No structure or use shall be permitted or constructed unless off-street parking spaces are provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise stated as exempt. Parking standards shall follow any State housing or residential laws, which laws shall control.

The word “use” means both the type and intensity of the use, and that a change in use shall be subject to all of the requirements of this chapter.

When a new structure is constructed, enlarged, or increased in excess of 20 percent of the square footage, or when a change in use creates an increase in the required amount of parking, additional parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. An applicant, however, may provide the City with a parking study that evidences support of reduced off-street parking. The Director shall determine if such a reduction is warranted, based upon findings. If a study is not prepared, the required parking shall be provided per the requirements below.

Requirements for uses not specifically listed herein shall be determined by the Director based upon the requirements for comparable uses and upon the particular characteristics of the use, pursuant to Section 17.04.070(C) (Similar Uses Permitted).

Fractional parking space requirements shall be rounded up to the next whole parking space.

All parking, including recreational vehicle parking, shall occur on paved areas. “Paved” means covered by concrete, asphalt, pavers, or a similar material as approved by the Director. Brick and gravel are not permissible materials for a paved parking area.

No commercial vehicle, regardless of weight, shall be permitted to drive or park on any street within any residential zone, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to this chapter and subject to the specific exemptions that may be set forth in the California Vehicle Code.

Nonconforming Parking (Commercial Districts). Existing facilities in Commercial Districts which do not meet current parking standards shall be permitted to maintain the existing parking unless additional development is proposed or permitted. Additional development, alterations, additions, or change of use would require parking to be updated to meet current standards. If parking standards cannot be met, the Director or designee may allow a reciprocal parking agreement on a case-by-case basis.

Off-street parking is exempt for any commercial use in the Commercial Downtown (C-D) Zoning District.

Parking shall not be required where State law provides for an exemption.

The following minimum number of parking spaces shall be provided for each use (where “sq. ft.” refers to square foot). Where the parking ratio listed is based upon square feet, “square footage” means the gross square feet of the building unless otherwise indicated. Where there is more than 1 parking ratio listed in the table, the greater of the 2 applies. Further, if any of the below contradicts State law parking requirements such as AB 2097 (as amended), State law shall apply.

Uses Not Listed. Land uses not specifically listed in Table 17.48-1 shall provide parking as required by the Community Development Director. The Community Development Director shall use the standards identified in Table 17.48-1 as a guide in determining the minimum number of off-street parking spaces to be provided.

Valet Parking. Valet parking is subject to review and approval either at the time the predominant use is approved through the Review Authority with insurance provisions or later as a specific item by the Community Development Director. Existing commercial uses utilizing valet parking must have an approved valet parking plan which includes provisions for insurance for the patrons to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director.

In-Lieu Parking Payments. In commercial districts, parking spaces required by the provisions of this chapter may be satisfied by the payment of a fee per parking space to the off-street parking fund of the City prior to issuance of a Building Permit provided that the property is within an established parking district. Funds placed into the off-street parking fund pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be used exclusively for the purpose of acquiring and developing off-street parking facilities, limited insofar as practicable to the general vicinity of the premises for which in-lieu payments were made. The payment shall be in an amount set forth by Council resolution.

Clean air vehicle parking is required by Title 24, Part 11 (CALGreen) of the California Building Code.

Transit Parking. Parking requirements may be reduced (AB 2097 amended Government Code Section 65863.2).

Joint Use Parking. Dual use of parking may be allowed where the operating hours of the uses involved do not overlap. Joint use of parking shall not exceed 50 percent of the required spaces of any uses involved. The agreement for joint use shall be in the form of a recorded covenant and shall be acceptable to the City Attorney. The approval for the joint use can be granted only by the Commission and shall apply to Commercial, Visitor-Serving, Public, Industrial, and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts.

Access. The following requirements shall govern access to off-street parking facilities:

Commercial Vehicle Parking. No commercial vehicle exceeding 8 feet in height and/or 20 feet in combined total length, or towed equipment, shall park between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on private property or public rights-of-way in residentially designated areas, unless the vehicle or vehicles are screened from public view and adjacent properties and is subject to the approval of the Director. This prohibition shall not apply to construction sites during the construction process or to vehicles in the process of making delivery or pickup.

Dimensional Requirements.

Residential—Driveways.

Location of Parking Area.

Recreational Vehicle Parking.

Tandem Parking. The Director may approve an off-street parking program utilizing limited tandem parking for commercial, public, institutional, and industrial uses provided that the development requires 150 or more parking spaces, with no more than a maximum of 10 percent of the total number of spaces designated as tandem and an attendant is on duty during the normal hours that the commercial/industrial development is open for business.

Lighting. Parking lighting is not always required; however, if lighted parking areas are required parking areas, such lighting fixtures shall be located, with provided shields and adjusted, to preclude the direct spillage/glare onto adjacent properties and street.

Maintenance. All required parking facilities shall be permanently maintained, free of litter and debris, and may be posted for parking purposes only.

Off-Street Loading Requirements. Every hospital, institution, hotel, motel, commercial, or industrial building hereafter erected or established shall have and maintain loading spaces as provided subject to the following standards:

Loading Spaces Required. The table below identifies how many loading spaces are required for all hospitals, institutions, hotels, motels, and commercial and industrial uses.