ARTICLE XXXI. OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS

30.31.10 Statement of intent.

It is the intent of this article to require off-street parking and loading spaces on each parcel for all land uses within the City of Gilroy sufficient in number to accommodate all vehicles of residents, employees, customers, clients and others which may congregate at any point in time in order to reduce on-street parking and improve traffic and pedestrian safety. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.20 Parking space requirements.

At the time any activity is established or building or structure is erected, or is enlarged, or increased in capacity, or whenever there is a substitution of activities or a change in the nature of an existing activity, off-street parking for vehicles in such numbers as are hereinafter prescribed shall be provided. Off-street parking areas shall be provided, maintained and made accessible for each land use or activity in accordance with the following schedule, as shown:

Type of Use

Off-Street Parking Stalls Required

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 15, 10-7-19)

30.31.21 Residential use off-street parking requirements.

Accessory dwelling units

One (1) stall per unit, subject to the restrictions contained in section 30.54.30(g).

 

Bed and breakfast establishment

Two (2) stalls, one (1) of which shall be a covered carport or garage, plus one (1) stall per two (2) guest rooms.

 

Multiple-family

One and one-half (1 1/2) stalls per one (1) bedroom or two (2) bedroom dwelling unit and two (2) stalls for each unit having three (3) or more bedrooms or rooms which could be used as bedrooms, plus one (1) stall for every four (4) units for guests. One (1) stall for each unit shall be covered with a garage or carport.

 

Rooming houses, residence clubs, fraternity and sorority houses

One (1) stall for every two (2) occupants plus four (4) stalls.

 

Single- and two-family dwellings

Two (2) stalls per dwelling unit, one (1) of which shall be a covered carport or garage (each space must be at least ten (10) feet by twenty (20) feet).

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2018-02, § 8, 1-8-18)

30.31.22 Recreational use off-street parking requirements.

Auditoriums and exhibit halls without fixed seats

One (1) stall per one hundred (100) gross square feet.

 

Bowling centers

Six (6) stalls per alley, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee.

 

Billiard and card rooms

Two (2) stalls per table or one-half (1/2) stall for each seat, whichever is greater.

 

Commercial swimming pools

One (1) stall per one hundred (100) square feet of pool area.

 

Golf driving and shooting ranges

One and one-half (1 1/2) stalls per station.

 

Dance halls

One (1) stall for each five (5) seats or fifty (50) square feet of dance floor, whichever is greater.

 

Private clubs without overnight accommodations

One (1) stall for every four (4) persons of maximum occupancy of the facility, plus one (1) space for each regular employee.

 

Skating rinks and commercial recreational areas (e.g., waterslides)

One (1) stall for each one hundred (100) square feet of skating or recreational area, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee.

 

Tennis, handball and racket courts

Two (2) stalls per court, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee.

 

Theaters and auditoriums

One (1) stall for every four (4) seats or one (1) stall for each fifty (50) square feet of net floor area for assembly, whichever is greater.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.23 Institutional use off-street parking requirements.

Assisted living facility

Eight-tenths (8/10) stalls per residential unit, plus one (1) stall per shift employee.

 

Churches and mortuaries

One (1) stall for every four (4) seats or one (1) stall for each fifty (50) square feet of net floor area for assembly, whichever is greater.

 

Colleges, art, craft, music and dancing schools and business, professional and trade schools

One (1) stall for each employee, plus one (1) space for each four (4) students of planned capacity or one (1) stall for each four (4) auditorium seats, whichever is greater.

 

Convalescent homes, nursing homes and sanitariums

One (1) stall per staff or visiting doctor, plus one (1) stall per two (2) employees, plus one (1) stall for every four (4) beds.

 

Day care centers

One (1) stall for each employee, plus two (2) stalls, plus one (1) loading space for every five (5) children.

Family day care home

Two (2) stalls per dwelling unit, one (1) of which shall be a covered carport or garage.

 

Hospitals

One (1) stall for each three (3) beds, plus one (1) stall per staff doctor, plus one (1) stall for each three (3) staff.

 

Orphanages

One (1) stall for every three (3) employees, plus one (1) stall for every ten (10) beds.

 

Public, parochial and private elementary schools

One (1) stall for each employee, plus one (1) stall for every four (4) auditorium seats, plus bus loading area.

 

Public, parochial and private high schools

One (1) stall for each employee, plus one (1) space for each ten (10) students of planned capacity or one (1) stall for each four (4) auditorium seats, whichever is greater, plus bus loading area.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 16, 10-7-19)

30.31.24 Office, medical and financial uses.

Banks, lending agencies, financial and governmental institutions, public utility offices (including drive-up facilities)

One (1) stall per three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Medical, dental, optometry, veterinarian, or chiropractic offices and clinics

One (1) stall per one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area, or six (6) stalls per doctor, whichever is less.

 

Research facilities

One (1) stall per employee, plus one (1) stall per five hundred (500) square feet of gross floor area.

 

All other professional offices

One (1) stall per three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.25(a) Retail and commercial uses.

Barber and beauty shops

One (1) stall per one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Bed and breakfast establishment

Two (2) stalls, plus one (1) stall per guest room.

 

Bus stations, train depots and other transportation depots

One (1) stall for each employee, plus user parking as determined by the planning director.

 

General retail sales, repair and services, and shopping centers

One (1) stall per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Hotels and motels

One (1) stall for each guest room, plus six (6) stalls.

 

Regional retail commercial centers

One (1) stall per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Restaurants, bars, taverns, lunch rooms, night clubs and cocktail lounges

One (1) stall for every three (3) seats or one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area devoted to dining, whichever is greater, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee.

 

Restaurants and other retail establishments with take-out service, walk-up or drive-up windows and roadside stands

One (1) stall for every three (3) seats or one hundred (100) square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee, plus eight (8) stalls or eight (8) auto waiting spaces for each exterior service window.

 

Retail sales of large appliances, automobiles, furniture or other similar bulky merchandise

One (1) stall per six hundred (600) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Service stations and vehicle repair garages

One (1) stall per four hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area, plus one (1) stall per employee, but not less than three (3) stalls total (service bays shall not be counted as part of the required parking).

 

Uncovered general retail sales, repair and services

One (1) stall per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Uncovered retail sales area for landscaping nurseries, vehicles and construction materials

One (1) stall for each four thousand (4,000) square feet of gross display area, plus one (1) stall per employee, but not less than four (4) stalls.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 17, 10-7-19)

30.31.25(b) Downtown specific plan parking requirements.

Off-street parking in the DHD and DED (with the exception of established public parking) shall have primary access from the side streets, alley, access easements, or via reciprocal access agreements if such access opportunities exist. New private parking facilities shall not be located adjacent to the Monterey Street sidewalk and shall not replace an existing or potential retail storefront.

Parking stall dimensions in the DHD, DED, CD, TD and CCA districts may vary from city standard when approved by the planning division manager. The planning division manager may also consider and approve alternative parking solutions such as tandem and shared parking when appropriate in these districts.

Corner properties are encouraged to allow for reciprocal access to interior block properties in order to provide parking at the rear of the lot. Access easements across adjacent lots to the rear of a property are also encouraged.

Off-Street Parking

Parking Locations

Downtown historic district (DHD)

Permitted in rear only (except public-owned parking).

All parking requirements may be satisfied by paying in-lieu fee.

Downtown expansion district (DED)

Permitted in rear or on the side of the building.

All parking requirements may be satisfied by paying in-lieu fee.

Civic/cultural arts district (CCA)

Monterey Street to Church Street: Permitted in rear only.

Church Street to Dowdy Street: Any location.

All parking requirements may be satisfied by paying in-lieu fee.

Transitional district (TD)

Permitted at side or rear only. Where an alley occurs, access to residential parking and garages shall only be provided from the alley.

50% of parking requirements (except lodging and residential) may be satisfied by paying in-lieu fee.

Cannery district (CD)

Permitted at side or rear.

50% of parking requirements may be satisfied by paying in-lieu fee.

Gateway district (GD)

Any location—Maximum of 25% of required parking may be located between the building and street with berming and planting between the street and parking.

All parking requirements must be met on site except a 25% reduction is allowed for vertically mixed use projects.

Parking Requirements 

Civic uses

3 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

Cultural uses

1 space per 500 sq. ft.

Light assembly

1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.

Lodging

1 space per room + 1 space per 2 shift employees

Medical/dental offices

1 space per 400 sq. ft.

Office

1 space per 450 sq. ft.

Research and development

1 space per 1,000 sq. ft.

Restaurants

1 space per 6 seats + 1 space per 4 shift employees

Retail

1 space per 500 sq. ft.

Retail/entertainment

1 space per 500 sq. ft.

Residential units 800 sq. ft.

1 space per unit + 1 guest space per 6 units

Residential units > 800 sq. ft.

1.5 spaces per unit + 1 guest space per 4 units

Service commercial

1 space per 500 sq. ft.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2016-13, § 1 (Exh. A), 8-1-16)

30.31.26 Industrial uses.

Manufacturing plants, research and development facilities, light industrial uses, wholesale service establishments, and laboratories

One (1) stall per three hundred fifty (350) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Speculative industrial buildings

One (1) stall per three hundred fifty (350) square feet of gross floor area.

 

Warehouses less than or equal to ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area

Six (6) stalls per business; minimum: ten (10) spaces per parcel.

 

Warehouses over ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area

One (1) stall per five thousand (5,000) square feet of gross floor area; minimum: ten (10) stalls per parcel.

 

Wholesale sales (with limited retail)

One (1) stall per six hundred (600) square feet of gross floor area.

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.30 General off-street parking requirements.

(a) The parking requirements listed in the parking schedule are minimum. The maximum parking requirement allowed is ten percent (10%) above those listed in the parking schedule above. Any parking spaces beyond the ten percent (10%) must be offset with an equal amount of landscaping to buffer the extra paving. The planning commission may require additional stalls and parking lot areas for any use to provide parking area adequate with the intent of this section. The planning commission may make additional requirements in connection with off-street parking areas which will protect the character of property in the neighborhood.

(b) If the calculation for required off-street parking results in a fraction of one-half (1/2) or more of a parking stall, one (1) parking stall shall be provided; and no parking stall is required for fractions of less than one-half (1/2) a stall.

(c) Where there is a combination of uses for any one (1) facility on a parcel, the total required off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the various uses calculated separately. The parking provided for one use may not be used to satisfy the parking requirements for another use on the same site, unless all of the following conditions are met to the satisfaction of the community development director:

(1) Structures on the site clearly can be used only during limited time periods.

(2) The uses occur during completely different periods of time.

(3) There will be no conflicts or safety hazards between the proposed uses.

(4) A shared parking analysis is prepared by a licensed professional verifying that the parking is suitable for the proposed uses.

(d) The parking ratio shall be determined by the planning director for uses that are not specifically included, and that are not closely related to other uses included in the parking space requirement schedule.

(e) Proposed commercial buildings without uses specified and confirmed (by lease or other legal agreement) shall provide one (1) parking space for every two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area.

(f) The required minimum parking for uses having a parking ratio based upon the number of employees shall be based on the employment shift with the greatest number of employees.

(g) Every use shall provide the required parking on the same parcel except:

(1) The owners of adjoining properties may provide parking space in common if said parking area is secured by easement or other sufficient legal document, to the satisfaction of the community development director or designee, and provided the total number of parking spaces provided is equal to the sum of the individual needs.

(2) Any use located within the parking assessment district formed under the provisions of the Gilroy Municipal Code need not provide the required parking as specified in this chapter.

The parking assessment district includes those properties zoned TD, DED, and DHD that lie within the geographical area bounded by Fourth Street and Lewis Street to the north, E Sixth Street and West Sixth Street to the south, TD zoned parcels along the west side of Eigleberry, and DHD zoned parcels along the east side of Monterey Street backing to the rear alleyway, as further depicted in the Parking Assessment District Boundary Map below.

Parking Assessment District Boundary Map*

* Parking assessment districts No. 1 and No. 2 as formed by city council Resolutions No. 856 and No. 79-99

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2016-13, § 1 (Exh. A), 8-1-16; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 18, 10-7-19)

30.31.40 Off-street parking dimension table.

All residential parking stalls shall be at least ten (10) feet wide, twenty (20) feet long, with a minimum of twenty-four (24) feet of back-up space. (One parking stall shall not be within the back-up space needed for exit from another parking stall.) All off-street parking facilities, except residential, shall be designed and installed in accordance with the “Off-Street Parking Dimension Table.”

 

OFF-STREET PARKING DIMENSION TABLE 

PARKING ANGLE

STALL WIDTH

STALL DEPTH

ONE WAY AISLE

STALL TO CURB

CURB LENGTH PER STALL

ONE ROW PLUS AISLE

TWO ROWS PLUS AISLE

 

A

B

C

D

E

D+C

2D+C

90°

9'0"

18'0"3

25'0"

18'0"

9'0"

43'0"

61'0"

 

9'6"

18'0"3

23'6"

18'0"

9'6"

41'6"

59'6"

 

10'0"

18'0"3

22'0"

18'0"

10'0"

40'0"

58'0"

60°

9'0"

18'0"3

16'0"2

19'6"

10'6"

35'6"

55'0"

 

9'6"

18'0"3

15'0"2

19'6"

11'1"

34'6"

54'0"

 

10'0"

18'0"3

15'0"2

19'6"

11'8"

34'6"

54'0"

45°

9'0"

18'0"3

13'0"2

18'0"

12'9"

31'0"

49'0"

 

9'6"

18'0"3

13'0"2

18'0"

13'5"

30'0"

48'0"

 

10'0"

18'0"3

13'0"2

18'0"

14'2"

30'0"

48'0"

18'0"

8'0"

20'0"

8'0"

22'0"

28'0"

36'0"

Residential Parking

10'

20'

 

 

 

 

 

1    When the parking stall is adjacent to a fixed object (wall, pole, etc.) the stall width shall be one (1) foot wider to accommodate door swing.

2    Twenty-foot (20) minimum for two (2) way circulation.

3    Overhang into landscape or sidewalk areas may be allowed subject to the requirements of section 30.31.60(b).

(Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.50 Special parking requirements.

(a) Employee Parking. Parking stalls designated for employee use may be provided as part of the required off-street parking, but only up to a maximum of the actual anticipated number of employees. Employee parking designated stalls shall be designed and located such that they are distinct and separate from other parking on the site. However, on any site where compact car parking has been provided to meet the required parking demand, stalls designated for employee parking shall not be allowed. Employees shall not be prohibited from using off-street parking.

(b) Accessible Parking Requirements. Accessible parking shall comply with the requirements of the State Building Code.

(c) Truck Loading and Unloading Space. All retail and wholesale stores, warehouses, supply houses, buildings devoted to manufacturing trade, hotels, hospitals or other buildings where large amounts of goods are received or shipped shall provide loading and unloading space adequate to handle the volume and frequency of truck traffic to the building or shopping center. The number and minimum dimensions of loading spaces shall be determined by the planning director.

(d) Parking for Adaptive Reuse of a Designated Historical Resource. For development in which a designated historical resource is converted or adapted, reductions in required parking shall be provided consistent with the provisions of Section 18962(a) of the State Health and Safety Code. “Designated historical resource” means a structure or property officially designated on a local register of historical places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the National Register of Historic Places. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 19, 10-7-19)

30.31.60 Off-street parking design criteria.

(a) All parking stalls shall be delineated by a painted line or separated by a divider at least four (4) inches wide by the full length of each stall.

(1) Each accessible parking stall shall be delineated by blue painted curb and lines, and shall be clearly labeled in blue paint with the standard accessible parking symbol or clearly labeled for “accessible parking only.”

(2) Each employee parking stall shall be clearly labeled for “employee only.”

(3) Each guest parking stall shall be clearly labeled for “guest parking only.”

(b) All parking stalls abutting sidewalks, planters, buildings and landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent curb, bumper, wheel stop or similar device. The stopping edge of such protective wheel stops shall be placed two (2) feet from the edge of the sidewalks, planters, or landscaped areas and from any buildings.

Such protective wheel stops may not be required, as determined by the planning director, where the sidewalks or landscaped areas are specifically designed for automobile overhang and have thirty (30) inches additional depth than that which is otherwise required. Automobile overhang shall not be permitted to encroach within the front or street side yard planter area as required under section 30.38.60.

(c) All off-street parking for all uses, except single-family and duplex residential uses, shall be designed such that vehicles need not back out of the parking area into a public street. Utilizing a public alley for back-up space is acceptable. Vehicular access to parcels in residential districts which abut both a street designated on the City of Gilroy’s general plan land use map for higher traffic volumes than a local street (e.g., a “collector” or “arterial”) and an improved public alley shall be to the alley, and shall not be permitted to the street.

(d) Required off-street parking for any residential use may not be located in the required front yard setback area or required side yard setback area adjacent to a street as established by this chapter. Off-street parking for any commercial or industrial use shall not occupy the front one-half (1/2) of any setback area adjacent to a public street.

(e) All parking areas shall be paved with an improved surface such as Portland cement concrete, asphaltic concrete, brick, pervious concrete or cobblestones or other improved surface, except for parking stalls adjacent to an alley for single-family residential uses, which may be paved with crushed rock.

(f) Each exit and entrance to a parking lot shall be constructed and maintained such that any vehicle entering or leaving the parking lot shall be clearly visible for a distance of at least ten (10) feet to any person on a walk or footpath intersected by such exit or entrance. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2016-13, § 1 (Exh. A), 8-1-16; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 20, 10-7-19)

30.31.70 Nonconforming parking.

Any building or use whose parking becomes substandard by the adoption of this article, but which was lawful prior thereto, shall be considered as nonconforming use. Such nonconforming use may continue, but any enlargement or expansion shall provide the required number of parking spaces or parking area for the entire building or use as specified in this article. Any change of occupancy or use in an existing building or lot, which requires more parking spaces, shall provide the additional parking area as required by this article. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.80 Additional requirements.

The planning commission may make such additional requirements in connection with off-street parking areas as will protect the character of other property in the neighborhood. Such regulations may include, but not be limited to, adequate screening of said lot by a fence or wall, landscaping, provision for suitable surfacing and lighting. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.100 Interim off-street parking reductions for development projects involving the retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings.

Expired. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.101 Development projects.

Expired. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.102 Parking reductions up to and including twenty percent (20%).

Expired. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.31.103 Sunset date.

Expired. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13).