Palm Desert City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 25
46 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
§ 25.46.010 Purpose.
This chapter provides provisions to make available properly designed parking areas and loading berths adequate in capacity, location, and design to prevent traffic congestion and a shortage of curb spaces in the city. Offstreet parking facilities shall be provided incidental to new uses and alterations and enlargements of existing uses. The number of parking spaces shall be in proportion to the need created by the particular type of use. Offstreet parking and loading areas are to be established in a manner that will ensure their usefulness, protect public safety, and where appropriate, buffer surrounding land uses from their impact.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.020 Applicability.
Off-street parking shall be provided for any new building constructed and for any new use established; for any addition or enlargement of an existing building or use; and for any change in the occupancy of any building or the manner in which any use is conducted that would result in additional parking spaces being required, unless an equivalent substitute number of such spaces is provided and maintained conforming to the requirements of this chapter except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.030 Parking Lot Design Requirements.
A.
Location of parking spaces. The required parking spaces or garages shall be located on the same building site except as otherwise provided by this title. Property within the ultimate right-of-way of a street or highway shall not be used to provide required parking or loading facilities.
B.
Design and maintenance. All off-street parking spaces and areas required by this chapter shall be designed and maintained to be fully usable for the duration of the use requiring such areas and spaces.
C.
Tandem spaces. Except for mobile homes, tandem spaces shall only be permitted for those spaces that exceed the requirements of this title, or as approved by the Commission.
D.
Parking development standards. Parking areas serving industrial, commercial, apartment and public or community, facility uses shall be subject to the following parking standards:
1.
Stall Dimensions. Each off-street parking stall shall consist of a rectangular area not less than 9 feet wide by 16 feet, 6 inches long plus 2 feet of overhang except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Parking spaces adjacent to tree planters may have a minimum length of 15 feet plus 2 feet of overhang. End spaces where clear back-out space is restricted on one side shall be 11 feet in width.
2.
Bumper or Tire Guard Requirements. Bumper or tire guards shall be provided along any property line that abuts a public walkway, street or alley, unless specifically waived by the ARC, Commission, or Council.
3.
Lighting Requirements. Parking lot lighting shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 24.16, Outdoor Lighting Requirements.
4.
Marking Requirements. All open parking stalls shall be clearly outlined with a minimum 4-inch wide double ("hairpin") lines on the surface of the parking facility.
5.
Paving Requirements. All parking stalls and maneuvering areas shall be paved and permanently maintained with pavers, asphaltic or concrete cement surfacing. All areas within the parking area not used for parking stalls or maneuvering areas shall be landscaped.
6.
Screening. Wherever off-street parking areas are situated across the street from property in a residential district, a masonry wall or berm 3 feet in height shall be erected within the required landscape area to adequately screen the residential properties.
7.
Maneuvering Requirements. Parking areas shall be designed to enable a car entering the parking area to move from one location to any other location within the parking area or premises without entering a street.
8.
Use Restrictions. The required parking area shall not be used for any other use other than the temporary storage of motor vehicles during the time that the use requiring the parking is in operation.
9.
Arrangement Requirements. Parking and maneuvering areas shall be so arranged that any vehicle entering a vehicular right-of-way can do so traveling in a forward direction.
10.
Supplemental Covered Parking Standards for Residential Uses. Covered parking areas serving residential uses shall be subject to the following supplemental parking development standards.
i.
Single-Family Residential Districts. In single-family residential districts including conventional detached, cluster housing, or condominium, 2 of the required parking spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport.
Each space shall contain 10 feet by 20 feet of unobstructed area. This requirement shall be met by utilizing the interior dimensions of the garage or carport.
ii.
Multiple-Family Residential Districts. In multiple-family residential districts, including apartments, parking shall be provided as follows:
iii.
One space for each one-bedroom unit shall be provided within a garage or carport.
iv.
A minimum of one of the required parking spaces for each 2 or more bedroom units shall be provided within a garage or a carport for each living unit.
v.
Parking development standards contained within this chapter.
E.
Parking design standards. All parking areas, other than single-family conventional development, shall be subject to the design standards set by the City.
Figure 25.46-1: Parking Lot Design Requirements  |
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.040 Parking Requirements.
A.
Parking schedule. Table 25.46-1 (Parking Schedule) identifies minimum vehicle parking space requirements for specific uses. Where there is more than one parking ratio listed in the table, the greater of the two applies. Where the parking ratio is listed based upon square feet, it shall mean the gross square feet of the building. Unless otherwise noted, this includes public and private areas.
Table 25.46-1: Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
Use | Minimum Stalls Required |
Residential Uses | |
Children's homes | 1 per 4 beds1 |
Cluster housing | |
Studio and one bedroom | 2 per unit |
Two and more bedrooms | 2 per unit |
Condominium | |
Studio and one bedroom | 2 per unit |
Two and more bedrooms | 2.5 per unit |
Dwelling, mobile home | 2 per unit |
Dwelling, multifamily | |
Studio and one bedroom | 2 per unit |
Two and more bedrooms | 2 per unit |
Dwelling, single-family | 2 per unit |
Residential care facility | 1 per 4 beds1 |
Residential care home | 1 per 4 beds1 |
Agricultural and Animal-Related Uses | |
Stables, boarding | 1 per 5 stables2 |
Veterinary facility | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space, Education, and Public Assembly Uses | |
Assembly uses | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench area |
Billiard halls | 2 per billiard table |
Bowling alleys | 2 per alley |
Golf-related uses | |
Driving ranges | 1 per tee3 |
Golf courses | 4 per hole3 |
Pitch and putt | 3 per hole3 |
Libraries | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Preschools, nursery schools, and day nurseries | 2 per 3 employees + 1 per 8 children |
Private clubs, union halls, lodge halls | 10 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Religious institutions | 1 per 3 seats3 |
Schools, private | 1 per employee plus 1 per 3 students at maximum classroom capacity |
Skating rinks, ice and roller | 10 per 1,000 sq. ft.3 |
Sports arenas and stadiums | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench area |
Swimming pools, commercial | l2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of pool area3 |
Tennis facilities, commercial | 3 per court or 1 per 18 inches of bench area |
Theater/auditorium | 1 per 3 seats or 1 per 18 inches of bench area |
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses | |
Public utility facilities | 2 or 1 per employee (in the largest shift) + 1 per vehicle used in conjunction with the use |
Retail, Service, and Office Uses | |
Appliance stores | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Banks | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Drugstores | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Financial institutions and savings and loan offices | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Furniture stores | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Plant nursery with outdoor sales and display5 | 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross building area excluding greenhouse area |
Grocery stores | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Gym, commercial | 8 per 1,000 sq. ft.4 |
Gym, personal studio | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Health, figure, and exercise salons and spas | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft.4 |
Hotels | 1 per guest unit3 |
Lumber yards | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area + 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of open area for sales and display |
Medical, clinics | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Medical, hospitals | 1.75 per bed |
Mortuaries | 5 + 250 sq. ft. of usable and accessible paved parking area for every 25 sq. ft. of assembly room floor area |
Motels | 1.1 per guest unit3 |
Offices | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Personal services | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Resort hotels | 1.1 per guest unit7 |
Restaurants | 8 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Retail uses, general | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.7 |
Shopping centers, community and regional | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft.7 |
Shopping centers, specialty and district | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft.7 |
Automobile and Vehicle Uses | |
Auto rental agencies | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross rentals |
Auto repair/service stations | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Auto gas/convenience | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Auto washing, full service | 3.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Auto washing, self service | 1 per vacuum station or wash stall |
Auto and vehicle sales | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Processing Uses | |
Industrial uses, general5 | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft.6 |
Storage, personal storage facility | 6 + 2 per caretaker unit7 |
Support facilities for construction, renovation, and equipment installations | Provide as needed |
Warehouses and storage facilities | 2 per 3 employees and not less than 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. for the first 20,000 sq. ft.; 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. for the second 20,000 sq. ft.; 1 per 4,000 sq. ft. for area in excess of initial 40,000 sq. ft. |
Wholesaling and distribution | 1 per 3,000 sq. ft. |
Notes: | |
1 | The number of beds used in the calculation shall match the resident capacity of the home as listed on the required license or permit. |
2 | Parking areas for boarding stables should be treated to prevent dust and designed to provide for the needs of customers and employees. |
3 | As is needed, additional parking should be provided for other uses on the site. |
4 | Swimming pool area shall be counted as part of a facility's floor area. |
5 | Except structures used exclusively for warehousing purposes. |
6 | Loading spaces may be counted as part of the required parking at a rate not to exceed 1 per 2,500 gross square feet. |
7 | Additional parking may be required by the Director through the precise plan process. |
B.
Valet parking. Valet parking is subject to review and approval either at the time the predominant use is approved through a conditional use permit with insurance provisions or later as a specific item by the Code Compliance Supervisor but not until 1 year after occupancy resulting from the conditional use permit. 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 City Attorney.
C.
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 district in which the use is to be established 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. This provision shall apply only to projects in the downtown districts per Chapter 25.18 of this title and OP districts and may not be used to replace more than 50 percent of the required spaces.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1264 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1279 § 8, 2015; Ord. 1296 § 14, 2015; Ord. 1334 § 13, 2018; Ord. 1393 § 19, 2023)
§ 25.46.050 Golf Cart, Motorcycle and Scooter Parking Requirements.
Up to 10 percent of a development's parking requirement may be met by parking for golf carts, motorcycles, and scooters. Parking spaces for these vehicles shall not measure less than 5 feet wide by 10 feet long.
Figure 25.46-2: Typical Golf Cart, Motorcycle and Scooter Parking Space  |
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.060 Bicycle Parking Requirements.
Each parking area associated with any type of land use listed under Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements) of this chapter, except for single-family and two-family residential dwellings, shall provide a number of bicycle parking spaces in accordance with the following:
A.
Number of required bicycle parking spaces.
1.
Short-Term Bicycle Parking. If a land use or project is anticipated to generate visitor traffic, the project must provide permanently anchored bicycle racks within 200 feet of the visitor's entrance. To enhance security and visibility, the bicycle racks shall be readily visible to passersby. The bicycle capacity of the racks must equal an amount equivalent to 5 percent of all required off-street vehicle parking, as identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements). There shall be a minimum of one rack with capacity for two bicycles.
2.
Long-Term Bicycle Parking. Buildings with over 10 tenant-occupants (e.g., multifamily tenants, owners, employees) shall provide secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of all required off-street vehicle parking spaces, as identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements). There shall be a minimum of one long-term bicycle parking space. Acceptable parking facilities shall be convenient from the street and include one or a combination of the following:
B.
Bicycle racks. Required bicycle parking may be provided in floor, wall, or ceiling racks. Where required bicycle parking is provided with racks, the racks must meet the following requirements:
1.
The bicycle frame and one wheel can be locked to the rack with a high-security U-shaped shackle lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle.
2.
A bicycle of 6 feet in length can be securely held with its frame supported so that the bicycle cannot be pushed or fall in a manner that will damage the wheels or components.
C.
Parking and maneuvering areas. Each required bicycle parking space must be accessible without moving another bicycle. There must be an aisle at least 5 feet wide adjacent to all required bicycle parking to allow room for bicycle maneuvering. Where the bicycle parking is adjacent to a sidewalk, the maneuvering area may extend into the right-of-way. The area devoted to bicycle parking must be hard surfaced.
1.
Visibility. If required bicycle parking is not visible from the street or main building entrance, a sign must be posted at the main building entrance indicating the location of the bicycle parking.
Figure 25.46-3: Required Bicycle Parking  |
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.070 Clean Air Vehicle Parking Requirements.
A.
Clean air vehicle parking for nonresidential uses. The following is required by Title 24, Part 11 (CALGreen) of the California Building Code. Of the required off-street parking requirements for nonresidential uses identified in Section 25.46.040 (Parking Requirements), approximately 8 percent of these spaces should be designated parking spaces for any combination of low-emitting, fuel-efficient, and carpool/vanpool vehicles (including electric vehicles). There are no requirements for residential uses. Table 25.46-2 (Clean Air Parking Spaces for Nonresidential Uses) shows the number of required clean air vehicle parking spaces for nonresidential uses.
Table 25.46-2: Clean Air Parking Spaces for Nonresidential Uses | |
|---|---|
Total Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces (as identified in § 25.46.040) | Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces to Be Clean Air Vehicle Parking Spaces |
0–9 | 0 |
10–25 | 1 |
26–50 | 3 |
51–75 | 6 |
76–100 | 8 |
101–150 | 11 |
151–200 | 16 |
201 and over | At least 8 percent of total |
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.080 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 the 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 exclusively to the downtown districts per Chapter 25.18 of this title and OP zoning districts.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1393 § 20, 2023)
§ 25.46.090 Exceptions.
Precise plan exception. The standards of Section 25.46.030 (Parking Lot Design Requirements) and the design standards for off-street parking facilities shall be required unless modified by the precise plan.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
§ 25.46.100 Off-Street Loading.
A.
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:
1.
Each loading berth shall not be less than 45 feet in length and 12 feet in width exclusive of aisle or maneuvering space, and shall have an overhead clearance of not less than 14 feet.
2.
Such space may occupy all or any part of any required yard space, except front and exterior side yards, and shall not be located closer than 50 feet to any lot in any residential zone unless enclosed on all sides except the entrance by a wall not less than 8 feet in height.
3.
Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site so that vehicles shall cross a property line only by driving forward.
4.
Each loading berth shall be accessible from a street or alley or from an aisle or drive connecting with a street or alley.
5.
Entrance from and exits to streets and alleys shall be designed to minimize traffic congestion.
6.
The loading area, aisles, and access drives shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water without damage to private or public properties, streets, or alleys.
7.
Bumper rails shall be provided at locations where needed for safety or to protect property.
8.
If the loading area is illuminated, lighting shall be deflected away from abutting residential sites so as to cause no annoying glare.
9.
No repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in a loading area.
10.
Off-street loading facilities shall be located on the same site with the use for which the berths are required.
Figure 25.46-4: Typical Loading Space  |
11.
If more than one use is located on a site, the number of loading berths provided shall be equal to the sum of the requirements prescribed in this title for each use. Where the gross floor area of each use is below the minimum requirement, the aggregate gross floor area should be used to determine the number of off-street loading berths and should be applied to the use requiring the greatest number of loading berths.
12.
Off-street loading facilities for a single use shall be considered as providing required off-street loading facilities for any other use as long as sufficient spaces are provided to meet the requirements of all uses.
13.
At the time of initial occupancy, major alterations or enlargement of a site or of completion of construction of a structure or of a major alteration or enlargement of a structure, there shall be provided off-street loading berth requirements. The number of loading berths provided for a major alteration or enlargement of a site or structure shall be in addition to the number existing prior to the alteration or enlargement.
14.
Space allocated to any off-street loading berth shall not be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facility.
15.
Loading space being maintained in connection with any main building existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall thereafter be maintained so long as the building remains, unless an equivalent number of such spaces are provided on a contiguous lot in conformity with the requirements of this chapter; however, this regulation shall not require the maintenance of such space for any type of main building other than those specified above.
16.
No loading space which is provided for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this title shall hereafter be eliminated, reduced, or converted in any manner below the requirements established in this title, unless equivalent facilities are provided elsewhere, conforming to this title.
B.
Loading spaces required. Table 25.46-3 (Off-Street Loading Spaces) identifies how many loading spaces are required for all hospitals, institutions, hotels, motels, and commercial and industrial uses.
Table 25.46-3: Off-Street Loading Spaces | |
|---|---|
Total Square Feet of Building Space (gross floor area) | Loading Spaces Required |
Commercial and industrial buildings | |
Less than 6,000 sq. ft. | 0 |
6,000–15,000 sq. ft. | 1 |
15,001–40,000 sq. ft. | 2 |
40,001 sq. ft. and over | 3 |
Hotels and motels | 1 |
Hospitals and institutions | |
10,000–50,000 sq. ft. | 1 |
50,001–100,000 sq. ft. | 2 |
100,001 sq. ft. and over | 3 |
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)