Correspondence.pdf
101 Pacifica | Suite 300 | Irvine, CA 92618 | (949) 308-6300 | Fax (949) 859-3209
www.fehrandpeers.com
Draft Memorandum
Date: October 18, 2021
To: Rafael Cobian, PE, City of Anaheim Traffic Engineer
CC: Ted White, City of Anaheim, Director of Planning & Building Department
Niki Wetzel, City of Anaheim, Deputy Director of Planning & Building Department
From: Spencer Reed, PE
Subject: City of Anaheim Multifamily Residential Tandem Parking Summary and Best
Practices
OC21-0806
At times, developers of multifamily residential developments in the City of Anaheim and elsewhere
in Southern California propose tandem parking as a method to meet off-street parking
requirements. Typically, tandem parking is incorporated into a portion of the approved multifamily
residential development to maximize site development or where it results in a more efficient use of
land due to site geometric challenges.
To better understand tandem parking, this memorandum has been prepared to identify what
tandem parking is, its benefits and drawbacks, and management strategies for future
developments. This memorandum has been prepared in coordination with members of the Fehr &
Peers Parking Discipline Group whose expertise and experience covers parking related projects and
topics throughout the United States. While tandem parking can be implemented in other
developments such as office, retail, entertainment venues, the focus of this document is on tandem
parking in multifamily residential developments.
What is Tandem Parking
Tandem parking is a parking configuration in which one vehicle is parked in front of the other. This
type of parking configuration can be implemented in both owned and rented multifamily residential
developments. Tandem parking in multifamily residential developments can be located on surface
lots, in parking structures, and in private resident garages.
Rafael Cobian, PE
October 18, 2021
Page 2 of 5
Figure 1 – Tandem Parking Configuration
Tandem Parking Benefits
Tandem parking allows a developer of a multifamily residential project the ability to meet off-street
parking requirements with less space than tradition parking layouts. As the development of
multifamily residential projects continues to increase, the balancing of unit yield, parking
requirements, zoning requirements, and construction costs requires developers to consider various
parking configurations to achieve project goals. This balancing can be made difficult due to the
insufficient size of parcels to accommodate single vehicle standard parking to meet a jurisdiction’s
off-street parking requirements. Tandem parking can lower construction costs for housing, when
compared to other types of parking such as subterranean parking.
Tandem Parking Drawbacks
While tandem parking can balance the parking supply and desired unit yield of a development, the
daily resident coordination required can lead to parking inefficiency. In addition, residents may
improperly park in tandem spaces, such as in the middle of the space, rendering the outer space
unusable. When residents can’t or don’t coordinate parking, they may seek convenient parking in
nearby areas (i.e., “parking spillover”) thereby reducing the availability of on-street parking for other
residents, businesses, and visitors. The daily coordination required of residents could be mitigated
with the use of a valet system; however, these systems would require additional cost that would
most likely be passed on the residents of the multifamily development through increases in rent or
fees, which can also reduce tenancy and increase housing costs.
Rafael Cobian, PE
October 18, 2021
Page 3 of 5
The ability to identify when tandem parking spaces are not being utilized properly is important to
the overall management of the parking facility. The ability to manage the tandem parking can be
challenging depending on how the tandem parking was constructed. Tandem parking constructed
within single unit garages is difficult to monitor as the parking is secure and not easily visible to
property management or other residents. While the use of single unit garages can vary, these types
of developments are typically condominium-style and may not have on-site management. Rather,
rules and regulations are enforced through the use of a Homeowners Association (HOA) and
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). With varying levels of enforcement and limited
visibility of tandem spaces, the potential for improper use of tandem parking is greater in these
types of developments resulting in greater potential parking spillover in a surrounding
neighborhood. Based on the experience of Fehr & Peers staff, most single unit tandem garages that
generate on-street parking spillover have household storage or recreational vehicle storage in the
inner parking space and one vehicle in the outer parking space.
Tandem parking constructed within multi-unit parking garages or on surface lots is easier to
monitor as the parking is visible to property management and other residents. These types of
developments are typically apartment style and have on-site management enforcing parking rules
and regulations. As the visibility and enforcement is typically greater in these developments, the
potential for improper use of tandem parking is lower in these types of developments resulting in
lower parking spillover in the surrounding neighborhood. Based on the experience of Fehr & Peers
staff, developments with this style of tandem parking are typically constructed in more dense areas
that tend to restrict on-street parking spillover due to the limited availability in on-street parking
supply.
Tandem Parking Efficiency Data
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has compiled and documented parking demand data
for a variety of land uses across the United States. This data is routinely updated and presented as
a reference manual with the most recent publication being Parking Generation, 5th Edition (ITE,
2019). This edition documents parking demand data for multifamily residential developments,
however it does not differentiate between rented (apartments) and owned (condominium) style
development, nor does it provide any data regarding the supply characteristics, parking demand,
or parking spillover of tandem parking.
Beyond this nationally published references, we conducted a survey of Fehr & Peers staff in 18
offices across the United States whose expertise covers parking related topics. This survey identified
no studies on the effect or usage of tandem parking had been conducted in their office or within
their geographic region. In follow-up conversations with many of these staff, it was determined that
any such understanding of the effect or usage of tandem parking is based on the professional
experience of those experts as no agency or jurisdiction has attempted to document the data
associated with tandem parking.
Rafael Cobian, PE
October 18, 2021
Page 4 of 5
Tandem Parking Standards Comparison
The use of tandem parking in multifamily residential developments varies for each city depending
on the regulations and requirements found in the city’s municipal or zoning code. To understand
how various cities in Southern California are approaching the use of multifamily residential tandem
parking, the municipal or zoning codes of the following cities were reviewed:
City of Anaheim City of Rancho Cucamonga
City of Santa Ana City of Los Angeles
City of Irvine City of Pasadena
City of Riverside City of Long Beach
General information regarding the allowance regulations and dimension regulations of multifamily
residential tandem parking for each city has been summarized in Table 1. This information was
collected from the general off-street parking and loading requirements section from each municipal
or zoning code. Citations to the specific section of each municipal code is provided. It should be
noted that each city may have different allowances or requirements of multifamily residential
tandem parking for specific plan areas, development areas, or other specially zones areas but this
review was focused on the general requirements.
While multifamily residential tandem parking regulations vary by City, all surveyed cities, except
Rancho Cucamonga, identify allowable use of multifamily residential tandem parking. Most
document and limit the tandem parking to two spaces and require that both space be assigned to
the same unit. The cities of Pasadena and Long Beach have identified additional regulations in either
limiting the number of allowable tandem spaces or limiting the type of development in which
tandem parking can be applied. We have no information as to the effect these regulations have
had on the approval or denial of proposed multifamily residential projects in these cities. We do
know that both of these cities continuing to approve and construct more multifamily residential
developments.
Tandem Parking Management Best Practices
While multifamily residential tandem parking is allowed in the City of Anaheim, the current approval
process implements tandem parking management strategies as part of the conditions of approval
of each development. While this process has been effective, the consistency of management
strategy identification and implementation can vary depending on the applicant, approval process,
or approving body. As such, we worked with parking experts within Fehr & Peers across the United
Sates to identify parking management recommendations for multifamily residential tandem parking
in the City of Anaheim. These recommendations can be applied to both owned and rented
multifamily residential developments.
Tandem parking spaces should be limited to a maximum of two (2) spaces per unit
Rafael Cobian, PE
October 18, 2021
Page 5 of 5
Tandem parking spaces should be permitted for the parking of residents only
and not for parking of visitors or guests
Both tandem parking spaces should be assigned to the same unit
The inner parking space cannot be used for storage (household, recreational vehicle, or
other)
Parking only in the outer parking space is appropriate if it is the only vehicle associated
with the unit or if the vehicle will be moved to accommodate a second vehicle parking in
the tandem spaces
Each development should implement specific rules and regulations regarding the use of
tandem parking with multiple vehicles per unit
Developments with single unit tandem garages should have those residents with tandem
parking review and agree to the development specific rules and regulations regarding
tandem parking use with some sort of mechanism to verify monitoring of the spaces
Developments with on-site management should regularly monitor tandem parking usage,
and developments with no on-site management should identify a method in which to
monitor tandem parking usage regularly
Developments with open structure or surface parking should have those residents with
tandem parking review and agree to the development specific rules and regulations
regarding tandem parking use
Table 1 - Multifamily Residential Tandem Parking Regulations Comparison
City Tandem Parking Allowance Regulation Tandem Parking Dimension
Regulation
City of Anaheim
Tandem parking spaces of not more than two (2) vehicles deep shall be
permitted provided that such tandem parking spaces are enclosed or covered
parking spaces, and both spaces are assigned to the same designated dwelling
unit. Tandem parking can also be utilized to accommodate valet parking.
Tandem parking spaces shall not be counted toward the required number of
guest parking spaces. 1
Per City Standards2
City of Santa Ana
No allowance documented for multifamily dwellings.3
A minor exception may be granted from the off-street parking design
requirements of this chapter to allow for tandem parking if the parking area is
adequately managed by a valet service or parking management plan.4
Not specified
City of Irvine
For both rented and owned units, all required covered parking spaces shall be
assigned. These spaces may be tandem if assigned to the same unit. Tandem
parking may not count towards fulfilling visitor-parking requirements.5
Each tandem parking space
shall be 10 feet in width by 20
feet in depth.6
City of Riverside May be provided to satisfy the minimum parking requirement, when assigned
to residential dwelling units with two or more bedrooms.7 Not specified
City of Rancho
Cucamonga No allowance documented for multifamily dwellings.8 Not specified
City of Los
Angeles
Automobiles may be parked in tandem in a private garage or private parking
area serving multiple or group dwelling, where the tandem parking is not more
than two cars in depth. Tandem parking shall not be allowed in parking areas
for recreational vehicles or guest parking.9
Not specified
City of Pasadena
Tandem parking may be allowed for multi-family projects and residential
component of mixed-use projects (except for projects constructed under the
RM-12 zoning district standards)10
For multi-family projects and the residential component of mixed-use projects,
the following conditions shall be met for tandem spaces:
1. Both tandem spaces shall be assigned to the same dwelling unit.
2. Up to 30 percent of the total off-street parking spaces provided may
incorporate tandem parking.11
Two parking spaces in tandem
shall have a combined
minimum dimension of nine
feet in width by 34 feet in
length.12
City of Long
Beach
Tandem parking spaces shall be prohibited for required parking except:
1. For valet parking with approval through site plan review;
2. For low income units when projects include ten percent (10%) or
more of the units as on-site low income units; 13
For tandem parking allowed in Subsection 21.41.233.A.2, the following
standards shall be complied with:
1. Not more than two (2) spaces shall be involved in the tandem
arrangement;
2. Both spaces in the tandem arrangement shall be assigned to the
same dwelling unit;
3. Handicapped and guest parking shall not be in tandem;
4. Tandem parking shall not be allowed in a parking garage of less than
ten (10) parking spaces or when the full turning radius for the tandem
parking is not within the garage. 14
Not Specified
1 City of Anaheim Municipal Code 18.42.030.0205 Residential Parking Requirements
2 City of Anaheim Municipal Code 18.42.070.010 Parking Lot Design
3 City of Santa Ana Municipal Code 41.XV.2.41-1322 Multiple-family dwellings
4 City of Santa Ana Municipal Code 41.V.1.41-638.1 Minor exceptions from off-street parking requirements
5 Zoning Ordinance of the City of Irvine 4.4-2.4-2-1.4-3-4 Automobile parking matrix
6 Zoning Ordinance of the City of Irvine 4.4-4.4-4-1.6 Dimensions of parking spaces
7 City Code of Riverside 19.VIII.19.580.070B.1.e Multiple family dwellings
8 Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code 17.IV.17.64 Parking and Loading Standards
9 Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code I.2.12.21.5.h.2 Tandem Parking
10 A Codification of the General Ordinances of Pasadena, California 17.4.17.46.080.A.1
11 A Codification of the General Ordinances of Pasadena, California 17.4.17.46.080.B
12 A Codification of the General Ordinances of Pasadena, California 17.4.17.46.080.B.3
13 Long Beach Municipal Code 21.41.233.A
14 Long Beach Municipal Code 21.41.233.B