Division 17.24

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

ZONE C: MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Sections:

17.24.010 Intent 17.24.020 Permitted uses 17.24.030 Conditional uses 17.24.040 Regulations

17.24.010 Intent .

Zone C is established to regulate and control residential development, including multi-family dwellings, that enhances the character of the neighborhood and builds community for people of all income levels.

17.24.020 Permitted uses .

The following are permitted uses in Zone C:

  • A. A single-family residence.

  • B. A multi-family residential development. .

  • C. Accessory dwelling unit, subject to division 17.38. (Ord. 747 N.S., 02/2020)

  • D. Manufactured and mobile homes on a permanent foundation.

  • E. Low barrier navigation centers.

  • F. Residential care facilities or group homes that provide licensable services for up to six residents.

  • G. Residential care facilities or group homes that do not provide licensable services.

  • H. Supportive housing and transitional housing.

  • I. Accessory structures with accessory uses located on the same lot as the primary structure under this section.

  • J. Small family day care home in accordance with California Health and Safety Code sections 1597.43 - 1597.47.

K. Employee housing for 6 or fewer persons. (Ord. 772 N.S., 03/2024)

17.24.030 Conditional uses .

The following are allowed as conditional uses in Zone C:

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  • A. Wireless communication facility, subject to a wireless communication facility permit (rather than a use permit) under division 17.46.

  • B. Residential care facilities or group homes that provide licensable services for 7 or more people.

  • C. Large family day care home in accordance with California Health and Safety Code sections 1597.43 – 1597.47.

  • D. Single room occupancy dwellings.

  • E. Co-housing. (Ord. 772 N.S., 03/2024)

17.24.040 Regulations.

A. In Zone C, for multi-family residential use, licensed residential care facility for 7 or more residents, co-housing and single room occupancy dwellings, the standards are as follows:

Zone C requirements
Lot area Minimum 10,000 square feet, subject to exception for accessory
dwelling unit construction set forth in division 17.38.
Frontage, on
public or
private street		 Minimum 90 feet
Lot coverage;
Landscaping		 Maximum 70% lot coverage for primary and accessory structures,
subject to exception for accessory dwelling unit construction set forth
in division 17.38.
Minimum 15% landscaping, or 10% by landscaping for a project in
which at least 20% of the units are affordable, as defined by the
California Department of Housing and Community Development,
subject to exception for accessory dwelling unit construction set forth
in division 17.38.
Structure height Maximum 45 feet for buildings on lots with lot area 4,000 sq.ft.or or
more, except accessory dwelling units shall be subject to restrictions
set forth in division 17.38.
Maximum 35 feet for buildings on lots with lot area less than 4,000
sq.ft., except accessory dwelling units shall be subject to restrictions
set forth in division 17.38.
Street yard
setback		 Minimum 15 feet for primary or accessory structure, subject to
exception for accessory dwelling unit construction set forth in division
17.38. If adjacent lots abutting the side lot lines of the subject lot both
contain principal single family residential buildings that have front
setbacks with a depth of less than ten (10) feet, the minimum front
setback may be reduced for buildings and other structures on the
subject lot up to a line parallel to the front lot line and extended from
the most forward projection of the principal single family residential

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buildings on the adjacent lots having the deeper front setback depth,
provided such projection is enclosed, has a wall height of at least eight
(8) feet, and has a width of at least five (5) feet. In the case of a corner
lot or lot that has a vacant parcel next to it, this same principal may
apply if the two (2) lots adjacent to the corner lot or lot along its front
lot line have less than a fifteen (15) foot front setback. See illustration
below:
Site feature of any height may require a design review permit under
division 17.66.
Side yard and
rear yard
setback		 Minimum 4 feet for primary or accessory structure, except as
provided below. If adjacent lots abutting the side and rear lot lines of
the subject property are single family residential, the proposed
building shall further step back depending on the lot area:
• If lot area is less than 4,000 sq.ft., the building shall step back 8 ft.
from the side and/or rear property line abutting the single family
residential after 2 stories or 22 ft., whichever is less.
• If lot area is 4,000 sq.ft. or more, the building shall step back 8 ft.
from the side and/or rear property line abutting the single family
residential after 3 stories or 35 ft, whichever is less.
However, an accessory structure may be located anywhere within the
side and rear setback areas except that it: (a) must be located within
35 feet of the rear lot line; (b) must be located at least 5 feet from a
habitable structure on an abutting property, and, for a corner lot, at
least 5 feet from a side lot line of an abutting property to the rear; (c)
may not exceed 15 feet in height; and (d) may not be habitable.
A site feature proposed within these distances may require a design
review permit under division 17.66.
Density Minimum density of 20 dwelling units/acre, and maximum density of
60 dwelling units/acre, unless otherwise required by State Law.
Unit type mix 50% of the units in a multi-family housing development, including co-
housing (but excluding senior housing, licensed residential care
facilities of 7 or more residents, and disabled housing), shall have a
minimum of two bedrooms, unless 100% of the units are affordable to
households earning 50% or less of the area median income (AMI)
established by California Health and Safety Code 5105 that are deed-
restrictedfora period of55 years or more.

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  • B. In Zone C, for uses other than those listed above, the development standards are as follows:

    1. Wireless communications facility as provided in division 17.46.

    2. Single-family residence as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

    3. Manufactured and mobile homes as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

    4. Large day care home as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

    5. Licensed residential care facility or group home for up to 6 residents and unlicensed residential care facility or group home as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

    6. Low barrier navigation centers as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

  1. Transitional and supportive housing as provided in section 17.20.040.A.

    1. Employee Housing for up to six employees as provided in section 17.20.40.A

    2. Small day care home as provided in section 17.20.40.A

  • C. For lots that are larger than 5,000 square feet, an ADU shall be constructed:

    • a. when a new single-family residence is proposed on a vacant lot.

    • b. when an existing single-family residence is demolished for a remodel or reconstruction, except when a single-family residence is being reconstructed to the same or similar square footage due to damage or destruction by accident, fire, flood, earthquake, or other act of nature. (Ord. 772 N.S., 03/2024)

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