Santa Fe Springs — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Santa Fe Springs zoning ordinance requires for parking, loading, and bicycle parking (off‑street) across the city's zoning districts. The city’s off‑street parking regime is implemented through the Zoning chapter (required parking and access rules are referenced throughout the code and collected in the off‑street parking provisions); see the city’s zoning overview for broader context. For development standards such as setbacks and screening that affect parking layout consult the city's development standards page. This guide explains the district‑specific rules you will actually need to design and permit parking on a site in Santa Fe Springs.

Key controlling provisions: the code requires off‑street parking and loading per the off‑street parking chapter (§ 155.475–155.502) and then supplements those standards inside many zone chapters (examples below) — see § 155.475 and the zone‑level parking sections such as § 155.098 and § 155.175.10 for the Transit/plan areas.

Note: Where the code refers to California technical standards (EV charging and bicycle stall layout) it points to the California Green Code / CalGreen and the adopted California Building Standards Code; consult the city’s design review and the state building standards pages when resolving building‑code interface questions.

How the code is structured (short)

• General off‑street parking and loading requirements are collected in the off‑street parking chapter (required facilities for new uses, size and layout, access and circulation, landscaping and screening). See § 155.475–155.502.
• Individual zoning districts repeat/modify those rules and add district‑specific controls (setbacks from frontages, buffering next to residential, driveway counts/widths, permitted parking uses). Examples and district details follow with exact § references.

District‑by‑district (Santa Fe Springs) — what matters for parking

Note: below each district name is the exact zone label used in the municipal code (bolded). Each subsection lists the zone purpose (as stated in the code or implied by permitted uses), typical permitted uses that affect parking demand, and the parking / access / dimensional controls the code explicitly lists for that zone.

BP Zone (Buffer Parking Zone)

Purpose & typical uses: intended to provide off‑street automobile parking, landscape buffers between industrial/commercial and adjacent areas, and related open space. Principal permitted use specifically includes off‑street automobile parking. See § 155.300–155.301.

Key parking rules:

• Primary purpose is to host parking; landscaping and distribution standards apply (per zone landscaping rules). See § 155.313 for perimeter and percentage landscape expectations where BP adjoins a street.

Where it applies: uses on sites designated BP in the zoning map; commonly used to place parking near industrial areas to separate uses. Verify parcel zoning on the city map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

M‑1 Zone (Light Industrial)

Purpose & typical uses: light industrial uses; code includes separate off‑street parking & loading references for the M‑1 zone (e.g., signage / parking cross references). See § 155.227–155.229.

Key parking rules:

• Off‑street parking and loading must comply with the general off‑street parking provisions (referenced in § 155.227). Directional signs for parking/loading allowed (limited size) in the zone’s sign rules. See § 155.227 and § 155.229.

Where it applies: all parcels zoned M‑1; industrial tenants must provide truck maneuvering and loading as required by the general parking/loading provisions.

M‑2 Zone (Heavy / General Industrial)

Purpose & typical uses: heavier industrial or manufacturing, with parking/loading referenced in the zone. See § 155.257–155.259.

Key parking rules:

• Off‑street parking and loading: follow the general off‑street parking chapter § 155.475–155.502 as referenced by § 155.257. Directional signs for parking and loading permitted (small signs). Truck and loading designs must meet the general maneuvering requirement (120‑foot unobstructed area for truck maneuvering where required). See § 155.491(D).

Where it applies: M‑2 parcels and buildings; industrial tenants should plan truck docks and truck parking per the industrial thresholds in § 155.487.

ML Zone (Manufacturing Limited / Specific industrial subzone)

Purpose & typical uses: ML zone provisions include development plan approval, strict screening, and an express allowance that off‑street parking and loading are permitted uses where otherwise required. See § 155.201–155.202 for ML development conditions.

Key parking rules:

• Off‑street parking and loading must comply with the general parking provisions (see § 155.227/155.257 cross references) and ML‑specific screening/landscaping. If activities occur outdoors, the zone allows off‑street parking and requires screening of outdoor storage and parking areas. See § 155.201(D)(1) for permitted off‑street parking and § 155.201(E) for trash / screening.

Where it applies: ML parcels; plan review is generally required for ML projects.

Multiple‑Family Residential Zones

Purpose & typical uses: residential apartments and multi‑family use. The code contains specific parking access and sign rules for these zones and prescribes setbacks and landscape expectations for parking areas. See § 155.099–155.100 and § 155.098.

Key parking rules (residential‑specific items):

• Access and driveways: limits on driveway aprons and driveway widths; single‑family driveway minimums are specified in the off‑street access sections (see § 155.488–155.489).
• Surface parking setback requirements: parking must be set back from the primary frontage 30 ft, from any secondary frontage 10 ft, and 5 ft from an adjacent residential zoning district (this rule appears in several zone‑level parking sections; see § 155.098(B)(1)). Landscaping and screening requirements (hedges/shrubs to screen headlights, minimum 5% permeable landscaping in parking) are required.

Where it applies: multi‑family parcels citywide. Confirm any ADU parking adjustments under the city's ADU rules and state ADU law. See the city ADU page and the state ADU law for how these interact. Verify with the jurisdiction.

PF Zone (Public Facilities)

Purpose & typical uses: public buildings, civic uses; PF zone includes special conditions requiring landscaping, screening and that parking and loading conform to the off‑street chapter. See § 155.291.

Key parking rules:

• The PF zone requires development plan approval and screening; off‑street parking is governed by the general off‑street rules § 155.475–155.502 (cited from PF conditions).

Where it applies: public/civic properties.

PD Zone (Planned Development)

Purpose & typical uses: projects designed and approved via a planned development process; PDs will carry site‑specific parking and circulation requirements as part of their approved development plans. See Part 12 (PD Zone) for purpose.

Key parking rules:

• PD projects are governed by the PD plan approval and must meet the general off‑street parking standards unless the PD approval explicitly modifies those standards. See § 155.325 and the general parking chapter § 155.475.

Most decision‑relevant numeric standards (quick reference table)

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

• The city requires off‑street parking and loading for new uses and when use intensity increases; the detailed numeric parking rates for each use are collected in the off‑street parking chapter (the code refers you to § 155.475–155.502 for the core tables and formulas). Design teams should start their parking calculation from that chapter and then layer in zone‑specific site controls (setbacks, buffers, driveways) called out in each zone chapter.
• If you want flexibility (remote/shared parking), the code expressly allows off‑site parking up to 600 ft and shared parking with a parking study and a recorded instrument — but shared parking approvals require a conditional use permit. Early submittal of a parking study is essential to pursue shared or off‑site arrangements. § 155.175.10(A–B).
• EV and bicycle infrastructure: the city adopts CalGreen minimums and adds local geometry/spacing rules (EV ratio 1 per 10 spaces for new lots ≥20 stalls; bicycle stall clearances and aisles specified). Use the CalGreen references plus the city’s numerical dimensions when laying out racks and chargers. § 155.175.10(C–D) and § 155.098(D–E).
• Landscaping and tree counts are mandatory inside parking lots (minimum 5% landscaped, and 1 24‑inch box shade tree per 4 vehicle spaces). Show those areas on the landscape plan. § 155.098(B)(2–3).
• Layout & circulation: provide required aisle widths by stall angle and design truck areas to achieve the 120‑ft unobstructed truck maneuvering where docks or truck loading are required; queueing requirements for electronic/gated entrances (gates set back 20 ft from property line) must be observed. § 155.491(A) and § 155.098(E)(2–c).

Checklist (what an applicant must show on submittal)

• Site plan showing total required off‑street parking count derived from § 155.475–155.502 (show calculations) and identify any shared/off‑site parking arrangements proposed.
• Vehicle turning diagrams and truck maneuvering clearance demonstrating compliance with § 155.491(D) (120‑ft for large truck facilities) and forward travel requirements.
• Driveway/curb‑cut widths and counts consistent with the zone limits (document primary street frontage and justify driveway count; show curb‑cut widths). See § 155.175.10(E) and § 155.098(A).
• Parking stall dimensions and aisle widths labeled (use § 155.487 and § 155.491(A)).
• EV charger plan for lots ≥20 spaces (show number and locations per 1 per 10 rule) and note CalGreen compliance. § 155.175.10(C)(2).
• Bicycle parking plan with rack type and dimensions consistent with local dimensions and CalGreen (horizontal/vertical space, aisles). § 155.175.10(D).
• Landscape plan showing ≥ 5% permeable landscaping in parking area and 1 24‑inch box tree per 4 spaces; perimeter hedges as required. § 155.098(B)(2–3).
• If proposing shared or off‑site parking, submit a parking study and recorded joint‑use instrument and plan for a CUP. § 155.175.10(B).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Santa Fe Springs requires off‑street parking, loading, EV chargers, bicycle parking, landscaping, and specific driveway/aisle dimensions for new developments and changes of use; the basic rules live in the off‑street parking chapter (§ 155.475–155.502) and are modulated by each zone (e.g., BP, M‑1, M‑2, ML, multi‑family) which add setbacks, buffers, and signage rules — always verify zone‑specific numbers because the code repeats and sometimes varies numeric limits across sections.

Source References

• Off‑street parking chapter and required facilities: § 155.475–155.502 (general requirements for new uses).
• Transit/plan area and consolidated parking rules: § 155.175.10 (off‑site parking, shared parking, EV & bicycle standards cited locally).
• Multi‑family and zone‑level parking/access rules: § 155.098 (required off‑street parking and access; setbacks; landscape; EV & bicycle rules repeated).
• M‑1 zone parking / signage references: § 155.227 and § 155.229.
• M‑2 zone parking / signage references: § 155.257 and § 155.259.
• ML zone and development conditions permitting parking and outdoor storage: § 155.201.
• Buffer Parking Zone (BP) purpose and permitted parking use: § 155.300–155.301 and related landscaping § 155.313.
• Parking space dimensions and compact percentage, truck parking: § 155.487.
• Aisle widths and truck maneuvering / circulation rules: § 155.491.
• Driveway/apron widths and access details: § 155.488–155.490.
• Nonconforming parking provisions and limits on reducing existing parking: § 155.392.
• California Green / EV and bicycle references (CalGreen): local code points to CalGreen standards for EV and bicycle parking dimensional/minimums — consult the state standard (California Green Building Standards Code) for technical details.

Retrieved passages

• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.175.10) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.098) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 46.17) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 47.17) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.175.8) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 4.106.4.) High relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 54.17.1) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.097) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Off‑street parking chapter and required facilities: **§ 155.475–155.502** (general requirements for new uses). (chapter and)
• Transit/plan area and consolidated parking rules: **§ 155.175.10** (off‑site parking, shared parking, EV & bicycle standards cited locally). (§ 155.175.10)
• Multi‑family and zone‑level parking/access rules: **§ 155.098** (required off‑street parking and access; setbacks; landscape; EV & bicycle rules repeated). (§ 155.098)
• M‑1 zone parking / signage references: **§ 155.227** and **§ 155.229**. (§ 155.227)
• M‑2 zone parking / signage references: **§ 155.257** and **§ 155.259**. (§ 155.257)
• ML zone and development conditions permitting parking and outdoor storage: **§ 155.201**. (§ 155.201)
• Buffer Parking Zone (BP) purpose and permitted parking use: **§ 155.300–155.301** and related landscaping **§ 155.313**. (§ 155.300)
• Parking space dimensions and compact percentage, truck parking: **§ 155.487**. (§ 155.487)
• Aisle widths and truck maneuvering / circulation rules: **§ 155.491**. (§ 155.491)
• Driveway/apron widths and access details: **§ 155.488–155.490**. (§ 155.488)
• Nonconforming parking provisions and limits on reducing existing parking: **§ 155.392**. (§ 155.392)
• California Green / EV and bicycle references (CalGreen): local code points to CalGreen standards for EV and bicycle parking dimensional/minimums — consult the state standard (California Green Building Standards Code) for technical details.
• SantaFeSprings_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Green Building Standards Code.md

• Official Santa Fe Springs code library