Chapter 18.40 — OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS (CO, CMX, NC, SC, AND RC)

Concord Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Concord

Sections:

18.40.010 Purpose.

18.40.020 Table 18.40.020 – Ofce and commercial districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements. 18.40.030 Table 18.40.030 – Ofce and commercial districts – Development standards.

18.40.010 Purpose.

This chapter lists the uses that may be permitted within the office and commercial zoning districts, the type of permit or approval required for each use, and basic development standards for the site and building. The purpose of each district is as follows:

A. CO – Community Office. The CO district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for a mix of small-scale single and multiple tenant businesses, professional, and medical offices in low-rise buildings that are compatible with adjacent residential areas. Building intensity may be up to 1.0 FAR. Residential uses consistent with the residential medium density may also be allowed. The CO district is found along major thoroughfares including portions of East Street, Salvio Street, Willow Pass Road, Clayton Road, Oak Grove Road, Treat Boulevard, and Monument Boulevard. The CO district is consistent with and implements the community office (CO) land use designation of the general plan.

B. CMX – Commercial Mixed-Use. The CMX district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for an integrated mix of neighborhood commercial uses, including retail and personal services on lots 10,000 square feet or larger, and offices at up to 1.0 FAR, together with or adjacent to residential uses at densities ranging from 11 to 40 units per net acre. The CMX district includes retail, office, and residential properties, and is primarily located along portions of Clayton Road, Monument Boulevard, and Willow Pass Road. The CMX district is consistent with and implements the commercial mixed-use (CMU) land use designation of the general plan.

C. NC – Neighborhood Commercial. The NC district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for neighborhood shopping centers including retail and personal service uses up to 0.35 FAR. The NC district is applied to

neighborhood shopping centers including Clayton Valley Shopping Center, Dana Plaza, Olivera Crossings, Oak Grove Plaza, and Solano Plaza. The NC district allows residential uses on the second floor at densities up to 24 dwelling units per net acre. The NC district is consistent with and implements the neighborhood commercial (NC) land use designation of the general plan.

D. SC – Service Commercial. The SC district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for commercial uses such as automobile services, auto-oriented uses, light industry, contractors’ yards, and building materials storage, at up to 0.8 FAR. The SC district also allows retail, personal service, restaurant, and offices uses. The SC district is found on Monument Boulevard, Detroit Avenue, Cloverdale Avenue, on the east side of Market Street south of Concord Avenue, and Galaxy Way at Via de Mercados. The SC district provides areas for uses that typically require outdoor storage and activities with higher volumes of truck traffic, noise, and visual impacts. The SC district is consistent with and implements the service commercial (SC) land use designation of the general plan.

Avenue, Cloverdale Avenue, on the east side of Market Street south of Concord Avenue, and Galaxy Way at Via de Mercados. The SC district provides areas for uses that typically require outdoor storage and activities with higher volumes of truck traffic, noise, and visual impacts. The SC district is consistent with and implements the service commercial (SC) land use designation of the general plan.

E. RC – Regional Commercial. The RC district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for a mix of regionalscale commercial uses, including regional shopping centers, big box retail, new automobile dealerships, and associated services at up to 0.5 FAR. The RC district is applied to areas with good freeway access, including Sunvalley Shopping Center and the Willows Shopping Center along I-680, Lowe’s and the Solano Drive-In Theater off Highway 4, along the west side of Market Street, and along Concord Avenue between Highway 242 and Interstate 680. The RC district is consistent with and implements the regional commercial (RC) land use designation of the general plan. [Ord. 17-11 § 3 (Exh. 8); Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-130].

18.40.020 Table 18.40.020 – Office and commercial districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements.

A. Applicability. Table 18.40.020 identifies the uses allowed by the development code in each office and commercial zoning district and the type of permit required to establish each use. See CDC 18.25.030(B) or Division VII of this title (Permits and Permit Procedures). Additional requirements may apply pursuant to Division IV (Development Standards) and Division V (Standards for Specific Uses) of this title.

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Table 18.40.020 ZC = Permitted
Use, Zoning
Office and Commercial Districts Clearance
Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements AP =
Administrative
Permit Required
MP = Minor Use
Permit Required
UP = Use Permit
Required
6409 = Section
6409 Application
– = Use Not
Allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use Additional
Classifications Requirements
CO CMX NC SC RC
Office, Commercial, and Retail Uses
Adult Day Care Center – ZC(5) ZC(5) ZC ZC
Adult-Oriented Business – – – – – Chapter 18.210
CDC, Adult-
Oriented
Businesses
Animal Services
Boarding, Kennel – UP UP MP MP
Dog Day Care, Training – ZC ZC(2) ZC ZC
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Grooming ZC ZC(2) ZC ZC
Hospital, Veterinary
Clinic
ZC ZC ZC(2) ZC ZC
Antique, Collectible
Store
ZC(4) ZC ZC ZC
Automobile Sales and Rental/Leasing
Auction ZC
Brokers, Ofce Only ZC ZC ZC ZC ZC
Brokers, Ofce with
Vehicle Display
AP AP ZC ZC
Dealership, New UP ZC
Dealership, Used ZC
Dealership, Motorcycles ZC ZC
Rental AP MP
Automobile Services and Repair
Car Wash, Attended UP AP UP CDC
18.200.090,
Gas
stations and
car washes
Car Wash, Unattended UP CDC
18.200.090,
Gas
stations and
car washes
Gas
Station
UP UP UP CDC
18.200.090,
Gas
stations and
car washes
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Maintenance Services UP UP ZC ZC
Major Repair/Body Work ZC
Minor Repair UP ZC AP
Banks and Financial Services
Bank, Credit Union ZC(4) ZC(2) ZC(2) ZC
Bank with Drive-
Through Service
UP UP UP MP CDC
18.200.060,
Drive-through
facilities
Check Cashing
Business
Building Materials Sales and Services
No
Outdoor Storage
ZC ZC ZC
With
Outdoor Storage
AP UP CDC
18.200.160,
Outdoor sales and
displays
Business Support
Services
ZC ZC(3) ZC(2, 3) ZC(3) ZC(3)
Catering Service ZC(4) ZC(2) ZC ZC

Eating and Drinking Establishments

Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating and Drinking Establishments
Bar,Night Club, Lounge UP UP UP UP CDC
18.200.080,
Entertainment
uses
Food
Vendor Group
Site
MP MP MP MP CDC
18.200.210,
Food
vendor
group
sites
Micro-Brewery/Distillery MP MP CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Micro-Brewery/Distillery,
Large(6)
UP UP CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Restaurant, Full Service AP AP UP ZC CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Restaurant, Limited
Service
ZC(4) ZC AP ZC
Restaurant, with Drive-
Through
UP UP UP UP CDC
18.200.060,
Drive-through
facilities
Restaurant, with Live
Entertainment
UP UP UP CDC
18.200.080,
Entertainment
uses
Tasting Room AP AP CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Fitness Facility, Health
Club
AP AP(2) AP(2) AP
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Food, Beverage Sales
Convenience Store, no
Alcohol Sales
ZC(4) ZC ZC ZC
Convenience Store, with
Alcohol Sales
UP UP UP CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Grocery Store ZC(4) ZC ZC ZC
Liquor Store UP UP CDC
18.200.040,
Alcoholic
beverage sales
Hotel, Motel UP UP UP UP
Maintenance Services
Ofce with No
Outdoor
Storage or Activities
ZC
Ofce with
Outdoor
Storage or Activities
AP
Nursery, Preschool,
Childcare
UP UP UP AP AP CDC
18.200.050,
Child day care
facilities
Ofces
Administrative,
Information
Processing
ZC ZC ZC ZC
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Professional ZC ZC ZC(2) ZC(2) ZC
Personal Services
General ZC ZC ZC(2) ZC(2) ZC(2)
Improvement,
Instructional
ZC ZC(2) ZC ZC
Restricted MP MP MP
Repair Service,
Appliance and Small
Equipment
UP ZC
Retail Sales
Big Box UP UP UP UP
General ZC(4) ZC ZC ZC
Nursery, Garden Center UP ZC ZC ZC CDC
18.200.160,
Outdoor sales and
displays
Restricted MP MP MP
Retail Sales with Drive-
Through
UP UP UP UP CDC
18.200.060,
Drive-through
facilities
Secondhand Sales AP AP AP
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Business Park and Industrial
Uses
Auto Wrecking,
Dismantling Yard
Contractors, Special Trade
Cabinet Shop ZC
Contractor Ofce, No
Outdoor Storage
ZC ZC ZC
Contractor Yard, with
Outdoor Storage
ZC
Fleet-Based Service ZC UP
Freight and Truck
Terminal
Heavy Vehicle and Large Equipment, Sales/Rental, Service, and Repair
Commercial Vehicles
and Equipment
AP
Recreational Vehicle AP
Laboratory, Research,
and
Development
ZC AP ZC

Heavy Vehicle and Large Equipment, Sales/Rental, Service, and Repair

Commercial Vehicles AP
and Equipment
Recreational Vehicle AP
Laboratory, Research, ZC AP ZC
and
Development
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Manufacturing,
Processing
Artisan/Custom Product ZC
Industry, Heavy
With No
Outdoor
Storage or Activities
ZC
With
Outdoor Storage or
Activities
AP
Warehouse Show Room
with Assembly and
Sales
ZC
Media Production
Facility
ZC ZC ZC
Storage
Hazardous Materials
Self-Storage Facility,
Mini-Storage
UP
Vehicle UP
Towing Services UP
Warehouse, No
Outdoor
Storage
ZC
Warehouse, with
Outdoor Storage
ZC
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Wholesaling,
Distribution
AP
Public/Quasi-Public and Recreational
Uses
Airport
Ambulance Service UP AP
Cannabis Uses
Commercial Cultivation
Distribution (Type 11)
Distribution Transport
Only (Type 13)
Indoor Personal
Cannabis Cultivation
ZC ZC ZC ZC ZC Up to six plants
per residence,
pursuant to
state
law
Industrial Hemp
Cultivation
Manufacturing
Microbusiness
Non-Storefront Retail
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Storefront Retail
Testing Laboratory
Cemetery,
Columbarium,
Mausoleum
Conference, Convention
Facility
UP UP
Cultural Institution UP UP UP UP
Emergency and
Homeless Shelter
CDC
18.200.070,
Emergency shelter
and homeless
shelters
Low Barrier Navigation
Center
ZC,
UP(7)
ZC,
UP(7)
ZC, UP(7) California
Government Code
Section
65660 et
seq.
Farmers’ Market UP UP UP
Funeral Parlor, Mortuary UP UP UP
Government Ofce ZC ZC ZC ZC ZC
Heliport
Library ZC ZC(2) ZC(2) ZC(2) ZC

Medical

Medical Medical Medical Medical Medical Medical Medical
Hospital, Medical Center
Medical Services Facility AP AP(2) AP(2)
Nursing
Facility/Extended Care
UP UP UP
Urgent Care Facility AP AP(4) AP(2) AP AP
Meeting Facility,
Public/Private
UP UP UP UP UP
Military
Parking Facility AP AP AP AP
Public Maintenance and
Service Facility
AP
Recreational Facilities
Bingo Hall UP
Commercial Recreation,
Indoor
AP(4) AP UP ZC
Golf Course, Country
Club
CDC
18.200.130,
Mechanical and
electronic games
Park and Recreation
Facility
Residential Recreation
Facility
AP(5)
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Sports and
Entertainment,
Assembly
UP UP CDC
18.200.080,
Entertainment
uses
Sports and Recreation
Facility
UP UP CDC
18.200.130,
Mechanical and
electronic games
Recycling Facilities
Small
Collection Facility
AP AP AP CDC
18.200.170,
Recycling facilities
Large
Collection Facility
UP CDC
18.200.170,
Recycling facilities
Processing Facility CDC
18.200.170,
Recycling facilities
Religious Facility UP UP UP
Schools
Elementary, Middle,
Secondary
MP
College, University MP
Trade
School,Vocational
Training
AP AP AP AP AP
Social Services Facility UP UP UP UP
Theater, Auditorium UP UP UP CDC
18.200.130,
Mechanical and
electronic games
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Utility Facility,
Transmission Towers
ZC ZC ZC
Wireless
Communications Facility
AP, MP
or 6409
AP, MP
or 6409
AP, MP or
6409
AP,
MP
or
6409
AP,
MP
or
6409
Chapters
18.205
and
18.207 CDC
Residential Uses
Bed and Breakfast Inn UP
Dwelling,
Dwelling Unit,
Housing Unit
Single-Family, Detached ZC
Single-Family, Detached
– Small
Lot Subdivision
UP UP
Single-Family, Attached ZC ZC Chapter
18.152
CDC, Objective
Design Standards
Duplex ZC ZC Chapter
18.152
CDC, Objective
Design Standards
Multifamily ZC(8),UP ZC(8),UP ZC(8),UP(1) Chapter
18.152
CDC, Objective
Design Standards
Family Day Care Home
(14 or fewer children)
ZC(5) ZC(5) ZC(5)
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Group Housing UP UP
Home-Based Business ZC(5),
AP
ZC(2), AP CDC
18.200.100,
Home-based
businesses
Live/Work Unit ZC(5) CDC
18.200.110,
Live/work or
work/live units
Mixed-Use Projects ZC(9),UP ZC(9),UP ZC(9),UP Chapter
18.152
CDC, Objective
Design Standards
CDC
18.200.140,
Mixed-use
projects
Mobile Home Park
Residential Care Facility,
Small
ZC(5) ZC(5)
Residential Care Facility,
Large
MP
Residential Facility for
Seniors, Assisted Living
UP UP
Supportive Housing ZC,
UP(7)
ZC,
UP(7)
ZC(1),
UP(7)
California
Government Code
Section
65650 et
seq.
Transitional Housing,
Multifamily
UP UP UP(1)
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Transitional Housing,
Single-Family
ZC ZC
Work/Live Unit AP CDC
18.200.110,
Live/work or
work/live units
Open Space and Agricultural
Uses
Companion Animal,
Horses, Fowl
Community Garden AP AP AP AP AP
Crop Production,
Orchard, Vineyard
ZC ZC ZC ZC ZC
Livestock,Grazing
Mining and Quarrying

(1) Not allowed on ground foor.

(2) Allowed to occupy up to 20 percent gross area of shopping center or multi-tenant building or 20 percent street frontage of one building.

(3) No outdoor facilities, storage, or activities are allowed.

(4) Requires a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.

  • (5) Allowed with residential use only.

(6) A facility which exceeds 3,000 square feet.

(7) Use permit required for any facility that does not meet the requirements of the referenced article of the California Government Code.

(8) Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards).

(9) Zoning clearance required for mixed-use projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory, with at least two-thirds of the total square footage designed for residential use, and that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards).

[Ord. 24-7 § 7 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-6 § 8 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-5 § 7 (Exh. D); Ord. 21-2 § 5 (Exh. E); Ord. 20-4 (Exh. B); Ord. 19-5 § 1 (Exh. D); Ord. 18-3 § 7 (Exh. A); Ord. 17-13 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 17-11 § 3 (Exh. 8); Ord. 17-5 § 2 (Exh. I); Ord. 17-2 § 2 (Exh. F); Ord. 15-8 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 14-6 §§ 3, 4; Ord. 13-5; Ord. 12-5; Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-131].

18.40.030 Table 18.40.030 – Office and commercial districts – Development standards.

Subdivisions, new uses and structures, and alterations to existing uses and structures shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements specified in Table 18.40.030. Additional requirements may apply pursuant to Division IV (Development Standards) and Division V (Standards for Specific Uses) of this title..

Table 18.40.030

Office and Commercial Districts

Development Standards(1)

Standards CO(4) CMX(4) NC(4) RC SC Additional
Standards
Density (du/net acre)
minimum/maximum
11 –
40
11 – 40 24
max**
NA NA **Residential
uses
not allowed on
ground foor.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
(maximum)
1.0 1.0 0.35 0.5 0.8
Lot Area (square feet)
minimum
10,000 10,000 10,000 80,000* 10,000 *Smaller
lots may be
approved with a
use
permit
Standards CO(4) CMX(4) NC(4) RC SC Additional
Standards
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Lot Width (feet)
minimum
100 100 100 100 100 Reduced dimensions
may be allowed
subject to
use permit
Lot Depth (feet)
minimum
100 100 100 200 100 approval
Building Height (feet) maximum (3)
Residential and Mixed-
Use (5)
37 37 40 NA NA Additional
height
may be allowed with
a
use permit
Nonresidential 30 30 40 50 35
Setbacks (feet) minimum (1, 2)
Front 10 5 5 15 15 Reduced
setbacks
may be allowed
Corner Side 10 10 10 10 10 subject to
use permit
approval
Interior Side,
Rear
5 None required unless
adjacent to an
R district or
residential
use in CMX. See CDC
18.150.180 (Transitional
requirements) for
buildings up to 30 feet in
height.
Open Space/Unit
(square feet) minimum
See CDC
18.150.100,Open space and recreational facilities for
residential
developments,and Chapter
18.155 CDC, Standards for
Small
Lot and Medium Density
Development

(1) Additional requirements may apply pursuant to Chapter 18.155 CDC (Standards for Small Lot and Medium Density Development) and Division V of this title (Standards for Specific Uses). Lot area, width, depth and setback limits listed here may not apply if a site in CO, CMX, or NC is subdivided into multifamily fee simple/condominium units or small residential lots.

(2) Measured from property line to the face of building or to a structure.

(3) Consistent with transitional requirements (See CDC 18.150.180).

(4) Standard does not apply to small, independent parcels corresponding to individual dwellings within a larger multifamily residential, mixed-use, or townhome development.

(5) Mixed-use projects shall meet the definition of a “housing development project” in California Government Code Section 65589.5(h) to qualify for the residential and mixed-use height standard: all other mixed-use projects shall be subject to the nonresidential height standard.

[Ord. 26-1 § 8 (Exh. B); Ord. 12-5; Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-132].

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The Concord Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-1, passed February 10, 2026.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s office has

the official version of the Concord

18.400 Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions

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Division VII. Permits and Permit Procedures