Off-Street Parking Standards for the RE: Residential Estate District
In the RE: Residential Estate district of the City of Grass Valley, single-family dwellings are required to provide a minimum of two off-street parking spaces, at least one of which must be covered. For non-residential activities permitted in the City of Grass Valley’s RE district, such as bed and breakfast inns or day care centers, parking is calculated based on specific use metrics, such as the number of guest rooms or employees. All residential parking in the RE district must be located on the same parcel as the use it serves and must comply with specific setback and surfacing regulations [Section 17.22.040, Section 17.36.040, and Section 17.36.090].
Residential Parking Ratios
The RE: Residential Estate district primarily accommodates single-family dwellings on large lots. The City of Grass Valley mandates the following parking ratios for residential uses within this district:
| Residential Use Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Single Dwelling (Primary) | 2 spaces, at least 1 of which must be covered [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Single Dwelling Enlargement (up to 1,200 sf) | No additional parking required [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Single Dwelling Enlargement (1,201–1,800 sf) | 2 spaces, at least 1 covered [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | 1 space per unit; may be tandem or located in setbacks. No parking is required if the ADU is within 0.5 miles of public transit or the City’s Historical District [Section 17.44.190]. |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space for each 2 residential units, plus 1 space for each 4 units for guests and employees [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
Non-Residential and "Commercial" Ratios in RE
While the RE: Residential Estate district is primarily residential, the City of Grass Valley allows certain agricultural, recreational, and service-oriented uses. These activities must meet the following off-street parking requirements:
| Non-Residential Use Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&B) | 1 space for each guest room, plus 2 spaces for the manager or owner [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Child Day Care (Large Family) | 3 spaces minimum (may include spaces provided for the primary residential use) [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Child/Adult Day Care Center | 1 space for each employee, plus 1 space for each 10 children [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Equestrian Facilities | 1 space for each 5 horses boarded [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Golf Courses | 4 spaces per hole, plus additional spaces required for accessory uses (restaurants, pro shops, etc.) [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
| Crop Production / Agriculture | 1 space for each 500 sf of floor or ground area devoted to the use (excluding office areas) [Section 17.36.040, Table 3-3]. |
Parking Design and Location Standards
The City of Grass Valley enforces specific design criteria for all off-street parking provided in the RE: Residential Estate district to ensure safety and aesthetic compatibility.
Location and Setbacks
- On-Site Requirement: All required residential parking must be located on the same parcel as the residence it serves [Section 17.36.090.C.1].
- Setback Restrictions: Non-residential parking may not be located within a required front setback. However, parking is permitted within a required side or rear setback if it is separated from the property line by a minimum five-foot-wide landscaped area [Section 17.36.090.C.3].
- Garages: In the RE district, the front of a garage must be set back at least 5 feet from the street-facing facade of the primary structure [Section 17.22.040, Table 2-8].
Surfacing and Dimensions
- Dimensions: A standard parking space must be a minimum of 9 feet wide by 18 feet long [Section 17.36.090.D, Table 3-4].
- Surfacing: Within the RE: Residential Estate district, driveways for single dwellings may be constructed with asphalt, concrete, or "other all-weather surfacing" as determined appropriate by the City Engineer [Section 17.36.100.D.2].
- Paving Limits: For single dwellings, paving is limited to no more than 50% of the front or street-side setback areas to prevent excessive impervious surfaces [Section 17.34.040.F.1].
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking
The City of Grass Valley allows the storage of RVs and boats in the RE district provided they are located entirely within the property boundaries and do not extend into the public right-of-way. Storage is defined as any parking lasting longer than 72 hours [Section 17.36.030.D.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 17.22.040 - Residential zone site planning and building standards
- Section 17.34.040 - Landscaping standards
- Section 17.36.030 - General parking regulations
- 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 17.44.190 - Accessory dwelling units (ADU)