Big Bear Lake Parking Requirements and Standards
In Big Bear Lake, residential parking requires 2 spaces for single-family homes and 1 to 3 spaces per unit for multi-family dwellings. Commercial requirements vary by use, such as 1 space per 100 sq. ft. for restaurants and 1 per 250 sq. ft. for retail. Most lots must allocate 5% of their area for snow storage and provide 1 tree for every 6 parking spaces.
The City of Big Bear Lake maintains specific parking requirements for commercial, public, and residential zones to ensure adequate off-street parking, safety, and accessibility. These regulations apply to all new construction, established uses, building enlargements, or changes in occupancy that increase parking demand [§ 17.35.070.A.1, § 17.25.070.A.1].
Commercial and Public Zone Requirements
Parking requirements for commercial and public uses are calculated based on the gross floor area (GFA) or specific units of measure (e.g., seats, guest rooms).
Common Commercial Parking Ratios
| Use Category | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Retail (General) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
| Grocery Stores | 1 space per 150 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant | 1 space per 100 sq. ft. GFA |
| Fast Food | 1 space per 85 sq. ft. GFA (minimum 10 spaces) |
| General Office | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical/Dental Office | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
| Hotel | 1 space per guest room + additional for restaurant/banquet areas |
| Furniture/Appliance Store | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
| Barber/Beauty Shop | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
Source: Table 17.35.070.A
Off-Site and Shared Parking
- Off-Site Parking: The reviewing authority may approve off-site parking if it is located within 300 feet of the use, has continuous pedestrian access, and provides directional signage. No more than 50% of required parking may be off-site unless existing structures make on-site parking impossible. Disabled parking must remain on-site [§ 17.35.070.A.2].
- Shared Parking: A shared parking plan may be approved based on a study by a qualified traffic engineer. A written, recorded agreement between all parties is required to ensure continued availability [§ 17.35.070.A.4].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential requirements vary by the scale of the development and the specific type of housing.
Single-Family and Small Multi-Family
- Single-Family Detached: Minimum of two spaces per dwelling unit. Tandem parking is permitted. At least one covered space must be maintained if it already exists [§ 17.25.070.B.1-2].
- Two to Five Family Dwellings: Two spaces per dwelling unit, one of which must be covered [§ 17.25.070.C.1].
- Vacation Rentals: One parking space per bedroom, provided in a garage, legal driveway, or designated parking space [§ 17.25.070.E.3].
Large-Scale Multi-Family (6+ Units)
Parking is required based on the number of bedrooms per unit [§ 17.25.070.D.1]:
- Studio/1-Bedroom: 1 space.
- 2 or 3-Bedrooms: 2 spaces.
- 4+ Bedrooms: 3 spaces.
- Guest Parking: Two spaces for every four units (up to 12 units), with decreasing ratios for larger projects [§ 17.25.070.D.2].
- Coverage: At least 50% of total parking spaces must be covered [§ 17.25.070.D.3].
Design and Construction Standards
All parking areas must meet specific dimensions and engineering standards to ensure functionality and durability.
Space and Aisle Dimensions
- Standard Stall (Head-in/Diagonal): 9 feet wide by 19 feet long [§ 17.35.070.B.4].
- Parallel Stall: 10 feet wide by 24 feet long [§ 17.35.070.B.4].
- Two-Way Drive Aisles: Minimum 24 feet wide (minimum 20 feet in specific cases) [§ 17.35.070.B.3].
- One-Way Drive Aisles: Varies by angle (e.g., 12 feet for 30°, 18 feet for 60°, 24 feet for 90°) [§ 17.35.070.B.3].
Construction and Grading
- Surfacing: Parking lots, loading spaces, and driveways must generally consist of 3 inches of asphalt over 4 inches of aggregate base [§ 17.35.070.B.7].
- Grades: Maximum grade for parking lots is 5%. Maximum grade for driveways serving parking lots is 10% [§ 17.35.070.B.9]. Residential driveways for single-family homes may reach 14% with approval [§ 17.25.070.B.8].
Landscaping and Snow Storage
- Landscaping: For lots with six or more spaces, at least 5% of the parking area must be landscaped. Trees must be provided at a ratio of one tree per six parking spaces [§ 17.35.070.B.12-14].
- Snow Storage: An area equal to at least 5% of all uncovered parking and driveway areas must be provided on-site for snow storage. These areas must be at least 10 feet in their smallest dimension and remain unpaved and clear of obstructions [§ 17.35.070.A.16].
Special Event Parking (Village Specific Plan)
Events within the Village Specific Plan area must implement an approved parking plan. If the Bartlett Parking Lot is closed for an event, replacement spaces must be provided:
- Bartlett C Closure: 139 replacement spaces required.
- Bartlett D Closure: 277 replacement spaces required.
- Attendee Parking: 1 space for every 2 anticipated attendees [§ 17.13.070.D.1].