Santa Clara City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
32 OFF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS
17.32.010: OFF STREET PARKING REQUIRED:
At the time any building or structure is erected, or enlarged, or increased in capacity, or any use is established or changed, there shall be provided off street parking spaces for motor vehicles in accordance with the following requirements. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-1)
17.32.020: SIZE:
A. The dimensions of each off street parking space or stall shall be at least nine feet by eighteen feet (9' x 18') for diagonal or ninety degree (90°) spaces; or nine feet by twenty two feet (9' x 22') for parallel spaces, exclusive of drives or aisles.
B. A parking stall may be reduced by two feet (2') lengthwise if landscaping, separated from the paved area of the parking stall by a curb or wheel guard, is provided in the remaining two feet (2') of the parking stall. All area within the parking area that is not paved shall be landscaped. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-2)
17.32.030: ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL PARKING SPACES:
Except for single-family and two-family dwellings, access to each parking space shall be from a private driveway and not from a public street.
A. One-way driveways shall be a minimum of twelve feet (12') in width.
B. Two-way driveways shall be a minimum of twenty five feet (25') in width.
C. On private streets or access drives, a garage or carport shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from the back of the sidewalk, or where no sidewalk exists or is planned, from the curb, or lot boundary line.
D. Garage and carport spaces shall be counted as one (1) parking space unless: 1) such garage or carport is a minimum of four hundred eighty (480) square feet with a minimum width of twenty feet (20'), and 2) the individual driveway to the garage or carport is at least eighteen feet (18') in length in which case such parking area shall be counted as two (2) spaces. (Ord. 2017-10: Ord. 97-06 § 7-3)
17.32.040: PARKING SPACES REQUIRED FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS:
The number of off street parking spaces required for residential development shall be as follows:
Residential facilities for persons with a disability and residential facilities for the elderly | 1 parking space for each anticipated employee and 1 space for every 2 occupants of the facility; at least 1 of which must be covered. No street parking shall be counted toward meeting the parking requirement. No parking area shall be located within the required front setback area facing a public street, and it shall be on the property that it is intended to serve. All parking shall be on site. | |
Single-family dwellings | 2 parking spaces per single-family dwelling, 1 of which shall be covered. Tandem parking shall not count toward the parking requirement. | |
All other dwellings | All other dwellings, including townhouses and condominiums, shall have 2 parking spaces per dwelling unit, at least 1 of which shall be covered. Covered parking may be located within the side and rear setback areas. No street parking shall be counted toward meeting the parking requirement. Tandem parking shall not count toward the parking requirement. No parking area shall be located within the required front setback area facing a public street, and it shall be located on the property that it is intended to serve. All parking shall be on site. |
No motor home, travel trailer, boat, jet skis, other similar recreational equipment, or construction equipment, shall be parked within the required front yard setback area adjacent to a public street. (Ord. 2004-25 § 1: Ord. 97-06 § 7-4)
17.32.050: PARKING SPACES REQUIRED FOR NONRESIDENTIAL AREAS:
The number of off street parking spaces required for all nonresidential developments shall be as follows:
Bowling alleys and billiard halls | 5 spaces for each alley plus 2 spaces for each billiard table contained therein. | |
Business or professional offices | 1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area. | |
Churches, sports arenas, auditoriums, theaters, assembly halls, lodge halls or other meeting rooms | 1 space for each 3.5 fixed seats or maximum seating capacity, or one space for each 35 square feet of seating area within the main auditorium where there are no fixed seats. 18 linear inches of bench shall be considered equal to 1 fixed seat. | |
Day nurseries in commercial zones, including preschools and nursery schools | 1 space for each staff member plus 1 space for each 5 children for which said establishment is licensed. | |
Educational uses: | ||
Elementary schools | 2 spaces per classroom. | |
Junior high schools and intermediate schools | 1 space for each member of the faculty and 1 space for each 5 regularly enrolled students. | |
High schools, colleges and universities, trade schools, etc. | 1 space for each faculty member plus 1 space for each 3 students, plus the requirement above for auditoriums. | |
Furniture stores, appliance stores,and lumberyards | 1 space for each 600 square feet of floor area. | |
Golf courses | 6 spaces per hole. | |
Golf driving ranges | 1 space per tee. | |
Health studios and spas | 1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area, or 10 spaces minimum, whichever is greater. | |
Hospitals | 2 parking spaces for each bed. | |
Hotels, motels | 1 space for each living or sleeping unit plus 2 spaces for resident manager or owner. Also, the parking required by this title for any other use included in the hotel or motel. | |
Libraries | 1 space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area. | |
Manufacturing plants, warehouses, storage buildings, or structures for storage purposes | 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space for each 250 square feet of office or sales area. | |
Mortuaries and funeral homes | 5 spaces plus 1 space for each 35 square feet of assembly room floor area. | |
Motor vehicle sales, automotive repair and service, commercial | 1 space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area. | |
Nursing homes | 4 plus 1 parking space for each 3 beds. | |
Outdoor sales lots for autos, mobile homes and RVs | 1 customer parking space for each 7 vehicles or items of equipment to be displayed plus 2 spaces for manager and employee parking. | |
Restaurants, taverns, lounges, drive-in, drive-through, takeout restaurants and other establishments where food or beverages are consumed | 10 spaces minimum or 1 space for each 100 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater. | |
Retail stores and shops, commercial banks, savings and loan offices, other financial institutions, general retail stores, food stores, supermarkets, drugstores, and other similar commercial businesses | 1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area. For commercial centers containing 500 or more spaces, spaces in excess of 500 will be calculated on the basis of 1 space for each 500 square feet of gross floor area. | |
Service commercial businesses; businesses such as electrical, plumbing, cabinets, printing, and other similar shops | 1 space for each 250 square feet of retail or office area, and 1 space for each 500 square feet of additional building area. | |
Skating rinks, ice or roller | 1 space for each 300 square feet of gross floor area. | |
Swimming pools (commercial) | 1 space for each 100 square feet of water surface or 10 stalls, whichever is greater. | |
Tennis, handball and racquetball courts (commercial) | 6 spaces minimum, or 3 spaces per court, whichever is greater. | |
Veterinary hospitals | 5 spaces for each doctor. | |
Notwithstanding all provisions of this section, the planning commission shall take into account in each instance of nonresidential parking, the type of development, use, location, adjoining uses, and possible future uses, in setting parking requirements. It shall recommend to the city council a requirement of that number of spaces that it deems reasonably necessary in each instance for all employees, business vehicles and equipment, customers, clients, and patients, of such nonresidential property. (Ord. 2004-25 § 1: Ord. 97-06 § 7-5)
17.32.060: PARKING ON UNIMPROVED LOTS:
Parking of vehicles, including, but not limited to, travel trailers, RVs and similar vehicles, on unimproved lots other than in approved areas shall be prohibited. (Ord. 2004-25 § 1: Ord. 97-06 § 7-6)
17.32.070: PARKING LOT LIGHTS:
Parking lots used during hours of darkness shall be lighted by standards a maximum of sixteen feet (16') in height above grade and using indirect, hooded light sources. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-7)
17.32.080: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
Every parcel of property used as a parking lot shall be improved with a paved surface approved by the city engineer and shall have appropriate bumper guards where needed. Lights used shall be reflected away from adjoining premises wherever these areas are used for residential purposes. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-8)
17.32.090: OPTIONAL PROVISIONS:
Shared parking facilities may be used jointly with parking facilities for other uses when operations are not normally conducted during the same hours, or when peak uses vary. Requests for shared parking are subject to the approval of the planning commission and shall also be subject to the following guidelines:
A. Sufficient evidence shall be presented to show that there will be no substantial conflict in the periods of peak demand of uses for which the joint use is proposed.
B. The number of parking stalls which may be credited against the requirements for the uses involved will not exceed the number of spaces that may normally be required for any one of the uses sharing the parking.
C. Parking facilities should not be located further than two hundred fifty feet (250') from any use proposing to use such parking unless otherwise provided for in the historic district overlay zone.
D. A written agreement shall be executed by all parties concerned assuring the continued availability of shared parking facilities in the event that one of the uses shall be sold or otherwise change ownership or management. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-9)
17.32.100: USES NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED IN THIS CHAPTER:
For all parking uses not listed above, the planning commission shall determine the number of spaces required based upon the nearest comparable use standard available. (Ord. 97-06 § 7-10)