use district

  • What it is / where it applies: the downtown area governed by the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code (adopted separately) is the city's downtown mixed use district. Title 14 defers specific downtown parking rules to that code. § 14.18.020(D); § 14.18.040(C).
  • Purpose: acknowledges unique mixed uses and shared parking/operation patterns; downtown has a distinct Downtown parking district described in § 14.18.060 (see downtown code for detailed tables).
  • Key rule for calculations: nonresidential floor area up to 1.0 FAR is eligible for an off‑street parking waiver in the downtown parking district; parking for residential uses and for floor area above 1.0 FAR is governed by the downtown code. § 14.18.060(A–B).
  • Practical note: Verify whether your parcel is INSIDE the downtown map and then use the Precise Plan/Form‑Based Code for required counts; Title 14 parking charts do not apply where the downtown code provides numbers. § 14.18.020(D).

(If you need the downtown code itself, confirm with the Community Development Department — the downtown code is incorporated by reference and maintained separately. Not found in retrieved materials.)

Residential districts (single‑family, multifamily, hillside; includes DR, MR, HR references in the code)

  • Where referenced: Title 14 treats residential types in the parking table in § 14.18.040, and has special rules for narrow streets and hillside lots.
  • Typical permitted uses (parking guidance applies to): single‑family detached, duplex/SB‑9 scenarios, studios, 1‑/2‑/3‑bedroom multifamily units, mobilehome parks, senior housing, and shelters — each has a specific parking ratio in the parking table. § 14.18.040 (see the table in the ordinance).
  • Key dimensional/quantum standards (high‑value items):
    • Single‑family: 2 covered spaces per unit (garage/carport sizes detailed in § 14.18.180). § 14.18.040, § 14.18.180.
    • Studio / 1‑bedroom / 2‑bedroom / 3+ bedroom: the table sets 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.0 spaces (respectively) per unit in many cases — consult the exact table in § 14.18.040 for variations (including SB‑9 rules). § 14.18.040.
    • On narrow streets (< 26 ft), hillside single‑family lots require two additional on‑site spaces (not in driveway apron) unless waived. § 14.18.040 (hillside entry note).
  • Special procedures: additional on‑site or atypical parking patterns for existing developments can be approved by the zoning administrator via environmental/design review where specific findings are met. § 14.18.150(A–B).

Link to development standards for setbacks and yard rules that affect where parking can be placed: San Rafael Development Standards.

Commercial and Office districts (neighborhood/commercial/office)

  • Purpose and where to look: the code organizes these districts in Division II and gives specific land use and parking expectations; see the commercial district purposes in § 14.05.010. § 14.05.010.
  • Off‑street parking: consult the parking chart in § 14.18.040 for use‑specific ratios (retail, restaurants, offices, personal service). The code lets the Community Development Director select comparable uses when a use isn't listed. § 14.18.040(A).
  • Loading: in office and industrial/office districts, loading areas may NOT be located in required front or street side yards and must be screened. § 14.18.050(D–E).

Link to design review when commercial parking is reconfigured or part of a larger project: San Rafael Design Review.

Industrial / Industrial‑Office districts

  • Loading standards are stricter here: for light industrial/mixed‑use light industrial/office the code requires one loading berth per 20,000 sq ft of gross building area; berth size 12 ft x 65 ft with 14 ft clearance. § 14.18.050(B).
  • Location and screening: loading must have adequate turning/access and be screened from public rights‑of‑way. § 14.18.050(C, E).

Overlay and special districts (Downtown parking district, other overlays)

  • The code treats overlays separately — downtown is the primary overlay with unique parking rules. For overlay rules and map boundaries see § 14.18.060 and the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code. § 14.18.060.
  • See the city's overlay map and overlay rules before applying Title 14 counts: San Rafael Overlay Districts.

The most decision‑relevant standards (table)

Topic Key rule / number Code Reference
Applicability (new building/change of use) Off‑street parking, loading & bicycle facilities required for new buildings, expansions, and changes that increase required spaces. § 14.18.020
Rounding Fractional parking: fraction ≥ 0.5 → round up to 1 space; < 0.5 → none. § 14.18.030
Residential parking (typical) Single‑family: 2 covered spaces/unit; studios/1br/2br vary 1.0–2.0 per table (see full table). § 14.18.040
Loading — retail/service 1 berth 10' x 35' with 14' clearance. § 14.18.050(A)
Loading — light industrial 1 berth per 20,000 sq ft; berth 12' x 65', 14' clearance. § 14.18.050(B)
Bicycle parking (short/long‑term) Short‑term: 5% of auto requirement (min 2‑bike rack); Long‑term: 5% of auto requirement (min 1 long‑term). Design specs in § 14.18.090. § 14.18.090(B–C)
Clean‑air/EV (nonresidential) Number of designated clean air spaces scaled to total spaces (chart in § 14.18.045). EV conduit prewiring required in ≥ 25‑space new/substantially renovated lots. § 14.18.045(B–D)
Downtown waiver Off‑street parking waived up to 1.0 FAR within downtown parking district for nonresidential uses. § 14.18.060(A)
In‑lieu payments City council may accept payment instead of spaces; payment equals fair market value of land + improvement costs. § 14.18.230
Parking lot landscape ≥ 1 tree per 4 spaces, minimum planter sizes and irrigation, screening to headlight height. Downtown lots often governed by downtown code instead. § 14.18.160
Permanence Once provided, off‑street parking cannot be reduced so as to make on‑site parking inadequate for the approved uses. § 14.18.250

Practical guidance / synthesis

  • Always start by confirming the parcel's zoning and whether it lies inside the downtown mixed use district or Downtown parking district; downtown rules can replace Title 14 numbers (see § 14.18.020(D) and § 14.18.060).
  • Use the Title 14 parking chart in § 14.18.040 for most uses outside downtown. If your specific use is not listed, the Community Development Director may assign a comparable use and may require a parking survey. § 14.18.040(A).
  • If you plan to reduce required vehicle parking (e.g., to preserve trees or allow compact design), the ordinance anticipates parking modifications but requires a use permit and review by the Community Development and Public Works Directors and approval by the Zoning Administrator. § 14.18.040(B).
  • Bicycle parking can be used as leverage: providing excess bike parking may qualify a project for reduction in vehicle parking via a parking modification (use permit). § 14.18.090(D).
  • Site layout considerations matter: loading must have adequate maneuvering and access to a public street/alley; loading placement and screening are controlled (especially in office/industrial districts). § 14.18.050(C–E).

Refer to San Rafael Landscaping and Screening for how planting and screening requirements are applied to parking lots.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

  • Confirm parcel zoning and whether it lies in the downtown mixed use district or Downtown parking district (downtown code may control). § 14.18.020(D); § 14.18.060.
  • Calculate required automobile parking from the Title 14 table (or downtown code if applicable); apply rounding rule in § 14.18.030. § 14.18.040, § 14.18.030.
  • Provide required bicycle parking (short‑ and long‑term) and adhere to design clearances; consider whether extra bike parking could support a vehicle parking reduction. § 14.18.090.
  • Determine loading requirements (size and number) and show truck maneuvering and public street/alley access. § 14.18.050.
  • For nonresidential projects, set aside required clean‑air/EV spaces and, if ≥25 spaces, include EV conduit prewiring in plans. § 14.18.045.
  • Show parking lot landscaping, tree counts, and irrigation per § 14.18.160 (unless downtown lot covered by downtown code). § 14.18.160.
  • If providing remote/off‑site parking, or requesting in‑lieu payments or parking modifications, prepare the required applications and evidence (studies, agreements, declarations) per the code and public works review. § 14.18.040(B); § 14.18.230.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Downtown vs Title 14 standard Downtown Precise Plan may replace Title 14 counts; using the wrong table can underdeliver required spaces or trigger corrections. Confirm downtown map status; use the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code where it governs. § 14.18.020(D); § 14.18.060.
Parking modification subjectivity Reductions require a use permit and multiple director approvals — outcomes are discretionary. Expect to supply parking surveys, public works review, and justify shared/public parking arrangements. § 14.18.040(B).
Bicycle‑to‑vehicle reductions Code allows reductions only via use permit; relying on an informal bike‑first strategy may be rejected. If you depend on bike parking to reduce car parking, plan to request a parking modification and document demand. § 14.18.090(D).
EV/Title 24 interaction Title 24 (California Building Standards Code) also contains EV and conduit rules; there can be overlap or additional requirements. Coordinate with building and electrical plan reviewers; Title 24 rules may add requirements beyond § 14.18.045. Verify with building code: California Building Standards Code. § 14.18.045.
Remote/off‑site parking mechanics Remote parking often requires recorded instruments or binding agreements to ensure permanence. Verify recordation and long‑term use conditions with Community Development / Public Works (code discusses remote parking practices; verify local implementation). Not found in retrieved materials for the exact section number — verify with the jurisdiction.
Grandfathering for existing uses Existing uses may be exempt from new prescribing counts, but expansions trigger new requirements. Check whether your proposal is an addition, change of occupancy, or rebuild >75% — different rules apply. § 14.18.240(D–E).

Plain-English Summary

San Rafael’s zoning code (Title 14) requires off‑street vehicle parking, bicycle parking and loading space whenever you build, expand, or change to a use that increases demand; the exact number comes from the Title 14 parking table except in the downtown area where the Downtown Precise Plan controls. The city allows modifications and in‑lieu payments but those require formal approvals; bicycle parking and EV‑ready infrastructure are explicit parts of the rules. Verify downtown status and apply the chart in § 14.18.040; use the loading and bicycle design specs in §§ 14.18.050 and 14.18.090.

Source References

  • San Rafael Zoning Ordinance (Title 14), Applicability: § 14.18.020.
  • Rounding/Computation: § 14.18.030.
  • Off‑street parking requirements and parking chart: § 14.18.040.
  • Off‑street loading and unloading: § 14.18.050.
  • Downtown parking district (waiver up to 1.0 FAR): § 14.18.060.
  • Designated clean air / EV spaces and conduit prewiring: § 14.18.045.
  • Bicycle parking requirements and design: § 14.18.090.
  • Parking lot screening and landscaping standards: § 14.18.160.
  • In‑lieu payments: § 14.18.230.
  • Grandfathering and changes triggering new parking: § 14.18.240.
  • Permanence of provided parking: § 14.18.250.
  • Parking space and garage dimensions (residential garages, stall sizes referenced): § 14.18.100 and § 14.18.180.

Other internal references used above:

  • San Rafael Development Standards: /us/california/san-rafael/development-standards
  • San Rafael Design Review: /us/california/san-rafael/design-review
  • San Rafael Overlay Districts: /us/california/san-rafael/overlay-districts
  • San Rafael Landscaping and Screening: /us/california/san-rafael/landscaping-and-screening
  • San Rafael ADUs: /us/california/san-rafael/adu
  • California Building Standards Code (Title 24): /us/california/building-codes

If you need the downtown Precise Plan/Form‑Based Code text or parcel‑specific interpretations (e.g., exact use classification, remote parking mechanics, or application of SB‑9 parking adjustments), verify with the Community Development Department — the downtown code and some administrative practices are maintained separately. Not found in retrieved materials: the full downtown form‑based code text and any map attachments.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • San Rafael Zoning Code (chapter only.) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (Section 14.18.050) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • San Rafael Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I always use Title 14’s parking table for my San Rafael project?

Not always. Title 14 applies citywide, but if your property is inside the downtown mixed use district the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form‑Based Code controls downtown parking where it provides standards; where the downtown code is silent, Title 14 applies. Check § 14.18.020(D) and § 14.18.060 and confirm your parcel’s downtown status with the city.

How many parking spaces do I need for a two‑bedroom apartment in San Rafael?

Use the Title 14 parking chart: typical two‑bedroom units generally require 2 spaces per unit (including 1 covered) per the table in § 14.18.040. If your site is downtown, refer instead to the Downtown Precise Plan Form‑Based Code.

What are the bicycle parking requirements?

For commercial, office, industrial, and multifamily residential uses: short‑term bicycle parking must equal 5% of the automobile parking requirement (minimum a two‑bike rack), and long‑term bicycle parking is also set at 5% for nonresidential buildings with over ten tenant‑occupants (minimum one long‑term space). Design, clearances, and long‑term options are described in § 14.18.090.

What loading space do retail and light industrial uses need?

Retail/service establishments require one loading berth 10' x 35' with 14' clearance; light industrial/mixed buildings require one berth per 20,000 sq ft sized 12' x 65' with 14' clearance. All loading areas must have adequate turning/drive access to a public street or alley. See § 14.18.050(A–C).

Can parking requirements be reduced or met off‑site?

Yes, the code allows parking modifications (including reductions) and, where practical difficulty exists, in‑lieu payments may be accepted by the City Council; these are discretionary and require applications, public works review, and findings. See § 14.18.040(B) and § 14.18.230.

Are there EV or clean‑air parking rules I must follow?

Yes. New nonresidential buildings must designate a number of clean‑air parking spaces by the chart in § 14.18.045; parking facilities with 25 or more spaces must include electrical conduit prewiring sized for future EV charging stations. Confirm additional building/electrical requirements in the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) with building review. § 14.18.045.

If a building was legal before the current code, can the city force me to add parking?

No use lawfully existing on the effective date of the ordinance is nonconforming solely because it lacks required off‑street parking; however, additions, enlargements, or changes that increase required spaces will trigger additional parking requirements. See § 14.18.240(A, D).

What are the minimum garage and stall dimensions I should plan for?

Minimum interior garage sizes are set in § 14.18.180: single‑car garage = 10' x 20', double‑car garage = 20' x 20'; carport minimums are also specified. For parking stall and aisle dimensions, see § 14.18.100.

Can bicycle parking reduce car parking requirements automatically?

Not automatically. The code allows consideration of excess bicycle parking as grounds to apply for a vehicle parking reduction, but any reduction requires a use permit for a parking modification and supporting evidence (counts/surveys). § 14.18.090(D) and § 14.18.040(B).

Are there landscaping requirements for parking lots?

Yes. New or substantially renovated parking lots with more than 5 spaces must meet parking lot screening, tree minimums (1 canopy tree per 4 spaces), planter sizes, irrigation and other standards in § 14.18.160. Downtown projects may be subject to downtown code alternatives.

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