1 Parsley, Jennifer
From: McBride, Scott
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 8:56 AM
To: Parsley, Jennifer
Subject: Council Member Harris info
Parking Structures and Setbacks
20.38.030 Development Standards for Residential Zoning Districts
Table 20.08-1A – Front Yard Setback minimums to a garage is 18 feet, need to consider adding a carport front yard setback and setting a reasonable distance. Accessory Structures, like a carport, are required to meet the same setbacks as the primary unit.
2 d. Parking Standards. Parking shall be provided and developed in compliance with Chapter
20.38 (Parking and Loading).
3 i. Within the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, required oƯ-street parking spaces may not be located within any required exterior setback area, except for required parking spaces for accessory dwelling units on the property.
ii. Within the R-3 and R-4 zoning districts, oƯ-street parking spaces may be located within required exterior setback areas if the total oƯ-street parking requirement exceeds four (4) spaces.
When the required oƯ-street parking for a single-family or duplex home in any residential zoning district is provided outside of a covered garage or carport, each parking space shall be located and designed so that it may later be covered by a garage or carport structure.
Chapter 20.28 Accessory Structures
Carports are defined as an accessory building, 20.28.020 A 4.
Accessory buildings and uses customarily appurtenant to a permitted use, such as garages, carport, oƯ- street parking areas, personal storage buildings, fences, etc.
Need to create a new setback for Carport on Table 20.28-1, currently they are the same as the primary structure.
May also want to reduce the height from 35 feet to something lower and changing the setback for an accessory structure exceeding 120 sf from 5 to 3 feet – carport only, footnote 1.
4 Needs to be noted that a Parking Structure is not a required parking space under 20.38.010, it’s in addition to the required parking.
Need to also establish that these additional parking areas still need to meet the Design Standards under 20.38.070.
5 Scott McBride
City Manager
City of Merced | 678 W. 18th Street | Merced, CA 95340 (209) 385-6818 | (209) 564-0613 cell
[email protected] | www.cityofmerced.gov