Off-Street Vehicle Parking Requirements
Santa Clara City Code § 18.38.030
in effectA. Required Parking. Table 3-3 (Off-Street Parking Requirements) establishes the minimum number of on-site parking spaces required for each land use type, regardless of the zoning district in which the use is located.
B. No Parking Required Near Major Transit Stops. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, no parking is required for any use within one-half mile of a major transit stop, unless the Director of Community Development makes any of the following written findings, supported by substantial evidence, within 30 days of an application becoming complete, in which case the City’s standard parking requirements shall apply:
1. Not imposing the City’s parking requirements would have a substantial negative impact on the City’s ability to meet its share of the regional housing need in accordance with Government Code Section 65584 for low- and very low income households;
2. Not imposing the City’s parking requirements would have a substantial negative impact on the City’s ability to meet any special housing needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities identified in the Housing Element’s analysis required by Government Code Section 65583(a)(7); or
3. Not imposing the City’s parking requirements would have a substantial negative impact on the existing residential or commercial parking within one-half mile of the development project.
C. Off-Street Construction Parking.
1. When Required. Off-street construction parking is required for residential development projects over 100 units in size, or over 100,000 square feet in area for non-residential projects.
2. Timing. Off-street construction parking is required to be available from the time of issuance of building permits until the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
3. Number of Spaces Required.
a. For residential development projects, one space per four units proposed is required.
b. For non-residential development projects, one space per 5,000 square feet proposed is required.
4. Development Standards. Parking spaces are required to meet all requirements of the General Parking Standards, Code Section 18.38.060.
5. Maintenance of off-street construction parking.
a. Off-street construction parking lots are required to maintained to be mud-free and dustless. If the off-street construction parking lot is located on an unpaved surface, daily street sweeping of surrounding streets is required.
b. Off-street construction parking lots are required to be free of construction materials and debris at all times
D. Patrick Henry Specific Plan Parking Requirements. The following parking requirements including those shown in Table 3-2 are required for those zones identified in the Patrick Henry Specific Plan.
1. Patrick Henry Parking Space Requirements. The following parking space requirements apply:
Table 3-2 Patrick Henry Parking Requirements
2. Parking is not permitted as a stand-alone use.
3. Shared parking is permitted.
4. Mechanical lifts/stackers may be used to satisfy minimum requirements.
E. Calculation. The following standards apply to the calculation of vehicle parking spaces in this Chapter.
1. If the calculation for parking needs results in the requirement for a fraction of a parking space, the value shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
2. For the purposes of this Chapter, “square feet” means “gross square feet” and refers to the sum gross square feet of the floor area of a structure and its accessory structures unless otherwise specified. Gross floor area shall not include enclosed or covered areas used for off-street parking or loading, bicycle facilities, heating and air-conditioning equipment, stairs and elevators, mechanical and electrical equipment, and communications equipment.
3. Except as otherwise provided in Section 18.38.040 (Exceptions and Reductions to Parking Requirements), where uses or activities subject to differing requirements are in the same structure or on the same site (e.g., mixed-use developments) 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. The Review Authority for the associated permit or approval, including parking 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.
Table 3-3 Off-Street Parking Requirements
Table 3-3 Off-Street Parking Requirements
Table 3-3 Off-Street Parking Requirements
| Use | For Residents/Employees | For Visitors/Customers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Minimum 1 space per unit for units greater than 550 SF Minimum 0.5 spaces per unit for units less than or equal to 550 SF | Minimum 0.05 spaces per unit | ||||||
| Retail / Flex | None required | Minimum 1 space per 1,000 SF | ||||||
| Office | Minimum one space for each 500 SF of gross floor area | Minimum 1 space per 3,000 SF | ||||||
| Community/Civic | None required | None required |
| Land Use | Required Parking Spaces | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Uses | |||||
| Caretaker Housing | 1 space per unit | ||||
| Dwelling, Accessory Unit | No additional parking required. | ||||
| Dwelling, Multifamily | |||||
| Studio and one-bedroom units | 1 space per dwelling unit | ||||
| Two- and three-bedroom units | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit, with each unit assigned one space and all other spaces to be provided unbundled | ||||
| Four- or more bedroom units | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit, with each unit assigned one space and all other spaces to be provided unbundled | ||||
| Dwelling, Single-Family | 2 spaces per dwelling unit, which shall be a covered garage or carport | ||||
| Dwelling, Two-Family | 2 spaces per dwelling unit. At least 1 space for each dwelling unit shall be a covered garage or carport | ||||
| Senior Housing | 1 space per dwelling unit | ||||
| Employee Housing | 1 space per dwelling unit | ||||
| Home Occupations | No additional spaces required | ||||
| Live-Work Facilities | 1 space per dwelling unit plus 1 for the nonresidential work space | ||||
| Mixed Use Zones | |||||
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit | ||||
| Multi-Family Dwelling: Studios/1 Bedroom | 1 space per dwelling unit | ||||
| Multi-Family Dwelling: 2 or more Bedrooms | 2 spaces per dwelling unit | ||||
| Retail and Services | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet | ||||
| Mobile Home Parks | 2 spaces per dwelling unit | ||||
| Organizational Houses | 1 space per bedroom | ||||
| Rooming and/or Boarding Houses | 1 space per bedroom | ||||
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Facilities | 1 space per bedroom | ||||
| Supportive Housing | 1 space per bedroom | ||||
| Transitional Housing | 2 spaces per dwelling unit. At least 1 space for each dwelling unit shall be a covered garage or carport | ||||
| Human Service Uses | |||||
| Childcare Facilities, Childcare Centers | 1 space per 300 square feet | ||||
| Childcare Facilities, Family Day Care Homes | 2 spaces per dwelling unit. At least 1 space for each dwelling unit shall be a covered garage or carport | ||||
| Community Care Facilities | 1 space per 300 square feet | ||||
| Residential Care Facilities | 1 space for each employee or staff member. | ||||
| Emergency Shelters | 1 space for each employee. | ||||
| Low-Barrier Navigation Centers | 1 space for each employee. | ||||
| Medical Services, Hospitals | 1 space for every 3 beds, plus 1 space per staff doctor, plus 1 space for every 3 staff members | ||||
| Recreation, Education, and Public Assembly Uses | |||||
| Assembly Uses | 1 space per 50 square feet of usable assembly area | ||||
| Cemeteries, Mausoleums | 1 space for each employee and 10 guest spaces |
| Land Use | Required Parking Spaces | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Recreation Facilities (indoor and outdoor) | 1 space per 600 square feet | ||||
| Crematories | 1 space per shift employee | ||||
| Golf Courses/Clubhouse | 5 spaces per golf course hole, plus 1 space per 250 square feet of retail and dining area, plus 1 space per shift employee | ||||
| Fitness Facilities (5,000 square feet or less) | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Fitness Facilities (over 5,000 square feet) | 1 space per 100 square feet | ||||
| Libraries | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Museums | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Mortuaries and Funeral Homes | 1 space per 50 square feet | ||||
| Schools | |||||
| Elementary and Junior High Schools | 1 space for each staff member, faculty member, and employee, plus 10 spaces for visitor parking, and a designated loading/unloading zone for school buses. | ||||
| High Schools | 1 space for every 8 students, plus 1 space for every 2 staff members, faculty members, and employees, and a designated loading/unloading zone for school buses. | ||||
| Colleges and Universities, Public and Private | 0.4 spaces for each enrolled student and employed staff member | ||||
| Specialized Education and Training/Studios | 1 space for every 5 students | ||||
| Theaters and Auditoriums | 1 space per 50 square feet | ||||
| Vocational/Trade Schools | 1 space for every 2 students, plus one space for each employee, plus 1 space for each fleet vehicle. | ||||
| Utility, Transportation, and Communication Use Listings | |||||
| Broadcasting and Recording Studios | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Fuel Storage and Distribution Centers | 1 space per 2 employees, plus 2 additional spaces for visitors | ||||
| Public Safety Facilities | Determined through Discretionary Review | ||||
| Transit Stations and Terminals | Determined through Discretionary Review | ||||
| Retail, Service, and Office Uses | |||||
| Adult Oriented Businesses | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Alcoholic Beverage Sales | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Ambulance Services | 1 space per shift employee, plus 1 space per fleet vehicle | ||||
| Animal Sales and Grooming Facilities | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Artisan Shops | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Banks and Financial Service Establishments | 1 space per 300 square feet | ||||
| Banks and Financial Service Establishments, Stand-alone ATM | 2 spaces per machine | ||||
| Bars | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Bed and Breakfast Inns | 1 space per guestroom, plus 1 space for the resident owner or manager | ||||
| Building Material Stores and Yards | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Business Support Centers | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Call Centers | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Data Centers | 1 space per 10,000 square feet | ||||
| Drive-in and Drive-through Establishments | 1 space per 200 square feet |
| Land Use | Required Parking Spaces | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Sales and Rentals | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Garden Centers/Plant Nurseries | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Hotels and Motels | ½ space per guestroom | ||||
| Kennels | 1 space per 750 square feet | ||||
| Maintenance and Repair Services | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Nightclubs | 1 space per 50 square feet | ||||
| Offices | 1 space per 300 square feet | ||||
| Pawn Shop | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Personal Services, including Personal Services, Restricted | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Restaurants | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Retail (Small, Medium, and Large Format) | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Veterinary Facilities | 1 space per 250 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Oriented Uses | |||||
| Vehicle Rental Facilities | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Sales Facilities, General and Wholesale | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Sales Facilities, Wholesale | 1 space per 1,000 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Storage Facilities | 1 space per 2,000 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Parts Sales | 1 space per 200 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Dismantling Facilities | 3 spaces, plus 1 space for each employee | ||||
| Car Wash and Detailing Facilities | |||||
| Full-Service | 1 space per shift employee, plus 2 additional spaces | ||||
| Self-Service | 1 space per shift employee, plus 2 additional spaces | ||||
| Vehicle Fueling Stations | 1 space per 400 square feet | ||||
| Vehicle Repair and Service Facilities (major and minor) | 2 spaces per service bay, plus 1 space per shift employee | ||||
| Industrial, Manufacturing, and Processing Uses | |||||
| Freight Yards/Truck Terminals | 1 space per 2,000 square feet | ||||
| Bulk laundry and Dry-Cleaning Plants | 1 space per 1,000 square feet | ||||
| Industrial (Minor and Major) | 1 space per 1,000 square feet | ||||
| Printing and Publishing Facilities | 1 space per 1,000 square feet | ||||
| Recycling Facilities | 1 space per employee, plus 5 additional spaces for visitors. | ||||
| Research and Development Facilities | 1 space per 750 square feet | ||||
| Storage, Personal Storage Facilities | 1 space per 4,000 square feet | ||||
| Storage, Warehouse | 1 space per 2,000 square feet | ||||
| Wholesaling and Distribution Centers | 1 space per 2,000 square feet |
Source: City of Santa Clara Zoning Code (santaclaraca.gov PDF)URL: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoningFetched: 10/24/2026