Encinitas City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 30
54 OFF-STREET PARKING
§ 30.54.010 Purpose.
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)
§ 30.54.020 General Provisions.
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)
§ 30.54.030 Schedule of Required Off-Street Parking.
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)
§ 30.54.040 Off-Street Parking Development Standards.
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)
§ 30.54.050 Parking Requirements for Joint Use.
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)
§ 30.54.060 Parking Area Landscaping.
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)
§ 30.54.070 Off-Street Parking Use/Maintenance.
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.
§ 30.54.080 Parking Districts.
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.
§ 30.54.090 Tandem Parking Regulations.
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)