PARKING STANDARDS

 

 

The following table shows the number of parking spaces required for various types of uses.

 

 LAND USE

 NO. OF SPACES REQUIRED

MAX. % OF COMPACTS

RESIDENTIAL USES

Single-Family and Duplex:

2 covered plus 2 uncovered spaces on driveway (minimum dimensions 17 ft. x 20 ft.).

N/A

Multi-Family, Townhouses, Condos and Apartments:

Specific ratios per unit based on the type of parking facilities provided are listed below. See also Note 1.

 

 

Carports, Underground, And Open Parking Lot

One Fully Enclosed Garage Space And Open Parking Lot

Two or More Fully Enclosed Garage Spaces

 

Studio/ 1 bedroom units

1 covered plus .5 unassigned

1 covered plus 0.8 unassigned

2 covered plus 0.25 unassigned & guest parking

35% of uncovered and unassigned spaces in parking lots with more than 10 spaces.

2 bedroom units

1 covered plus 1 unassigned

1 covered plus 1.4 unassigned

2 covered plus 0.5 unassigned and guest parking

3 bedroom units

1 covered plus 1 unassigned

1 covered plus 1.4 unassigned

2 covered plus 0.5 unassigned and guest

4 or more bedroom units

Add 0.15 spaces per bedroom to the 3 bedroom requirement

 

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USES

RETAIL:

General Retail & Personal Service Shops (not in Shopping Center)

1 per 180 s.f.

10 % (50% along periphery and as employee parking)

 

 

 

Furniture & Appliances Stores

1 per 400 s.f.

Shopping Center < 20,000 s.f.

1 per 180 s.f.

Shopping Center with

20,000-50,000 s.f.

1 per 200 s.f.

Shopping Center > 50,000 s.f.

1 per 225 s.f.

RESTAURANTS:

Restaurants with 100 % Fixed Seating

1 per every 2 fixed seats, plus 1 per 400 s.f. of other area.

10 % (50% along periphery)

Restaurants without Fixed Seating or Bars

1 space per 110 s.f.

Restaurants with Bars & Fast Food Restaurants

1 space per 75 s.f.

Nightclubs and Bars not in Restaurants

1 space per 50 s.f.

OFFICE:

General Office Uses (free standing)

1 space per 225 s.f.

50 %.

General Office Uses

(in a shopping center)

1 space per 180 s.f.

10 % (50% along periphery)

Financial Institutions

1 space per 180 s.f.

Medical Office Uses

1 space per 200 s.f.

N/A

Research & Development, General Industrial, or Corporation Office Uses

1 space per 500 s.f. min. - 1 space per 250 s.f. max.

50 %

INDUSTRIAL:

Warehouses

1 space per 900 s.f. min. - 1 space per 600 s.f. max.

50 %

Commercial Storage and Self-Storage Uses

1 per 2,500 s.f. of floor area, plus 1 per 225 s.f. of office area, plus 1 per live-in manager/employee, plus

loading zone spaces as required in Note 2.

Recycling Centers

1 space per employee.

N/A

Auto Repair Garages

1 space per 180 s.f. (including service bays).

10 % (50% along periphery)

OTHER USES:

Hospitals:

1 space per bed

10 % (50% along periphery)

Sanitariums/ Rest Home:

1 space per 2.25 beds

Lodging and Boarding Uses including Hotels and Motels:

1 per living or guest unit, plus 1 per employee living off-site, plus additional parking required for other on-site uses.

30 % of required spaces.

Places of Assembly:

(e.g. Religious Institutions, Community Centers)

1 space per every 3 fixed seats, plus 1 space per 21 s.f. of open area or seating space, plus 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per special purpose vehicle.

35 % of required spaces, if the spaces are uncovered and unassigned.

Recreational Assembly Areas for more than 20 persons: (e.g. Auditoriums, Clubs, Lodges, Gyms)

1 space per every 3 fixed seats, plus

1 space per 21 s.f. of open area useable for seating, plus 1 space per 400 s.f. of additional floor area.

10 % of required spaces.

(50% along periphery)

SCHOOLS:

Child Care (including church schools)

1 space per employee during max. shift plus 1 per 14 students.

 

Grades K-8

3 spaces per classroom.

35 % (unassigned only)

Grades 9-12

1 space per every 4 students.

Grades over 12

1 space per every 3 fixed seats, plus 1 space per 21 s.f. of open area or seating space, plus 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per special purpose vehicle.

School Gyms and other facilities

1 space per every 3 fixed seats, plus

1 space per 21 s.f. of open area useable for seating, plus 1 space per 400 s.f. of additional floor area.

OTHER USES NOT LISTED:

1 space per 180 s.f.

10 % of required spaces.

 

Off-Street Loading Areas

Every industrial, institutional, warehouse or wholesale use or building shall provide a minimum of one off-street loading space. Every commercial use or building with 15 or more parking spaces shall provide a minimum of one loading space within 10 feet of the use or building served. Loading docks shall not be located between a building and a street frontage in commercial and industrial zones. (SMC 19.46.150)

 

Accessible Parking

The number of accessible parking spaces is based on the total number of parking spaces provided (based on the 1998 California Building Code).

 

Total Number of Parking Spaces

Number of Accessible Spaces Required

1 – 25

1

26 – 50

2

51 – 75

3

76 – 100

4

101 - 150

5

151 – 200

6

201 – 300

7

301 – 400

8

401 – 500

9

501 – 1000

2% of total spaces

Over 1000

20 + 1/100 spaces or fraction thereof

 

Minimum Stall Dimensions

For C-1, C-2, C-3 and O zoning districts as well as for restaurants, retail sales, medical or dental facilities and offices in any zoning district:

  • 9’ x 18’

All other zoning districts and uses not listed above

  • 8.5’ x 18'

  • Compact space: 7.5’ x 15’

The 18 ft. length may be reduced to 16 ft. when there is an interior landscaping island of 6 ft. in width or a perimeter landscaping strip of greater than 4 ft. in width.

 

Minimum Aisle Width

  • One-Way Traffic – 12 ft. for all zones.

  • Two-Way Traffic – 24 ft. in residential zones, 26 ft. in other zones.

Minimum Back-Up Distance

  • 24 ft. for residential uses

  • 26 ft. for all other uses

Minimum Driveway Width

Parking not served by an aisle shall be served by driveways complying to the following minimum standards:

  • One-Way Driveway – 10 ft. for residential uses and 12 ft. for all other uses

  • Two-Way Driveway – 18 ft. in residential zones and 20 ft. in other zones.

All uses requiring more than 15 parking spaces shall be served by 1 two-way driveway or 2 one-way driveways, including adequate turn-around areas. (SMC 19.46.130)

 

Fire Lane

A minimum of 24 ft. must be kept clear. Required turning radius is dependent upon the angle of the turn. Check with the Fire Safety division to see if a fire lane must be provided.

 

Parking In Yards

Allowed in all residential zoning districts for the required front and side yards except when in a corner vision triangle.

 

QUESTIONS?

Call or visit the One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall. Planners are available to assist you between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

This handout is intended to be a general description of parking standards. For specific information, consult Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 19.48.

 

Note 1: Multi-Family residential developments of five or more units shall have secured bicycle parking at a ratio of one secured bicycle parking space for every four units, but no fewer than four spaces.

 

Note 2: Loading zone spaces (minimum 10 feet x 50 feet) are required for storage facilities. See Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 19.46.050.

 

 

 

Sunnyvale Home

 

Planning Home

Community Development Home

E-Mail Planning