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Oakland City Zoning Code

Chapter 17.94

S-12 RESIDENTIAL PARKING COMBINING ZONE REGULATIONS

Sections:


17.94.010 - Title, purpose, and applicability.

The provisions of this Chapter shall be known as the S-12 Residential Parking Combining Zone Regulations. The Residential Parking Combining (S-12) Zone is intended to create, preserve, and enhance areas with high concentrations of Residential Facilities, and is typically appropriate in high density residential neighborhoods adjacent to commercial areas. These regulations shall apply in the S-12 Zone, and are supplemental to the regulations applying in the zones with which the S-12 Zone is combined.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; prior planning code § 6650)

17.94.020 - Zones with which the S-12 Zone may be combined.

The S-12 Zone may be combined with any other zone in which Residential Facilities are permitted or conditionally permitted.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; prior planning code § 6651)

17.94.030 - Activities to which S-12 Zone regulations apply.

The driveway regulations set forth in Section 17.94.080 and the related review and approval by the City Traffic Engineer set forth in Section 17.94.120, shall apply to all activities located in the S-12 Zone. All other provisions of the S-12 Zone shall apply only to Residential Activities located in the S-12 Zone and occupying any One-Family Dwelling, Two- to Four-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility. The off-street parking requirements of all other activities located in the S-12 Zone shall be as set forth in Chapter 17.116.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13435, § 4(Exh. A), 5-2-2017; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. 12501 § 66, 2003: prior planning code § 6652)

17.94.040 - Off-street parking regulations—Residential Activities.

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 17.116.020 and 17.116.030, and subject to the calculation rules set forth in Section 17.116.050, the following amounts of off-street parking are required for all Residential Activities located in the S-12 Zone and occupying any One-Family Dwelling, Two-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility. Such required parking shall be developed and maintained pursuant to the provisions of Section 17.94.050 through 17.94.090, unless an alternate parking layout is approved pursuant to Section 17.94.110. The special exceptions to parking requirements set forth in Section 17.116.110 shall not apply in the S-12 Zone.

A.

Basic Requirement. One (1) off-street parking space shall be provided for each three (3) habitable rooms in the facility, as determined by the definition of "habitable rooms, number of in Section 17.09.040 and rounded to a whole number in accordance with the rules of Section 17.116.050, or the same number of spaces as required by the underlying base zone pursuant to Section 17.116.060 without regard to the provisions of the S-12 regulations, whichever is greater. Such parking shall be designated and permanently maintained for the use of residents of the facility.

B.

Visitor Parking. Where the basic requirement of Subsection A. of this Section is five (5) spaces or more, an additional 0.2 spaces shall be provided for each dwelling unit in the facility, rounded to a whole number in accordance with the rules of Section 17.116.050. Such parking spaces shall be designated and permanently maintained for the use of visitors of the facility.

C.

Handicapped Parking. Handicapped parking spaces shall be provided pursuant to the provisions of the California State Accessibility Standards contained in Parts 2, 3, and 5 of Title 24 of the California Administrative Code. Such spaces shall count towards the requirements of Subsections A. and B. of this Section, and shall not be in addition to those requirements.

(Ord. No. 13435, § 4(Exh. A), 5-2-2017; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. 12501 § 67, 2003: Ord. 11861 § 6, 1996; prior planning code § 6655)

17.94.050 - Standards for provided parking facilities.

The standards for provided parking and loading facilities set forth in Chapter 17.116 of the Oakland Planning Code shall apply in the S-12 Zone, except as specified in Sections 17.94.060 through 17.94.090. All provided parking spaces and associated maneuvering aisles, driveways, and other related features shall be of such design and arrangement as to provide motor vehicles with adequate ingress to and egress from all parking spaces, and to provide pedestrians with adequate access to parked vehicles.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Prior planning code § 6660)

17.94.060 - Parking spaces.

The requirements of this Section shall apply only to Residential Activities located in the S-12 Zone and occupying any One-Family Dwelling, Two- to Four-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility, and supersede the parking space dimensions set forth in Section 17.116.200 and the tandem space requirements set forth in Section 17.116.240.

A.

Types of Parking Spaces and Dimensions. Four types of parking spaces are defined for required parking in the S-12 Zone: regular, intermediate, compact, and handicapped. Such spaces shall have the minimum dimensions set forth below, measured in feet.

Type of Parking Space All
Parking
Except
Parallel
Length
All
Parking
Except
Parallel
Width
Parallel
Parking
Length
Parallel
Parking
Width
Regular 18 22 8
Intermediate 16½ 8 20½
Compact 15 19 7
Handicapped * * * *

 

* As set forth in the California State Accessibility Standards contained in Parts 2, 3, and 5 of Title 24 of the California Administrative Code.

B.

Mixture of Parking Space Types. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the provided parking spaces may be compact spaces, provided that at least fifty percent (50%) of the required spaces are regular and/or handicapped spaces. Alternatively, when five (5) or more parking spaces are required, up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the required spaces may be intermediate spaces, provided that if any required spaces are compact spaces, an equal or greater number of the required spaces shall be regular and/or handicapped spaces. The requirements of this Subsection shall apply separately to the parking spaces required by Chapter 17.116.

C.

Location of Parking Spaces. On any lot located in the S-12 Zone and containing a One-Family Dwelling, Two- to Four-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility, no parking spaces shall be located between the front lot line and the front wall of the facility or its projection across the lot, except upon the granting of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to the Conditional Use Permit procedure in Chapter 17.134 and upon determination that:

1.

There is no other feasible way to provide the required parking; and

2.

The applicable requirements of the buffering regulations in Chapter 17.110 are met.

D.

Tandem Spaces. Parking spaces may be tandem spaces provided that:

1.

At least one (1) independent parking space shall be permanently assigned to each dwelling unit in the facility; and

2.

For each pair of tandem spaces, both the independent space and the dependent space shall be permanently assigned to the same dwelling unit; and

3.

At least one (1) space in each pair shall be a regular parking space.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13435, § 4(Exh. A), 5-2-2017; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12501 § 68, 2003: prior planning code § 6661)

17.94.070 - Maneuvering aisles.

The requirements of this Section shall apply only to Residential Activities located in the S-12 Zone and occupying any One-Family Dwelling, Two- to Four-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility, and supersede the requirements for Maneuvering Aisles set forth in Section 17.116.210.

A.

Maneuvering Aisle Width. The width of maneuvering aisles serving regular, intermediate, and compact parking spaces shall be as set forth in Subsections (A)(1) through (A)(5) of this Section. The width of maneuvering aisles serving handicapped parking spaces shall be as set forth in the California State Accessibility Standards contained in Parts 2, 3, and 5 of Title 24 of the California Administrative Code.

1.

Where parking is parallel: eleven (11) feet;

2.

Where parking is at an angle of forty-five (45) degrees or less: twelve (12) feet;

3.

Where parking is at an angle of sixty (60) degrees or less but more than forty-five (45) degrees: fifteen (15) feet;

4.

Where parking is at an angle of seventy-five (75) degrees or less but more than sixty (60) degrees: eighteen (18) feet;

5.

Where parking is at an angle of ninety (90) degrees or less but more than seventy-five (75) degrees: twenty-one (21) feet.

B.

Alternate Maneuvering Aisle and Parking Space Widths. Except for parallel parking, the maneuvering aisle width required by Subsection A. of this Section may be reduced by one (1) foot, provided that all parking spaces served by the maneuvering aisle, other than handicapped spaces, are increased in width by one-half (½) foot.

C.

Additional Maneuvering Aisle Length. An additional five (5) feet of maneuvering aisle length beyond the end stall farthest from the street shall be provided whenever the maneuvering aisle width required by Subsection A. of this Section is reduced in accordance with Subsection B. of this Section, if both of the following conditions are present:

1.

Backing up to the street is prohibited by Section 17.116.250; and

2.

A vehicle parked in the end stall farthest from the street would not otherwise be able to maneuver into a forward facing position in four movements or less. A movement, for purposes of this Section, shall be defined as the continuous travel of a vehicle in a single direction from starting point to stopping point.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13435, § 4(Exh. A), 5-2-2017; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. 12501 § 69, 2003: prior planning code § 6662)

17.94.080 - Driveways.

The requirements of this Section shall apply to all activities located in the S-12 Zone, and supersede the minimum driveway width set forth in Section 17.116.210 of the Oakland Planning Code.

A.

Requirement for One-Lane Driveway. Except as provided in Subsections B. and C. of this Section, any driveway located in the S-12 Zone shall be a one-lane driveway.

B.

Requirement for Two-Lane Driveway. A driveway that provides both ingress from and egress to a minimum number of required off-street parking spaces shall be a two-lane driveway, such minimum number of spaces depending upon the classification of the street to which the driveway provides access, as indicated in the Land Use and Transportation Element of the Oakland General Plan. The minimum number of spaces served requiring a two-lane driveway shall be as set forth below.

1.

On arterial streets: ten (10) spaces;

2.

On collector streets: fifteen (15) spaces;

3.

On all other streets: twenty (20) spaces.

C.

Requirement for Wider Driveway at Discretion of City Traffic Engineer. At his or her discretion, pursuant to Section 17.94.120, the City Traffic Engineer may require a two-lane driveway for off-street parking facilities which would ordinarily require a one-lane driveway; and may require a wider driveway and driveway opening for a Nonresidential Facility located in the S-12 Zone if such driveway and driveway opening serve vehicular activities other than, or in addition to, the parking of automobiles. The width of such nonresidential driveway and driveway opening shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet.

D.

Number of Driveways and Driveway Openings. All activities located in the S-12 Zone shall be limited to a single driveway, except upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134 and upon determination that:

1.

One or more of the driveways providing ingress to and egress from the required parking spaces would be one-way; or

2.

The activity occupies a facility which contains two (2) or more separate parking areas between which direct vehicular travel is not possible; or

3.

The number of parking spaces served is greater than or equal to twice the minimum number of spaces for which a two-lane driveway is required by Subsection B. of this Section, in which case one two-lane driveway may be provided for each multiple of such minimum number; or

4.

The City Traffic Engineer determines that more than one driveway is necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the activity.

E.

Definition of One-Lane and Two-Lane Driveway. For purposes of this Section, a one-lane driveway shall be not less than nine (9) feet wide and not more than ten (10) feet wide, and its associated driveway opening shall be ten (10) feet wide; a two-lane driveway and its associated driveway opening shall be not less than eighteen (18) feet wide and not more than nineteen (19) feet wide.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 6663)

17.94.090 - Other dimensional requirements.

The requirements of this Section shall apply only to Residential Activities located in the S-12 Zone and occupying any One-Family Dwelling, Two- to Four-Family Dwelling, or Multifamily Dwelling Residential Facility.

A.

Clear Space Next to a Wall or Other Obstruction. Where a regular, intermediate, or compact parking space is at an angle of ninety (90) degrees or less, but more than sixty (60) degrees, to a maneuvering aisle, and where such parking space abuts a wall or other similar obstruction which might interfere with pedestrian access to the space, a clear area shall be provided for the full length of the space on the same side as the wall or other obstruction; provided, however, that posts and other similar structural members may be located immediately adjacent to a required parking space when allowed by Subsection B. of this Section. For regular and intermediate spaces, the width of the clear area shall be two (2) feet, and for compact spaces, the width of the clear area shall be one and one-half (1½) feet. The requirements of this Subsection supersede the requirement of Section 17.116.200A for additional width of a regular parking space which abuts a wall or other, similar obstruction.

B.

Posts and Other Obstructions. Posts and other similar structural members may be located immediately adjacent to a required parking space, provided that:

1.

Such required parking space is a regular space or, if the City Traffic Engineer determines that sufficient maneuvering area is present, an intermediate or compact space; and

2.

Such post or other similar structural member is located at least three (3) feet but not more than five (5) feet from the maneuvering aisle or located not more than four (4) feet from the end of the parking space opposite the maneuvering aisle; and

3.

Such post or other similar structural member does not impede pedestrian access to vehicle parking in the space; and

4.

Such posts and other similar structural members shall be located on one side only of a required parking space.

C.

Vertical Clearance. All parking spaces, maneuvering aisles, and driveways shall have a full vertical clearance of no less than six feet eight inches (6'8"); provided, however, that the vertical clearance of no more than fifty percent (50%) of the required parking spaces may be reduced to no less than four (4) feet for a horizontal distance of no more than four (4) feet from the end of the space opposite the maneuvering aisle. Such reduced vertical clearance is not permitted for the independent parking space of any pair of tandem parking spaces.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 6664)

17.94.100 - On-street parking regulations.

The requirements of this Section shall apply to all activities located in the S-12 Zone, and supersede the minimum driveway separations set forth in Subsections C. and D. of Section 12.04.270 of the Oakland Municipal Code.

A.

Requirement to Maximize On-Street Parking Spaces. The placement of driveway openings, fire hydrants, street trees, lampposts, signs, and any other potential obstacles to the usability of on-street parking shall be arranged so as to maximize the number of usable on-street parking spaces immediately in front of, and adjacent to, the lot containing the activity. Where the lot containing the activity has frontage on more than one street, the number of usable on-street parking spaces shall be maximized along all frontages. The method for calculating the number of required usable on-street parking spaces shall be as set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

B.

Calculation Rules for Required On-Street Parking Spaces. The number of usable on-street parking spaces required by Subsection A. of this Section shall be determined as set forth in steps 1 through 4 below. All measurements shall be in feet.

1.

Measure the distance between the nearest parking obstructions on either side of the lot containing the activity.

2.

Subtract the width of the driveway opening or openings provided pursuant to Section 17.94.080, plus one and one-half (1½) feet on either side of each driveway opening.

3.

Subtract the width of any other parking obstructions immediately in front of the lot that presently exists or that would be constructed, located, or moved in conjunction with construction of the proposed driveway opening or openings.

4.

Divide the number obtained in step 3 by twenty (20) feet.

The number thus obtained, disregarding any fractional part thereof, shall be the number of usable on-street parking spaces required by Subsection A. of this Section.

C.

Definition of Parking Obstructions. For purposes of this Section, parking obstructions are any features, other than posted time limitations, which preclude or restrict the parallel on-street parking of an automobile, including but not limited to, the following:

1.

Any existing driveway opening plus one and one-half (1½) feet on either side;

2.

Any existing or required fire hydrant plus five (5) feet on either side;

3.

Any marked or unmarked crosswalk, plus a distance on either side to be determined by the City Traffic Engineer;

4.

Any red, yellow, green, white, blue, or other colored curb established by the City Traffic Engineer;

5.

Any area posted by the City Traffic Engineer for "No Parking Any Time";

6.

Any posted bus stop, the length of which shall be determined by the City Traffic Engineer if the curb is not marked;

7.

Any handicapped curb cut, plus a distance on either side to be determined by the City Traffic Engineer;

8.

Any metered parking space established by the City Traffic Engineer;

9.

Any parking space signed or marked by the City Traffic Engineer for angle parking;

10.

At approximate right-angle intersections, the curb return plus the area between the curb return and a point the following distance from the intersection of the curb lines projected: twenty (20) feet on the near side of the intersection, or ten (10) feet on the far side of the intersection, measured in the normal direction of vehicular travel. If no curb exists, the edge of the roadway where such curb return and the area specified above would be located;

11.

Any section of curb or roadway edge located between any two parking obstructions as defined in Subsections (C)(1) through (C)(10) of this Section, that is currently, and that will remain, too short to be a usable on-street parking space as defined in Subsection D. of this Section;

12.

Any section of curb or roadway edge along which the City Traffic Engineer determines that it is unsafe to park an automobile.

D.

Definition of Usable On-Street Parking Space. For purposes of this Section, a usable on-street parking space is a section of unmarked curb or roadway edge twenty (20) feet in length which does not contain any of the parking obstructions defined in Subsection C. of this Section.

E.

Determination by City Traffic Engineer in Special Circumstances. Where the street frontage of the lot containing the activity is in a parking meter zone or an area signed or marked for angle parking, or where the special characteristics of the proposed activity would preclude maximizing the number of usable on-street parking spaces, or in other special circumstances where the rules of Subsection B of this Section cannot reasonably be applied, the number of required usable on-street parking spaces, and the required placement of driveway openings and other potential obstacles to usable on-street parking shall be determined by the City Traffic Engineer.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 6665)

17.94.110 - Alternate parking layouts.

Layouts of off-street parking spaces, maneuvering aisles, driveways, driveway openings, and other related features different from those prescribed in Sections 17.94.060 through 17.94.090 may be approved with a Conditional Use Permit granted pursuant to the Conditional Use Permit procedure in Chapter 17.134 and upon determination that:

A.

The number of off-street parking spaces are provided in the mixture of types set forth in Section 17.94.060.B; and

B.

The alternate parking layout is approved by the City Traffic Engineer pursuant to Section 17.94.120.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; prior planning code § 6670)

17.94.120 - Review and approval by City Traffic Engineer.

The design and layout of all off-street parking facilities subject to the S-12 Zone regulations, including maneuvering aisles, driveways, driveway openings, and other related features, shall be subject to review and approval by the City Traffic Engineer. He or she shall ensure that adequate ingress to and egress from each off-street parking space provided is of the appropriate size, and that ingress to and egress from the off-street parking facility is possible with minimal disruption of traffic on the adjacent street. In his or her review, he or she shall consider the structural requirements of the facility; the length of the driveway and distance from parking spaces to the adjacent street; any loading berths or other vehicular activities served by the driveway; the average daily traffic, lane widths, and other pertinent characteristics of the adjacent street; and any other relevant factors. Notwithstanding the requirements of Sections 17.94.060 through 17.94.090, he or she may require such modifications to the design and layout of such off-street parking facilities as in his or her judgment are necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of such spaces and facilities.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; prior planning code § 6672)

17.94.130 - Exceptions and appeals.

A.

Exceptions Within Street Right-of-Way. Exceptions-from the provisions of the S-12 Zone regulations pertaining to driveways, driveway openings, and any other features located within the street right-of-way shall be considered by the City Traffic Engineer. The decision of the City Traffic Engineer may be appealed to the Driveway Appeals Board.

B.

Variances Outside Street Right-of-Way. Variances from the provisions of the S-12 Zone pertaining to required off-street parking spaces, maneuvering aisles, driveways, and other features located outside the street right-of-way shall be considered pursuant to the variance procedure in Chapter 17.148 of the zoning regulations.

C.

Appeal of Determination of City Traffic Engineer and/or Director of City Planning. In situations where the City Traffic Engineer and/or Director of City Planning makes a determination or imposes a requirement pursuant to the S-12 Zone regulations, an appeal of such determination or requirement shall be considered pursuant to Subsection A. and/or B. of this Section as appropriate.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 6674)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), adopted March 15, 2011, changed the title of Section 17.94.130 from "Variances and appeals" to "Exceptions, variances and appeals." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.