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Chapter 18.425 — MINOR EXCEPTIONS

Concord Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Concord

Sections:

18.425.010 Purpose. 18.425.020 Applicability.

18.425.030 Review authority.

18.425.040 Application.

18.425.050 Review, notice, and hearing.

18.425.060 Findings and decision.

18.425.070 Reasonable accommodations fndings.

18.425.080 Decision.

18.425.090 Post-decision procedures.

18.425.010 Purpose.

This chapter establishes a procedure to allow minor exceptions from specified regulations in the development code. [Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-950].

18.425.020 Applicability.

A minor exception to the development standards listed in Table 18.425.020 shall be approved if the review authority can make the findings identified in CDC 18.425.060.

Table 18.425.020

Minor Exceptions

Type of Minor Exceptions Allowed Maximum Adjustment
Fence or wall
height for
residential uses
An increase in the maximum allowable
height
of a
fence or wall.
Up to maximum
height of eight feet
Landscaping area
A decrease in the minimum
landscaping area
requirements.
Up to 10 percent
Loading
A decrease in the number of required loading
spaces.
50 percent or up to two spaces, whichever is
less
Lot coverage
An increase in the maximum allowable
lot
coverage.
Up to 10 percent
Lot size
A decrease in the minimum parcel area
required for one single
lot.
Up to 10 percent
Lot width or depth
A decrease in the minimum required parcel
depth, or width, consistent with other parcels
Up to 10 percent
Type of Minor Exceptions Allowed Type of Minor Exceptions Allowed Maximum Adjustment
located along the same
same zoning
district.

block and within the
Parking for nonresidential
uses
A decrease or increase in the number of
required parking spaces.
Up to 10 percent
Setbacks.A decrease in required
setbacks.
Front: Minimum
setback of 15 feet, 18 feet for
garages or
carports for single-family residential
Side: Minimum
setback of 3 feet with 10-foot
aggregate for single-family residential
Rear: Up to 25 percent of required
setback for
single-family residential
Nonresidential: Up to 25 percent
Structure height. An increase in the maximum allowable
structure height.
Single-family residential: 10 percent
Multifamily or nonresidential: See CDC
18.150.070
Reasonable accommodations See CDC
18.425.070
Required
variance
A request that exceeds the limitations
identifed in this section shall require a
variance
in compliance with Chapter
18.430 CDC
(Variances).

[Ord. 18-1 § 1 (Exh. D); Ord. 17-5 § 2 (Exh. H); Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-951].

18.425.030 Review authority.

A. Planning Division. The planning division may render a decision a minor exception if a public hearing is not requested, pursuant to CDC 18.500.040.

B. Zoning Administrator. When a hearing is requested, the zoning administrator shall hold a public hearing in compliance with Division VIII of this title (Administration). [Ord. 17-5 § 2 (Exh. H); Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122952].

18.425.040 Application.

Applications for minor exceptions shall be completed, filed, and processed in accordance with this chapter. Applications shall be accompanied by the information identified in the administrative permit checklist, on file with the planning division, and all applicable fees in accordance with the currently adopted city fee schedule. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence in support of the findings identified in CDC 18.425.060 (Findings and decision). [Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-953].

18.425.050 Review, notice, and hearing.

A. Review. Applications shall be reviewed by the planning division to ensure compliance with the development code and other applicable requirements.

B. Notice. The planning division shall provide public notice of its intent to render a decision on the minor exception unless a public hearing is requested in compliance with Chapter 18.500 CDC (Public Hearings). The notice shall state that a public hearing will be held only if requested in writing by any interested person prior to the date specified in the notice.

C. Hearing. When a hearing is requested, notice of hearing shall be provided in compliance with Division VIII of this title (Administration), and the zoning administrator shall conduct the hearing prior to making a decision on the application, in accordance with Division VIII of this title (Administration). [Ord. 17-5 § 2 (Exh. H); Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-954].

18.425.060 Findings and decision.

Minor exceptions may be approved with or without conditions of approval, based on all of the following findings (for requests for reasonable accommodation see subsection (B) of this section):

A. No practical alternative exists that will result in a superior project with regard to its appearance, relationship with existing buildings and improvements, visibility, and impacts to neighboring properties including privacy, noise, view, and lighting impacts;

B. Other provisions of the development code will not be compromised;

C. No negative impact will result; and

D. The project will otherwise comply with all applicable development code standards and requirements. [Ord. 17-5 § 2 (Exh. H); Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-955].

18.425.070 Reasonable accommodation findings.

A minor exception for a reasonable accommodation may be approved, with or without conditions of approval, if the exception is necessary to reasonably accommodate the needs of a disabled person in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), based on the following findings:

A. The request is necessary to make specific housing available to the applicant due to the applicant’s disability;

  • B. There are no other feasible alternatives that would provide an equivalent level of benefit; and

C. The request will not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city. [Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-956].

18.425.080 Decision.

The decision shall be in writing, stating the reason for the decision based on the findings and any conditions of approval. [Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-957].

18.425.090 Post-decision procedures.

The procedures and requirements relating to appeals, project revisions, issuance of a building permit, efective dates, lapse of approval, extensions, and revocations located in Division VIII of this title (Administration) shall apply following the decision on an application for a minor exception. [Ord. 12-4. DC 2012 § 122-958].

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

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Contents — Concord Zoning Code
Concord Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 18.10 — TITLE, PURPOSE, APPLICABILITY, AND INTERPRETAT…
  2. Chapter 18.100 — AIRPORT OVERLAY DISTRICT (A)
  3. Chapter 18.105 — TRANSIT STATION OVERLAY DISTRICT (TS)
  4. Chapter 18.110 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS OVERLAY DISTRICT
  5. Chapter 18.115 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY DISTRICT
  6. Chapter 18.15 — ZONING DISTRICTS AND ZONING MAP
  7. Chapter 18.150 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  8. Chapter 18.152 — OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
  9. Chapter 18.155
  10. Chapter 18.160 — PARKING, LOADING, AND ACCESS
  11. Chapter 18.165 — LANDSCAPING
  12. Chapter 18.170
  13. Chapter 18.175 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
  14. Chapter 18.180 — SIGNS
  15. Chapter 18.185 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING
  16. Chapter 18.20 — GENERAL TERMS
  17. Chapter 18.200 — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC USES
  18. Chapter 18.205 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES FOR NEW AND…
  19. Chapter 18.207
  20. Chapter 18.210 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
  21. Chapter 18.25 — DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE APPROVALS
  22. Chapter 18.30
  23. Chapter 18.300 — HILLSIDE PROTECTION
  24. Chapter 18.305
  25. Chapter 18.310 — TREE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION
  26. Chapter 18.35
  27. Chapter 18.40 — OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS (CO, CMX, NC, …
  28. Chapter 18.400
  29. Chapter 18.402
  30. Chapter 18.405
  31. Chapter 18.410 — ZONING CLEARANCE
  32. Chapter 18.415 — DESIGN AND SITE REVIEW
  33. Chapter 18.420 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS
  34. Chapter 18.425 — MINOR EXCEPTIONS
  35. Chapter 18.430 — VARIANCES
  36. Chapter 18.435 — MINOR USE PERMITS AND USE PERMITS
  37. Chapter 18.440 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT USE PERMIT
  38. Chapter 18.445 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT USE PERMIT
  39. Chapter 18.45 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS (DP, DMX, AND WMX)
  40. Chapter 18.455
  41. Chapter 18.460 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  42. Chapter 18.50
  43. Chapter 18.500 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
  44. Chapter 18.505
  45. Chapter 18.510 — APPEALS AND CALLS FOR REVIEW
  46. Chapter 18.515 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
  47. Chapter 18.520 — PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
  48. Chapter 18.525 — COVENANTS OF EASEMENTS
  49. Chapter 18.530 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, AND PARCELS
  50. Chapter 18.535 — NONCONFORMING PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS/PROPERTY …
  51. Chapter 18.540 — ENFORCEMENT
  52. Chapter 18.55 — PUBLIC/QUASI-PUBLIC DISTRICT (PQP)
  53. Chapter 18.60 — COMMUNITY LAND DISTRICTS (OS, PR, RLC, WRC, AN…
  54. Chapter 18.65 — STUDY DISTRICT (S)

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