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Off-street parking, loading and bicycle facilities are required for new uses and enlargements of existing uses, proportional to the need created by each use, in order to alleviate traffic congestion. Development regulations and design standards are intended to ensure the usefulness of parking, loading, and bicycle facilities, protect the public safety, and, where appropriate, to mitigate potential adverse impacts on adjacent land uses. The city establishes parking criteria to approximate an average peak demand condition.
(Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
For purposes of this chapter:
(a) "Accessible"
"Accessible" means the ability to be used by persons with disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
(b) "Construction of Floor Area"
"Construction of floor area" means the construction or building of "floor area" except for new floor area added to an existing, restored, or partially reconstructed building to meet the minimum requirements of federal, state or local laws relating to fire prevention and safety, handicapped access, and building and seismic safety;
(c) "Design Approval"
(d) “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)”
“Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)” is defined to be consistent with the California Electrical Code and applies to any level or capacity of supply equipment installed specifically for transferring energy between the premises wiring and electric vehicles.
(e) “Motorcycle Parking”
“Motorcycle Parking” means a parking space designed for any motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. This includes mopeds and motor scooters.
(f) “Parking Assessment Areas”
“Parking assessment areas” means either:
(1) The “downtown parking assessment area,” which is that certain area of the city delineated on the map of the University Avenue parking assessment district entitled Proposed Boundaries of University Avenue Off-Street Parking Project No. 75-63 Assessment District, City of Palo Alto, County of Santa Clara, State of California, dated October 30, 1978, and on file with the city clerk; or
(2) The “California Avenue area parking assessment district,” which is that certain area of the city delineated on the map of the California Avenue area parking assessment district entitled Proposed Boundaries, California Avenue Area Parking Maintenance District, dated December 16, 1976, and on file with the city clerk;
(g) “Shared (Joint Use) Parking”
“Shared (joint use) parking” means parking intended to accommodate multiple uses, whether residential or non-residential or both, and to minimize the number of parking spaces needed by allowing some spaces to be used for different uses at different times of the day or night.
(h) “Within One Block of a Car Share Vehicle”
“Within one block of a car share vehicle” means within 600 feet of a parking space permanently reserved for use by a car share vehicle.
(i) Definitions for other parking-related terms can be found in Section 18.04.030(a) (Definitions), including “Parking as a principal use,” “Parking facility,” and “Parking space.”
(Ord. 5587 § 14, 2023: Ord. 5542 § 13, 2022: Ord. 5538 § 13, 2021: Ord. 5504 § 2, 2020: Ord. 5494 § 3, 2020: Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
(a) Applicability
The regulations of this chapter apply to all parking areas in all districts established by this title.
(b) Parking Required
Off-street parking, loading and bicycle facilities 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 spaces being required, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Non-Conformance Due to Parking Requirements
No use of land lawfully existing on July 20, 1978 is nonconforming solely because of the lack of off-street parking, loading, or bicycle facilities prescribed in this chapter; provided, that facilities being used for off-street parking on July 20, 1978, shall not be reduced in capacity to less than the number of spaces prescribed in this chapter or altered in design or function to less than the minimum standards prescribed in this chapter except for the allowed reductions in parking and the modifications to existing facilities allowed pursuant to Sections 18.52.045 and 18.52.050.
(d) Additions or Changes of Use
For additions or enlargements of any existing building or use, or any change of occupancy or manner of operation that would increase the number of parking, loading or bicycle spaces required, the additional parking shall be required only for such addition, enlargement, or change and not for the entire building or use.
(e) Parking Spaces Exclusive
Parking, loading or bicycle spaces required by this chapter for any building or use shall not be considered to meet the requirement for any other building or use, except where a joint facility serving more than one building or use contains the total number of spaces required for each building or use separately, or where adjusted parking requirements for joint use parking facilities are specifically authorized pursuant to Section 18.52.050.
(f) Design of Parking Spaces
Parking, loading or bicycle facilities required by this chapter, or provided optionally in addition to the minimum requirements prescribed by this chapter, shall conform to the design standards set forth in Chapter 18.54.
(g) Term of Parking Requirement
Parking, loading and bicycle facilities required by this chapter shall be maintained for the duration of the use requiring such facilities, except as authorized pursuant to Section 18.52.050.
(g) Location of Parking Spaces
All off-street parking facilities required by this chapter shall be located on the same site as the use for which such facilities are required, except as authorized pursuant to Section 18.52.050.
(h) Parking Provided in Excess of Requirement
No use shall be required to provide more spaces than prescribed by this chapter, or prescribed by the director in accord with this chapter, or prescribed by any conditional use permit, variance, or planned community district. Where additional spaces are provided, such spaces may be considered as meeting the requirements for another use, subject to Sections 18.52.050 and 18.52.080.
(i) Transportation Demand Management Plan
(1) Requirement for TDM Plan: A Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to reduce and manage the number of single-occupant motor vehicle trips generated by the project shall be prepared and submitted by the applicant in the following circumstances:
A. For all projects that generate 50 or more net new weekday (AM or PM peak hour) or weekend peak hour trips;
B. For all projects claiming a reduction in net new trips due to proximity to public transit or the implementation of a TDM plan; and
C. For all projects requesting a parking reduction.
(2) The Director shall have the authority to adopt guidelines for preparing TDM plans and when applicable shall coordinate such guidelines with the Transportation Management Association.
(Ord. 5504 § 3, 2020: Ord. 5432 § 13 (part), 2018: Ord. 5406 § 11, 2017: Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
(a) Parking Requirements
In each district, off-street parking, loading and bicycle facilities for each use shall be provided in accordance with Tables 1 and 2, shown in subsection (c) of this Section 18.52.040. For affordable housing developments qualifying for density bonuses under Chapter 18.15 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, adjustments to parking requirements will be calculated in accordance with Chapter 18.15. The requirement for any use not specifically listed shall be determined by the director on the basis of requirements for similar uses, and on the basis of evidence of actual demand created by similar uses in Palo Alto and elsewhere, and such other traffic engineering or planning data as may be available and appropriate to the establishment of a minimum requirement.
(b) Calculation of Required Parking
Off-street parking, loading and bicycle facility requirements established by subsection (a) shall be applied as follows:
(1) Where the application of the schedule results in a fractional requirement, a fraction of 0.5 or greater shall be resolved to the next higher whole number.
(2) For purposes of this chapter, gross floor area shall not include enclosed or covered areas used for off-street parking or loading, or bicycle facilities.
(3) Where uses or activities subject to differing requirements are located in the same structure or on the same site, or are intended to be served by a common facility, the total requirement shall be the sum of the requirements for each use or activity computed separately, except as adjusted by the director under the provisions of Table 1 or Section 18.52.050. The director, when issuing a permit(s) for multiple uses on a site, may restrict the hours of operation or place other conditions on the multiple uses so that parking needs do not overlap and may then modify the total parking requirement to be based on the most intense combination of uses at any one time.
(4) Where requirements are established on the basis of seats or person capacity, the building regulations provisions applicable at the time of determination shall be used to define capacity.
(6) The parking requirements outlined in Tables 1 and 2 are inclusive of parking spaces that fulfill accessibility requirements set forth in Title 16 (Building Code) of the Municipal Code in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
(7) A parking space served by EVSE or a parking space designated for future installation of EVSE (EV Ready) shall count as one standard automobile parking space for purposes of the parking requirements outlined in Tables 1 and 2.
(8) A van-accessible parking space or accessible parking space with an adjacent accessible path of travel shall count as at least two standard automobile parking spaces for purposes of the parking requirements outlined in Tables 1 and 2, inclusive of van-accessible parking spaces served by EVSE or designated as EV Ready.
(9) Motorcycle parking shall not count towards the vehicle parking requirements outlined in Tables 1 and 2.
(10) The area of a parklet permitted per Chapter 12.11 shall not be counted toward a business’ gross floor area for the calculation of minimum off-street parking requirements whether within a parking assessment district or outside of parking assessment districts.
(c) Tables 1, 2 and 3: Parking, Bicycle, and Loading Requirements
Tables 1 and 2 below outline vehicle and bicycle parking requirements in general and for Parking Assessment Districts, respectively. Table 3 outlines loading requirements for each land use. For mixed-use projects, the requirements for each land use shall be applied and required for the overall project.
Table 1
Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements
Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements
Use | Vehicle Parking Requirement (# of spaces) | Bicycle Parking Requirement | |
Spaces | Class 1 Long Term (LT) and Short Term (ST) | ||
Use | Vehicle Parking Requirement (# of spaces) | Bicycle Parking Requirement | |
Spaces | Class 1 Long Term (LT) and Short Term (ST) | ||
RESIDENTIAL USES | |||
Single-Family Residential (Primary Unit) | Tandem Parking Allowed | ||
(a) In the OS district | 4 spaces, of which at least one space must be covered | None | |
(b) In all other districts | 2 spaces, of which at least one space must be covered | ||
(c) Underground parking for single famly uses is prohibited, except pursuant to a variance granted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.76 (Permits and Approvals) of this title, in which case the area of the underground garage shall be counted toward the gross floor area. | |||
Accessory Dwelling Unit | No parking required | None | |
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units | No parking required | None | |
Two-Family Residential (R-2 & RMD Districts) | 1.5 spaces per unit, of which at least one space per unit must be covered Tandem Parking Allowed, with one tandem space per unit, associated directly with another parking space for the same unit | 1 space per unit | 100% - LT |
(R-1 and RE Districts, pursuant to Section 18.42.180) | At least one space per unit. No spaces required if the unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of either a high-quality transit corridor or a major transit stop, as defined in California Public Resources Code Sections 21155 and 21064.3 respectively, or located within one block of a car share vehicle | 1 space per unit | 100% - LT |
Multiple-Family Residential | 1 per micro unit (2) 1 per studio unit 1 per 1-bedroom unit 2 per 2-bedroom or larger unit At least one space per unit must be covered Tandem parking allowed for any unit requiring two spaces (one tandem space per unit, associated directly with another parking space for the same unit, up to a maximum of 25% of total required spaces for any project with more than four (4) units) | 1 per unit | 100% - LT |
(a) Guest Parking | No additional guest parking required | 1 space for each 10 units | 100%-ST |
Senior Housing (3) (5) | 0.75 per unit | ||
EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ASSEMBLY USES | |||
Business and Trade Schools | 1 space per 4-person capacity, or 1 per 250 sf of gross floor area, whichever is greater | 1 per 40-person capacity, or 1 per 2,500 sf, whichever is greater | 40% LT 60% Covered ST |
Religious Institutions | 1 space for each 4 seats or 4-person capacity, based on maximum use of all facilities at the same time, or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit. | 1 space per 40 seats or 40 person capacity, based on maximum use of all facilities at the same time | 20% - LT 80%-ST, or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit |
Mortuaries | 1 space for each 4 seats or 4-person capacity, plus funeral procession queue capacity of 5 cars | 2 spaces | 100%-ST |
Private Schools and Educational Facilities: | |||
(a) Elementary (K-5) | 2 spaces per teaching station | 1 space for every 5 students | 100%-ST, enclosed |
(b) Grades 6-8 | 2 spaces per teaching station | 1 space for every 5 students | |
(c) Grades 9-12 | 4 spaces per teaching station | 1 space for every 5 students | |
Private Clubs, Lodges, and Fraternal Organizations | 1 space for each 4 seats or 4-person capacity based on maximum use of all space at one time, or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit | 1 space for each 40 seats or 40-person capacity based on maximum use of all space at onetime | 20% - LT 80% - ST |
RECREATION USES | |||
Commercial Recreation, including health and fitness clubs | 1 space for each 4-person capacity, or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit, not to exceed a 30% reduction | 1 space per 16-person capacity, or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit | 20% - LT 80%-ST or as adjusted by the director as part of a conditional use permit |
Community Facilities, including swim club, tennis club, golf course, community centers, neighborhood centers, and similar activities | |||
HEALTH CARE SERVICES | |||
Convalescent Facilities | 1 per 2.5 patient beds | 1 per 25 patient beds | 2 LT spaces, remainder ST |
Hospitals | 1 space for each 1.5 patient beds | 1 per 15 patient beds | 60% - LT 40% - ST |
SERVICE USES | |||
Animal Care Facilities | 1 per 350 sq. ft. of gross enclosed floor area | 1 per 3,500 sf (1 space minimum) | 80% - LT 20%-ST |
Automobile Dealerships | 1 per 400 sq. ft. of sales, service and office administration area, and 1 per 500 sq. ft. of exterior sales or display area, excluding automobile storage (not on display) | 1 per 10 employees | 100%-ST |
Automotive Services & Service Stations: | |||
(a) Service Station | 1 per 350 sq. ft. of gross enclosed floor area, plus queue capacity equivalent to the service capacity of gasoline pumps | 1 per 10 employees | 100%-ST |
(b) Services, Enclosed | 1 per 350 sq. ft. of enclosed space; and 1 per 500 sq.ft. of exterior sales, display or storage site area (open lot area) | 1 per 10 employees | 100%-ST |
Day Care Centers | 1 per 1.5 employees | 1 per 6 employees | 100%-ST |
Day Care Homes, Adult (Small) | 2 per dwelling unit, one of which shall be covered | None | |
Day Care Homes, Adult (Large) | 2 per dwelling unit, one of which shall be covered, plus any additional spaces required by conditional use permit to serve visitors and employees not residing at the home | None | |
Day Care Homes, Family (Small) | 2 per dwelling unit, one of which shall be covered | None | |
Day Care Homes, Family (Large) | 2 per dwelling unit, one of which shall be covered, plus one for each employee not residing at the home | None | |
Financial Services: | |||
Financial services including: banks and savings and loan offices | 1 per 250 sq. ft. | 1 per 2,500 sf | 40% - LT 60% - ST |
General Business Services: | |||
(a) Enclosed | 1 per 250 sq.ft. | 1 per 2,500 sf | 80%- LT 20%-, ST |
(b) Open lot | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of sales, display or storage site area | 1 per 5,000 sf | 100%- ST |
Personal Services | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,000 sf | 20%-LT 80%-ST |
Residential Care Homes | 2 spaces (for the residential owners or tenants), one of which shall be covered | None | |
Recycling Center | 1 space for each attendant
| None
| |
RETAIL USES (4) | |||
Retail: | |||
(a) Intensive (retail not defined as extensive) | 1 per 200 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,000 sf | 20% - LT 80%-ST |
(b) Extensive (retail with more than 75% of gross floor area used for display, sales and related storage, with demonstrably low parking demand generation per square foot of gross floor area) | 1 per 350 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,500 sf | 20% - LT 4080% - ST |
(c) Open lot | 1 space for each 500 square feet of sales, display, or storage site area | 1 per 5,000 sf | 100%-ST |
Drive-up windows providing services to occupants in vehicles | Queue line for 5 cars, not blocking any parking spaces, in addition to other applicable requirements | None additional | |
Eating and Drinking Services: | |||
(a) With drive-in or take-out facilities | 3 per 100 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 3 per 400 sf | 40% - LT 60% - ST |
(b) All others | 1 space for each 60 gross sq. ft. of public service area, plus 1 space for each 200 gross sq. ft. for all other areas. | 1 per 600 sf of public service area, plus 1 per 2,000 sf for other areas | |
Hotel/Motel/Inn | 1 space per guestroom; plus the applicable requirement for eating and drinking, banquet, assembly, commercial or other as required for such uses, less up to 75% of the spaces required for guestrooms, upon approval by the director based on a parking study of parking generated by the mix of uses. | 1 space per 10 guestrooms, plus requirements for accessory uses (drinking, banquet, assembly, commercial or other) | 100%-ST |
Shopping Center | 1 per 275 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,750 sf | 40%-LT 60% - ST |
OFFICE USES | |||
Administrative Offices | |||
(a) In the RP and ROLM districts | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,000 sf | 80%-LT 20% - ST |
(b) In all other districts | i per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,500 sf | |
Medical, professional, and general business offices | |||
(a) In the RP and ROLM districts | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,000 sf | 60% - LT 40% - ST |
(b) In all other districts | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,500 sf | |
MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING | |||
Manufacturing | |||
(a) In the RP, and ROLM districts | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,000 sf | 80% - LT 20% - ST |
(b) In all other districts | 1 per 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 5,000 sf | |
Research and Development | |||
(a) In the RP and ROLM districts | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,000 sf | 80% - LT 20% - ST |
(b) In all other districts | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 2,500 sf | |
Warehousing and Distribution | |||
(a) In the RP and ROLM districts | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 3,000 sf | 80% - LT 20% - ST |
(b) In all other districts | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area | 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. | |
OTHER USES | |||
Any use not specified | To be determined by the director | ||
1. Long Term (LT) and Short Term (ST) bicycle spaces as described in Section 18.54.060.
2. A "micro-unit" as used herein means a residential unit of 450 square feet or less.
3. Senior housing for purposes of this provision means an independent living facility, not a convalescent or residential care facility.
4. For residential mixed-use developments in the CD-C zone, CC(2) zone, on CN and CS zoned sites abutting El Camino Real, and on CS zoned sites abutting San Antonia Road between Middlefield Road and East Charleston Road, the first 1,500 square feet of ground-floor retail uses shall not be counted toward the vehicle parking requirement.
5. Because these parking standards are reduced from the standards otherwise applicable to multiple-family residential development, projects that utilize these reduced parking standards shall not be eligible for further parking reductions through adjustments under Section 18.52.050, Table 4.
Table 2
Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements for Parking Assessment Districts
(IF USE IS NOT LISTED, REFER TO TABLE 1 FOR REQUIREMENTS)
Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements for Parking Assessment Districts
(IF USE IS NOT LISTED, REFER TO TABLE 1 FOR REQUIREMENTS)
Use | Vehicle Parking Requirement {# of spaces) | Bicycle Parking Requirement | |
Class1 | Spaces | ||
Use | Vehicle Parking Requirement {# of spaces) | Bicycle Parking Requirement | |
Class1 | Spaces | ||
For Downtown University Avenue Parking Assessment District: | |||
All uses (except residential)
2 | 1 per 250 square feet | 1 per 2,500 square feet | 40% - LT 60% - ST |
For California Avenue Parking Assessment District: | |||
Automobile Service Stations | 1 per 310 square feet of gross enclosed floor area, plus queue capacityequivalent to the service capacity of gasoline pumps | 1 per 10 employees | 100%-ST |
Automotive Services | 1 per 150 square feet of gross floor area, display, or storage on site | 1 per 10 employees | 100%-ST |
Eating and Drinking Services: | |||
(a) With drive-in or take-out facilities | 3 per 100 sf of gross floor area | 3 per 400 sf | 40% - LT 60%-ST |
(b) All others | 1 per 155 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 1,550 sf | |
Financial services: | |||
(a) Bank, savings and loan offices with 7,500 square feet of floor area or less: | 1 per 180 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 1,800 sf | 40%-LT 60% - ST |
(b) Banks, savings and loan offices with more than 7,500 square feet of floor area: | 1 per 310 sf of gross floor area | ||
(c) Others | 1 per 180 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 1,800 sf | |
General Business Services: | |||
(a) Enclosed | 1 per 360 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 3,600 sf | 80%- LT 20%- ST |
(b) Open lot | 1 per 500 sf of sales, display or storage site area | 1 per 5,000 sf | 100%- ST |
Medical, professional, and general business offices | 1 per 310 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 3,100 sf | 60%-LT 40% - ST |
Personal Services | 1 per 450 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 4,500 sf | 20% - LT 80% - ST |
Retail: | |||
(a) Intensive | 1 per 240 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 2,400 sf | 20%-LT 80% -ST |
(b) Extensive | 1 per 350 sf of gross floor area | 1 per 3,500 sf | |
(c) Open lot | 1 for each 500 square feet of sales, display, or storage site area. | 1 per 5,000 sf | 100%-ST |
OTHER USES | |||
Any use not specified | See Table 1 | ||
1. Long Term (LT) and Short Term (ST) bicycle spaces as described in Section 18.54.060.
2. For residential mixed-use developments in the CD-C zone, CC(2) zone, and on CN and CS zoned sites abutting El Camino Real, the first 1,500 square feet of ground-floor retail uses shall not be counted toward the vehicle parking requirement.
Table 3
Minimum Off-Street Loading Requirements
Minimum Off-Street Loading Requirements
Use | Gross Floor Area | Loading Spaces Required |
Use | Gross Floor Area | Loading Spaces Required |
RESIDENTIAL USES | ||
∙
Single-family residential use ∙ Two-family residential use ∙ Multiple-family residential use | No requirement established | 0 |
∙
Dormitory, Fraternity/Sorority, or group housing where meals are provided in common dining facilities ∙ Housing for the elderly or other community facility, where meals are provided in common dining facilities | 0 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000 sq. ft. or greater | 2 | |
HEALTH CARE SERVICES | ||
∙
Hospitals ∙ Convalescent facilities | 0 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000-199,999 sq.ft. | 2 | |
200,000 sq. ft. or greater | 3 | |
SERVICE USES | ||
Automotive Uses | 0 - 29,999 sq. ft. | 1 |
.30,000-69,999. sq.ft. | 2 | |
70,000-120,000 sq. ft | 3 | |
Each additional 50,000 sq. ft. over 120,000 sq.ft. | 1 additional space | |
∙
Financial services ∙ Personal services ∙ Administrative office services | 0 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000- 199,999 sq. ft. | 2 | |
200,000 sq. ft. or greater | 3 | |
RETAIL USES | ||
∙
Hotel/Motel/Inn | 0 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000 – 199,999 sq. ft. | 2 | |
200,000 sq. ft. or greater | 3 | |
∙
Retail Services ∙ Eating and Drinking Services | 0 - 4,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
5,000 – 29,999 sq. ft. | 1 | |
30,000 - 69,999 sq. ft. | 2 | |
70,000-120,000 sq. ft. | 3 | |
For each additional 50,000 sq. ft. over 120,000 sq.ft. | 1 additional space | |
OFFICE USES | ||
∙
Medical offices ∙ Professional offices ∙ General business offices | 0 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000-199,999 sq.ft. | 2 | |
200,000 sq. ft. or greater | 3 | |
MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING USES | ||
∙
Warehousing and Manufacturing distribution | 0 - 4,999 sq. ft. | 0 |
5,000 – 29,999 sq. ft. | 1 | |
30,000 - 69,999 sq. ft. | 2 | |
70,000-120,000 sq. ft. | 3 | |
For each additional 50,000 sq. ft. Over 120,000 sq.ft. | 1 additional space | |
∙
Research and development | 0-9,999 sq.ft. | 0 |
10,000-99,999 sq.ft. | 1 | |
100,000-199,999 sq. ft. | 2 | |
200,000 sq. ft. or greater | 3 | |
OTHER USES | ||
All uses not specifically listed | To be determined by the director | |
(d) Residential and mixed use structures with fifty (50) or more dwelling units shall provide at least one (1) on-site, short-term loading space for passenger vehicles, to be used by taxicabs and similar transportation and delivery services.
(Ord. 5594 § 7, 2024: Ord. 5587 § 15, 2023: Ord. 5554 § 31, 2022: Ord. 5542 § 14, 2022: Ord. 5538 § 14, 2021: Ord. 5524 § 2, 2021: Ord. 5512 § 6, 2020: Ord. 5504 § 4, 2020: Ord. 5460 § 11, 2019: Ord. 5412 § 21, 2017: Ord. 5406 § 6, 2017: Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
(a) The following minor adjustments may be made to existing parking facilities that are intended to remain in substantially the same form after restriping.
(1) Accessibility and EVSE-related equipment.
For sites with existing development, the number on-site parking spaces may be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to: (1) achieve state or federally mandated accessibility requirements or (2) permit installation of electrical utility equipment required for EVSE. A maximum of 10% of the existing automobile parking stalls, or one stall, whichever is greater, may be removed pursuant to this section. The loss of a parking space is not permitted to accommodate EVSE itself. To the extent reasonably feasible, electrical equipment required for EVSE shall be placed in a location that minimizes visibility from the public right-of-way.
(2) Substitution of bicycle parking.
For sites with existing development, where additional bicycle parking facilities cannot reasonably be located outside of the parking facility area, existing automobile parking stalls may be substituted with long- or short-term bicycle parking facilities. The maximum number of substitutions shall be two existing automobile parking spaces, or 10% of the existing automobile parking stalls, whichever is greater. A minimum of four long-term or eight short-term bicycle parking spaces is required per automobile parking space. The bicycle parking spaces are to be located in the same physical location as the automobile spaces they are replacing, which shall be near primary entries of the building on-site or in locations that meet best practices for bicycle parking facilities.
(b) Substitution of religious-use parking for housing development projects.
(1) This subdivision applies to religious institution affiliated housing development projects, as defined by Section 65913.6(a)(5) of the California Government Code.
(2) The developer of a religious institution affiliated housing development project is not required to replace religious-use parking spaces which the developer eliminates as a part of that housing development project. Such a reduction may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the number of religious-use parking spaces that are available at the time the request is made.
(3) Religious-use parking spaces may count towards parking spaces required for the religious institution affiliated housing development project if:
(A) There is at least one space per unit,
(B) The parcel is within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, or
(C) There is a car share vehicle located within one block of the parcel.
(Ord. 5524 § 3, 2021: Ord. 5504 § 5, 2020)
Automobile parking requirements prescribed by this chapter may be adjusted by the director in the following instances and in accord with the prescribed limitations in Table 4, when in his/her opinion such adjustment will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter, will not create undue impact on existing or potential uses adjoining the site or in the general vicinity, and will be commensurate with the reduced parking demand created by the development, including for visitors and accessory facilities where appropriate. No reductions may be granted that would result in provision of less than ten (10) spaces on a site. The following are adjustments that apply to developments not located within a parking assessment district. Adjustments within the parking assessment districts are contained in Section 18.52.080. The decision of the regarding parking adjustments may be appealed as set forth in Chapter 18.78 (Appeals).
Table 4
Allowable Parking Adjustments
Allowable Parking Adjustments
Purpose of Adjustment | Amount of Adjustment | Maximum Reduction
2 |
Purpose of Adjustment | Amount of Adjustment | Maximum Reduction
2 |
On-Site Employee Amenities | Square footage of commercial or industrial uses to be used for an on-site cafeteria, recreational facility, and/or day care facility, to be provided to employees or their children and not open to the general public, may be exempted from the parking requirements | 100% of requirement for on-site employee amenities |
Joint Use (Shared) Parking Facilities | For any site or sites with multiple uses where the application of this chapter requires a total of or more than ten (10) spaces, the total number of spaces otherwise required by application of Table 1 may be reduced when the joint facility will serve all existing, proposed, and potential uses as effectively and conveniently as would separate parking facilities for each use or site. In making such a determination, the director shall consider a parking analysis using criteria developed by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) or similar methodology to estimate the shared parking characteristics of the proposed land uses. The analysis shall employ the city's parking ratios as the basis for the calculation of the base parking requirement and for the determination of parking requirements for individual land uses. The director may also require submittal and approval of a TDM program 1 to further assure parking reductions are achieved. | 20% of total spaces required for the site |
100% Affordable Housing (4) | Based on maximum anticipated demand; applicant may request up to a 100% reduction in parking. | |
Affordable Housing Units and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Units
(3) | The total number of spaces required may be reduced for affordable housing and single room occupancy (SRO) units, commensurate with the reduced parking demand created by the housing facility, including for visitors and accessory facilities. The reduction shall consider proximity to transit and support services and the director may require traffic demand management measures 1 in conjunction with any approval. | a. 40% for Extremely Low Income and SRO Units b. 30% for Very Low Income Units c. 20% for Low Income Units |
Housing Near Transit Facilities | The total number of spaces required may be reduced for housing located within a designated Pedestrian/Transit Oriented area or elsewhere in immediate proximity to public transportation facilities serving a significant portion of residents, employees, or customers, when such reduction will be commensurate with the reduced parking demand created by the housing facility, including for visitors and accessory facilities, and subject to submittal and approval of a TDM program.1 | 20% of the total spaces required for the site. |
Transportation and Parking Alternatives | Where effective alternatives to automobile access are provided, other than those listed above, parking requirements may be reduced to an extent commensurate with the permanence, effectiveness, and the demonstrated reduction of off-street parking demand effectuated by such alternative programs. Examples of such programs may include, but are not limited to, transportation demand management (TDM) programs or innovative parking pricing or design solutions.1 (note: landscape reserve requirement is deleted). | 20% of the total spaces required for the site |
Combined Parking Adjustments | Parking reductions may be granted for any combination of the above circumstances as prescribed by this chapter, subject to limitations on the combined total reduction allowed. | a. 30% reduction of the total parking demand otherwise required b. 40% reduction for affordable housing projects |
Modification to Off-Street Loading Requirements | The director may modify the quantity or dimensions of off-street loading requirements for non-residential development based on existing or proposed site conditions; availability of alternative means to address loading and unloading activity; and, upon finding that: 1) the off-street loading requirement may conflict with Comprehensive Plan goals and policies related to site design planning, circulation and access, or urban design principles; and 2) the use of shared on-street loading would not conflict with Comprehensive Plan goals and policies related to site design planning, circulation and access or urban design principles; maximum reduction in one loading space. | One loading space may be waived |
Restriping Existing Parking Facilities | Existing parking facilities may be restriped in accordance with applicable provisions of the municipal code. The Director may approve a reduction in the number of required on-site parking spaces to achieve the City’s waste management objectives, make improvements to on-site circulation that would reduce or eliminate a hazard, or bring substandard parking stalls into compliance with current design requirements. This provision applies only to sites with existing structures and existing parking facilities that are intended to remain in substantially the same form after re-striping of the facility. | 10% of the total spaces required for the site, or 2 spaces, whichever is greater. |
1. See Section 18.52.050(d) below regarding requirements for TDM programs.
2. No parking reductions may be granted that would result in provision of less than ten (10) parking spaces on site.
3. No parking reductions may be granted for projects that are entitled to the reduced parking standards in Table 1 of Section 18.52.040 for senior housing.
4. Applies to 100% affordable housing projects and the residential component of 100% affordable housing mixed-use projects. "100% affordable housing" as used herein means a multiple-family housing project consisting entirely of affordable units, as defined in Section 16.65.020 of this code, available only to households with income levels at or below 120% of the area median income, as defined in Chapter 16.65, except for a building manager's unit.
(a) Combining Parking Adjustments
Parking reductions may be granted for any combination of circumstances, prescribed by this chapter, so long as in total no more than a 30% reduction of the total parking demand otherwise required occurs, or no less than a 40% reduction for affordable housing projects (including Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units).
(b) Deferral of Meeting Full Requirement by Landscape Reserve
Where the expected need for off-street parking or bicycle facilities for a particular use is uncertain, due to unknown or unusual operating characteristics of the use and unavailability of comparable data to establish need, the director, upon recommendation of the architectural review board, may authorize that construction and provision of not more than fifty percent of the required off-street parking stalls and not more than twenty-five percent of the bicycle parking spaces be deferred. The number of bicycle parking spaces deferred shall be apportioned by construction type (long term or short term) in the same percentages as indicated in Table 1 of Section 18.52.040. The director may set such conditions as necessary to guarantee provision of such deferred spaces whenever the director determines the need to exist. Land area required for provision of deferred parking or bicycle spaces shall be maintained in reserve and shall be landscaped pursuant to a plan approved by the architectural review board demonstrating that ultimate provision of the deferred spaces will meet all requirements of this chapter. Upon use of the parking area at near build-out (at least 90% occupancy) over a period of at least ten years, the director may allow the reserve area to be used for other uses that do not generate parking demand, subject to restrictions and conditions to prevent conversion to a more intense use unless sufficient additional on-site parking is provided.
(c) Off-Site Parking
Except in parking assessment areas, the director may authorize all or a portion of the required parking for a use to be located on the site not more than 500 feet from the site of the use for which such parking is required, where in the director's judgment, such authorization will be in accord with the purposes of this chapter. The distance to the off-site parking shall be measured from the nearest corner of the parking facility to the nearest public entrance to the building via the shortest pedestrian route.
(d) Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
(1) A Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program may be (a) proposed by an applicant, or may be (b) required by the director for any project requesting a reduction in parking or generating 50 or more net new weekday (AM or PM peak hour) or weekend peak hour trips, or (c) may be required as CEQA mitigation for identified potential significant parking impacts.
(2) Where a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program is proposed or required, the TDM program shall outline parking and/or traffic demand measures to be implemented to reduce parking need and trip generation. The Director shall have the authority to adopt guidelines for preparing TDM plans. Required measures may include, but are not limited to: participation in the Transportation Management Association or similar organization, limiting “assigned” parking to one space per residential unit, providing for transit passes, parking cash-out, enhanced shuttle service (or contributions to extend or enhance existing shuttle service or to create new shared or public shuttle service), car-sharing, traffic-reducing housing, providing priority parking spaces for carpools/vanpools or “green” vehicles (zero emission vehicles, inherently low emission vehicles, or plug-in hybrids, etc.), vehicle charging stations, additional bicycle parking facilities, or other measures to encourage transit use or to reduce parking needs. The program shall be proposed to the satisfaction of the director, shall include proposed performance targets for parking and/or trip reduction and indicate the basis for such estimates, and shall designate a single entity (property owner, homeowners association, etc.) to implement the proposed measures.
(3) Monitoring reports shall be submitted to the director two years after building occupancy and again every year thereafter, noting the effectiveness of the proposed measures as compared to the initial performance targets, and implementing modifications if necessary to enhance parking and/or trip reductions.
(4) Where the monitoring reports indicate that performance measures are not met, the director may require program modifications and may impose administrative penalties if identified deficiencies are not addressed within six months.
(Ord. 5504 § 6, 2020: Ord. 5460 § 12, 2019: Ord. 5432 § 13 (part), 2018: Ord. 5406 §§ 7 and 12, 2017: Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
(a) Definitions
(1) "Parking Assessment Areas"
“Parking assessment areas” means either:
The “downtown parking assessment area,” which is that certain area of the city delineated on the map of the University Avenue parking assessment district entitled Proposed Boundaries of University Avenue Off-Street Parking Project No. 75-63 Assessment District, City of Palo Alto, County of Santa Clara, State of California, dated October 30, 1978, and on file with the city clerk; or
The “California Avenue area parking assessment district,” which is that certain area of the city delineated on the map of the California Avenue area parking assessment district entitled Proposed Boundaries, California Avenue Area Parking Maintenance District, dated December 16, 1976, and on file with the city clerk;
(b) In-lieu fees
Within any parking assessment district established by the city for the purpose of providing off-street parking facilities, all or a portion of the off-street parking requirement for a use may be satisfied by payment of assessments or fees levied by such district on the basis of parking spaces required but not provided.
(Ord. 5373 § 21 (part), 2016; Ord. 5213 § 2, 2014: Ord. 4964 § 3 (part), 2007)
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