Livermore Municipal Code Part 5 Building Types (CA)

LDC Chapter 5.01. BUILDING TYPES

LDC § 5.01.010. Purpose.

Part 5: Building Types sets forth standards applicable to development within each Transect zone for the following building types: Carriage House, Single Family, Bungalow Court, Duplex Side by Side, Duplex Stacked, Duplex Front and Back, Townhouse, Fourplex and Sixplex, Courtyard Apartment, Live/Work, and Commercial Block.

LDC § 5.01.020. Applicability.

The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all proposed development within Transect-based zones, and shall be considered in combination with the standards for the applicable zone in Part 3 (Specific to Zones), Part 4 (General to Zones), Part 6 (Specific to Uses), and Part 11 (Housing). If there is a conflict between any standards, the provisions of Part 3 control over Part 4 and 5, the provisions of Part 6 control over Parts 3, 4 and 5, and the provisions of Part 11 (Housing) control over Parts 3, 4, and 6.

(Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

LDC § 5.01.030. Carriage House.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description.
The Carriage House building type provides a unit or home office space that may be above a garage. Carriage houses are typically located to the rear of lots. This building type provides affordable housing opportunities within walkable neighborhoods and incubator space for small professional office users.

One-and-a-half-story carriage house connected to main house by a breezeway.

One-and-a-half-story carriage house next to a two-car garage.

One-and-a-half-story carriage house.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size NA Miscellaneous Allowed on lots when accompanying a single-family dwelling. C. Frontages NA D. Vehicle Access and Parking Spaces

< 500 sf	0 spaces min.
> 500 sf	1 space min.
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous
Any parking spaces provided shall be separate from the primary unit and may be enclosed, covered or open.

E. Open Space, Usable

Width	10' min.
Depth	10' min.
F. Building Size and Massing	F. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	35' max.
Size	Size
Area, excluding garage	50% of primary dwelling unit, up to 1,200 sf max.
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous
Shall be detached from primary dwelling unit.
Carriage house units shall be shorter and smaller than primary dwelling units.
Carriage house units that are used as accessory dwelling units shall comply with the standards contained in LDC Chapter 11.30 (ADUs/JADUs).

(Ord. 2070 § 3 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 2151 § 6, 2023; Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

LDC § 5.01.040. Single-Family.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
Single-unit detached houses typically located within primarily single-family neighborhoods or near neighborhood main streets. Well designed single-family homes engage the street with porches or stoops and place garages and parking pads behind the house.

Newly constructed single-family home with stoop frontage and detailed elements such as the bay window, rake and eaves, and windows.

Newly constructed small lot single-family home in Livermore.

Existing small single-family home in Livermore.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	50' min., 75' max.
Depth	75' min., 150' max.
Size 1	5,000 sf min.
1 Smaller lot size permitted only if already existing at time of adoption, 05/01/10.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch	Porch
Stoop	Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.

F. Open Space, Usable

Width	15' min.
Depth	15' min.
Open Space Area	300 sf min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the open space area calculation.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body	Main Body
Width	36' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Width	24' max.	A
Detached Garage	Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	22' max.
Depth	25' max.

LDC § 5.01.050. Bungalow Court.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
The Bungalow Court building type consists of a series of small detached or attached houses on a single lot, arranged to define a shared court that is perpendicular to the street. All units address and are accessed from this shared court. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as duplexes, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type provides an option for living in a smaller, high-quality house in a more community-driven environment due to the shared outdoor space.

A. Description

The Bungalow Court building type consists of a series of small detached or attached houses on a single lot, arranged to define a shared court that is perpendicular to the street. All units address and are accessed from this shared court. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as duplexes, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type provides an option for living in a smaller, high-quality house in a more community-driven environment due to the shared outdoor space.

Prairie-style bungalow court with raised stoop entries.

Tudor-style bungalow court with a lushly landscaped court.

Bungalow court with trellis enclosing the courtyard.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	75' min., 150' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Public Courtyard
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch	Porch
Stoop	Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.
Spaces may be individually accessible by the units and/or a common parking area located at the rear or side of the lot.
F. Open Space, Usable	F. Open Space, Usable
Common Courtyard	Common Courtyard
Width	20' min. clear
Depth	50' min. clear
Shall be perpendicular to street.
Shall be open to the street.
Private Open Space	Private Open Space
No private outdoor space is required.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	32' max.
Depth	24' max.
Height	1 1/2 Stories max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	22' max.
Depth	25' max.
H. Miscellaneous	H. Miscellaneous
Shall not be used on corner lots.	Shall not be used on corner lots.

LDC § 5.01.060. Duplex, Side by Side.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two side-by-side dwelling units, both facing the street, and sharing one common party wall. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

A. Description

This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two side-by-side dwelling units, both facing the street, and sharing one common party wall. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

A one-story side-by-side duplex.

A two-story side-by-side duplex.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	50' min., 75' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
On corner lots each unit shall front a different street.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch	Porch
Stoop	Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.

F. Open Space, Usable

Width	15'/unit min.
Depth	15'/unit min.
Open Space Area	300 sf min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the open space area calculation.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	36' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Width	24' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	36' max.
Depth	25' max.
H. Miscellaneous	H. Miscellaneous
Both units shall have entries facing the street on, or no more than 10' behind, the front facade.

LDC § 5.01.070. Duplex, Stacked.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two units, one on top of the other. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.
This is the preferred type of duplex on 50' wide lots in Livermore neighborhoods not zoned for single-family because it is capable of accommodating two units in a smaller footprint, thus maximizing compatibility in size and privacy to the rear of adjacent units.

A. Description

This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two units, one on top of the other. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

This is the preferred type of duplex on 50' wide lots in Livermore neighborhoods not zoned for single-family because it is capable of accommodating two units in a smaller footprint, thus maximizing compatibility in size and privacy to the rear of adjacent units.

The entry to the right opens to a stair leading to the upper unit, which takes up the entire upper floor. The door to the left opens directly into the lower unit, which takes up the entire lower floor.

The scale of this duplex makes it compatible with adjacent single-family homes.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	50' min., 75' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
On corner lots each unit shall front a different street.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch	Porch
Stoop	Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered, or open.

F. Open Space, Usable

Width	15'/unit min.
Depth	15'/unit min.
Open Space Area	300 sf min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the open space area calculation.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	36' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Width	24' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	36' max.
Depth	25' max.
H. Miscellaneous	H. Miscellaneous
Both units shall have entries facing the street no more than 10' behind the front facade.

LDC § 5.01.080. Duplex, Front and Back.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two side-by-side dwelling units, potentially with one unit facing the street and one not, and with both units sharing a common party wall. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

A. Description

This Duplex building type consists of structures that contain two side-by-side dwelling units, potentially with one unit facing the street and one not, and with both units sharing a common party wall. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as bungalow courts, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

Duplex with both the front and rear unit entries/porches appropriately engaging and addressing the street.

Duplex with both the front and rear unit entries/stoops appropriately engaging and addressing the street.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	50' min., 75' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
Each unit shall have an individual entry facing a street.
On corner lots each unit shall front a different street.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch
Stoop

E. Vehicle Access and Parking Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open. F. Open Space, Usable

Width	15'/unit min.
Depth	15'/unit min.
Open Space Area	300 sf min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the open space area calculation.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	36' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Width	24' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	36' max.
Depth	25' max.

LDC § 5.01.090. Townhouse.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description
The Townhouse building type consists of structures that contain three or more dwelling units placed side by side. A small yard or adjoining porch or stoop is provided for each unit as private open space. Additionally, such development may include a common open space to supplement the private open space. This building type provides a higher density unit in a more urban form.

Five attached townhouses designed with a single simple plane. Elevated covered stoops provide a secondary rhythm along the street.

Four attached townhouses designed with a simple massing with a continuous porch. The dormers and slight plane shift in the end units help to break down the overall massing.

Three attached townhouses designed with a simple massing. Individual porches and gable ends on the end units provide the secondary rhythm.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	18' min.
Depth	45' min.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street or paseo
Each unit shall have an individual entry.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch
Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered, or open

F. Open Space, Usable 1

Width	8' clear min.
Depth	8' clear min.
Open Space Area	100 sf/unit min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the common open space area calculation.
1 May be met by a combination of private and common open space within the development.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	18' min./36' max. per unit

(Ord. 2058 § 1 (Exh. C), 2017)

LDC § 5.01.100. Fourplex and Sixplex.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description

The Fourplex and Sixplex building type consists of structures that contain four to six side-by-side and/or stacked dwelling units with one shared entry. This building type has the appearance of a medium to large single-family home, and is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as duplexes, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

A grouping of fourplex units that have the scale and character of large single-family houses.

A newly constructed sixplex that is of an appropriate scale and character to be integrated into a primarily single-family neighborhood.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	75' min., 150' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
Each unit may have an individual entry.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch
Stoop
Forecourt
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.
Garages may be detached or tuck-under.	Garages may be detached or tuck-under.

F. Open Space, Usable

Width	8' clear min.
Depth	8' clear min.
Open Space Area	100 sf/unit min.
Required street setbacks and driveways shall not be included in the common open space area calculation.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	50' max.
Depth	40' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Distance from front facade	10' min.
Width	15' max.
Depth	35' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	22' max.
Depth	25' max.

LDC § 5.01.110. Courtyard Apartment.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description

The Courtyard Apartment building type consists of structures that contain multiple attached and stacked units, accessed from a courtyard or series of courtyards. Each unit may have its own individual entry, or up to three units may share a common entry. This type is typically integrated sparingly into single-family neighborhoods or more consistently into neighborhoods with other medium-density types such as duplexes, fourplexes, or courtyard apartments. This building type enables the incorporation of high-quality, well-designed density within a walkable neighborhood.

C-shaped courtyard building with short wall defining the threshold for the sidewalk into the courtyard, from which all units are entered.

Entries from units engaging and activating the courtyard.

Courtyard building with stooped entries and seating area as the focal point for the shared space.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram	Typical Front Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	100' min., 150' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Public Courtyard
No more than 3 units may enter from one stoop or corridor.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Porch
Stoop
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.
Garages may be detached or tuck-under.	Garages may be detached or tuck-under.

F. Open Space, Usable

Courtyard
Width/depth/height ratio	1:1
Width/depth	20' min.
% of width of building	50% max.
Edge of courtyard not defined by building shall be defined by 2'-6" to 3' tall wall.
No private open space is required.	No private open space is required.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	80' max.
Secondary Wing	Secondary Wing
Width	30' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Depth	30' max.

LDC § 5.01.120. Live/Work.

General Note: the drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description

The Live/Work building type consists of one residential unit above a flexible ground-floor space that can be used for residential or commercial uses. Both the ground-floor flex space and the unit above are owned by one person. Each mixed-use unit has its own individual entry. This building type is typically located in transitional areas between mixed-use commercial centers and residential areas. Live/work units are especially appropriate for incubating neighborhood-serving commercial uses and allowing neighborhood main streets to expand as the market demands.

Ground-floor flex space with two-story townhouse above. The townhouse entry is to the far right and the ground floor commercial space entry is on the corner.

Three-story corner live/work unit stepping down to two-and-a-half stories as it transitions to single-family homes. These units provide incubator space for small, locally-owned, neighborhood-serving commercial businesses.

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot. Lot Size

Width	75' min., 150' max.
Depth	80' min., 150' max.
Size	2,000 sf per unit
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location	Primary street
Ground floor space and upper unit shall have separate entries.
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Forecourt	Forecourt
Shopfront	Shopfront
Terrace Shopfront 1	Terrace Shopfront 1
Gallery	Gallery
1 Only allowed on cross-slope lots.	1 Only allowed on cross-slope lots.
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered, or open.
Garages may be attached, detached, or tuck-under.
F. Open Space, Usable	F. Open Space, Usable
No open space is required.	No open space is required.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Width	18' min., 36' max.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
Width	25' max.
Depth	30' max.

LDC § 5.01.130. Commercial Block.

General Note: The drawings and photos below are illustrative.

A. Description

The Commercial Block building type is a vertical mixed-use building with ground floor commercial or retail uses and upper floor commercial or residential uses. Larger version of these building types are located in town centers and smaller versions in neighborhood main streets. Commercial blocks may be owned by one individual or entity, or divided into several individually-owned commercial and residential condos.

Typical large commercial block type with simple massing, regular spacing of windows and doors, tall ground floor, and ground floor gallery covering the walk.

Historic Livermore commercial block type with gabled roof form and gallery.

Newly constructed small commercial block type on a neighborhood main street

Typical Alley Loaded Plan Diagram

Key

	ROW/Property Line
	Building Area

B. Lot Lot Size

Width	180' max.
Depth	100' min., 150' max.
C. Pedestrian Access	C. Pedestrian Access
Main Entrance Location
Ground Floor	Primary Street
Upper Floor	Primary or Side Street
D. Frontages	D. Frontages
Allowed Frontages	Allowed Frontages
Forecourt	Forecourt
Shopfront	Shopfront
Terrace Shopfront 1	Terrace Shopfront 1
Gallery	Gallery
1 Only allowed on cross-slope lots.	1 Only allowed on cross-slope lots.
E. Vehicle Access and Parking	E. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking spaces may be enclosed, covered or open.
Garages may be detached or tuck-under.	Garages may be detached or tuck-under.
F. Open Space, Usable	F. Open Space, Usable
No private open space is required.	No private open space is required.
G. Building Size and Massing	G. Building Size and Massing
Main Body	Main Body
Any buildings wider than 75' shall be designed to read as a series of buildings no wider than 75' each.
Detached Garage	Detached Garage
NA	NA