A.
All regulations set forth in this chapter are for the purpose of providing convenient off-street parking space for vehicles. The parking requirements of this chapter are to be considered the minimum necessary for the uses permitted within the respective zones. In addition to parking regulations set forth in this chapter, each specific plan, identified in Chapter 30.84, Specific Plans, may have additional or separate parking standards for its plan area. Refer to individual specific plans, listed in Chapter 30.84, for parking regulations within each specific plan area.
B.
The
intent of these regulations is to provide adequately designed parking
areas with sufficient capacity and adequate circulation to minimize
traffic congestion and promote public safety. It shall be the responsibility
of the developer, owner, or operator of the specific use to provide
and maintain adequate off-street parking.
(Ord. 94-02)
A.
Off-street
parking facilities, for both motor vehicles and bicycles, shall be
provided on a development site as required in this chapter in terms
of both the number of spaces required and their development and landscaping
requirements as follows:
1.
All
new structures on a development site requires all parking facilities
on the site to meet the current standards.
2.
Addition
of new building square footage (attached or detached) to existing
building(s) on a development site requires that parking be provided
at current ratios for the additional square footage without any reduction
to existing parking.
3.
Any
change of use of an existing building where the new use requires a
greater number of off-street parking stalls than the previous use,
as established by the current schedule of required off-street parking,
shall provide parking for that portion of the building(s) on the development
site where such change of use is established. Existing parking shall
not be reduced below current standards.
B.
The
required parking facilities needed for any development shall be located
on the same site or, if an irrevocable access and/or parking easement
is obtained, the parking may be on an adjacent site. Property within
the ultimate right-of-way of a street or highway shall not be used
to provide required parking, or loading or unloading facilities.
C.
The
requirements of this chapter shall apply to temporary as well as permanent
uses.
D.
No
existing use of land or structure shall be deemed to be nonconforming
solely because of the lack of off-street parking facilities prescribed
in this chapter; however, the facilities being used for off-street
parking on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter
shall not be reduced in capacity to less than the minimum standards
prescribed in this chapter.
E.
Projects
with unexpired design reviews or conditional use permits approved
prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter
shall meet the requirements of the parking ordinance in effect on
the date the design review or conditional use permits were approved.
F.
All
required off-street parking spaces shall be designated, located, constructed,
and maintained so as to be fully usable during workday periods or
as needed by the use of the premises, and shall be permanently available
without charge to all uses as intended under this title. Valet parking
service, with or without charge, may be permitted upon the issuance
of a minor use permit.
G.
Where
the application of these schedules results in a fractional space,
then the fraction shall be rounded to the next higher whole number.
H.
The
parking requirement for uses not specifically listed in the matrix
shall be determined by the Director of Planning and Building. Parking
studies may be required.
I.
In
the calculation of parking requirements for centers, off-peak-hour
uses from the normal operating hours of the center shall not be counted
toward the parking requirement.
J.
In situations where a combination of uses are developed on a site, parking shall be provided for each of the uses on the site according to the schedule given in this chapter. (See Section 30.54.050.)
K.
The
required number of parking spaces identified herein are considered
minimum standards for the majority of cases. However, the required
number of parking spaces may be adjusted based on the results of a
site-specific parking study with the issuance of a minor use permit.
Any permitted deviations in the required number of parking spaces
shall be recorded in a covenant and shall be subject to on-going review
and monitoring. Critical consideration and documentation must be provided
before any reduction in the number of required parking spaces would
be authorized for development along or west of Vulcan Avenue.
L.
Where
a limited percentage of a land use is permitted at a reduced ratio
in an office complex or commercial center any portion of that land
use that exceeds the percentage limitation shall provide parking at
a higher ratio for that portion of the land use that exceeds the allowable
percentage only.
M.
In
campgrounds where trailers or motor homes are permitted, the campsite
spaces designed to accommodate them may be counted as the required
parking spaces.
N.
In
single-family residences and duplexes, access drives that fall within
the required setback may be counted towards any parking required in
excess of the first two spaces.
O.
Surface
treatment for parking areas required for agricultural roadside stands
may use a #2 base, crushed rock or grass crete in lieu of asphalt
or concrete pavement. Access and egress shall not require backing
into traffic.
P.
In
calculating the amount of parking required for restaurants located
in commercial centers and office parks, please refer to the parking
requirements for retail/commercial centers and office parks.
(Ord. 94-02; Ord. 94-11; Ord. 2003-08; Ord. 2006-06; Ord. 2010-10)
A.
The
number of off-street parking spaces required for automobiles shall
be no less than that set forth in the following table:
|
USE
|
PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
|
|---|---|
|
Residential
| |
|
Single room occupancy housing facility
|
1 space for every 2 living units; unless the applicant provides
substantial evidence demonstrating that the actual parking need is
lower, subject to the approval of the Development Services Director.
|
|
Dwelling, single-family or two-family (attached or detached)
|
2 enclosed parking spaces for each unit up to 2,500 square feet
of floor area. 3 spaces for dwelling units in excess of 2,500 square
feet. Any parking space over 2 spaces may be enclosed or unenclosed.
|
|
Dwellings, multiple (includes mobilehome parks)
|
0.25 spaces per unit for guest parking plus resident parking
based on following:
|
|
Studio apartments
|
1.5 spaces per unit
|
|
One and two bedroom units
|
2 spaces per unit
|
|
Three or more bedrooms
|
2.5 spaces per unit
|
|
Accessory apartments
|
1 space
|
|
Convents and monasteries
|
1 space per resident plus 5 guest spaces
|
|
Fraternities and sororities
|
1 space per bed
|
|
Inclusionary housing units
| |
|
Guest
|
0
|
|
Studios and one bedroom units
|
1 space per unit
|
|
Two and three bedroom units
|
1.5 spaces per unit
|
|
Four and more bedroom units
|
2 spaces per unit
|
|
Qualified employee housing – seven or more employees
|
1 space per unit or 1 space for every 3 beds plus 1 space for
an on-site manager (if applicable); unless the applicant provides
substantial evidence demonstrating that the actual parking need is
lower, subject to the approval of the Development Services Director.
|
|
Transit-oriented housing development
|
0.5 space per unit; no parking required for guests
|
|
Visitor Service
| |
|
Campgrounds
|
2 spaces for each campsite plus 5 spaces at registration site
|
|
Hotels and motels
|
1.25 spaces for each bedroom, other principal, ancillary and/or
accessory uses shall meet parking standards that restaurants in conjunction
with hotels/motels may provide parking at the ratio of 1 space per
100 square feet of the area of the restaurant
|
|
Hotel complex
|
Parking study required
|
|
Recreation
| |
|
Amusement arcades
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Billiard/pool parlors
|
2 spaces for each table
|
|
Bowling alleys
|
4 spaces for each lane
|
|
Dance halls, skating rinks, etc.
|
1 space for each 5 fixed seats, plus 1 for each 35 sq. ft. of
dance floor rink area, or general assembly/seating area
|
|
Golf courses
|
10 spaces for each hole plus 1 for each 20 sq. ft. of general
assembly area
|
|
Racquetball/tennis/health clubs
|
1 space for each 100 sq. ft. gross floor area. Swimming pool
shall be counted as floor area.
|
|
Commercial stables
|
1 space for every 5 horses boarded at site
|
|
Youth center
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area (Swimming pool
shall not be counted as floor area.)
|
|
Parks
|
Parking study required
|
|
Office
| |
|
Ambulance services
|
1 space per 500 sq. ft. gross floor area plus 2 storage spaces
|
|
General offices
|
1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of gross floor space
|
|
Professional services including financial institutions, attorneys,
accountants, realtors, etc.
|
1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Medical, dental and veterinary offices/clinics
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Government offices
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Government, medical, dental and/or veterinary offices and/or
clinics may equal up to a combined total of 15% of the gross floor
area of an office park or center
|
1 space per 250 sq. ft. of the gross floor area
|
|
Restaurants* may comprise up to a combined total of 10% of the
gross floor area of an office park or centers
|
1 space per 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area of the restaurant
|
|
Commercial
| |
|
Furniture, major appliances
|
1 space for each 450 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Restaurants
|
1 space for each 100 sq. ft. area. In an area with an adopted
specific plan, the regulations of the specific plan shall apply.
|
|
Motor vehicle sales, machinery sales, wholesale stores, mobilehome
sales, or equipment sales and rental yards
|
1 space for each 400 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Petroleum product service station and/or car wash
|
3 spaces plus 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of retail floor area;
plus 3 spaces for each service bay; plus queue space for 5 vehicles
per wash bay; plus 2 spaces per wash bay for parking
|
|
Individual retail uses and other individual commercial services
except as otherwise specified herein
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Retail and Commercial Centers
| |
|
Less than 100,000 sq. ft.
|
1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area. May contain
up to 15% medical, dental offices. May also include up to 8% restaurants.
|
|
More than 100,000 sq. ft.
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area. May contain
up to 20% restaurants.
|
|
Time share projects
|
1.25 spaces per bedroom for 1 bedroom units; and 1.00 space
per bedroom for 2 or more bedroom units; accessory uses, including
restaurants in conjunction with the project, shall provide additional
parking at a ratio established through the use permit process
|
|
Industrial
| |
|
Industrial uses, except as otherwise specified herein
|
1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area
|
|
Laboratories, biochemical X-ray, dental, research and testing
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area under 5,000
sq. ft. plus 1 space for every 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area over
5,000 sq. ft.
|
|
Manufacturing uses, such as bottling establishments, bakeries,
canneries, printing and engraving shops and others
|
1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Public utilities facilities not having business offices on the
premises
|
1 space for each employee on the maximum shift; plus 1 space
for each vehicle operated or kept in connection with the use. In no
event shall less than 2 parking spaces be provided for each use regardless
of the number of employees or vehicles operated.
|
|
Self-storage
|
1 space for each 25 storage cubicles and distributed equally
throughout the storage area within parking lanes service storage cubicles
as follows: one-way driveways, one 18 ft. wide parking and travel
lane; two-way driveways, one 26 ft. wide parking and travel lane
|
|
Studios: motion picture, recording, radio & T.V. broadcasting
|
1 space for each 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area under 5,000
sq. ft.; plus 1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area over
5,000 sq. ft.
|
|
Warehouse and storage building
|
1 space for each 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area provided
that any portion devoted to office or sales area shall provide 1 space
per 250 sq. ft. of floor area so used
|
|
Institutional
| |
|
Hospitals
|
2 spaces for each bed
|
|
Medical complex or campus
|
Parking study required
|
|
Institutional uses, except as otherwise specified herein
|
1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Libraries
|
1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Museums
|
1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
|
Rest home, convalescent home, nursing homes
|
1 space for each 2 beds
|
|
Schools, elementary and intermediate
|
1.5 spaces for each classroom or lecture hall plus 1 for each
3 fixed seats in school auditorium, or if there are no fixed seats,
then 1 for each 100 sq. ft. of auditorium floor area
|
|
High school
|
1.5 spaces for each classroom or lecture hall; plus 1 per 3
students in 11th and 12th grades as determined by design capacity;
plus 15 spaces for visitor
|
|
Trade, business, professional or vocational schools, colleges,
and universities
|
Parking study required
|
|
Child care centers and nurseries
|
1 space for each 10 children the facility is designed to accommodate;
plus 1 space for each employee, and adequate room for vehicle drop-off
|
|
Assembly
| |
|
Churches
|
1 space for every 3 persons based on total occupancy permitted
by the City's adopted building code
|
|
Lodges, theatres, stadiums and other places of public assembly
|
1 space for every 3 persons based on total occupancy permitted
by the City's adopted building code
|
|
Agricultural
| |
|
Agricultural roadside stands
|
5 spaces
|
|
Community garden
|
No parking required if on-street parking is available within
400 feet
|
|
Greenhouses
|
3 spaces per acre plus parking for other uses in accord with
this schedule
|
|
Horticulture
|
1 space per 2 acres plus parking for other uses on site based
on use
|
|
Kennels/animal shelters (pet stores are considered to be commercial)
|
1 space per 400 sq. ft.
|
|
Notes:
| |
|---|---|
|
*
|
Parking requirements for outdoor dining and/or sidewalk dining
areas shall include such areas in the gross floor area requiring parking
spaces.
|
B.
Handicap accessible parking space requirements shall count toward fulfillment of all automobile parking requirements established by this chapter. Handicap accessible parking requirements are established by the State of California and shall be in accordance with California Title 24 Accessibility Guidelines.
C.
Bicycle
Parking Requirements. The table below contains the minimum bicycle
parking requirements. Only those uses identified in the table are
required to install bicycle parking. Bicycle parking facilities shall
be stationary storage racks or devices designed to secure the frame
and wheel of the bicycle.
|
Use
|
Minimum Bicycle Parking Requirement
|
|---|---|
|
Administrative/professional, shopping centers and other commercial
uses less than square footage identified below
|
3 spaces
|
|
Administrative/professional services over 20,000 sq. ft. of
floor area
|
5 spaces
|
|
Shopping centers with over 50,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area
|
1 space per 33 required automobile spaces
|
|
Restaurants
| |
|
Less than 6,000 sq. ft. of floor area
|
2 spaces
|
|
More than 6,000 sq. ft. of floor area
|
5 spaces
|
|
Medical and dental offices or clinics, and veterinary
offices
| |
|
Recreation
|
1 space per 33 required automobile spaces
|
|
Hospitals
|
8 spaces
|
|
Churches
|
8 spaces
|
D.
Motorcycle
Parking Requirements—All Uses Other Than Residential.
|
Number of Automobile Spaces Provided
|
Minimum Motorcycle Parking Requirement
|
|---|---|
|
25—100
|
4 spaces
|
|
More than 100
|
4 spaces per 100 required automobile spaces
|
E.
Loading
Space Requirements. Loading spaces shall be provided at the following
rate for all commercial, light industrial, and public/semi-public
uses unless increased or decreased by the Director of Planning and
Building.
1.
One
loading space shall be provided for the first 10,000 square feet of
gross floor area or fraction thereof.
2.
One
additional loading space shall be provided for each additional 20,000
square feet of gross floor area or its fraction greater than 10%.
3.
At
least two passenger loading spaces shall be provided at all schools,
hospitals, rest home/convalescent homes, youth centers, transit centers
and nursery/day care centers.
(Ord. 94-11; Ord. 97-17; Ord. 2003-08; Ord. 2003-10; Ord. 2015-01; Ord. 2016-08; Ord. 2019-14; Ord. 2019-16; Ord. 2021-11; Ord. 2021-12)
With recommendation by the Planning Commission, the City Council
may by resolution adopt a City Off-Street Parking Design Manual to
establish standards for the dimensions of parking spaces, configuration
of spaces, surfacing, driveway design, and other parking area design
criteria. Upon adoption by the City Council, the contents of the Manual
shall be incorporated herein by reference and become requirements
of this chapter.
(Ord. 2012-08)
The Planning Commission may, upon application by the owner or
lessee of any property, authorize the joint use of parking facilities
by the following uses or activities under the conditions specified
below:
Up to 50% of the parking facilities required by this chapter
for a use considered to be primarily a day-time use may be provided
by the parking facilities of a use considered to be primarily a night-time
use; and from zero to 50% of the parking facilities required by this
chapter for a use considered to be primarily a night-time use may
be provided by the parking facilities of use considered to be primarily
a day-time use, provided that such a reciprocal parking arrangement
shall be approved through a minor use permit and be subject to the
following conditions:
A.
The
building or use requesting to utilize the existing off-street parking
facilities provided by another building or use, shall be located within
a reasonable distance of such parking facility, which shall be determined
on a case-by-case basis.
B.
The
applicant shall show that there is no substantial conflict in the
principal operating hours of the building or uses for which the joint
use of off-street parking facilities is proposed.
C.
All
parties involved in the joint use of off-street parking facilities
shall provide evidence of agreement for such joint use by a proper
legal instrument approved by the City Attorney as to form and content.
Such instrument, when approved as conforming to the provisions of
this title, shall be recorded in the office of the County Recorder
and copies shall be filed with the Planning and Building Department.
(Ord. 96-07)
A.
This
section will be superseded by the adoption of the City of Encinitas
Landscape and Irrigation Manual.
B.
The
purpose of parking lot landscaping is to mitigate the negative environmental
impacts. These include, but are not limited to: temperature changes
from the heat absorption qualities of the asphalt; grading and drainage
impacts; air pollution from cooling vehicles; and visual impacts.
Therefore, landscaping in parking areas shall be predominantly trees
to provide shade but should also include shrubs and low ground cover
for visual relief and mitigation of air pollution impacts.
C.
Parking
area landscaping shall include one 15-gallon tree for every five parking
spaces distributed throughout the parking area in such a way as to
maximize the amount of shade provided. Smaller sized trees may be
approved provided the trees reach a desired maturity height within
three years after project occupancy.
D.
Parking
area landscaping shall include a combination of trees, shrubbery,
vines, and ground-cover, all of which shall be drought tolerant or
drought resistant varieties.
E.
All
parking area landscaping shall be watered by an automatic irrigation
system and regularly maintained in a healthy and thriving condition,
free of weeds, trash and debris.
F.
In
addition to the landscaping required for all front, side and rear
yards, the landscaped portion of a parking area shall constitute at
least 15% of the overall parking area. Only landscaping within the
parking lot or within five feet of the exterior boundaries of the
parking lot shall be considered "parking lot" landscaping. Landscaped
areas that also serve as portions of parking stalls shall not be counted
towards more than one fifth of the total minimum required parking
lot landscaping.
G.
Planting
beds shall be distributed throughout the parking lot as evenly as
possible and each bed shall have a minimum interior dimension of not
less than four feet.
H.
For
parking lot islands, a minimum 12-inch wide walk shall be provided
adjacent to parking stalls, and be separated from vehicular areas
by a four-inch high by six-inch wide Portland concrete cement curbing.
I.
Any
unused space resulting from the design of the parking area shall be
used for landscaping purposes.
J.
Sidewalks
to adjacent commercial properties shall be provided as necessary to
allow and encourage pedestrian movement throughout the commercial
zone. Internal pedestrian circulation systems shall be integrated
with the surrounding system of City sidewalks.
K.
In
addition to the above requirements, the following provisions shall
also apply.
1.
Any
aisle providing circulation through the lot shall be separated from
parking rows by a minimum five-foot wide planting strip (exterior
dimensions). Median strips and planting islands help to direct vehicular
circulation routes. All planters shall have trees, low shrubs and/or
groundcover and be irrigated.
2.
Planting
islands shall be placed at the end of each row of parking.
3.
Within
parking areas of greater than 20 parking spaces, an island with a
minimum interior planting width of four feet and length equal to that
of the adjacent parking stall or equivalent planting area shall be
provided within rows for every 10 cars within the parking area.
4.
Specimen
plants and shrubs shall be utilized near the entrance of the project.
The landscaping shall complement the existing neighborhood and the
site's architectural theme. Planting along property boundaries can
be arranged as informal groupings as an alternative to rigid, formal
plantings. Annuals should be introduced only where proper maintenance
is feasible. Screening should be done with flowering trees and shrubs
to add accent and color. A fence or wall should be made of textured
materials to add extra interest.
5.
Street
trees shall be planted at minimum 40-foot intervals adjacent to any
public right-of-way and shall be a minimum of 15 gallon container
size.
6.
Plantings
within 15 feet of intersections shall not exceed 24 inches to avoid
interfering with visibility.
7.
To
minimize the probability of damage to light standards and trees, they
should be located between parking stalls.
8.
Pedestrian
walkways should be visually separated from vehicular traffic by the
use of plant material and a textured or colored paved surface. Vehicle
overhang should not interfere with pedestrian movement on an adjacent
sidewalk.
9.
Decorative
paving for plazas or other special features used as substitute for
a portion of the required interior planting may be approved by the
Director of Planning and Building.
10.
Concrete wheel stops are required where walls and fences abut driveways
and parking stalls.
11.
Where large expanses of asphalt occur, different paving materials
such as patterned concrete or interlocking pavers should be used to
reduce the visual impact of the asphalt.
12.
For sloped parking lots, terracing can reduce the visual impact and
planting strips shall be used to accommodate grade changes.
13.
Where a landscaped filter strip is required for environmental reasons
to reduce downslope run-off and surface soil erosion, plant material
should be planted to a width of 50 to 70 feet of a 0% to 10% slope.
14.
All trash containers shall be screened with fencing and/or landscaping.
15.
The parking lot shall be designed to preserve existing trees on the
site that are in good condition.
16.
Prior to the issuance of a final building occupancy certificate,
all landscaping planting and irrigation shall be installed and be
in acceptable condition. The plants shall be healthy and free of weeds,
disease, or pests. The irrigation system shall be properly constructed
and in good working order.
N.
Typical
Parking Lot Planters.
|
Planting Plan Requirements
 |
O.
Typical
Parking Lot Irrigation Plan.
|
Irrigation Plan Requirements
 |
P.
Landscape
Design Notes.
1.
Landscape
Design. The purpose of parking lot landscape is to enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the parking area. The landscaping shall reflect the
existing street planting and complement the site's architectural theme.
2.
Perimeter
Plants. Whenever possible, planters shall be placed along the edge
of the parking lot and driveway. Perimeter planting brings relief
from continuous areas of paving and also screens parked cars from
view of the surrounding properties.
Trees: Minimum of one five-gallon tree/five spaces. Shrubs:
Minimum one-gallon size.
Ground Cover: Flats of six- to eight-inch cuttings.
Planter strips with shrubs shall have an unpaved minimum width
of two feet. Planter strips with trees shall have an unpaved minimum
width of four feet.
 |
High shrubs and/or trees may be used for perimeter screening
except at driveway entrances or wherever plant material will obstruct
the view of oncoming traffic.
3.
Parking
Lot Perimeters. In larger parking lots, the planters shall be used
to bring relief from excess stretches of paving and to aid the flow
of both automotive and pedestrian traffic.
High canopy trees, low shrubs and ground cover shall be used
at access and egress points for optimum traffic visibility.
 |
(Ord. 2017-03)
All parking facilities required by this chapter shall be maintained
in good operating condition for the duration of the use requiring
such facilities. Such facilities shall be used exclusively for the
parking of vehicles. The parking facilities shall not be used for
the storage of merchandise, or for the storage or repair of vehicles
or equipment. Parking facilities shall not be used for the sale of
merchandise, except on a temporary basis with proper City approval.
Areas may be exempted entirely or in part from the parking requirements
as otherwise established in this chapter where parking districts are
organized to meet the parking needs of an area. Specific parking requirements
for the district will be determined at the time of its formation and
shall require approval by the City Council.
A.
Tandem
Parking. An off-street parking arrangement which includes parking
stalls where one is arranged in front of the other.
B.
Tandem
parking is permitted for units of a residential housing development
subject to the following requirements, and approval by the approval
authority:
1.
When
two or more parking spaces are reserved or required for a dwelling
unit, such spaces may be developed as tandem parking spaces.
2.
Any
tandem parking shall only provide off-street parking which serves
the same dwelling unit of the residential housing development.
3.
Any
tandem parking provided shall be at minimum 8.5 feet by 36 feet unenclosed
and 8.5 feet by 38 feet for enclosed to accommodate two vehicles.
No more than two vehicles may be parked in tandem.
4.
Any
tandem parking located within a required interior side yard setback
shall provide a six-foot fence, wall or hedge to screen the tandem
parking spaces from adjacent properties.
5.
Tandem
spaces may be provided in driveways or garages, or a combination thereof.
6.
Tandem
spaces shall not be used for guest parking.
(Ord. 2021-10)
