Grass Valley C-2 Central Business District Off-Street Parking Standards
In the City of Grass Valley C-2: Central Business District, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific land use of a project, though nonresidential developments within the downtown area may utilize in-lieu fee payments to satisfy these obligations. Residential projects in the C-2: Central Business District generally require between one and two covered spaces per unit plus additional guest parking, while commercial ratios typically range from one space per 60 square feet of dining area for restaurants to one space per 250 square feet for general retail and office uses.
General Applicability and Compliance
All land uses and structures within the C-2: Central Business District of Grass Valley must provide suitable off-street parking and loading facilities in compliance with the city's standards [Section 17.36.020]. These improvements must be completed and approved by the Community Development Director before a land use can commence or a structure can be occupied [Section 17.36.020.B].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential components of projects in the C-2: Central Business District, such as mixed-use developments or multi-unit housing, are subject to specific unit-based ratios.
Table: Residential Parking Ratios for the C-2 District
| Residential Use Type | Required Vehicle Spaces |
|---|---|
| Multi-unit Housing: Studio & 1-Bedroom | 1 covered space per unit, plus 1 space for each 5 units for guest parking |
| Multi-unit Housing: 2-Bedroom & Larger | 2 covered spaces per unit, plus 1 space for each 5 units for guest parking |
| Live/Work Unit (Residential Portion) | 2 spaces per unit |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space for each 2 residential units, plus 1 space for each 4 units for guests and employees |
[Table 3-3, Section 17.36.040]
Commercial and Industrial Parking Requirements
Nonresidential projects in the C-2: Central Business District must provide parking based on the gross interior leasable floor area (sf) or specific functional markers (such as seats or lanes).
Table: Nonresidential Parking Ratios for the C-2 District
| Land Use Type | Required Vehicle Spaces |
|---|---|
| General Retail Trade | 1 space for each 250 sf of floor area, plus 1 space for each 300 sf of outdoor sales area |
| Office (Business, Service, or Government) | 1 space for each 250 sf of floor area |
| Restaurant, Café, Coffee Shop | 1 space for each 60 sf of dining area |
| Banks and Financial Services | 1 space for each 200 sf of floor area, plus 4 tandem stacking spaces for each drive-up window |
| Medical Services: Clinic or Doctor Office | 1 space for each 250 sf of floor area or 4 spaces for each doctor (whichever is greater) |
| Bar, Night Club, or Tavern | 1 space for each 4 seats, or 1 space for each 200 sf of floor area (whichever is greater) |
| Health/Fitness Facility | 1 space for each 200 sf |
| Hotel or Motel | 1 space for each unit, plus 2 spaces for the manager, plus required spaces for accessory uses |
[Table 3-3, Section 17.36.040]
Special Provisions for the Downtown Area
Because the C-2: Central Business District is part of the Grass Valley downtown area and environs, certain specialized provisions apply to nonresidential projects.
Parking In-Lieu Fees
For the alteration or construction of nonresidential structures in the C-2: Central Business District, the developer may pay an in-lieu fee to the City of Grass Valley instead of providing the required off-street parking spaces on-site [Section 17.36.120.A]. The council establishes the value of these facilities; the base in-lieu fee was established at $2,000 per required parking space, intended to fund the future acquisition and development of municipal parking facilities [Section 17.36.120.C].
Shared and Off-Site Parking
In the C-2: Central Business District, the Review Authority may allow for shared or off-site parking under specific conditions:
- Shared On-Site Parking: If two or more uses have distinct peak usage periods (e.g., a theater and a bank), a Minor Use Permit may reduce the total requirement by up to 20%. A full Use Permit may allow a reduction of 20% or more [Section 17.36.080.A].
- Off-Site Location: With a Minor Use Permit, the Director may allow required parking to be located within 300 feet of the parcel if shared or public parking facilities are utilized [Section 17.36.040.C.2.b].
Parking Space Dimensions
All standard parking spaces provided within the City of Grass Valley must meet minimum size requirements to ensure functionality.
Table: Standard Parking Space Dimensions
| Configuration | Space Width | Space Depth | Aisle Width (One-Way) | Aisle Width (Two-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (90°) | 9 ft. | 18 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. |
| Parallel | 9 ft. | 9 ft. (Length: 22 ft.) | 12 ft. | 24 ft. |
| Compact (90°) | 8 ft. | 16 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. |
[Table 3-5, Table 3-7]
Sections Cited
- Section 17.24.020 - Purposes of commercial and industrial zones
- Section 17.36.020 - Applicability
- Section 17.36.040 - Number of parking spaces required
- Section 17.36.080 - Reduction of parking requirements
- Section 17.36.120 - Parking in-lieu fees
- Table 3-3 - Parking Requirements by Land Use
- Table 3-5 - Standard Vehicle Space Requirements
- Table 3-7 - Compact Vehicle Space Requirements