Zoning Code›Article XI — Vehicular Provisions
Needles Municipal Code § 111.04 Parking Requirements
Needles Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-21 · Needles
Cite as: Needles Municipal Code § 111.04 · Text as of 2026-10-21
It is the intent of this section to require off-street parking and loading spaces on each parcel for all land uses within the city. These spaces should be sufficient in number to accommodate the vehicles of residents, employees, customers and clients. The overall intent of this section is to reduce on-street parking, traffic congestion and to improve pedestrian safety within the city.
At the time a business or residential activity is established, or a building is erected or enlarged, or there is a change of use at the subject location, sufficient vehicle off-street parking spaces shall be provided. Accessible off-street parking areas shall be provided and maintained for each land use or activity in accordance with the schedule set out in this part. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.01 Parking Spaces Required--Residential¶
| Type of Residential Use | Off-Street/ |
|---|---|
| Single and two-family dwellings | Parking is not required for residential uses within one-half mile of public transit. In all other cases: Two (2) stalls per dwelling unit, one (1) of which shall be a covered carport or garage. Residential uses may utilize every 22 feet of useable lot frontage (excluding driveway entrances) along local roads conforming to the City’s standards as counting toward one (1) stall of required parking. |
| Accessory dwelling units | Parking is not required for residential uses within one-half mile of public transit. In all other cases: One (1) new parking space shall be provided for each accessory dwelling unit on a lot. The new parking space(s) shall be located on the same lot where the accessory dwelling unit is located, shall not be on the street, and shall be in addition to all existing parking spaces on the lot. Except in the following circumstances: • The accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, as defined in Government Code Section 65852.2(j), as may be amended. • The accessory dwelling unit is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district. • The accessory dwelling unit is located entirely within the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure. • When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit. Residential uses may utilize every 22 feet of useable lot frontage (excluding driveway entrances) along local roads conforming to the City’s standards as counting toward one (1) stall of required parking. |
| Multiple Family | Parking is not required for residential uses within one-half mile of public transit. However, this provision shall not reduce, eliminate, or preclude the enforcement of any state or local requirement imposed on a new multifamily residential development that is located within one-half mile of public transit to provide electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities that would have otherwise applied to the multifamily residential development. In all other cases: One (1) stall per efficiency unit, one and one half (1.5 stalls per dwelling unit, or two (2) stalls for each unit having three (3) or more 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. Residential uses may utilize every 22 feet of useable lot frontage (excluding driveway entrances) along local roads conforming to the City’s standards as counting toward one (1) stall of required parking. |
| Rooming houses, residence clubs, fraternity and sorority houses | One (1) stall for every two (2) occupants plus an additional four (4) stalls. |
*Tandem parking shall be permissible in the Residential Uses **EV charging station requirements shall be compliant with the most current California Green Building Code, Title 24.
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.02 Parking Spaces Required--Recreational¶
| Type of Recreational Use | Off-Street Parking Stalls Required |
|---|---|
| Theaters and auditoriums with fixed seats | One (1) stall for every four (4) seats, or one (1) stall for each seven (7) feet of bench |
| Auditoriums and exhibit halls without fixed seats | One (1) stall per one hundred (100) gross square feet |
| Dance halls | One (1) stall for each five (5) seats or fifty (50) square feet of dance floor, whichever is greater |
| 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 |
| Golf driving and shooting ranges | One and one-half (1 1/2) stalls per station |
| Commercial swimming pools | One (1) stall per one hundred (100) square feet of pool area |
| Skating rinks and commercial recreation areas | 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 |
| 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 |
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.03 Parking Spaces Required--Institutional¶
| Type of Institutional Use | Off-Street Parking Stalls Required |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | One (1) stall for each three (3) beds, plus one (1) stall per staff doctor, plus one (1) stall for each three (3) employees. |
| 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. |
| Orphanages | One (1) stall for every three (3) employees plus one (1) stall for every ten (10) beds |
| Day care and nursery schools | One (1) stall for each employee, plus an additional two (2) stalls, plus one (1) loading/ |
| Churches and mortuaries | One (1) stall for every four (4) seats or seven (7) linear feet of bench |
| Public, parochial and private elementary schools | One (1) stall for each employee, plus one (1) stall for every four (4) auditorium seats. Plus a bus loading area is required |
| Public, parochial and private high schools | One (1) stall for each employee, plus one (1) stall for each ten (10) students or one (1) stall for each four (4) auditorium seats, whichever is greater. Plus a bus loading area is required. |
| 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 or one (1) stall for each four (4) auditorium seats, whichever is greater. |
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.04 Parking Spaces Required--Office, Medical Or Financial¶
| Type of Office, Medical or Financial Uses | Off-Street Parking Requirements |
|---|---|
| Medical, dental, optometry, or chiropractor 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 |
| 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 |
| All other professional offices | One (1) stall per three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area |
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.05 Parking Spaces Required--Retail/Commercial¶
| Type of Retail/ |
Off-Street Parking Requirements |
|---|---|
| General retail sales, repair and services | One (1) stall per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross floor area |
| Uncovered general retail sales, repair and services | One (1) stall per two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross sales area |
| Retail sales of large appliances, furniture or other similar bulky merchandise | One (1) stall per four hundred (400) 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 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 for each exterior service window |
| Barber and beauty shops | One (1) stall per one hundred (100) 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 four (4) additional stalls, or one (1) stall per employee, whichever is greater |
| Service stations and vehicle repair garages | One (1) stall per four hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area. Plus three (3) additional stalls, or one (1) stall per employee (service bays shall not be counted as part of the required parking) |
| Hotels and motels | One (1) stall for each guest room, plus one (1) stall for each shift employee |
| Bus stations, train depots and other transportation depots | One (1) stall for each employee, plus user parking as determined by the city planner |
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.06 Parking Spaces Required--Industrial¶
| Type of Industrial Use | Off-Street Parking Required |
|---|---|
| Warehouses under ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area | One (1) stall per six hundred (600) square feet of gross floor area or ten (10) stalls per parcel, whichever is less |
| 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 of ten (10) stalls per parcel, whichever is more |
| Wholesale sales (with limited retail) | One (1) stall per six hundred (600) square feet of gross floor area |
| All 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 |
(Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.07 General Off-Street Parking Requirements¶
The parking requirements previously listed are minimum. The planning commission may require additional stalls and off-street parking areas deemed necessary to reduce off-street parking congestion, and improve traffic and pedestrian safety within the city.
111.04.08 Calculations Of Fractions Of Parking Stalls¶
If the calculation for required off-street parking results in a fraction of one-half (1/2) or more of a parking stall, then one (1) parking stall shall be provided. No parking stall is required for fractions of less than one-half (1/2) of a stall. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.09 Parking Ratios For A Combination Of Entities¶
Where there is a combination of uses or entities for any-one (1) facility on a parcel, the total required off=street parking shall be the sum of the required parking spaces for each use or entity. The parking provided for one (1) use may not be used to satisfy the parking requirements for another use on the same site, unless all the following conditions are met:
- Structures on the site clearly can be used only during limited time periods.
- The uses occur during completely difference periods of time.
- The city planner determines there will be no conflicts or safety hazards between the proposed uses.
- A conditional use permit is obtained. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.10 Other Parking Uses¶
The parking ratio shall be determined by the city planner for uses that are not specifically included or are not closely related to other uses included in the parking space requirement schedule. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
The city planner may require additional information, such as a parking analysis, a queuing analysis, a noise analysis, or other relatable information in order to analyze the proposed parking.
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.11 Other Commercial Uses¶
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.
Determining Parking Ratio by Employee Shift. The required minimum number of parking spaces for uses having a parking ratio based upon the number of employees, shall be determined by the employment shift with the greatest number of employees. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
Discretionary Approved projects shall include conditions of approval to prevent project modifications that trigger parking changes such as increasing building square footage, and operational changes such as increasing the number of employees.
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.12 Combined Parking For Separate Lots¶
Every use shall provide the required parking on the same parcel except:
- The owners of adjoining properties may provide parking space in common if said parking area is secured by easement or other sufficient legal document, and provided the total number of parking spaces is equal to the required sum for each individual use or entity.
- Shared easement agreements shall run with the land and shall be reviewed by the City Staff and City Attorney prior to recordation.
- The easement review and recording fees shall be borne by the applicant.
- Any use located within a parking assessment district formed under the provisions of this Code need not provide the required parking as specified in this part. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023
111.04.13 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. All off-street parking facilities, except residential, shall be designed and installed in accordance with Figure 50-1. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.14 Compact Car Parking¶
In commercial or industrial areas, where at least fifteen (15) parking stalls are provided, compact car parking stall may total up to thirty (30) percent of the required off-street parking. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.15 Employee Parking¶
Employee parking stalls shall be designed and located so they are distinct and separate from other parking on the site. Employees shall be prohibited from using off-street parking. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
Figure 50-1. 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” 9’6” 10’0” | 20’0” 20’0” 20’0” | 25’0” 24’0” 24’0” | 20’0” 20’0” 20’0” | 9’0” 9’6” 10’0” | 45’0” 44’0” 44’0” | 65’0” 64’0” 64’0” |
| 60° | 9’0” 9’6” 10’0” | 20’0” 20’0” 20’0” | 19’0” 18’0” 17’0” | 21’10” 22’1” 22’4” | 10’6” 11’0” 11’6” | 40’10” 40’1” 39’4” | 62’8” 62’2” 61’8” |
| 45° | 9’0” 9’6” 10’0” | 20’0” 20’0” 20’0” | 16’0” 15’0” 14’0” | 20’5” 20’10” 21’3” | 12’9” 13’5” 14’2” | 36’5” 35’10” 35’3” | 56’10” 56’8” 56’6” |
| 0° | 20’0” | 8’0” | 12’0” | 8’0” | 22’0” | 20’0” | 28’0” |
| Special Stalls | Stall Width | Stall Depth | One-Way Aisle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Stalls | A | B | C |
| Handicap Stall | 14’0” | 20’0” | Same as Above |
| Small Car Stall | 8’0” | 15’6” | Same as Above |
* 5’0" may be shared with adjacent Handicap Stall
| Angled Parking | 90° Perpendicular Parking |
|---|---|
| Insert diagrams | |
| 0° Parallel Parking | Minimum Turning Radius |
| Insert diagrams | |
| Minimum Two-Way Aisle is 24’ wide | Inside Curve 18’0” |
| Minimum One-Way Aisle is 12’ wide | Outside Curve 28’0” |
111.04.16 Handicap Parking Requirements¶
- Each lot or parking structure where parking is provided for the public as clients, guests, or employees shall provide accessible parking as required by this section. Accessible parking spaces serving a particular building shall be located on the shortest accessible route of travel from adjacent parking to an accessible entrance.
- Number of handicap parking spaces required shall comply with the chart below:
| Total Number of Parking Spaces in Lot or Garage | Minimum Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| 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 – 1,000 | 2% of total |
| 1,001 and over | 20 plus 1 for each 100 or fraction thereof over 1,001 |
- Less than Five (5) Spaces. When less than five (5) parking spaces are provided at buildings and facilities subject to these regulations, one shall be fourteen (14) feet wide and lined to provide a nine (9) foot parking area and a five (5) foot loading and unloading area. When more than one (1) space is provided in lieu of providing a fourteen (14) foot wide space for each parking space, two (2) spaces can be provided within a twenty-three (23) foot wide area lined to provide a nine (9) foot parking area on each side of a five (5) foot loading and unloading access aisle in the center. The minimum length of each parking space shall be eighteen (18) feet. One (1) in every eight (8) accessible spaces, but not less than one (1), shall be served by an access aisle ninety-six (96) inches wide minimum and shall be designated as accessible.
- Medical Care Outpatient Facilities. At facilities providing medical care and other services for persons with mobility impairments, parking spaces shall comply with the table shown above; except
- Outpatient units and facilities: ten (10) percent of the total number of parking spaces provided serving each such outpatient unit or facility;
- Units and facilities that specialize in treatment or services for persons with mobility impairments: twenty (20) percent of the total number of parking spaces provided serving each such unit or facility.
- Identification and Arrangement of Parking Spaces. In each parking area, a bumper or curb shall be provided. Also, the space shall be so located that persons with disability are not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked cars other than their own.
- Each parking space reserved for persons with physical disabilities shall be identified by a reflectorized sign permanently posted immediately adjacent to and visible from each stall or space, consisting of a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on dark blue background. The sign shall not be smaller than seventy (70) square inches in area and, when in the path of travel, shall be posted at a minimum height of eighty (80) inches from the bottom of the sign to the parking space finished grade. Signs may also be centered on the wall at the interior end of the parking space at a minimum height of thirty-six (36) inches from the parking space finished grade, ground or sidewalk. Van spaces shall have an additional sign “van accessible” mounted below the symbol of accessibility.
- An additional sign shall also be posted, in a conspicuous place, at each entrance to off-street parking facilities, or immediately adjacent to and visible from each stall or space. The sign shall be not less than seventeen (17) inches by twenty-two (22) inches in size with lettering not less than one (1) inch in height, which clearly and conspicuously states the following:
Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or license plates issued for persons with disabilities may be towed away at owner’s expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at ______________________________________________ or by telephoning _______________________.
111.04.17 Truck Loading And Unloading Space¶
All retail and wholesale stores, shopping centers, warehouses, supply houses, buildings devoted to manufacturing trade, hotels, hospitals or other buildings where large amounts of goods are received or shipped, shall provide adequate loading and unloading space. The number and minimum dimensions of loading spaces shall be determined by the city planner.
111.04.18 Parking Stall Identification¶
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.
- Each handicap parking stall shall be delineated by blue painted curb and lines, and by outlining a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on blue background. The profile view shall be located so that it is visible when a vehicle is properly parked in the space and shall be thirty-six (36) inches high by thirty-six (36) inches wide.
- Each employee parking stall shall be clearly labeled for “employee only.”
- Each compact car parking stall shall be clearly labeled for “compact car only.”
- Each guest parking stall shall be clearly labeled for “guest parking only.” (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.19 Protective Wheel Stops¶
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 stop shall be placed two (2) feet from the edge of the sidewalks, planters or landscaped areas and from any buildings. Where the sidewalks or landscaped areas are specifically designed for automobile overhang and have thirty (30) inches additional depth then, such protective wheel stops may not be required, as determined by the city planner. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.20 Parking Located Off An Alley¶
All off-street parking, except parking for single-family and duplex residential uses, shall be designed so vehicles do not back out of the parking area into a public street. Utilizing a public alley for back up space is acceptable. For parcels in residential districts which abut both a street (designated on the city general plan land use map as either a “thoroughfare” or a “collector”) and an improved public alley, the vehicular ingress and egress shall be from the alley, and not from the street. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.21 Parking In Required Setback Areas¶
Required off-street parking for any residential use may be located in the required front yard or side yard setback area adjacent to a street. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.22 Parking Area Surfaces¶
All parking areas shall be surfaced with portland cement concrete, asphaltic concrete, brick or cobblestones. These surfaces shall be placed upon a base of crushed rock and asphalt millings, built to a thickness meeting the city engineer’s approval. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.23 Visibility From Parking Lot Drives¶
Each exit and entrance to a parking lot shall be constructed and maintained so that any vehicle entering or leaving the parking lot is clearly visible for a distance of at least ten (10) feet along a walk or footpath intersecting the exit or entrance.
111.04.24 Screening And Landscaping¶
- Except for those which serve single-family or two-family dwellings, all outdoor off-street parking spaces shall be screened on all sides where they adjoin, face or are across the street from a residential zone or developed residential properties. The design of all screening is subject to approval by the city planner.
- Wherever a parking lot is adjacent to a street, a landscaped buffer at least ten (10) feet wide is required. Where the parking lot is adjacent to a side or rear property line or to an alley, a landscaped buffer at least five (5) feet wide is required. The required width of landscaped buffers is exclusive of curbing or allowance for vehicle overhang and is measured from the property line or street or alley right-of-way line.
- All landscaped areas shall be completely enclosed by a six (6) inch continuous concrete curb. At any point where a curb around a landscaped area serves as a wheel stop, a vehicle overhang allowance of two (2) feet including the width of the curb shall be added to the landscaped area.
- All portions of the parking area not used for automobile maneuvering and parking or for pedestrian walkways shall be landscaped.
- All landscaped areas shall be provided with complete irrigation facilities.
- At least five (5) percent of the interior of all parking areas shall be landscaped. In order to be included in this calculation, all landscaped areas must be at least five (5) feet wide in any dimension, exclusive of curbing and vehicle overhang allowances. Landscaped areas separating side by side parking spaces shall be a minimum of three (3) feet wide exclusive of curbs.
- Ranks of fifteen (15) or more parking spaces shall be interrupted by a landscaped area at least three (3) feet wide exclusive of curbs. This landscaped area shall occur at intervals no greater than ten (10) spaces.
- Drought resistant trees and native desert landscaping shall be a major design feature in all parking lots. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.25 Nonconforming Parking¶
Any building or entity whose parking area becomes substandard by the adoption of this part, providing that it was lawful prior thereto, shall be considered a nonconforming use. Such nonconforming use may continue. However, approval of the expansion of an on-site building or use, or change of use, which is served by a nonconforming parking lot, will be subject to the applicant providing the required additional parking stalls and areas or said expansion (building or use), or change of use, as stipulated in this part. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
111.04.26 Additional Requirements¶
The planning commission may make additional requirements in connection with off-street parking areas to protect the character of property in the city. Such regulations may include, but not be limited to, adequate screening by a fence or wall, landscaping or provisions for suitable surfacing and lighting. (Ord. No. 427-AC)
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