Residential Parking Requirements in Concord
Residential parking in the City of Concord is regulated based on unit type, bedroom count, and specific residential district classifications. For most new residential projects, developers must provide at least two covered parking spaces per housing unit, with additional guest parking requirements depending on the development type, such as multifamily, mobile home parks, or emergency shelters.
Minimum Parking Requirements by Land Use
The City of Concord requires specific off-street parking ratios for various residential land uses as established in the Concord Development Code.
| Land Use Type | Parking Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| Single-Family (Existing) | 2 spaces, at least 1 covered; none within required front yard setback |
| Single-Family (New, ≤ 4 bedrooms) | At least 2 enclosed garage spaces (may be tandem) |
| Single-Family (New, 5–6 bedrooms) | 3 spaces, at least 2 enclosed garage spaces |
| Single-Family (New, > 6 bedrooms) | 4 spaces, at least 3 enclosed garage spaces |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | As required by [Section 18.200.180] |
| Duplex (Studio or 1 BR) | 1.5 spaces per unit |
| Duplex (2–4 BR) | 2 spaces per unit (additional 0.5 space/BR for 4–5+ bedrooms) |
| Multifamily (Studio) | 1 space per unit |
| Multifamily (1 BR) | 1.5 spaces per unit |
| Multifamily (2–3 BR) | 2 spaces per unit (additional 0.5 space/BR for 4+ bedrooms) |
| Multifamily (Guest) | 1 guest space per 3 units |
| Emergency/Homeless Shelter | 1 space per employee at maximum shift |
| Group Housing | 1 space per bedroom |
| Mobile Home Park | 2 spaces per unit (1 covered) |
| Live/Work Unit | 2 spaces per unit plus 1 guest space per 3 units |
Note: For all residential unit types, every unit must have at least one dedicated covered space [Section 18.160.040].
Adjustments and Exceptions
The City of Concord allows for adjustments to the standard parking requirements under specific conditions:
- Transit Station Overlay District: For nonresidential uses within one-half mile of a BART station, parking requirements may be reduced by 25 percent [Section 18.160.050].
- Senior or Special Needs Housing: The review authority may reduce parking requirements for senior or special needs housing projects based on quantified information provided by the applicant [Section 18.160.050].
- Tandem Parking: For residential development, required parking spaces for an individual dwelling unit may be in tandem. Tandem spaces are permitted for up to 50 percent of any single-family development and up to 25 percent of any other residential development [Section 18.160.080].
- ADU Parking Exemptions: Parking for an accessory dwelling unit is not required if the unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, is part of a designated historic district, is part of the existing principal dwelling, is in an area requiring on-street parking permits, or has a car share vehicle site located within one block [Section 18.200.180].
General Design Standards
All residential parking facilities in the City of Concord must adhere to the following design standards:
- Location: Parking must be located on the same site as the residential dwelling served and cannot be placed in a required front or street-facing side yard, except within an enclosed garage that complies with established setbacks [Section 18.160.080].
- Clearance: A minimum unobstructed structural clearance height of 14 feet must be maintained in all parking areas within multifamily residential uses [Section 18.160.110].
- Maintenance: All parking spaces and loading areas must be permanently available, marked, and maintained for their intended use [Section 18.160.030].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.160.030 (General)
- Section 18.160.040 (Parking requirements)
- Section 18.160.050 (Adjustments to parking requirements)
- Section 18.160.080 (Garage and carport design and location requirements)
- Section 18.160.110 (Driveways and site access)
- Section 18.200.180 (Accessory dwelling units)