Local zoning · South Pasadena

South Pasadena — Parking

Q: Are there parking minimums near major transit stops?

If a project is within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop, generally no minimum parking is required unless the Director finds that not providing parking would have a substantially negative impact on certain housing or community objectives; see § 36.310.040(H) — § 36.310.040(H) .

Q: What are the bicycle parking design dimensions I must show on plans?

Each bicycle parking space must be at least 2 ft wide by 6 ft long , with 7 ft overhead clearance and a 5 ft access aisle; bike racks or stationary devices required — § 36.310.100(B) .

Q: How many loading spaces does a new 12,000 sf retail store need?

Use Table 3‑8 : commercial uses require 1 loading space for the first 9,999 sf and an additional space for each additional 10,000 sf or fraction thereof — so a 12,000 sf store would require 2 loading spaces ; see § 36.310.110 and Table 3‑8 for dimensions and screening requirements — § 36.310.110 .

Q: Do ADUs trigger full parking requirements under Table 3‑6?

ADU parking is handled specially (see SPMC 36.350.200(H) and state ADU law). The Table 3‑6 entry for Accessory Dwelling Units points to 36.350.200(H) rather than repeating a number — check § 36.350.200(H) and state ADU provisions for exemptions/limits — § 36.350.200(H) .

Parking under the South Pasadena local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes South Pasadena’s local rules for parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking found in the City’s Zoning Code (Chapter 36 SPMC). It explains the minimum parking counts, design and location rules, off‑site/shared parking rules, and special overlay or transit exceptions that commonly affect projects in South Pasadena. All requirements below are pulled directly from the South Pasadena Zoning Code; citations point to the controlling § and the retrieved ordinance file preview. For how parking interacts with site design and setbacks, see the city’s South Pasadena Development Standards. For design guidance and discretionary review that commonly touches parking layouts, see South Pasadena Design Review. For ADU-specific parking rules see South Pasadena ADUs. State building code or accessibility standards (Title 24) are referenced where the Zoning Code defers to them — see California Building Standards Code.

All quoted code references below use the code section (for example § 36.310.040) and the retrieved file citation for verification.

Key Citywide rules (what the Zoning Code requires)

Minimum off‑street parking counts for each land use are set in Table 3‑6, implemented through § 36.310.040 (Number of Parking Spaces Required) — § 36.310.040 .
Off‑site parking to meet required spaces needs a Parking Use Permit and detailed standards in § 36.410.090 and § 36.310.050 — § 36.410.090 ; § 36.310.050 .
Shared parking is allowed with a parking study and a Parking Use Permit under § 36.310.060 — § 36.310.060 .
Disabled/accessible parking must meet the Uniform/California standards and counts in § 36.310.070 (references Title 24) — § 36.310.070 .
Parking design (stall sizes, location relative to building/frontage, surfacing, landscaping, lighting) is in § 36.310.080 and § 36.310.090 — § 36.310.080 ; § 36.310.090 .
Short‑ and long‑term bicycle parking requirements are in § 36.310.100 (applies to multi‑family and retail) — § 36.310.100 .
Loading space counts and dimensions are set in § 36.310.110 and Table 3‑8 — § 36.310.110 .
Variances that reduce required parking are limited by a local initiative (no variance allowed that reduces parking more than 5%) in § 36.310.020(D) — § 36.310.020(D) .

Note: where the Zoning Code refers to other articles (for example residential parking or ADU rules), the code points you to those specific sections — see the district breakdowns below and the ADU rule pointer in Table 3‑6 referencing SPMC 36.350.200(H) for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) .

District-by-district breakdown (how parking rules apply in common South Pasadena zones)

Below are the most decision‑relevant zoning districts and overlays that affect parking. Each subsection gives the district purpose (from the Code), typical uses, and the parking/related dimensional items you must check. Where the Zoning Code defers to district tables for uses, the parking minimums come from Table 3‑6 and the design/location rules from § 36.310.080/090.

RE, RS, RM, RH (Residential districts)

Purpose / typical uses: residential neighborhoods; single‑family, multi‑family patterns are governed by Division 36.220 (Residential Zoning Districts) .
Parking rules:
- Single‑family: 2 covered spaces required (Table 3‑6 → single‑family housing) — § 36.310.040 . (The code notes state law compliance for single‑family parking per Government Code references; see Table 3‑6 notes) — § 36.310.040 Notes .
- Multifamily: studio 0.5, 1‑bedroom 1, 2+ bedrooms 1.5 spaces per unit; guest spaces are generally not required (Table 3‑6) — § 36.310.040 / Table 3‑6 .
- Driveway and garage dimension rules and tandem parking allowances are in § 36.310.080(D) (tandem rules and multi‑family assignment) and in SB9 standards § 36.800.050 for small‑lot duplex/lot split projects (one covered off‑street space per new unit with transit exceptions) — § 36.310.080(D) ; § 36.800.050 .
Where it applies: citywide residentially zoned parcels (see Division 36.220) .
Practical note: ADU parking rules are separately referenced — see SPMC 36.350.200(H) for ADU parking treatment and the City’s ADU page for process — § 36.350.200(H) .

CG — Commercial General

Purpose / typical uses: broad retail and service uses; intended for pedestrian‑oriented commercial core areas (Division 36.230) — § 36.230.010–.020 .
Parking rules:
- Nonresidential uses follow Table 3‑6 counts (e.g., retail 1 per 500 sf, office 3 per 1,000 sf, see Table 3‑6) — § 36.310.040 / Table 3‑6 .
- Historic commercial properties in CG: where a building is on the City Inventory of Historic Resources, required parking is limited to what can be accommodated on‑site and/or behind the building — § 36.310.030(G) .
- Mixed‑use and fronting conditions in the CG zone may permit parking reductions when in proximity to transit — see transit exception below.
Where it applies: commercial corridors and downtown/mixed‑use core — see Division 36.230 .

BP and other special commercial/special‑purpose districts

Purpose / typical uses: business park, institutional or other special commercial uses (see Division 36.240 and 36.230.030) — § 36.230 .
Parking rules: follow Table 3‑6; emergency shelters in BP have special loading/parking rules (one space per employee by plan, minimum two) — § 36.350.250.B.5 .

Altos de Monterey (AM) Overlay (AM Overlay)

Purpose / typical uses: overlay that modifies base residential standards for the Altos de Monterey area — see § 36.250.030 (Altos de Monterey) and the AM table (Table 2‑7) for overlay‑specific development standards — § 36.250.030 / Table 2‑7 .
Parking rules (overlay‑specific): the AM overlay imposes specific parking standards for dwellings—3 off‑street spaces (two in a garage/carport) with garage setback and minimum driveway width standards (garage 10 ft from front property line; driveway minimum 20 ft), per the AM standards in Table 2‑7 — § 36.250.030 / AM table .
Where it applies: the AM overlay boundaries shown on the City zoning map (see Division 36.250) .
Practical note: Overlay standards override or modify base zoning where they conflict (see § 36.310.020(C) about overlay modifications) — § 36.310.020(C) .

Mixed Use (MU) Overlay and HO (Housing Opportunity) Overlay

Purpose / typical uses: overlays that adjust development and parking rules to encourage transit‑oriented and higher‑density housing (Division 36.250) — § 36.250.040 / 36.250.050 .
Parking rules: the code explicitly allows elimination/reduction of minimum parking if the project is within one‑half mile of a major transit stop (no minimums) unless specific findings are made by the Director — § 36.310.040(H) .
Where it applies: within the overlay boundaries defined by the Zoning Map and Division 36.250 — verify applicability to a parcel on the City’s zoning map — § 36.200.020 .

Practical rules and numbers (quick reference table)

Decision item	What the Code requires (plain)	Code reference
Base parking counts (retail, office, residential, restaurants)	See Table 3‑6; examples: Single‑family 2 covered; Multifamily: studio 0.5, 1BR 1, 2+BR 1.5; Retail 1/500 sf; Office 3/1,000 sf; Restaurant (new >1,200 sf) 10/1,000 sf	§ 36.310.040; Table 3‑6
Bicycle parking — multi‑family	10% of required vehicle spaces; distributed on‑site	§ 36.310.100(A)(1)
Bicycle parking — retail	Min 2 spaces or up to 5% of required vehicle spaces; may provide up to 10% (special ratio allowed)	§ 36.310.100(A)(2)
Loading spaces	Small nonresidential <5,000 sf: 1 (may combine with parking); larger uses follow Table 3‑8 (e.g., commercial 1/10,000 sf increments). Loading dimension min 12 ft x 45 ft and 14 ft clearance	§ 36.310.110; Table 3‑8
Off‑site parking distance limit	Off‑site spaces (except valet) within 1,500 ft of primary entrance (unless review authority approves otherwise)	§ 36.310.050(A)
Shared parking	Requires Parking Use Permit and a parking demand study (two‑week data)	§ 36.310.060; § 36.410.090
Disability/ADA parking	Must comply with Uniform/California accessibility standards (counts and design) — accessible spaces count toward minimum	§ 36.310.070
Parking design (stall size, maneuvering)	Residential stall 20’x10’, tandem min 35’x8.5’ (max 42’x12’); internal aisles/maneuvering required for forward exit (exceptions for single‑family/duplex)	§ 36.310.080(D)
Variance limits for parking	Variances cannot reduce parking by more than 5% (1983 initiative requirement)	§ 36.310.020(D)

(Use Table 3‑6 and 3‑8 for full per‑use counts and a complete list of uses — § 36.310.040 and § 36.310.110) .

Checklist (what an applicant must supply for a typical commercial or residential project)

Site plan showing number of vehicle parking spaces and location (match Table 3‑6) — § 36.310.040 .
Bicycle parking count and layout, with racks/devices and access aisles shown (if multi‑family or retail) — § 36.310.100 .
Loading space plan showing dimensions, location, screening and maneuvering if nonresidential — § 36.310.110 .
Accessible parking spaces per California code and count included (design drawings and striping) — § 36.310.070 .
Parking design details: stall dimensions, perimeter landscaping, surfacing, lighting and signage per § 36.310.080 (and Division 36.330 for landscaping) — § 36.310.080 ; Division 36.330 .
If proposing off‑site or shared parking: Parking Use Permit application, a parking demand study (two‑week data), and covenants/lease documentation (recordable instrument) — § 36.310.060; § 36.410.090; § 36.310.050(J) .
If within overlays or near transit, show distance to transit node and whether the project seeks a transit‑based parking reduction — § 36.310.040(H) and the applicable overlay section (e.g., § 36.250.030 AM overlay) — § 36.310.040(H) .
Show compliance with any overlay parking specifics (for example, AM overlay garage and driveway rules) — § 36.250.030 (AM table) .
If requesting a variance for parking counts, include findings and evidence; be aware of the 5% variance cap — § 36.410.080 and § 36.310.020(D) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Overlay overrides (AM, MU, HO)	Overlays can change parking counts and location rules (e.g., AM requires 3 spaces per dwelling) and may override base district standards	Confirm overlay boundary and applicable overlay table (e.g., § 36.250.030 for AM) and note which standard controls in case of conflict — Verify with the jurisdiction (Zoning Map) .
Transit‑proximity exception	Projects within ½ mile of a major transit stop may have no minimum parking; Director may still require parking if negative impacts are demonstrated (§ 36.310.040(H))	Measure walking distance to the transit node; if claiming exemption, expect Director to require a finding within 30 days — Verify transit stop definition and Director’s written findings — § 36.310.040(H) .
ADU parking treatment	ADU parking rules are handled separately (state law and SPMC 36.350.200(H)). Local ADU parking limits are often more permissive	Check § 36.350.200(H) and State ADU law; do not assume Table 3‑6 applies the same — § 36.350.200(H) (see code) .
Off‑site parking reliability	Required off‑site parking must be guaranteed by covenant/lease and proof of continuous leases; loss can force project size reduction — § 36.310.050(J)	Require recordable covenant and annual proof; ask about lease term, termination rights, and parking fee reimbursement conditions — § 36.310.050(J) .
Variance cap	The local initiative prevents large reductions in required parking by variance (>5% reduction not allowed) — § 36.310.020(D)	If proposing reduced parking, expect to need other discretionary approvals (e.g., CUP, Parking Use Permit) or rely on transit exception — § 36.310.020(D) .
Site‑specific maneuvering constraints	Narrow parcels, alleys, and topography affect whether tandem or stacked parking is feasible and whether internal maneuvering allows forward exit	Provide turning templates, show compliance with § 36.310.080 drive grades and maneuvering, and be ready for Design Review — § 36.310.080 .

Plain‑English summary

South Pasadena sets minimum off‑street parking counts by land use in Table 3‑6 and regulates how parking is designed and where it can be located (rear/underground preferred). Bicycle parking, loading docks, and accessible stalls are mandatory in many projects. Overlays and proximity to major transit stops can reduce or eliminate minimums, but off‑site/shared parking needs a Parking Use Permit and binding covenants. Always confirm overlay boundaries and any site‑specific exceptions with the Planning Department — verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific guidance.

Source References

SPMC § 36.310.010 – 36.310.111 (Division: Parking and Loading) — includes § 36.310.040 (Number of Parking Spaces / Table 3‑6), § 36.310.050 (Off‑Site Parking), § 36.310.060 (Shared Parking), § 36.310.070 (Disabled Parking), § 36.310.080 (Design Standards), § 36.310.090 (Driveways), § 36.310.100 (Bicycle Parking), § 36.310.110/111 (Loading/Valet) — § 36.310.040 etc.
SPMC § 36.410.090 (Parking Use Permits) — rules and findings for off‑site/shared parking and commercial parking lots .
SPMC Division 36.200 – 36.250 (Zoning Districts and Overlay Districts) — residential and commercial district purposes and overlay rules including Altos de Monterey (AM) Overlay § 36.250.030 and Mixed Use / HO overlays .
Table 3‑6 (Parking Requirements by Land Use) and Table 3‑8 (Loading Requirements) as published in the Zoning Code (see § 36.310.040 and § 36.310.110) — Table 3‑6/3‑8 .
SB9 and small‑lot parking exceptions: § 36.800.050 (Standards for Qualified SB9 Development) — off‑street parking rules for ADU/lot split units and applicable transit exceptions .
South Pasadena Development Standards and Design Review pages (contextual links provided at top of document): South Pasadena Development Standards and South Pasadena Design Review.

(If you need the raw ordinance pages or scanned Tables 3‑6/3‑8 for submittal plans, ask and I’ll pull the exact table image snippets from the retrieved file for your parcel or use‑type.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.250.030) High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (section for) High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.630.020.B.1.a.) High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.300.030) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (section that) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) Medium relevance
South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

SPMC **§ 36.310.010 – 36.310.111** (Division: Parking and Loading) — includes **§ 36.310.040** (Number of Parking Spaces / Table 3‑6), **§ 36.310.050** (Off‑Site Parking), **§ 36.310.060** (Shared Parking), **§ 36.310.070** (Disabled Parking), **§ 36.310.080** (Design Standards), **§ 36.310.090** (Driveways), **§ 36.310.100** (Bicycle Parking), **§ 36.310.110/111** (Loading/Valet) — **§ 36.310.040** etc. (§ 36.310.010)
SPMC **§ 36.410.090** (Parking Use Permits) — rules and findings for off‑site/shared parking and commercial parking lots . (§ 36.410.090)
SPMC **Division 36.200 – 36.250** (Zoning Districts and Overlay Districts) — residential and commercial district purposes and overlay rules including **Altos de Monterey (AM) Overlay § 36.250.030** and **Mixed Use / HO overlays** . (§ 36.250.030)
Table 3‑6 (Parking Requirements by Land Use) and Table 3‑8 (Loading Requirements) as published in the Zoning Code (see **§ 36.310.040** and **§ 36.310.110**) — **Table 3‑6/3‑8** . (§ 36.310.040)
SB9 and small‑lot parking exceptions: **§ 36.800.050** (Standards for Qualified SB9 Development) — off‑street parking rules for ADU/lot split units and applicable transit exceptions . (§ 36.800.050)
South Pasadena Development Standards and Design Review pages (contextual links provided at top of document): South Pasadena Development Standards and South Pasadena Design Review.
SouthPasadena_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to show bicycle parking for a small retail shop in South Pasadena?

Yes. Retail commercial uses with off‑street parking must provide at least two bicycle spaces or up to 5% of required vehicle spaces (and may provide up to 10% under a special ratio); layout and device specs are in § 36.310.100 .

How many parking spaces does a duplex require in South Pasadena?

A duplex must meet the residential parking requirements in Table 3‑6: generally 4 spaces (two covered in a standard garage/carport plus additional spaces as specified); verify exact assignment and covered/tandem allowances in § 36.310.040 and § 36.310.080(D) — § 36.310.040 ; § 36.310.080(D) .

Can I use an off‑site parking lot to meet my storefront’s required parking?

Yes, but the use of off‑site parking to satisfy required spaces needs a Parking Use Permit and must meet the off‑site standards (distance, covenant/lease, design) in § 36.410.090 and § 36.310.050 — § 36.410.090 ; § 36.310.050 .

Are there parking minimums near major transit stops?

If a project is within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop, generally no minimum parking is required unless the Director finds that not providing parking would have a substantially negative impact on certain housing or community objectives; see § 36.310.040(H) — § 36.310.040(H) .

What are the bicycle parking design dimensions I must show on plans?

Each bicycle parking space must be at least 2 ft wide by 6 ft long, with 7 ft overhead clearance and a 5 ft access aisle; bike racks or stationary devices required — § 36.310.100(B) .

How many loading spaces does a new 12,000 sf retail store need?

Use Table 3‑8: commercial uses require 1 loading space for the first 9,999 sf and an additional space for each additional 10,000 sf or fraction thereof — so a 12,000 sf store would require 2 loading spaces; see § 36.310.110 and Table 3‑8 for dimensions and screening requirements — § 36.310.110 .

Can a variance reduce required parking for my project?

Potentially, but variances that reduce parking are limited by an initiative: no variance may reduce parking requirements by more than 5% (see § 36.310.020(D)). Typical practice is to pursue shared parking, Parking Use Permits, or transit‑based reductions instead — § 36.310.020(D) .

Does the Zoning Code require accessible (ADA) stalls and do they count toward minimum parking?

Yes. Accessible spaces must be provided in compliance with the Uniform Building Code/Federal Guidelines and California standards; accessible stalls count toward the parking minimums — § 36.310.070 .

Do ADUs trigger full parking requirements under Table 3‑6?

ADU parking is handled specially (see SPMC 36.350.200(H) and state ADU law). The Table 3‑6 entry for Accessory Dwelling Units points to 36.350.200(H) rather than repeating a number — check § 36.350.200(H) and state ADU provisions for exemptions/limits — § 36.350.200(H) .

Where are the parking design rules (stall sizes, landscaping, lighting)?

Parking design rules (stall sizes, bumper overhang, landscaping, lighting, striping, grades) are in § 36.310.080; driveways and spacing are in § 36.310.090. Provide a plan showing these details for Development or Building review — § 36.310.080 ; § 36.310.090 .

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