Westmorland — Parking

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page interprets how off-street parking and loading work under the City of Westmorland Zoning Ordinance adopted by Ordinance No. 13-01. It focuses on space dimensions, how many spaces are required for each use, where spaces can be located, and which districts and overlays reference these rules. For broader context on districts and permitted uses, see the Westmorland Zoning and Westmorland Land Use pages.

The core rule: provide and maintain off-street parking for every new, converted, reconstructed, or enlarged building in Westmorland, sized at a minimum of 9 by 20 feet per stall, in the numbers listed in § 4.05.

Citywide parking and loading standards (Article IV)

• Minimum stall size: Each required stall must be at least 9 ft by 20 ft. Vehicular access to a public right-of-way must be provided. § 4.05.
• Baseline ratios by use are in § 4.05 (see table below). Residential fractions must be rounded up to a full space where a fraction would otherwise occur under the residential standard. § 4.05(a).
• Off-site allowance: For certain uses, required stalls may be on the same lot or within 500 ft; others must be on the same lot or contiguous. § 4.05(b), (c), (d), (e).
• Loading: Uses receiving or distributing materials by vehicle (e.g., warehouse, wholesale/retail market, hotel, restaurant, hospital) must provide on-site loading space. No loading in required front yards, and loading must be at least 50 ft from any lot in a residential zone. § 4.06.
• Access: Every building must be on a lot adjacent to a public street and sited to provide safe access for required off-street parking. § 4.02.

Minimum off-street parking by use

Note: Parking lots are a permitted use in the Commercial (C) zone. § 3.05(b)(vi).

District-by-district application

Westmorland’s parking rules apply across zones, with each zone’s development standards cross-referencing § 4.05 and § 4.06 as applicable. The zoning map and zone boundaries control where each district applies. § 2.03–2.04. For broader dimensional standards see Westmorland Development Standards.

R-1 — Single Family Zone

• Purpose: Low-density single-family on lots ≥ 6,000 sq ft. § 3.01(a), (d).
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings; accessory structures. § 3.01(b).
• Key dimensional standards: Front setback 20 ft; side 5 ft (street-side corner 8 ft); rear 20 ft; height 35 ft; lot coverage 50%. § 3.01(d).
• Parking notes:
  • Cross-reference to citywide parking: § 3.01(d)(ix) (“Off-Street Parking Requirements: see § 4.5”).
  • Carports may encroach into the front setback with Planning Commission approval if open-frame and sightlines are maintained. § 3.01(d)(iv).
  • Second units (older “second dwelling units” provision): at least 1 additional off-street space beyond the primary residence, with direct access to a public right-of-way. § 3.01(c)(3). Verify against current Westmorland ADUs and California ADU law.

R-2 — Low/Medium Densities Multifamily Zone

• Purpose, permitted uses, and dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Parking notes: Default citywide standards in § 4.05 apply to residential dwellings unless superseded. Not found in retrieved materials.

R-4 — High Density Multi-Family Zone

• Purpose: High-density multi-family; protection from incompatible uses. § 3.03(a).
• Typical permitted/conditional uses: Single-family; multi-family by CUP; mobile home parks (see § 4.10). § 3.03(b)–(c).
• Key dimensional standards: Density ≥ 1,500 sq ft per unit; lot min 7,500 sq ft; front 15 ft; side 5 ft (street-side 8 ft); rear 20 ft; height 35 ft; lot coverage 50%. § 3.03(d).
• Parking notes: Cross-reference to citywide parking: § 3.03(d)(x).

C — Commercial Zone

• Intent: Retail and service business; citywide and corridor-serving uses. § 3.05(a).
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, offices, commercial recreation, hotels/motels, parking lots, transportation terminals. § 3.05(b).
• Key dimensional standards: Front 10 ft; height 35 ft; lot coverage 80%; side/rear yard transitions near “R” zones. § 3.05(d).
• Parking and loading notes: Cross-reference to § 4.05 and § 4.06 for off-street parking and loading. § 3.05(d)(ix)–(x).

I — Industrial Zone

• Intent: Wholesale, manufacturing, assembly, processing; large storage. § 3.06(a).
• Typical permitted uses: Wholesale/warehouse, manufacturing; truck/tractor repair; beekeeping storage. § 3.06(b).
• Key dimensional standards: Front 15 ft; street-side 10 ft; rear street near “R” zones 25 ft; height 50 ft. § 3.06(d).
• Parking and loading notes: Cross-reference to § 4.05 and § 4.06 (off-street parking and loading). § 3.06(d)(vi)–(vii).

OS — Open Space Zone

• Intent and uses: Resource preservation, managed production, outdoor recreation; limited public facilities by CUP. § 3.07(a)–(c).
• Parking notes: No zone-specific ratios; required parking defaults to § 4.05, with “all other uses” set case-by-case by the Planning Commission under § 4.05(g).

-RV — Recreational Vehicle Park Overlay

• Purpose: Allows RV parks where mapped, in addition to the principal zone; more stringent rule prevails on conflict. § 3.04(a).
• Uses and standards: RV parks by CUP, manager’s residence, accessory recreation; site and sanitation standards apply. § 3.04(c)–(d).
• Parking notes: Provide 1 visitor parking space per 15 RV sites. § 3.04(d) (item xiii).

Design and placement considerations

• Front yard encroachments: Loading is prohibited in required front yards. § 4.06. In the R-1 district, a carport may encroach into the front yard with Planning Commission approval if it is open-frame and maintains sightlines. § 3.01(d)(iv).
• Adjacent to residential zones: Loading must be at least 50 ft from any lot in any “R” zone. § 4.06.
• Landscaping and screening: Coordinate stall/aisle layouts with any screening or fencing that may be required in your zone; see Westmorland Landscaping and Screening. Zone standards often point to fence/wall provisions as well.
• Review pathway: Parking layout is typically reviewed with your entitlement or site plan. See Westmorland Design Review and, if relief from strict parking counts is needed, Westmorland Variances and Exceptions. Table of contents references for Variances and Nonconforming Uses appear in Article V.
• Building code items: Requirements for ADA stall counts, EV infrastructure, or bicycle parking come from the California Building Standards Code, not the zoning ordinance. Not found in retrieved materials for bicycle parking in the zoning code.

Checklist

• Identify your zoning district on the city’s zoning map and confirm any overlays; see Article II (§ 2.03–2.04).
• Classify the use (e.g., dwelling unit, office, hotel, assembly) and calculate spaces per § 4.05; use the table above.
• For residential counts under § 4.05(a), round up any fraction to a full space; provide stalls of 9×20 ft minimum.
• If using off-site parking, verify it is allowed for your use and is within 500 ft or contiguous as required; secure legal access/tenure. § 4.05(b), (c), (d), (e). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Determine if your use needs off-street loading; keep it off required front yards and ≥50 ft from residential lots. § 4.06.
• Confirm driveway access to the public right-of-way. § 4.02.
• Check district-specific notes (e.g., R-1 carport encroachment; -RV visitor parking). § 3.01(d)(iv); § 3.04(d).
• Coordinate with Westmorland Design Review, Westmorland Nonconforming Uses, and Westmorland Signage as applicable.
• For ADUs or second units, cross-check current requirements on Westmorland ADUs and state law. § 3.01(c)(3); verify with the jurisdiction.

Risks & Ambiguities

Information Gaps

• R-2 district purpose, permitted uses, and dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Bicycle parking, EV charging, stall striping/surfacing, lighting: Not found in zoning; typically located in the California Building Standards Code.
• Shared parking or reductions methodology: Not found in retrieved materials; consider Westmorland Variances and Exceptions if a relief mechanism is needed.

Plain-English Summary

Westmorland requires off-street parking for almost every project. Homes need at least 1.5 spaces per unit, offices/shops need 1 space per 250 square feet, hotels need 1 per room, and assembly places need 1 per 3 seats—all using 9×20-foot stalls, with limited options to place spaces on a nearby lot. Some uses must also provide loading areas, which cannot be in the front yard and must be buffered from homes. Check your zone and use, do the math in § 4.05, and confirm any off-site or special-case arrangements early in design review.

Source References

• Zoning Ordinance — Ordinance No. 13-01; Table of Contents and Article listings (Articles II–VI) — § 2.01–6.04 (TOC summary).
• Access to public street; layout for safe access — § 4.02.
• Off-Street Parking Requirements (stall size; ratios; off-site allowances) — § 4.05.
• Off-Street Loading (on-site; no front yard; 50 ft from residential) — § 4.06.
• R-1 standards and carport encroachment; second-unit parking — § 3.01.
• R-4 standards and parking cross-reference — § 3.03(d).
• Commercial (C) standards; parking lot as a permitted use; parking/loading cross-reference — § 3.05.
• Industrial (I) standards; parking/loading cross-reference — § 3.06(d).
• Open Space (OS) intent and uses — § 3.07.
• RV Park (-RV) overlay visitor parking — § 3.04(d) (item xiii).

Retrieved passages

• Westmorland Zoning Code (SECTION 4.01) High relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (SECTION 4.04) High relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (ARTICLE I.) Medium relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (SECTION 4.01) Medium relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 4.7) Medium relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 4.5) Medium relevance show source text
• Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 3.01) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 4.7 (Section 4.7) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Zoning Ordinance — Ordinance No. 13-01; Table of Contents and Article listings (Articles II–VI) — § 2.01–6.04 (TOC summary). (Article listings)
• Access to public street; layout for safe access — § **4.02**.
• Off-Street Parking Requirements (stall size; ratios; off-site allowances) — § **4.05**.
• Off-Street Loading (on-site; no front yard; 50 ft from residential) — § **4.06**.
• R-1 standards and carport encroachment; second-unit parking — § **3.01**.
• R-4 standards and parking cross-reference — § **3.03(d)**.
• Commercial (C) standards; parking lot as a permitted use; parking/loading cross-reference — § **3.05**.
• Industrial (I) standards; parking/loading cross-reference — § **3.06(d)**.
• Open Space (OS) intent and uses — § **3.07**.
• RV Park (-RV) overlay visitor parking — § **3.04(d)** (item xiii).
• Westmorland_ZoningCode.md