Grass Valley R-1 Single-Family Residential District Off-Street Parking Standards
Projects within the R-1: Single-Family Residential district of the City of Grass Valley primarily require two off-street parking spaces per single-family dwelling, at least one of which must be covered. For non-residential uses allowed in the R-1 district, such as schools or day care centers, parking is calculated based on employee counts and student/child capacity. The City of Grass Valley generally prohibits parking within the required front setback, though exceptions exist for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Residential Parking Requirements in the R-1 District
In the City of Grass Valley R-1: Single-Family Residential district, the number of required parking spaces for residential uses depends on the specific type of dwelling and, in the case of expansions, the total floor area added to the structure. Single-family homes are mandated to provide at least one covered space (typically a garage or carport) to ensure permanent sheltering of vehicles [Section 17.44.210].
Residential Parking Space Ratios
| Use Type | Required Off-Street Spaces |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces, at least 1 must be covered [Table 3-3] |
| Dwelling Enlargement (0–1,200 sf) | No additional parking required [Table 3-3] |
| Dwelling Enlargement (1,201–1,800 sf) | 2 spaces, at least 1 covered [Table 3-3] |
| Dwelling Enlargement (1,801+ sf) | 2 covered spaces [Table 3-3] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) - Studio/1-Bed | 1 accessible space [Table 3-3] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) - 2+ Bedrooms | 2 spaces (may be tandem) [Table 3-3] |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space per 2 units, plus 1 space per 4 units for guests/staff [Table 3-3] |
Specific ADU Exemptions
Within the City of Grass Valley R-1 district, additional parking for an ADU is not required if the unit is located within one-half mile of public transit, located within the City's Historical District, or is part of an existing primary residence or accessory structure [Table 3-3].
Non-Residential and Public Use Parking Requirements
While the R-1: Single-Family Residential district is intended for single dwellings, the City of Grass Valley permits certain public and quasi-public uses that carry specific parking burdens. These requirements are often based on "peak load" factors such as the number of employees on the largest shift or the capacity of assembly areas.
| Use Type | Required Off-Street Spaces |
|---|---|
| Child/Adult Day Care Center | 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 10 children [Table 3-3] |
| Large Family Day Care Home | 3 spaces minimum (includes residential requirement) [Table 3-3] |
| Elementary/Middle Schools | 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 10 students [Table 3-3] |
| High Schools | 1 space per employee, plus 1 space per 10 students [Table 3-3] |
| Meeting Facility / Place of Assembly | 1 space per 4 seats or 1 per 100 sf of assembly area [Table 3-3] |
| Medical Services (Extended Care) | 1 space per 3 beds or patients licensed [Table 3-3] |
| Golf Courses | 4 spaces per hole, plus requirements for accessory uses [Table 3-3] |
Design and Development Standards for the R-1 District
All parking facilities in the City of Grass Valley R-1 district must be designed to meet the safety and aesthetic standards of the community. This includes specific mandates for the size of spaces, the width of driveways, and the location of parking areas relative to property lines.
Space and Driveway Dimensions
The City of Grass Valley requires standard parking spaces to be a minimum of 9 feet wide by 18 feet deep [Table 3-4]. Within the R-1 district, the maximum width for a parking drive is limited to 12 feet [Table 2-8].
Location and Setbacks
- Front Setbacks: Off-street parking is generally prohibited within the required front setback of the R-1: Single-Family Residential district [Section 17.36.090.C].
- Side and Rear Setbacks: Parking may be located within a side or rear setback provided it is separated from the property line by a minimum five-foot-wide landscaped area [Section 17.36.090.C].
- Garage Placement: Garages must be set back at least five feet from the street-facing facade of the primary residential structure [Table 2-8].
Surfacing and Maintenance
All parking areas and driveways in the City of Grass Valley must be paved and permanently maintained with asphalt, concrete, or approved paving units. In some cases, the City Engineer may approve other all-weather surfacing for single dwellings, provided it does not impair accessibility for emergency vehicles [Section 17.36.100.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 17.22.020 - Purposes of the residential zones.
- Section 17.22.040 - Residential zone site planning and building standards.
- Section 17.36.040 - Number of parking spaces required.
- Section 17.36.090 - Parking design and development standards.
- Section 17.36.100 - Driveways and site access.
- Section 17.44.210 - Single dwellings.
- Table 2-7 - Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones.
- Table 2-8 - RE, R-1, and R-2 Zone Development Standards.
- Table 3-3 - Parking Requirements by Land Use.
- Table 3-4 - Minimum Standard Parking Space Configuration.