Local zoning · Taft

Taft — Parking

Q: How many parking spaces do I need for a multi‑family project?

Taft’s Table 14.A sets multi‑family minima (typical: studio = 1/unit; 1‑bed = 1/unit; 2+ beds = 2/unit ). Projects with 11+ units must also show 0.25 guest spaces per unit and all required resident spaces must be within 150 feet of the unit they serve ( § 6‑14‑3 ; § 6‑14‑6(E)(2) ) .

Q: Do I have to provide bicycle parking?

Yes — nonresidential uses must include bicycle and motorcycle parking at the rates in the parking schedule (see § 6‑14‑3(C) ); bicycle spaces must be located near the entrance and surfaced to prevent dust ( § 6‑14‑6 design rules) .

Q: Can I meet required spaces with tandem parking or compact spots?

Tandem parking is generally prohibited to satisfy required counts unless specifically permitted as part of an approved conditional use permit or variance. Compact spaces are limited by percentage in Table 14.A and may be increased in downtown adjustments (§ 6‑14‑2(I); § 6‑14‑2(H); § 6‑14‑5) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how Taft’s zoning ordinance controls off‑street parking, loading and bicycle facilities for development inside the city. The governing local chapters are the zoning title (Title VI) and the City’s Chapter 14 — Parking Regulations; parking minimums come from the off‑street schedule (Table 14.A) and design standards from § 6‑14‑6. For planning questions that touch site layout or setbacks also review Taft’s Development Standards, and for discretionary steps see the Design Review and Overlay Districts rules. Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) parking is affected by state law and Taft’s ADU rules — see ADUs and the California Building Standards Code for building code matters.

Key local citations below are to the city zoning ordinance sections that control parking (not state Title 24 building code): the parking chapters are codified at § 6‑14‑1 through § 6‑14‑6 and related zone rules are in § 6‑1‑11 and cross references elsewhere in Title VI .

How Taft applies parking rules (district-by-district)

Note: the zoning map and full list of zone districts are in the zoning title; the zone district list is at § 6‑1‑11. Parking requirements in all districts are implemented through Chapter 14 unless a special plan or table controls the site (see the Downtown Specific Plan note below) .

RS (Residential Suburban)

Purpose & typical uses: suburban single‑family lots and low‑intensity residential development (see zone list § 6‑1‑11) .
Parking rules that apply: residential parking minimums are set in Table 14.A (e.g., single‑family: 2 spaces per unit) and the Chapter 14 design standards for surfacing, driveway widths and location apply (Chapter 14, Table 14.A and § 6‑14‑6) .
Where it applies: for any new unit, addition or change of use in the RS district the Chapter 14 applicability rules apply (§ 6‑14‑2) .

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: standard single‑family lots. Parking minimum: 2 spaces per unit (may be garage/carport; not within required front setback) — see Table 14.A and parking location rules (§ 6‑14‑3; § 6‑14‑6(K)) .
Key design rules: driveway widths for single‑family (10' one‑car, 16' two‑car) and prohibition on parking on unpaved front yard areas (§ 6‑14‑6(D), § 6‑14‑6(K)) .

R‑2 (Medium Density Residential) and R‑3 (High Density Residential)

Typical parking metrics: multi‑family schedule in Table 14.A — studio: 1/unit; 1‑bed: 1/unit; 2+ beds: 2/unit; guest parking 0.25 spaces/unit for projects with 11+ units; all required spaces must be within 150 ft of the unit they serve (§ 6‑14‑3; § 6‑14‑6(E)(2)) .
Design notes: compact space limits, surfacing, and bicycle/motorcycle provisions apply; tandem parking is generally prohibited unless specifically allowed (§ 6‑14‑2(H)–(I); § 6‑14‑6) .

MU (Mixed Use) and GC (General Commercial)

Uses: commercial, retail and mixed‑use projects. Parking minima follow Table 14.A; non‑residential bicycle and motorcycle parking minimums are required per § 6‑14‑3(C) and design standards in § 6‑14‑6 apply (striping, handicapped spaces, surfacing) .
Downtown exception: if your site is in the Downtown Taft Specific Plan area, the Specific Plan Table 3.3 (Section 3.7) controls instead of Table 14.A; see § 6‑14‑2 for the controlling rule and § 6‑14‑5 for downtown adjustments (reduced counts, on‑street credit, in‑lieu fees) .

I (Industrial), CF (Community Facilities), A (Agricultural), NR (Natural Resource)

Procedure: these zones use the same Chapter 14 schedules and design rules; specialized industrial/automotive uses have specific entries in Table 14.A (e.g., auto repair: 1/500 sf + 1.5 per bay) .
Use of off‑street parking for display or storage is prohibited in commercial/industrial zones without city approval (§ 6‑14‑2(B)(3)) .

Overlays and Special Districts (H — airport overlay; DI — drilling island; PE — petroleum extraction; SP — Specific Plan)

Overlay rule: parking requirements in overlay districts default to Chapter 14 unless the overlay or specific plan says otherwise; for example the H overlay explicitly requires parking to comply with Chapter 14 (§ 6‑1‑11(J)) .
Specific Plans: the Downtown Specific Plan (SP) may override Chapter 14 by identifying alternative standards (see § 6‑14‑2 on Downtown Specific Plan precedence) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant parking rules

Topic	Rule (plain language)	Code Reference
Applicability	Chapter 14 applies to any new building, new use, addition that increases parking demand	§ 6‑14‑2
Off‑street minima	Use‑specific minima listed in Table 14.A (residential, commercial, industrial)	§ 6‑14‑3 / Table 14.A
Handicapped stalls	Required per the state table replicated in local code (Table 14.B)	§ 6‑14‑3(B)
Bicycle & motorcycle parking	Nonresidential uses must provide bicycle/motorcycle spaces per schedule; motorcycle spaces count toward autos	§ 6‑14‑3(C)
Design standards	Space sizes, compact dimensions, driveway widths, surfacing, striping and signage defined in § 6‑14‑6	§ 6‑14‑6
Location of parking	Parking must be on the same site as use except as authorized by § 6‑14‑5; MF within 150 ft of unit	§ 6‑14‑6(E)
Downtown adjustments	Planning Commission may reduce or alter requirements in downtown (on‑street credit, 20% reduction, in‑lieu fees)	§ 6‑14‑5(A)
In‑lieu fees	Downtown projects may pay a fee (set by resolution) in lieu of spaces; fee applied to public parking fund	§ 6‑14‑5(F)
Parking study	If use not shown in schedule or special circumstances, applicant must submit a parking study	§ 6‑14‑2(G)
Maintenance & prohibited uses	Required parking must be maintained; cannot be used for display/storage of merchandise or vehicle repair	§ 6‑14‑2(F)
Tandem & compact rules	Tandem parking generally not permitted to meet required count; compact limits governed by Table 14.A	§ 6‑14‑2(I) and § 6‑14‑2(H)

Checklist — what an applicant must provide or satisfy

Determine which parking schedule applies (Table 14.A) or whether the Downtown Specific Plan Table 3.3 controls; cite § 6‑14‑3 and § 6‑14‑2 .
Show required number of automobile, handicapped, motorcycle and bicycle spaces on site plan per Table 14.A and Table 14.B (§ 6‑14‑3) .
Comply with design standards: space dimensions, aisle widths, surfacing, striping, signage in § 6‑14‑6; include plan callouts for compact/accessible stalls and tree islands if required .
If use is not listed or special circumstances exist, prepare a parking study justifying proposed count (§ 6‑14‑2(G)) .
If in the downtown area, prepare for possible parking adjustment application or in‑lieu fee and check on on‑street credit rules (§ 6‑14‑5) .
Provide agreements for any off‑site parking (within 400 ft. or as allowed) and ensure continued availability per § 6‑14‑5(E) .
Include maintenance/management notes: parking must be maintained and cannot be used for storage/display (§ 6‑14‑2(F)) .
Verify ADU parking limits against state ADU law if adding an ADU; local ordinance defers to state in many ADU matters (see Taft ADU rules and state guidance) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Downtown Specific Plan precedence	The Downtown Specific Plan’s Table 3.3 may replace Table 14.A for properties inside the Specific Plan	Confirm whether the parcel is in the Downtown Taft Specific Plan and use Table 3.3; see § 6‑14‑2 and the Specific Plan document
ADU parking limits vs local rules	State ADU law limits local parking requirements; local code may not be enforceable if in conflict	Check ADU parking exemptions under state law and Taft’s ADU procedures; verify with planning staff (State ADU law summary in uploaded materials)
Uses not listed in Table 14.A	Table omission requires a parking study and discretionary determination	Expect to submit a parking study per § 6‑14‑2(G) — scope/metrics to be agreed with Planning Director
Tandem parking and compact space allowances	Tandem generally not allowed to meet required counts; compact percentage varies and downtown may permit more	Verify proposed tandem use or compact percentage with Planning Director or via parking adjustment (see § 6‑14‑2(I) and § 6‑14‑2(H))
In‑lieu fee amount & timing	Fee is set by council resolution and must be paid prior to building permit; amounts change over time	Confirm current resolution amount and whether the parcel is eligible (downtown SP area) — see § 6‑14‑5(F)

Plain‑English summary

Taft requires off‑street parking, loading and bicycle parking for nearly every new or expanded use; the number of spaces comes from Table 14.A (or the Downtown Specific Plan table for downtown sites), space sizes and surfacing are specified in Chapter 14, and adjustments (including in‑lieu fees or downtown credits) are available by process — if your use isn’t listed or you want a reduction you must submit a parking study or apply for the downtown adjustment or a variance (verify parcel specifics with the Planning Department) .

Source References

Taft Municipal Code — Chapter 14, "Parking Regulations" (§ 6‑14‑1 through § 6‑14‑6) (includes Table 14.A and Table 14.B):
Downtown Specific Plan cross‑reference (parking standards in Table 3.3 prevail for Downtown): referenced in § 6‑14‑2
Adjustments, downtown credits and in‑lieu fees: § 6‑14‑5 (parking adjustments and in‑lieu fee program):
Design standards (space dimensions, surfacing, aisles, location, maintenance): § 6‑14‑6 and related figures/tables:
Zone district list and overlay instructions (which districts exist and that overlays defer to Chapter 14): § 6‑1‑11:
Taft ADU and state ADU guidance (state parking constraints that may limit local requirements): 2025 ADU handbook (uploaded) and related references:

Sources

Retrieved passages

Taft Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (Section 3.7) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (section 6-14-2) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (CHAPTER 14) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (Section 65654) High relevance
Taft Zoning Code High relevance
Taft Zoning Code (section 6-2-19) Medium relevance
Taft Zoning Code (section 6-2-19) Medium relevance
Taft Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Taft Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Taft Zoning Code (chapter 14) Medium relevance
Taft Zoning Code (section 6-14-6) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Taft code library

Frequently asked questions

What is the baseline parking requirement for a single‑family home in Taft?

For a single‑family dwelling the local off‑street minimum is 2 spaces per unit, which may be in a garage or covered carport but cannot be located within required front setback areas; see Table 14.A and the location front‑yard rule in Chapter 14 (§ 6‑14‑3; § 6‑14‑6(K)) .

How many parking spaces do I need for a multi‑family project?

Taft’s Table 14.A sets multi‑family minima (typical: studio = 1/unit; 1‑bed = 1/unit; 2+ beds = 2/unit). Projects with 11+ units must also show 0.25 guest spaces per unit and all required resident spaces must be within 150 feet of the unit they serve (§ 6‑14‑3; § 6‑14‑6(E)(2)) .

Can the Planning Commission reduce required parking downtown?

Yes. For properties in the Downtown Taft Specific Plan / downtown commercial area the Planning Commission can approve parking adjustments (20% reduction, credit on‑street spaces, compact/tandem allowances, or in‑lieu fees) under § 6‑14‑5; the Downtown Specific Plan table (Table 3.3) controls where it applies (§ 6‑14‑2) .

Do I have to provide bicycle parking?

Yes — nonresidential uses must include bicycle and motorcycle parking at the rates in the parking schedule (see § 6‑14‑3(C)); bicycle spaces must be located near the entrance and surfaced to prevent dust (§ 6‑14‑6 design rules) .

Can I meet required spaces with tandem parking or compact spots?

Tandem parking is generally prohibited to satisfy required counts unless specifically permitted as part of an approved conditional use permit or variance. Compact spaces are limited by percentage in Table 14.A and may be increased in downtown adjustments (§ 6‑14‑2(I); § 6‑14‑2(H); § 6‑14‑5) .

What if my proposed use is not listed in Table 14.A?

If a use is not listed the required parking is determined through the development review process and the applicant must submit a parking study to justify the proposed number of spaces; the Planning Director may require additional traffic data (§ 6‑14‑2(G)) .

Are there rules about surfacing, striping and maintenance?

Yes. All permanent parking, loading and maneuvering areas must be paved (asphalt, concrete or approved all‑weather surface), striped with 3" lines, and maintained for the life of the use. Handicapped and compact stalls have specific marking and signage rules in the design standards (§ 6‑14‑6) .

If I pay an in‑lieu fee, does that guarantee parking near my site?

No. The in‑lieu program funds public parking in the downtown program area; payment satisfies the developer’s obligation but does not guarantee spaces constructed for the exclusive or immediate proximity of the paying development — fee amount and application rules are in § 6‑14‑5(F) .

Do ADUs have separate parking rules?

State ADU law constrains local ADU parking rules; Taft’s local ADU process and state law must both be checked because certain ADUs are exempt from local parking requirements (state provisions summarized in the ADU guidance) — verify with Taft planning and see the ADU/State materials .

Where do I confirm zone‑specific parking requirements for a parcel?

Start with Chapter 14 (Table 14.A) to find the use category, then confirm whether the parcel lies inside the Downtown Specific Plan area (where Table 3.3 may control) and consult the official zoning map; the zone district list is in § 6‑1‑11 and the parking chapter rules in § 6‑14‑1 through § 6‑14‑6 .

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