Parking Requirements for Retail Uses in Concord
For most general retail uses in the City of Concord, the required off-street parking ratio is one parking space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area. Certain specific retail types, such as restaurants, bars, or nursery and garden centers, are subject to different parking standards based on their unique operational characteristics and floor area or display configurations.
General Retail Parking Standards
The City of Concord requires off-street parking for "Retail, General" uses—including antique or collectible stores, food and beverage sales, personal services, and shopping centers—at a ratio of one parking space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area [Section 18.160.040, Table 18.160.040].
Specific Retail-Related Parking Ratios
The following table outlines parking requirements for various retail and retail-related land uses within the City of Concord:
| Land Use Type | Parking Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| Retail, General (Antique, Food/Bev, Personal Services, Shopping Center) | 1 space per 250 sf gross floor area |
| Restaurants and Bars (All) | 1 space per 100 sf gross floor area |
| Nurseries and Garden Centers | 1 space per 250 sf gross floor area; AND 1 space per 600 sf outside display or sales area |
| Building Materials Sales and Services | 1 space per 400 sf gross floor area (up to 10,000 sf); 1 space per 1,000 sf (over 10,000 sf); AND 1 space per 500 sf of outdoor storage/display |
Calculation Rules and General Standards
The City of Concord parking requirements are subject to the following calculation and application rules:
- Fractional Spaces: If the calculation results in a fractional number, one parking space is required for any fraction of one-half or more. No additional space is required for fractions less than one-half [Section 18.160.040].
- Gross Floor Area: When parking requirements are based on floor area, "gross floor area" includes all shared halls, lobby areas, restrooms, elevators, and stairs [Section 18.160.040].
- Excessive Parking: Parking standards in the City of Concord are both minimums and maximums. Parking exceeding these requirements may only be approved via a minor exception (up to 10%) or a use permit [Section 18.160.040].
- Multi-Tenant Sites: Comprehensive shopping centers provide parking based on the ratio for the center as a whole, rather than calculating each individual tenant use separately [Section 18.160.040].
- Adjustments: Reductions to required parking may be available for projects located within one-half mile of a BART station, for senior or special needs housing, or through shared parking agreements approved by the City of Concord planning division [Section 18.160.050].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.160.040 (Parking requirements)
- Section 18.160.050 (Adjustments to parking requirements)