help understanding retailparking requirements in Los Angeles area

[Martin Zad]

In commercial zoning code for full service restaurant for example in los angeles/glendale ca ,and possibly other areas, it says new construction requires 10 parking spots per 1000sf . This is a high number of parking spots and makes things very expensive when looking to build. When i'm looking around, I see new restaruants everywhere with little to no parking at all. How is this possible? 

Even for retail space, I see businesses in shopping centers with barely 2 parking spots per 1000 sf when the requirement is 4. These are all on older properties maybe 10 or 20 years old. Is that some kind of a exception? do tenants get an exception when they apply for the occupancy permit?

thank you in advance.