1 Design
Standards
for Parklets
City of San Clemente
October 1, 2026 – January 1, 2029
Parklet Standards
2 Standard Parklet Site PlansThe standard plans for angle-in and parallel parking configurations are attached as the final pages of these standards. All parklets are required to build their space to the specifications of these designs. Any deviations from these standards will require a public hearing with the Planning Commission.
DimensionsAngle-In Parking Spaces (i.e., Avenida Del Mar)• Parklets shall occupy a maximum of a portion of 3 angle-in parking spaces. See Site Plan for specifications. • The parklet dining deck area shall be no wider than 2 parking spaces. Dimensions of the parklet and parking spaces shall be called out on the plans. The residual area of the occupied parking spaces shall be dedicated to e-bike or golf cart parking. • No more than five consecutive spaces may be occupied by parklets on Avenida Del Mar, when two parklets are immediately adjacent to each other. The adjacent businesses shall share a common barrier in the middle and shall still provide bike parking and golf parking on both ends. • The outdoor dining deck shall be directly in front of the business associated with the Parklet and shall not obstruct the frontage of another business.
• Parklets shall not encroach into and interfere with use of adjoining sidewalk.• All parklets shall be designed to allow egress from vehicles that park in adjacent stalls. This is at least 2-feet in all areas except for the rear corners adjacent to the sidewalk. See Site Plan for specifications. • The business is responsible for maintaining a 3-foot “buffer zone” between the street and the dining deck for planters that are to provide traffic protection.
• There shall be a minimum of 3 inches of clear space below and around the dining deck. To accommodate parklet cleaning, there shall be a baseboard that is removeable or a baseboard that incorporates a hidden hinge. • The deck surface may be a maximum of 12 inches above the ground. If necessary, decks may be stepped to follow the slope of the street to maintain this height limit.
Parallel Parking Spaces (i.e., Avenida Victoria)
• Parklets shall occupy a maximum of 2 parking spaces. The parklets shall be squared-off on both sides. Dimensions of the parklet and parking spaces shall be called out on the plans. See Site Plan for specifications. • No more than four consecutive spaces may be occupied by parklets on streets with parallel parking, when two parklets are immediately adjacent to each other.
• The outdoor dining deck shall be directly in front of the business associated with the Parklet and shall not obstruct the frontage of another business.
• Parklets shall not encroach into and interfere with use of adjoining sidewalk. • All parklets shall be designed to allow egress from vehicles that park in adjacent stalls. This is at least 2-feet in all areas except for the rear corners adjacent to the sidewalk. See Site Plan for specifications. • The business is responsible for maintaining a 3-foot “buffer zone” between the street and the dining deck for planters that are to provide traffic protection.
• There shall be a minimum of 3 inches of clear space below the dining deck. To accommodate parklet cleaning, there shall be a baseboard that is removeable or a baseboard that incorporates a hidden hinge. • The deck surface may be a maximum of 12 inches above the ground. If necessary, decks may be stepped to follow the slope of the street to maintain this height limit.
Parklets on Private Property
Parklets may be established on private property throughout the City in areas that do not obstruct required paths of travel anddo not remove more than 2 parking spaces. Parklets on private property shall be subject to the design and standards requiredfor parklets along Avenida Del Mar.
Buffer Zone
Parklets shall provide a three (3) foot buffer zone between the public street and the Parklet. The 3-footbuffer zone shall be occupied by concrete planters as specified in the Limited Term Parking Relief Agreement. Planters must be spaced a minimum of 5 ft. on center, or a minimum of 4 for each Parklet. Plants shall be California Native and drought tolerant or succulents, where they must be kept in a healthy condition and arethe responsibility of the business owner. These plants shall, when considered fully grown, be no taller than 18-inches above the planter. See Plant Palette for additional information. Examples of Plants Figure 1: Example of planter
Parklet Design & Aesthetics
Design GoalThe City desires to establish a complimentary parklet design that creates a cohesive street scene. The street-facing portionswill require a consistent design that provides a clear delineation from traffic. The decks on Del Mar and other public areas willbe built to the standard configuration referenced in this document. Design, Materials, and Accessories The following design standards were prepared in cooperation with the San Clemente Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC).
These standards are to improve the design and aesthetics of parklets which intend to:
Reduce visual clutter. Create a standardized street interface. Improve safety and visibility. Create a standardized parklet design.
Encourage low maintenance furniture, plants, and accessories. Encourage dark sky friendly illumination. 5 Approved Barrier Materials
The 3-side perimeter barrier shall be constructed with Cedar or Douglas Fir stained-wood with horizontal metal cable, see Figure 2. The height of the barrier shall be 36-inches. Spacing shall be 4-inches between non-structural portions of the barrier, including cables, so that police and visitors may maintainvisibility into the areas behind the parklets.Furniture Outdoor dining areas shall use simple patio furniture
designs of high-quality materials. All furniture shall utilize a natural color palette consisting of either dark brown or black. Plastic or vinyl furniture is prohibited. 6 Figure 2: Example of Perimeter Barriers with Hex Color Code for Deck Stain Figure 3: Example of Furniture
#6A5143
Figure 4: Example of
Solar perimeter lighting and lighting within an umbrella . 7 LightingLighting shall be down-ward facing and placed along barrier fencing or incorporated into umbrellas. Lights and fixtures must be concealed from public right-of-way view by barrier railings and umbrellas. Overhead lighting is not permitted. All lighting shall be white with a temperature rating of 3500k (warm white). Lighting shall be set on a timer, or manually controlled, to shut off after business hours. Parklets shall use solar or battery powered lighting. Cords across the public sidewalk are prohibited. Bike RackParklet operators shall incorporate a bike rack made of black powder-coated tubular steel or wrought iron within the residual parking space area.
Figure 5: Examples of Bike Racks
Figure 6: Sample market umbrella
and heaters.
Shade and heatParklets may provide umbrellas up to 7 ft. in height when measured from the top of the deck. Umbrellas shall be earthtone colors of green, blue, white, or red. Parklets may provideheaters up to 5 ft. in height when measured from the top of the deck. Propane shall be kept within the internal boundaries of the parklet, and not visible from the street or sidewalk. 8 Prohibited Elements
Pop-up tents
Overhead elements Lattice (wood or plastic) Plastic or vinyl fences, trellises, or furniture Excessive decoration Elevated string lighting Tall walls, plants or other accessories over 5-feet in height Banner signs Any other items exceeding the height of the barrier railing Storage of any items not in current use as part of the approved parklet operations.
Standard Parklet Site Plans
APPROVALS ARE TEMPORARY
10 Once a parklet following the above standards is approved, subject to a Limited Term Parking Relief Agreement and construction is completed, contact the Planning Division to schedule a finalinspection. If at any time during the Term, the City has need of access to the area under the established parklet, the Business shall be responsible for removing the parklet in whole or in part as directed by the City Public Works Director or designee in order to facilitate emergency work. If the Business is unable to remove the parklet within the time indicated by Public Works, then the City shall have the right to remove the parklet to the extent necessary to perform the work. Atthe conclusion of the lease term, referenced in the Limited Term Parking Relief Agreement,parklets must be removed at the sole expense of the Parklet operator, and the parking andsidewalk areas must be restored to their original condition.