Chapter 18.83
Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations

18.83.050 Schedule of off-street parking, loading and bicycle facility requirements

18.83.010 Specific purposes

18.83.015 Definitions

18.83.020 Applicability of regulations

18.83.030 Parking assessment districts and areas

18.83.040 Basic regulations

18.83.060 Design standards: Purpose

18.83.070 Design standards: Accessible parking

18.83.080 Design standards: Bicycle parking facilities

18.83.090 Design standards: General parking facilities

18.83.100 Design standards: Landscaping in Parking Facilities and Required Landscaped Areas

18.83.110 Design standards: Other

18.83.120 Adjustments to requirements by the director of planning and community environment

18.83.130 Adjustments to requirements in Parking Assessment Areas by the zoning administrator

18.83.050 Schedule of off-street parking, loading and bicycle facility requirements.

(a) In each district, off-street parking, loading and bicycle facilities for each use shall be provided in accord with this chapter. The requirement for any use not specifically listed shall be determined by the director of planning and community environment on the basis of the requirement 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) The schedule of 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 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 provided by Table 1 in subsection (c). The zoning administrator, when issuing a conditional use permit(s) for multiple conditional 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 use 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.
  5. Where residential use is conducted together with or accessory to other permitted uses, applicable residential requirements shall apply in addition to other nonresidential requirements, except as provided by Section 18.83.120 and 18.83.130.

(c) Tables 1 and 2.

  
Table 1. Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements
Use
Minimum Off-Street  Parking Requirement
Minimum Bicycle Parking Requirements
    Spaces Class 1
Accessory employee housing or guest cottage 1 space per unit None  
Administrative office services:
      
(a) In the LM district 1 space for each 27.9 sq. m. (300 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(b) In all other districts 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking

80% - I 
20% - II
Animal care facilities 1 space for each 32.5 sq. m. (350 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking or 1 space-whichever is greater 80% - I
20% - III
Automobile service station:
      
(a) Except in parking assessment area 1 space for each 32.5 sq. m. (350 sq. ft.) of gross enclosed floor area, plus queue capacity equivalent to the service capacity of gasoline pumps None  
(b) In the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 2.82 sq. m. (310 sq. ft.) of gross enclosed floor area, plus queue capacity equivalent to the service capacity of gasoline pumps None  
Automotive services:
      
(a) Enclosed, except in parking assessment areas 1 space for each 32.5 sq. m. (350 sq. ft.) of gross floor area None  
(b) Open lot, except parking assessment areas 1 space for each 46.5 sq. m. (500 sq. ft.) of exterior sales, display, or storage site area None  
(c) In the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 13.9 sq. m. (150) sq. ft.) of gross floor area, display, or storage on site None  
Business and trade schools 1 space for each 4-person capacity, or 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area, whichever is greater 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - II - covered
Churches and religious institutions 1 space for each 4 sets or 4- person capacity, based on maximum use of all facilities at the same time 10% of auto parking

20% - I
40% - II
40% - III

Commercial recreation 1 space for each 4 seats or 4-person capacity, or as adjusted by the Zoning Administrator as part of the conditional use permit, not to exceed a 30% reduction 25% of auto parking 20% - I
20% - II
60% - III
or as adjusted by the Zoning Administrator as part of the conditional use permit
Community facilities, including swim club, tennis club, golf course, community centers, neighborhood centers, and similar activities 1 space for each 4-person capacity based on maximum use of all facilities, or as adjusted by the Zoning Administrator as part of the conditional use permit, not to exceed a 30% reduction 25% of auto parking 20% - I
20% - II - covered
60% - III
or as adjusted by the Zoning Administrator as part of the conditional use permit
Convalescent facilities 1 space for each 2.5 patient beds 10% of auto parking 2 spaces - I
remainder - III
Day care centers, day care homes, family day care homes, and residential care homes
  1. Day care centers: 1 space for each 1.5 employees
  2. Day care homes: 2 spaces per dwelling unit, of which one space shall be covered
  3. Family day care homes: 2 spaces per dwelling unit, or which one space shall be covered
  4. Residential day care homes: 2 spaces, or which one space shall be covered, for the resident owners or tenants
Where such uses are conditional, to be established by use permit conditions		 25% of auto parking 


25% of auto parking 

  

None 

  

None

100% - I
100% - II
Downtown University Avenue Parking Assessment Area - all uses 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - II
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  
Eating and drinking services:      
(a) With drive-in or take out facilities 3 spaces for each 9.3 sq. m. (100 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 25% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - III
(b) All others, except parking assessment areas 1 space for each 60 gross sq. ft. of public service area, plus one space for each 200 gross sq. ft. for all other areas 10% of auto parking 40% - I
30% - II
30% - III
(c) All others, in the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 14.4 sq. m. (155 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - II
Financial Services:      
(a) Bank, savings and loan offices with 696.7 sq. m. or less (7,500 sq. ft.) of gross floor area:      
(1) Except in the parking assessment areas 1 space for each 18.6 sq. m. (200 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - III
(2) In the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 16.7 sq. m. (180) sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - III
(b) Banks, savings and loan offices with more than 696.7 sq. m. (7,500 sq. ft.) of gross floor area:      

(1)Except in the parking assessment are

 		1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - III

(2)In the California Ave. parking assessment area

 		1 space for each 16.7 sq. m. (180) sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking  
(c) Others 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
60% - III
General business services:      
(a) Enclosed, except in parking assessment areas 1 space for each 3.25 sq. m. (350 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(b) Enclosed, in the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 33.4 sq. m. (360 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(c) Open lot 1 space for each 46.5 sq. m. (500 sq. ft.) of sales, display, or storage site area 10% of auto parking 100% - III
Hospitals 1 space for each 1.5 patient beds 10% of auto parking 60% - I
40% - II
Hotel 1 space per guestroom; plus the applicable requirement for eating and drinking, banquet, assembly, commercial or other as required for such use, less 75 percent of the spaces required for guestrooms 10% of auto parking 40% - I
30% - II
30% - III
Lodging 1 space for each lodging unit in addition to other residential use requirements 1 space per lodging unit 100% - I
Manufacturing:      
(a) In the LM district 1 space for each 27.9 sq. m. (300 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(b) In all other districts 1 space for each 46.5 sq. m. (500 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
Medical, professional, and general business offices:      
(a) In the LM district 1 space for each 27.9 sq. m. (300 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 60% - I
40% - II
(b) In all other districts, except in parking assessment areas 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (310 sq. ft.) of gross floor area  10% of auto parking 60% - I
40% - II
(c) In the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 28.8 sq. m. (310 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 60% - I
40% - II
Mortuaries 1 space for each 4 seats or 4-person capacity, plus funeral procession queue capacity of 5 cars 2 spaces 100% - II
Multiple-family residential use 1.25 spaces per studio unit, 1.5 spaces per 1-bedroom unit, and 2 spaces per 2-bedroom or larger unit; of which at least one space per unit must be covered 1 space per unit 100% - I
(a) Guest parking For projects exceeding 3 units: 1 space plus 10% of total number of units, provided that if more than one space per unit is assigned or secured parking, then guest spaces equal to 33% of all units is required. 1 space for each 10 units 100% - III
Personal services:      
(a) Except in parking assessment areas 1 space for each 18.6 sq. m. (200 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% - II
40% - III
(b) In the California Avenue parking assessment area 1 space for each 4.18 sq. m. (450 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% - II
40% - III
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 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% - II
40% - III
Research and development:      
(a) In the LM district 1 space for each 27.9 sq. m. (300 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(b) In all other districts 1 space for each 23.2 sq. m. (250 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
Retail:      
(a) Intensive, except in parking assessment areas 1 space for each 18,.6 sq. m. (200 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% - II
40% - III
(b) Intensive in the California Ave. parking assessment area 1 space for each 22.3 sq. m. (240) sq. ft. ) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% -II
40% - III
(c) Extensive 1 space for each 32.5 sq. m. (350 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 20% - I
40% - II
40% - III
(d) Open lot 1 space for each 46.5 sq. m. (500 sq. ft.) of sales, display, or storage site area 10% of auto parking 100% - III
Schools and educational facilities:      
(a) Grades K-8 2 spaces per teaching station 1 space per every 3 students 100% - III enclosed
(b) Grades 9-12 4 spaces per teaching station 1 space per every 3 students 100% - III enclosed
Shopping center 1 space for each 25.6 sq. m. (275 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 40% - I
30% - II
30% - III
Single-family residential use: (including second detached single-family dwelling units)      
(a) In the O-S district For the primary dwelling unit, 4 spaces, of which one space must be covered 

For all additional units, 2 spaces per unit, of which one space must be covered

None 

  

None

 
(b) In all other districts 2 spaces per unit, of which one space must be covered None  
Two-family residential use 1.5 spaces per unit, of which one space must be covered 1 space per unit 100% - I
Warehousing and distribution:      
(a) In the LM district 1 space for each 27.9 sq. m. (300 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
(b) In all other districts 1 space for each 92.9 sq. m. (1,000 sq. ft.) of gross floor area 10% of auto parking 80% - I
20% - II
Any use not specified To be determined by the Director of Planning and Community Environment To be determined by the Director of Planning and Community Environment  

 

Table 2. Minimum Off-Street Loading Requirements
Use
Gross Floor Area
Spaces Required
Automotive Use 0-2,786 sq. m. (0-29.999 sq. ft.) 

2,787-6,502 sq. m. (30,000-69,999 sq. ft.) 

6,503-11,148 sq. m. 

(70,000-120,000 sq. ft.) 

For additional 4,645 sq. m. (50,000 sq. ft.) over 11,148 sq. m. (120,000 sq. ft.)

1
2
3
 
1 additional space
Single-family residential use No requirement established  
Two-family residential use No requirement established  
Multiple-family residential use No requirement established  
Lodging 0-928 sq. m. (0-9,999 sq. ft.)
0
Dormitory, fraternity/sorority, or group housing where meals are provided in common dining facilities 929-9,289 sq. m. (10,000-99,999 sq. ft.)
1
Housing for the elderly or other community facility, where meals are provided in common dining facilities  9,290 sq. m. (100,000 sq. ft.)
2
Medical offices 

Professional offices 

General business offices 

Financial services 

Personal services 

Administrative office services 

Research and development 

Hospitals 

Convalescent facilities 

Hotel

0-928 sq. m. (0-9,999 sq. ft.) 

929-9,289 sq. m. (10,000-99,999 sq. ft.) 

9,290-18,580 sq. m. (100,000-199,999 sq. ft.) 

18,581 sq. m. (200,000 sq. ft. or greater)

0
1
2
 
3
Retail services 0-464 sq. m. (0-4,999 sq. ft.)
1
Eating and drinking services 2,787-6,502 sq. m. (30,000-69,999 sq. ft.)
2
Warehousing and distribution manufacturing 6,503-11,148 sq. m. (70,000-120,000 sq. ft.) 

for each additional 4,656 sq. m. (50,000 sq. ft.) over 11,184 sq. m. (20,000 sq. ft.)

3
 
1 additional space
All uses not specifically listed To be determined by director of planning and community environment