Off-Street Parking Requirements for the Neighborhood General 2 (NG-2) District in Grass Valley
In the Neighborhood General 2 (NG-2) district of the City of Grass Valley, residential projects require one off-street parking space per dwelling unit, or 0.5 spaces for studio units. Parking facilities must adhere to strict location standards, including a 20-foot front setback and a maximum parking drive width of 12 feet, while allowed non-residential uses default to the City’s general parking ratios.
The Neighborhood General 2 (NG-2) district is a "Traditional Community Development Zone" intended to protect the unique character of existing historic neighborhoods in the City of Grass Valley [Section 17.21.030.E]. Because this district prioritizes the traditional neighborhood fabric, parking standards are specifically tailored to minimize the visual impact of vehicles on the streetscape.
NG-2 Specific Parking Ratios
The City of Grass Valley Development Code provides specific parking ratios for residential uses within the NG-2 district. For non-residential uses that may be permitted in this zone (such as neighborhood markets or meeting facilities), the code refers to the general requirements found in the citywide parking table [Section 17.36.040.B].
| Use Category | Required Off-Street Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Residential Uses | 1 space per unit |
| Studio Units | 0.5 space per unit |
| Neighborhood Market (Allowed via UP) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of floor area [Table 3-3] |
| Meeting Facility (Allowed via UP) | 1 space per 100 sq. ft. [Table 3-3] |
| Library or Museum (Permitted) | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. [Table 3-3] |
Parking Location and Setbacks
In the NG-2 district, the placement of parking is regulated to ensure it does not dominate the front of the property. All distances are measured from the property line [Section 17.21.080].
| Boundary Type | Minimum Parking Setback |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 20 feet |
| Side Setback | 0 feet |
| Side Street Setback | 5 feet |
| Rear Setback | 5 feet |
Design and Access Standards
Projects within the NG-2 district must comply with the following access and design regulations to maintain the City of Grass Valley’s traditional aesthetic:
- Driveway Width: The maximum width for a parking drive is 12 feet, unless a different width is required by the Fire Department [Section 17.21.080].
- Shared Access: The City of Grass Valley encourages the use of shared drives between adjacent lots to minimize the number of curb cuts along the street [Section 17.21.080].
- Tandem Parking: The use of tandem parking (where one space is located directly behind another) is generally prohibited for the purpose of satisfying off-street parking requirements in the City of Grass Valley [Section 17.36.090.I].
- Surfacing: All parking areas and maneuvering aisles must be surfaced with at least two inches of asphaltic concrete or three and one-half inches of Portland cement concrete [Section 17.36.090.H.2].
Parking Substitutions and Credits
The City of Grass Valley allows developers to reduce the number of required vehicle spaces by providing alternative transportation facilities:
- Bicycle Substitution: A project may substitute bicycle spaces for vehicle spaces at a rate of eight bicycle spaces for one vehicle space. This substitution cannot exceed 10% of the total required vehicle parking and is subject to Development Review Committee (DRC) approval [Section 17.36.060].
- Motorcycle Substitution: For every 25 auto spaces required, a project may substitute motorcycle spaces for one vehicle space, up to a maximum of 10% of the total requirement [Section 17.36.070].
Sections Cited
- Section 17.21.030 - Purposes of the traditional community development zones.
- Section 17.21.080 - Neighborhood general 2 (NG-2) standards.
- Section 17.36.040 - Number of parking spaces required.
- Section 17.36.060 - Bicycle parking.
- Section 17.36.070 - Motorcycle parking.
- Section 17.36.090 - Parking design and development standards.