Tiburon — Parking

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the Town of Tiburon regulates parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle/motorcycle parking in the local Zoning Ordinance (Title IV, Chapter 16). The Town’s parking rules set required counts, dimensional and surfacing standards, allowances for off‑site parking or payments in lieu, and additional design controls used by the Review Authority and Design Review processes. See the ordinance text for full legal language; key local rules are collected below (citations point to the controlling local sections). For related rules on setbacks and development details see Tiburon’s Development Standards and for ADU-specific statewide limits see California ADU law guidance linked later in this page.

Note: the first mention of the word “parking” above links to the Town’s zoning material and the words below link to other related topics: setbacks/development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Core local rules (what the ordinance actually says)

• Purpose and applicability: The Town requires provision and continuous maintenance of off‑street parking and loading for any new building or change in use; the purpose is stated in § 16-32.010 and the applicability is in § 16-32.020.

• Counts / required number of spaces: The required number of parking stalls by use is in § 16-32.040 and summarized in the ordinance’s Table 3‑1 (Minimum Number of Parking Stalls) (examples below).

• Accessible parking: Disabled/handicapped parking must comply with federal accessibility guidelines and/or the California Code of Regulations Title 24; required accessible stalls count toward the required total. See § 16-32.050.

• Bicycle & motorcycle parking: Bicycle racks (except for single‑ and two‑family dwellings) are required at the rate of one bicycle space per 15 required parking stalls (bicycle rules in § 16-32.060). Motorcycle parking for commercial uses is one space per 25 required parking stalls (see § 16-32.070).

• Parking design & location rules: Layout, surfacing, striping, lighting, shading landscaping, stall/access dimensions, and access driveways are regulated in § 16-32.080. Required parking may not be located in public right-of-way; outdoor stalls may encroach into side/rear setbacks and into front setbacks up to 3 feet from the street right‑of‑way (subject to other standards). Stall dimensions and aisle geometry are given by figures and Table 3‑2.

• Loading berths: Off‑street loading is required for larger buildings and must meet minimum dimension and clearance requirements in § 16-32.090 (minimum one berth for buildings >5,000 sq. ft.; berths no less than 12' × 35' with 14' clearance).

• Multiple uses / shared parking: Parking for multiple uses is normally additive; the Commission may approve shared/overlapping parking where hours or demand permit (criteria in § 16-32.100).

• Changes of use and expansions: Any change of use or increase in floor area or employees triggers recalculation and additional parking where required; see § 16-32.110.

• In‑lieu payments & waivers: The Town may accept payment in lieu of spaces under § 16-32.120; the amount is fixed by Council resolution and the Council may waive or require in‑lieu payment subject to findings.

• Off‑site parking: Required spaces may be provided on another lot in a commercial zone if made permanent through a recorded covenant or an approved lease; loss of those spaces can be cause to revoke permits (rules in § 16-32.030[A]).

District‑by‑district (how parking interacts with common Tiburon zones)

Below are the most decision‑relevant zones in Tiburon. Each subsection states the zone name in bold, a short purpose/typical uses sentence, where the Zoning Ordinance locates its development standards, and the local parking implications (which sections control parking counts/design):

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: Single‑family dwellings; controls on lot size, scale and setbacks are in Article II residential standards. See § 16-21.040 (Residential Zones Development Standards) for dimensional guidelines.
• Parking implications: Single‑family parcels follow the general parking rules in § 16-32; however § 16-32.060 exempts single‑family and two‑family dwellings from the bicycle‑rack rule. Driveway/tandem parking and driveway design may be subject to site review; see Site Plan and Architectural Review triggers in § 16-52 when parking layout changes occur.

R-2 (Two‑Family Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: Attached/detached two‑family dwellings; limited geographic locations (Old Tiburon/Lyford’s Cove noted in the ordinance). Development standards are in § 16-21 and referenced exceptions in § 16-40.020.
• Parking implications: Multi‑unit calculations may be applied under § 16-32.040; additions or conversions (e.g., creating additional units) trigger parking recalculation under § 16-32.110. Verify driveway/backing rules in § 16-32.080 if on‑street backing issues are possible.

R-3 / RMP (Multi‑Family / Multiple Planned)

• Purpose / typical uses: Multi‑family and higher density residential; specific FAR and site rules in Article II (see Table 5‑2 and related notes).
• Parking implications: Larger residential developments will follow the use‑based parking counts in § 16-32.040 and design standards (surfacing, access, landscape) in § 16-32.080; for larger lots (>10 stalls) modifications may require Site Plan review.

NC (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose / typical uses: Local retail and service uses; development standards and FAR for NC are in § 16-22.040 and Table 2‑3 (see minimum lot and FAR).
• Parking implications: Commercial uses (retail, restaurants, offices) use the counts in Table 3‑1 (within § 16-32.040); design standards in § 16-32.080 apply, and the Downtown design handbook/Historic Protection Overlay may impose additional site treatment. Shared off‑site parking in commercial areas is allowed with a recorded covenant or approved lease under § 16-32.030.

VC (Village Commercial)

• Purpose / typical uses: Village‑scale commercial uses (similar to NC with some differences — e.g., souvenir shops allowed and limits on street‑front ground-floor offices on Main Street). Standards and FAR in § 16-22.040 (Table 2‑3).
• Parking implications: Same parking sections apply (§ 16-32 series); downtown exceptions and historic overlay rules may affect allowable encroachments and design. See § 16-22.040 and § 16-23.060 (HPO).

HPO (Historic Protection Overlay) — overlay zone

• Purpose / typical uses: Applies to downtown properties; underlying NC/VC uses continue but historic design guidance and Site Plan approvals are required. See § 16-23.060.
• Parking implications: Overlay does not replace the parking standards but requires that parking, loading, and any physical changes comply with Table 2‑3 and Article III standards; design review may require special treatment to preserve historic character.

(If you need other specific zones—P, M, RO‑1, RPD—the Zoning Table and Article II entries list them; see Table of Contents and Table 2‑2/2‑3 in Article II for exact dimensional standards. )

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Checklist (what an applicant must provide / satisfy)

• Show required number of off‑street parking spaces calculated per § 16-32.040 (use Table 3‑1 as applicable).
• Provide required accessible (disabled) stalls per § 16-32.050 and Title 24.
• Provide bicycle and motorcycle parking where required (§ 16-32.060, § 16-32.070).
• Submit a parking lot layout showing stalls, aisles, circulation, loading berths, landscaping, lighting and surfacing consistent with § 16-32.080 (submitted with permit application).
• If parking provided off‑site, record a covenant or submit lease documentation per § 16-32.030[A–B].
• If building >5,000 sq.ft. for goods handling/procurement, provide loading berth(s) per § 16-32.090.
• If proposing shared/overlapping parking, secure Commission approval and findings per § 16-32.100.
• If seeking payment instead of spaces, prepare application for Council hearing and be ready for findings under § 16-32.120.
• If parking layout alters site appearance in a commercial or historic area, expect design review and overlay review per § 16-23.060.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Tiburon’s zoning ordinance requires on‑site off‑street parking and loading sized to the use (Table 3‑1 / § 16-32.040), mandates accessible and bicycle/motorcycle provisions, sets minimum design and surfacing standards, allows off‑site parking only when permanently secured, and offers payment‑in‑lieu as a Council option — all subject to the Town’s site review and design controls.

Source References

• Tiburon Zoning Ordinance (Title IV, Chapter 16) — Parking & Loading Standards: § 16-32.010 through § 16-32.120. See the ordinance excerpts in the file for each subsection.
• Tiburon Development Standards and zone tables — Residential and Commercial zone development standards (Table 2‑2/Table 2‑3): § 16-21.040, § 16-22.040.
• Historic Protection Overlay rules affecting downtown (HPO): § 16-23.060.
• Site Plan / Design Review permit triggers and review authority: § 16-52 (see Site Plan & Architectural Review discussion).
• State ADU parking guidance (for ADU parking limits under state law): 2025 California ADU handbook (summary of Gov. Code limits).
• For mandatory accessibility dimensions consult the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) as referenced by § 16-32.050.

Retrieved passages

• Tiburon Zoning Code (Section 16-32) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (ARTICLE II) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (TITLE IV) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article I) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article I) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article II) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article II) Medium relevance show source text
• Tiburon Zoning Code (Article III) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Tiburon Zoning Ordinance (Title IV, Chapter 16) — Parking & Loading Standards: **§ 16-32.010** through **§ 16-32.120**. See the ordinance excerpts in the file for each subsection. (Title IV)
• Tiburon Development Standards and zone tables — Residential and Commercial zone development standards (Table 2‑2/Table 2‑3): **§ 16-21.040**, **§ 16-22.040**. (§ 16-21.040)
• Historic Protection Overlay rules affecting downtown (HPO): **§ 16-23.060**. (§ 16-23.060)
• Site Plan / Design Review permit triggers and review authority: **§ 16-52** (see Site Plan & Architectural Review discussion). (§ 16-52)
• State ADU parking guidance (for ADU parking limits under state law): 2025 California ADU handbook (summary of Gov. Code limits).
• For mandatory accessibility dimensions consult the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) as referenced by **§ 16-32.050**. (Title 24)
• Tiburon_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Tiburon code library