In order the reduce the cars on road and need of parking spaces, code has enforced the requirement of installing bicycle stands. This magnitude of this requirements varies depending on the foot traffic generated by the project. The code language is as follows. 

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4: Bicycle parking. 

For buildings within the authority of California Building Standards Commission as specified in Section 103, comply with Section 5.106.4.1. For buildings within the authority of the Division of the State Architect pursuant to Section 105, comply with Section 5.106.4.2.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1: Bicycle parking. [BSC-CG] 

Comply with Sections 5.106.4.1.1 and 5.106.4.1.2; or meet the applicable local ordinance, whichever is stricter.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1.1: Short-term bicycle parking. 

If the new project or an addition or alteration is anticipated to generate visitor traffic, provide permanently anchored bicycle racks within 200 feet of the visitors’ entrance, readily visible to passers-by, for 5 percent of new visitor motorized vehicle parking spaces being added, with a minimum of one twobike capacity rack.

Exception: Additions or alterations which add nine or less visitor vehicular parking spaces.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1.2: Long-term bicycle parking. 

For new buildings with tenant spaces that have 10 or more tenant-occupants or for additions or alterations that add 10 or more tenant vehicular parking spaces, provide secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of the tenant-occupant vehicular parking spaces being added, with a minimum of one vehicle parking facility.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1.3 

For additions or alterations that add 10 or more tenant-occupant vehicular parking spaces, provide secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of the tenant vehicular parking spaces being added, with a minimum of one bicycle parking facility.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1.4 

For new shell buildings in phased projects provide secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of the anticipated tenant-occupant vehicular parking spaces with a minimum of one bicycle parking facility.

CALGreen Code Section 5.106.4.1.5 

Acceptable parking facilities shall be convenient from the street and shall meet one of the following:

1. Covered, lockable enclosures with permanently anchored racks for bicycles;

2. Lockable bicycle rooms with permanently anchored racks; or

3. Lockable, permanently anchored bicycle lockers.

Note: Additional information on recommended bicycle accommodations may be obtained from Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates.

Intent:

The intent of this code provision is to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation by ensuring that newly constructed projects or additions and alterations provide short-term and/or long-term bicycle parking accommodations. This goal aligns with California’s aggressive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are intended to improve the state’s air quality and promote bicycle use as a means of alternative transportation.

Compliance Method:

Short-term bicycle parking:

1. Determine if the new project or addition or alteration is anticipated to generate visitor traffic.

2. Determine if the exception for additions and alterations applies.

If CALGreen applies, then: Provide construction documents (plans and specifications and/or site plan) that show the location of the required number of short-term, permanently anchored bicycle parking racks. The number of bicycle racks is calculated at 5 percent of the visitor motorized vehicle parking spaces, and where applicable, additions and alterations, with a minimum of one two-bike capacity rack.

Long-term bicycle parking:

1. Determine if the new building has tenant spaces that have 10 or more tenant-occupants. or;

2. Determine if the addition and alteration applies. or;

3. Determine if the building is a new shell building in a phased project.

If CALGreen applies, then: Determine which of the three options from Section 5.106.4.1.5 will be used to comply. Provide construction documents (plans and specifications and/or site plan) that show the method and location of the required number of long-term, secured bicycle parking facilities for 5 percent of the tenant vehicle parking spaces being added, with a minimum of one bicycle parking facility.

Note: If the code user is seeking a parking capacity reduction under Section A5.106.6 or the local jurisdiction has a zoning ordinance for reducing parking; use the original parking capacity calculation to determine the required number of bicycle racks. This is to ensure that the required number of bicycle racks is not reduced as a result of the tier option selection.

Suggestion:

Provide a calculation table or a note on the plans showing the total number of required bicycle racks for either short-term or long term bicycle storage as applicable.

Examples:

Short-term: Visitor motorized parking spaces at 42 x 5 percent = 2.1. Provide racks for three bicycles.

Long-term: Total tenant vehicular parking spaces at 216 x 5 percent = 10.8.

Provide 11 secure bicycle parking facilities by using one of the three methods allowed in Section 5.106.4.1.5.

If specifying lockers, consider using six two-bicycle lockers for long-term bicycle parking.

Enforcement:

Plan intake: The plan reviewer should review the plans and confirm that the correct number of bicycle parking racks and/or secured areas is included with the drawings and that they meet the requirements.

On-site enforcement: The inspector should verify that all required bicycle parking requirements shown on the plans have been provided and installed.

(Excerpted from ‘Guide to the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code Nonresidential’ – Chapter 5)