The access, off-street parking and loading regulations ensure that all land uses provide safe access and on-site circulation along with adequate off-street parking and loading facilities. These regulations shall be maintained and consistent with State law. In the event that there is conflict between State law and this chapter, State law shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

The minimum standards of this chapter shall apply to all proposed land uses, buildings, and structures.

B.

The minimum standards of this chapter shall also apply to all proposed additions, enhancements and modifications to existing land use(s) and associated structure(s). At the time a building or structure is added on to, enlarged, or modified, parking and loading spaces shall be provided for both the existing and the modified or enlarged portions so as to conform to the provisions of the chapter.

C.

Unless otherwise provided through an approved discretionary permit such as a joint use parking agreement, all required access, off-street parking and loading facilities shall be provided on-site.

D.

No commercial vehicle or trailer shall be parked, stored, or otherwise left unattended at any place within the R-1 district, except while actually engaged in pickup or delivery activities, or during the course of the actual construction, alteration, or repair of structures in the immediate proximity, or unless kept entirely in an enclosed parking structure or behind a solid fence or wall not less than six feet in height and does not project above the maximum height of the solid fence or wall provided.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

A site plan shall be submitted for all required parking facilities. The plan shall consist of a detailed layout of the existing and proposed parking facilities, including the site, grades, drainage, utilities, easements, all structures, landscaping, walls and fences, parking stalls, drive aisles, and ingress and egress drives. The plan shall be accurately and thoroughly dimensioned to scale.

B.

The site plan shall be submitted and reviewed in conjunction with any discretionary review or ministerial permits.

C.

In the event that no other permit is required, the modification of any existing required parking facilities shall be reviewed by the development services department as an administrative design review permit to ensure consistency with all requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Accessibility.

1.

Required access, off-street parking, and loading facilities shall be made available and permanently maintained for access, off-street parking, and loading for all uses and structures.

2.

Required access, off-street parking, and loading facilities shall be designed, located, constructed, and maintained so as to be fully and independently usable and accessible at all times.

3.

Required access, off-street parking, and loading facilities, and associated driveways providing access to such facilities, shall not be used for any purpose which at any time would preclude the use of the area for its intended and approved use.

4.

Inoperable motor vehicles shall not be parked in or on any driveway, carport and/or easement(s).

a.

Any inoperable motor vehicle shall be required to be fully enclosed and always contained within a permanent structure.

B.

Exclusivity of Access, Off-Street Parking, and Loading Facilities.

1.

Unless otherwise provided through an approved discretionary permit such as a joint use parking agreement, no owner or tenant shall lease, rent, or otherwise make the required access, off-street parking, and loading facilities unavailable to the intended on-site users.

a.

The joint use of access, off-street parking, and loading facilities shall be permitted subject to the approval of a conditional use permit reviewed by the zoning administrator at a public hearing.

C.

Encroachment into Right-of-Way Prohibited.

1.

Land within the right-of-way of a proposed street or highway, or within the planned ultimate right-of-way on a street or highway proposed to be widened, shall not be used to provide required off-street parking.

a.

Exception. Loading facilities shall be permitted within the public right-of-way immediately adjacent to any proposed or existing development if adequate fire access is provided and bicycle and pedestrian safety is maintained at all times and is subject to the approval of a conditional use permit reviewed by the zoning administrator at a public hearing.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Driveways. Driveways are intended to provide access from public or private streets to off-street parking facilities. Entry driveways provide direct ingress or egress from a street, alley or public right-of-way to a parking aisle, internal driveway, or parking maneuvering area. Internal driveways provide interior circulation between parking aisles. Except as is customary on a parcel developed with a single-family dwelling, no parking shall be permitted in an entry driveway.

1.

Location of Driveway on a Corner Lot. When a building site abuts two (2) intersecting streets and a driveway is proposed, the driveway shall be located on the primary building frontage.

a.

Exception. When the primary building frontage is along a public street which causes safety concerns for ingress and egress to and from the site the driveway may locate along the secondary building frontage.

B.

Driveway Spacing. Spacing between adjacent property driveways shall be provided to create a clear delineation of ingress and egress to each parcel or property within the city.

1.

A minimum of five feet shall be provided between driveways of adjacent parcels or properties.

C.

Limit on Single-Family Residential Driveways.

1.

For all residential uses, the driveway must lead to a garage, carport, or other approved parking facility.

2.

The number of permitted driveways, driveway approaches, or curb cuts shall be one per fifty (50) feet of lot frontage, not to exceed a total of two.

D.

Driveway/Drive Aisle Widths.

1.

The minimum width of a one-way driveway/drive aisle shall be twelve (12) feet.

2.

The minimum width of a two-way driveway/drive aisle shall be eighteen (18) feet.

E.

Primary Access.

1.

When a proposed development is immediately adjacent to an alleyway, the primary driveway access shall be taken from the alleyway.

2.

When a proposed development with building frontage along Main Street and/or State Street, the primary driveway access shall be taken from the rear of the property immediately adjacent to the public parking plazas.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Access, off-street parking and loading facilities shall conform to the following standards:

1.

Parking stall standard dimensions shall be as follows:

a.

Perpendicular and angled parking space size. Each standard parking space shall consist of an area not less than nine feet wide by eighteen (18) feet long, except as noted on the drawing labeled "Parking Standards Exhibit A" on file with the development services department.

b.

Parallel parking space size. Each standard parking space shall consist of an area not less than nine feet wide by twenty-two (22) feet long except as noted on the drawing labeled "Parking Standards Exhibit A" on file with the development services department.

c.

Disabled persons parking standards shall comply with all requirements set forth in the California Building Code, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

2.

Vehicle backup distance/drive aisle requirements, as depicted on "Parking Standards Exhibit A" and are as follows:

a.

Angled parking stalls positioned at a degree no less than thirty (30) and no greater than forty-five (45), the vehicle backup distance/drive aisle shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet free and clear of any obstructions.

b.

Angled parking stalls positioned at a degree no less than forty-five (45) and no greater than sixty (60), the vehicle backup distance/drive aisle shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) feet free and clear of any obstructions.

c.

Perpendicular parking stalls positioned at a ninety (90) degree angle, the vehicle backup distance/drive aisle shall be a minimum of twenty-six (26) feet free and clear of any obstructions.

d.

Vehicle backup distance/drive aisle immediately adjacent to any parallel parking stalls shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet free and clear of any obstructions.

3.

Additional minimum standards for the design of off-street parking areas shall be in accordance with those shown on the drawing labeled "Parking Standards Exhibit A" on file in the office of the development services department.

4.

If found to be necessary or desirable by the city, the design standards set forth in this chapter may be waived for public and community facility uses or commercially operated public parking facilities.

B.

Loading facilities.

1.

Loading facilities shall not be less than ten (10) feet wide by twenty-five (25) feet long.

2.

Loading facilities shall be located immediately adjacent to the main entrance of any proposed development or immediately adjacent to any designated service areas of any proposed development.

C.

Decorative paving materials. All required access, off-street parking, and loading facilities shall be paved with:

1.

Decorative paving, decorative concrete, or decorative asphalt-type surfacing.

2.

Decorative paving or decorative concrete shall be provided for all entry driveways, parking facility approaches, parking areas, parking maneuvering areas, and parking stall(s) providing access and parking for all newly constructed buildings or any required parking facilities that are modified or improved greater than fifty (50) percent of gross floor area of the parking facility.

3.

Decorative paving or decorative concrete entry areas of any parking facility shall be provided in any required setback area or a minimum of the first twenty (20) feet of depth of any parking facility whichever is greater, as measured from the primary entrance into the required facility.

D.

Lighting. The lighting of all on-site parking facilities shall be designed and maintained in a manner to prevent glare or indirect illumination from intruding into any off-site areas or adjacent properties or parcels. Lighting fixtures shall be provided in accordance with the following specifications:

1.

Lighting fixtures shall be oriented and shielded downward to prevent any excess light intrusion.

2.

Lighting fixtures shall only illuminate what is necessary to provide sufficient lighting for the safety and security of all parking facilities.

3.

Lighting fixtures installed on the exterior of any building on-site or visible from public view shall be architecturally compatible and integrated into the building design.

4.

Lighting fixtures shall be installed to illuminate any walkways or paths of travel for pedestrians to and from any on-site parking facilities.

5.

Lighting fixtures shall be provided as external illumination for any on-site signage for wayfinding or directional signage of any parking facility built in conjunction with a development.

E.

Landscaping of all access, off-street parking, and loading areas.

1.

All landscaping shall conform to the water efficient landscape requirements and best arboricultural practices.

2.

Perimeter landscaping. All unenclosed or surface parking facilities shall provide a perimeter landscaped strip/buffer at least five feet in depth between any parking facility and adjacent properties.

a.

Perimeter landscaping shall include a mixture of trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Sufficient number of trees shall be utilized in order to achieve complete screening of required parking facilities from adjacent properties at full maturity.

3.

Interior landscaping island(s) and diamond(s). All unenclosed or surface parking facilities shall provide interior landscaping island(s) or diamond(s).

a.

Interior landscaping island(s) or diamond(s) shall be provided one per every five parking stalls; any fraction resulting based on this calculation shall be rounded down to the next whole number.

b.

Any required landscaping island(s) shall be provided no less than two feet by eight feet in dimensions.

c.

Any required landscaping diamond(s) shall be provided no less than four feet by four feet in dimensions.

d.

As an alternative to any required landscaping island(s) or diamond(s) a project may propose above ground decorative planter(s) or pot(s) to satisfy this standard. The final location, and planter or pot design shall be determined by the development services director.

F.

Wheel stops. A permanent curb, bumper wheel stop, or similar device shall be installed for all required parking stalls on-site. When a permanent curb is installed as a method for satisfying this requirement no vehicle overhang shall be permitted to encroach into any required landscaping area on-site.

G.

Vertical clearance. All required parking facilities shall have a vertical clearance of not less than seven (7) feet.

H.

Horizontal clearance. All required parking stalls and loading facilities shall be free and clear of any encroachments into the required size dimensions (i.e., no pillars or structural members shall be located within the required dimension area of any parking stall or loading facilities).

I.

Gates at Entrance(s), Exit(s) and Perimeter of all Access, Off-Street Parking, and Loading Areas.

1.

When gates are proposed on-site for any access, off-street parking, and loading areas they shall be designed and constructed to be architecturally compatible with the existing or proposed building(s) in that building materials shall be the same materials and finishes of the primary building(s).

2.

Adequate vehicle staging shall be provided at the approach of any gated access, off-street parking, and loading areas to prevent vehicles from staging off-site or in the public right-of-way.

3.

Parking management plan. A parking management plan shall be required for any development that proposes gates into any required access, off-street parking, and loading areas to the satisfaction of the development services director.

a.

The parking management plan shall be reviewed independently of any other permit and processed as a conditional use permit reviewed by the zoning administrator.

b.

The purposes of a parking management plan shall be to ensure adequate access is maintained at all times, and in the event of emergency, all necessary provisions have been made to accommodate the safe ingress and egress of emergency response personnel and evacuation of any occupants.

J.

Maintenance. All access, off-street parking and loading areas shall be maintained to assure the facilities are ready for use at all times. Such facilities shall be maintained free of refuse or debris at all times. When storage is included within any required parking facilities the designated parking and loading areas shall maintained free and clear and ready for vehicular use at all times.

K.

Signage. Adequate on-site directional and wayfinding signage shall be provided for all access, off-street parking and loading areas. Signage shall include but is not limited to:

1.

Entrance height clearance signage and bar.

2.

Directional and wayfinding signage for access into and around development.

3.

When non-residential uses are provided on-site a directory shall be provided near all main entrances and exits of the site.

4.

When reserved or dedicated parking stalls are provided individual signage or floor markings shall be provided and maintained at all times.

L.

Electric vehicle (EV) dedicated parking stalls shall include signage indicating the type and capacity of each charging station.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Compact Parking Stall Provisions.

1.

Compact parking stalls shall be provided only for vehicles mid-size or smaller and are parking stalls designed with a standard reduction in size as compared to the city standard stall requirements.

2.

Compact parking space size. Each standard compact parking space shall consist of an area not less than eight feet wide by sixteen (16) feet long.

3.

Multiple-family residential shall be permitted to accommodate a maximum of twenty (20) percent of required residential parking as compact parking stalls.

4.

Non-residential uses shall be permitted to accommodate a maximum of forty (40) percent of required non-residential parking as compact parking stalls.

B.

Tandem Parking Stall Provisions.

1.

Tandem parking stalls are an alternative parking configuration where one parking stall is in front of another creating one long parking stall that provides sufficient parking for two required parking stalls.

2.

Tandem parking space size. Each standard tandem parking space shall consist of an area not less than nine feet wide by thirty-six (36) feet long.

3.

Tandem parking stalls shall only be allowed for meeting the requirements of residential parking standards.

4.

Tandem parking stalls shall only be allowed for required parking assigned to the same residential dwelling unit.

C.

Mechanical Lift and Automated Parking Stall Provisions.

1.

Mechanical lift parking is an alternative parking configuration where one vehicle is mechanically lifted on a parking system vertically above the ground to provide sufficient clearance for another vehicle to be parked directly beneath the vehicle above.

a.

Mechanical lift parking stalls shall only be allowed for required parking assigned to the same residential dwelling unit. Mechanical lift parking stalls shall not be allowed in meeting the parking requirements for any non-residential uses.

b.

Mechanical lift parking stalls shall provide a minimum of seven feet in height clearance for each parking stall for a minimum of fourteen (14) feet in height for the two stacked vehicles.

c.

Back-up power shall be provided for any proposed mechanical lift parking facilities to allow emergency operation of the system in retrieving all parked vehicles.

2.

Automated parking is a mechanical system designed to minimize the area and volume required for parking vehicles. Automated parking configurations can include single level or multiple levels of parking lifts in meeting the parking requirements. Automated parking systems utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to park and retrieve all vehicles parked within the automated parking facility.

a.

Automated parking shall be allowed for required parking of residential and non-residential uses shall be permitted subject to the approval of a conditional use permit reviewed by the zoning administrator at a public hearing. The following requirements shall be provided as a part of any request for use of an automated parking system:

1.

A parking management plan shall be provided to ensure adequate access is maintained at all times, and in the event of emergency all necessary provisions have been made to accommodate the safe ingress and egress of emergency response personnel and evacuation of any occupants.

2.

All automated parking stalls, and associated equipment shall be located wholly within a permanent structure.

3.

Technical study shall be provided with initial request for consideration demonstrating that the proposed design and operation of automated parking system will not be detrimental to surrounding uses and properties in the vicinity relative to noise, visual impacts, and general use of the proposed facilities.

4.

Back-up power shall be provided for any proposed automated parking facilities to allow emergency operation of the system in retrieving all parked vehicles.

5.

The zoning administrator shall have the discretion to require any necessary technical study or manufacturer specifications in order to determine the appropriateness and operational standards of the proposed automated parking system.

D.

Motorcycle Stall Provisions.

1.

Motorcycle parking stalls shall be provided only for the cycle of motorcycles and are parking stalls designed with a standard reduction in size as compared to the city standard stall requirements.

2.

Motorcycle parking space size. Each standard motorcycle parking space shall consist of an area not less than five (5) feet wide by ten (10) feet long.

3.

Motorcycle parking shall be permitted to accommodate a maximum of five percent of the required non-residential parking.

4.

Motorcycle parking shall not be allowed for meeting the requirements of residential parking standards.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

Where more than one use is included in one building or on a single parcel, the parking requirements shall be the sum total of the requirements of all the uses (each on-site use parking requirement is calculated independently); provided, however, when determined by the development services director that a conflict in demand for parking will not occur, parking requirements may be combined. Appropriate legal documents, as approved by the city attorney, shall be executed when such a combination is required and approved.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

In order to accommodate the delivery or shipping of goods of all developments, on-site loading facilities shall be provided for all non-residential development and housing developments of ten (10) units or greater:

A.

There shall be at least one loading facility provided, which shall have minimum dimensions of at least ten (10) feet by twenty-five (25) feet, with fourteen (14) feet of vertical clearance (when provided within the building envelope).

B.

Loading facilities shall be located and designed so that the vehicles intended to use them can maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way without interfering with the orderly movement of vehicular traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians on any public way and complete the loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any parking stall or parking lot aisle.

C.

No area allocated to loading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any of off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading facilities.

D.

A loading facility may be located in the front yard setback but shall comply with other required setbacks.

E.

All loading facilities shall be designed and maintained so that vehicles do not back in from, or onto, a public street.

F.

Loading facilities shall be striped indicating the loading spaces and identifying the spaces for "loading only." The striping shall be permanently maintained by the property owner/tenant in a clear and visible manner at all times.

G.

Adequate signage shall be provided that directs delivery vehicles to the loading space.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Downtown Los Altos parking district.

1.

Properties located in Downtown Los Altos which participated in a public parking district, no parking shall be required for the net square footage of existing nonresidential buildings which does not exceed one hundred (100) percent of the net lot area.

2.

Parking shall be required for any new net square footage in excess of one hundred (100) percent of the lot area and for all properties which did not participate in the original public parking district.

3.

All parking requirements shall be calculated based on the adopted parking ratios and provisions contained within this code.

B.

Downtown Lot Consolidation.

1.

In certain portions of Downtown Los Altos, specifically along Main Street and State Street, the presence of small lots, fragmented ownership pattern, and lack of ability to provide on-site parking have historically constrained redevelopment potential. In order to incentivize Downtown Lot Consolidation for the redevelopment of existing buildings with frontages along Main Street and State Street the following standards shall apply:

a.

The maximum parking requirement of any residential dwelling unit shall be one (1) parking stall per unit.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Parking space requirements prescribed in this chapter may be satisfied by the permanent allocation of the required area or number of spaces for each permitted use in a common parking facility, cooperatively established and operated, either under private auspices or a public assessment district, which includes the site of any use permitted under this chapter, provided the total number of spaces allocated shall be not less than the sum of the individual requirements, and provided also that the parking facility shall be within five hundred (500) feet of the site of the permitted use.

B.

When a common parking facility is approved as prescribed per subsection A, appropriate legal documents, as approved by the city attorney and development services director, shall be executed to insure permanent use of such spaces.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Applicability.

1.

The provisions of Section 14.74.120 of the Los Altos Municipal Code shall only apply to properties within Downtown Los Altos and for meeting the parking requirements of nonresidential development and uses.

B.

Authorization Granted.

1.

The city council authorizes the development services director to determine the parking requirements of any proposed project within the City of Los Altos consistent with the provisions of this code.

a.

When it is determined that providing the required parking on-site is infeasible the development services director shall negotiate with consultation of the city attorney a parking license agreement to satisfy the parking requirements of Chapter 14.74 of the Los Altos Municipal Code.

2.

The city council authorizes the city manager to execute any proposed parking license agreement and subsequent amendments to existing and proposed Parking License Agreements based on the provisions of Section 14.74.120 of the Los Altos Municipal Code.

C.

Establishment of Fee.

1.

The fee for use of public parking plazas, and structures for meeting the parking requirements of nonresidential uses shall be based upon the Master Fee Schedule of the City of Los Altos as amended annually.

a.

Annual amendments to the Master Fee Schedule shall be applied to each executed parking license agreement as necessary.

D.

Executed Parking License Agreement.

1.

The executed agreement shall be reported out to the city council as an informational item on its published agenda at its next regularly scheduled meeting following the final execution of said agreement.

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)

A.

Calculation of Minimum Parking Requirements.

1.

For the purposes of this chapter, "net square footage" shall mean the total horizontal area in square feet on each floor, including basements, but not including the area of inner courts or shaft enclosures.

2.

The requirement for a use not specifically mentioned in Chapter 14.74 of the Los Altos Municipal Code shall be the same as for a specified use which has the most similar traffic or parking generation characteristics. The development services director shall determine what constitutes similar traffic or parking generation characteristics. The development services director shall have the authority to require a parking analysis or report of any proposed development in order to determine the appropriate parking requirement of a use not listed below. The number of required stalls shall be adequate to service the proposed use.

3.

When the calculation of required parking stalls results in a fractional number, the number of required stalls shall be rounded up to the next whole number when the fraction is equal to or greater than .5 and may be rounded down to the next whole number when the fraction is less than .5.

B.

Minimum Number of Required Parking Stalls by Use are as follows:

(Ord. No. 2024-507, § 1(App. A), 2-27-2024)